Growth Rate Of Piglets Research Articles

Increasing creep pellet size improves creep feed disappearance of gilt and sow progeny in lactation and enhances pig production after weaning

Objective: To determine if feeding a larger diameter pellet increases creep feed intake and growth rate of piglets during lactation, especially that of gilt progeny (GP) compared to sow progeny (SP), and stimulates feed intake after weaning. Materials and methods: Over two replicates, GP and SP (n = 2070) were allocated to two creep feed treatments, receiving either a 4 mm diameter × 4 mm length pellet or a 9 mm diameter × 12 mm length pellet, from 3 days of age until weaning. After weaning, pigs were split into male and female pens according to the type of pellet fed in lactation and fed a common diet. Feed disappearance was recorded before and after weaning (up until 10 weeks of age), along with piglet growth performance and all piglet mortalities and removals. Results: Total creep feed disappearance in lactation was higher (P < .001) in litters offered the larger pellet, but litter weaning weight for GP was not improved (interaction, P > .05). Gilt progeny were weaned lighter (P < .001) than SP. After weaning, pigs offered the larger pellet during lactation showed a tendency to receive less medication (P = .07) than pigs offered the smaller pellet. Growth rate and feed intake after weaning were both stimulated (P = .02 and P = .09, respectively) in pigs offered the larger pellet during lactation irrespective of sex. Implications: Offering a larger pellet creep feed to piglets in lactation can improve postweaning performance and reduce the postweaning medication rate.

ПРОБИОТИЧЕСКИЙ ШТАММ LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI И ЕГО ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ПОРОСЯТ В ПОСЛЕОТЬЕМНЫЙ ПЕРИОД

The article presents data on the study of the effectiveness of a probiotic based on two strains of Lactobacillus reuteri on the indicators of nonspecific resistance and productivity of weaned piglets. The normalization of the digestive tract microflora under the action of probiotics, manifested in an increase in the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, with a simultaneous decrease in the number of salmonella, as well as the stimulation of non-specific immunity, together led to an increase in the growth rate of piglets. At the end of the experiment, the live weight of piglets treated with Lactobacillus reuteri was 9.3% higher and the average daily gains were 15.8% higher than the control group. At the same time, feed costs per 1 kg of growth decreased by 13.6%. This allows the use of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus reuteri in the diet of piglets to increase non-specific resistance and growth indicators in the post-weaning period.

Influence of creep feeder position on the behavior and performance of preweaning piglets and sows in a hot climate environment.

The use of creep feeding for preweaning piglets is important to improve the performance of the piglets. The objective of this experiment was evaluate the effect of using or altering the position of piglet's creep feeder during lactation on piglet's performance and on behavior of piglets and sows kept in a hot climate environment. Forty-five sows and their litters at 10 days of lactation were randomly distributed into three treatments: front feeder (FF) - near the side of the sow's head; back feeder (BF) - near the side of the rump of the sow; and no feeder (NF). All piglets were weighed individually to evaluate the average weight, weight gain and coefficient of variation of the weight. Behavior assessments of the piglets and sows were recorded in 3 period. At 15 and 21 d, piglets of the FF treatment were heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) than piglets of the other treatments. At 10-21d piglets of FF treatment had 76.2% less belly nosing behavior than the NF piglets (P=0.015). The treatments had no impact on behavior of the sows. The creep feeders positioned in the front of the farrowing crate increased piglet growth rate and decreased frequency of belly nosing behavior.

241 Metoclopramide induces low-level hyperprolactinemia to increase milk production in sows

Abstract Inadequate milk production by sows often limits the growth rate of piglets. A successful lactation requires prolactin (PRL)-induced differentiation of the alveolar epithelium within the mammary glands of sows between gestation days 90–110 (G90-110). We hypothesized that late gestational hyperprolactinemia in primiparous sows induced by feeding the dopamine antagonist metoclopramide (MET) would enhance mammary epithelial differentiation, milk yield, and piglet growth rate, and that these effects would carry over into a subsequent lactation. Twenty-six gilts were randomly assigned to receive either MET (n = 13, 0.8mg/kg) or vehicle (CON, n = 13) twice daily from G90-110. On G90, circulating PRL levels peaked 45 min after MET dosing (P < 0.001) then returned to baseline 3 h later. This response occurred daily out to G104 (P < 0.05). Treated gilts had increased alveolar lumen diameter on G110 (P < 0.05), though feed intake, body weight, and carcass fat percent were not different during pregnancy or lactation. Piglets born to treated sows had increased body weight and average daily gain on lactation days 14 and 21 (P < 0.05). Piglet milk intake was estimated from deuterium oxide dilution. While milk intake by piglets nursing MET sows was not statistically different from those nursing CON sows on day 21 of lactation (P = 0.18), there was a greater increase in milk consumption by piglets born to MET-treated sows between days 9 and 21 of lactation than for those in CON litters (P < 0.001). In one group of second parity sows, milk yield was increased during their second lactation with no additional treatment (P < 0.05) and their carcass fat dropped by 14% (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that MET-induced hyperprolactinemia in pigs during late pregnancy can increase milk yield and piglet growth rate, and this response can be sustained into a second lactation in some sows.

Impact of piglet birth weight on later rearing performance

The piglet birth weight and its variance within a litter may be considered important traits that influence pig productivity in the first and later stages of rearing. 222 piglets were evaluated from the moment they were born until weaning, and then as fattening pigs until the end of the fattening (n = 207) in three birth weight groups. Negative consequences of an excessively low piglet birth weight were observed, including higher mortality until weaning and a lower average daily gain during suckling. The correlation coefficients between the piglet birth weight and the remaining indicators confirmed the negative impact of the low piglet birth weight, fattening performance and carcass slaughter value (P < 0.01). The regression analysis between the piglet birth weight and the growth rate during the whole rearing phases indicated that only the piglet growth rate from birth to weaning is determined by their birth weight.

Effects of Low ω6:ω3 Ratio in Sow Diet and Seaweed Supplement in Piglet Diet on Performance, Colostrum and Milk Fatty Acid Profiles, and Oxidative Status.

Simple SummaryFeeding maternal animals divergent ratios of omega-6 (ω6) and omega-3 (ω3) fatty acids can change not only their health, physiological condition, and performance but also do the same for their offspring. In swine production, various ω6:ω3 ratios have been tested, but the search for an optimal proportion in the sow diet is still in progress. For piglets, weaning oxidative stress has been alleviated by supplementing with abundant sources of bioactive compounds. In this case, brown seaweed, a rich source of natural antimicrobials and antioxidants, can be a good candidate, but its supplementation in piglet diet is limited. This study explores the hypothesis that feeding a low ω6:ω3 ratio diet to sows during gestation and lactation, together with the supplementation of Ascophyllum nodosum for piglets during the post-weaning period, could benefit piglets’ performance and oxidative status more than the respective single treatment provided to the mother or the piglet. Results showed that the low dietary ω6:ω3 ratio (4:1) and seaweed supplement did not affect the post-weaning piglets’ growth rate and oxidative status. However, a low ω6:ω3 ratio diet alone improved weaning survival rate, suckling piglets’ weight gain, and total ω3 fatty acids in colostrum and milk.The ratio of omega-6 (ω6) to omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the diet contributes to animal health and performance modulations because they have mostly opposite physiological functions. Increasing ω3 PUFAs content in the maternal diet can stimulate antioxidative capacity in sow and piglets; however, the optimal ratio of ω6 and ω3 PUFAs in the sow diet is still under discussion. Rich sources of bioactive constituents such as brown seaweed are an excellent supplementation to promote animal health and antioxidant status. However, the knowledge of the effects of this compound, specifically in post-weaning piglets, is still limited. Moreover, the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 PUFAs ratio in sow diet and seaweed supplementation in post-weaning piglets’ diet has never been studied. This research aims to assess the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in sow diets and seaweed supplementation in piglet diets on their growth and oxidative status. We also assessed the impact of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in the maternal diet on reproduction, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and plasma leptin concentration. Two sow diets (n = 8 each) contained either a control ratio (CR, 13:1 during gestation, starting from day 28 (G28) and 10:1 during lactation) or a low ratio (LR, 4:1 from G28 until the end of lactation (L-End)) of ω6:ω3 FA by adding soybean oil or linseed oil, respectively. Reproductive performance was evaluated. Colostrum and milk at lactation day 7 (L7) and L-End were collected to analyze FA profile. Plasma was collected at G28, G79, G108, L7, L14, and L-End for determination of leptin and oxidative status. At weaning, 20 male piglets were selected per sow group to form 4 diet treatments (n = 10 each), which were supplemented with or without 4 g/kg seaweed. Recording of growth performance and collection of blood were performed at days 0, 7, 15, and 21 of post-weaning for oxidative status. LR diet increased (p < 0.05) the survival rate of piglets at weaning, and individual and litter weight gains. Colostrum and milk at L7 and L-End had lower (p < 0.05) ω6:ω3 ratio in LR sows. Interaction between dietary treatments on sows and piglets was revealed for all examined growth parameters at most time points (p < 0.05). LR diet did not affect plasma leptin levels and oxidative status. These findings suggest that the seaweed supplement during post-weaning could not improve growth rate and oxidative status of piglets born from mothers receiving a low dietary ω6:ω3 ratio (4:1) during gestation and lactation. However, this low ratio was beneficial for weaning survival rate, sucking piglets’ weight gain, and ω3 enrichment in colostrum and milk.

Managing large litters: Selected measures of performance in 10 intermediate nurse sows and welfare of foster piglets

Selection for increased litter size has led to the use of so-called nurse sows in several European countries. A nurse sow receives new piglets after having weaned her own. Nurse sows are often made in two-steps. In the two-step strategy, new-born piglets are given to a sow 4–7 days into lactation. Her 4–7 days old piglets are given to a so-called intermediate sow 21 days into lactation whose piglets are weaned at day 21. The use of nurse sows has been associated with welfare problems caused by an extended length of crating and/or by the disturbance of the nursing pattern by moving and mixing of foster piglets. The aim of this study was to investigate growth and welfare indicators (latency to suckle after transfer, teat fighting, snout- and knee abrasions) of ten foster litters at the intermediate sow and to compare these with the sows’ own litter at the same age as well as to compare the sows’ milk production, nutritional status and fat mobilisation in the period where she nursed her own piglets compared to the foster piglets. One of the ten sows did not accept the foster litter. The results on the remaining 9 litters showed reduced growth, increased teat fighting and missing milk letdown for the foster piglets compared to the sows’ own litter at the same age (P < 0.05) and more udder abrasions on the sows after transfer (P < 0.05). There were signs of milk intake being insufficient (i.e. lower growth rate of foster piglets) as the foster piglets experienced longer nursing intervals (P < 0.05) and four of the sows’ milk yield dropped considerably after transfer. The sows’ nutritional status did not seem to be compromised but the study indicated an oversupply of dietary protein after becoming nurse sows. In conclusion, there were signs of impaired welfare and growth of foster piglets reared by intermediate nurse sows and indications of a mismatch between sow milk yield and piglet milk removal.

Радиопротекторные и ростостимулирующие свойства водно-спиртовой эмульсии прополиса

The results of a study of the water-alcohol propolis emulsion on the body of young pigs are presented. According to the results of the studies, the positive effects of the preparation of the water-alcohol emulsion of the propolis on the costs of feed, nutrients, metabolic energy and radio-protective properties of the drug in the resulting pig products and offal were established. In recent years, a search has been conducted for new substances that do not cause side effects in conditions of chronic intake of radionuclides in small doses. As radioprotective agents, the most promising are those that, with moderate radioprotective effectiveness, do not cause side effects and increase the body's resistance. One of the promising tools in this regard may be propolis and preparations prepared on its basis. In this regard, the goal of research was; to study on young pigs radioprotective and growth-promoting properties of a water-alcohol emulsion of propolis. To achieve the goals, a scientific and economic experiment was conducted. Two groups of piglets nursery were formed, with an average live weight of 12.0 kg, with a period of setting the scientific and economic experience of 60 days. As a result of scientific and economic experiments, it was found that the growth rate of piglets during rearing in the experimental groups was higher, and the costs of feed units, metabolic energy and digestible protein were lower. In the slaughter products, a positive dynamics of the radioprotective properties of the propolis preparation was established.

Metoclopramide induces preparturient, low-level hyperprolactinemia to increase milk production in primiparous sows

Inadequate milk production by sows often limits the growth of piglets. A successful lactation requires prolactin (PRL)-induced differentiation of the alveolar epithelium within the mammary glands of sows between days 90–110 of gestation. We hypothesized that induction of late gestational hyperprolactinemia in primiparous sows by oral administration of the dopamine antagonist metoclopramide (MET) would enhance mammary epithelial differentiation, milk yield, and piglet growth rate and that these effects would carry over into a subsequent lactation. Twenty-six gilts were assigned to receive either MET (n = 13, 0.8 mg/kg) or vehicle (CON, n = 13) twice daily from days 90–110 of gestation. The same sows were followed into their second lactation without additional treatment. On day 90 of gestation, circulating PRL concentrations peaked 45 min after feeding MET (P < 0.001) and then returned to baseline 3 h later. This response occurred daily out to day 104 of gestation (P < 0.05). Compared with CON, MET-treated gilts had enlarged alveoli on gestation day 110 (P < 0.05). Treatment with MET did not affect feed intake, body weight, or body fatness during pregnancy or lactation. Piglets born to MET-treated sows had both increased body weights and average daily gain on lactation days 14 and 21 (P < 0.05). Milk intake by piglets was estimated from deuterium oxide dilution. Although milk intake by piglets nursing MET sows was not statistically different from those nursing CON sows on day 21 of lactation (P = 0.18), there was a greater increase in milk consumption by piglets born to MET-treated sows between days 9 and 21 of lactation than for those in CON litters (P < 0.001). In one group of second parity sows (n = 11) that were treated with MET during their first gestation, milk yield increased by 21% during their second lactation (P < 0.05) in association with a 14% decline in body fatness across lactation compared with a 7% decline in CON sows (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that MET-induced hyperprolactinemia in primiparous sows during late pregnancy can increase milk yield and piglet growth rate, setting the stage for further large-scale studies.

Effects of diet chitosan oligosaccharide on performance and immune response of sows and their offspring

Effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation to the diets of sow and/or their offspring on performance and immune response were investigated. Multiparous sows (3 to 5 parity; Landrace × Yorkshire) were fed either a control diet (sCON, n = 20) or a diet containing 30 mg kg−1 COS (sCOS, n = 20) from day 86 of gestation until weaning at day 20 of lactation. Piglets from Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire sires were assigned at 7 days of age within sow treatments and fed either a control diet (pCON) or a diet containing 30 mg kg−1 COS (pCOS) for 28 days. The four piglet treatments (n = 10 per treatment) were: sCON-pCON, sCON-pCOS, sCOS-pCON, and sCOS-pCOS. Sow dietary COS did not significantly change (P > 0.05) number of piglets born, piglet birth and weaning weight, piglet average daily gain (ADG) before and after weaning, piglet average daily feed intake or feed-to-gain ratio after weaning. However, piglet diet COS increased weight at weaning (P = 0.03) and on day 35 of age (P = 0.01), and ADG during lactation (P = 0.03). Sow diet COS increased immunoglobulin (Ig) M content in the colostrum (P = 0.03) and in umbilical cord blood (P = 0.02). Sow diet COS also increased the contents of IgG and interleukin (IL) 10 (P < 0.01), complement 3 (P = 0.03), and tended to increase IgA, IgM and lysozyme (LYZ) concentrations (P = 0.08) in serum of piglets at weaning. Piglet dietary COS did not significantly affect immune-related indexes. In conclusion, sow diets supplying COS improved piglet immune response, and piglet diets supplying COS improved piglet growth rate.

The dependence of the productive qualities of pigs on the ventilation system of the premises during the suckling period of their cultivation

The dependence of the growth rate, the safety of young pigs in growing and fattening and their feeding qualities on the ventilation system of negative and uniform pressure in the suckling period of their cultivation was studied. We have found that the growth rate of piglets, and their payment of feed by growth during rearing, did not depend on the design features of the room ventilation system during suckling period. We have established some better preservation of piglets in growing with an unchanged ventilation system in the suckling and growing periods. It was revealed the tendency to insignificantly improve of the growth rate and feed payment by growths in piglets, which were grown during ventilation with uniform pressure in the suckling period. It was found that pigs that were raised during the suckling period with a uniform pressure ventilation system reached a mass of 100 kg at the age of 158.4 days, while their counterparts that were raised at that time with a negative pressure ventilation system reached the age of 159.8, that is later on 1, 4 days, or 0.88%. It wasn’t found a significant dependence of the feeding qualities of pigs on the ventilation system of the premises during the suckling period of their cultivation. There was a tendency to a slight improvement in the safety index by 1.9% in animals that were kept in the suckling period with a uniform pressure ventilation system, compared with analogues that were raised during this period with negative pressure ventilation. According to the calculation of the index of feeding qualities according to the formula M.D. Berezovsky, a comprehensive indicator of feeding qualities in animals that were raised during the suction period with uniform pressure ventilation was 21.4% higher compared to peers that were kept during negative pressure ventilation. In general, the growth rate of pigs during rearing and fattening, their safety during these periods and fattening qualities did not significantly depend on the ventilation system of the premises during the suction period of their rearing. Key words: ventilation, microclimate, sow, pig, multiplicity, growth, safety.

The Sows productivity and annual dynamics of piglet growth depending on the design features of the microclimate system

This article studied the dependence of the reproductive qualities of sows and the intensity of Danish suckling piglets growth on the seasons and the structural features of the microclimate system in the gender. It was found that sows kept in rooms with a geothermal ventilation system had better retention rates, weights of 1 head at weaning, masses of piglets at weaning, fewer and proportion of still-born pigs compared to analogues that were kept during this period in the classical system of support the climate. At the same time, there are no significant differences in the number of piglets at birth and their number when weaned. The estimated index for a limited number of reproductive traits and the breeding index of sows were also found higher in 1,01% and 1,09%, respectively, as for sows whose suckers were subjected to geothermal ventilation. There is no significant difference between the absolute, average and relative growth rates of piglets maintained under different microclimate systems throughout the year. This is due to the weak influence of the ventilation type factor on the growth rate within 7,71 – 10,20%. The intensity of growth of suckling pigs in the conditions of the both industrial complex ventilation systems of pigsties increased in winter and spring and decreased in summer and autumn. It was caused by a significant strong influence of the factor of season influence on the absolute, average and relative growths, which characterize it within 21,83 to 23,54%. Due to the identified dependence of the reproductive qualities of sows and the intensity of suckling pigsgrowth on the type of ventilation and the time of year, it should be noted that further studies of these factors influence are important to continue. Key words: sow, piglet, type of ventilation, multiple pregnancy, weight of the nest of piglets, safety, season of the year.

Impact of milk and nutrient intake of piglets and sow milk composition on piglet growth and body composition at weaning

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of milk intake, milk composition, and nutrient intake on piglet growth in lactation and body composition at weaning. To evaluate the body composition of piglets, data from one experiment (44 Danish Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc piglets) were used to develop prediction equations for body pools of fat, protein, ash, and water based on live weight and deuterium dilution space (exp. 1). Furthermore, a total of 294 piglets (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) from 21 sows of second parity were included in a second experiment (exp. 2). In exp. 2, piglet live weight was recorded on days 3, 10, 17, and 25 of lactation. On the same days, the milk intake and body composition were measured, using the deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution technique. Piglet weight gain was highly positively correlated with the intake of milk and the intake of milk constituents each week and on an overall basis having r values ranging from 0.65 to 0.93 (P < 0.001). When evaluating regressions for piglet growth, the milk intake in combination with the milk protein concentration explained 85% and 87% of the total variation in piglet gain in the second and third week of lactation, respectively, whereas milk intake was the only predictor of piglet gain in the first week of lactation explaining 81% of the variation. Fat, protein, and energy retention rates were all highly positively correlated with the daily intake of milk and intake of milk nutrients with r values ranging from 0.76 to 0.94 (P < 0.001). Piglet gain and retention rates were rather weakly correlated with the milk composition with r values ranging from 0.01 to 0.50 (being either negative or positive). Curvilinear response curves were fitted for live weight gain and body fat content at weaning in response to milk protein concentration, showing that live weight gain was slightly greater and body fat content was slightly lower at 4.9% milk protein, but it should be emphasized that the quadratic effects did not reach significance. Body fat content at weaning was positively related with the intake of milk (R2 = 0.44, P < 0.001) and milk fat (R2 = 0.46, P < 0.01). In conclusion, milk intake had a major impact on the piglet growth rate, and milk fat intake greatly influenced the body fat percentage at weaning, whereas milk composition per se only played a minor role for these traits.

Efficacy of two adjuvant systems to promote humoral immunity to the pre-proghrelin peptide obestatin in pigs: consequences for the growth of piglets to weaning

The poor antigenicity of peptide antigens demands the selection of effective adjuvants to induce humoral immunity. The peptides obestatin and ghrelin from the pro-hormone pre-proghrelin were initially identified as antagonistic in regulating feeding behaviour, with obestatin being suppressive. The efficacy of two adjuvant systems, DEAE with the oil polysorbate emulsion of BP85:Span80 and the surfactant-oil system Montanide (ISA 50v) were therefore assessed with an obestatin-ovalbumin conjugate injected into late pregnant sows. This enabled the supply of antibodies directed against obestatin to newborn piglets through colostrum with the objective of promoting ghrelin secretion and therefore increasing feeding behaviour. Pregnant Landrace × Large White sows (n = 28) were immunised with 0.5 mg obestatin-ovalbumin in 2 mL DEAE:BP85:Span80 (DEAE; n = 14) or with 2 mL Montanide (ISA 50v: n = 14) as adjuvants at days 91 and 105 of gestation. After farrowing, piglets remained with their mothers during the lactation period and were weighed after weaning at Day 28. Antibody titres (unitless) in colostrum were assessed by ELISA as 5543 ± 2388 and 3139 ± 1151 for the DEAE and Montanide adjuvants respectively. These were associated with total IgG of 67.7 ± 3 and 82.3 ± 4.8 mg/mL respectively (P = 0.018). Piglet plasma titres were 5100 ± 1576 and 5762 ± 1688 for DEAE and Montanide respectively at Day 5 postpartum. These titres were still detectable through to Day 28 (titres of 1213 ± 389 and 665 ± 203 respectively (P = 0.176). However, sow colostral antibody titres were not related to piglet antibody concentrations on D5 (r = –0.225, P = 0.341). Sow plasma antibody titres were not related to titres at Day 28 in piglets across treatments (r = 0.198, P = 0.402). The concentration of ghrelin in colostrum was 672 ± 78 and 666 ± 39 pg/mL for the DEAE and Montanide groups, respectively, leading to piglet plasma concentrations on Day 5 of 1105 ± 164 and 530 ± 84 pg/mL (P = 0.002). Animals grew from birthweights of 1.7 ± 0.1 and 1.8 ± 0.1 (P = 0.993) to 7.7 ± 1.2 and 7.8 ± 1.0 kg (P = 0.295) at weaning, representing growth rates of 200.5 ± 52.9 and 225.5 ± 53.4 g/day (P = 0.181). There was a significant negative correlation between piglet D28 antibody titre and growth rate to weaning with the Montanide adjuvant (r = 0.116, P = 0.035) but not for the DEAE (r = –0.118, P = 0.411). Although both adjuvants were capable of generating high antibody titres, the DEAE dextran was likely to be the most effective adjuvant to induce a humoral immune response to develop further with a commercial vaccine.

Evaluation of the optimal standardized ileal digestible valine:lysine ratio in lactating sow diets1.

An experiment was conducted with 430 sows to evaluate the ideal standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys on sow and litter performance during an 18.6-d lactation period. The SID Val:Lys ratios measured were based on the previously published literature and then values above and below reported values. Sows were randomly allotted within parity block (parity 1, parity 2, and parity 3+) to one of five corn-soybean meal-based lactation diets formulated to contain different levels of SID Val:Lys (0.50, 0.62, 0.75, 0.88, and 1.00, respectively). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric (3.35 ME Mcal/kg) with 0.95% SID Lys and contained vitamins and minerals that exceeded recommendations (NRC, 2012). Experimental diets were given to sows from 112 d of pregnancy throughout the 23-d lactation period. Litters were standardized within 48 h after farrowing. Sows were fed with the Howema computerized feeding system that mixed the high and low diets to create the intermediate diets, weighed the feed for each sow and then delivered the feed to each individual feeding hopper to record daily sow feed intake during lactation. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with sow as the experimental unit and treatment as a fixed effect and parity as the random effect. Results were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and considered a trend at P > 0.05 and P ≤ 0.10. Sow ADFI was not significantly different (5.2, 5.2, 5.2, 5.0, and 5.4 ± 0.15 kg/d, respectively). On average, sows consumed ~45 g of SID Lys per day. Sow wean to estrus (5.2, 4.7, 5.3, 5.5, and 4.5 ± 0.32 d, respectively) was not different as the Val:Lys ratio changed. Increasing the Val:Lys ratio resulted in no differences (2.66, 2.64, 2.76, 2.61, and 2.62 ± 0.08 kg; P > 0.10) in average daily litter gain. There were no differences in sow weight loss or subsequent total born across the dietary treatments. Overall, increasing levels of SID Val:Lys did not change sow reproductive performance or piglet growth rate.

Effects of increased energy and amino acid intake in late gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, metabolic, and redox status of sows1.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of increased AA and energy intake during late gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, and metabolic and redox status of sows. A total of 118 Yorkshire sows (third through sixth parity) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments from day 90 of gestation until farrowing. Dietary treatments consisted of combinations of 2 standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA levels [14.7 or 20.6 g/d SID Lys, SID Lys and other AA met or exceeded the NRC (2012) recommendations] and 2 energy levels (28.24 or 33.78 MJ/d intake of NE) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. After parturition, all sows were fed a standard lactation diet. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for parameters on metabolism, redox status, and amino acid profile. The data were analyzed using the generalized linear mixed models to reveal the impact of dietary levels of energy, AA, and their interaction. Sows with increased intake of AA had greater BW gain (P < 0.01) during late gestation. Furthermore, the BW loss during lactation was increased in sows with increasing intake of energy (P < 0.05) or AA (P < 0.05). Sows fed high energy had higher total litter birth weights (20.2 kg vs. 18.4 kg, P < 0.05) and shorter duration of farrowing (261 min vs. 215 min, P < 0.05), compared with those fed low energy, which likely was due to higher (P < 0.05) plasma glucose and lower (P < 0.05) plasma lactate prior to parturition. High AA intake in late gestation increased the ADG of piglets during the following lactation (P < 0.05), and increased the concentrations of plasma urea, and the following AA: Lys, Met, Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, Phe, Asp, Ser, and Arg at farrowing (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the increased intake of energy increased total litter weight of newborns and shortened the farrowing duration, which likely was due to improved energy status at farrowing. Furthermore, sows with increased intake of AA led to higher growth rate of piglets during the following lactation, accompanying with the increasing levels of plasma urea and amino acids. Therefore, the higher energy intake in late gestation appeared to improve litter weight and farrowing duration, while higher AA intake may have positive effect on piglets performance in lactation.

Supplementing 2 g per day bovine lactoferrin from late gestation until weaning did not improve lactation performance of mixed parity sows

Context Lactoferrin is a non-haem binding protein that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study showed lactoferrin supplementation from early gestation to weaning improved lactation performance in primiparous sows; however, it is unknown whether the supplementation within a more specified duration (from late gestation to weaning) can improve lactation performance in multiparous sows, which limits its commercial application. Aims This experiment investigated the effects of 2 g/day bovine lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning on lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Methods Forty-seven primiparous sows and 167 multiparous sows (up to parity 5; Large White × Landrace, PrimeGro Genetics, Corowa, NSW) were allocated to either a Control diet (2 g/day casein) or Lactoferrin supplement diet (2 g/day lactoferrin) when entering the farrowing house in late gestation (101 ± 4.6 days, mean ± s.d.) balanced by parity (2.4 ± 1.80, mean ± s.d.). Sows were housed individually in farrowing crates and fed the experimental diets until weaning (26 ± 2.5 days, mean ± s.d.). Farrowing outcomes and lactation performance were recorded. Key results Lactoferrin supplementation did not affect the number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, number of mummified fetuses, the percentage of born-light piglets (≤1.1 kg) or piglet pre-fostering survival rate. Cross-fostering within the first 48 h standardised the litter size and litter weight between dietary treatments. Piglet pre-weaning survival rate, litter weight gain, average daily gain of piglets, or coefficient of variation of piglet growth rate was not affected by lactoferrin supplementation. Daily feed intake during lactation, bodyweight and backfat thickness of sows at weaning were similar between the dietary treatments. Conclusions Two grams per day lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning did not affect lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Implications The effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation may depend upon the duration of supplementation, which should be optimised in future studies.

Effect of time and dietary supplementation with processed yeasts (Kluyveromyces fragilis) on immunological parameters in weaned piglets

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of differently processed yeast products (hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed) derived from Kluyveromyces fragilis on immunological parameters of piglets in an early phase post weaning (d 1–14). A total of 48 male and female piglets (6.17 ± 0.32 kg BW, weaned at d 25) were allocated to three dietary groups (n = 8 replicates with two piglets each) receiving a control diet (CON) or diets with 1% non-hydrolyzed yeast (Diet NHY) or 1% hydrolyzed yeast (Diet HY). The piglets were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets and had ad-libitum access to feed (mash form) and drinking water. Blood samples were taken at d 1 and d 14 for differential blood count and phenotyping of lymphocytes and at d 1, d 3 and d 14 for analysis of phagocytic activity of leukocytes. Eight animals per treatment were sacrificed 2 weeks after weaning for jejunal and colonal tissue sampling for mRNA extraction and gene expression analysis of cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) and of tight junction proteins. Different treatments had no effect on piglet growth rate. Fecal scores were improved at d 8 after weaning in the yeast supplemented Groups HY and NHY (P < 0.05). Differential blood count, phenotyping of lymphocytes, and mRNA expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins were not affected by dietary treatment. Significant time-dependent effects on the blood concentrations (G/L) of leucocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and on phenotypes of peripheral lymphocytes (%) such as B-cells (P < 0.001), cytotoxic T-cells and monocytes (P < 0.01) have been observed. The difference between lymphocyte counts on d 1 and d 14 was highest in Group HY (P < 0.001). Compared with Group CON, the phagocytic activity of monocytes at d 3 after weaning was higher in Groups HY and NHY (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both yeast products (HY and NHY) had minor effects on adaptive immune parameters, but increased innate immune response such as phagocytosis activity at d 3. Changes in adaptive immune response were more time-dependent than diet-dependent.

Effets de l’alimentation complémentaire sur les performances de croissance des porcelets en sevrage tardif en zone tropicale

L’alimentation complémentaire des porcelets à la maternité est indispensable pour un sevrage tardif à 45 jours. L’objectif de cette étude a été de vérifier l’hypothèse selon laquelle une alimentation solide peut améliorer les performances zootechniques des porcelets au sevrage. Un échantillon de 36 porcelets a été réparti entre trois truies : les porcelets nourris uniquement au lait maternel par la truie A (lot 1, témoin), les porcelets sous la truie B et ayant consommé de l’aliment 2e âge à partir de 30 jours (lot 2), les porcelets sous la truie C, recevant les deux types d’aliments (1er et 2e âge) de 15 à 45 jours (lot 3). Des pesées individuelles ont été effectuées dès l’entrée à l’aliment 1er âge, à 15 jours puis à 30 jours et enfin à 45 jours. Au sevrage, les porcelets recevant les deux types d’aliments ont donné de meilleures performances (p &lt; 0,05) sur le poids vif à 45 jours d’âge (11,2 ± 2,5 kg contre 8,0 ± 1,7 kg), la consommation d’aliment (292 ± 45 g/j contre 134 ± 45 g/j) et le gain de poids moyen quotidien (206 ± 49 g/j contre 101 ± 30 g/j). En conclusion, la distribution des aliments solides améliore significativement (p &lt; 0,05) la prise alimentaire et la vitesse de croissance des porcelets au 45e jour. Cette étude a permis de montrer la nécessité de distribuer des aliments 1er et 2e âge dans les élevages pratiquant un sevrage tardif. Cette pratique ouvre des perspectives d’amélioration des performances zootechniques en élevage porcin en zone tropicale.

Nutritional impact on mammary development in pigs: a review.

Milk yield is a crucial component of a sow operation because it is a limiting factor for piglet growth rate. Stimulating mammary development is one avenue that could be used to improve sow milk production. A number of studies have shown that nutrition of gilts or sows during the periods of rapid mammary accretion occurring during prepuberty, gestation, and lactation can affect mammary development. The present review provides an overview of all the information currently published on the subject. Various nutritional treatments can bring about increases in mammary tissue weight ranging from 27% to 52%. It was clearly established that feed restriction from 90 d of age (but not before 90 d) until puberty has detrimental effects on mammary development in pigs. Ad libitum feeding during that period increased mammary parenchymal weight by 36% to 52%. Body condition is also important because gilts that were obese (36-mm backfat) or too lean (12- to 15-mm backfat) in late gestation had less developed mammary tissue. Furthermore, overfeeding energy in late gestation seems to be detrimental. On the other hand, increasing energy and protein intakes of sows during lactation was beneficial for development of mammary tissue. Feeding certain plant extracts with estrogenic or hyperprolactinemic properties may also prove beneficial in stimulating mammary development at specific physiological periods. For example, feeding genistein to prepubertal gilts increased parenchymal DNA by 44%. Even though research was carried out on the nutritional control of mammogenesis in pigs, it is evident that much remains to be learned before the best nutritional strategy to enhance mammary development can be developed.