Effect of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on sow reproductive performance

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Baidoo ◽  
F. X. Aherne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
G. R. Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Blood Samples

To study the effects of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on reproductive performance, 89 second-parity Lacombe sows were allowed 6 kg feed d−1 (H) or were restricted to 3 kg feed d−1 (R) during lactation and during the weaning to estrus interval (WEI); this resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design (groups HH, HR, RH and RR). To minimize the confounding effects of duration of WEI on sow performance, the experiment was terminated 10 d after weaning. The diet was formulated to provide 12.4 M J ME kg−1 and 16% crude protein. Restricted feeding during lactation resulted in a longer (P < 0.05) WEI (7.3 d vs. 5.9 d). WEI was not affected by feed intake after weaning. Fewer (P < 0.05) sows feed restricted during lactation exhibited estrus by 10 d from weaning (31.8% vs. 88.9%). Ovulation rate was not affected by lactation or postweaning feed intake. However, embryo survival at 25 d of gestation was influenced (P < 0.05) by feed intake during both periods. The highest embryo survival (85%) was in HR sows, and the lowest (64%) was in RR sows. Blood samples were taken from 12 sows from each of the four treatments by means of indwelling vena cava cannulae at 6-h intervals from weaning until 24 h after mating or 10 d after weaning, whichever came first. Plasma gonadotrophin concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) by low feed intake during lactation but were unaffected by postweaning feed intake. Peak preovulatory LH surge concentrations were highest (9.5 ng mL−1) in HR sows and lowest (7.6 ng mL−1) in RR sows (P < 0.05). These data confirm the adverse effects of restricted feeding during lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and indicate that such effects may be mediated through changes in plasma LH concentrations. No significant effect of post-weaning feed intake on any measured factor was observed. Key words: Sow, feed intake, reproductive performance

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

EFFECT OF FORCED EXERCISE DURING GESTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. FERKET ◽  
R. R. HACKER
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Key Words Exercise ◽  
Birth Intervals ◽  
Blood Samples

A trial was conducted to determine the effect of forced exercise during gestation on the reproductive performance of sows. On day 35 of gestation, 48 first parity Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to one of four groups of 12: control-cannulated, control-noncannulated, exercised-cannulated, exercised-noncannulated. Exercised sows were forced to walk 2 km daily until day 108 of gestation when appropriate sows were cannulated in the ear vein. From day 109 on, all sows were in farrowing crates, and blood samples were taken twice daily from cannulated sows except during parturition, when samples were taken every 15 min. Serum was assayed for progesterone, estradiol and cortisol. Cannulation had no effect on any of the parameters measured. Exercised sows (ES) farrowed faster and had shorter birth intervals than control sows (CS) (P = 0.06). Several of the CS took longer than 12 h to complete farrowing whereas all ES farrowed within this time. The stillbirth rates did not differ between the two groups but a higher percentage of piglets from CS (P < 0.001) than ES died before suckling. The hormone profiles and interval from weaning to first estrus were similar between the groups but estradiol/progesterone ratios tended to be higher in exercised sows from 24 h prepartum to onset of parturition. Prepartum levels of cortisol started to increase sooner in control than exercised sows (P < 0.05). It is concluded that exercise during gestation can improve the farrowing performance of first parity sows through shorter farrowing times and more viable piglets at birth. Key words: Exercise, reproductive performance, farrowing, sows, steroids

MIXING OR ALTERNATING DIETARY CRUDE PROTEIN SOURCES AND PERFORMANCE OF WETHER LAMBS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 569-572
Author(s):  
G. C. DUFF ◽  
A. L. GOETSCH ◽  
K. M. LANDIS ◽  
A. C. HARDIN ◽  
S. R. STOKES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Feeding Method ◽  
Protein Sources ◽  
Dietary Crude Protein ◽  
Corn Gluten ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Effects of mixing or daily alternation of dietary cottonseed (CS), corn gluten (CG) and soybean (SB) meals on wether performance were determined. Feed intake tended to be lowest for CG fed continuously. Daily gain (g) was 260, 342 and 327 for CG, CS and SB, 335, 329 and 317 for CG-CS, CG-SB and CS-SB mixes, and 269, 312 and 342 for CG then CS, CG then SB and CS then SB on alternate days, respectively. Feed:gain ratios did not differ among treatments. Key words: Sheep, performance, protein sources, feeding method

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ADDING PENICILLIN TO A MIXTURE OF CHLORTETRACYCLINE AND SULFAMETHAZINE TO IMPROVE GROWTH OF WEANLING PIGS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 967-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. BRIDGE ◽  
B. D. OWEN ◽  
R. M. BEAMES
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Weanling Pigs ◽  
Similar Growth

Three groups, each of five pigs, of initial age 5–6 weeks and initial weight 12 kg, were placed on each of three wheat-soybean-meal-based diets of 18% crude protein content. The diets contained either (a) no antibiotic, (b) 110 mg/kg chlortetracycline hydrochloride, 110 mg/kg sulfamethazine and 55 mg/kg penicillin, or (c) diet (b) minus penicillin. Both antibiotic treatments produced a similar growth response of approximately 12%, which resulted partly from an increased feed intake and partly from an improved efficiency of feed utilization. Key words: Antibiotic, pigs, growth

EFFECT OF LACTATION FEED INTAKE AND GONADOTROPHIN-RELEASING HORMONE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. KIRKWOOD ◽  
E. S. LYTHGOE ◽  
F. X. AHERNE
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Intramuscular Injection ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Estrus Detection ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
In Pregnancy

Twenty-four first parity and 48 multiparity crossbred sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design involving high (H) or low (L) lactation feed intakes and the intramuscular injection, or not, of 50 μg of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the onset of the first postweaning estrus. All sows were weighed at farrowing and weaning. The H feed intake entailed feeding sows at levels of 10, 13, and 14% of each sow's immediate postfarrowing metabolic weight during weeks 1, 2, and 3–4 of lactation, respectively. Low-fed sows received 50% of the H feed level. The diet contained 12.5 MJ DE kg−1 and 16% crude protein. Between weaning and mating, and following mating, all sows were fed 2.25 kg daily of the lactation diet. After weaning, sows were exposed to a boar twice daily to facilitate estrus detection. GnRH was administered at the onset of standing heat. All sows were slaughtered 25 d after mating at which time the reproductive tracts were removed and examined to determine the number of ovulations and the number of viable embryos. Low-level feeding resulted in an extension of the remating interval (5.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 d; P < 0.05), an increased incidence of anestrus (16.7 vs. 3.6%; P > 0.1) and a reduction in pregnancy rates (69.7 vs. 81.6%; P > 0.1). Interactions were noted between lactation feeding level and GnRH injection (P < 0.05) and between parity and GnRH injection (P < 0.05) for number of viable embryos. The data obtained suggest that both low level of feeding during lactation and a young age are associated with decreased embryo numbers, but this situation is alleviated by the administration of GnRH. Key words: Sows, feed intake, estrus, GnRH

A METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF GESTATING EWES

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. LYNCH ◽  
C. JACKSON Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Total Serum Protein ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Nonesterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Limiting Nutrient

The purpose of this study was to identify metabolic changes that occur at low feed intake in order to develop a method to predict the nutritional status of gestating ewes carrying single or multiple fetuses. At about the 5th week of gestation, 32 ewes were assigned equally into treatments of free choice and restricted intakes of chopped orchardgrass hay. The initial intake of each restricted ewe was determined by calculating ration amounts to supply 60% of the NRC crude protein allowance. Feed intake of each ewe was increased weekly to 80 and then to 100% of NRC crude protein allowance according to changes in the metabolites studied. Plasma citrate and nonesterified fatty acids were increased during gestation, but 3-hydroxybutyrate showed the greatest potential for indicating nutritional status of the gestating ewe. Urinary ketones appeared during the 15th week of gestation and in about one-half of the ewes on restricted intake by the 17th week of gestation. At this point, plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate was 0.53 μmol/mL and might indicate a value at which intake adjustment is needed. Total serum protein and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were decreased by the 20th week of gestation by the ewes fed restricted intakes indicating an effect of restricted feeding on protein metabolism. Increases in both plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and urine ketone bodies by restricted feeding indicated that energy was an early limiting nutrient and that these metabolites may be useful as indicators of nutritional status. Key words: Gestating ewes, predicting nutritional requirements, citrate, nonesterified fatty acids, 3-hydroxybutyrate

EFFECT OF GESTATION HOUSING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YORKSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE × LACOMBE SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. DYCK ◽  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
E. E. SWIERSTRA
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Average Gain ◽  
Housing Environment

Forty-eight Yorkshire (Y) and 48 Yorkshire × Lacombe (YL) primiparous sows were used to evaluate the effect of outside lot and confinement housing from weaning to parturition on reproductive performance over the second to fourth parity. Feed intake of the sows housed in the outside lots was adjusted monthly to provide a similar average gain (54 kg) to that of sows housed in confinement (56 kg). All sows were bred by AI. Sows that did not conceive to mating at the first or second estrus were culled from the experiment. More (P < 0.05) sows housed in the outside lots than in confinement completed the experiment (77.1 vs. 52.1%, respectively). The number of sows that failed to conceive was similar for both treatments but 12 sows housed in confinement and one housed in outside lots were culled due to injury or death. The sows housed in outside lots weaned more (P < 0.01) piglets (8.42 ± 0.23 vs. 7.49 ± 0.25) than those housed in confinement while the number of piglets born (10.20 ± 0.15) and born alive (9.79 ± 0.14) and the weight at birth (1.31 ± 0.02 kg) and weaning (9.45 ± 0.09 kg) were similar. As anticipated, the YL sows farrowed and weaned more and heavier piglets (P < 0.01) than the Y sows. The housing environment did not have a significant effect on the farrowing interval which averaged 159.3 ± 0.6 days. These results indicate that effects of housing conditions from weaning to parturition are limited to the number of sows culled and the number of piglets weaned. Key words: Sows, gestation housing, litter size

RESPONSE OF PIGLETS TO SUBOPTIMAL PROTEIN DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH LYSINE, METHIONINE, THREONINE AND TRYPTOPHAN

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 311-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANY CINQ-MARS ◽  
G. GOULET ◽  
G. J. BRISSON
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Isocaloric Diets ◽  
Protein Diets

A 4-wk feeding trial was conducted with castrated piglets weaned between 18 and 21 d of age, and fed either 22, 29 or 17% crude protein isocaloric diets, adjusted to the same calculated content for total lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan. Piglets fed the 22 or 19% protein diets had the same feed intake, practically the same growth rate, and the same gain/feed ratio. Those fed the 17% protein diet had the same feed intake, but gained less than those fed the 19% protein diet. Therefore, it seems possible to lower the protein content of a weanling diet from 22 to 19%, provided that lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan are adjusted to the same calculated content. Key words: Piglets, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan

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

Reproduction in the gilt 3. The effect of exogenous oestrogen on the attainment of puberty and subsequent reproductive performance

1978 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. Hughes ◽  
D. J. A. Cole
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ethyl Oleate ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Large White ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Exogenous Oestrogen ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Visual Testing

ABSTRACTTen Landrace × (Landrace × Large White) young female pigs were allocated to each of four treatments. The experiment was arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial design, the variables being oestradiol benzoate v. ethyl oleate and boar v. visual testing. The oestradiol benzoate (or ethyl oleate) was administered at 140 days of age, the treatment consisting of six injections, over a 3-day period, of 0·5 ml of either ethyl oleate or a solution of 0·4 mg/ml β-oestradiol-3-benzoate in ethyl oleate. Subsequently the gilts were either inspected visually each day or taken to a vasectomized boar for oestrus detection. All gilts were mated at the second oestrous period, and slaughtered on the 20th day of gestation. Those gilts receiving exogenous oestrogen attained puberty significantly earlier (P<0·01) than the control gilts. Of the 20 gilts treated with oestrogen, 12 (60%) attained puberty within 5 days of the start of treatment. No significant difference was found between boar testing and visual testing, although receptivity to mating appeared to be lower for visually tested gilts. There are no significant differences between treatments in ovulation rate, conception rate or embryo survival.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document