We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Assessment of lung health of pigs from different ecological and farming systems by means of BAL Lungenhistologie
Project
Project code: 03OE370
Contract period: 01.05.2004
- 31.07.2005
Budget: 21,935 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
The research project focussed on the description of pig health (especially the lungs) assessed in animals originating from different housing systems and different management conditions. Two branches were depicted: first, fattening pigs were examined (four different housing systems: conventional – deep litter – stable according to EU directive on organic farming – free range system), second, animals of different age were included in the study. Here, in a conventional system, piglets (7 days and 12 weeks) as well as pigs at the end of the fattening period were examined. Comparing two organic systems, piglets (12 weeks), pigs at the end of the ordinary fattening period and so-called XXL-pigs (> 180 kg weight) were included in the study. The health status was assessed by means of examination of the carcasses, a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed on the isolated lungs and a histo-pathologic examination of tissue of the lung. Generally, signs of inflammatory changes in the airways increased during the animals´ lifetime as shown by the BAL results (decrease of the percentage of macrophages parallel to a proportional increase of lymphocytes and partially granulocytes). The histologic examination revealed tissue changes corresponding to infectious agents, especially viral infections. It can be assumed that the process of infection was encouraged by irritative changes of the respiratory system relative to the concentration of gas and biological agents in the air of the livestock buildings. Yet, the management condition seemed to play an even more important role: animals of the organic farm with rather good air quality (as described by the endotoxins´ concentration) showed a rather high number of pathologic findings associated with poor management (e.g. hygiene, vaccination status, deworming). Thus, besides technical factors (e.g. kind of building, ventilation) farm management plays a major role with respect of the animals´ health and has to be improved where necessary.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal breeding
- Animal Husbandry
- Animal health
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
