title: Risk factors associated with postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate management and strategy-related risk factors for the occurrence of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) in commercial pig herds. A questionnaire was sent to 250 pig herdsmen. Of the responding herdsmen (n=110), 37 reported occurrences of PDS, whereas 73 reported no cases of PDS. Data were then analysed using logistic regression. After univariate analysis, eight variables associated with PDS (P<0.2) were retained and these were used to construct a multivariable logistic regression model. Four significant risk factors were found: (1) moving pregnant sows to the farrowing unit 4 days or less before expected farrowing (Odds Ratio [OR] 6.272); (2) farrowing induction (OR 4.804); (3) feeding sows ad libitum during lactation (OR 3.149) and (4) frequent farrowing supervision (OR 0.085). This study has demonstrated that a considerable number of modern pig herds still suffer from problems with PDS, and that control measures should include optimising management and feeding practices.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. nutrition@ugent.be
authors.forename: Georgios A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanderhaeghe
authors.forename: Geert P J
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dewulf
authors.forename: Dominiek G D
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Maes
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period; D015995:Prevalence; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control