Unraveling the role of prepartum environmental enrichment in behavioral, endocrine, epigenetic, and performance outcomes of sows and their Offspring

• Grant number: 25/08581-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
• Grantee: Matheus Saliba Monteiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Modern pig herds faces increasing ethical challenges, particularly regarding animal welfare. Despite intense genetic selection, sows still exhibit a strong motivation for nest-building. However, in intensive systems with crates and concrete floors, restricting this behavior leads to increased stereotypies, hormonal imbalances, disruptions in parturition kinetics, and, consequently, negative impacts on maternal health and piglet survival. Farrowing is a critical phase: dystocia accounts for approximately 10% of maternal deaths, and pre-weaning mortality ranges from 5-20%, with up to 80% of these losses occurring during the first week of life. Therefore, strategies that support the physiological and behavioral needs of sows, such as providing nesting material, are essential to improve welfare and productivity. Nonetheless, the risk of clogging manure management systems limits the use of conventional materials. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of a water-soluble and biodegradable nesting material, developed using biopolymers, on the behavioral, physiological, and productive aspects of sows, as well as on the blood gas, epigenetic, and performance parameters of their piglets. Three experiments will be conducted with the following objectives: i) to determine the optimal amount of nesting material (0; 3.0 or 15 kg); ii) to assess the impact of nesting in sows with a history of stereotypies; and iii) to investigate short-term effects (pain, behavior, hormones, glycemia) in sows and long-term effects (behavior, epigenetics, performance) in piglets. Statistical analysis will be performed using mixed models, with p¿<¿0.05 considered significant and 0.05¿<¿p¿<¿0.10 considered a trend. (AU)