Reproductive Performance Of Sows Research Articles

Sow Reproductive Performance, Lifetime Performance, Their Risk Factors, Predictors and Farm-Level Factors in Farm Data Analysis

Sow Reproductive Performance, Lifetime Performance, Their Risk Factors, Predictors and Farm-Level Factors in Farm Data Analysis

Effects of Dietary Lysolecithin Supplementation during Late Gestation and Lactation on Sow Reproductive Performance, Sow Blood Metabolic Parameters and Piglet Performance.

Simple SummaryLactation is metabolically very demanding, and sows struggle to eat enough to cover their requirements. Use of lysolecithin can improve energy digestibility and retention and may be able to help sows maintain condition and performance during lactation. In the present study supplementation with lysolecithin reduced backfat loss and increased litter growth. There were also impacts of lysolecithin supplementation on glucose and urea metabolism, indicating improved nutrient digestion and absorption, potentially via leptin-regulated mechanisms.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of lysolecithin in sows’ diets during the last three weeks of the gestation period and throughout the lactation period on performance and metabolic parameters. In total 60 sows were allocated to two treatments: (a) CG (control group): the sows were fed commercially control diets; (b) LLG (lysolecithin group): the sows were fed the control diets supplemented with 750 g/t of feed supplemented with lysolecithin (Lysoforte Booster DryTM, Kemin Europa N.V., Herentals, Belgium). Backfat was lower in LLG than CG at end of gestation and at weaning (p = 0.030 and 0.044, respectively), while the CG sows mobilized more backfat between day 14 to weaning (p = 0.006). Litter weight at weaning was higher in the LLG (p = 0.027). Fasted glucose levels at day 14 of lactation tended to be lower in LLG compared to CG (p = 0.074). Urea concentrations were higher in LLG than CG at day 14 (p = 0.002). Lysolecithin supplemented sows compared to the control mobilized less tissue during lactation to support lactation demands. In conclusion, lysolecithin supplementation in sows resulted in improved litter weight at weaning without an excessive catabolism of backfat tissue, most probably due to an efficient nutrient utilization, which warrants further investigation.

Effects of Dietary Choline Levels During Pregnancy on Reproductive Performance, Plasma Metabolome and Gut Microbiota of Sows.

This study investigated the effects of dietary choline levels during gestation on reproductive performance of sows. In addition, the plasma metabolome and gut microbiota of sows was studied. A total of 260 multiparous sows were allocated to five dietary treatment groups with increasing choline concentrations (1,050, 1,450, 1,850, 2,250, and 2,650 mg/kg) in a randomized complete block design. The sows were fed experimental diets from breeding until farrowing and a common lactating diet during lactation. The results showed that the backfat (BF) gain of sows during gestation, individual birth weight for total piglets born, piglets born alive, average piglet weight at weaning increased linearly (P < 0.05), whereas the within-litter birth weight variation coefficient (CV) of piglets born alive and suckling piglet mortality decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary choline level increased. A quadratic effect of dietary choline level was observed for the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows during lactation (P < 0.05). ADFI was maximized when the dietary choline concentration reached 1,910 mg/kg. Plasma H2O2 concentration at day 30 of gestation in the 1,050 mg/kg group was greater than that in the 1,850 and 2,650 mg/kg groups (P < 0.05). Plasma metabolomics identified 46 metabolites among the three groups. Specifically, plasma concentrations of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), dopamine, and L-proline increased while 1-methylhistidine concentration decreased as dietary choline levels increased. In addition, bacterial observed species and richness (Chao 1 and ACE) at day 110 of gestation decreased as dietary choline levels increased (P < 0.05). For the gut microbiota composition, the enhanced dietary choline level decreased the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria (P < 0.05) and increased the abundance of phylum Actinobacteria (P < 0.05) at day 30 of gestation. Compared with the 1,050 mg/kg group, the abundance of genus Terrisporobacter was less in the 1,850 mg/kg group, and genera Bacillus and Cellulomonas were greater in the 2,650 mg/kg group. In summary, increasing dietary choline levels improved the birth weight, uniformity of neonatal piglets and litter performance during lactation. This may be associated with better antioxidant capability, metabolic status, and gut microbiota of sows during gestation.

Evaluation of Essential Fatty Acids in Lactating Sow Diets on Sow Reproductive Performance, Colostrum and Milk Composition, and Piglet Survivability

A total of 3,451 mixed parity sows and their litters were used to evaluate the effects of essential fatty acid intake on sow reproductive performance, piglet growth and survivability, and colostrum and milk composition. At approximately d 112 of gestation, sows were blocked by parity within farrowing room and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments. Lactation diets were corn-soybean meal-wheat-based and included 0.5 (Control) or 3% choice white grease (CWG), 3% soybean oil (SO), or a combination of 3% soybean oil and 2% choice white grease (Combination). Thus, sows were provided diets with low essential fatty acid (EFA; as linoleic [LA] and α-linolenic acid [ALA]) in diets with choice white grease or high EFA in diets with soybean oil. Prior to farrowing, sows were provided 4 lb/d of their assigned lactation diet and then allowed ad libitum access after parturition. Overall lactation ADFI increased (P < 0.001) when sows were fed the Combination and CWG treatments compared to sows fed the Control or diet with 3% SO. Regardless of differences among ADFI, daily LA and ALA intake of sows assigned to the Combination and SO treatments were greater (P < 0.001) than sows fed diets with lower EFA provided as CWG. There was no effect of sow EFA intake on piglet survivability from birth to 24 h or from 24 h to weaning (P > 0.10). Overall, sows consuming high EFA provided in the Combination and SO diets produced litters with greater (P < 0.05) litter gain and litter ADG during the lactation period and heavier (P < 0.001) piglet weaning weights when compared to litters from sows fed diets with low EFA provided through CWG. Lactation diet EFA composition did not influence colostrum or milk dry matter, crude protein, or crude fat content (P > 0.10). However, LA and ALA content in both colostrum and milk at weaning increased (P < 0.05) in response to increased EFA levels in diets that contained SO. There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in wean-to-estrus interval, percentage of sows bred by d 7, percentage of sows bred by d 12, farrowing rate, or subsequent farrowing performance due to sow lactation EFA intake. In conclusion, increased LA and ALA intake during the lactation period from soybean oil addition increased overall litter growth and average weaning weights of pigs but did not affect piglet survivability or subsequent reproductive performance of sows.

Influence of technological factors on the reproductive performance of sows in an industrial breeder

The most important element of pork production technology is herd reproduction. Among all reproductive qualities of sows, the most important are prolificacy, heavy litter, and preservation of piglets during the suckling period. Therefore, the study of reproductive qualities of pigs is relevant to the theory and practice of pig breeding. The research was carried out under reproductive conditions in an industrial pig breeding complex. It is noted that the greatest increase in sows prolificacy is observed when the service-period is 21-28 days, i.e. when one heat is skipped, as compared to sows with a service-period of 1-7 days, i.e. without heat skipping. The highest farrowing rate was observed in groups of sows without heat skipping, but taking into account the prolificacy, the highest number of piglets was obtained in groups of sows with a service-period of 21-28 days - 33.35-34.70 animals. The survival rate of piglets in all groups of sows was 90.3%. Stillbirth rate was 0.85 heads per sow. Slight variations in this indicator from 0.79 to 0.95 were recorded depending on the service period of the sows. On average the crushed piglets amounted to 0.76 animals per nest. There were slight fluctuations from 0.73 to 0.79 depending on the service-period of the sows. Fetal mummification of fetuses was 0.37 per nest. It is noted that there is a tendency to increase the number of mummified fetuses with increasing service-period of sows. The number of mummified fetuses increases with increasing multiplicity of sows, which was observed in groups of sows with a service period of 21-28 and 45 days or more.

Lactating sows fed whey protein supplement has eventually increased the blood profile of piglets.

The intension of this study was to examine the effect of dietary whey protein supplementation on the reproduction performance, growth performance and blood profile of sow and their offspring. From Day 114 of lactation to 21days of weaning, a total of 21sows (n=7/ treatment) (Landrace×Yorkshire) were blocked according to average parity (2.4) and allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: (i) CON-corn-soybean meal based basal diet, (ii) WPC-CON+0.047% WPC whey protein concentrate (WPC) and (iii) WPH-CON+0.02% whey protein hydrolysate (WPH). The reproduction performance of sows was not affected by WPC or WPH supplementation. However, piglets that were born to WPC and WPH group sows showed higher body weight at birth (p=0.057) and at weaning (p=0.018). After farrowing, WPC and WPH group sows showed decreased (p=0.043) RBC count and total iron-binding count (TIBC) (p=0.046), whereas at the end of the experiment, the blood profile including red blood cells, iron, haemoglobulin and TIBC was significantly increased (p=0.042, 0.049, 0.051 and 0.052 respectively) in WPC group piglets compared to the CON and WPH groups. Based on the positive impact on the blood profile of piglets, we conclude that whey protein supplement could serve as a potential energy source to suit lactating sows that could eventually benefit the performance of their offspring.

Comparison of Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Status of Sows With Different Litter Sizes During Pregnancy.

The experiment was conducted to compare the differences of gut microbiota and metabolic status of sows with different litter sizes on days 30 and 110 of gestation, and uncover the relationship between the composition of maternal gut microbiota during gestation and sow reproductive performance. Twenty-six Large White × Landrace crossbred multiparous sows (2nd parity) with similar back fat thickness and body weight were assigned to two groups [high-reproductive performance group (HP group) and low-reproductive performance group (LP group)] according to their litter sizes and fed a common gestation diet. Results showed that compared with LP sows, HP sows had significantly lower plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) on gestation d 30 (P < 0.05), but had significantly higher plasma levels of TG, non-esterified fatty acid, tumor necrosis factor-α, and immunoglobulin M on gestation d 110 (P < 0.05). Consistently, HP sows revealed increased alpha diversity and butyrate-producing genera, as well as fecal butyrate concentration, on gestation d 30; HP sows showed significantly different microbiota community structure with LP sows (P < 0.05) and had markedly higher abundance of Firmicutes (genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Terrisporobacter) which were positively related with litter size on gestation d 110 than LP sows (P < 0.05). In addition, plasma biochemical parameters, plasma cytokines, and fecal microbiota shifted dramatically from gestation d 30 to d 110. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that microbial abundances and community structures differed significantly between sows with different litter sizes and gestation stages, which was associated with changes in plasma biochemical parameters, inflammatory factors, and immunoglobulin. Moreover, these findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between litter size and gut microbiota of sows, and provided a microbial perspective to improve sow reproductive performance in pig production.

NR1D1 targeting CYP19A1 inhibits estrogen synthesis in ovarian granulosa cells

The circadian system performs an important role in mammalian reproduction with significant effects on hormone secretion. Nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1 (NR1D1) functions as a transcriptional repressor in the circadian system and affects granulosa cells (GCs), but how it regulates estrogen synthesis has not been clarified. We investigated the effect of NR1D1 on estrogen synthesis and found that NR1D1 was highly expressed in GCs, mainly in cell nuclei. Additionally, the expression of NR1D1 and estrogen synthesis key genes CYP19A1, CYP11A1 and StAR showed rhythmic changes in porcine ovarian GCs. Activation of NR1D1 enhances its ability to inhibit the transcriptional activity of CYP19A1 by binding to the RORE on the CYP19A1 promoter, resulting in a decrease in estradiol content. Interference with NR1D1 can eliminate the transcriptional inhibition of CYP19A1 and promote the synthesis of estradiol. The results suggest that the hormone secretion of the ovary itself is also regulated by the biological clock, and any factors that affect the circadian rhythm can affect the endocrine and reproductive performance of sows, so the natural rhythm of sows should be maintained in production.

Effect of Season and Parity on Reproduction Performance of Iberian Sows Bred with Duroc Semen.

Simple SummaryThe Iberian pig is appreciated for the organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of its meat. Traditional breeding is extensive, but many farms perform intensive breeding for increased productivity. In these cases, Duroc boars are the source of semen for artificial insemination (AI). There is little information on this kind of breeding; therefore, we analyzed the records from a farm near Mérida (Spain). Our main interest was the effect of parity (number of previous farrowings) and season on the reproductive results of the farm. Sows between 2 and 4 previous farrowings showed the best fertility and prolificacy. Additionally, the results were higher for AI performed in autumn and winter, with a drop in reproductive performance earlier in the year than for other breeds, which usually decline by summer–early autumn. Increasing day length in the spring combined with higher temperatures in late spring–summer could lower performance during these periods. These results could help improve the management of Iberian sow farms.The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed from the Iberian Peninsula highly valued for its meat. The sows are often bred as Iberian × Duroc crossings for increased efficiency. Since sow parity and season affect the reproductive performance, we evaluated two-year records from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm (live, stillborn, and mummified piglets after artificial insemination, AI). A total of 1293 Iberian sows were inseminated with semen from 57 boars (3024 AI). The effects of parity (gilts, 1, 2–4, 5–10, and >10 farrowings) and season were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models (LME). The data were fitted to cosinor models to investigate seasonal effects within parity groups. The effects of maximum daily temperature (MDT) and day length change (DLC) during spermatogenesis, pre-AI, and post-AI periods were analyzed with LME. The 2–4 group was the optimal one for parity. A seasonal effect was evident between spring–summer (lower fertility/prolificacy) and autumn–winter (higher). Cosinor showed that the seasonal drop in reproductive performance occurs earlier in Iberian sows than in other breeds, more evident in gilts. MDT negatively affected performance in all periods and DLC in spermatogenesis and pre-AI. These results are relevant for the improvement of Iberian sows’ intensive farming.

20. Impact of a bioactive mineral-based feed additive on oxidative stress and reproductive performance in sows

20. Impact of a bioactive mineral-based feed additive on oxidative stress and reproductive performance in sows

509 Late-Breaking: Effect of a Sensory Additive on Sow Reproductive Performance

Abstract The addition of a sensory additive to sow diets during the summer improved feed intake during lactation, and litter performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the sensory additive on sow lactation performance during cooler temperatures. Three consecutive groups (n = 61 total) of sows were farrowed during winter (October, December and January). Sows were weighed, and back fat depth was measured, at 110 d of gestation prior to entering the lactation room, and again at weaning. The sows were sorted by parity, and then allotted by BW at d 110 to Control or 0.075% sensory additive (Luctamax® SowVive, Lucta S.A., Spain). Experimental diets were offered upon entry to the lactation room and fed through weaning. Feed disappearance was recorded every three days. Sows were fed 2.72 kg/head/day until farrowing, and then allowed to eat ad libitum from 24 hours post-farrowing until weaning. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS as an RCBD with treatment as the fixed effect and group as a random effect. No differences were observed on sows feed intake (P &amp;gt; 0.4), 10th rib backfat thickness change (P = 0.632) and body weight change from d 110 of gestation to weaning (P = 0.65, Table 1). Sows fed the sensory additive lowered preweaning mortality by 4.9% (P = 0.051), and weaned an additional 1.42 piglets (P = 0.026) with similar weaning weights (P = 0.86) when compared to control. In conclusion, in the current study, lactation diets supplemented with a sensory additive improved litter performance and helped maintain sow body condition.

The effects of precisely meeting estimated daily energy and lysine requirements for gestating sows over three consecutive pregnancies on sow reproductive and lactation performance.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of precisely meeting estimated daily energy and Lys requirements for gestating sows over three consecutive pregnancies on sow reproductive and lactation performance. A total of 105 sows (initial reproductive cycle 1.4 ± 0.5) were randomly assigned to a precision (PF; n = 50) or control (CON; n = 55) feeding program between days 2 and 9 of gestation and housed in group-pens equipped with electronic sow feeders capable of blending two diets. The PF sows received unique daily blends of two isocaloric diets (2518 kcal/kg NE; 0.80% and 0.20% standardized ileal digestible [SID] Lys, respectively), whereas CON sows received a static blend throughout gestation to achieve 0.56% SID Lys. After weaning, sows were re-bred and entered the same feeding program as in the previous pregnancy for two subsequent pregnancy cycles (PF: n = 36; CON: n = 37; average reproductive cycle: 2.4 ± 0.5; PF: n = 25; CON: n = 24; average reproductive cycle: 3.5 ± 0.5). Sows on the PF program received 97%, 105%, and 118% (average over three pregnancy cycles) of dietary energy and 67%, 79%, and 106% of SID Lys intakes compared to CON between days 5 and 37, 38 and 72, and 73 and 108 of gestation, respectively. Estimated N (26.1%) retention did not differ between gestation feeding programs in any pregnancy, but excess N excretion was less (1617 vs. 1750 ± 54 g/sow; P < 0.01) for PF vs. CON sows. Regardless of pregnancy cycle, sows that received the PF program had greater ADG between days 38 and 72 (614 vs. 518 ± 63 g/d; P < 0.05) and between days 73 and 108 (719 vs. 618 ± 94 g/d; P = 0.063) of gestation, and greater loin depth gain between days 63 and 110 of gestation (0.7 vs. −1.1 ± 1.6 mm; P < 0.05), but BW (235.1 kg) and backfat (17.8 mm) and loin (70.5 mm) depths on day 110 of gestation did not differ. The number of piglets born alive, stillborn, and mummified, and litter birth weight (16.5 kg) did not differ in any pregnancy cycle, nor did piglet ADG during lactation (250 g/d) and piglet BW (6.7 kg) at weaning. Sows that received the PF program during gestation had lower ADFI during lactation (5.7 vs. 6.2 ± 0.2 kg; P < 0.01). Therefore, using feeding programs that precisely match estimated daily energy and Lys requirements for gestating sows provides the opportunity to reduce N losses to the environment and reduce lactation feed usage, without negatively affecting sow reproductive and lactation performance.

Supplementing volatile-flavour herbal-extract mixture to the diet of sows and their weaned offspring improves the growth performance of weaned piglets

A volatile herbal extract (VHE), consisting of 150 g/kg anethole, 15 g/kg bebaudioside A, 2.1 g/kg thymol, 2.0 g/kg eugenol and 2.3 g/kg cinnamic aldehyde, was fed to sows and their weaned offspring to evaluate its effect on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of weaned piglets. A total of 18 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments based on average parity (1.78) with nine replicates per treatment. The feeding period was 35 days, from d 7 before farrowing to d 7 after weaning. The lactation period was 21 d. A total of 96 piglets were randomly selected from each sow treatment group and allocated to 24 replicate pens with four pigs (mixed sex) per pen. The feeding period of weaned piglets was 35 days (phase 1, days 1-7; phase 2, days 8-21; phase 3, days 22-35). Dietary treatments in sows and weaned piglets consisted of a basal control diet with or without 500 mg/kg VHE. The data showed that VHE supplementation had no effect on the reproductive performance of sows, but improved the growth performance of weaned piglets, in which the increase of average daily gain during days 1-7 (P=0.006) and 1-35 (P=0.032) and feed efficiency during days 22-35 (P=0.026) and 1-35 (P=0.020) in weaned piglets were observed. Therefore, supplementing VHE to the diet of sows and their weaned offspring was beneficial to the growth performance of weaned piglets.

Supplementing daidzein in diets improves the reproductive performance, endocrine hormones and antioxidant capacity of multiparous sows.

Certain hormones play important roles in modulating mammalian reproductive behaviour. Daidzein is a well-known isoflavonic phytoestrogen that possesses oestrogenic activity. This study was conducted to probe the effects of daidzein supplementation in gestation diets on the reproductive performance in sows. A total of 120 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 60) and fed either a base diet (control) or one containing 200 mg/kg daidzein during gestation. We discovered that daidzein supplementation significantly increased the total number of piglets born per litter and number of piglets born alive per litter (P < 0.05), decreased the farrowing time (P < 0.05) and increased the serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations (P < 0.05) at 35 d of gestation. Moreover, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were higher in the daidzein-treated group than in the control group at 35 d of gestation (P < 0.05). Daidzein increased the serum SOD activity and total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC) at 85 d of gestation (P < 0.05). Interestingly, daidzein elevated the expression levels of the sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SLC38A1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) genes in the placenta (P < 0.05). These results suggest that daidzein ingestion could improve sow reproductive performance by changing serum hormones, elevating anti-oxidative capacity and up-regulating critical functional genes in the placenta.

Center clustering network improves piglet counting under occlusion

Counting nursing piglets is an essential task on commercial sow farms and provides a core parameter for evaluating sow reproductive performance. As a current management practice, piglets in farrowing pens are usually manually counted by caretakers several times during and after parturition and at weaning, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often subject to careless errors. In recent years, automated counting tools based on computer vision have drawn increasing attention from the pig industry. However, piglets frequently can be occluded by farrowing stalls or sows, either fully or partially, which results in substantial counting errors by existing automated methods. To address problems caused by the partial occlusion, a two-stage center clustering network (CClusnet) was developed to improve automated piglet counting performance. We constructed a dataset consisting of 2,600 images from three farrowing pens to test and validate the CClusnet. The images were under heavy occlusions with one sow (DNA Genetics Line 241) and 7–13 piglets per image, and 97.7% of images having one or more piglets partially occluded. In the first stage, the CClusnet predicted a semantic segmentation map and a center offset vector map for each image. In the second stage, scattered center points were produced by combining the two maps, and the mean-shift algorithm was applied to determine the piglet count. The results showed that CClusnet achieved 0.43 mean absolute error per image for piglet counting, had a better performance than previous network architectures, and outperformed existing counting methods. Furthermore, our technique is a nonocclusion-specific method and can be applied in other similar settings with different types of occlusions, and with potential to achieve high accuracy in animal position detection and monitoring.

Effects of Fermented Radix puerariae Residue on Nutrient Digestibility and Reproductive Performance of Sows.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented Radix puerariae residue (FRPR) on reproductive performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of sows. A total of 36 landrace × large white multiparous sows were randomly arranged into three treatments, representing supplementation with 0, 2, and 4% FRPR to a corn-soybean meal and wheat bran-based diet during the whole gestation period. The results showed that dietary FRPR had no effects on litter size and the number of total alive piglets (P > 0.05), and that the number of weaned piglets and weaning weight of litter were increased in sows with 4% FRPR treatment compared with control treatment (P < 0.05). Dietary 4% FRPR significantly decreased constipation rate, improved the ATTD of dry matter and organics, and fecal contents of acetate, propionate, and total SCFAs (P < 0.05). In the offspring piglets, serum concentrations of total protein, alkaline phosphatase, IgG, IL-10, and TGF-β were increased, but blood urea nitrogen content was decreased with 4% FRPR treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in all determined indexes except for fecal acetic acid and total SCFAs between control and 2% FRPR treatment (P > 0.05). These findings indicated that FRPR used in the diets of sows showed positive effects on fecal characteristics, utilization of nutrients, and reproductive performance. Maternal supplementation with 4% FRPR is recommended for improving immune responses, weaning litter size, and litter weight of offspring piglets, which provide useful information for the application of residues of R. puerariae.

Biomarkers predictive of long-term fertility found in vaginal lipidome of gilts at weaning.

A marker indicative of the fertility potential of replacement gilts early in development would decrease culling rates in the sow herd, improve sow herd reproductive efficiency, and reduce production costs. The objective of this study was to determine if vaginal lipid profiles at 21 d postnatal (PN) could predict sow reproductive performance. Vaginal swabs of the anterior vagina were taken at 21 ± 4 d PN from gilts born on a commercial sow production facility for lipidomic analysis. Animals were followed prospectively for 2 yr and assigned to reproductive performance categories based on the observation of estrus or piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings. Lipids were extracted from cellular material collected with swabs taken from high fertility (HF; n = 28; ≥26 PSY) and infertile (IF; n = 34; no estrus, no pregnancy) animals, and multiple reaction monitoring profiling was used for lipidome analysis. The relative abundance of arachidonic acid (C20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) was lower (P < 0.05) in IF gilts than HF gilts, whereas the abundance of the free fatty acids such as cerotic (C26:0), ximenic (C26:1), and nonadecanoic (C19:0) acids was greater (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. Additionally, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), a precursor of prostaglandins, was higher (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. The perspective of having a panel of lipids captured with vaginal swabs at weaning that can predict the reproductive efficiency of gilts shows promise and warrants future research in this area.

Exposure to Copper Compromises the Maturational Competency of Porcine Oocytes by Impairing Mitochondrial Function.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for animals, and also an important nutritional component for the normal physiology and metabolism of animal reproductive systems. An excess or lack of Cu will directly or indirectly affect animal reproductive activities. However, the effect of Cu, in particular excessive Cu, on the reproductive performance of sows has not been studied. Here, we report that excessive Cu had negative effects on oocyte maturation and organelle functions. We showed that Cu exposure perturbed porcine oocyte meiotic maturation and impaired spindle/chromosome structure, resulting in a defective spindle assembly, as well as the abnormal distribution of actin dynamics and cortical granules. In addition, single-cell transcriptome analysis identified the target effectors of Cu actions in porcine oocytes, further demonstrating that Cu exposure affects the mitochondrial distribution and function, leading to the high levels of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and early apoptosis of porcine oocytes. These findings demonstrate that Cu exposure causes abnormalities in the mitochondrial distribution and function, resulting in the increased oxidative stress and levels of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and apoptosis, ultimately leading to a decreased porcine oocyte quality.

Strategies of inorganic and organic trace mineral supplementation in gestating hyperprolific sow diets: effects on the offspring performance and fetal programming.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of trace mineral nutrition on sow performance, mineral content, and intestinal gene expression of neonate piglets when inorganic mineral sources (ITM) were partially replaced by their organic mineral (OTM) counterparts. At 35 d postmating, under commercial conditions, a total of 240 hyperprolific multiparous sows were allocated into three experimental diets: 1) ITM: with Zn, Cu, and Mn at 80, 15, and 60 mg/kg, respectively; 2) partial replacement trace mineral source (Replace): with a 30 % replacement of ITM by OTM, resulting in ITM + OTM supplementation of Zn (56 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (10.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (42 + 18 mg/kg); and 3) Reduce and replace mineral source (R&R): reducing a 50% of the ITM source of Zn (40 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (7.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (30 + 18 mg/kg). At farrowing, 40 piglets were selected, based on birth weight (light: <800 g, and average: >1,200 g), for sampling. Since the present study aimed to reflect results under commercial conditions, it was difficult to get an equal parity number between the experimental diets. Overall, no differences between experimental diets on sow reproductive performance were observed. Light piglets had a lower mineral content (P < 0.05) and a downregulation of several genes (P < 0.10) involved in physiological functions compared with their average littermates. Neonate piglets born from Replace sows had an upregulation of genes involved in functions like immunity and gut barrier, compared with those born from ITM sows (P < 0.10), particularly in light piglets. In conclusion, the partial replacement of ITM by their OTM counterparts represents an alternative to the totally inorganic supplementation with improvements on neonate piglet gene expression, particularly in the smallest piglets of the litter. The lower trace mineral storage together with the greater downregulation of gut health genes exposed the immaturity and vulnerability of small piglets.

241 Evaluation of a DFM and OA, Alone or in Combination, on Sow Reproductive and Litter Growth Performance

Abstract Forty-seven sows and their progeny were used to determine if feeding gestating and lactating sows a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium chain and short chain fatty acids (OA), or in combination improves sow lactation feed and water intake, litter growth, and subsequent reproductive performance. On approximately d80 of gestation, sows were fed one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial design: 1) gestation control (CON; 0.55% SID Lysine), 2) CON with DFM (1.6x109 CFU/kg of complete feed), 3) CON with 0.4% OA, 4) CON with both DFM and OA. Dietary treatments were also fed throughout lactation (1.00% SID Lysine) starting on approximately d112 of gestation when sows entered farrowing facility. There was a tendency (P = 0.079) for DFM to decrease the amount of sow body weight loss in lactation by approximately 6% compared to sows not consuming the DFM, likely related to DFM sows numerically (P = 0.124) consuming 8.4% more feed during d7-14 of lactation. Sows fed the OA diets had fewer mummies/litter (P = 0.038) compared to diets not containing OA. Sows fed diets with the DFM gave birth to lighter pigs born alive (P = 0.003) compared to non-DFM fed sows, and a tendency for an interaction (P = 0.092) existed where feeding OA+DFM lessened the decrease in born alive BW. There was an interaction tendency (P = 0.133) where sows fed DFM returned to estrus 22 hours sooner than CON, but only 8 hours sooner when sows were fed the OA+DFM diet. In conclusion, feeding a Bacillus licheniformis DFM to sows may decrease pig born alive weight but reduce sow BW loss through 6.4% more lactation feed intake, quickening the return to estrus. Feeding the OA alone or in combination did not improve sow reproductive and litter growth performance in this study, and may require a larger sample size.