WP1: Pre- and postnatal development

Objectives

Generate new knowledge on the phenotypicSet of observable characteristics or traits of an organism. The term covers the organism's morpholog... and metabolic background of IUGRIntra-uterine growth retardation, is defined as the impaired growth of the fetus or its organs durin... and low BtWPiglets weighing between 0.8 and 1.2 kg. and identify and evaluate perinatalRelating to the time, immediately before and after birth. nutritional/supplemental strategies to improve pigs and poultry’ survival, growth and development.

To achieve this aim, 3 objectives and 6 tasks are defined:

1.1) Identify and characterize the subpopulation of pigs and poultry with poor growth potential. Research will focus on IUGRIntra-uterine growth retardation, is defined as the impaired growth of the fetus or its organs durin.../low BtW piglets and on chickens suffering with body imbalance and underweight broilersChickens kept for meat production. Fast growing breeds can reach a weight of over 2 kg at 5 weeks of... at d 7 [Task 1.1 ,Task 1.2].

1.2) Identify determinant factors impacting dynamics of growth [Task 1.3].

1.3) Develop nutritional strategies to improve early development (pigs and poultry) and immunity acquisition (pigs) with special emphasis on the subpopulation of animals with reduced viability at birth [Task 1.4, Task 1.5, Task 1.6].

Tasks

1.1 Set up and validate a statistical model to better characterize the IUGR/low BtW subpopulation in pigs and the physiological traits influencing their growth performance.

Methodology

ESR1 will collate an extensive data set of dams (parity, litter size of previous parities, number of low [< 1.1 kg] BtW pigs), new born piglets (BtW) and the early growth kinetic (weekly average daily gain from birth to weaning). For this task, an extensive data set from 4 beneficiaries (Teagasc, AFBI, FBN, WBF-A: data from > 400 sows over 5 yrs. ~ 4000 litters) will be available. This data set will be used to set up a Linear Mixed Effect Model including growth kinetic as influencing factors. In a following step the Linear Mixed Effect Model will be validated and additional phenotypicSet of observable characteristics or traits of an organism. The term covers the organism’s morpholog… traits, e.g. head morphology, head to tail size and blood metabolomeDescribes the complete set of all low-weight molecules that can be quantified in a biological sample… will be assessed [D1.2].

1.2 Characterise the variation in broiler growth performance observed early in life and determine the underlying biological factors.

Methodology

ESR10 will monitor BW, feed intake, and growth as well as the extent of BW dispersion in a flock of broilersChickens kept for meat production. Fast growing breeds can reach a weight of over 2 kg at 5 weeks of… for the whole production life (d 1-42). Specifically, birds which rank as low BW and high BW relative to the average BW of the cohort will be identified at d 7 post-hatch and monitored throughout a growth cycle to establish relative weight gain dynamics. A subsample of birds will be euthanized either at d 7 or 42 to establish the relationship between the development of the GITThe part of the digestive system that consists of the stomach and intestines., ancillary organs and whole-body composition. Linear regression analyses will be conducted to establish the relationship between BW gain in early and later life. The influence of BW on day of arrival and d 7 on whole life growth performance will be determined. Carcass characteristics including lean meat content, relative muscle weight and basic meat quality assessments will be carried out on low and high BW groups at d 42 [D 1 . 1 ]. Using findings generated in T2.1 (GITThe part of the digestive system that consists of the stomach and intestines. function, composition of selected microbial taxa from underweight and normal weight broilersChickens kept for meat production. Fast growing breeds can reach a weight of over 2 kg at 5 weeks of…), 1 nutritional intervention and 1 pro-/prebiotic strategy will be developed to redress underperforming broilersChickens kept for meat production. Fast growing breeds can reach a weight of over 2 kg at 5 weeks of… [D 1.8].

1.3 Evaluate the effect of early incubation temperature-windows on sex, growth performance, welfare, muscle development and meat quality of broilers.

Methodology

1.4 Study nutritional strategies for either sows or litters to improve colostrum yield and quality, and for litters to increase the survival, growth and efficiency of IUGR/low BtW piglets born in large litters.

Methodology

1.5 Understanding the role of neonatal glutamine supplementation in affecting piglets’ neonatal growth performance, amino acid metabolism, and metabolic profiles.

Methodology

1.6 Identify novel pre- and/or probiotics for optimal in ovo injection level or post-hatch feeding strategy on poultry growth and development.

Methodology

Deliverables

D 1.1: Biological factors for growth variation determined |
D 1.2: Validated statistical model depicting IUGR/low BtW pigs |
D 1.3: Optimal incubation temperature for optimal muscle development determined |
D 1.4: Pig growth performance, intestinal characteristics and metabolic profile at birth, during and after neonatal glutamine supplementation available |
D1.5: Impact of in ovo injected pre-and/or probiotics on post hatch development available |
D1.6: Effect of different supplementary milk systems on pre-weaning survival of IUGR/low BtW piglets completed (ESR9); |
D1.7: Effect of pro-/prebiotic supplementation on sows and offspring performance completed |
D1.8: Nutritional intervention for underperforming broilers tested |
D 1.9: Prenatal incubation program supporting sustainable broiler production available |