Effects of Injectable Administration of Dexamethasone Alone or in Combination with Vitamin E/Se in Newborn Low Birth Weight Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intramuscular administration (IM) of dexamethasone (Dexa) alone or in combination with Vit E/Se on LBW piglets during the early postnatal period. 100 LBW piglets were divided into 5 groups and treated with IM Dexa alone or in combination with Vit E/Se after birth: (a) Group A: Control group, (b) Group B: Dexa on D1 (1st day of life), (c) Group C: Dexa on D1, D2, D3, (d) Group D: Dexa + Vit E/Se on D1, and (e) Group E: Dexa + Vit E/Se (IM) on D1, D2, D3. A significant increase in piglets’ BW and ADWG in Group E and a reduction in Group C were noticed, respectively. Vitality scores were lower in piglets of Group B-Dexa1 and Group C-Dexa3, respectively. Furthermore, piglets of Group C showed poor clinical performance. In conclusion, the administration of a Dexa and Vit E/Se combination shortly after the birth of LBW piglets for 1–3 days could enhance their growth and their ongoing productivity. ABSTRACT: Increasing litter size may lead to low-birth-weight piglets (LBW) and further negative long-term effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intramuscular administration (IM) of dexamethasone (Dexa) alone or in combination with vitamin E/Se on LBW piglets during the early postnatal period. The study included a total of 100 LBW piglets that were divided into 5 groups (20 LBW piglets per group) and treated with IM Dexa alone or in combination with vitamin E/Se (Vit E/Se) after birth as follows: (a) Group A-Cont: Control group, (b) Group B-Dexa1: Dexa on D1 (1st day of life), (c) Group C-Dexa3: Dexa on D1, D2, D3 (D2: 2nd day of life, D3: 3rd day of life), (d) Group D-Dexa + VitE/S1: Dexa + Vit E/Se on D1, and (e) Group E-Dexa + VitE/S3: Dexa + Vit E/Se (IM) on D1, D2, D3. Body weight (BW) and the Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG) were recorded for all piglets on days 1, 7, 14, and 25, and vitality score (VS) was recorded on days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 14. A significant increase in BW and ADWG in Group E-Dexa + VitE/S3 and a significant reduction in Group C-Dexa3 were noticed in comparison to other groups. VS in groups Group B-Dexa1 and Group C-Dexa3 were significantly lower in comparison to other groups. Furthermore, piglets of Group C-Dexa3 had a significantly higher frequency of clinical findings compared to other groups. In conclusion, the administration of Dexa and vitamin E/Se combined after the birth of LBW piglets for 1–3 days has beneficial effects on their growth and survival scores.