Jean Le Dividich

• PhD
• Research Director at French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE)

Simple Summary Piglet survival and performance until weaning are key features of sow productivity and, therefore, swine production efficiency. The genetic improvement of the last decades has led to larger litters but also to more heterogenous ones, with an increased number of low birthweight piglets that are more prone to die before weaning due to...

Within-litter variation in birth weight is a relevant factor in pig production. This study aimed at comparing pre-weaning mortality, colostrum intake (CI), passive immunization, and growth of piglets from litters of uniform (UN) or heterogeneous (HET) birth weights. The study included 52 multiparous sows (Large White × Landrace) and their litters....

Susceptibility to cold is usually reported as a major factor involved in the neonatal mortality of piglets (English and Morrison, 1984). Low energy reserves and poor insulation largely contribute to the limited thermoregulatory capacities of the newborn pig (Mersmann, 1974; Curtis, 1974). Glycogen is the predominant source of energy accounting for...

Weaning represents a critical period in the life of a piglet. Although the age at which piglets are weaned is rather variable, it is common practice to wean them at an early age. At weaning the normal pattern of growth and development is interrupted. The extent to which nutritional, climatic, social and managemental practices influences the check i...

This study investigates the relation between birth order (BO), birth weight (BW0), colostrum intake (CI), level of passive immunity and pre-weaning mortality of piglets. The animals used were 551 cross-bred piglets [Piétrain × (Large-White × Landrace)] born from 40 sows. Colostrum immunoglobulins G (IgG) determinations were made from 17 sows. Colos...

Colostrum production and composition of 45 Alentejano (AL) and 45 crossed (Large–White × Landrace, LL) sows together with consumption and passive immunization of piglets, were evaluated. Piglets were weighed at birth, 24h, and 21 and 28 days of age. Colostrum was collected, chemically analysed and immunoglobulin G (IgG) determined. On piglets, seru...

Effects of uniformity of birth weight on colostrum intake and mortality of piglets Within‐litter variation in birth weight is a factor relevant to pig production. This study set out to compare colostrum intake and postnatal mortality in litters of uniform or heterogeneous birth weight. The study involved 52 sows (Large White x Landrace) and their...

The objective of this study was to determine whether birth weight of the pig is related to its birth order. The study involved 292 sows from 2 genotypes (Large White x Landrace crossbred (LL), n= 247 and Alentejano (AL), n=45) of mixed parity and their piglets. Most sows farrowed naturally. Each piglet was identified, weighed (± 1g) (mummies except...

This study compared some reproductive (gestation and farrowing length; total born, born alive, stillbirths, mummified, post-natal mortality) and productive traits (piglet and litter weights at birth and at 21 days) between Alentejano swine breed (AL) and a conventional genotype (Large-White x Landrace-C). A total of 90 animals (45 per genotype) rea...

The present study investigated the effect of 3 different durations of feeding a diet supplemented with defatted bovine colostrum (Col) on growth performance and sanitary status of the weaned piglet. At 28 d of age, piglets were weaned and fed 1 of the 2 following diets: a control (Ctrl) starter diet or a starter diet supplemented with Col. Two expe...

Colostrum intake from birth to 24 h after the onset of parturition (T24) was estimated for 526 piglets from 40 litters. Plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG), lactate, glucose and cortisol were determined at T24 for six piglets per litter. Plasma IgG concentration was also assayed at weaning (28 days) on the same piglets. Rectal temperatu...

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la composición corporal y los parámetros sanguíneos [albúmina, glucosa y factor de crecimiento insulínico tipo 1 (IGF-1)] de lechones recién nacidos procedentes de cerdas de raza no seleccionada Alentejana (AL) y de genotipo convencional [Large-White × Landrace (LL)]). Se analizaron muestras de sangre y cana...

Data presented in this paper aimed to establish a simple method to estimate colostrum intake by new-born piglets and hence colostrum production of the sows. Results were obtained in two different experimental herds and based on 20 (trial 1) and 14 sows (trial 2), respectively. The best correlation was found between body weight gain from birth to 24...

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of the chemical form of selenium (Se) fed to sows (1) on production and immune quality of colostrum and (2) on piglet response to a deterioration of sanitary conditions after weaning. Twenty-two pregnant sows were assigned to receive a diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se from either sodium sel...

Twenty-four newborn piglets were used to evaluate the digestibility of sow colostrum and milk and the efficiency of milk utilisation by the piglet. Within a litter, four piglets were allotted to one of the four treatments: killed at birth, or bottle-fed sow colostrum for 30 h and sow milk thereafter at the rate of 100, 200, or 300 g kg-1 d-1. Pigle...

Genetic trends for body composition and blood plasma parameters of newborn piglets were estimated through the comparison of two groups of pigs (G77 and G98, respectively) produced by inseminating Large White (LW) sows with semen from LW boars born either in 1977 or in 1998. Random samples of 18 G77 and 19 G98 newborn piglets were used for whole car...

Colostrum yield and composition of 40 Landrace×Large White sows were determined from the onset of parturition until 24 h post partum. Colostrum yield was calculated by adding individual piglets' colostrum intakes for each litter. Colostrum was assayed for prolactin, progesterone, oestradiol-17β, immunoglobulin G and its nutritional composition was...

Predicting sow colostrum production by weighing piglets twice within 48 hours. Data presented in this paper aimed to establish a simple method to estimate colostrum intake by newborn piglets and hence colostrum production of the sows. Results were obtained in two different experimental herds and based on 20 (trial 1) and 14 sows (trial 2), respecti...

An early and high intake of colostrum is a major determinant of survival during the early suckling period, when most losses occur. Indeed, piglets are born devoid of body fat and are dependent on colostrum as their sole energy source. Colostrum also has other essential roles for the developing piglet; most importantly, it provides passive immunity...

The present study investigated the effects of a bovine colostrum-supplemented diet on gut post-weaning adaptation and health in piglets. Thirty-six 21-d-old piglets were allocated to one of the three following dietary treatments: sow-reared (SR), weaned on a control starter diet (WCtrl) or on a starter diet supplemented with bovine colostrum (WCol)...

Colostrum intake is one of the main factors determining piglets' survival. Colostrum provides to piglet energy and immune protection. However, colostrum production is very variable among sows and factors controlling this production have not been yet clearly identified. Colostrum secretion occurs during parturition and may be influenced by hormones...

Le colostrum joue un rôle indispensable dans la survie du porcelet nouveau-né en lui apportant de l’énergie et une protection immunitaire. La production de colostrum par la truie est très variable et les facteurs l’influençant n’ont pas encore été clairement identifiés. La sécrétion du colostrum intervient autour de la parturition et est susceptibl...

Chap.65 Mention d'édition : 9. ed.

This chapter discusses the development and the environmental regulation of the energy metabolism in the neonatal pig, a species devoid of brown adipose tissue. The newborn pig is poorly insulated and maintenance of its homeothermic balance is essentially related to its ability to produce heat. The skeletal muscle is the major contributor to the ene...

The nutritional and immunological importance of colostrum for the survival and development of the neonatal pig are reviewed. The pig is born with low body energy stores and devoid of serum immunoglobulins. Colostrum provides the piglet with both energy and maternal antibodies but its fat and protein composition is very variable. Colostrum is very d...

Weaning-associated anorexia is the main factor responsible for structural alterations of the small intestine. However, whether weaning and the postweaning feed intake level affect disaccharidase and peptidase gene expression remains to be elucidated. Adaptation of the small intestine to early weaning at 7 days of age and the effects of postweaning...

La production du colostrum est calculée sur 43 truies Landrace x Large White entre le début de la parturition (T 0 ) et 24 heures plus tard (T 24 ) par sommation des consommations de leurs 554 porcelets estimées à partir du gain de poids vif. Les concentrations des immunoglobulines G (IgG), d’hormones (progestérone, oestradiol-17 â , prolactine), d...

Deux groupes d’animaux (G77 et G98) ont été produits en inséminant des truies Large White (LW) avec de la semence de verrats LW nés en 1977 ou en 1998. La comparaison des performances de ces 2 groupes d’animaux permet d’estimer les évolutions génétiques réalisées au cours de cette période. La composition corporelle de 12 porcelets G77 et 9 porcelet...

Blood, colostrum and saliva samples were serially taken from 6 multiparous sows from day 109 of gestation until day 3 postpartum. Plasma was assayed for oestradiol-17beta (E2), progesterone (P4), prolactin (PRL), cortisol, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactose. Colostrum was assayed for E2, P4, IgG and lactose. Lactoserum, obtained after ultra centrif...

Three trials were performed in order to establish a method of estimation of colostrum intake based on weight gain in newborn pigs. The first trial involved 33 piglets, bottle-fed with sow colostrum and weighed regularly for 25 h. A regression equation relating colostrum intake (CI in g) to birth weight (BW_B in kg), weight at CI estimatio...

We investigated the changes in the capacity for synthesis of the exocrine pancreas of piglets during the 2 wk after weaning at 7 d of age (trial 1) by measuring the expression of digestive enzymes at mRNA and activity levels in pancreas homogenates, and the effects of high and low feed intakes during the 1st wk postweaning (trial 2) on these measur...

We examined the effects of undernutrition on muscle development during the first postnatal week in pigs. Eighteen piglets were subjected to three nutritional levels (300, 200 or 100 g/(kg body. d) of colostrum then milk) between birth and slaughter at 7 d of age. Longissimus lumborum (LL), a fast-twitch glycolytic muscle, and rhomboideus (RH), a mi...

Neonatal mortality is still a source of serious loss to the swine industry. We know that optimal development of thermoregulation is a prerequisite of utmost importance for successful adaptation to extra-uterine life. Indeed, a comprehensive knowledge of piglet thermoregulation is now available and may be helpful to increase our understanding of the...

Two trials involving a total of 56 pigs were conducted to examine the effects of weaning at 7 d of age (trial 1) and of energy intake level and length of post-weaning underfeeding period (trial 2) on small intestinal (SI) development and morphometry. At 3 d after weaning, weight of the SI and mucosa (g/kg body weight) and villous height along SI we...

Modern production methods can induce negative consequences for pig welfare. In wild-pigs, as in domes,tic pigs reared in natural conditions, parturient females live in a matriarchal group and build a nest to protect their piglets. A selective bond is established between sows and piglets, and suckling continues for a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks. Prese...

Abstract Modern production methods can induce negative consequences for pig welfare. In wild­pigs, as in domes­tic pigs reared in natural conditions, parturient females live in a matriarchal group and build a nest to protect their piglets. A selective bond is established between sows and piglets, and suckling continues for a minimum of 10 to 12 wee...

Two experiments were undertaken to get a better understanding of the regulation of the GH/IGF-I axis by nutritional status in suckling piglets. In experiment 1, 18 newborn unsuckled piglets were bottle-fed low (L), intermediate (I), or high (H) levels of sow colostrum and milk from birth to 7 days of age. L and H levels corresponded to maintenance...

Effects of a high (33 degrees C) or thermoneutral (23 degrees C) temperature on body temperature and endocrine parameters were studied in weaned piglets. Rectal and skin temperatures were measured in four ad libitum fed animals per temperature during three weeks. After this acclimation period, 11 blood samples were withdrawn on a 24-h period. Over...

This book focuses on the nutrition and management of weaner pigs, elaborating on the growth, nutritional requirements and feeding, digestive physiology, enteric immunity and gut health, enteric and respiratory diseases, and behaviour of piglets. Weaning systems, practical management and housing for weaners, as well as aerial pollutants produced fro...

Genetic improvement in sows' prolificity is limited by their milk capacities, which do not allow all piglets to survive or grow normally. This experiment compared the behaviour, growth and immune responses of piglets that were weaned early at 6 days of age (EW) vs. control Large White piglets' (C) suckled by their mothers. Behaviour of 9 litters of...

This proceedings of a symposium on the digestive physiology of pigs contains 107 papers. Topic covered are: gut development and function; the gastrointestinal immune system; nutrient absoption and utilization by the gut; digestive processes; econutrition and health maintenance and free communications.

This proceedings of a symposium on the digestive physiology of pigs contains 107 papers. Topic covered are: gut development and function; the gastrointestinal immune system; nutrient absoption and utilization by the gut; digestive processes; econutrition and health maintenance and free communications.

Performance in pigs is greatly reduced during periods of heat stress through a reduction in voluntary food intake (VFI). However, little information is available as to what extent growth in piglets is affected by high temperature. The objective of this study was therefore to quantify the change in VFI as affected by environmental temperature. Pigle...

Asphyxia during delivery is considered a main cause of stillbirth in pigs, but piglets suffering from intermittent asphyxia during delivery are also less viable at birth and less prone to adapt to extrauterine life. In an effort to improve pig viability, one attractive solution would be to increase oxygen supply through oxygen inhalation by the new...

An experiment was conducted to investigate the consequences of very early weaning of piglets on neuroendocrine variables and growth. Sixty piglets from eight litters were either weaned on Postnatal Day 6 (early weaning, or EW piglets) or left with their dam until normal weaning at Day 28 (control piglets, or C). At Days 5, 7, 11, 14, and 19, urine...

Because pigs are fatter when they are heat-stressed, it was hypothesized that lipid metabolism is enhanced in heat-stressed pigs. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to determine the influence of a high ambient temperature on the level of plasma lipids, thyroid hormones, lipoprotein lipase activity, and on the composition of very l...

2. ed. Mention d'édition : 2. ed.

Four replicates were conducted to determine the effects of tropical climate and season on voluntary feed intake and performance of pigs and their carcass characteristics at 90 kg, as compared to a control environment (CE). CE was characterized by ambient temperature of 20°C and relative humidity (RH) of 75%. Under tropical climate, ambient temperat...

The neonatal period is a particularly critical stage during which the long-term development of the individual can be affected. The rapid somatic growth is accompanied by tremendous anatomical, physiological and chemical composition changes. This period is also associated with dramatic changes in the endocrine system which plays a central role in th...

Proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes from 7-d-old pigs consuming maternal or formula milk were examined in primary culture of stromal-vascular (s-v) cells derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue. Unsuckled pigs were bottle-fed isoenergetically with colostrum and then sow's milk (SM) or with formula milk alone (F) from birth to 7 d. I...

The influence of maternal and formula milk on lipid metabolism was studied in 7-day-old pigs. Lipid content, fatty acid composition, lipogenic enzyme activities and expression of GLUT4 mRNA were determined in subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle from pigs that were bottle-fed formula milk (F) or sow milk (SM), or were sow-reared (SR). Bo...

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of a high ambient temperature on the stearoyl-CoA-desaturase activity and fatty acid composition of backfat, leaf fat, Longissimus dorsi muscle and liver, in the growing pig. Eighteen Large White X Landrace castrated pigs (20 kg body weight) were divided into three groups: I (31 degrees C, ad l...

The effect of acute asphyxia at birth on subsequent ability to produce heat was investigated in 30 newborn pigs. A model of experimentally induced asphyxia consisting of the prevention of breathing within the first four minutes of life was used. Blood was sampled from an umbilical artery catheter within the first 75 minutes of life for blood gas, p...