Assessment of hemoglobin concentration in sows and their offspring over consecutive reproductive cycles

Objective: Evaluate hemoglobin concentration (HbC) in sows and their offspring over consecutive parities.

Methods: Twenty-three females were monitored for HbC during parities 1, 2, and 3 at 7 timepoints (30 [± 2], 60 [± 2], 90 [± 2], and 112 days of gestation, 2 and 16 [± 1] days of lactation, and 5 [± 1] days post weaning). Piglet HbC was measured within 18 hours after birth and at 16 (± 1) days of age. Pigs were classified as anemic (HbC < 10 g/dL) or nonanemic (HbC ≥ 10 g/dL) at each timepoint.

Results: On gestation day 90, 71.1% of sows were anemic across parities. In parity 1, HbC was less on lactation day 16 than all gestational timepoints. In parity 2, HbC on lactation days 2 and 16 was less than all gestational timepoints. In parity 3, HbC on lactation days 2 and 16 was less than gestation days 30 and 60. Piglet anemia prevalence at 1 day of age was 55.8%, 36.3%, and 46.1% for parity 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Piglet anemia prevalence at 16 days of age was 35.6%, 18.7%, and 15.9% for parity 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Conclusion: Decreasing sow HbC over the reproductive cycle and lack of post-weaning recovery in parity 3 indicates iron declines with advancing parity and may impact long-term health. Piglet anemia prevalence declined with advancing parity, suggesting a need to reevaluate piglet iron supplementation in litters from younger females.