Effect of dietary folic acid supplementation on sow performance through two parities

One hundred fifty-three gilts were maintained in three breeding groups and fed gestation-lactation diets supplemented with either 0 (control), 1.65 or 6.62 mg of supplemental folic acid/kg of diet for two consecutive parities. Serum folate concentrations of sows were linearly (P less than .05) increased by dietary additions of folic acid during both gestation and lactation, but serum glucose and urea concentrations were unaffected by treatment. Serum folate concentrations decreased from breeding to d 60 and 90 of gestation and then increased through lactation for all treatments. Number of pigs born and live pigs at birth, d 14 and d 21 were quadratically (P less than .05) increased by folic acid additions. Average pig weights were similar among treatments (P greater than .10) on both d 0 and 14 of lactation but were less (P less than .01) than the other treatment groups on d 21 for pigs from sows fed the 1.65 mg/kg treatment. Litter weights were quadratically (P less than .01) increased on d 0 and d 14 by folic acid supplementation. Sow weight gain and backfat thickness loss were unaffected by treatment during gestation (P greater than .06); sow weight loss and backfat thickness loss increased quadratically with increasing level of folic acid during lactation (P less than .06 and .05, respectively). More control sows exhibited estrus by d 7 postweaning than sows receiving folic acid supplementation in parity I (P less than .05); however, no differences (P greater than .10) were detected among treatments by d 14, nor were any differences observed by d 7 in parity II. Conception rate was unaffected by folic acid additions. Dietary folic acid supplementation improved sow reproductive performance by increasing the number of pigs born alive.     

Low reproductive performance and high sow mortality in a pig breeding herd: a case study

Sow performance is a key component of the productivity of commercial pig farms. Reproductive failure in the sow is common in pig production. For every 100 sows served, 89 should farrow. In absence of specific diseases such as porcine parvovirus, pseudo-rabies, swine fever, leptospirosis and brucellosis, management failures are the most important causes of loss. A syndrome associated with reproductive inefficiency, and post-service vaginal discharge and high sow mortality in a commercial pig farm is described. Pregnancy failures exceeded 20% and sow mortality exceeded 12% for two consecutive years. The abnormal post-service vaginal discharge rate was 1.7% during the period of investigation.An investigation involving an analysis of farm records, a review of breeding management practices, clinical examinations, laboratory analysis and examination of urogenital organs was conducted.The main contributing factors found were a sub-optimal gilt breeding management, an inadequate culling policy in combination with a sub-optimal culling rate and the presence of cystitis in more than 1% of the urogenital organs examined. The high sow mortality rate was related to an aged breeding herd.A control programme was recommended based on management changes involving oestrus detection, movement of gilts post-service, hygiene in the service area, boar exposure post-service and urinary acidification. This programme failed to increase the farrowing rate due to incomplete implementation of the recommendations made. The farrowing rate increased to 86.5% subsequent to a farm manager change in January 2005, which resulted in complete implementation of the control programme.     

营养调控对母猪繁殖性能的影响

为了探讨母猪妊娠早期日粮中添加一定量的甲基吡啶铬、叶酸、维生素E和维生素A对母猪窝产仔数、初生重、仔猪成活率的影响,选用日龄、体况基本一致的长大二元母猪共计56头进行试验。结果表明,在母猪妊娠早期的日粮中添加甲基吡啶铬、叶酸、维生素E、维生素A可显著提高母猪窝产仔数,提高比例平均为29.2%,其中对后备母猪提高比例更大。     

日粮蛋白、能量水平对母猪繁殖性能的影响

选用36头配种日龄相近，其父母代繁殖性能无显著差异的长大初产母猪，研究妊娠和哺乳28d3个不同蛋白和能量水平的日粮对母猪繁殖性能的影响。在保持日粮的蛋能比基本不变的条件下，为妊娠和哺乳母猪分别设置3个不同蛋白和能量水平的日粮，即高能高蛋白，低能低蛋白和原用日粮。结果表明：妊娠日粮蛋白能量水平对母猪产仔数，活仔数影响显著（P＜0．05），妊娠日粮蛋白能量水平对仔猪初生重无显著影响（P＞0．05），但高能高蛋白的试验组2略高于试验组1和对照组。仔猪断奶前的平均日增重受妊娠和哺乳日粮蛋白能量水平的影响不大。     

Effect of maternal organic selenium supplementation during pregnancy on sow reproductive performance and long-term effect on their progeny

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals and exists in nature in both inorganic and organic forms. Although organic Se is more bioavailable than inorganic Se, there are inconsistent reports on the effect of organic Se on the reproductive performance of sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal organic Se (2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic [HMSeBA]) supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant capacity of sows, and the long-term effect on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of their offspring with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design; 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to receive one of the following three diets during gestation: control diet (Control, basal diet, n = 15), sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)-supplemented diet (Na₂SeO₃, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg Na₂SeO₃, n = 15), and HMSeBA-supplemented diet (HMSeBA, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg HMSeBA, n = 15). On day 21 of age, male offspring from each group were injected with LPS or saline (n = 6). As compared with the control group, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, while decreased birth weight (P < 0.05). In the first week of lactation, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased litter weight gain compared with the Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05) and increased the average daily gain of piglets compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, maternal HMSeBA supplementation decreased piglet birth interval as compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was higher in the HMSeBA group on farrowing 0 min and 90 min, while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was lower on farrowing 0, 90, and 135 min than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the concentration of selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in colostrum compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Further study revealed that the LPS-challenged HMSeBA group had higher GSH-Px and total antioxidant capacity and lower MDA in weaning piglets compared with the LPS-challenged control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, shortened the duration of farrowing, improved the antioxidant capacities of sows and their offspring, and improved the growth performance of suckling pigs at the first week of lactation. Thus, HMSeBA supplementation during gestation has the potentiality to produce more kilogram of meat.     

日粮中不同蛋白水平对妊娠母猪繁殖性能的影响

研究旨在通过对妊娠母猪繁殖性能为期一年的监控,探讨不同蛋白水平对妊娠母猪繁殖性能的影响,为妊娠母猪养殖提供参考。从2014年9月~2015年9月对湖南某猪场3个妊娠母猪舍母猪的繁殖性能进行测定,3个妊娠母猪舍分为A、B、C组,每组长期保持150~200头母猪,其中A组、B组和C组分别饲喂蛋白水平为14.01%、14.35%和14.71%的日粮。结果表明:(1)B组平均总产仔数较A组和C组分别提高了5.1%(P<0.05)和2.4%(P<0.05),A组稍低于C组,差异不显著(P>0.05);(2)C组平均窝活产仔数较A组提高了5.3%(P<0.05),C组高于B组,差异不显著(P>0.05);(3)C组平均窝弱仔数较B组降低了35.52%(P<0.05),C组较A组降低10.9%,差异不显著(P>0.05);(4)C组平均窝死产仔数较B组降低了42.67%(P<0.05),C组较A组降低29.51%,差异不显著(P>0.05);(5)随着蛋白水平的升高窝木乃伊数没有显著的变化趋势(P>0.05)。结果表明,在妊娠母猪饲养过程中,适当提高日粮中蛋白水平至14.71%可以有效改善繁殖性能,获得较多的健仔数,为养殖生产带来更大的经济效益。     

日粮中不同能量水平对母猪繁殖性能的影响

试验选用30头配种日期、系谱、日龄、体重接近的健康长大经产母猪,平均胎次为3～5胎,按单因子试验设计随机分为3组,每组10头,即高能量组(试验1组)、低能量组(试验2组)和对照组(原用日粮)。研究妊娠和哺乳28d3个不同能量水平的日粮对母猪繁殖性能的影响。本试验的结果表明:当妊娠日粮能量水平为:DE12.4～14.00MJ/kg;哺乳日粮能量水平为:DE12.61～14.07MJ/kg,母猪的繁殖性能较好,可达到窝产仔11.5～12.67头,活仔10.25～10.89头,断奶个体重8.37～8.57kg。     

日粮中添加生物素对圆环病毒(PCV2)攻击下的仔猪淋巴器官及生产性能的影响

选用48头PCV2抗体检测阴性的三元(杜×大×长)杂交断奶仔猪,考察日粮生物素添加对PCV2攻击下的仔猪淋巴器官和生产性能的影响。试验结果发现:①PCV2攻击使被攻击的全部断奶仔猪淋巴器官组织发生轻到重度病理变化;添加生物素可以减缓PCV2对淋巴器官组织造成的病理损害;②PCV2攻击下的断奶仔猪试验后期日增重受到显著影响,并有增加仔猪料肉比的趋势,但添加生物素有提高日增重、降低料肉比的趋势。试验结果表明,试验中添加0.20mg/kg生物素的日粮能够有效减缓PCV2攻击造成的淋巴组织损伤和生产性能下降。     

某猪场母猪繁殖性能预测和logistic回归分析

为了衡量猪场生产效率,研究根据某公司7个分场繁殖母猪2016—2019年的生产记录,运用时间序列分析预测母猪繁殖性能的未来短期趋势,发现母猪未来一段时间的生产性能不会出现较大变动,与实际值较吻合,说明时间序列对母猪繁殖性能方面的预测,有较强的实用价值;再通过建立logistic回归模型,进行模型分析以寻找影响母猪繁殖性能的关键因素,进一步确定胎次是影响母猪繁殖性能重要因素。并且该模型还可用于其他生产指标的因素分析,可以为提高母猪群繁殖性能提供科学依据。     

Effect of lasalocid on reproductive performance and subsequent lactation in the sow

The effect of lasalocid (140 mg . head-1 . d-1) on sow reproductive performance and subsequent piglet performance during lactation were examined in a trial that involved 114 sows. Treatments consisted of 1) control diet with no lasalocid during gestation and lactation; 2) lasalocid diet during gestation, control diet during lactation; 3) control diet during gestation and lasalocid diet during lactation; and 4) lasalocid diet during gestation and lactation. The addition of lasalocid either to gestation or lactation diets had no effect (P greater than .10) on sow weight gains or days to return to estrus postweaning. Milk protein percentages were similar (P greater than .10) for sows in all treatment groups for samples taken at 3, 7 and 14 d postfarrowing. Milk fat percentages were higher (P less than .05) in fall-bred sows at d 3 for Treatments 1, 3 and 4 than for Treatment 2 No significant differences (P less than .10) were observed for litter size at birth, 21 d postfarrowing or at weaning. Piglet weights at birth, 21 d and weaning were similar (P less than .10) among treatment groups. However, litter size and litter weight gains tended to be heavier at 21 d postfarrowing and at weaning for fall-bred sows fed lasalocid in either gestation and (or) lactation compared with those fed the control diet.     

日粮添加甘露聚糖对商品化生产系统中母猪和仔猪生产性能的影响

本试验的目的旨在评价日粮中添加甘露聚糖(Mannan oligosaccharides,MOS)对商品化生产系统中母猪和仔猪生产性能的影响.试验所用的甘露聚糖-奥奇素(Bio-Mos)由美国奥特奇生物技术公司提供.母猪(处理组509头,对照组517头)为PIC猪种,平均胎次3.26胎,试验初体重264kg,产仔前3周开始在妊娠母猪饲料中添加甘露聚糖(奥奇素,添加量0.2%),哺乳期21天中,哺乳母猪饲料中添加奥奇素0.1%.分析饲料中的霉菌毒素,饲料中的黄曲霉毒素、T-2毒素、伏马菌素、DON(去氧瓜萎镰菌醇)和赭曲霉毒素含量很低,饲料间的霉菌毒素含量相近.母猪在妊娠第112天进入产房时和断奶时进行称重,仔猪在产后大约30 h时和断奶时进行称重.日粮中添加奥奇素不会降低母猪的体重,不会影响产活仔数,不会造成死胎(p＜0.05).添加奥奇素有利于提高产仔窝重,提高断奶重.添加奥奇素的处理组,猪增重为4.11kg,而对照组为3.79 kg.采食添加奥奇素日粮的母猪,所产仔猪断奶前的死亡率降低(处理组母猪与对照组母猪相比,9.09%对11.27%,p＜0.01).添加奥奇素后,母猪哺乳前初乳样品(处理组48个样品,对照组42个样品)中免疫球蛋白IgA,IgG和IgM的浓度提高.IgG对添加奥奇素的反应最大(p=0.007,5853对4842 mg/dL),IgM次之(p=0.03,273对241 mg/dL),IgA再次之(p=0.06,1178对1097 mg/dL).另外,母猪采食了添加奥奇素的日粮后,从产仔至发情的天数减短(5.20对7.27天,p＜0.01).母猪初乳中成分的变化有助于解释为什么仔猪生长性能得到提高.试验结果归纳如下,仔猪断奶前死亡率降低伴随着生长性能的改善表明,日粮中添加甘露聚糖有利于提高商品化生产系统中母猪和仔猪的生产性能.     

Effect of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber on embryo survival and sow performance

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of soluble (SF) and insoluble (ISF) dietary fiber during gestation on embryo survival and sow performance. In Exp. 1, 43 gilts were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 experimental diets: a corn-soybean meal control (C; 1.16% SF, 9.98% ISF); a 30% oat bran high in SF (HS; 3.02% SF, 10.06% ISF); a 12% wheat straw diet high in ISF (HIS; 1.08% SF, 18.09% ISF); and a 21% soybean hull diet (HS + HIS; 2.46% SF, 24.55% ISF). Gilts were fed the experimental diets based on their initial BW to meet their daily nutrient requirements. At estrus, gilts were inseminated artificially 3 times using pooled semen. Reproductive tracts were harvested 32 d postmating (range = 28 to 35 d). Statistical analysis of data included the effects of diet with days of gestation as a covariate. There were no differences in ovulation rate among gilts fed the experimental diets (avg. = 14.1). Number of live embryos was less for HIS and HS + HIS gilts compared with C and HS (9.9 and 9.1 vs. 11.9 and 10.6, respectively; P < 0.05). Total embryo survival rate (P < 0.05) was less for gilts fed HS + HIS compared with those fed the C and HS diets. These results suggest that high dietary ISF might decrease the total embryo survival rate without affecting ovulation rate. In Exp. 2, 716 sows were used in 3 concurrent trials. In trial 1, diets included a corn-soybean meal control (C; 0.43% SF, 10.50% ISF; n = 122) or a 31% oat bran diet (HS; 1.93% SF, 8.87% ISF; n = 124). In trial 2, diets included a C (n = 97) or a 13% wheat straw diet (HIS; 1.10% SF, 17.67% ISF; n = 119), and in trial 3 sows were fed a C (n = 123) or a 21% soybean hull diet (HS + HIS; 1.50% SF, 17.77% ISF; n = 131). All diets were offered to sows beginning 2 d postmating. All sows had ad libitum access to a standard lactation diet. Statistical analysis included the effects of diet, parity group, genetic line, and season as well as their interactions. The inclusion of SF and ISF in gestation diets did not affect litter size. Sows fed the HS + HIS diet had a greater ADFI and lost less BW during lactation (P < 0.01) than sows fed C. Under the conditions of this study, feeding gestating sows increased levels of SF and ISF from d 2 after breeding to d 109 of gestation did not increase litter size.     

Effects of salinomycin on sow weight change during lactation and on sow reproductive performance

Forty-five gravid cross-bred sows (mean parity 3.3 +/- .3) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: corn-soybean mean (CS) or CS plus 60 mg salinomycin per kilogram of diet (CSS). Sows were fed their respective diets through two successive parities with dietary treatment initiated at 100 d postcoitum and continued until weaning of the second successive litter. Therefore, sows fed CSS received salinomycin for 14 d before the first parturition and for approximately 153 d before the second parturition. Daily feed intake was restricted to 2 kg.hd-1.d-1 during gestation and to 3 kg.hd-1.d-1 from weaning to breeding. All sows. had ad libitum access to feed during lactation. Sows were weighed 7 d prior to parturition, at weaning and at breeding. Weaning-to-estrus interval and farrowing interval were recorded for all sows. Litters were weighed at birth and weaning. There were no differences (P greater than .05) between dietary treatments in sow weights before parturition, at weaning or at breeding for either first or second farrowing. The CSS-fed sows lost more weight from weaning to breeding after the first (P less than .03) and second (P less than .05) lactation periods than CS-fed sows. The CSS-fed sows tended to gain more (P = .06) weight during lactation than CS-fed sows. There were no differences (P greater than .05) between treatments in lactation feed intake, weaning-to-estrus interval, farrowing interval, litter size born or weaned, litter weights at birth or at weaning, or in sow culling rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of early lactating dairy cows under heat stress

One hundred and twenty early lactating Holstein dairy cows were assigned to investigate the effect of dietary chromium (Cr) supplementation (0 or 6 mg Cr/head/day from organic preparation) on the productive and reproductive performance as well as on some blood serum parameters under heat stress (35–40 °C). Cows received treatment from 3 weeks pre‐partum through 12 weeks post‐partum. Chromium supplemented diet had lower body weight loss and improved dry matter intake with consequent reduction in the energy balance deficits during the first period after calving when compared with the control group. Chromium supplementation increased (p < 0.05) milk yield by 6.7%, 12.3% and 16.5% at 4, 8 and 12 weeks post‐partum, respectively, whereas milk composition and milk to feed ratio were unaffected (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. Moreover, dietary Cr supplementation had no effect (p > 0.05) on blood serum glucose, calcium and phosphorus concentrations. A reduction (p < 0.05) of non‐esterified fatty acids at 1 week pre‐partum, 2 and 4 weeks post‐partum was also observed. Serum insulin concentration increased whereas cortisol concentration decreased, when compared with the control group, throughout the whole experimental period. Also Cr supplementation showed a trend towards improving reproductive performance as indicated by increased percentage of pregnant cows in the first 28 days of breeding. It could be concluded that dietary Cr supplementation at level of 6 mg/head/day may offer a potential protective management practice to lessen the effect of heat stress in dairy cattle.     

生长獭兔日粮中添加菊花对其生长性能、肉质性状和经济效益的影响

为了研究中草药菊花在生长獭兔上的应用效果,选取体重相似、身体健康的40日龄獭兔56只,随机分为4组,分别饲喂基础日粮、基础日粮+1%菊花、基础日粮+2%菊花和基础日粮+3%菊花。试验结束时分别对其生长性能、肉质性状和经济效益进行了分析。结果表明:生长獭兔中添加菊花各试验组平均日增重,分别比对照组提高15.8%、31.8%、24.4%,差异显著(P<0.05);平均采食量分别比对照组提高16.62%、20.3%、16.21%,差异显著(P<0.05)菊花有改善肉质颜色的作用,对肌肉pH值、嫩度亦有改善的趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05);饲料中添加菊花能够显著提高经济效益。结论:菊花营养价值丰富兼有药物功效,可作为生长獭兔的良好添加物,结合生长性能、肉质性状和经济效益多方面因素,本研究认为2%添加水平最为适宜。     

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6 improves sow reproductive performance and reduces piglet birth intervals

We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 (B. subtilis PB6) during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance, antioxidant indices, and gut microbiota. A total of 32 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows on d 90 of gestation were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 16 replicates per group, receiving basal diet (CON) or the basal diet + 0.2% B. subtilis PB6, containing 4.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg of feed (BS). The litter sizes (total born) and numbers of piglets born alive were larger in the BS group (P < 0.01), whereas the weights of piglets born alive and the piglet birth intervals were lower in the BS group (P < 0.05). Although the litter weights and piglet bodyweights (after cross-fostering) were lower after BS treatment (P < 0.05), the litter sizes, litter weights, lactation survival rate, and litter weight gains at weaning were higher in BS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the sow sera at parturition were lower in the BS group (P < 0.01). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at parturition and the serum catalase (CAT) concentrations on d 21 of lactation were higher in the BS group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis PB6 (P < 0.05) reduced the serum endotoxin concentrations in the sows and the serum cortisol concentrations of the piglets at d 14 of lactation. The α-diversity indices of microbial were higher in the CON group (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadete and Acidobacteria (both P < 0.01) and reduced those of Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria (both P < 0.05). At the genus level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 cc (P < 0.05) and reduced that of Streptococcus (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adding 4.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. subtilis PB6 to sows’ feed during late gestation and lactation could shorten piglet birth intervals, enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets, and improve the gut health of sows during late gestation.     

不同生物素添加水平对肉仔鸡生长性能、血清生理生化指标和机体免疫功能的影响

生物素作为一种非常重要的水溶性维生素，以梭化酶的形式参与碳水化合物、脂肪和蛋白质三大营养物质代谢。许多年以来，人们普遍认为在猪和家禽日粮中不需要额外添加生物素就能满足其需要，究其原因主要有两个方面:一是生物素在饲料原料中广泛存在;二是肠道微生物可合成生物素。在现代化饲养条件下，在一些畜禽农场发现病例，表现为特定的临床症状，当添加生物素时，其症状得到改善。因此，营养学家们不得不重新审视生物素在畜禽日粮中的作用。本试验以肉仔鸡为试验动物，旨在系统研究生物素对肉仔鸡生长性能、血清生理生化指标和机体免疫功…