Abstract
High food intake in early pregnancy resulted in increased prenatal mortality and reduced subsequent litter size in many studies using gilts (den Hartog and Van Kempen, 1980). With multiparous sows there is generally no difference in the rate of embryo survival or litter size with high feeding in early pregnancy (Toplis et al, 1983, Dyck & Cole, 1986).Limited evidence suggests that sows fed low levels in lactation and then a high level early in the following pregnancy may show increased rates of embryo mortality (Pike and Boaz, 1972; Hughes et al, 1984). The effect of high feeding may be due to low plasma progesterone concentrations (Hughes et al 1984; Dyck et al, 1980) in early pregnancy which may be associated with reduced embryo survival and litter size.This study was designed to investigate the effects of high or low feed intake in lactation and early pregnancy on plasma progesterone concentrations in early pregnancy and subsequent litter size using multiparous sows.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
