The fermentative capacity of growing pigs and adult sows fed diets with contrasting type and level of dietary fibre

Adult sows have a more developed gastro-intestinal system than young growing pigs resulting in a superior capacity to digest fibrous components. The main objective of this study was to describe the capacity of sows and growing pigs to digest the fibre components in concentrated low dietary fibre (DF) diet and two high DF diets similar in DF but with contrasting DF solubility. Six sows and four growing pigs were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum. Each balance experiment consisted of a 7-day initial period followed by a 3-day collection of faeces and a 2 or 3-day collection of ileal digesta for growing pigs and adult sows, respectively. When feeding diets with high proportions of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), the difference in fermentation capacity between growing pigs and adult sows was small. The adult sows showed a higher fermentative capacity, evidenced by a higher fermentation and a higher methane production, when high fibre diet with high amount of insoluble fibre was fed.     

日粮纤维对猪饲料能值评定的影响

日粮纤维为结构性与非结构性多糖和木质素的总称。猪对日粮纤维的消化随日粮纤维来源和组分不同而存在差异。随体重和年龄的增加,猪对日粮纤维消化能力提高,成年母猪对日粮纤维利用率最高。对高日粮纤维饲料至少要提供2个能量值:一个对生长猪,一个对成年母猪。日粮纤维对猪能量供应的实际效果受到环境温度或动物行为变化的影响。     

Efficiency of food utilization by pregnant and lactating sows. 2. The influence of isocaloric diets with different protein levels on pregnancy and lactation

The efficiency of utilization of feed energy as digestible, metabolizable and net energy is similar in pregnant and lactating sows irrespective of the stage of these physiological conditions. This efficiency with the value of about 71% resembles the one found in the growing and fattening pigs, which enables us to use, for this category of animals, the same system offered evaluation and of the energy requirements based on fat nutritive units. The maintenance energy requirement expressed in ME varies from 467 kJ/kg 0.75 in pregnant sows to 512 kJ/kg 0.75 in lactating sows, for the suckling piglets having intermediary value of 498 kJ/kg 0.75. The efficiency of utilization of diets protein for maintenance and for synthesis is also similar for these categories of pigs, varying from 71% in lactating sows to 75-76% in pregnant sows. In suckling piglets we had recorded an efficiency of DCP utilization which varies parabolically with size of the ingesta and therefore with that of weight gain. The DCP maintenance requirement expressed in g N dig./kg 0.75 varies within narrow limits between 0.345 g N in suckling piglets 0.380 g N in pregnant sows; In lactating sows we have detected an intermediary value of 0.355 g N. Based on these experimental data and also using recent experimental results obtained by Schiemann and Beyer (1984) regarding the energy and N content of the foetuses, of the organs of reproductions and of milk, we could calculate the energy and protein requirements. These requirements when compared with the values used in our country show us higher values of energy in pregnant and lactating sows and lower values of protein for the same categories, including the piglets, where we have also found lower values for the energy too.     

Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance during the first two parities. Gilts were randomly allocated to receive three fibrous diets from days 1-90 of gestation, including low fibre [low fiber (LF), 10.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), n=132], middle fibre [middle fiber (MF), 15.8% NDF, n=132] and high fibre diet (HF, 20.8% NDF, n=135), until completion of the second parity. Response criteria included backfat measurements, litter size and pig weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation, weaning-oestrus-interval, oestrus rate, sow farrowing and culling rate, uniformity of newborns and relative organ weights. The results showed sows fed LF diet in parity 1 gained more backfat (p<0.05) during gestation but lost more (p<0.05) during lactation than sows fed HF diet. Furthermore, sows fed LF diet farrowed more pigs (+0.7-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and pigs born alive (+1.0 pigs, p<0.05) relative to sows fed HF diet. Likewise, sows fed LF and MF diets had greater litter weights at parturition (both p=0.06) and day 22 after lactation (both p<0.05). In parity 2, yet, it was MF diet to increase both total pigs born and pigs born alive (+0.9-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and litter weight (p=0.05) relative to other diets. After 22 d of lactation, intriguingly, sows fed HF diet had most pigs alive (p<0.01-0.07) and heavier litter weight (p=0.07 or 0.2). Feeding HF diet also increased internal organs weight of newborns (p<0.05). Collectively, feeding LF and MF diets had beneficial effects on litter weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation in parity 1, and feeding MF diet until parity 2 was able to improve litter size and weight at parturition, but this positive effect disappeared after 22 days of lactation, instead feeding HF diet showed the optimal litter performance.     

Comparative total tract digestibility of dietary energy and nutrients in growing pigs and adult sows

Seventy-seven diets were fed to 61-kg growing pigs at a feeding level close to their ad libitum intake and to nonlactating, nonpregnant sows slightly above their maintenance energy level (2.4 kg/d). The main objectives of this study were to compare the total tract digestibility of dietary energy or nutrients of the 77 diets in growing pigs and adult sows and to analyze the effect of diet chemical composition on total tract digestibility in both groups of pigs. Diets were formulated to represent a range of chemical compositions as large as those found in most practical situations. The DE and ME values and total tract digestible nutrient contents of diets were measured for each group of animals; each diet was measured in four to five animals per group, and collection of urine and feces lasted 10 d. The results were used to establish equations for predicting DE and ME values, total tract digestible nutrient contents, and total tract digestibility coefficients of energy from chemical characteristics for each group of animals. The results show that the total tract digestibility of energy or nutrients was higher (P < 0.01) in adult sows than in growing pigs; the total tract digestibility coefficients of energy, crude protein, ether extract, and NDF averaged 85.2, 85.1, 37.1, and 64.4%, respectively, for sows and 82.1, 80.3, 31.6, and 56.3%, respectively, for growing pigs. The ME/DE ratio was lower (P < 0.01) in sows (94.8%) than in growing pigs (96.5%), as a result of higher urinary energy losses in sows. The difference in DE values (on average, 0.6 MJ/kg of DM) between adult sows and growing pigs was not constant (P < 0.01) but increased with dietary fiber content (3.3, 8.6, and 10.1 kJ for each gram of NDF, ADF, and crude fiber increase in the diet, respectively), which suggests that the origin of the difference between the two physiological stages is mainly due to a higher rate of degradation of dietary fiber in the hindgut of sows. The DE and ME values could be accurately predicted from total tract digestible nutrients or from chemical characteristics for each physiological stage. Equations for predicting urinary energy loss from urinary N are also proposed. From a practical point of view, it is suggested to use two energy values for pig feeds: one applicable to growing-finishing pigs and one to adult sows. Equations for predicting DE in adult sows from energy values obtained in growing pigs are proposed.     

Effect of Dietary Fibre on Digestibility and Energy Metabolism in Pregnant Sows

This study was undertaken to provide information on the effect of two levels of dietary fibre (DF) [184 vs. 407 g DF kg^-1 dry matter (DM)] on the digestibility of nutrients and energy metabolism in pregnant sows during different stages of pregnancy. The amount of DF in the high-fibre diet was supplied by dried sugar beet pulp (20%) and oats, wheat bran and grass pellets. The intake of metabolizable energy (ME) was similar for both the low-fibre and the highfibre diet, with an average daily intake of 30.74 MJ. Digestibility of DM, organic matter, protein, fat and energy was significantly decreased by a high DF level, but no effect of the diets was observed on the stage of pregnancy. A high fibre level significantly increased the digestibility of DF, indicating that fibre from sugar beet pulp is more fermentable than fibre from cereals. Protein utilization increased during the pregnancy, but at a very low level, indicating that the protein level in diets for pregnant sows could be lower. Inclusion of extra DF in the diet significantly increased the amount of energy excreted as CH₄. Heat production was affected by diet, although not significantly (28.77 vs. 29.72 MJ day^-1 in the low-fibre and highfibre diets, respectively). The utilization of ME for energy retention was lower for the high-fibre diet as a result of increased hind-gut fermentation. There was similar relation between the net energy of the standard and the high-fibre diet either calculated using the official Danish feed evaluation (0.77) or experimental estimated value (0.81).     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on Sow Performance and mRNA Expression of Myogenic Markers in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Piglets

The effects of dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during gestation on reproductive performance of sows and the mRNA expression of myogenic markers in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs were determined. At day 35 of gestation, a total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, at third parity) were randomly assigned to two groups, with each group receiving either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 4 g/day β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate calcium (HMB‐Ca) until parturition. At parturition, the total and live litter size were not markedly different between treatments, however, the sows fed HMB diet had a decreased rate of stillborn piglets compared with the sows fed the control (CON) diets (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets from the sows fed HMB diet tended to have an increased birth weight (p = 0.08), and a reduced rate of low birth weight piglets (p = 0.05) compared with piglets from the CON sows. Nevertheless, lower feed intake during lactation was observed in the sows fed the HMB diet compared with those on the CON diet (p < 0.01). The relative weights of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in neonatal pigs from the HMB than the CON sows. Furthermore, maternal HMB treatment increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic genes, including muscle regulatory factor‐4 (MRF4, p < 0.05), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary HMB supplementation to sows at 4 g/day from day 35 of gestation to term significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases the expression of myogenic genes in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets, but reduces feed intake of sows during lactation.     

Performance dependence of the lysine requirement of fattening sows. 1. Effect of energy and amino acid consumption on fattening performance

Seven variants with graduated energy and amino acid levels were tested at 105 growing sows in a live weight range between 30 and 120 kg. The weight increase and the energy expenditure showed a distinct dependence on the energy level of the ration and are mainly determined by the energy intake. Up to a live weight of 90 kg a 20% lysine over- or undersupply in comparison with the norm had no influence on the growth intensity of the animals. On the low and medium energy levels there was a tendency of superiority of the animals which received feeds rich in protein in the section between 90 and 120 kg. In the variant with a high energy level, however, a diminishing increase was detected in the last third of the fattening period in connection with the growing lysine level. The overall most suitable result was achieved in variant M 120 with a daily increase of 675 g and an energy expenditure of 2.04 kilo energetic feed units for pigs per kg increase.     

枯草芽孢杆菌对围产期母猪繁殖性能和子代生长的影响

试验旨在研究枯草芽孢杆菌对围产期母猪繁殖性能和子代生长的影响。试验选用2~4胎次、预产期相近的妊娠85 d的健康大白猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加250 g/t的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂。试验期为妊娠85 d至产后21 d。分别于母猪妊娠85、112 d和产后21 d测量母猪背膘厚并计算背膘损失。于产后1和21 d耳缘静脉采血,肝素抗凝,离心分离血浆,测定血浆生化指标。于产后1 d记录母猪的产仔数和产活仔数,并称取仔猪出生窝重。于产后21 d称取仔猪断奶窝重并计算断奶窝日增重;每天观察并记录每窝仔猪腹泻情况,计算腹泻率。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮添加枯草芽孢杆菌制剂对母猪繁殖性能无显著影响(P0.05),但显著降低了仔猪1~7日龄和1~21日龄腹泻率(P0.05),显著增加了产后21 d母猪血浆免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)含量(P0.05),且产后1 d母猪血浆白蛋白(P=0.087)和Ig M(P=0.096)含量以及产后21 d背膘厚(P=0.096)均呈增加趋势。综上所述,饲粮添加枯草芽孢杆菌制剂虽然不影响母猪繁殖性能,但可增强机体对蛋白质的利用和免疫力,降低仔猪腹泻率。     

A field study on feed supplementation, body weight and selected blood parameters in local pigs in Laos

The aim of the present study was to investigate feed allowances, body weight (BW), haematocrit, haemoglobin, plasma ionised calcium (iCa), sodium, potassium, pH and glucose concentration and faecal K/Na ratio in local growing pigs, sows and piglets kept by small-holder farmers in Laos. Starting hypotheses were that (1) local pigs are under fed, (2) BW is higher in pigs receiving supplementary feed and (3) the blood profile of pigs subjected to very poor nutrition is outside the normal range. On 54 pig-keeping smallholdings in Borikhamxay province, Lao PDR, daily feed allowances were weighed and BW recorded for 27 lactating sows, 54 piglets and 27 growing pigs. Blood samples were collected from the vena jugularis in all pigs. Feed supplementation did not affect BW, but plasma iCa concentration was outside the normal range for all pigs. There was a tendency for lower faecal K/Na ratio in Na-supplemented sows. The results confirm that local pigs in small-scale production systems in Laos suffer from poor nutrition. The most important challenge for farmers appears to be provision of more feed, particularly feed with a high Ca content.     

Excessive dietary selenium to primiparous sows and their offspring. I. Influence on reproduction and growth

The effect of high dietary selenium (Se) on the reproductive performance, growth and health in pigs was examined. Addition of 0 to 16 mg Se per kg feed to sows and their piglets up to nine weeks of age did not cause any manifest toxic effect. None of the sows died due to the Se treatment. The piglets were all fullborn and showed no macroscopic abnormalities. The treatment did not influence neither the number of liveborn and stillborn piglets in the litter, nor the survival of the piglets until 9 weeks of age. The weight of the whole litter at birth was unaffected by the Se supplementation, while there was a significant difference in body weight of the piglets at 9 weeks of age. The weaned pigs receiving 8 or 16 mg Se per kg feed had a reduced feed intake. As the feed utilization was unaffected by treatment, these pigs had a significantly lower weight at 9 weeks of age.     

Observations on Diseased Pigs with High Sulfate Intake and Normal Tissue Copper Levels

Disease in a large pig herd reared intensively and kept on sulfate-rich drinking water is described. It is the first report of diseased progeny of sows with high sulfate intake. Results of two surveys are presented, one for water with sulfate in excess of 2000 ppm and one for water with less than 1000 ppm. The management practices are described in detail. Disease of Survey I was manifested by high morbidity and mortality (50% of 600) in piglets, incoordination in piglets and some adult stock and osteopathy in piglets and weaners. In Survey II disease was less severe and restricted to piglets. Detailed histopathological studies revealed myelin deficiency in brain and spinal cord of sows and piglets, interferred endochondreal ossification of long bones of piglets and weaners, fatty changes of livers and interstitial nephritis in piglets and weaners. The changes in the nervous tissue were considered due to delayed fixation as tissue was only immersed in fixative and not perfused with it immediately after death. Similar changes have been described for pigs deficient in copper. Copper content of tissue and body fluids of pigs of this study were normal, as were the serum inorganic phosphate and total calcium levels. The bone changes observed have also been reported for rats given dextran sulfate injections, for pigs on experimental low-copper sulfate-enriched diet and for pigs reported low in copper and fed a diet supplemented with sulfide. The cause of the locomotor disturbance and mortality in piglets was not established.     

Possible interesting dietetic effects of lactulose as a feed additive in pig feed

In reared piglets (n = 10), fattening pigs (n = 20) and sows (n = 8) the effects of lactulose as feed additive on the quality and composition of chyme and faeces were tested to find out potential dietetic advantages of its use. The lactulose concentration in the diets varied between 27-29 g/kg dry matter in piglets and fattening pigs and 55-140 g/kg dry matter in the diet of sows. In piglets and fattening pigs the lactulose intake did not alter the dry matter content and pH in faeces; in spite of the higher concentration lactulose did not result in diarrhea in sows or adult minipigs, there was only a slight decrease in the dry matter content of faeces. In contrast to findings in human beings only traces of lactulose reached the hind gut, although higher lactulose concentrations were measured at the end of the small intestine (in piglets: 10-40 g, in fattening pigs 40-70 g lactulose per kg dry matter of chyme). The oral intake of lactulose did not increase the concentration of lactic acid or volatile fatty acids in the content of the small intestine and did not reduce the pH in the chyme, but in the contents of cecum and colon ascendens higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids were measured (in piglets: significantly higher values, in fattening pigs slightly increased concentrations). In piglets as well as in fattening pigs lactulose resulted in reduced concentrations of ammonia in the content of small and large intestine, further more the concentrations of lipopolysaccharides were increased in the colonal chyme, when pigs ingested the lactulose containing diet. Due to the fact that only small amounts of lactulose reached the hind gut there are doubts, whether lactulose has comparable dietetic effects in pigs as known from human beings (for example laxative effects, forced elimination of bacteria like salmonella). The results obtained here in pigs underline the necessity of experimental studies in the target species (including parameters of digestive physiology, chemical/microbial composition of the chyme) before substances are used and recommended for dietetic purposes in feeding practice. In spite of generally adopted similarity of the alimentary tract in pigs and human beings there are eventually some important differences within the intestine, its digestive capacity or in reactions on ingested substances leading to unexpected results.     

Fertility of Sows Fed ad libitum with a High Fibre Diet During Pregnancy

The effect of ad libitum (ADLIB) feeding strategy on the fertility of the group housed sow was studied in a prospective field trial during 1.5 years. All study animals farrowed under standard farrowing circumstances in crates, and they were provided with an ad libitum feeding throughout the 30‐day lactation. After weaning, animals were randomly allocated to one of the two dry sow feeding strategies (AD LIB or CONT). After oestrus detection in groups, they were artificially inseminated and moved into pregnancy pens with partially slatted floor, in groups of 40 sows each. The ADLIB sows (n = 447) were loose housed and provided with ad libitum access to 7.7 MJ/kg feed high in fibre from two feeders per group. The control sows (n = 479; CONT) were also loose housed and given a standard dry sow feed in feeding stalls once a day (2.5 kg/day. The energy content of the feed was 9.3 MJ/kg NE). The feeding strategy (ADLIB vs CONT) had no effect on pregnancy rate (85.8 vs 90.9, p > 0.05), weaning to oestrus interval (7.7 vs 7.3 days, p > 0.05), piglets born alive (11.5 ± 3.5 vs 11.6 ± 3.3, p > 0.05), stillborn piglets (1.2 ± 1.8 vs 0.9 ± 1.5, p > 0.05) nor on progesterone concentration (p > 0.05). CONT sows weaned more piglets (9.7 ± 2.2 vs 9.4 ± 2.0, p < 0.01), whereas the piglets of AD LIB sows were heavier at weaning (8.8 ± 0.9 vs 8.0 ± 1.3 kg, p < 0.05). In conclusion, ad libitum feeding with a high in fibre diet during pregnancy did not affect the reproductive performance.     

Re-examination of the metabolizable energy contents of various rations containing different types and levels of bacterially fermentable substrates in digestibility experiments with growing pigs

Introduction   Feedstuffs with elevated contents of bacterially fermentable substrates (BFS: GFE 1987) offered to pigs have intermediate metabolizable energy (ME) contents compared with feedstuffs mainly composed of starch or hardly fermentable fibre (H adorn et al. 1996a,b). Consequently, BFS-elevated feeds could be used as major components enabling pig fattening rations to obtain the ME values required for feed calculation from tabulated values (DLG 1991) or equations based on nutrient composition (GFE 1996). The main field of application for BFS-elevated feeds is, however, still the feeding of adult, non-lactating sows, with the majority of investigations on fermentation characteristics also being conducted with sows. In fattening pigs a higher accuracy of estimated ME contents is required than in non-lactating sows. Furthermore, the ME values of feeds with elevated BFS contents might be systematically different in sows and fattening pigs because a still incomplete evolution of the fermentative capacity of the hindgut of growing pigs cannot be totally excluded (J entsch et al. 1990). The efficiency of hindgut bacterial protein synthesis might also be different from that being assumed from sow data (e.g. K irchgessner et al. 1989, 1994).
The objective of the present study was to determine the actual ME and BFS contents of rations varying widely in type and level of BFS in three experiments with growing pigs. By comparing these values with those calculated from equations or from tabulated values a re-examination of the currently applied feed evaluation system should be carried out. Furthermore, interactions of BFS with dietary protein reduction were investigated, since in low-protein rations fermentation efficiency might be limited by a lack of nitrogen in the hindgut (M osenthin 1987).     

浓缩脱酚棉籽蛋白生长猪消化能评定及其对仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标和养分表观消化率的影响

本研究旨在通过猪消化代谢试验测定浓缩脱酚棉籽蛋白(CDCP)生长猪消化能,同时研究其对仔猪生长性能、血清生化指标和养分表观消化率的影响.试验选取65日龄、体重(38.80±2.60)kg的"杜×(长×大)"健康阉公猪8头,随机分成2组(每组4个重复,每个重复1头猪),分别饲喂基础饲粮和试验饲粮(80％基础饲粮+20％C...     

Dietary fibre enrichment of supplemental feed modulates the development of the intestinal tract in suckling piglets

Background: Commercial pre-weaning diets are formulated to be highly digestible and nutrient-dense and contain low levels of dietary fibre. In contrast, pigs in a natural setting are manipulating fibre-rich plant material from a young age. Moreover, dietary fibre affects gastrointestinal tract(GIT) development and health in older pigs. We hypothesised that supplemental diets that contain vegetal fibres are accelerating GIT development in suckling piglets in terms of size and functionality. From d 2 of life, sow-suckled piglets had access to a low fibre diet(CON),a diet with a fermentable long-chain arabinoxylan(lc-AXOS), a diet with a largely non-fermentable purified cellulose(CELL), or a diet containing both fibres. During the initial 2 weeks, the control diet was a high-density milk replacer,followed by a dry and highly digestible creep meal. Upon weaning at 25 d, 15 piglets from each treatment group,identified as eaters and originating from six or seven litters, were sacrificed for post-mortem examination of GIT morphology, small intestinal permeability and metabolic profile of the digesta. The microbiota composition of the mid-colon was evaluated in a sub-set of ten piglets.Results: No major statistical interactions between the fibre sources were observed. Piglets consumed the fibrecontaining milk supplements and creep diets well. Stomach size and small intestinal permeability was not affected.Large intestinal fill was increased with lc-AXOS only, while relative large intestinal weight was increased with both fibre sources(P 0.050). Also, CELL decreased ileal pH and tended to increase ileal DM content compared to CON(P 0.050). Moreover, the concentration of volatile fatty acids was increased in the caecum(P 0.100) and midcolon(P 0.050) by addition of CELL. lc-AXOS only stimulated caecal propionate(P 0.050). The microbiota composition showed a high individual variation and limited dietary impact. Nonetheless, CELL induced minor shifts in specific genera, with notable reductions of Escherichia-Shigella.Conclusions: Adding dietary fibres to the supplemental diet of suckling piglets altered large intestinal morphology but not small intestinal permeability. Moreover, dietary fibre showed effects on fermentation and modest changes of microbial populations in the hindgut, with more prominent effects from the low-fermentable cellulose.     

母乳能量水平对仔猪生长的影响及其分子机理

母体是仔猪胚胎期和初生时唯一的营养来源,也是哺乳期主要的营养源。妊娠期和泌乳期母体的营养和体况不仅影响繁殖性能和泌乳性能而且直接决定仔猪的生长。妊娠期添加纤维日粮能升高母猪血液VFA浓度,特别是乙酸浓度,它可以直接合成乳脂,提高乳汁能量。在妊娠后期和哺乳期调整母猪饲料组成可以改善产奶量和乳成分,从而影响仔猪生长性能。本文从仔猪的生理特点、日粮养分尤其是纤维和脂肪对母猪泌乳、繁殖性能和仔猪生长的影响以及调控仔猪生长的分子机理等方面进行了综述。     

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.     

Effects of Inulin Supplementation in Low‐ or High‐Fat Diets on Reproductive Performance of Sows and Antioxidant Defence Capacity in Sows and Offspring

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of inulin supplementation in low‐ or high‐fat diets on both the reproductive performance of sow and the antioxidant defence capacity in sows and offspring. Sixty Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to four treatments with low‐fat diet (L), low‐fat diet containing 1.5% inulin (LI), high‐fat diet (H) and high‐fat diet containing 1.5% inulin (HI). Inulin‐rich diets lowered the within‐litter birth weight coefficient of variation (CV, p = 0.05) of piglets, increased the proportion of piglets weighing 1.0–1.5 kg at farrowing (p < 0.01), reduced the loss of body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BF) during lactation (p < 0.05) and decreased the duration of farrowing as well as improved sow constipation (p < 0.05). Sows fed fat‐rich diets gained more BW during gestation (p < 0.01), farrowed a greater number of total (+1.65 pigs, p < 0.05) and alive (+1.52 pigs p < 0.05) piglets and had a heavier (+2.06 kg, p < 0.05) litter weight at birth as well as a decreased weaning‐to‐oestrous interval (WEI, p < 0.01) compared with sows fed low‐fat diets. However, it is worth noting that the H diet significantly decreased the serum activities of superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and increased the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in sows and piglets (p < 0.05). In contrast, HI diet enhanced the activities of T‐SOD and GSH‐Px and decreased the serum MDA concentrations (p < 0.05) in sows and piglets. In summary, the fat‐rich diets fed to sows during gestation had beneficial effects on reproductive performance, but aggravated the oxidative stress in sow and piglets. Inulin‐rich diets fed to sow during gestation had beneficial effects on within‐litter uniformity of piglet birthweight and enhanced the antioxidant defence capacity of sows and piglets.