title: Effect of cow colostrum on the performance and survival rate of local newborn piglets in Benin Republic.
abstract: The effect of bovine colostrum, including its thermally labile compounds, on the survival and growth performance of local breed piglets reared by their mother, in Benin, was evaluated over a 49-day trial. Three groups of 16 piglets, stemming from two primiparous sows belonging to a unique traditional farm, were respectively fed for the first 48 h of life with either bovine colostrum heated to 85 °C for 30 min, or thawed bovine colostrum, or colostrum from the mother. Thereafter, the animals that received bovine colostrum turned back to their mother. At day 21, almost all piglets from the group that received heated colostrum died. The highest total weight gain was obtained in the group that received thawed bovine colostrum (P ˂ 0.01), followed by the group left with the mother. Corresponding average daily gains (ADGs) were 56, 34 and 2 g/day, respectively (P ˂ 0.05). At the end of the trial, the treatment effect was highly significant on the survival of piglets (100% in the thawed colostrum group vs. 00 and 50%, respectively, in the heated colostrum group and in the group left with the mother). At day 49, numerically higher weight and ADGs were obtained in the group that received thawed cow colostrum. Thawed bovine colostrum improved the growth performance and piglet survival in the local pig breed in Benin, probably owing to thermally labile components. Bovine colostrum may be used in our farms in order to reduce pre-weaning mortality, improve the profitability of livestock farmers, and ensure survival of traditional farms. The use of bovine colostrum on farms could be facilitated by collaboration between pig farmers and bovine farmers. It could also be facilitated by the creation of a colostrum bank.
authors.affiliation: Beninese Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CBRST), 03 BP 1665, Cotonou, Republic of Benin. agbokounou@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aristide Mahoutin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Agbokounou
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
authors.forename: Gbênangnon Serge
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ahounou
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
authors.forename: Issaka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Youssao Abdou Karim
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Scientific Research, Research Center of Agonkanmey (CRA/INRAB), Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin.
authors.forename: Guy Apollinaire
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Health, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
authors.forename: Bénoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koutinhouin
authors.affiliation: Tropical Veterinary Institute, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Medicine Veterinary, University of Liège, 20 Bd de Colonster, B43, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hornick
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001541:Benin; D002417:Cattle; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015996:Survival Rate; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Benin; Bovine colostrum; Growth performance; Local breed piglet; Sow; Survival