What is the ultimate cause of piglet loss?
The fetal lungs acquire the ability for gas exchange at birth. Major changes in lung development occur at days 95-100. During the birth process and soon after liquid is removed from the lung. It has been estimated that the physiologic half-life of oxygen is less than 5 minutes and irreversible brain damage occurs within 5 minutes of umbilical rupture or even impeded blood flow through the umbilicus. It is thought that 93% of all intrapartum deaths are due to umbilical rupture since most stillborn pigs have broken umbilical cords. Fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen) is most related to piglet survival at farrowing and even temporary hypoxia during birth may cause permanent brain damage and reduce liveborn pig survival. Pig fetuses are very susceptible to intrauterine asphyxia. A period of prolonged intrauterine hypoxia caused by uterine hypertension (high pressure due to contractions) could deplete energy stores (glycogen) needed by the piglet after birth to survive. Most of the pig’s glycoge
