Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the effects of 2 different feeding regimens on growth performance, semen production and quality, and longevity of boars in a commercial AI stud. A total of 30 replacement boars (PIC TR4, 375 lb and 14.2 mo of age) were randomly selected and allotted to 1 of 2 treatments. The control feeding program was the normal feeding program of the stud; boars were fed 6.7 lb/d for the first 8 wk, and then feeding was adjusted according to body condition of the individual boar. For the treatment feeding program, boars were fed 5.8 lb/d in the first 4 wk until boars reached 400 lb; afterward, boars were fed 6.0 lb/d for the duration of the study. Boars were weighed periodically to determine periodic and overall ADG. Semen was collected from each boar once a week for a total duration of 16 mo. Semen production and quality was determined for each ejaculate. Overall, treatment boars were consistently heavier than the control boars throughout the duration of the study because of their higher periodic and overall daily gains. At the end of the test, treatment boars were 32 lb heavier (P 0.35) average days in the stud (345 vs. 279 d), semen collections (58 vs. 49), and doses produced (1,238 vs. 1,077). There were no differences (P > 0.28) in the volume, sperm cell concentration, sperm cell count, and doses produced per ejaculate between boars fed the two feeding programs. Likewise, motility rates and proportion of normal cells in ejaculates were similar (P > 0.33) between boars fed the control and treatment feeding program. In conclusion, AI boars can be fed to a set feeding level to achieve targeted weight gains to influence longevity without affecting semen production and quality.
Highlights
Despite the potential relationship between growth rate and reproductive performance, there is a lack of information on ideal growth rates of adult working boars
The objective of the study was to determine the effects of 2 different feeding regimens on growth performance, semen production and quality, and longevity of boars in a commercial AI stud
Treatment boars were consistently heavier than the control boars throughout the duration of the study because of their higher periodic and overall daily gains
Summary
Despite the potential relationship between growth rate and reproductive performance, there is a lack of information on ideal growth rates of adult working boars. Slow-growing boars fed at maintenance have shown significantly lower libido, semen volume, and sperm output. On the other hand, providing boars with high levels of feed to achieve fast growth is thought to induce leg and libido problems. Rate of weight gain may affect longevity and, lifetime semen production. Different feeding programs can lead to varying rates of growth; different feeding regimens for AI boars have never been evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 2 different feeding regimens on growth performance, semen production and quality, and longevity of boars in a commercial AI stud
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