Abstract
Seventy-eight gilts in replicates of three litter-mates were allocated at 135 days of age and 65·4 kg live weight among three treatments. Between allocation and mating gilts were given either 1·78 kg/day (LL) or 2·72 kg/day (LH) diet containing 12·3 MJ digestible energy (DE) per kg and 5·3 g lysine per kg or 2·57 kg/day (HH) diet containing 12·6 MJ DE per kg and 8·1 g lysine per kg. More gilts in the LH and HH groups attained puberty within 200 days of age than LL gilts (41/52 v. 72/26, X2 = 8·9, P < 0·01). Live weight at conception was 93·8, 105·3 and 108·9 kg for LL, LH and HH gilts respectively at a mean age of 203 days. Subsequent reproductive efficiency and sow body weight and backfat changes were not significantly affected by treatments imposed during the early stages of reproductive life.
Published Version
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