The objective was evaluate the effects of the split suckling at the six first hours after the birth, on the weight at weaning and at 60 days of age and on the serum IgG rate, in piglets from sows of different parturition order. Thirty-three sows were used in a completely randomized design and 2 × 3 factorial arrangement: two post-birth management practices and three groups by parturition order. In the traditional management, piglets fought for the teats and suckled randomly, while in the split suckling, piglets were divided in two groups for suckling. Bood collection was performed at six hours after the end of the birth, for the IgG titration. At 21 and 60 days of age, piglets were weighed. The split suckling management did not affect the weight or the serum IgG rate of the piglets from sows of different parturition order, but the piglets of primiparous sows had lower weaning weight. The split suckling management resulted in increase of serum IgG concentration in piglets of primiparous sows. The split suckling must be used in primiparous sows, but not necessarily in sows of second parturition on, because the piglets of primiparous submitted to the split suckling management present higher concentrations of serum IgG.
IgG; passive immunity; piglets management at birth; swine
