Abstract
Abstract Among several nutrients, minerals specifically constitute a small percentage of diets but have an impact on the growth, health, and productivity of sows. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing the basal diet with marine-derived Ca-Mg complex on the reproductive performance of sows during parity 1 to 4 in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement. Cross-bred gilts (n = 72; average body weight 181 kg) in their first to fourth subsequent parity were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (24 gilts/treatment): CON (corn-soybean meal-wheat-based basal diet with limestone as main Ca source), CM1 (CON- MgO+ 0.4% Ca-Mg complex), and CM2 (CM1-0.4% limestone). A greater number (P< 0.05) of total born and live piglets, increased feed intake during gestation and lactation, increased backfat thickness before and after farrowing and at weaning, and increased estrus interval were observed (P< 0.05) during 3rd and 4th parity compared with 1st and 2nd parity sows. Moreover, sows fed CM1 and CM2 diets led to an improvement (P< 0.05) in total piglets during 1st and 2nd parity as well as live-born piglets during 1st to 3rd parity. In addition, CM1 and CM2 group sows showed reduced (P >0.05) backfat thickness change during third and fourth parity. Piglets that were born to CM1 and CM2 group sows showed greater (P< 0.05) weaning weight and average daily gain (ADG) during the first, second, and third parity. Furthermore, sows fed CM1 and CM2 diets decreased (P< 0.05) the duration of first to last piglet birth and placental expulsion time compared with those fed CON diet. A significant interactive effect (P=0.042) between parities and treatment diets was observed for the duration of first to last piglet birth. Thus, supplementation of 0.4% marine-derived Ca-Mg complex to the diet could be recommended to enhance sow and their litter performance during parity 1 to 4.
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