淮南猪新品系初产母猪泌乳性能的研究

选择淮南猪新品系初产母猪17头对其泌乳性能进行研究。结果表明:在35d泌乳期内,平均泌乳量(249.55±1.25)kg,日平均泌乳次数(27.10±1.98)次,日平均泌乳量(7.13±0.68)kg,仔猪每完成1次正常吮乳总时间平均为209.27s,其中吮乳前按摩时间平均为71.83s,母猪放乳时间平均为23.40s,吮乳后的后按摩时间平均为114.04s。全期泌乳量呈正态分布,泌乳高峰出现在产后25d,结果显示,淮南猪新品系初产母猪具有较强的泌乳性能和良好的哺乳能力。     

母猪饲粮中添加山梨酸对泌乳母猪和哺乳仔猪生产性能与血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究母猪饲粮中添加山梨酸对泌乳母猪和哺乳仔猪生产性能、血清生化指标以及初乳游离脂肪酸浓度的影响。试验选用遗传背景一致、妊娠第1胎、体况和预产期相近的18头大约克母猪(纯繁),随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪,分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0(对照)、0.125%和0.200%山梨酸的试验饲粮,试验从母猪妊娠第84天开始至泌乳第21天结束。结果表明:饲粮中添加0.200%的山梨酸可提高泌乳期1～7 d和1～21 d母猪的背膘损失(0.63和1.10 mm,P<0.10和P<0.05)、日均泌乳量(18.44%和13.46%,P<0.10)以及仔猪的平均日增重(16.84%和13.49%,P<0.10)和窝重(7.80%和10.40%,P<0.05),显著提高母猪初乳和仔猪(泌乳第7天)血清的游离脂肪酸浓度以及母猪和仔猪(泌乳第7天)的血清胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)浓度(P<0.05),显著降低母猪及仔猪血清尿素氮(分别为泌乳第1天和第7天)和皮质醇的浓度(泌乳第7天)(P<0.05)。由此可见,母猪饲粮中添加0.200%的山梨酸可提高初乳游离脂肪酸浓度和泌乳第7天母猪及仔猪血清IGF-Ⅰ浓度,改善仔猪的生产性能。     

甜菜碱对奶牛采食量、泌乳性能和血液指标的影响

选用20头体重(597±11.8)kg、泌乳天数(88±4.5)d、日产奶(26.3±0.5)kg的经产奶牛,随机分为4组,采用4×4拉丁方设计,研究甜菜碱(0、50、100和150g/d)对泌乳早期奶牛采食量、泌乳性能和血液指标的影响。结果表明:日粮添加甜菜碱对奶牛的采食量、乳蛋白率、乳糖率和血糖浓度无显著影响,100g/d组和150g/d组鲜奶产量显著高于对照组和50g/d组(P<0.05);100g/d组和150g/d组4%乳脂校正乳、能量校正乳和乳脂产量显著高于对照组(P<0.05);100g/d组乳脂率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);100g/d组和150g/d组血浆游离脂肪酸和β-羟丁酸浓度显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。根据以上结果推断,甜菜碱的适宜添加水平为100g/d。     

热应激对泌乳母猪泌乳量、血液生化指标和免疫指标的影响

本研究旨在探讨热应激对泌乳母猪泌乳量、血液生化指标和免疫指标的影响。泌乳母猪的舒适温度区为16～22℃,因此分别在高温季节(日平均温度28.41℃)和适温季节(日平均温度20.78℃)各对20头长白泌乳母猪(初产母猪6头,经产母猪14头)开展相应的热应激和非热应激试验,检测并分析泌乳母猪在2种不同环境温度下的泌乳量、血液生化指标和免疫指标变化。结果表明:热应激极显著降低了混合胎次所有母猪泌乳期的泌乳量(P<0.01),其中热应激显著降低了初产母猪泌乳第21～24、25～28天的日均泌乳量(P<0.05),并极显著降低了经产母猪泌乳第5～8、9～12、17～20、21～24、25～28天的日均泌乳量(P<0.01);热应激还造成总蛋白含量、谷丙转氨酶活性显著降低(P<0.05),总胆固醇含量极显著降低,而尿素氮含量和乳酸脱氢酶活性极显著增加(P<0.01);热应激对泌乳母猪的免疫性能造成严重影响,导致IgM、补体3、γ干扰素含量显著增加及CD8活性显著增强(P<0.05),IgG和白细胞介素-2含量极显著增加(P<0.01)。综上,持续热应激会导致泌乳母猪泌乳量减少,血液生化指标和免疫指标发生显著改变,从而对泌乳母猪的健康产生不利影响。     

芪归催乳散对母猪泌乳性能及仔猪免疫和抗氧化功能的影响

旨在研究饲料中添加中药"芪归催乳散"超微粉对母猪泌乳性能及仔猪免疫和抗氧化功能的影响。选取24头胎次、分娩期相近的待产长白二元母猪,随机平均分为3组,每组8个重复。自产前7d开始,对照组母猪饲喂基础日粮,试验1,2组的母猪分别在基础日粮中添加1%和2%的芪归催乳散超微粉,直至断奶。仔猪分别于出生当日、20日龄及断奶时测体质量,计算泌乳量;并于断奶当日从每窝随机挑选2头仔猪采血,检测血清免疫和抗氧化指标。母猪则收集初乳,并于产后4,21d采血,用于检测初乳成分及泌乳相关激素水平。结果显示,在饲料中添加芪归催乳散超微粉能显著提高母猪泌乳量、初乳中蛋白含量以及初乳中催乳素(PRL)、生长激素(GH)和促甲状腺素(TSH)水平(P0.05),显著提高母猪血清中催乳素(PRL)和生长激素(GH)水平(P0.05);同时能显著提高仔猪血清免疫球蛋白(IgG,IgM,IgA)和补体C3的含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性(P0.05),降低丙二醛(MDA)含量(P0.05)。上述结果表明,芪归催乳散能显著提高母猪泌乳相关激素水平,促进泌乳;同时能提高哺乳仔猪免疫和抗氧化功能。     

精氨酸和精氨酸生素对母猪泌乳性能及哺乳仔猪生长性能的影响

为了研究精氨酸和精氨酸生素(AAA)对哺乳母猪泌乳及其仔猪生长性能的影响,试验选用体重和胎次相近的长×大母猪35头,随机分成5组,每组7个重复。对照组饲喂基础日粮,其余4组分别在饲喂基础日粮中添加0.8%精氨酸(Arg),0.03%、0.06%、0.09%AAA。正式试验于妊娠107 d开始,并于母猪生产时耳缘静脉采血分离血浆检测生化指标。试验结果表明,Arg组相对于其余各组显著提高了21日龄仔猪断奶窝重(P<0.05)和日均泌乳量(P<0.05);0.03%AAA组相对于对照组有提高仔猪断奶窝重和断奶均重的趋势(0.05相似文献   

分娩后不同饲喂模式对泌乳母猪生产性能、乳成分和生理代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究母猪分娩后3种饲喂模式(产后不限饲、限饲3 d和限饲7 d后自由采食)对泌乳母猪生产性能、乳成分和生理代谢的影响。挑选遗传背景一致、体况和健康良好、分娩日期接近的3~6胎次丹系长×大母猪45头,分娩后根据体重、背膘厚度和胎次随机均分成3个组,每组15个重复,每个重复1头。3组母猪饲喂相同的泌乳饲粮,执行对应的饲喂模式:不限饲组(FR0组)分娩后立即自由采食;限饲3 d组(FR3组)分娩后前3 d逐步增加饲喂量,之后自由采食;限饲7 d组(FR7组)分娩后前7 d逐步增加饲喂量,之后自由采食。分娩后第22天仔猪断奶,试验结束。结果表明:1)FR0组和FR3组第1周和泌乳期母猪采食量以及哺乳期仔猪平均日增重(ADG)显著高于FR7组(P<0.05);FR0组泌乳期母猪背膘厚度和体重损失显著低于FR3组和FR7组(P<0.05);FR0组第1周和泌乳期母猪采食量显著高于FR3组(P<0.05),但哺乳期仔猪ADG的差异没有达到显著水平(P>0.05)。2)各组间乳成分没有显著差异(P>0.05)。3)与FR7组相比,FR0组和FR3组血浆中催乳素、胃饥饿素和瘦素含量显著增加(P<0.05),胰岛素和皮质醇含量显著降低(P<0.05);FR0组血浆尿素氮含量显著高于FR7组(P<0.05),与FR3组差异不显著(P>0.05);各组间血浆葡萄糖和甘油三酯含量没有显著差异(P>0.05)。由此可见,分娩后饲喂模式会影响泌乳母猪的采食量、背膘厚度和体重损失以及机体生理代谢状况。本试验条件下,现代高产瘦肉型母猪产后不限饲和缩短限饲天数(限饲3 d)都可以提高泌乳母猪的采食量和泌乳性能,其中不限饲是适宜的饲喂模式。     

王不留行提取物对泌乳中期奶牛血清生化指标、泌乳相关激素及免疫功能的影响

试验旨在研究王不留行提取物对泌乳中期奶牛血清生化指标、泌乳相关激素及免疫功能的影响。选用胎次(2~4胎)、体重、产奶量均相近的泌乳中期中国荷斯坦奶牛32头,随机分为4组,每组8头,分别饲喂王不留行提取物添加水平为0(对照组)、5.7 g/(头·d)(低剂量组)、19 g/(头·d)(中剂量组)、38 g/(头·d)(高剂量组)的试验日粮。预试期7 d,正试期35 d。结果表明,与对照组相比,各剂量组血清中总蛋白、白蛋白含量均无明显变化(P>0.05),其中在第30天时,血糖含量呈升高趋势,甘油三酯、尿素氮含量呈下降趋势,但差异均不显著(P>0.05);与对照组相比,各剂量组血清中催乳素和生长激素水平有一定程度的提高,其中中、高剂量组在第30天时差异显著(P<0.05);与对照组相比,各剂量组血清中IgA、IgG含量呈升高趋势,而IgM含量呈下降趋势,但差异均不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,日粮中添加王不留行提取物可改善奶牛机体的能量代谢水平及蛋白质的利用率,促进体内脂类代谢,提高产奶量,建议泌乳中期奶牛日粮中王不留行提取物添加量为19~38 g/(头·d)。     

二花脸猪繁殖生理特性的研究 Ⅳ、母猪哺乳特性、泌乳量和乳汁成分

1.二花脸母猪60日泌乳量为311.53±28.93公斤,每日泌乳量为5.19土0.48公斤,每次泌乳量为0.26土0.04公斤,泌乳高峰出现在第10—30天,最早在第7天,泌乳高峰持续时间,以经产母猪较长较稳定。2.二花脸母猪每天平均放乳次数为20.17土5.05次(范围10—30次)。自然哺乳高于控制哺乳约4次。初产母猪泌乳间隔时间在30天前均在50—60分钟,经产母猪泌乳间隔时间比初产母猪平均约长10分钟。最长间隔时间平均为124分钟。3.泌乳持续时间平均为24.3秒,经产母猪比初产母猪约长3秒多。一般产后10天以前,放乳时间较长,10天后逐渐缩短。4.乳汁成分分析结果,初乳较浓,含蛋白质多达22.82%,为常乳的369.26%;常乳较稀,含脂肪和灰分较多,分别为初乳的218%和152.08%。乳汁成分由本所家畜饲养组有关同志和钟山乳牛场耿宁芬同志分析,谨此致谢。     

饲粮添加不同水平L-精氨酸对泌乳母猪生产性能、血清氨基酸浓度和免疫生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究泌乳母猪饲粮添加不同水平L-精氨酸(L-Arg)对泌乳母猪生产性能、血清氨基酸浓度和免疫生化指标的影响。选择32头2胎体重相近的健康母猪(长白×大约克),随机分为4组,每组8个重复,每个重复1头猪。4组母猪分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0(对照组)、0.8%、1.0%和1.2%L-Arg的饲粮,正式试验期从母猪分娩当天开始到仔猪21日龄断奶结束。试验期21 d。结果表明:试验第10天和第18天,除0.8%L-Arg组泌乳母猪血清鸟氨酸浓度与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05)外,饲粮添加不同水平L-Arg均显著或极显著提高了泌乳母猪血清中精氨酸、鸟氨酸和脯氨酸的浓度(P<0.05或P<0.01),其中1.0%L-Arg、1.2%L-Arg组的效果最好;第10天和第18天,饲粮添加不同水平L-Arg对泌乳母猪血清中总蛋白浓度影响不显著(P>0.05),但能显著提高其血清中白蛋白、免疫球蛋白M和免疫球蛋白G浓度(P<0.05),显著降低尿素氮浓度(P<0.05),其中1.0%L-Arg组尿素氮浓度最低,但3个L-Arg添加组之间血清免疫生化指标均差异不显著(P>0.05);饲粮添加不同水平L-Arg显著提高了仔猪断奶窝重、断奶均重、平均日增重(P<0.05),其中1.0%L-Arg组提高最多,但3个L-Arg添加组之间也差异不显著(P>0.05)。1.0%L-Arg组母猪断奶后的发情间隔比其他3组显著缩短(P<0.05),对照组、0.8%L-Arg组和1.2%L-Arg组母猪断奶后的发情间隔无显著性差异(P>0.05),但有缩短的趋势。回归分析表明,母猪血清中各氨基酸浓度均随饲粮L-Arg添加水平的增加而线性上升(P<0.05),但母猪生产性能和血清免疫生化指标与饲粮L-Arg添加水平的回归关系不显著(P>0.05)。结果提示,饲粮中添加L-Arg可提高泌乳母猪血清中部分氨基酸浓度、改善泌乳母猪的新陈代谢和免疫机能,在提高仔猪生长性能同时缩短了母猪断奶后的发情间隔。在本试验条件下,泌乳母猪饲粮L-Arg最适添加量为1.0%。     

Farrowing induction induces transient alterations in prolactin concentrations and colostrum composition in primiparous sows

Hormonal changes involved in the farrowing process partly control the initiation of lactation. Inducing farrowing by injection of PG may alter the normal prepartum hormonal cascade. The aim of the study was to investigate the consequences of farrowing induction on colostrum yield and composition, as well as newborn piglet growth. Gilts were treated with 2 mg of alfaprostol on d 113 of gestation (induced farrowing, IF, n = 9) or were injected with 1 mL of a saline solution (natural farrowing, NF, n = 11). Colostrum production was estimated during 24 h, starting at the onset of parturition, based on piglet BW gains. Colostrum samples were collected during the 36 h after the onset of parturition. Blood samples were collected from sows as of d 112 of pregnancy until d 2 postpartum (d 0 being the day of parturition). Piglet blood samples were obtained at birth, on d 1, and on d 21. Litter size and litter weight at birth did not differ between groups (P > 0.10). Farrowing induction did not influence (P > 0.10) colostrum yield (3.96 ± 0.20 kg) or piglet BW gain during d 1 postpartum (116 ± 8 g). At the onset of farrowing (T0), lactose content in colostrum was greater in IF sows than in NF sows (P < 0.05), whereas colostrum ash and protein contents were less (P < 0.05) in IF sows. Concentrations of IgG in colostrum were similar in both groups of sows, whereas concentrations of IgA at T0 were less in IF than in NF sows (P < 0.01). Overall, endocrine changes in blood from d -2 until d 2 (cortisol, prolactin, progesterone, and estradiol-17β) were not altered by farrowing induction (P > 0.10), but 1 h after the injection of alfaprostol, IF sows had greater circulating concentrations of prolactin (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.10) than NF sows. The greater concentration of lactose in colostrum from IF sows could be attributed to this transient increase in prolactin and cortisol. At birth, concentrations of white blood cells were less in piglets born from IF sows (P < 0.01). On d 1 and 21, piglets from IF sows had similar IgG concentrations in plasma to piglets from NF sows (P > 0.1). In conclusion, farrowing induction at 113 d of pregnancy induced transient hormonal changes in sows and alterations in colostrum composition, without significantly affecting colostrum yield. It also modified some hematological variables of piglets at birth.     

The influence of suckling interval on milk production of sows

The objective of this study was to determine whether sow milk yield per gland could be increased by reducing the interval between suckles (suckling interval). Eighteen sows were allocated at their first farrowing to three treatments comprising litter sizes of 6 or 12 piglets or a cross-suckling treatment that was imposed to increase suckling frequency. The cross-suckled treatment comprised two groups of six piglets each. Each suckling group was allowed to suckle the sow during 30-min intervals each day between d 6 and d 28 of lactation. The suckling interval was shorter (P < .05) for cross-suckled sows than for sows suckling single litters of 6 or 12 piglets during early lactation (d 10 to 14) and late lactation (d 24 to 28). Average piglet growth rate between birth and 28 d of age was greatest (P < .05) for piglets in the single litters of six and lowest for piglets in the cross-suckled treatments. Single litters of 12 piglets had the highest (P < .05) litter growth rates, followed by the cross-suckled litters and then the single litters of six piglets. The concentration of lactose and fat in milk from sows remained relatively stable, although milk from the cross-suckled sows contained more protein in early lactation (P < .05). Milk yield of sows was not significantly increased (P > .05) by the cross-suckle treatment, although during early lactation, milk yield tended to be greater from sows in the cross-suckle treatment than from sows suckling single litters of six (8,920 g/d vs 7,819 g/d, P < .1). The concentration of DNA and total RNA and the RNA:DNA ratio in mammary glands was unaffected by treatment (P > .05). Sows with single litters of 12 piglets had the greatest total DNA in their udders (P < .05). However, individual gland weights were heavier (P < .05) in cross-suckled sows than in sows with single litters of 6 or 12 piglets. Increased suckling frequency seemed to play a role in increased mammary gland weight and milk production during lactation.     

Effect of supplementing sows' feed with alpha-tocopherol acetate and vitamin C on transfer of alpha-tocopherol to piglet tissues, colostrum, and milk: aspects of immune status of piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of sows with alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) and vitamin C on deposition of alpha-tocopherol (AT) in piglet lymphoid organs, such as bone marrow, thymus, and spleen at birth and at weaning, as well as on indicators of immune response in piglets. Sows were given the following treatment diets: control, vitamin C 10 g/day, ATA 500 mg/kg feed, and combined vitamins (ATA 500+Vit-C 10). Supplementation with vitamins started at the beginning of pregnancy and lasted until weaning at 21+/-3 days of age. AT was determined in colostrum, milk, piglet plasma (cord blood) and tissues at birth and on day 21. Immunoglobulins were measured in piglet plasma, milk, and colostrum. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA and ConA was determined in sow and piglet blood. ATA supplementation resulted in a significant increase (P<0.001) in the AT content of colostrum, milk, piglet plasma, liver, thymus, bone marrow, and spleen at weaning. The AT content of colostrum and milk significantly (P<0.001) influenced the AT content of piglet plasma and tissues at weaning (day 21). Total Ig and IgG concentrations in piglet plasma were significantly increased in piglets given the combined vitamin treatment. No effect of AT supplementation was observed on IgG and IgA in colostrum and milk. In sows, vitamin C given alone significantly increased lymphocyte response to ConA and PHA; whereas, in piglets, there was no significant effect of treatments on lymphocyte response to PHA and ConA.     

异黄酮植物雌激素(IFV-D)对哺乳母猪作用的研究

本试验选用１８头经产二花脸母猪，根据胎次和以往生产性能分成对照组和试验组，每组为９头。试验组母猪从分娩的第１天起在日粮中添加５．０ｍｇ／ｋｇＩＦＶ－Ｄ，至４５日断奶时结束。结果表明：（１）．ＩＦＶ－Ｄ影响母猪泌乳量。母猪第５天的每次泌乳量，试验组为２７１．７４±１９．８０ｇ极显著地高于对照组２２５．６１±１６．２７ｇ，而第２０天的每次泌乳量，对照组为３５３．１４±１９．８７ｇ显著地高于试验组３０５．７２±１５．７３ｇ。（２）．ＩＦＶ－Ｄ对仔猪生长的影响表现出前期（前１０天）试验组高于对照组，而后期对照组快于试验组。（３）．试验组９头母猪中，在哺乳期第２８～３５天期间有５头出现发情行为，而对照组中没有发现     

Immunoglobulins in piglets from sows heat-stressed prepartum

Sows were subjected to moderate heat stress in a chamber (32 C) from d 100 of pregnancy until less than 8 h before delivery of first piglet, while control sows were in a thermoneutral chamber (21 C) or farrowing house (22 C). Blood serum and colostrum at parturition of heat-stressed sows and their piglets' serum at birth had elevated cortisol concentrations. Total protein, globulin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in sow serum tended to decrease as parturition time was approached; albumin did not change. Total protein and IgG concentrations in colostrum at parturition and in milk 24 and 48 h later tended to be lower in heat-stressed sows. Concentrations of these four protein fractions (total, globulin, IgG and albumin) in piglet serum at birth did not differ among treatment groups, but soon after colostrum ingestion they increased markedly in all groups. Therefore, in all groups total protein remained constant while globulin and IgG decreased. Globulin concentration on d 1 was lowest in piglets from heat-stressed sows, but its rate of decrease after d 1 was not affected by sow treatment. Immunoglobulin G concentration was 11 mg/ml lower, but its rate of decrease through postnatal d 20 was slower in piglets from heat-stressed sows than in those from control sows; a 10-mg/ml difference in IgG concentration on postnatal d 1 has been associated with increased preweaning mortality in piglets. Higher cortisol concentration in serum and lower IgG in colostrum of sows under heat stress was associated in their piglets with higher serum cortisol at birth and lower serum IgG for the first 20 d postnatum.     

母猪饲粮添加β-羟基-β-甲基丁酸对母猪繁殖性能及仔猪生长性能和免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在研究母猪饲粮添加β-羟基-β-甲基丁酸(HMB)对母猪繁殖性能及仔猪生长性能和免疫功能的影响。选取20头3～6胎次、妊娠74 d的"长×大"母猪,随机分成2组,每组10个重复,每个重复1头母猪,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在对照组基础饲粮中添加2 000 mg/kg HMB。试验从母猪妊娠第74天开始,至仔猪21日龄断奶结束。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组仔猪初生个体重显著提高14.1%(P<0.05),仔猪7、21日龄窝重分别显著提高16.6%、11.7%(P<0.05),仔猪初生至7日龄、初生至21日龄窝增重分别显著提高28.3%和12.5%(P<0.05);与对照组相比,试验组母猪在妊娠第98天和分娩当天血清免疫球蛋白G(IgG)含量分别提高35.3%(P<0.01)、13.0%(P>0.05),免疫球蛋白M(IgM)含量分别提高34.7%(P<0.05)、12.6%(P>0.05);与对照组相比,试验组母猪初乳中IgG含量显著提高19.0%(P<0.05),分娩后第14天常乳中IgM含量显著提高21.4%(P<0.05);与对照组相比,试验组仔猪7日龄血浆IgG、IgM含量分别显著提高11.4%和40.1%(P<0.05)。上述结果提示,母猪妊娠后期及哺乳期饲粮中连续添加2 000 mg/kg HMB,可显著提高仔猪初生重和哺乳期增重,改善母猪及仔猪免疫功能。     

Impact of fat and selected profiles of fatty acids contained in the colostrum and milk of sows of native breeds on piglet rearing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of fat and selected fatty acids found in the milk of sows on the rearing of native breed piglets. Simultaneously, in order to improve the accuracy of the performed analyses, atomic absorption spectrometry was employed in the applied analytic methodology. The experimental animal material comprised 60 sows of the indigenous White Z?otnicka breed. Colostrum and milk were collected on the first and 14th days of lactation. In all, 240 samples were collected. The following parameters were determined in the course of the experiment: number and weight of piglets, body weight gains as well as deaths of piglets. A total of 1270 born piglets was subjected to investigations. The performed experiments demonstrated that, with the progress of the lactation period, the content of fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) turned out to be statistically significant and showed a growing tendency. Fat increased by about 2% and palmitic acid (C16:0) increased most, that is by 5%. Linolic (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) acids revealed decreasing trends. Irrespective of the day of lactation, the level of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) determined in sows' colostrum and milk was higher in comparison with that of SFA, and the UFA to SFA ratio ranged from 1.84% to 1.33%. Proportions of n‐6 to n‐3 fatty acids were determined at the level of about 1.6:1.0 in the colostrum and 1.3:10 in milk. The highest daily body weight gains were recorded in the case of piglets derived from sows with the highest fat level – 294 g, while in the case of stearic acid (C18:0), the smaller its concentration in the colostrum and milk of the experimental sows, the better body weight gains of piglets – 262 g. At the same time, stearic acid (C18:0) was found to exert a statistically significant effect on piglet mortality at the level of P ≤ 0.05. Its highest concentration caused the highest proportion of deaths among piglets ‐ 16.23%. The performed analysis of correlations that occurred between fat, fatty acids and traits associated with piglet rearing confirmed that linolic acid (C18:2; n‐6) was highly significantly correlated with piglets' body weights (r = 0.456**) and was negatively correlated with piglets' deaths (r = ?0.312). On the other hand, fat revealed correlation with body weight gains of piglets (r = 0.333*_ and a negative correlation with deaths of piglets (r = ?0344*). Recapitulating, the results of the performed experiments revealed that differences in the levels of fat and fatty acids found in sows' colostrum and milk influenced results of piglet rearing. Together with the increase in the content of fat and UFA in sows' colostrum and milk, piglets were characterized by the best body weight, growth rate, as well as by small mortality.     

Performance of lactating sows in response to the dietary valine supply

In order to determine the requirement of lactating sows for valine (Val) the effects of graded Val supplementations on feed intake, milk yield and changes of body weight of sows and piglets were examined using 54 multiparous sows over a total of 72 lactations (35 days). The sows were randomly assigned to six treatments (1-6). Each group received the same basic diet, covering the requirements of energy and nutrients except Val (4.5 g native Val, i.e. 3.5 g apparent ileal digestible Val). Adding crystalline l-Val dietary Val concentrations of 5.5, 6.5, 8.5, 10.5 and 14.5 g/kg, respectively, were realized. Feed intake of the sows was determined daily, body weight was determined on day 110 of gestation and day 1, 22 and 35 of lactation. The piglets were weighed on day 1, 21 and 35. The intake of piglet feed, which was offered from day 21, was determined at day 35 for each litter. Milk yield was determined using the weigh-suckle-weigh-method at day 13, 14, 20 and 21, fat and protein contents were analysed in hand-milked samples with infrared spectroscopy. Feed intake (kg/day) of the sows during lactation averaged 2.9, 4.3, 4.6, 4.6, 4.9 and 5.1 for treatments 1-6, respectively. For treatments 1 and 2 body weight losses of the sows during lactation were higher (1207 and 805 g/day, respectively) and milk production was lower (7076 and 8686 g/day, respectively), compared with the average of treatments 3-6 (625 g/day body weight loss; 9263 g milk/day). Daily weight gain of the piglets was also lower (146 and 171 g/day vs. 200 g/day) leading to lower weaning weights of 6.6 and 7.5 vs. 8.5 kg. As a consistent growth depression of the piglets in Val deficiency must be assumed, at least 6.5 g Val corresponding to 5.5 g apparent ileal digestible Val per kg lactation feed must be recommended.     

Effect of cow colostrum on the performance and survival rate of local newborn piglets in Benin Republic

The effect of bovine colostrum, including its thermally labile compounds, on the survival and growth performance of local breed piglets reared by their mother, in Benin, was evaluated over a 49-day trial. Three groups of 16 piglets, stemming from two primiparous sows belonging to a unique traditional farm, were respectively fed for the first 48 h of life with either bovine colostrum heated to 85 °C for 30 min, or thawed bovine colostrum, or colostrum from the mother. Thereafter, the animals that received bovine colostrum turned back to their mother. At day 21, almost all piglets from the group that received heated colostrum died. The highest total weight gain was obtained in the group that received thawed bovine colostrum (P???0.01), followed by the group left with the mother. Corresponding average daily gains (ADGs) were 56, 34 and 2 g/day, respectively (P???0.05). At the end of the trial, the treatment effect was highly significant on the survival of piglets (100% in the thawed colostrum group vs. 00 and 50%, respectively, in the heated colostrum group and in the group left with the mother). At day 49, numerically higher weight and ADGs were obtained in the group that received thawed cow colostrum. Thawed bovine colostrum improved the growth performance and piglet survival in the local pig breed in Benin, probably owing to thermally labile components. Bovine colostrum may be used in our farms in order to reduce pre-weaning mortality, improve the profitability of livestock farmers, and ensure survival of traditional farms. The use of bovine colostrum on farms could be facilitated by collaboration between pig farmers and bovine farmers. It could also be facilitated by the creation of a colostrum bank.     

Efficacy of mannanoligosaccharides additive to sows diets on colostrum, blood immunoglobulin content and production parameters of piglets

The present results suggest that mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) included in a sow nutrition may affect its immune system and humoral antibody production in colostrum and milk, and thus increase the piglet immunity at the postnatal period. The studies involved sows of the Polish Landrace breed mated with boars (Hampshire x Duroc). In each experiment, the sows were assigned to two groups: control and experimental (MOS). Each group consisted of 16 sows managed in pens (2 animals in each) during pregnancy, whereas at farrowing and lactation period they were placed in individual pens. The basal diet during pregnancy (PR-S) and lactation (LC-S) period contained wheat (40% in experiment I--groups 1 and 2) or triticale (40% in experiment II--groups 3 and 4), as well as barley, soybean meal, soybean oil and mineral-vitamin premix. Throughout both experiments, the sows from the experimental group had a dietary supplement of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) preparation for 4 of weeks prepartum and 4 weeks of post partum period. A level of the MOS supplementation (8 g of MOS per sow daily) based on the recommendations of the manufacturer. Blood samples were collected from the sows on days 84 (the start of trial) and 110 of pregnancy, after farrowing, and on day 21 of lactation period, while from the piglets at birth and on day 21 of age. Colostrum was collected between 1-3, 12, 24 and 48 h after farrowing. The blood samples taken from sows and piglets as well as the samples of sow colostrum and milk were evaluated for the presence of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. The present study has provided considerable evidence that MOS supplementation of sows feedstuff before and after farrowing (4 weeks before and 4 weeks after) exerts a positive effect on IgG content in the colostrum and plasma of sows and following this on serum IgG level in the suckling piglets. Higher level of colostral (passive) immunity influences positively body weight gain and survival rate of the piglets at weaning.