Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows

This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.     

Impact of four fiber-rich supplements on nutrient digestibility,colostrum production,and farrowing performance in sows

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fiber (DF) sources on sow and litter performance, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrients. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight at mating and randomly assigned to one of four DF sources (mixed fiber [MF], palm kernel expellers [PKE], sugar beet pulp [SBP], or soy hulls [SH]) and fed the diet from mating until farrowing. Within DF treatments, sows were supplemented with one of two extra energy sources (glycerol or sugar dissolved in water), whereas a third group (control) received water from day 108 of gestation until farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn pigs; birth time and birth weight of the pigs; farrowing duration; and farrowing assistance (FA) were recorded. Live-born pigs were weighed again at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Blood samples were collected once daily from day −3 relative to farrowing until day 1 after farrowing in sows and once from selected pigs right after birth. Fecal samples were collected on day 114 of gestation and colostrum at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after onset of farrowing. Intake of soluble and insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) was greater for SBP (P < 0.001) and PKE (P < 0.001) supplemented sows, respectively, when compared with other groups. Farrowing duration and stillbirth rate were not affected by DF sources, but PKE and SH supplemented sows had greater FA than SBP and MF supplemented sows (P < 0.001). Extra energy supplement did not improve the farrowing performance. Concentration (P = 0.02) and output (P = 0.04) of dry matter in colostrum, and ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and crude protein (CP; P < 0.001) were lower for PKE supplemented sows than in sows from the remaining groups. Intake of insoluble NSP correlated negatively with ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and CP (P < 0.001). Concentrations of glucose (P < 0.001), lactate (P < 0.001), CO₂ (P < 0.001), and HCO₃ (P < 0.001) in sows blood were increased with time progress relative to farrowing. Newborn pigs from PKE supplemented sows had greater concentration of lactate (P = 0.02) and lower blood pH (P = 0.02) than the remaining treatments. In conclusion, PKE supplement reduced ATTD of GE and CP, and concentration and output of dry matter in colostrum but increased FA. Results of this experiment indicated that the use of PKE as a fiber source for late gestating sows should be avoided.     

Detection of Torque teno sus virus 1 and 2 in tissues from stillborn piglets delivered by sows via natural farrowing

We detected Torque teno sus virus 1 and 2 (TTSuV1 and TTSuV2) in tissue samples from 18 stillborn piglets using nested polymerase chain reaction. The detection rates of TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 were 78% and 50%, respectively, with 83% of the stillborn piglets positive for TTSuV1 or TTSuV2. TTSuV1 was detected highest in the liver (72%) followed by heart (56%), spleen (38%) and tonsils (38%) while TTSuV2 was detected highest in the tonsils (38%) followed by liver (33%), spleen (25%), and heart (17%). These results indicate that TTSuVs are commonly present but not equally distributed among the tissues of stillborn piglets.     

Effects of pre‐weaning dietary substitutions on plasma insulin and glucose profiles in primiparous sows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of substituting 1 kg of a standard lactation diet with 1 kg of a sugar‐rich (15.75 DE MJ/kg) or fat‐rich (23.85 DE MJ/kg) diet during late lactation on blood glucose and insulin changes in primiparous sows. During a 4‐week lactation period, 21 primiparous sows were fed to appetite with a standard lactation diet (14.10 DE MJ/kg). At 9 days before weaning, sows were assigned to a control (C, n = 7), fat (F, n = 6) or sugar (S, n = 8) treatment. During the treatment period (from 8 days before weaning until weaning), 1 kg of the lactation diet was substituted with 1 kg of a sugar‐rich or fat‐rich diet for S and F sows. At 3 days before weaning, serial blood samples were collected for a total of 228 min around feeding to establish pre‐ and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Preprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05); however, mean plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were higher for S compared to F (p < 0.05) and intermediate for the C sows. Postprandial plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were higher for the S sows than for C and F sows (p < 0.05). Sow body weight loss during late lactation did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The results from our study suggest that a sugar‐enriched diet during the last week of lactation elevates circulating glucose and insulin concentrations and may potentially improve post‐weaning fertility in primiparous sows.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of dietary glucose inclusion on reproductive performance,milk compositions and blood profiles in lactating sows

Twenty‐four multiparous sows were used to investigate the effects of dietary glucose inclusion on reproductive performance, milk compositions, blood metabolites and hormones during lactation. The sows were randomly assigned to four treatments and each treatment had six replicates (sows). The diets were added with 0%, 1%, 3% or 5% glucose at the expense of corn and fed to sows for 24 days. The loss of backfat thickness during lactation was quadratically decreased (p = 0.008) and the wean‐to‐oestrus interval was shortened (linear, p = 0.013; quadratic, p = 0.009) with increasing levels of dietary glucose supplementation. The reproductive performance was not affected (p > 0.05) by different dietary glucose contents. Increased concentrations of total solid and fat in milk were noted (p < 0.05), whereas there was no difference on colostrum compositions. With increasing levels of dietary glucose inclusion, the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.004) and glucose (p = 0.029) were linearly increased at weaning. The concentrations of insulin were increased at post‐farrowing (linear, p = 0.027; quadratic p = 0.013) and weaning (linear, p = 0.029; quadratic, p = 0.017), respectively. Furthermore, the pulses of insulin and FSH at weaning were linearly (p = 0.049) and quadratically (p = 0.015) increased with the increasing levels of dietary glucose inclusion. In conclusion, this study indicated that inclusion of 3% glucose in lactating diet could reduce backfat loss, increase milk fat and have no negative effect on reproductive performance in multiparous sows.     

Effect of the type of farrowing room on the welfare and productive performance of lactating sows and of piglets during tropical winter

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior and performance of sows and piglets kept in different types of farrowing rooms: conventional farrowing room with jugglers and cages (CFR), CFR with a heated floor for the piglets alongside the sows (CFR+HF) and semi‐outdoor farrowing room without a cage or heating floor but with access to a fenced field (SFR) during the tropical winter. Twenty‐seven multiparous sows were allocated in three treatments and nine repetitions during 21 days. The relative humidity was higher at CFR and CFR+HF. The temperature of thigh and chest in contact with the floor and the neck were higher (P < 0.01) in conventional systems. Sows maintained in the CFR spent (P < 0.01) more time feeding and drinking. The heating floor increased (P < 0.01) the nursing behavior but did not affect (P > 0.09) the sows’ and piglets’ performances. SFR decreased the backfat thickness (P = 0.03) and lactation efficiency, but did not affect milk production (P > 0.12) or piglet performance (P > 0.09). It is concluded that during tropical winter, conventional farrowing systems ensure better piglet performance compared to SFR but this last seems to improve the behavior of sows. The heating floor favors nursing and does not affect the welfare of sows.     

日粮代谢能水平对母猪生理状态及繁殖性能的影响

本研究旨在研究不同代谢能水平日粮对妊娠和哺乳期母猪生理状态、繁殖性能及血清生化指标的影响.试验将60头妊娠28 d、平均体重为(131.96±0.52)kg的头胎二元母猪随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复5头.T1～T3组妊娠母猪分别饲喂代谢能水平为3150、3250和3350 kcal/kg的日粮,粗蛋白质水平均为...     

Effects of dietary glucose level during late gestation on litter performance and glucose concentration in sows

The effects of feeding glucose during the 5 days before parturition on litter performance and on glucose concentration in sows were studied. At day 100 of gestation, 130 multiparous sows were assigned to the treatments. Late gestating sows were fed 0 g, 150 g, 250 g, 350 g and 450 g of glucose a day, respectively. During lactation, all sows were given free access to the same lactation diet (without glucose). One day before parturition, blood samples were collected from 30 sows (6 sows per treatment) at 10 before and 20, 40, 60 and 80 min after the meal. The supply of additional dietary glucose increased piglet birth weight ( P  < 0.05). Feed intake in week 1 and week 1–4 of lactation was greatest in sows fed the 0% glucose diet, least by sows fed the 18% glucose diet, and intermediate by sows fed the 6, 10, 14% glucose diets ( P  < 0.05). Basal glucose concentration and time of maximum glucose concentration after glucose intake were not affected by dietary treatment in the last 5 days of gestation. The sows fed the 14 and 18% glucose diets had greater maximum increase in glucose concentration than sows fed diet without glucose ( P  < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding glucose to sows during 5 days before parturition increased birth weight of live-born piglet and decreased sows feed intake during lactation, but did not affect the performance of sows and piglets.     

Probiotic supplementation improves reproductive performance of unvaccinated farmed sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

We investigated if probiotic supplementation could improve the health and reproductive performance of unvaccinated lactating sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. Twenty unvaccinated pregnant sows were equally allocated to probiotic‐supplemented (P) and control (C) groups. For the experiment, 15 g/day of probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ was given to P sows. Reproductive performance was checked daily. The number of neonates fostered by each sow was maintained at eight throughout the experiment. Individual milk production post‐parturition was measured twice. Milk protein and fat ratios were determined by a milk analyzer. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) A and G concentrations were measured by ELISA. At day 7 post‐parturition, the body weight of P sows was 10 kg higher than that of C sows, and at day 3 post‐parturition, P sows produced more milk (+2 kg) and had a higher IgA concentration in whey than did C sows (p < .05). Finally, unlike C sows, P sows tended to return to estrus faster, and had larger piglets at birth with a lower mortality percentage during early days of suckling. In conclusion, probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ helped strengthen the immune system of unvaccinated, PED‐infected sows and improved their reproductive performance.     

妊娠母猪饲粮中不同苜蓿鲜草替代量对其生产性能的影响

在母猪妊娠期用不同比例的紫花苜蓿鲜草代替部分精料,研究其对生产性能及经济效益的影响。试验选用胎次、配种时间、上胎产仔数、体况等基本一致的大长二元母猪30头,采用单因子完全随机设计,共分为6个组,每组5头猪,每头猪1个重复。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组分别用紫花苜蓿鲜草代替10%,20%,30%,40%的基础日粮(按干物质折算),试验Ⅴ组用紫花苜蓿草粉代替20%的基础日粮。结果表明:1)和对照组相比,在妊娠母猪饲粮中无论是用不同比例的紫花苜蓿鲜草还是用20%的苜蓿草粉代替精料,均提高了饲粮中粗蛋白质、粗灰分、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、钙和总磷的表观消化率,其中试验Ⅲ组的提高幅度最大,极显著高于对照组(P＜0.01);随着紫花苜蓿鲜草替代量的增加,粗脂肪的表观消化率依次下降,但苜蓿草粉组和对照组几乎无差别。2)随着紫花苜蓿鲜草替代量的增加,繁殖期母猪体增重和背膘增加量均呈先升后降的趋势,而妊娠期母猪背膘增加量和泌乳期母猪背膘减少量依次下降。和对照组相比,在妊娠期母猪饲粮中以紫花苜蓿鲜草和草粉替代等干物质量的精料,均提高了母猪的采食量,其中试验Ⅲ组的采食量最大,极显著(P＜0.01)高于对照组。紫花苜蓿鲜草和草粉替代精料后,断奶至发情时间间隔有所缩短,但各组之间差异不显著(P＞0.05)。3)随着紫花苜蓿鲜草替代精料量的增加,提高了初生窝产仔猪总数、初生窝产活仔数、断奶仔猪数、断奶窝重和断奶窝平均日增重;鲜草试验组(试验Ⅲ组除外)的断奶仔猪个体重和对照组相似,试验Ⅴ组显著(P＜0.05)高于对照组和其余各试验组,试验Ⅴ组的断奶仔猪日增重也极显著(P＜0.01)高于对照组和其他试验组。综合分析认为,母猪妊娠期饲粮中用30%的紫花苜蓿鲜草代替精料其生产性能和经济效益最佳。     

葡萄糖氧化酶对断奶仔兔生产性能和免疫器官发育的影响

试验选用80只35日龄的加利福尼亚断奶仔兔,公母各半。试验兔随机分为4组,每组设5个重复,每个重复4只仔兔。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组在基础日粮中分别添加0.1%、0.2%、0.3%葡萄糖氧化酶。结果表明,各组间的采食量均无显著差异(P>0.05);试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的日增重和料肉比与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05),但Ⅱ、Ⅲ组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验各组间的胸腺指数和脾脏指数差异均不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,葡萄糖氧化酶对断奶仔兔的生产性能有一定促进作用。