372 Dam body condition during lactation influences piglet growth and maturation pre-finishing

Abstract

Abstract We previously reported, piglets reared by fat sows, weighed less during lactation, but were heavier by 45 d of age in comparison to piglets reared by thin or moderate sows. The objective of the current study was to evaluate weight and body condition during pre-finishing and age at puberty of gilts in relation to body condition of their dams at weaning. Eight weekly farrowing seasons (parities 1–4, n = 157 litters) were used to evaluate sow body condition (weaning) and piglet growth. Sows were categorized as thin, moderate, or fat by last rib caliper measurement at weaning. Individual pig weights were recorded at approximately 100 and 145 d of age. Additionally at 145 d of age, 10th rib backfat and loin eye were measured on a subset (n = 567) of pigs and first estrus was monitored in gilts reserved for breeding selection (n = 176). Pigs reared by fat sows tended (P < 0.10) to be heavier at 145 d of age (90.6 ± 0.75 kg) when compared to pigs reared by thin or moderate sows (89.0 ± 1.48 kg and 88.5 ± 0.82 kg, respectively). Tenth rib backfat during finishing was not different in pigs reared by fat or thin sows (10.0 ± 0.09 mm and 9.8 ± 0.27 mm, respectively); and tended (P < 0.10) to be less in pigs reared by moderate sows (9.7 ± 0.09 mm) than in pigs from fat sows. Tenth rib loin eye area was similar. Gilts developed in litters from thin sows tended (P < 0.10) to have an early age at puberty in contrast to gilts from moderate or fat sows (182.5 ± 3.82 d vs 189.7 ± 2.49 d and 192.2 ± 1.94 d, respectively). Body condition of sows at weaning did not adversely affect pre-finishing pig growth, however pubertal development was improved in gilts from thin sows.