title: Efficacy of 1,3-butanediol for enhancement of neonatal pig survival.
abstract: Pre-partum feeding of 1,3-butanediol to sows has been shown to improve the metabolic status and survival rate of neonatal pigs. To evaluate the efficacy of short-term, pre-partum feeding of 1,3-butanediol on pig and sow productivity on a large scale and low concentration was the focus of the research. The secondary objective was to determine if pre-partum feeding of 1,3-butanediol had any effect on survival rate and weight gain of lesser body weight pigs, sow body weight and subsequent sow reproductive performance. In a large commercial unit, 2537 sows were fed one of two pre-partum diets (0% or 4.55% 1,3-butanediol) on Day 108±3 of pregnancy. 1,3-butanediol provided 8% of the total metabolizable energy. Pigs born live in those litters were equalized by cross-fostering among sows receiving the same pre-partum diet. Pigs were weaned from the sows at 16±3 days post-partum and return of sows to estrus and conception rates were determined. Pre-partum feeding of 1,3-butanediol reduced (P=0.01) pre-weaning pig mortalities from 1.44 to 1.24 pigs per litter. The reduction in pig mortality was independent of length of 1,3-butanediol feeding (4 to 11 days). In a subset of 750 litters, four lesser birth-weight pigs from each litter were tagged and monitored to determine the effect of 1,3-butanediol on survival rates and pre-weaning weight gain of pigs with the greatest mortality risk. 1,3-butanediol reduced (P=0.01) pre-weaning mortality of these low birth weight pigs by 5.27%. Based on these data, short-term pre-partum feeding of 1,3-butanediol effectively improves pre-weaning pig productivity at a lower concentration than previously reported.
authors: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors: Tim S
authors: TS
authors: Stahly
authors: Formerly: OXEA Corporation, Bishop, TX 78343, USA.
authors: Donald K
authors: DK
authors: Raff
authors: OXEA GmbH, Otto-Roelen-Strasse 3, 46147 Oberhausen, Germany. Electronic address: guido.frey@oxea-chemicals.com.
authors: Guido D
authors: GD
authors: Frey
authors: Laboratory Animal Resources, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors: Jeremias B
authors: JB
authors: Zamzow
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005328:Fetal Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D008098:Litter Size; D050498:Live Birth / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002072:Butylene Glycols; C028491:1,3-butylene glycol
keywords: 1,3-Butanediol; 1,3-Butylene glycol; Feed; Neonatal pig survival; Nutrition; Swine