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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h transport period on the physiology and reproductive success of breeding age gilts, simulating transport of breeding gilts from one farm to a commercial breeding herd. Fifty gilts were allocated to one of five transport (TRANS) treatment groups; transported for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h. Fifteen gilts were allocated to one of five control (CON) treatments; gilts remained in their home pen for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h. Every 6 h, gilts from one TRANS treatment were removed from the trailer. Blood samples were collected from gilts and their respective controls before and after transport. Gilts were then bred after puberty. The granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio ( P P P P P > 0.05) among treatments regardless of the length of transport duration. These data indicate that gilts transported for a period of up to 30 h experienced initial acute stress during the first 6 to 12 h and changes in water homeostasis throughout the 30 h journey due to dehydration, food deprivation, and transport, however reproductive measures suggest that the long-term homeostasis of the gilts in this study were not significantly compromised. Transport of breeding gilts induced acute, transient stress but did not negatively impact reproductive performance. Interestingly, gilts were more at risk of physiological perturbations when transported 6 h or less than 12 to 30 h. |
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