Key result
Nutrient supplementation in water or water and feed had no significant effect on viremia or growth performance in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate how nutrient additive inclusion impacts performance and sickness behavior in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.
Does nutrient supplementation improve performance and sickness behavior in PRRSV-infected pigs?
RCT (n=108)
Single-blind
Blocked by body weight and genetics
No
Does nutrient supplementation improve performance and sickness behavior in PRRSV-infected pigs?
Nutrient supplementation in water or feed had minimal effects on sickness behavior and no effect on viremia or growth performance in PRRSV-infected pigs.
Does not support nutrient supplementation in PRRSV pig models; leaves open whether alternative strategies merit testing.
Objective: Investigate how nutrient additive inclusion impacts performance and sickness behavior in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Materials and methods: At 10 weeks of age, 108 PRRSV naïve barrows (mean [SD] body weight: 31 [1.4] kg) were allotted into 18 pens in a commercial barn and enrolled in a 35-day PRRSV challenge study. After a 5-day acclimation period, all pigs were inoculated intranasally and intramuscularly with a field strain of PRRSV and began nutrient supplement treatments. Treatments included no nutrient supplement (control; n = 6 pens), water nutrient supplement (water; n = 6 pens), and water and feed nutrient supplement (water+feed; n = 6 pens). Pen performance was recorded weekly at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days post inoculation (dpi). Pig home-pen behavior was recorded on -1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 dpi. Results: Over the 35-day challenge, no significant differences in pig viremia or performance were reported due to treatment. Compared to control, water+feed additive increased sitting in pigs; however, no other sickness behavior treatment differences were observed. Decreased activity was observed 6 and 9 dpi. Eating was decreased 6 dpi whereas drinking was decreased from 6 dpi throughout the rest of the behavioral observation period at 18 dpi. Implications: The addition of a nutrient additive in water and water+feed had minimal effect on sickness behavior and no observed effect on viremia or performance of PRRSV-infected pigs. Decreased activity, eating, and drinking may help caretakers identify health-challenged pigs.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Colpoys et al. (2020) conducted an RCT in Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection (n=108). Nutrient and electrolyte supplement vs. No nutrient supplement was evaluated on Viremia and growth performance. Nutrient supplementation in water or water and feed had no significant effect on viremia or growth performance in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: