Reproductive Performance Of Sows Research Articles

Effect of backfat thickness during late gestation on farrowing duration, piglet birth weight, colostrum yield, milk yield and reproductive performance of sows

Sow milk is important for the survival and growth of suckling piglets. The reserved backfat of sows during late gestation may influence foetal development and milk synthesis. We investigated the effect of backfat thickness of sows at 109 days of gestation on farrowing duration, piglet birth weight, colostrum yield, milk yield and reproductive performance, using 73 sows and 1,291 piglets. Backfat thickness was measured when the sows entered the farrowing house at 109 days of gestation, using A-mode ultrasonography, and sows were classified into three groups: LOW (≤12.5 mm, n = 24), MODERATE (13 to 15 mm, n = 30) and HIGH (≥15.5 mm, n = 19). Sow parameters included backfat thickness at 10, 17 and 21 days postpartum, backfat loss during lactation, farrowing duration, total number of piglets born per litter (TB) and number of piglets born alive per litter (BA), proportion of stillborn piglets (SB) and mummified foetuses per litter (MM). Piglet parameters consisted of the birth interval and body weight of the piglets at 0,1,3,10 and 17 days postpartum. Colostrum intake of the piglets, colostrum yield and milk yield from days 3–10 and 10–17 of lactation were calculated and compared among groups of sows with different backfat thickness at 109 days of gestation. Farrowing duration and birth interval were 275.0 ± 187.5 and 14.8 ± 27.1 min, respectively. Both the duration of farrowing and the birth interval did not differ among sows with LOW, MODERATE and HIGH backfat thickness (P>0.05). Piglet weight at birth, TB, BA and MM did not differ among groups (P>0.05). However, SB in sow with LOW backfat thickness at 109 days of gestation was higher than sows with MODERATE (P = 0.024) backfat thickness. The proportion of stillborn piglets per litter in sow parities 3 to 6 was higher than in parities 1 and 2 (P<0.05). The highest SB was observed in sow parities 3 to 6 with low backfat thickness. Milk yield of sows between 3 and 10 days of lactation increase as backfat thickness at day 109 of gestation increased (r = 0.32, P = 0.008). However, backfat thickness at 109 days of gestation was negatively correlated with backfat loss during lactation (r=-0.42, P<0.001). Backfat thickness increase by 1.0 mm at day 109 of gestation resulted in an increased milk yield between 3 and 10 days of 271 g per day (P = 0.008). Backfat thickness of sows at 109 days of gestation influenced milk yield during 3 to 10 days of lactation and SB in sow parity numbers 3 to 6. However, high backfat thickness resulted in a high backfat loss during lactation.

Effects of purified fibre-mixture supplementation of gestation diet on gut microbiota, immunity and reproductive performance of sows.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a purified fibre-mixture (FM, 50% guar gum, 50% cellulose) supplementation of gestation diet on the immunity, faecal microbial composition and reproductive performance of sows. A day after breeding, 68 multiparous sows were randomly allocated to receive treatment with a control (CON) diet or a diet containing 3% FM (FM diet). Results showed the FM diet to be associated with a significant increase in the number of live-born piglets relative to CON (13.65 vs. 12.47, p<.05). In addition, this FM diet coincided with significantly increased faecal concentrations of butyrate on day 30 and propionate on day 100 (p<.05), with trends towards increased propionate on day 30 and increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on days 30 and 110 (p<.1). Meanwhile, FM addition markedly increased the abundance of representative SCFAs producing-related genera as Roseburia on days 30 and 110 (p<.05), Eubacterium-hallii-group on days 30 and 110 (p<.05), and Bacteroides on day 110 of gestation (p<.05). The serotonin concentration on day 110 of gestation had increased (p<.05) and that on day 30 of gestation (p<.1) exhibited a tendency to increase with the FM-supplemented diet in comparison with the CON. Besides, FM supplementation caused an increase in serum interleukin-10 concentrations on days 30 (p<.05) and 110 of gestation (p<.1), and a decrease in interferon-γ concentration on day 30 of gestation (p<.05). Together these results indicated that purified FM was able to improve sow reproductive performance through a mechanism potentially linked with a bias towards type-2 helper T-cell differentiation that supported embryonic survival and thereby improve reproductive yields. Changes in metabolites produced by the intestinal microbiome may thus have an impact on host immunity and reproductive performance.

A comparison of commercial modified-live PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 vaccines against a dual heterologous PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 challenge in late term pregnancy gilts

This study compared the efficacy, in terms of reproductive performance, of a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-1 or PRRSV-2 modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine against a dual heterologous PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 challenge. Gilts were administered either the PRRSV-1 or PRRSV-2 MLV vaccine at 21 days prior to breeding and were challenged intranasally with both PRRSV species at day 93 of gestation. Vaccination of gilts with PRRSV-2 MLV vaccine resulted in improved reproductive performance in sows (e.g. duration of pregnancy) and piglet health and overall viability (e.g. increase of the number of live-born and weaned pigs, and decrease of stillborn). Vaccination of gilts with PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine was able to reduce only PRRSV-1 viremia in contrast, PRRSV-2 MLV vaccine was able to reduce both PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 viremia. Vaccination of gilts with PRRSV-2 MLV induced higher numbers of PRRSV-2 specific interferon-γ secreting cells (IFN-γ-SC) compared to the PRRSV-1 MLV while there was no difference in the number of PRRSV-1 specific IFN-γ-SC between the two vaccines. Taken together, the results presented here suggest that vaccination of gilts with the PRRSV-2 MLV vaccine is more efficacious against dual heterologous PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 challenge compared to the PRRSV-1 MLV vaccine.

Effects of Dietary Fiber Sources during Gestation on Stress Status, Abnormal Behaviors and Reproductive Performance of Sows.

Simple SummaryThis study aimed to appraise the effects of two available unconventional dietary fiber resources (resistant starch and fermented soybean fiber) on sows’ reproductive performance through an in vitro-in vivo method to facilitate their application in the rural livestock production systems. Results indicated that inclusion of 5% resistant starch with greater swelling capacity in the gestation diet was beneficial to enhancing postprandial satiety, alleviating stress status, reducing abnormal behaviors and thus lowering the stillbirth rate of sows.Inclusion of fiber in gestation diets is a method for enhancing satiety and reducing abnormal behaviors in restricted feeding sows without providing excess energy. The purpose of this study was to use an in vitro-in vivo method to appraise the effects of two available unconventional dietary fiber resources during gestation on sows’ physio-chemical properties of diets, postprandial satiety, performance, abnormal behaviors, stress status and lactation feed intake under three different dietary treatments: control diet (CON diet), 5% resistant starch diet (RS diet), and 5% fermented soybean fiber diet (FSF diet) with a total of 78 (average parity 5) Landrace × Yorkshire sows. Results showed that swelling capacity was higher in the RS diet than in the CON or FSF diet. Meanwhile, the 48 h cumulative gas production and the final asymptotic gas volume after in vitro fermentation of gestation diets showed an increased trend (p = 0.07, p = 0.09, respectively) in the RS diet versus the CON or FSF diets. While the sows’ litter size, body weight, backfat or weaning-to-estrus interval were not affected (p > 0.05) by the three treatments during gestation, the RS group showed a decline in stillbirth number (p < 0.05) and stillbirth rate (p < 0.01) relative to the other two groups. Meanwhile, the proportion of standing was lower while the sow’s serum concentrations of PYY (peptide YY) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) were higher (p < 0.05) on day 70 of gestation in the RS group than in the CON or FSF group. Compared with the CON group, the RS group showed a downward tendency (p = 0.07) in the sows’ plasma cortisol concentration on day 70 of gestation. A comparison of oxidative and antioxidative indicators revealed an increase in the sows’ serum FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) (p < 0.05) and a decrease of protein carbonyl (p < 0.05) on day 109 of gestation in the RS or FSF group versus the CON group. Overall, inclusion of 5% RS with greater swelling capacity in the gestation diet contributed to enhancing the postprandial satiety, alleviating the stress status, reducing the abnormal behaviors and thus lowering the stillbirth rate of sows.

Method of individual forecasting of sow reproductive performance on the basis of a non-linear canonical model of a random sequence

Improvement of sow reproductive performance is a key factor determining the efficiency of the pig production cycle and profitability of pork production. This article presents the solution of an important scientific and practical problem of individual forecasting of sow reproduction . The population used for the present study is from a pig farm managed by the Limited Liability Company (LLC) ‘Tavriys’kisvyni’ located in Skadovsky district (Kherson region, Ukraine). The experimental materials used for this study consisted of 100 inds. of productive parent sows of the Large White breed.The litter size traits – the total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA) and number of weaned piglets (NW) – were monitored in the first eight parities over an eleven year period (2007–2017). The method of the forecasting of sow litter size is developed based on the non-linear canonical model of the random sequence of a litter size change. The proposed method allows us to take maximum account of stochastic peculiarities of sow reproductive performance and does not impose any restrictions on the random sequence of a litter size change (linearity, stationarity, Markov property, monotony, etc.). The block diagram of the algorithm presented in this work reflects the peculiarities of calculation of the parameters of a predictive model. The expression for the calculation of an extrapolation error allows us to estimate the necessary volume of a priori and a posteriori information for achieving the required quality of solving the forecasting problem. The results of the numerical experiment confirmed the high accuracy of the proposed method of forecasting of sow reproduction. The method offered by us almost doubles the accuracy of forecasting of sow litter size compared to the use of the Wiener and Kalman methods. Thus, average forecast error decreases across the range of features TNB (1.71), NBA (1.68) and NW (1.25 piglets). Apparently, this may reflect a higher level of manifestation of the genetically determined level of individual sow fertility at the moment of piglet weaning. The higher adequacy of the developed mathematical model with regard to NW can be also due to the fact that the relations between sow litter size in different farrowings primarily have a non-linear character, which is taken into maximum account in our offered model. Given non-linearity, on the other hand, turns out to be a significant factor determining a lower estimation of the repeatability value for NW compared to the estimations for TNB and NBA. The use of the developed method will help to improve the efficiency of pig farming.

Altrenogest treatment effects on the reproductive performance of sows during transition to batch farrowing

ABSTRACT: The synthetic progestin altrenogest (ALT) has been widely used in sow farms to concentrate artificial inseminations (AIs) during the transition of weekly productive flow for the batch farrowing system of 14 or 21 days. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the duration of ALT treatment on the reproductive performance of weaned sows during transition to batch farrowing. Retrospective data was evaluated regarding the reproductive performance of primiparous and multiparous sows that were either not treated (control, n = 165) or treated with 20 mg ALT during 7 days (ALT7, n = 161) or 14 days (ALT14, n = 199) post-weaning. The interval between weaning or the end of ALT supplementation and first AI did not differ among the groups, as well as the percentage of sows inseminated up to 7 or 10 days after the end of treatment or weaning (P ≥ 0.16). There was a tendency for a lower farrowing rate (P = 0.06) in ALT7 (77.2%) when compared to ALT14 (84.5%) and control (86.3%) groups. The total number of piglets born did not differ among groups (P = 0.35). In conclusion, despite the slight delay in the estrus onset, the proportion of estrous sows was not affected, whereas the adjusted farrowing rate was reduced when ALT was administered for 7 days after weaning in multiparous sows during transition to 21 days batch farrowing system.

Genetic parameters for haemoglobin levels in sows and piglets as well as sow reproductive performance and piglet survival

Genetic parameters were estimated for haemoglobin (Hb) levels in sows and piglets as well as sow reproductive performance and piglet survival. Reproductive traits were available between 2005 and 2014 for 7857 litters from 1029 Large White and 858 Landrace sows. In 2012 and 2013, Hb levels, sow BW and sow back fat depth were measured on 348 sows with 529 litters 5 days prior to farrowing. In addition, Hb levels were available for 1127 one-day-old piglets from 383 litters (a maximum of three piglets per litter) of 277 sows with Hb levels. The average Hb levels in sows (sow Hb), their litters (litter Hb, based on average Hb of three piglets) and individual piglets (piglet Hb) were 112 ± 12.6 g/l, 103 ± 15.3 g/l and 105 ± 21.7 g/l, respectively. Heritabilities for Hb levels were 0.09 ± 0.07 for sow Hb, 0.19 ± 0.11 for litter Hb and 0.08 ± 0.05 for piglet Hb. Estimates for the permanent environment effect of sows were 0.09 ± 0.09 for sow Hb, 0.11 ± 0.12 for litter Hb and 0.12 ± 0.03 for piglet Hb. In comparison, heritabilities for both number of stillborn piglets and pre-weaning survival were lower (0.05 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01). Sow BW had no significant heritability, while sow back fat depth was lowly heritable (0.10 ± 0.08). Positive genetic correlations were found between sow Hb and litter Hb (0.64 ± 0.47) and between litter Hb and sow back fat depth (0.71 ± 0.53). Higher litter Hb was genetically associated with lower number of stillborn piglets (−0.78 ± 0.35) and higher pre-weaning survival (0.28 ± 0.33). Negative genetic correlations between sow Hb and average piglet birth weight of the litter (−0.60 ± 0.34) and between piglet Hb and birth weight of individual piglets (−0.37 ± 0.32) indicate that selection for heavier piglets may reduce Hb levels in sows and piglets. Similarly, selection for larger litter size will reduce average piglet birth weight (rg: −0.40 ± 0.12) and pre-weaning survival (−0.57 ± 0.13) and may lead to lower litter Hb (−0.48 ± 0.27). This study shows promising first results for the use of Hb levels as a selection criterion in pig breeding programs, and selection for higher Hb levels may improve piglet survival and limit further reduction in Hb levels in sows and piglets due to selection for larger and heavier litters.

Short Communication: effect of positive handling of sows on litter performance and pre-weaning piglet mortality

Fear and environmental stressors may negatively affect the welfare of farm animals such as pigs. The present study investigated the effects of music and positive handling on reproductive performance of sows (n = 1014; parity 1 to 8) from a commercial pig farm practicing a batch farrowing system. Every 2 weeks, 56 sows were moved from the gestation unit to conventional-crated farrowing houses 1 week prior to expected farrowing. Treated (T; n = 299) and control (C; n = 715) sows were included in the study. In the farrowing houses, auditory enrichment (music from a radio) was provided to sows of T groups daily from 0600 to 1800 h until the end of lactation. Until the day of farrowing, T sows were additionally subjected, for 15 s per day per sow, to continuous back scratching by one member of farm staff. Litter performance and piglet mortality were recorded and analysed between T and C sows using linear mixed regression models. The number of liveborn piglets (C 13.85 v. T 13.26) and liveborn corrected for fostering (C 13.85 v. T 13.43) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in C groups compared to the T groups. The number of stillborn piglets was 0.60 and 0.72 in T and C groups, respectively (P > 0.05). With regard to piglet mortality, a linear mixed regression model showed a significant overall effect of treatment in reducing piglet mortality (P < 0.01). Yet, the effect of treatment varied according to litter size (number of liveborn piglets) with a diminishing treatment effect in sows with a high litter size (P < 0.01). Pre-weaning survival was improved in the current study by the combined effect of daily back scratching of sows prior to farrowing and providing music to sows and piglets during lactation. Further research is needed to assess the separate effects of both interventions.

Dietary supplementation with N-carbamylglycinate (CGly) improved feed source proline absorption and reproductive performance in sows.

Nutrient requirements are increased in the late-gestation period due to the faster growth of the foetal-placental unit and maternal erythrocyte mass. Glycine, proline and arginine are important amino acids that could improve foetal growth and development. The present study aims to investigate the effects of a derivative of glycine (N-carbamylglycinate, CGly) on the amino acid profiles and reproductive performances of late gestation sows. Thirty-two multiparous gestating sows (∼d 80) were selected, and randomly assigned into two groups: (1) control and (2) treatment (CGly, 800 mg kg-1) from day 85 of gestation to parturition. The serum amino acid profiles at day 110 of gestation and reproductive performance were investigated. The results showed that dietary supplementation of CGly in the late gestation period significantly improved the levels of glycine (p < 0.05) and proline (p < 0.01) in the serum of the perinatal sows, and thereafter improved the litter birth weights (p < 0.05) and number born alive (p < 0.1). Based on the in vitro studies, the improvement of proline levels is probably due to the induced expression of SLC6A20 and SLC38A2. Further studies should focus on the details of amino acid absorption, especially the competitive and cooperative absorption processes for different amino acids and derivatives.

Feeding level and diet type during the wean-to-estrus interval on the reproductive performance of sows

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate how the amount and type of diet consumed during the wean-to-estrus interval (WEI) affects reproductive performance and WEI duration in sows. A total of 542 sows were distributed into the following treatment groups based on a 2 × 2 factorial design: feed amount during WEI (2.75 or 3.75 kg/day) and diet (gestation [G] or lactation [L]) groups. Dietary treatments were as follows: high supply of G diet (GH), low supply of G diet (GL), high supply of L diet (LH), and low supply of L diet (LL). Sows were randomly allocated to groups according to their body score Caliper and birth order. There was an interaction (P &lt; 0.05) between the factors for WEI duration, which was 0.2 days shorter in the GH and LL groups than in the other groups. No difference was observed between treatments (P&gt;0.05) for the birth rate, total births, stillbirths, or total litter weight. There was a trend (P&lt;0.10) toward a higher rate of live births in sows fed with G diet and sows receiving a low diet supply, with an average of 91.95% for both groups. In addition, there was a positive trend (P &lt; 0.10) for live weight of the litter, where GH and LL treatments resulted in higher birth weight (17.9 and 17.7 kg, respectively) than other treatments. In conclusion, a supply of 3.75 kg/day or the use of a more energetic feed (lactation) during the WEI did not improve the reproductive performance of the subsequent cycle of sows in good body condition.

78 Effects of Isomaltooligosaccharide and Bacillus supplementation on sow performance, serum metabolite and oxidative status in serum and placenta

Abstract This study investigated the effects of Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) and Bacillus supplementation on sow performance, serum metabolite and oxidative status in serum and placenta. One hundred and thirty multiparous gestating sows with similar body condition were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 26), receiving basal diet (CON group) or basal diet supplemented with 0.5% IMO (IMO group), 0.5% IMO and 0.02% Bacillus subtilis (IMO+S group), 0.5% IMO and 0.02% Bacillus licheniformis (IMO+L group), and 0.5% IMO, 0.02% Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (IMO+S+L group), respectively. The reproductive performance of sows was recorded. During farrowing, serum of sow from the ear vein and umbilical vein were collected for determining the metabolite and antioxidatant capacity. The placenta also was collected to determine antioxidant capacity. Statistical analysis was performed with covariance analysis and one-way analysis of variance followed by a Duncan multiple range test with SPSS 21.0. The results showed that no difference was observed in litter size among all groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05), while the average piglet birth weight was improved in all treatments and the placental efficiency was increased in IMO+S group and IMO+S+L group compared with CON group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). IMO+S+L increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reduced total cholesterol (TC) concentration in umbilical venous serum (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, sows in all treatment groups had greater malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in umbilical venous serum compared with CON group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of placenta was increased in IMO+L group and IMO+S+L group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of growth hormone (GH) in umbilical venous serum was improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in all treatments group. In conclusion, IMO and Bacillus supplementations during late gestation changed the lipid and protein metabolism of sows, improved the placental antioxidant capacity, increased GH levels in umbilical venous serum, ultimately improved the piglet birth weight and placental efficiency.

PSXI-6 Effects of different feeding strategies during gestation on the reproductive performance of crossbred Landrace-Yorkshire sows

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different feeding strategies during gestation on the reproductive performance of sows. A total of 1121 American Landrace-Yorkshire (YL) crossbred sows and parity from 1 to 4 were assigned randomly to “North American System” feeding pattern or “Danish System” feeding pattern during gestation basing on the backfat thickness and body weight. Sows received the same diet and fed ad libitum during lactation. Results showed that over the entire gestation period, there was also no difference in average daily feed intake and total feed intake between two groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). “Danish System” group has significantly improved the backfat thickness at gestation 30 d (P &amp;lt; 0.01). At 110 d of gestation, there was no difference of the backfat thickness between two groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). “Danish System” group had significantly increased the total number of born (P = 0.02) and born alive (P = 0.04). The number of total born (P = 0.04), stillborn (P = 0.05) and mummies (P = 0.02), had significantly different in between parities of sows. Mummies had significantly interaction effect (P = 0.01). No different was observed for the number of weaned pigs, litter weight at weaning, piglet weight, and weaning to oestrus interval between two groups. However, a significant increase of litter weight at weaning, piglet weight, was associated with increased parity of sow (P &amp;lt; 0.01). The results of the present investigation showed that “Danish System” group could significantly increase the litter size and number born alive. Our findings point to the importance that the Danish system can be applied to North American genotypes.

PSVI-34 Evaluating the impact of two Bacillus probiotic strains in commercial sows and their litters

Abstract The effect of long-term administration of two different Bacillus strains was tested on 90 breeding sows (Landrace x Yorkshire) that were randomly allotted into three treatments: a control group (CON), supplemented with 5x108 cfu/kg B. subtilis 25841 (PR1), or 5x108 cfu/kg B. amyloliquefaciens 25840 (PR2). Reproductive parameters were registered along three reproductive full cycles. Fecal samples were taken along the third cycle from the sows (on days 8 and 21 of lactation) and from the piglets (on days 21 and 33 (12 post-weaning)). Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the 16S RNA gene (Illumina MiSeq®) and jejunum samples, obtained from piglets on day 21, analyzed for gene expression (52 genes by OpenArray® plate). Supplemented sows showed higher number of born piglets per litter (P = 0.01) and PR2 sows a higher number of born alive (P = 0.01). Regarding sows’ fecal microbiota, changes were found in community structure (ANOSIM test, P = 0.08) with changes at phylum level (Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes: 3.7, 5.3 and 4.6 for CON, PR1 &amp; PR2, P = 0.10) and at family level (Prevotellaceae: 9.4, 7.3, 7.3% (P = 0.03) and Ruminococcaceae: 16.1, 13.1, 13.7% (P = 0.04)). Several genera were also modified including Prevotella, Ruminococcus and Megasphaera. Regarding the microbiota of piglets, the administration of probiotics to their mothers was associated to structural changes in piglets’ fecal community during lactation (PEnvfit=0.05) but not after weaning, although relevant changes were observed between both periods (PEnvfit&amp;lt; 0.001). The expression of different genes was clearly modified by weaning but we were not able to detect changes related to the probiotic in any of the genes analyzed. In conclusion, the addition of B. subtilis 25841 and B. amyloliquefaciens 25840 were shown to enhance the sow reproductive performance in terms of prolificacy, with a clear impact on the gut microbial ecosystem of the sows and shifts in the microbiota structure of suckling piglets.

A cooperative study assessing reproductive performance in sows fed diets supplemented with organic or inorganic sources of trace minerals.

Sows from three university research facilities (n = 245) were stratified by parity and initial body weight (BW), and within outcome groups, randomly assigned to fortified corn- and soybean meal-based control or organic trace mineral-supplemented, gestation (3,339 kcal/kg ME; 0.62% standradized ileal digestible [SID] lysine), and lactation (3,374 kcal/kg ME; 0.97% SID lysine) diets. Control gestation and lactation diets were supplemented with inorganic trace minerals (120 ppm Zn from ZnO, 30 ppm Cu from CuSO4, and 50 ppm Mn from MnSO4), and the experimental diets contained the same total level of minerals but complexed organic trace minerals replaced 50% of the inorganic trace minerals. Sows were fed to condition during gestation and on an ad libitum basis during lactation. Sow BW (breeding, d 110 of gestation, 48 h post-farrowing, and weaning) and feed consumed were recorded. During gestation, control sows tended to gain less weight (60.4 vs. 64.6 kg, P = 0.06) and consumed less feed (263.5 vs. 264.8 kg, P = 0.05), and had poorer Gain:Feed (G:F) (0.27 vs. 0.29, P = 0.04) than sows fed the organic trace minerals. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) during lactation was similar (P = 0.28) between groups (4.93 vs. 4.74 kg for control and treated sows, respectively). Number of pigs born alive (11.4 vs. 10.9, P = 0.24) and weaned (10.2 vs. 9.8, P = 0.18), and pig pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) (0.27 vs. 0.27 kg/d, P = 0.77) and mortality (13.1 vs. 12.9%, P = 0.92) were similar for control and treated sows, respectively. Results of the current study demonstrate that sows fed diets supplemented with organic trace minerals displayed similar reproductive performance, but improved weight gain and G:F during gestation compared with sows fed inorganic trace minerals.

Does Ad Libitum Feeding during the Peri-Partum Improve the Sow Feed Intake and Performances?

Simple SummaryA strong belief characterizes the choice of the feeding curve used during the transition sow period from gestation to lactation. Stepped feeding schedules are normally applied in this period, but ad libitum fed sows may have better post-partum performance. An ad libitum feeding strategy of sows from day −5 to +5 of lactation evidenced greater voluntary feed intake than the stepped schedule from two days before to five days post-farrowing. However, ad libitum feeding during the peri-partum did not show any clear advantage on the piglet survival at farrowing or post-partum reproductive recovery of sows. This study hypothesized that the ad libitum feeding of sows during the peri-partum may increase the neonatal survival of the piglets and the post-partum recovery of the sow. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of two peri-partum feeding strategies (ad libitum and stepped from day 110 of gestation to day 5 post-partum) on the feed intake, the reproductive performance of sows, as well as the survival of their piglets. A total of 90 Landrace x Large-White dams sired by Duroc were used. The sows were randomly assigned to feeding treatments by balancing body condition and parity between groups. The feed intake of the sows in the peri-partum was lower in the stepped than in the ad libitum strategy. The increase of the feeding level in the ad libitum sows was not counterbalanced by higher number of weaned piglets or shorter weaned to oestrus interval.

Hot environment on reproductive performance, immunoglobulins, vitamin E, and vitamin A status in sows and their progeny under commercial husbandry.

Hot environments can affect feed intake and lactation, and the subsequent unavailability of important micronutrients to the newborn piglet can impair piglet growth, reduce the viability of newborn piglets and limit their subsequent performance. This work addresses the effects of hot environments (summer season) upon the reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation as well as on the serum levels of vitamins and the concentration of immunoglobulins in their litters in comparison with the winter season. Fourteen sows were evaluated over 100 ± 2 days of gestation in each season. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was used as an indirect measure of heat stress during gestation. The reproductive performance, milk yield, and body condition of the sows were recorded. The concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin A in piglets and in sow serum, colostrum, milk and feed were determined by HPLC; immunoglobulins were assessed by an ELISA. The THI index indicated that animals were subject to heat stress only in during the summer. Although the effect was not significant, there were a lower number of piglets at birth and at weaning and the milk yield in summer compared with winter. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in the body condition of sows between seasons. Season had an effect (p < 0.05) on the vitamin A concentration of postpartum sow serum (0.29 μg/mL in winter vs 0.21 μg/mL in summer) and on the vitamin E concentration before birth (2.00 μg/mL in winter vs 0.90 μg/mL in summer). Vitamin E in milk was higher (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer (2.23 vs 1.81 μg/mL). Serum levels of vitamins A and E in piglets at birth were lower (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer. The concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) in colostrum and milk were similar between seasons (p > 0.05), but the IgA in piglet serum was higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). High temperatures produced heat stress in sows, which affected certain aspects of production that can be translated into economic losses for this sector.

Oxidative stress status and reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation under different thermal environments

ObjectiveTwo experiments were conducted using 28 healthy multiparous sows to evaluate the oxidative stress status and reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation under different thermal environments.MethodsFourteen multiparous sows were used in Exp. 1 under a high thermal environment, and the other 14 multiparous sows were used in Exp. 2 under a moderate thermal environment. In both experiments, reproductive performances of sows were recorded. Plasma samples were collected on d 35, 60, 90, and 109 of gestation, and d 1 and 18 of lactation for malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, immunoglobulin g (IgG), and IgM analysis.ResultsFor sows in Exp. 1, plasma malondialdehyde concentration on d 109 of gestation tended to be greater (p<0.05) than it on d 18 of lactation. Plasma concentration of protein carbonyl on d 109 of gestation was the greatest (p<0.05) compared with all the other days. Plasma concentrations of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine on d 109 of gestation was greater (p< 0.05) than d 18 of lactation in Exp. 1. For sows in Exp. 2, there was no difference of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl concentration during gestation and lactation. In both Exp. 1 and 2, litter size and litter weight were found to be negatively correlated with oxidative stress indicators.ConclusionSows under a high thermal environment had increased oxidative stress during late gestation indicating that increased oxidative damage to lipid, protein, and DNA could be one of the contributing factors for reduced reproductive performance of sows in this environment. This study indicates the importance of providing a moderate thermal environment to gestating and lactating sows to minimize the increase of oxidative stress during late gestation which can impair reproductive outcomes.

Transcriptome analysis of the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ\xb7Na2) on reproductive performance in sows during gestation and lactation

BackgroundPyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), which is a water soluble, thermo-stable triglyceride-quinone, is widely distributed in nature and characterized as a mammalian vitamin-like redox cofactor. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ·Na2) on reproductive performance in sows.ResultsDietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 significantly increased the total number of piglets born, the number of piglets born alive and the born alive litter weight. It also increased the antioxidant status in the placenta, plasma and milk. The concentration of NO was significantly increased in the plasma and placenta. RNA-seq analysis showed that 462 unigenes were differentially expressed between the control (Con) treatment and PQQ treatment groups. Among these unigenes, 199 were upregulated, while 263 unigenes were downregulated. The assigned functions of the unigenes covered a broad range of GO categories. Reproduction (27, 7.03%) and the reproduction process (27, 7.03%) were assigned to the biological process category. By matching DEGs to the KEGG database, we identified 29 pathways.ConclusionsIn conclusion, dietary supplementation with PQQ·Na2 in gestating and lactating sows had positive effects on their reproductive performance.

PSV-19 Effect of yeast bioactive compounds on the reproductive performance of sows

Abstract Prebiotics has been used in sow diets as an alternative to minimize the impacts of hyperprolificity, such as variability coefficient and poor litter performance. However, the additive inclusion is generally high and costly. The objective of this study was to verify the effect of the low inclusion of yeast bioactive compounds (YBC), in gestation and lactation diets, on sows reproductive performance. Five hundred sows were assigned in two treatments in a block design considering parity as a random factor, using each sow as an experimental unit with for gestation (n = 500) and lactation period (n = 80). The treatments were control diet (CON) and diet with 0.036% of YBC inclusion (YBC). Back fat thickness was measured at 30 and 70 days of gestation, at farrowing day, at 14 days of lactation and weaning day. Sows were weighted at the farrowing barn entry day and at weaning. The corporal mobilization was accessed following the equation: Body change = Weight at weaning - [Weight at lactation entry - (Litter weight at birth + Placenta weight)]. After cross-fostering and at weaning the litters were weighed to calculate the daily weight gain. Differences were considered significant when p ≤ 0.05 and tendencies were considered when p &gt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.10. No difference was found regarding the reproductive performance (total born, born alive, mummified and stillborns) (P &gt; 0.05). YBC tended to have greater litter final weight than CON group, 59.08 kg versus 56.70 kg (P = 0.057). Backfat thickness tended to be lower (5.20%) in YBC (16.03 mm) than CON group (16.91 mm) during gestation period (P = 0.075). However, at weaning day no difference for backfat thickness was found between treatments (P &gt; 0.05). YBC had lower loss weight during lactation than CON group, 0.0 kg versus 4.99 kg, respectively (P = 0.011). Low inclusion of YBC enhances litter performance and improves body condition of lactating sows.

373 Efficiency of standardized ileal digestible lysine utilization for whole body protein retention in pregnant gilts and sows during early and mid gestation

Abstract NRC (2012) gestating sow model assumes the efficiency of AA use is constant across gestation, which may not reflect changes in metabolic demand during gestation. Efficiency of utilization is determined as the slope of the response to graded levels of test AA. Previous work reported a lack of response to graded Lys [60–90% of NRC (2012) predicted requirement] in early and mid gestation. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine efficiency of SID Lys utilization for whole body protein retention in gilts and sows during early (d 48–52) and mid (d 75–79) gestation. Four isocaloric (3,373 kcal ME/kg) and isoproteic (12.75 % CP) diets containing 40, 50, 60, and 70% of NRC (2012) model-predicted daily SID Lys requirement (10.1 and 9.3 g/d in early and mid gestation, respectively) were randomly assigned to 50 females (PIC 1050; 12 gilts, 21 Parity 1, 17 Parity 2). Dietary indispensable AA contents were set to meet 100–200% of AA:Lys ratios. Whole body nitrogen (N) retention was based on N-balance studies in early and mid gestation (7-d diet adaptation and 5 d total urine collection and grab fecal sampling). Lysine efficiency was determined by simple linear regression using PROC GLM procedure of SAS. Reproductive performance data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Reproductive performance of sows (birth weight, born alive, stillborn, and mummies) was not different by parity or diet. Whole body N and SID Lys retention increased linearly (P &lt; 0.0001) with increasing SID Lys intake in early and mid gestation. Efficiency of Lys utilization in early gestation was 0.60, 0.46, and 0.50, and in mid gestation 0.58, 0.44, and 0.48 for gilts, parity 1, and parity 2 sows, respectively. Parity may play a greater role in efficiency of AA use than stage of gestation.