饲粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽对母猪繁殖性能的影响

为探讨天蚕素抗菌肽对母猪生产性能的影响,试验选取32头二胎经产母猪,采用单因子完全随机设计,分为试验组和对照组,试验组从母猪分娩前30d到产后21d添加400mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽,对照组按猪场正常药物保健程序进行(母猪产前产后在饲料中添加阿莫西林400mg/kg和支原净300mg/kg)。结果表明,对照组的活仔率、健仔率均低于试验组;21d时,试验组仔猪比对照组的成活率高;试验组仔猪初生重、21d的末重和日增重均高于对照组;试验组的仔猪腹泻率低于对照组。     

妊娠母猪日粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽对繁殖性能及产后仔猪生长性能的影响

文章旨在探讨天蚕素抗菌肽对母猪繁殖性能的影响。试验选取72头经产母猪,采用单因子完全随机设计,分为试验组和对照组,试验组从母猪配种到产后断奶的过程中在日粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽200mg/kg,其它按猪场正常药物保健程序进行。结果表明,试验组与对照组相比,能增加母猪产仔成活率,提高哺乳仔猪成活率,降低腹泻率,提高日增重。     

天蚕素对母猪繁殖性能及产后哺乳仔猪生长性能的影响

试验旨在考察抗菌肽天蚕素对母猪繁殖性能及哺乳仔猪生长性能的影响。试验选用92头经产母猪,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组46头。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在日粮中添加天蚕素500 mg/kg,其它按猪场正常药物保健程序进行。从产前30 d到产后31 d,总计饲喂61 d。结果显示,日粮中额外添加抗菌肽的试验组与对照组相比,母猪的产仔数、健仔率都显著提高,同时哺乳仔猪断奶成活率和体重增加有明显的提高趋势。与对照组相比,添加抗菌活性肽试验组总产仔数484头,平均窝产健仔数为9.27头;对照组总产仔数431头,平均窝产健仔数为8.41头。试验组哺乳仔猪断奶成活率达到100%,断奶体重可以多增加1.3%。结果提示母猪饲粮中额外添加500 mg/kg天蚕素能够增加母猪的繁殖性能和提升哺乳仔猪的生长性能。     

天蚕素抗菌肽对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

为比较天蚕素抗菌肽与抗生素和氧化锌对断奶仔猪生长性能和腹泻情况以及皮毛情况的影响,采用单因子随机区组设计,选择健康的、体重相近、公母各半的21日龄杜长大断奶仔猪60头,分为3个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复4头仔猪,试验期14 d。天蚕素抗菌肽组饲喂基础饲粮＋天蚕素抗菌肽300 mg/kg,抗生素组饲喂基础饲粮＋10%硫酸黏菌素200 mg/kg＋10%杆菌肽锌1000 mg/kg,氧化锌组饲喂基础饲粮＋氧化锌2000 mg/kg。结果表明,日增重,天蚕素抗菌肽组比抗生素组提高4.15%（P＜0.05）,比氧化锌组略有降低（P＞0.05）;料重比,天蚕素抗菌肽组比抗生素组降低3.60%（P＜0.05）,比氧化锌组略有增加（P＞0.05）。腹泻率,天蚕素抗菌肽组比抗生素组降低1.82个百分点（P＜0.05）,比氧化锌组提高1.5个百分点（P＜0.01）;腹泻频率,天蚕素抗菌肽组比抗生素组降低3.71个百分点（P＜0.01）,比氧化锌组提高1.6个百分点（P＜0.05）;腹泻指数,天蚕素抗菌肽组比抗生素组降低0.06（P＜0.05）,与氧化锌组相比略有升高（P＜0.05）。皮毛指数,天蚕素抗菌肽组比氧化锌组提高1.15（P＜0.01）,与抗生素组相比略有改善（P＜0.05）。     

饲料中添加天蚕素抗菌肽对湘云鲫生长性能、非特异性免疫功能及抗病力的影响（一）

研究旨在探讨饲料中添加不同水平的天蚕素抗菌肽对湘云鲫生长性能、非特异性免疫功能与抗病力的影响。试验选取了1,242尾湘云鲫[初均重（46．14±0．13）g],随机分成6组,每组5个重复,分别在基础饲料中添加4mg／kg金霉素及0mg／kg（对照）、100mg／kg、150mg／kg、200mg／kg和250mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽的6种等氮（粗蛋白质52．27％）等能（消化能12．85MJ／kg）试验饲料。试验期为8周,试验结束后测定湘云鲫生长、免疫、形体端数等指标。结果表明：①与对照组比,150mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽组湘云鲫末均重、增重率和特定生长率均显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）,分别提高了15．％、57．4％和27．5％。②150mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽组湘云鲫肥满度显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）。③与对照组相比,饲料中添加200mg／kg和250mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽能显著提高湘云鲫的血清超氧化物歧化酶活性（P〈0．05）;添加150mg／kg和200mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽均显著降低了血清丙二醛含量（P〈0．05）;添加各水平天蚕素抗菌肽均显著提高了血清溶菌酶活性（P〈0．05）,但各添加水平组之间差异不显著（P〉0．05）。④饲料中添加250mg／kg天蚕素抗菌肽组的湘云鲫肌肉粗脂肪含量显著低于对照组（P〈0．05）。但各组肌肉水分和粗蛋白质含量没有显著性差异（P〉0．os）。⑤采用嗜水气单胞菌进行攻毒后,湘云鲫48h内死亡率较低,攻毒48～72h是死亡的高峰期,天蚕素抗菌肽组的成活率明显高于对照组,其中对照组成活率最低。由此得出,本试验条件下,在饲料中添加天蚕素抗菌肽对湘云鲫有促生长效果,且150mg／kg和200mg／kg添加组效果较佳,同时提高了鱼体的非特异性免疫功能和抗病力。     

补饲饲粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽对放牧断奶藏猪仔猪生长性能的影响

为研究补饲饲粮中适宜的天蚕素抗菌肽添加水平对放牧断奶藏猪仔猪生长性能的影响,选择体重(6.38±0.27)kg、健康无病的2月龄放牧断奶藏猪仔猪150头,随机分为6组,每组5个重复,每个重复5头猪。对照组补饲饲粮中不添加天蚕素抗菌肽,5个试验组补饲饲粮中分别添加天蚕素抗菌肽100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、300 mg/kg、400 mg/kg和500 mg/kg。试验猪每天按照农牧民放牧习惯白天自由放牧,晚上收牧后自由采食精料颗粒料。试验期35 d。结果表明,补饲饲粮中添加适量的天蚕素抗菌肽,可显著提高放牧断奶藏猪仔猪日增重、降低腹泻率和死亡率。该试验条件下,补饲饲粮天蚕素抗菌肽的最适添加量为400 mg/kg。     

天蚕素抗菌肽对肉兔生产性能和免疫器官指数的影响

试验旨在研究天蚕素抗菌肽对新西兰兔生产性能和免疫器官指数的影响。选择160只35日龄断奶的新西兰肉兔,随机分为5个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复8只兔。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮基础上添加30 mg/kg喹乙醇、150、200 mg/kg和250 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽,试验期为8周。结果表明,天蚕素抗菌肽可一定程度提高肉兔的日增重,显著降低料重比(P<0.05),对肉兔的采食量无显著影响(P>0.05);添加天蚕素抗菌肽有增加肉兔脾脏和胸腺重量的趋势,添加200 mg/kg和250 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽可显著提高肉兔脾脏指数和胸腺指数(P<0.05)。由此可见,在肉兔饲粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽,可提高肉兔生产性能,促进免疫器官发育,提高免疫器官指数。     

抗菌肽对海兰褐仔公鸡小肠黏膜形态结构及免疫活性细胞数量的影响

本试验旨在探讨饲粮中添加不同水平天蚕素抗菌肽对海兰褐仔公鸡小肠黏膜形态结构及免疫活性细胞数量的影响。选择336只1日龄健康海兰褐仔公鸡,随机分为7个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复12只鸡。7个处理分别为对照组(饲喂基础饲粮),抗生素组(150 mg/kg金霉素),抗菌肽Ⅰ(饲喂基础饲粮+150 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽)、Ⅱ(饲喂基础饲粮+200 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽)、Ⅲ(饲喂基础饲粮+250 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽)、Ⅳ(饲喂基础饲粮+300 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽)、Ⅴ组(饲喂基础饲粮+350 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽),饲养试验期为42 d。结果表明:各处理肠黏膜结构与对照组相比较完整,除十二指肠隐窝深度、空肠肌层厚度各处理之间无显著性差异(P>0.05)外,不同添加水平的抗菌肽组绒毛高度、黏膜厚度、肌层厚度均在一定程度上高于对照组,隐窝深度均在一定程度上低于对照组,抗菌肽Ⅴ组效果最为显著(P<0.05)。抗菌肽Ⅴ组空肠上皮内淋巴细胞数量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),抗菌肽Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组与对照组相比可显著提高十二指肠、空肠及回肠杯状细胞数量(P<0.05)。由此可见,饲粮添加天蚕素抗菌肽可显著改善海兰褐仔公鸡小肠黏膜上皮细胞形态,同时也增加了小肠免疫活性细胞的数量。其中抗菌肽Ⅴ组添加效果最好,天蚕素抗菌肽添加量为350 mg/kg。     

天蚕素抗菌肽对817肉杂鸡生长性能及免疫功能的影响

试验旨在研究天蚕素抗菌肽对817肉杂鸡生长性能和免疫功能的影响。选取1日龄817肉杂鸡900羽,随机分为5个处理组（对照组、抗生素组及Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组）,每组6个重复,每个重复30羽。对照组饲喂基础日粮,抗生素组在基础日粮中添加150 mg/kg金霉素,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别在基础日粮中添加100、200和300 mg/kg天蚕素抗菌肽,试验期42 d。结果显示,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组能显著提高1~21日龄817肉杂鸡的平均日增重（P<0.05）,显著降低料重比（P<0.05）;显著提高21、42日龄817肉杂鸡的胸腺、法氏囊和脾脏指数（P<0.05）;显著提高42日龄肉杂鸡的ND抗体水平和T淋巴细胞转化率（P<0.05）,表明在日粮中添加天蚕素抗菌肽能提高817肉杂鸡的生长性能和免疫功能,在本试验条件下,适宜的添加量为200 mg/kg。     

抗菌肽对建鲤生长性能和脏体指数及肌肉成分的影响

试验旨在研究抗菌肽对建鲤鱼种生长性能、脏体指数及肌肉营养成分的影响。试验选用鲤鱼鱼种300尾,随机分成5组,每组设3个重复,每个重复放养20尾。在基础饲料中分别添加0、100、200、400、600 mg/kg的抗菌肽,饲喂60 d。测定末均重、增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、肥满度、脏体指数和肌肉营养成分等指标。结果表明:建鲤鱼种配合饲料中抗菌肽的添加浓度为100、200、400 mg/kg时末均重和特定生长率均显著高于对照组组(P0.05),添加浓度为400 mg/kg时增重率显著高于对照组(P0.05);饲料系数显著低于对照组和600 mg/kg组(P0.05);肥满度随着抗菌肽添加浓度的增加呈现先升高后下降的趋势,且各组之间差异不显著;400、600 mg/kg抗菌肽组肾脏体指数显著低于于对照组(P0.05);400 mg/kg抗菌肽组肌肉中粗蛋白、钙含量显著高于对照组(P0.05),600 mg/kg组肌肉中钙含量显著低于对照组(P0.05);200、400、600 mg/kg抗菌肽组磷含量显著高于对照组(P0.05);肌肉中水分、粗脂肪和灰分含量各组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。综合分析,在建鲤鱼基础饲料中添加适量的抗菌肽能够提高建鲤鱼种生长性能,有利于肌肉中蛋白质和钙磷的沉积。     

葡萄糖氧化酶对大河乌猪妊娠母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在探讨葡萄糖氧化酶(GOD)对大河乌猪妊娠母猪繁殖性能、血清抗氧化指标和饲粮养分消化率的影响。选择健康经产(3~5胎)大河乌猪妊娠母猪60头,随机分为4个组,每组15个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,GOD1、GOD2和GOD3组饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添加200、400和600 mg/kg GOD的试验饲粮。母猪产前30 d开始试验,直到仔猪断奶时结束。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加400和600 mg/kg GOD可增加大河乌猪妊娠母猪的产仔数和产活仔数(P0.05);饲粮中添加600 mg/kg GOD可显著增加仔猪初生重和20日龄重(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加600 mg/kg GOD可显著增加大河乌猪妊娠母猪和仔猪血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P0.05),显著降低血清丙二醛(MDA)含量(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加600 mg/kg GOD可显著增加大河乌猪妊娠母猪饲粮粗脂肪(EE)和磷(P)的消化率(P0.05)。本试验条件下,大河乌猪母猪妊娠后期(产前30 d)饲粮中添加600 mg/kg GOD可提高母猪的繁殖性能,增强母猪和仔猪抗氧化能力,提高母猪对饲粮EE和P的消化能力,提高饲粮利用率。     

A regional evaluation of the effect of fiber type in gestation diets on sow reproductive performance

A cooperative regional research study using 194 sows, from which data were collected from 381 litters, was conducted at 3 research stations to determine the effects of added psyllium (a concentrated fiber source) or soybean hulls to gestation diets on reproductive performance of sows and preweaning performance of their pigs. Primiparous and multiparous sows were allotted to the 3 treatments of control (corn and soybean meal-based), 0.30% psyllium, or 20% soybean hulls. Sows fed the control and 0.30% psyllium diets were provided 1.82 kg/d, and sows fed the 20% soybean hulls diet were provided 2.0 kg/d to equalize ME, Lys, Ca, P, and vitamin and trace mineral intake. Treatments 1 to 3 had 130, 130, and 121 litters per treatment from 64, 64, and 63 sows, respectively. Gestating sows fed psyllium had a greater (P < 0.01 to 0.10) d 110 gestation, farrowing, weaning, and 17 d postpartum BW and gestation ADG compared with sows fed soybean hulls. Sows fed psyllium also had a greater (P < 0.10 and 0.08) d 110 gestation BW and gestation ADG than the control sows. Sows fed soybean hulls had a reduced (P < 0.06) farrowing BW compared with the control sows. Sows fed psyllium weaned lighter (P < 0.09) pigs than sows fed the control diet. Litter size was not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. Sows fed psyllium had a reduced (P < 0.03) feed intake compared with sows fed soybean hulls for d 5 to 7 postpartum, and sows fed the control diet were intermediate. Fecal scores (1 to 5 with 1 = dry and 5 = watery) were greater (P < 0.001) and DM content was less (P < 0.001 to 0.01) in the feces of sows fed soybean hulls compared with sows fed psyllium or the control diet on d 112 of gestation and d 4 postpartum. Fecal scores were greater (P < 0.10) and fecal DM content was less (P < 0.02) in sows fed psyllium compared with sows fed the control diet only on d 4 postpartum. In summary, sows fed soybean hulls during gestation had reduced BW compared with sows fed the control diets. In contrast, sows fed psyllium had an increased BW.     

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。     

中药渣对泌乳母猪及其仔猪血浆生化参数和抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在比较研究中药渣和发酵中药渣对泌乳母猪及其仔猪血浆生化参数和抗氧化能力的影响,为其在母猪饲粮配方中的应用提供依据。试验选用2~4胎次、预产期相近的二元母猪60头,随机分为3组,每组20头。3组在基础饲粮中分别添加2 kg/t米糠(对照组)、2 kg/t中药渣制剂(中药渣组)和2 kg/t发酵中药渣制剂(发酵中药渣组)。从产前21 d开始饲喂,到产后28 d结束。分别于母猪产后1、7、14和21 d,每组随机选取6头母猪,耳缘静脉采血;于仔猪7、14和21日龄,每组随机选取6头仔猪,前腔静脉采血。所采血样分离血浆,测定生化参数和抗氧化指标。结果表明:与对照组相比,中药渣组母猪产后7 d的血浆总蛋白(TP)和球蛋白(GLB)含量以及14 d的血浆GLB含量均显著降低(P0.05),产后1 d的血浆碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC),7 d的血浆丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)和ALP活性,14 d的血浆ALT和ALP活性,21 d的血浆ALT活性均显著升高(P0.05);发酵中药渣组母猪产后1 d的血浆天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、CAT活性和T-AOC,14 d的血浆AST和ALP活性均显著升高(P0.05);中药渣组14日龄仔猪的血浆ALP活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量均显著降低(P0.05),14日龄的血浆T-AOC显著升高(P0.05);发酵中药渣组7日龄仔猪的血浆ALP活性和T-AOC均显著升高(P0.05),14日龄仔猪的血浆MDA含量显著降低(P0.05)。上述结果表明,母猪饲粮中添加中药渣或发酵中药渣可影响泌乳母猪及其仔猪的机体代谢,增强机体抗氧化能力。     

Effects of Antibacterial Peptide Cecropin on Prouduction Performance，Immune Function and Serum Biological Parameters of Weaner Piglets

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of antimicrobial peptide cecropin on production performance,immune function and serum biological parameters of weaner piglets.A total of 240 weaner hybrid piglets （Landrace×Large White×Duroc） with average body weight （8.35±0.12）kg were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 10 each.The four treatments were control group （fed a basal diet）,antibiotics group （fed basal diet＋140 mg/kg 50% kitasamycin＋100 mg/kg olaquindox ＋600 mg/kg 10% colistin sulfate）,antimicrobial peptide group （fed basal diet＋350 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide cecropin）,compatibility group （antibiotics + antibacterial peptide group）（fed basal diet＋250 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide cecropin＋50 mg/kg olaquindox ＋200 mg/kg 10% colistin sulfate）,each group was half male and half female.The pre-test period lasted for 7 days,the trial period lasted for 34 days.The results showed that compared with control group,the average daily gain in compatibility group was significantly increased （P＜0.05）,the average daily feed intake in antibiotic group and antimicrobial peptide group was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）,the feed conversion ratio and diarrhea rate in all three experimental groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）.The antibody blocking rate and serum IgG,IgA contents in antimicrobial peptide group and compatibility group were significantly increased （P＜0.05）,the serum urea nitrogen and blood sugar contents in antimicrobial peptide group and compatibility group were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）,but the serum total protein and albumin contents were significantly increased （P＜0.05）.In conclusion,dietary supplementation appropriate level of antimicrobial peptide cecropin could replace part of the antibiotics,and adding high dose of antimicrobial peptide cecropin could replace antibiotics used in feed completely.     

饲粮添加吡咯喹啉醌对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在比较吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)与维生素E和有机硒对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响。选用40头体重和背膘厚接近且妊娠90 d的第3胎大约克母猪,随机分为2组,每组20头。对照组在基础饲粮中添加60 mg/kg维生素E和0.20 mg/kg有机硒,试验组在基础饲粮中添加1 mg/kg PQQ。试验期为妊娠第90天至分娩后第7天。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮添加PQQ对母猪产程、产仔数、产活仔数及仔猪初生窝重、仔猪平均初生重以及产后7 d仔猪平均日增重均无显著影响(P0.05),但数值上有所升高;饲粮添加PQQ显著提高了初生仔猪和母猪血清总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性及还原型谷胱甘肽含量(P0.05),显著降低了血清丙二醛含量(P0.05),对血清过氧化氢酶活性、总抗氧化能力及氧化型谷胱甘肽含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综合得出,围产期饲粮中添加PQQ较维生素E和有机硒对母猪繁殖性能无显著影响,能显著增强围产期母猪及初生仔猪的血清抗氧化功能。     

Feeding behavior in primiparous lactating sows: impact of a high-fiber diet during pregnancy

Voluntary feed intake of hyperprolific sows can be insufficient to cover the requirements for milk production and maintenance of body condition. A bulky diet fed during pregnancy is known to prepare sows for an ad libitum feed supply after parturition as shown by the increased feed intake during lactation. The aim of this study was to investigate the feeding behavior of young sows during their first lactation to evaluate the further impact of the feeding experience acquired during pregnancy, through the addition of dietary fiber in the diet. Analysis of the feeding pattern and the profile of feed intake tested the hypothesis that lactating sows would exhibit different feeding strategies depending on the diet during pregnancy. During pregnancy, 24 primiparous sows (Large White x Landrace) were offered either 2.4 kg of a control diet/d containing 3.16% crude fiber or 2.8 kg of a high-fiber diet/d containing 12.42% crude fiber. All sows received 33 MJ of DE/d. From the first day postpartum until weaning, all sows were offered the same lactation diet ad libitum. The feeding pattern during lactation was recorded as ADFI, meal frequency, and meal size. In lactation, the ADFI did not differ according to the treatment. Compared with control sows, high-fiber sows consumed their diet in more (P < 0.05) but smaller meals (P < 0.05). In both treatments, ADFI and the number of daily meals increased over weeks of lactation (P < 0.001). All sows presented a strong diurnal and bimodal feeding activity evolving toward 2 distinct feeding periods occurring from 0500 to 0900 and from 1400 to 1800 and accounting for 0.64 of the total daily feed intake during the third week of lactation. The provision of a fibrous diet during pregnancy pointed out the role of an early feeding experience on the development of feeding behavior during the first reproductive cycle.     

Assessment of the influence of dietary vitamin E on sows and offspring in three parities: reproductive performance, tissue tocopherol, and effects on progeny

Sixty crossbred (Yorkshire-Hampshire X Duroc) gilts were fed one of four corn-soybean meal diets fortified with .3 ppm Se and 0, 16, 33, or 66 IU of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg. The study was conducted over a three-parity period to evaluate sow reproductive performance and the vitamin E tissue status of both sows and progeny at various time periods postcoitum and(or) postpartum. The basal diet averaged 8.4 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .38 ppm of Se. Although litter size at birth was lowest (P less than .15) when sows were fed the basal diet, a higher incidence of agalactia when sows were fed the lower dietary vitamin E levels resulted in an increased (P less than .05) litter size at 7 d postpartum as dietary vitamin E increased. Sow serum alpha-tocopherol increased (P less than .01) at each measurement period as dietary vitamin E level increased. Colostrum and milk alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E level increased, and colostrum values were three to five times higher than at later milks. Colostrum alpha-tocopherol declined by parity from sows fed less than or equal to 16 IU/kg but was similar at each parity for sows fed greater than or equal to 33 IU/kg, resulting in a dietary vitamin E x parity interaction (P less than .01). The Se content of sow milk declined with parity but was not affected by dietary vitamin E level. Sow liver tocopherol at weaning (28 d postpartum) increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E increased and increased with parity (P less than .05). Pig serum and liver alpha-tocopherol concentrations were elevated at birth and 7 and 28 d of age as sow dietary level of vitamin E increased. Upon weaning, pigs were fed a torula yeast-dextrose diet that contained 3.0 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .32 ppm Se for a 28-d postweaning period. Liver and serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations declined during the postweaning period. Evidence of the vitamin E deficiency occurred at 28 d postweaning in the progeny from sows fed the basal diet or 16 IU of vitamin E; the incidence was more prevalent in the pigs from Parities II and III. These results suggest that a supplemental level of 16 IU of vitamin E/kg of diet was inadequate for the reproducing sow; higher levels are justified, particularly when females are retained in the herd for several parities.     

Butorphanol tartrate acts to decrease sow activity, which could lead to reduced pig crushing.

The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of an analgesic to sows immediately after farrowing would allow them to lie more restfully. Sows lying on their pigs, causing them to be "crushed," is a major cause of pig mortality. Most deaths due to crushing occur during the first 3 d postpartum. For modern, lean-type sows, farrowing crates are relatively hard and unforgiving, even though they may be equipped with plastic-coated, expanded metal flooring. Indeed, many sows develop pressure sores on their shoulders, and this may contribute to the sows' discomfort. These sores may cause a sow to change position frequently to alleviate pain, thus increasing its chances of crushing pigs. Sixteen production sows were assigned to either a control group (C, n = 8) with litter size 11.71+/-.78 or an experimental group (B, n = 8) with litter size 11.63+/-1.22. Pigs born to C and B sows weighed 1.60+/-.04 and 1.37+/-.04 kg, respectively. The C sows were given no treatment, whereas the B sows were administered an i.m. injection of butorphanol tartrate at a dose of .15 mg/kg BW every 6 h until 3 d after farrowing. Data were collected on all sows using time-lapse photography (1 frame/.4 s) for a 3-d duration upon the initiation of farrowing. To assess the degree of comfort of each sow, body position changes were recorded when sows switched between lying, sitting, and standing. Data were analyzed by 12-h periods using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney equations. During the 72-h period, B sows tended to perform fewer position changes than C sows (P = .10). Specifically, position changes were fewer for B sows from 48 to 72 h postpartum (P<.06). There were no differences in position changes between treatments from 0 to 48 h postpartum (P>.50). There was no difference in the rate of crushing between treatments (C = 5, B = 5). The butorphanol did not seem to affect pig activity or normal behaviors or to create adverse effects, such as diarrhea. Although the sows given butorphanol showed a reduced number of position changes, the dose was intermediate, and a higher dose may have a greater effect. If pig mortality can be decreased, an analgesic protocol that is simple to administer and readily available to producers can be developed. Alternatively, using of more pliable flooring or an increase in sow body fat may allow sows to lie more stationary.