膨化双低菜籽配制高能哺乳母猪饲粮的研究

用10%膨化双低菜籽配制的高能哺乳母猪料可使哺乳母猪泌乳力显著提高,有效降低母猪哺乳期体重损失。膨化双低菜籽型饲粮组仔猪窝增重比普通饲粮组显著提高10.4%,优于膨化大豆型饲粮组;仔猪平均日增重、断奶体重均高于普通饲粮组,且略优于膨化大豆型饲粮组;母猪耗料/仔猪窝增重比普通饲粮改善15.6%,优于膨化大豆型饲粮组,具有经济优势。产仔哺乳期母猪体重损失较普通饲粮组低38.1%,差异显著(P<0.05),且略优于膨化大豆型饲粮组。对母猪再发情时间无不利影响,可提高综合经济效益。     

植物小肽对热应激哺乳母猪生产性能的效应

试验旨在研究热应激哺乳母猪添加植物小肽对生产性能的影响。采用单因子试验设计,选取30头临产长大母猪,随机分到2个处理(2%植物小肽组和对照组),每个处理15个重复,每个重复1头母猪,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,2%植物小肽组饲喂基础饲粮+20 g/kg植物小肽。母猪哺乳期0~28 d,饲粮采用玉米-豆粕型。试验结果表明,2%植物小肽组显著提高哺乳母猪0~7 d采食量16.8%(P0.05),显著增加哺乳期母猪采食量8%(P0.05),显著提高乳猪头均日增重16.7%(P0.05),降低乳猪腹泻率2.9个百分点,提升乳猪成活率4.9个百分点。试验结果表明,植物小肽能全面改善热应激哺乳母猪的生产性能。     

夏季哺乳母猪饲粮中添加诱食剂和脂肪酶提高生产性能的试验

本试验主要研究添加诱食剂和脂肪酶对哺乳母猪生产性能的影响。试验选择29头妊娠110 d的重胎母猪,随机分为2组,对照组13头,饲喂基础饲粮;试验组16头,每吨全价饲粮中添加150 g诱食剂和300 g脂肪酶,同时用4%优能乳代替膨化大豆。试验结果表明,试验组头均日采食量比对照组极显著增加0.38 kg,提高8.32%;母猪断奶后背膘厚损失试验组比对照组减少0.2 mm,降低9.62%;仔猪在哺乳期增重试验组比对照组增加0.18 kg,提高4.22%。     

葡萄糖氧化酶在改善母猪二胎综合征中的作用

为研究饲粮中添加葡萄糖氧化酶(GOD)对二胎母猪综合征的影响,试验选择36头体重、P2背膘厚相近的健康二胎妊娠后期母猪,完全随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复3头猪。其中Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础妊娠和哺乳饲料;Ⅱ组为试验组,饲喂在基础饲粮中添加2 g/kg GOD的饲粮。试验预试期5 d,正式试验从预产期前28 d开始至仔猪28 d断奶时结束,共56 d。结果表明:Ⅱ组妊娠后期日采食量、哺乳7 d日采食量和哺乳期平均日采食量均显著高于Ⅰ组,Ⅱ组的哺乳28 d日采食量比Ⅰ组高6.26%(P0.05);Ⅱ组的母猪产仔数和仔猪28日龄断奶个体重均显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),Ⅱ组的仔猪初生个体重比Ⅰ组高6.12%;Ⅱ组的分娩时背膘厚、断奶时背膘厚均显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),Ⅱ组的背膘损失比Ⅰ组高1.45%(P0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加2 g/kg GOD能够有效改善母猪二胎综合征。     

膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽对母猪繁殖性能及初乳脂肪酸组成的影响

本试验旨在研究在妊娠后期及哺乳期母猪饲粮中添加不同量的膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽对其繁殖性能及初乳脂肪酸组成的影响。试验选用80头妊娠后期(妊娠83 d)长×大二元初产母猪,随机分为4个组,每组4个重复,每个重复5头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加5%、10%和15%的膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽。试验预试期7 d,正试期55 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽可显著提高母猪平均日采食量(P 0.05),且15%膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽添加组母猪平均日采食量最高; 2)随着膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽添加量的增加,母猪哺乳期背膘损失逐渐减小,仔猪第21天窝重、窝平均日增重、第21天个体重以及母猪初乳中单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)含量、不饱和脂肪酸/饱和脂肪酸(UFA/SFA)值逐渐增高,但差异均不显著(P0.05); 3)仔猪断奶(21日龄)时,15%膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽添加组的均匀度最好。由此可见,膨化苜蓿草粉-亚麻籽可以提高母猪繁殖性能及初乳中M UFA含量与UFA/SFA值。     

巴尔麦氏对母猪繁殖性能及哺乳仔猪生长性能的效应试验

试验通过在基础饲粮中添加巴尔麦氏,研究其对母猪繁殖性能以及哺乳仔猪生长性能和防腹泻方面的作用。根据胎次相近原则选择70头妊娠母猪,随机分成两组,每组35头,对照组饲喂常规母猪料,巴尔麦氏组于母猪产前15 d到哺乳期(23 d)结束的基础饲粮中添加巴尔麦氏3 g/kg;巴尔麦氏组母猪所产仔猪对应为巴尔麦氏组仔猪,对照组母猪所产仔猪对应为对照组仔猪,巴尔麦氏组仔猪从添加教槽料开始到断奶结束期间添加巴尔麦氏10 g/kg,对照组不添加。结果表明,在妊娠后期母猪的饲粮中添加0.3%的巴尔麦氏,对母猪总产仔数、产活仔数和产健仔数无显著影响(P0.05),但可显著减少母猪产死胎数(P0.05);哺乳仔猪添加1%的巴尔麦氏,仔猪初生重、断奶重和日增重分别比对照组高50 g(P0.05)、0.74 kg(P0.01)和28.67 g(P0.05),但日采食量差异不显著(P0.05),腹泻率低于对照组9.09个百分点,每头断奶仔猪收益提高6.49元。因此,在妊娠后期至哺乳期母猪和哺乳仔猪饲粮中添加巴尔麦氏,可减少母猪的死胎数量、降低仔猪腹泻率、提高仔猪日增重和经济效益。     

酸化剂对哺乳母猪采食量的影响

本试验旨在比较饲料中添加不同水平酸化剂对哺乳母猪采食量的影响。选择36头品种相同、体况相近、预产期接近的2~4胎长大杂交母猪,随机分成3组,每组12头母猪。从分娩开始到哺乳期结束(21d),对照组饲喂基础日粮、试验组1和试验组2分别在基础日粮中添加酸化剂2、4kg/t。结果显示,饲料中添加4kg/t酸化剂处理组,哺乳母猪采食量比对照组显著提高12.3%(P<0.05)。进一步分析发现,添加4kg/t酸化剂组与对照组相比显著降低饲料系酸力水平,降幅为9.8%(P<0.05),但这两个组母猪对饲料中氮消化率差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

板蓝根超微粉对长大母猪繁殖性能的影响

试验旨在研究板蓝根超微粉对长大母猪繁殖性能的影响,为寻找抗生素替代品提供科学依据。试验选择2～8胎、健康的妊娠30 d长大母猪144头,按随机区组分为2组,每组72头。试验从母猪妊娠30 d开始至哺乳仔猪26 d断奶后发情配种结束。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组妊娠母猪、哺乳母猪饲喂基础饲粮+1%板蓝根超微粉,1个月连续饲喂7 d为1个疗程。结果表明,在妊娠母猪饲粮中添加板蓝根超微粉后,总产仔数、产活仔数分别较对照组提高了7.86%(P0.05)、7.92%(P0.05),初生窝重提高了11.94%(P0.01),初生个体重提高了4.02%(P0.05)。在哺乳母猪饲粮中添加板蓝根超微粉后,断奶窝重、断奶个体重、断奶日增重、21 d泌乳量分别较对照组提高了14.06%(P0.01)、6.97%(P0.01)、7.71%(P0.01)、15.64%(P0.01),断奶仔猪成活率提高了1.45%(P0.05)。妊娠期和哺乳期饲粮中添加板蓝根超微粉后,妊娠期延长了2.4 d(P0.01),妊娠期日采食量增加3.72%(P0.05),哺乳期日采食量增加了6.62%(P0.05)。母猪产程缩短54.58 min(P0.01),断奶至发情配种时间缩短了7.17 d(P0.01)。试验组妊娠期、哺乳期母猪尿液稠黄比降低了93.93%,母猪产后恶露比率降低了81.23%,哺乳仔猪腹泻频率降低62.81%(P0.01)。该试验表明,在妊娠母猪、哺乳母猪饲粮中添加板蓝根超微粉后,提高了母猪繁殖性能和健康水平。     

智能化饲喂模式对哺乳母猪采食量及生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究智能化饲喂模式对哺乳母猪采食量及生产性能的影响。选择胎次、膘情相近的健康母猪80头饲喂相同日粮,随机分为2组,每组40个重复,每个重复1头母猪。对照组采用人工投料饲喂,处理组采用智能化哺乳母猪饲喂器饲喂。试验期为产前7 d到仔猪28 d断奶,计35 d。检测哺乳母猪采食量及生产性能、哺乳仔猪生长性能。结果表明:与对照组相比,处理组哺乳母猪平均日采食量提高1.40 kg/d,哺乳母猪背膘损失减少1.52 mm,断奶至发情时间间隔减少1.1 d,哺乳期仔猪断奶个体重增加2.36 kg,日重增加244 g。结论 :采用智能化饲喂模式有利于提高哺乳期母猪的采食量,减少母猪背膘损失,减少断奶至发情时间间隔,改善母猪的泌乳性能,提高仔猪断奶重。     

膨化双低菜籽在哺乳母猪日粮中应用的研究

本文旨在研究膨化双低菜籽在哺乳母猪饲料中应用的适宜添加量。28头临产长×大哺乳母猪随机分成4组,每组7头,每个重复1头。根据NRC(1998)标准配制4种等能等蛋但添加不同水平膨化双低菜籽的日粮,试验期为28 d。结果表明:(1)添加10%膨化双低菜籽组平均日采食量(ADFI)显著高于对照组(P<0.05);添加量为20%时,ADFI显著降低(P<0.05);(2)与对照组相比,20%膨化双低菜籽组母猪失重显著增加(P<0.05);(3)20%膨化双低菜籽组仔猪28日龄窝重、0~28日龄平均窝日增重显著下降(P<0.05);(4)10%的膨化双低菜籽组粗纤维和总磷消化率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);对照组营养物质的消化率显著高于20%膨化双低菜籽组(P<0.05);(5)各试验组血清中AST、ALT、T3、T4和TSH含量与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05);(6)添加量达到20%时,乳固形物、乳蛋白和乳脂肪含量与对照组有显著差异(P<0.05)。本试验结果表明,哺乳母猪日粮中膨化双低菜籽的添加比例以10%~15%为宜,最高不宜超过20%。[动物营养学报,2007,19(5):549-558]     

The addition of ground wheat straw as a fiber source in the gestation diet of sows and the effect on sow and litter performance for three successive parities

A regional experiment was conducted at 8 experiment stations, with a total of 320 sows initially, to evaluate the efficacy of adding 13.35% ground wheat straw to a corn-soybean meal gestation diet for 3 successive gestation-lactation (reproductive) cycles compared with sows fed a control diet without straw. A total of 708 litters were farrowed over 3 reproductive cycles. The basal gestation diet intake averaged 1.95 kg daily for both treatments, plus 0.30 kg of straw daily for sows fed the diet containing ground wheat straw (total intake of 2.25 kg/d). During lactation, all sows on both gestation treatments were fed ad libitum the standard lactation diet used at each station. Response criteria were sow farrowing and rebreeding percentages, culling factors and culling rate, weaning-to-estrus interval, sow BW and backfat measurements at several time points, and litter size and total litter weight at birth and weaning. Averaged over 3 reproductive cycles, sows fed the diet containing wheat straw farrowed and weaned 0.51 more pigs per litter (P 相似文献   

Performance and individual feed intake characteristics of group-housed sows fed a nonstarch polysaccharides diet ad libitum during gestation over three parities

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding group-housed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP; approximately 45% sugar beet pulp as fed) ad libitum on the development in individual feed intake characteristics and reproductive performance during three successive reproduction cycles. Performance of the ad libitum-fed sows was compared to the performance of sows that were fed a conventional diet restrictedly. Feed intake characteristics during gestation were only measured in the ad libitum-fed sows. One hundred and nineteen sows were assigned to one of two gestation feeding regimens. Gestating sows were fed a conventional Dutch diet restrictedly or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum. During lactation, sows were given free access to a commercial lactation diet from d 6 after parturition onward. The ad libitum-fed sows ate 1.3 kg/d more during gestation than the restrictedly fed sows (P < 0.001), resulting in higher body weight and backfat gains during gestation (P < 0.05). Sows that were fed ad libitum during gestation lost more body weight and backfat during lactation (P < 0.001) than sows that were fed restrictedly during gestation. Feed intake during lactation, however, did not differ between sows that were fed restrictedly or ad libitum during gestation. The numbers of total piglets born, live-born and stillborn piglets, piglet birth weight, weaning-to-estrus interval, and percentage of sows that returned to estrus after first insemination were not affected by gestation feeding regimen. Mean daily voluntary feed intake (as-fed basis) over the three reproduction cycles in the ad libitum-fed gestating sows was 4.2 kg/d. Depending on the number of preceding reproduction cycles during which a sow was fed ad libitum, the maximum voluntary feed intake was reached in Parity 3, 4, or 5 and then remained stable in subsequent parities. Mean daily feed intake of the ad libitum-fed sows increased from wk 2 to 6 of gestation and then decreased to wk 15 of gestation. The mean number of daily visits with feed intake over the three reproduction cycles was 13.8. On average, ad libitum-fed sows spent 90 min/d on eating. This study shows that it is possible to feed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum during three successive reproduction cycles without negative effects on reproductive performance.     

Management of lactating sows during heat stress: effects of water drip, snout coolers, floor type and a high energy-density diet

Two experiments using 120 sows were conducted to determine the effects during heat stress of two floor types, snout coolers or a water drip system, and a high energy-density diet. During both studies, air temperature was maintained at or above 29 degrees C. Floor types included partially slotted concrete and plastic-coated, expanded metal. In Exp. 1, in addition to floor-type treatments, snout coolers were on or off and the water drip was on for 3 min each 10 min or off. Snout coolers increased (P less than .05) sow feed intake and decreased (P less than .05) sow lactation weight loss. Water drip increased (P less than .002) sow feed intake and reduced lactation weight loss. The drip X floor-type interaction was significant for most measures of piglet performance. Drip was beneficial for piglet weights when piglets were on plastic, whereas drip was detrimental to piglet performance while they were housed on concrete. In Exp. 2, two floor types, drip or no-drip and a high energy-density diet or control diet were examined during heat stress. The high energy-density diet reduced (P less than .01) sow feed intake but provided no measurable increase in piglet performance during heat stress. We conclude that water drip is an effective cooling technique for heat-stressed sows, especially when floors are plastic. Snout coolers, partial concrete slots and high energy-density diets provided only minor benefits to heat-stressed sows and were not of benefit to piglets nursing heat-stressed sows.     

双低菜籽粕在妊娠母猪日粮中适宜添加量研究

选初产妊娠母猪（长白（♂）与八眉猪（♀）杂交一代母猪）40头,随机分四组进行饲养试验,试验组日粮中分别用6％、9％和12％的双低菜籽粕取代日粮中的豆粕,并与等能量、等蛋白的豆粕日粮作对照。结果表明：用12％双低菜籽粕取代豆粕蛋白饲喂妊娠母猪,对妊娠母猪产仔数和仔猪初生重测定,试验组间差异不显著（P〉0．05）;并通过对...     

Dietary fiber for pregnant sows: influence on sow physiology and performance during lactation

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding sows a bulky diet during gestation on their physiological and metabolic adaptations during the peripartum period, and to determine how these effects may relate to sow and piglet performances. From d 26 of gestation until farrowing, gilts were fed diets that contained 2.8 or 11.0% crude fiber (control and high-fiber diets, respectively, n = 9/group). Daily feed allowance provided the same amount of DE daily (33 MJ of DE/d). Throughout lactation, sows were allowed to consume a standard lactating sow diet ad libitum. Litters were standardized to 12 piglets beyond 48 h after birth. On d 105 of gestation, a jugular catheter was surgically implanted. Preprandial blood samples were collected from d 109 of gestation to the day after farrowing and on d 4, 18, and 26 of lactation. Meal tests and glucose tolerance tests were performed on d 109 of gestation and d 4 and 18 of lactation. During gestation, BW and backfat gain did not differ between treatment groups. During lactation, sows fed the high-fiber diet ate an average of 0.94 kg/d more than control sows (P < 0.02). Piglets born from sows fed the high-fiber diet grew faster than piglets from control sows (P = 0.03). Body weight and backfat losses did not differ between the 2 treatment groups. Sows fed the high-fiber diet during gestation had lesser concentrations of leptin before farrowing than control sows (P < 0.01). Leptin concentrations were negatively correlated with feed intake during lactation (P < 0.05). The prepartal increase in prolactin concentrations tended to be greater in sows fed the high-fiber diet than in control sows (P < 0.1). Preprandial concentrations of glucose, NEFA, lactate, and IGF-I fluctuated over time without significant treatment effect. Glucose half-life was shorter in late gestation than during both stages of lactation, but did not differ between sows in the 2 groups. In late gestation, the postprandial increases in glucose and insulin were delayed, and smaller, after a high-fiber meal than after a control meal. During lactation, glucose and insulin profiles after a standard meal did not differ between sows from treatment groups. In conclusion, the greater appetite of lactating sows fed a high-fiber diet during gestation does not seem related to changes in glucose and insulin metabolism and may be partly due to decreased secretion of leptin. The greater feed consumption was accompanied by a faster growth rate of piglets without sparing effect on maternal body reserves.     

Effects of feeding sows fat or fructose during late gestation and lactation

The effects of dietary fat or fructose supplementation during late gestation and lactation on sow milk production and composition and on progeny were examined. On d 88 of gestation, 24 sows were allotted by parity to three dietary treatments (eight sows/treatment). Treatments were 1) a 12.5% crude protein, corn-soybean meal control, 2) the control + 10% added fat or 3) the control + 23% high fructose corn syrup. All treatments were fed to supply 1.82 kg/d of the control diet from d 89 of gestation to parturition with sows in treatments 2 or 3 receiving .18 kg of additional fat or .53 kg of additional high fructose corn syrup, respectively. Feed was gradually increased from d 1 to 7 of lactation to 4.54 kg/d of the control diet (plus .45 kg of added fat and 1.33 kg of added fructose for treatments 2 and 3) and remained at these levels for the remainder of the 21 d lactation period. All treatments were iso-nitrogenous; treatments 2 and 3 were iso-caloric. Litter birth weights, number of pigs born alive, weaning weights and piglet survival rate were not affected by sow treatment. Stillbirths were less (P less than .05) for sows fed fat. Lipid content of milk 24 h post-farrowing was greater (P less than .05) from sows fed fat compared with sows fed fructose. Milk production estimates indicated that multiparous sows fed fat produced more (P less .05) milk than sows fed the control diet. On d 112 of gestation and d 15 of lactation, serial blood samples were drawn to monitor sow response to a glucose challenge (1 g/kg body weight).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Performance of sows fed high levels of nonstarch polysaccharides during gestation and lactation over three parities

The effect of feeding sows a starch diet or a diet with a high level of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) during gestation, lactation, or both gestation and lactation during the first three parities on reproductive performance, body weight, and backfat was studied. Four-hundred and forty-four postpuberal gilts were allotted to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Treatments were diet composition during gestation (including the weaning-to-estrus interval; G-Starch: 274 g/kg of starch and 123 g/kg of fermentable NSP or G-NSP: 86 g/kg of starch and 300 g/kg of fermentable NSP), diet composition during lactation (L-Starch: 293 g/kg of starch and 113 g/kg of fermentable NSP or L-NSP: 189 g/kg of starch and 216 g/kg of fermentable NSP) and group-housing system during gestation (free access stalls or electronic feeding). Both gestation diets were formulated to be isoenergetic. During lactation, sows were given free access to the lactation diets from d 6 after parturition onwards. Body weight and backfat gains during gestation were lower in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.001). The effects were more pronounced in the electronic feeding system than in the free access stalls. These results indicate an overestimation of the energy value of fermentable NSP. Body weight and backfat losses during lactation were less in sows fed the G-NSP diet during gestation than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05),which can be explained by a 0.4 kg/d higher (P < 0.001) feed intake during lactation of the sows fed the G-NSP diet. Sows fed the L-NSP diet lost more backfat during lactation than sows fed the L-starch diet (P < 0.05). The number of total piglets born and live-born piglets was 0.5 piglet higher in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05). Lactation diet did not affect the number of total piglets born or live-born piglets. This study shows that, although high NSP diets negatively influence body weight and backfat thickness of the sows, it is possible to feed sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP diet during both gestation and lactation without negative effects on reproductive performance. Under the conditions of this study, feeding sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP during gestation and a high level of starch during lactation seems the most favorable feeding strategy.     

Intermittent suckling: effects on piglet and sow performance before and after weaning

An experiment was conducted to study effects of intermittent suckling on creep feed intake and weight gain of litters. Loss of weight and backfat during lactation, as well as reproductive performance, were also measured. Batches of multiparous sows (Parity 1 to 12, 4.1 on average) were either suckled intermittently (IS, eight batches; n = 50) or continuously (control, eight batches; n = 62). Litters were weaned at 27 +/- 2 d of age, on average. Litter size (11.1 +/- 0.2 piglets, on average) was standardized within a batch within 3 d of birth. All litters had free access to creep feed and water from 1 wk of age onward. In the IS group, litters were separated from the sow for a period of 12 h/d (0930 to 2130), starting 11 d before weaning. Rectal ultrasonography was applied at d 3 after weaning to check the ovaries for follicle development or presence of corpora lutea. Creep feed intake by the litters during lactation was higher in IS litters than in control litters (686 +/- 57 vs. 314 +/- 42 g/piglet, P < 0.01). The distribution of creep feed intake shifted from a skewed one, with a majority of litters consuming less than 250 g/piglet in control litters, to a normal distribution, with an average creep feed intake of 500 to 750 g/piglet in IS litters. During the 7 d after weaning, creep feed intake in IS litters was also higher (281 +/- 15 vs. 204 +/- 9 g-piglet(-1) x d(-1), P < 0.01). The ADG of piglets during lactation was negatively affected by IS, resulting in lower weight at weaning (7,229 +/- 140 vs. 7,893 +/- 145 g/piglet, P < 0.05). During the 7 d after weaning, however, ADG was higher in IS litters (255 +/- 10 vs. 177 +/- 8 g-piglet-1 x d(-1), P < 0.01), and 7 d after weaning, the weights of the litters were similar (9,011 +/- 167 vs. 9,132 +/- 164 g/ piglet, P = 0.81). The IS litters that consumed little or no feed during lactation had an ADG after lactation that was higher than in control litters, with comparable creep feed intake during lactation: 204 vs. 136 g/d. Body weight loss by the sows during lactation was lower in IS sows (-10 +/- 2 vs. -16 +/- 1 kg, P < 0.05). A higher percentage of IS sows ovulated during lactation (22 vs. 3%, P < 0.01), and weaning-to-ovulation interval (excluding sows with lactational ovulation) was shorter in IS sows (4.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.2 d, P < 0.05). We conclude that IS increased creep feed intake during lactation, and that IS increased ADG after weaning, despite lower weaning weights. Ovulation during lactation was induced in 22% of the IS sows.     

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on performance parameters in gilts and sows

The effect of L-carnitine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on performance parameters of sows was studied. The trial comprised a total of 127 sows (40 gilts, 87 mature sows) which were divided into a control and a treatment group. All animals were fed individually and received basic feed mixtures for pregnancy and lactation with low carnitine concentrations (gestation diet: 4.7 mg/kg feed, lactation diet: 12.5 mg/kg feed). The rations of the sows in the treated group were supplemented with 125 mg L -carnitine per head and day during pregnancy and 250 mg L -carnitine per head and day during lactation. The animals of the control group received identical feed mixtures in identical amounts, but without the L -carnitine supplement. L -carnitine supplementation resulted in higher sow liveweight gains between day 1 and day 85 of pregnancy. The number of piglets per litter and the number born alive did not differ between the control sows and those treated with L -carnitine. However, the L -carnitine-supplemented sows produced only half as many non-viable piglets as the control animals. Moreover, litter weight and mean birth weight of piglets from L -carnitine-treated sows were higher than in the control sows. This effect was more marked in gilts (+8% higher litter weight, +9% higher piglet weight) than in sows (+7% and +6%, respectively). Piglets from sows whose ration was supplemented with L -carnitine showed higher liveweight gains during the suckling period (+12% for gilts, +4% for sows), which is why litter weights post weaning were also higher among the sows treated with L -carnitine than in the control sows (+14% for gilts, +10% for sows). Overall, the study shows that dietary supplementation with L -carnitine during pregnancy and lactation improves the reproductive performance of sows.     

Sow litter size is increased in the subsequent parity when lactating sows are fed diets containing n-3 fatty acids from fish oil

Supplementing diets with n-3 fatty acids from fish oil has been shown to improve reproductive performance in dairy cattle and sheep, but there is little published literature on its effects in sows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows fed fish oil as a source of n-3 PUFA prefarrowing and during lactation. From d 107.7 ± 0.1 of pregnancy, 328 sows ranging in parity from 0 to 7 (parity 1.95 ± 0.09, mean ± SE) were fed either a diet containing tallow (control) or an isocaloric diet containing 3 g of fish oil/kg of diet (n-3). Diets were formulated to contain the same amount of DE (13.9 MJ/kg), crude fat (54 g/kg), and CP (174 g/kg). Sows were fed their treatment diet at 3 kg daily for 8 d before farrowing and continued on treatment diets ad libitum until weaning at 18.7 ± 0.1 d of lactation. After weaning, all sows were fed a gestation diet without fish oil until their subsequent farrowing. There was no effect (P > 0.310) of feeding n-3 diets prefarrowing on piglet birth weight, preweaning growth rate, piglet weaning weight, or sow feed intake. However, n-3 sows had a larger subsequent litter size (10.7 ± 0.3 vs. 9.7 ± 0.3 total born; 10.2 ± 0.3 vs. 9.3 ± 0.3 born live; P < 0.05). In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that feeding sows a diet containing n-3 PUFA from fish oil fed before farrowing and during lactation increased litter size in the subsequent parity independent of energy intake.