Sow lameness decreases gestation length and offspring protection from cortisol

Researchers from Brazil, Italy, and Austria determined the impact of sow lameness during the last trimester of pregnancy on the reproductive performance and placental glucocorticoid concentrations. This study was carried out on 2 farms in Brazil and Italy. On both farms, pregnant sows were housed in group gestation pens with both solid and slatted concrete floor areas. The researchers transferred all sows to individual farrowing crates 1 week before the expected farrowing date. During lactati