THE INFLUENCE OF FEEDING LEVEL DURING LACTATION AND GESTATION ON THE ENDOCRINE STATUS AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SECOND PARITY SOWS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1119-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. KIRKWOOD ◽  
S. K. BAIDOO ◽  
F. X. AHERNE
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Variable Interval ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Endocrine Status ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Lower Plane

During their second lactation, 123 second-parity Yorkshire × Landrace sows were fed either 6 kg or 3 kg d−1 of a barley-soybean meal diet formulated to provide 12.5 MJ DE kg−1 and 16% crude protein (approximately 90 and 45% of National Research Council (NRC 1988) requirements). From 48 h after the onset of the post-weaning estrus, sows from each lactation feed treatment were allocated equally to receive the same diet at 3.6 kg or 1.8 kg d−1 (approximately 160 and 80% of NRC (1988) requirements), until slaughtered at 25 d of gestation. On days 4, 8, 12 and 16 of gestation, eight sows from each of the four feed level combinations were blood sampled at 15-min intervals for 4 h. Additionally, a further eight sows were sampled once on each of the above days. The lower plane of feeding during lactation resulted in a greater body weight and backfat loss (26.6 vs. 13.8 kg and 6.5 vs. 3.6 mm, respectively; P < 0.01 for both), an increased incidence of anestrus (21 vs. 8%; P < 0.05) and a longer and more variable interval to estrus (8.9 ± 0.4 vs. 6.0 ± 0.2 d; P < 0.01) than higher level feeding. There was no effect of lactation feeding level on ovulation rate (17.6 ± 0.3 vs. 17.7 ± 0.4 for sows having the higher and lower feed intakes, respectively). There was a main effect of lactation (P < 0.01), but not gestation, feeding level and an interaction between lactation and gestation feeding level (P < 0.02), on number of embryos and percent embryo survival. Embryo numbers and survival were reduced following lower plane feeding during lactation but were lowest following lower plane feeding during both lactation and gestation. There was no effect of sampling day on plasma LH concentrations but plasma LH was lower (P < 0.01) in sows on lower plane feeding during both lactation and gestation. The present data confirm an adverse effect of low plane feeding during lactation on subsequent sow reproductive performance and suggest that a reduction in plasma LH concentrations may be involved. These data fail to confirm any adverse effect on embryo survival of high plane feeding during the first 25 d of gestation. Key words: Sow, feed intake, LH, progesterone, reproduction

THE INFLUENCE OF FEEDING LEVEL DURING LACTATION ON THE OCCURRENCE AND ENDOCRINOLOGY OF THE POSTWEANING ESTRUS IN SOWS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. KIRKWOOD ◽  
S. K. BAIDOO ◽  
F. X. AHERNE ◽  
A. P. SATHER
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Sow Lactation ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

Two experiments were performed with 78 second parity Lacombe sows to determine the influence of nutrition on reproductive performance. During a lactation of 35 d sows were fed daily either 3 (L) or 6 kg (H) of a diet having 16% crude protein and 12.5 MJ DE kg−1. For exp. 1, six L- and six H-fed sows were given an intravenous injection of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) at 21 d of lactation and blood was sampled at −30, −10, 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 90 and 120 min from the time of injection. Prestimulation luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were lower for L-fed than for the H-fed sows (1.34 ± 0.1 vs. 1.93 ± 0.2 ng mL−1' P < 0.02). Peak LH levels achieved after UnKH injection, however, did not differ significantly (5.0 ± 0.6 and 5.8 ± 0.5 ng mL−1 for L and H sows, respectively). In exp. 2, 38 sows were fed the H and 40 fed the L level of feed throughout a 5-wk lactation. As expected, low-level feeding in lactation resulted in a greater body weight and backfat loss (17.4 ± 1.6 vs 41.2 ± 2.3 kg and 3.2 ± 0.4 vs. 6.3 ± 0.1 mm; P < 0.001 for both). Low-level feeding also resulted in an increased incidence of anestrus (15.0 vs. 0.0%) and an extended remating interval (140.7 ± 11.7 vs. 103.4 ± 2.1 h; P < 0.05). At the postweaning estrus, sows were inseminated with either fresh (F) or thawed (T) semen. Treatment groups were thus HF, LF and LT. Pregnancy rate was influenced by both feed level and semen type (90, 72, 69 and 39% for groups HF, HT, LF and LT, respectively). Ovulation rate was unaffected by feed intake (18.7 ± 0.9 vs. 18.2 ± 0.5 for L and H sows, respectively) but embryo survival was influenced by both feed intake and semen type (82.7 ± 2.5, 46.4 ± 9.7, 68.3 ± 9.6 and 53.7 ± 9.8% for groups HF, HT, LF and LT respectively). Eight H and twelve L-fed sows were blood-sampled via indwelling vena caval cannulae at 6-h intervals from weaning until the end of estrus. No treatment effect was noted for plasma levels of LH, growth hormone, estradiol-17β or testosterone during this period. It was concluded that low-plane feeding in lactation and the consequent increased weight and backfat loss reduce reproductive performance of sows. However, the mechanism(s) controlling this effect remain to be fully elucidated. Key words: Sow, lactation, nutrition, estrus

THE EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS GROWTH HORMONE ON THE ENDOCRINE STATUS AND THE OCCURRENCE OF ESTRUS IN GILTS

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 931-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. KIRKWOOD ◽  
P. A. THACKER ◽  
B. L. GUEDO ◽  
B. LAARVELD
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Jugular Vein ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Estrous Cycles ◽  
Endocrine Status ◽  
To Receive

Fifty-six gilts of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were selected at 86.8 ± 0.8 kg body weight (BW) and given an intramuscular (im) injection of 400 IU PMSG plus 200 IU hCG to stimulate ovulation. From 14 d after gonadotropic stimulation, gilts were exposed to a boar to detect a subsequent spontaneous estrus. At the onset of this first observed estrus, gilts were allocated to receive daily injections (i.m.) of growth hormone (pGH, 90 μg kg−1) from either 14 d (GH14, n = 21) or 17 d (GH17, n = 20) until 22 d after the onset of the first observed estrus. A third group of gilts served as controls (n = 15) and received vehicle buffer. Blood samples were obtained by jugular vein puncture at 3-d intervals from 14 to 29 d, inclusively. Gilts were slaughtered 30–32 d after the first observed estrus at which time their ovaries were recovered for the determination of ovulation rates. All control gilts and all but one GH17 gilt exhibited normal estrous cycles. However, of the 21 gilts assigned to GH14, only 9 (43%) had normal estrous cycles (P < 0.001). In gilts exhibiting a second estrus, there was no effect of pGH treatment on the duration of the estrous cycle (20.4, 20.9 and 20.5 d) or on ovulation rate (14.6, 13.9 and 13.5) for GH14, GH17 and controls, respectively. Serum assays revealed that pGH injections resulted in decreased serum concentrations of thyroxine (P < 0.01) but increased concentrations of triiodothyronine, insulin and glucose (P < 0.001). The present data confirm an adverse effect of pGH on ovarian function. However, the adverse effect is only evident when the pGH injection regime encompasses days 14–16 of the estrous cycle. Key words: Gilts, growth hormone, estrus, ovulation rate

The influence of premating feeding level and exogenous insulin on the reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Exogenous Insulin ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sow Nutrition ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Farrowing Rate

At weaning (day 0), 120 mixed parity Yorkshire × Landrace sows were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to be fed a 16% crude protein diet at either 1.8 or 3.6 kg d−1 until breeding and to receive either no insulin or insulin (0.75 IU kg−1) on days 1–4, inclusively. There were no significant effects of dietary or insulin treatments on days to rebreeding, farrowing rate or subsequent litter size. Key words: Sow, nutrition, insulin, reproduction

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

Comparison of supplemental cobalt form on fibre digestion and cobalamin concentrations in cattle

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (5) ◽  
pp. 832-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. WATERMAN ◽  
W. L. KELLY ◽  
C. K. LARSON ◽  
M. K. PETERSEN
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Forage Digestibility ◽  
Randomized Experimental Design ◽  
To Receive

SUMMARYCobalt (Co) is essential for rumen microbial metabolism to synthesize methane, acetate and methionine. It also serves as a structural component of vitamin B12(cobalamin), which functions as a coenzyme in energy metabolism. A study was conducted to determine if Co form (carbonatev. glucoheptonate) supplemented above the National Research Council requirements would improve digestibility of a low-quality forage diet and change serum cobalamin concentrations. Nineteen ruminally cannulated cows (577 ± 13 kg) were fed individually in a completely randomized experimental design. Cows were fed a grass hay diet that contained (79·2 g/kg crude protein, 565 g/kg total digestible nutrients, 633·2 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 874·2 g/kg dry matter) at a rate of 0·02% of body weight on a as fed basis for a 62-day study, which consisted of three periods; acclimation (AC), treatment (TR) and residual (RE). Measurements taken in the AC period were used as covariates for analysis in the TR and RE periods. Cows were stratified by age (5 ± 0·4 years) and lactational history, and assigned to receive 12·5 mg supplemental Co in one of two forms: (1) 27·2 mg of Co carbonate (CC,n= 11 cows) or (2) 50 mg of Co glucoheptonate (CGH,n= 8 cows). Supplement was administered daily via a gelatin capsule placed directly into the rumen 2 h after feeding. During the last 96 h of each period, forage digestibility was measured using anin situnylon bag technique. Blood samples were collected 4 and 6 h following feeding, and 24 h before the end of each period. A treatment × period interaction was detected forin situorganic matter (OM) disappearance at 96 h; (TR period: 684 and 708 ± 81 g/kg; RE period: 676 and 668 ± 75 g/kg, for CC and CGH, respectively). Once inclusion of Co in the CGH group was removed, OM disappearance was reduced by 4·01% compared with 0·82% in the CC cows. The NDF disappearance (OM basis) was less for the TR compared with the RE at 48 h (629 and 652 ± 39 g/kg, respectively). However, by 96 h NDF disappearance was greater for TR than the RE (704 and 689 ± 44 g/kg; respectively). No differences were detected for cobalamin serum concentrations or rate of fibre fermentation. The outcomes of the current research signify that there may be a slight residual effect of Co supplementation on fermentation; there was also an indication that Co source may enhance the overall extent of fermentation.

Effects of feeding level and of late pregnancy increases in feed allocation on the reproductive performance of sows

1987 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 15-15
Author(s):  
V.R. Fowler ◽  
M. Curran ◽  
O. Davies ◽  
S. Edwards ◽  
M. Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Terminal Phase ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
History Of

The role of nutrition in determining the reproductive performance of sows is still controversial. Much of the dispute arises because in many published experiments there were very few sows in each treatment group. In addition, there have been substantial changes In the husbandry of sows over recent years, and these include the much earlier weaning of the litter at as little as three weeks of age, the breeding of the gilt at a younger age since she reaches 100 kg very much more quickly, and the development of facilities which allow each sow to be treated as an individual. A further change has been in the genotype of the breeding female which means that quite often she enters the reproductive phase of her life carrying very much less adipose tissue than hitherto. The recent development of equipment and techniques to monitor the backfat thickness of sows during life has introduced a new management tool, for which guidelines are readily given, but for which hard experimental evidence is often lacking. The purpose of the coordinated experiment reported here was to attempt to establish critical factors in the history of the sow which put her reproductive performance at particular risk and to evaluate widely recommended practices of Increasing the feed Intake at over the terminal phase of pregnancy, The work was jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and each of the centres.

EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL FLUSHING, SUPPLEMENTAL FAT AND SUPPLEMENTAL LYSINE FROM PUBERTY TO BREEDING AND DURING EARLY GESTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GILTS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 941-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. GRANDHI
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Allantoic Fluid ◽  
Progesterone Level ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Early Gestation ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Animal Fat ◽  
Supplemental Fat

Four experiments were conducted, using a total of 356 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred gilts, to determine the influence of flushing, supplemental fat and supplemental lysine fed from puberty to breeding (exps. 1 and 2) and from puberty through early gestation (exps. 3 and 4) on the reproductive performance of gilts. All gilts were housed in total confinement and fed ad libitum a 16% protein swine grower diet until 150 d of age. The diet was then restricted to 2 kg d−1 until puberty. The treatment diets fed from puberty to breeding in exps. 1 and 2 were: (1) control, a 12% protein barley-soybean meal gestation diet fed at 2 kg d−1 (24.4 MJ DE d−1); (2) flushing, control diet fed at 3 kg d−1 (36.6 MJ DE d−1; (3) animal fat, control diet fed at 2 kg d−1 plus 622 g of fat premix (36.6 MJ DE d−1; and (4) lysine, control diet with supplemental lysine (14 g d−1) fed at 2 kg d−1 (24.4 MJ DE d−1). After breeding, all gilts were fed control diet at 2 kg d−1 until approximately 30 d at gestation. In exps. 3 and 4, the same treatment diets were used except flushing was omitted and they were fed from puberty to approximately 30 d of gestation. No significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups were found in any of the experiments for the number of corpora lutea and normal embryos, and ovarian, uterine, and fetal weights. In exp. 2, the embryo survival rate (%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the flushing (81.7 ± 3.3) and animal fat (78.3 ± 3.3) groups than in the control (92.9 ± 3.0); however, the lysine (88.8 ± 3.5) group did not differ significantly from the other groups. The embryo survival rate was also reduced (P < 0.05) by supplemental fat (81.5 ± 2.7) when compared to the control (86.8 ± 3.0) and lysine (88.8 ± 2.7) diets in exp. 3 but not in exp. 4. The serum progesterone level (ng/mL−1) was lower (P < 0.05) in the animal fat group (4.1 ± 0.6) than in the control (6.3 ± 0.6) and lysine (6.1 ± 0.6) groups in exp. 4. However, progesterone level of allantoic fluid in exp. 4 and estrone sulfate levels of both serum and allantoic fluid in exps. 3 and 4 were similar for the three treatment groups. The overall results indicated that flushing, supplemental fat or supplemental lysine fed from puberty to breeding, and supplemental fat or supplemental lysine fed from puberty through early gestation did not improve the ovulation rate, embryo survival or fetal development in gilts. Key words: Ovulation rate, embryo survival, flushing, fat, lysine, hormones, gilts

Puberty attainment in oestradiol-treated gilts given allyl-trenbolone and gonadotrophins

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Varley ◽  
H. Yang ◽  
R. G. Rodway
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Large White ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate

ABSTRACTSixty Large White ♂ × (Large White ♂ × Landrace ♀) pre-pubertal gilts were allocated at random to one of five treatments. Gilts on treatment A were given oestradiol benzoate (OB) at 160 days of age. They were also given allyl-trenbolone (AT) at 166 days of age for 18 days followed by an injection of gonadotrophins (Gn) at 184 days of age. Gilts on treatment B were given OB and AT, but not Gn. Gilts on treatment C were given OB and Gn, but not AT. Gilts on treatment D were given OB only and gilts on treatment E were given Gn only. Gilts which were in heat after 183 days of age were artificially inseminated twice during the first 2 days of oestrus. All gilts were slaughtered either 20 days after insemination or at 220 days of age if they were still anoestrus.The percentages of gilts ovulating after Gn injection were 36% (4/11), 91·7% (11/12) and 91·7% (11/12) for treatment groups A, C and E respectively (P < 0·01). Gilts on treatments A, C and E were inseminated at a significantly younger age than those on treatments B and D (P < 0·05). No significant differences were found in ovulation rate or embryo survival between treatments.The results indicated that the administration of AT prior to Gn injection had an adverse effect on both the percentage of gilts ovulating and the development of embryos.

Intermittent suckling with primiparous sows: skip-a-heat effects on oestrus during lactation, reproductive performance and embryo survival

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1519
Author(s):  
R. Z. Athorn ◽  
M. Blanes ◽  
J. L. Patterson ◽  
M. K. Dyck ◽  
G. R. Foxcroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Heat Effects
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