Severe claw lesions in pregnant sows reduce prolificacy and increase litter heterogeneity
Our findings indicate that severe CLs impair litter performance and increase litter heterogenicity, particularly the incidence of low-weight piglets born. These effects do not appear to be directly linked to stress biomarker levels but may result from behavioral and physiological disruptions affecting animal well-being derived from the presence of severe CLs. Given the significant economic and welfare implications of severe CLs, further research is needed to elucidate their impact on reproduction and to develop effective protocols to better detect stress and pain in affected sows.
Authors
- Marina López-Arjona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3025-440X)
- Henar Gonzalez-Ramiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9191-6473)
- Manuela Garcia-Canovas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9317-0188)
- Inmaculada Parrilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5121-758X)
- María Botia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0390-2953)
- Josep M. Cambra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2010-5849)
- Emilio Arsenio Martinez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1260-9721)
- Cristina Cuello (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6202-5946)
- Heriberto Rodríguez‐Martínez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5194-2124)
- Alejandro Gonzalez‐Plaza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2175-4904)
- Maria Antonia Gil (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6955-7750)
- Adelina López-Jara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1614-8066)
Institutions
- Linköping University (SE)
- Universidad de Murcia (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Porcine Health Management
- Published
- 2025-10-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-025-00462-5
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.35
Funders
- Fundación Séneca
- Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas
- Vetenskapsrådet