30th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of nutrient supplementation on pig sickness behavior when infected with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus
Nicholas R. Gordon
Dr. Jessica Colpoys, Faculty Mentor
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a significant respiratory pathogen in grow-finish pigs. The objective of this research was to investigate how nutrient supplements impact pig sickness behavior during a PRRSV infection. Sixty pigs were inoculated intranasal and I.M. with PRRSV at 35 kg bodyweight and began treatment supplements. Treatments included no nutrient supplement, water supplement, and water+feed supplement. Pig home-pen behavior was video recorded on -1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days post inoculation. Observations were recorded using 10-minute scan sampling from 7:00-19:00 hours by one observer. Percent of pigs standing, lying, sitting, eating, and drinking within each pen was recorded. Pigs given the water+feed supplement showed an increase in sitting behavior compared to the control and water supplement treatments (P≤0.05); however, no other differences were observed (P>0.05). Therefore, the nutrient supplement treatments had minimal effect on sickness behaviors of PRRSV infected pigs.
Keywords: PRRSV, behavior, nutrient supplement
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: