母猪日粮中添加低聚壳聚糖对哺乳仔猪生长、抗氧化能力和免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在探讨母猪日粮中添加低聚壳聚糖对哺乳仔猪生长、血液生化指标、抗氧化能力及免疫功能的影响。选用24头胎次、体重和预产期相近的健康大白猪母猪，随机分为3组，每组8个重复，每个重复1头母猪。对照组饲喂基础日粮，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组饲喂分别添加50和100 g/t低聚壳聚糖的基础日粮，试验从母猪妊娠第85天开始至分娩后第21天时结束。结果显示：①Ⅱ组哺乳仔猪腹泻率显著低于对照组和Ⅰ组（P < 0.05），Ⅰ组与对照组差异不显著（P > 0.05）；与对照组相比，Ⅰ、Ⅱ组仔猪21日龄体重显著提高（P < 0.05）。②Ⅰ组仔猪血浆乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性和甘油三酯（TG）浓度，Ⅱ组α-淀粉酶（α-AMY）、LDH活性和低密度脂蛋白（LDL）浓度均显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）。③Ⅱ组哺乳仔猪血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性，皮质醇、白介素-10（IL-10）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）和干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）含量均显著高于对照组和Ⅰ组（P < 0.05），而丙二醛（MDA）浓度显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）。④低聚壳聚糖组母猪初乳中免疫球蛋白G（IgG）、IgA和IgM含量均显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）；Ⅰ组仔猪血清IgG和IgA含量、Ⅱ组仔猪血清IgA含量均显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）。综上所述，母猪日粮中添加一定量的低聚壳聚糖能够提高哺乳仔猪的抗氧化能力、增强机体免疫能力、降低腹泻率，从而提高哺乳仔猪生长性能。     

Social rank of pregnant sows affects their body weight gain and behavior and performance of the offspring

Previous studies on group housing of pregnant sows have mainly focused on reproduction, but we hypothesized that the social rank of pregnant sows housed in groups could also affect birth weight, growth, and behavior of their offspring. Therefore, in the present study, pregnant gilts and sows were housed in 15 different groups (n = 7 to 14 animals per group) from 4 d after AI until 1 wk before the expected farrowing date. All groups were fed by an electronically controlled sow feeding system that registered, on a 24-h basis, the time of first visit, number of feeding and non-feeding visits, and number of times succeeding another sow within 2 s. Only in the first 6 groups (n = 57 animals), agonistic interactions were observed continuously. The percentage of agonistic interactions won was highly correlated (r(s) = 0.90, P < 0.001) with the percentage of displacement success (DS) at the feeding station, which was calculated as: [the number of times succeeding another sow within 2 s/(the number of times succeeded by another sow within 2 s + the number of times succeeding another sow within 2 s)] x 100. This allowed us to classify all sows (n = 166) according to their DS: high-social ranking (HSR) sows had a DS >50% (n = 62) and low-social ranking (LSR) sows a DS <50% (n = 104). Body weights before AI did not differ between HSR and LSR sows, but HSR sows gained more BW during gestation, and lost more BW and back-fat during lactation (P < 0.001). Maternal salivary cortisol concentrations at 2, 7, and 13 wk after AI did not differ between HSR and LSR sows, nor did gestation length, litter size, or percentage of live born piglets. During a novel object (NO) test at 3 wk of age, HSR offspring moved and vocalized more than LSR offspring (P < 0.05). In addition, the latency time to touch the NO was shorter in HSR offspring (P < 0.05), and HSR males spent more time near the NO than LSR males (P < 0.01). At weaning, HSR offspring weighed more than LSR offspring (P < 0.05), and at slaughter HSR offspring had more lean meat than LSR offspring (P < 0.05). Results indicate that the social rank of the sow during gestation affects her own BW gain and loss as well as the growth and behavior of her offspring. Pig breeders that apply group housing for pregnant sows should pay attention to reducing competition around the feeding area, which may reduce aggression among the sows and minimize differences between HSR and LSR sows.     

The effects of two different light intensities on the production and behavioural traits of Italian heavy pigs

Eighty Italian heavy pigs having an initial body weight of about 75 kg were allotted to two experimental groups: a low light intensity group (LL), in which pigs received the lowest level of illumination mandatory in piggeries (40 lux) and a high light intensity group (HL), in which pigs were exposed to a higher level of illumination (80 lux). For both groups the light phase lasted 12 hours per day. Pigs were slaughtered at about 160 kg body weight. Light intensity showed to have no effects on the growth traits, carcass parameters or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio of heavy. With the exception of drinking (more frequently observed among LL pigs; P < 0.01) and sternal recumbency (more frequently observed among pigs belonging to HL group; P < 0.01), the behavioural observations, carried out on 20 pigs per group, indicated that light intensity did not affect the main behavioural traits of pigs. Agonistic interactions were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among pigs receiving a lower level of illumination (40 lux; LL group) and pigs exposed to the higher level of illumination (80 lux; HL group) showed a tendency (P < 0.1) towards a higher proportion of tactile social interactions. Our results confirm that a proper illumination level can be included among environmental conditions having a positive effect in order to preserve swine welfare.     

The effect of salinomycin on certain blood parameters and milk quality of lactating sows

Twenty-five gilts and sows, after pregnancy confirmation using the ultrasonic method, were randomly divided and allocated to the following five experimental groups: SAL0 = negative controls, SAL20 = 20 mg salinomycin per kg of feed, SAL40 = 40 mg salinomycin per kg of feed, SAL60 = 60 mg salinomycin per kg of feed and SAL80 = 80 mg salinomycin per kg of feed. All animals remained under treatment for two consecutive breeding cycles. The sows were fed a home-mixed balanced feed during gestations and lactations. At the third, tenth and eighteenth day of each lactation, blood and milk samples were collected. Blood samples were analysed for cholesterol and total lipids and milk samples were analysed for the determination of the fat, lactose, protein, ash and totals solids concentrations. In all treated groups, cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with the controls. Total lipid concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in SAL40 and SAL60 groups in comparison with SAL0 and SAL20 groups, during both cycles. Milk fat concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in treated groups than in the control group; the highest concentrations were observed at SAL40 and SAL60 groups. In all treated groups, concentrations of milk lactose were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those observed in the negative control group. Milk protein concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in SAL40 and SAL60 groups compared with the SAL0 group, but there was no significant difference in SAL20 and SAL80 groups in comparison with the SAL0 group. No significant differences were observed concerning milk ash concentrations between all groups. In all treated groups, concentrations of total solids were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group; the highest concentrations were observed in the SAL40 and SAL60 groups. It is concluded that the use of salinomycin in sow diet, increases concentrations of blood triglycerides and cholesterol and improves the quality of milk, thus reflecting on higher weight gain and survival rate of suckling piglets.     

补饲发酵芦笋下脚料对母猪粪便形态和乳汁质量的影响

本研究旨在探讨给妊娠后期和哺乳期母猪补饲发酵芦笋下脚料对母猪粪便形态和乳汁质量的影响。将15头膘情、胎次和预产期相近的妊娠母猪随机分配到Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组,每组5个重复,每个重复1头猪。Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组母猪每头每天分别补饲0、0.25和0.50 kg发酵芦笋下脚料。试验从母猪妊娠期的第85天开始到产后第21天结束。结果表明:1)给母猪补饲发酵芦笋下脚料能改善母猪的粪便形态。2)Ⅲ组母猪初乳中乳蛋白质、生长激素、胰岛素和免疫球蛋白G水平显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),肿瘤坏死因子-α水平显著低于Ⅰ组(P0.05)。3)Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组母猪第10天乳汁中总超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.05),而第21天乳汁中总超氧化物歧化酶活性则极显著高于Ⅰ组(P0.01);Ⅲ组母猪第21天乳汁中丙二醛、白细胞介素-1β、白细胞介素-6和肿瘤坏死因子-α水平分别显著低于Ⅰ组(P0.05)。由此得出,补饲发酵芦笋下脚料能减少妊娠后期和哺乳期母猪便秘的发生,并不同程度地改善母猪乳汁质量。     

Performance of fattening pigs in a farm infected with both porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and porcine circovirus type 2 following sow and piglet vaccination with an attenuated PRRS vaccine

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether, on farms with both post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), the PRRS vaccination of sows and their fattening pigs protects against these syndromes. In a farrow-to-finish pig farm with a history of PRRS and PMWS, 200 gilts and sows were allocated to one of two groups of equal size. The first group (C-sow group) was used as untreated controls, while the animals of the second group (V-sow group) were vaccinated with live Porcilis PRRS vaccine. At the next weaning, all piglets of half the sows of the C sow group were vaccinated once at 35 days of age with the vaccine (CV group), while the offspring of the other half of the unvaccinated sows were left unvaccinated (CC group). Similarly, the offspring of half the sows of the V sow group were vaccinated (VV group), while those of the other half of the vaccinated sows were left unvaccinated (VC group). No significant differences in morbidity were observed between the groups during the nursery and finishing phases, while morbidity in the growers was significantly reduced in the CV- and VV-groups (P < 0.05). Growers' mortality was significantly reduced after piglet vaccination when compared with unvaccinated pigs of unvaccinated dams (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in vaccinated piglets compared with those in the unvaccinated groups (P < 0.05).     

REVIEWS: Compilation of the Scientific Literature Comparing Housing Systems for Gestating Sows and Gilts Using Measures of Physiology,Behavior, Performance,and Health

The objective of this review was two-fold. First, a series of meta-analyses (analyses of treatment effects across studies) were performed on available data from scientific literature to determine whether sow behavior, performance, or physiology differed for sows in group pens or individual stalls. Second, research publications in areas of performance and health, physiology, and behavior of pregnant gilts and sows in studies that directly compared gestation sow housing systems were summarized. Common systems were stalls, tethers, and various types of group housing systems. Results of meta-analyses showed that the average levels of productivity, oral-nasal-facial behaviors (ONF), and blood cortisol were statistically similar for sows in group pens and stalls. For the review, in some studies, circulating cortisol concentrations were greater among gestating females kept in tethers compared with other systems; however, overall cortisol was not altered by housing system. Immune parameters were largely not influenced by housing system. Housing system did not alter heart rate. Gestation housing system may influence sow behavior including stereotypic ONF, postural locomotory, feeding behaviors, or social behaviors. Overall, total ONF behaviors were comparable between gestation sow housing systems. However, tethered and stalled sows exhibited more stereotypic ONF compared with sows in group or outdoor systems. Compared with group housing, individually confining sows during gestation resulted in postural and movement restrictions. Stall size and design can impact postural adjustments and inter-stall aggression of individually housed sows. Inconsistent performance and health results were found among sow housing studies. Sows in stalls consistently had equal or greater reproductive performance compared with sows in other systems. Farrowing rate for sows in individual stalls was equal to or superior to sows in other systems. Farrowing rate was clearly superior among sows in stalls compared with group systems, where dynamic social groups were employed. However, tethered sows may have reduced litter size and increased piglet birth weight. Sows in group housing systems, particularly electronic sow feeder (ESF) systems, had injury scores greater than sows in either stalls or tethers. Gestation housing system (individual vs group) may impact sow welfare in the farrowing area (using stalls or pens). In conclusion, although individual studies found significant housing system effects, subjected to the overall evidence from adequately designed studies meta-analyses revealed that gestation stalls (non-tethered) or well-managed pens generally (but not in all cases) produced similar states of welfare for pregnant gilts or sows in terms of physiology, behavior, performance, and health.     

Behavior, physiology, and performance of bulls mixed at the onset of finishing to form uniform body weight groups

In some production settings, beef bulls are mixed at the beginning of the finishing period to obtain homogeneous groups to facilitate finishing and to produce more homogeneous carcasses. Given the stress induced by mixing, we questioned whether this practice was profitable. Sixty-four young bulls were finished in groups of four over 8 mo. They were either mixed or unmixed and had either homogeneous vs. heterogeneous BW at the beginning of finishing. Behavioral traits (social behavior following mixing and general activities during the finishing period), stress measurements (cortisol concentration, adrenal weight, catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme activity, and pain sensitivity), and production traits (growth rate, homogeneity, feed efficiency, and carcass measurements) were evaluated. Bulls reacted to the mixing with increased frequency of social interactions (agonistic interactions: 17.9 in mixed vs. 1.2 in unmixed bulls, P < 0.001; sexual interactions: 9.6 vs. 1.7, P < 0.001; nonagonistic interactions: 5.25 vs. 3.1, P < 0.05). Agonistic and sexual interactions were more frequent between bulls of homogeneous BW (P < 0.05). Throughout the finishing period, the synchronization of activity tended to be lower between mixed bulls (P = 0.09). At slaughter, the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, a catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, was increased in mixed bulls (1.52 vs. 1.16 nmol.h(-1).mg(-1), P < 0.05), which may indicate chronic stress. No differences were noted in ADG or carcass traits among treatments. The variability of BW within groups increased in groups that were initially homogeneous, whereas it decreased in groups that were initially heterogeneous. In conclusion, mixing young beef bulls at the beginning of the finishing period did not have detrimental effects on health and production, but mixing induced stress, perhaps due to decreased cohesion within groups. Thus, we failed to confirm the proposed benefit of mixing bulls to homogenize their BW at the onset of finishing because BW homogeneity within groups was not maintained throughout the finishing period.     

The effect of salinomycin on health status and performance of sows and their litters: a dose titration study

Two hundred and fifty gilts and sows (Dalland parent stock) were divided randomly and allocated into the following five experimental groups: SAL0 = negative controls, SAL20 = 20 mg salinomycin per kg of feed, SAL40 = 40 mg salinomycin per kg of feed, SAL60 = 60 mg salinomycin per kg of feed and SAL80 = 80 mg salinomycin per kg of feed. Each gilt and sow was allocated to one of the five groups after the confirmation of the pregnancy using the ultrasonic method and remained under treatment for two consecutive breeding cycles. Throughout the experimental period several parameters related to sow health status, performance and fertility, as well as to health status and performance of their litters were recorded and calculated. Results indicated that salinomycin improves most of the parameters examined, as it leads to significantly higher (P < 0.05): (i) sow body weight gain during gestation; (ii) number of piglets born alive and weaned; (iii) piglet body weight at birth and at weaning, as well as to significantly lower (P < 0.05): (i) prevalence of thin sow syndrome at weaning; (ii) sow body weight loss during lactation; (iii) weaning-to-oestrus interval; (iv) piglet diarrhoea score during lactation; and (v) preweaning mortality. The best results were obtained at the inclusion levels of 40 and 60 mg salinomycin per kg of feed.     

Evaluation of well-being, productivity, and longevity of pregnant sows housed in groups in pens with an electronic sow feeder or separately in gestation stalls

OBJECTIVE: To compare well-being, performance, and longevity of gestating sows housed in stalls or in pens with an electronic sow feeder (ESF). ANIMALS: 382 pregnant sows of parities 1 through 6. PROCEDURE: Sows were housed in separate stalls (n = 176) or group pens (206) with an ESF. Well-being of sows was assessed at various time points in terms of injuries, salivary cortisol concentration, and behavior in a novel arena or to a novel object. Farrowing performance and longevity of sows were also assessed. RESULTS: Total injury scores (TIS) of sows in pens were significantly higher at initial introduction and mixing. In stall-housed sows, TIS was significantly higher during late gestation. The TIS and cortisol concentration were significantly lower in stall-housed sows, compared with values for sows in pens. As parity increased, the likelihood of higher median TIS decreased significantly in pen-housed sows and increased significantly in stall-housed sows. The TIS of sows in pens was negatively correlated with body weight and backfat thickness, whereas these correlations were positive in stall-housed sows. Farrowing performance and results for novel arena or objects did not differ. Proportion of sows removed was significantly higher for pens than for stalls; lameness was the major reason for removal for both systems. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stalls impose space restrictions for larger sows, resulting in injuries during late gestation. Interventions are needed to minimize aggression during initial introduction and mixing and at the ESF in pens to reduce severe injuries or lameness of gestating sows.     

不同中药复方对断奶獭兔生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究不同中药复方对断奶獭兔生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。选择120只平均体重为（700±50）g的35日龄断奶獭兔,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只。Ⅰ组为空白对照组,饲喂基础日粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组则分别饲喂含1%健脾丸、1%参芪汤、1%加味四君子汤的基础日粮,观察不同中药复方对断奶獭兔腹泻率、生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。预试期7 d,正试期30 d。结果显示：参芪汤组和加味四君子汤组腹泻频率均显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）。0~15 d加味四君子汤组料重比（F/G）极显著低于参芪汤组（P < 0.01）;15~30 d加味四君子汤组平均日增重（ADG）显著高于健脾丸组（P < 0.05）,参芪汤组和加味四君子汤组F/G均显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）;试验第15天,健脾丸组血清尿素氮（BUN）含量显著高于加味四君子汤组（P < 0.05）,加味四君子汤组血清葡萄糖（GLU）含量极显著高于对照组（P < 0.01）,并显著高于健脾丸组（P < 0.05）,加味四君子汤组血清甘油三酯（TG）显著高于对照组和健脾丸组（P < 0.05）;试验第30天,健脾丸组血清总蛋白（TP）含量极显著低于加味四君子汤组（P < 0.01）,显著低于参芪汤组（P < 0.05）。综上所述,基础日粮中分别添加1%加味四君子汤及1%参芪汤能有效降低断奶獭兔腹泻率,提高其生长性能与抗病能力,且加味四君子汤效果更好。     

低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对哺乳母猪生产性能及氮利用的影响

本研究旨在探讨低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对哺乳母猪生产性能及氮利用的影响。选择24头胎次、体重和体况相近的长白×大白哺乳母猪,随机分为4组,每组6头,每头母猪哺育12头仔猪。各组母猪分别饲喂粗蛋白质(CP)18%、17%、16%、14%的饲粮(后3种为低CP氨基酸平衡饲粮),哺乳期21d。结果表明:CP14%饲粮使母猪体重损失显著增加(P<0.05);CP14%饲粮组仔猪断奶窝重和窝增重分别较其他试验组显著下降(P<0.05);CP17%、CP16%饲粮可显著提高母猪CP和有机物的消化率(P<0.05),CP17%、CP16%、CP14%饲粮可显著提高母猪粗脂肪的消化率(P<0.05);CP16%、CP14%饲粮组总氮摄入量、吸收氮、总氮排出量均显著低于其他试验组(P<0.05),CP18%饲粮组血清尿素氮显著高于其他试验组(P<0.05)。     

Impact of rank position on fertility of sows

The investigations were carried out with 484 sows from two farms (farm A: housing the sows in small groups of 8 animals each, farm B with a large group of 100 sows) and a total number of 982 inseminations. The number of agonistic interactions was registered for each sow during 48 h after mixing soon after weaning the piglets at farm A. The individual rank place in the social hierarchy was calculated on the basis of wins and defeats and the sows were divided in high and low ranking sows. At farm B the rank position was estimated on the basis of the daily feeding order at two electronic feeding stations (first half of the sows in the feeding order = high ranking, second half = low ranking). Additionally, the following parameters were recorded for each sow: parity, genotype, farrowing rate and litter size (total and alive born piglets). The analysis showed that sows with a high rank position had a significantly higher farrowing rate (88.8%) compared to group-mates with low rank places (82.8%, p = 0.051) (farm A). Sows with a high rank position reached a significantly higher litter size of total born piglets (12.66, 16.14 piglets per litter respectively) than the low-ranking group-mates (12.13, 14.83 piglets/litter respectively — farms A and B). When mixing sows, the time and the conditions (e.g. group size, space allowance per sow) have to be considered to prevent the negative influence of low rank order on fertility.     

饲粮添加抗生素和植物精油对母猪生产性能、免疫功能和乳成分的影响

本文旨在考察妊娠后期母猪饲粮添加酒石酸泰万菌素(TT)与植物精油(PEO)对其生产性能、免疫功能和乳成分的影响。试验选用24头体重相近的3~4胎次"长×大"繁殖母猪,随机分为3组:1)对照组:基础饲粮;2)TT组:基础饲粮+100 mg/kg TT;3)PEO组:基础饲粮+200 mg/kg PEO。每组8个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期为妊娠第96天至断奶。结果显示,饲粮添加TT和PEO可改善母猪生产性能;与对照组和TT组相比,PEO组死胎率分别降低了71.43%和53.33%(P0.05),断奶存活率分别提高了1.17%和1.60%(P0.05),木乃伊率较对照组降低了50.00%(P0.05);PEO组母猪分娩第1、14和21天、TT组母猪分娩第21天血清免疫球蛋白(Ig)A含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05);PEO组母猪分娩第14天乳清Ig G、Ig M含量也显著高于其他2组(P0.05),同时其分娩第21天乳清Ig G含量显著高于对照组(P0.05);PEO组母猪分娩第21天乳脂含量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。综上所述,饲粮添加TT和PEO均能在不同程度上改善母猪生产性能与免疫功能,但与TT相比,PEO效果更好,具有替代TT在妊娠母猪上应用的潜力。     

小围栏轮换饲养模式对肉牛福利的影响

[目的]研究小围栏轮换饲养模式对肉牛福利的影响。[方法]将12头体重相近[(420.6±23.4)kg]、健康去势的利木赞杂交牛随机分为2组,A组采用小围栏轮换饲养模式,B组采用传统饲养模式。测定肉牛的趴卧次数、趴卧时间及反刍时间等指标。[结果]A组肉牛的趴卧次数、趴卧时间及反刍时间都显著或极显著高于B组(P0.05或P0.01)。[结论]在该试验条件下,小围栏轮换饲养模式可通过增加趴卧时间和反刍时间显著地改善肉牛福利。     

泌乳母猪饲粮适宜赖氨酸水平的初步研究

将30头大长北经产母猪随机分为3组，产后饲喂0．60％（I组），0．80％（II组），1．00％（III组）3种赖氨酸水平的泌乳期饲粮，研究饲粮赖氨酸水平对泌乳母猪生产性能及血液，奶生化指标的影响，结果表明，增加饲粮赖氨酸浓度对哺乳21天的母猪体重，采食量，断奶至再发情天数（P＞0．10）和21日龄的平均窝仔数，仔猪腹泻率无显著影响（P＜0．05），21日龄仔猪窝重随着饲粮赖氨酸浓度的增加而显著增加（P＜0．06），初生至7日龄（P＜0．06），14日龄（P＜0．03）和21日龄（P＜0．01），的窝增重均随饲粮赖氨酸浓度增加而增加，产后14天猪乳蛋白II组，III组极显著（P＜0．01）高于I组；固形物含量II组显著（P＜0．05）高于I组，产后21天猪乳固形物含量II组显著（P＜0．05）高于I组，泌乳期母猪血清尿素氮[浓度I组显著（P＜0．05，泌乳14天），极显著（P＜0．01，泌乳21天）高于II组，III组；白蛋白浓度II组显著（P＜0．05），高于I组，从本次试验的结果看出，在生产条件下，大长北母猪泌乳期饲粮赖，氨酸水平以0．80－1．00％为宜。     

Space allowance for dry, pregnant sows in pens: body condition, skin lesions, and performance

Different floor space allowances for dry, pregnant sows in pens were evaluated to determine the impacts of space on sow performance, productivity, and body lesions during 2 consecutive farrowings. Treatment groups of 5 sows/pen were assigned to 1.4, 2.3, or 3.3 m(2) of floor space/sow or of 5 sows in individual stalls (1.34 m(2)). The experiment consisted of 6 replications (blocks 1 to 6), and within each block measurements were recorded for 2 consecutive pregnancies and farrowings. A total of 152 sows were measured at 1 farrowing, and 65 of those sows were measured at the successive farrowing (n = 217 records). Performance traits were BCS, BW, backfat (BF), days until rebred, and proportion culled. Litter traits were number of piglets born alive, male:female ratio, and proportions of stillborn, mummified, or dead piglets after birth. Litter performance measures were mean piglet BW and gain and litter BW. Lesion scores were assessed for several body regions. There were treatment and parity effects and interactions for several traits. An interaction of space treatment and parity occurred for sow mean BW, d-110 BW, BF, litter size, and litter and piglet BW and gain, with most effects in parity 2, 3, and 4 sows. Space affected sow mean (P < 0.001) and d-110 BW (P < 0.05) and mean BF and adjusted BF (P < 0.001); sows in pens at 相似文献   

Effect of vitamin E sources (RRR- or all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and levels on sow reproductive performance, serum, tissue, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents over a five-parity period, and the effects on the progeny

Two dietary sources of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-beta-TAc], or D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-alpha-TAc]) at two dietary supplemental levels (30 vs 60 IU/kg) were evaluated in reproducing sows over a five-parity period. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments conducted as a randomized complete block in two replicates. A total of 48 gilts were fed their treatment diets from 40 kg BW through five parities, reflecting a total of 171 farrowings. Reproductive measurements of litter size, sow weight, and back-fat thickness were collected. The incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA) and fluid discharge from the vagina were evaluated for each sow on each of the first 3 d postpartum. Sows were bled at periodic intervals during gestation and at weaning (21 d) and serum was frozen. After the fifth parity, two to four sows from each treatment group were killed and tissues collected. At birth, two to three neonatal pigs were killed from each sow treatment group within each parity and livers were collected and frozen. In addition, three pigs from each litter from three to four sows per treatment group within each parity were bled at weaning and serum was saved. Six pigs from each sow group at weaning of Parity 5 were also killed and livers were collected and frozen. Sow and pig sera and tissues were analyzed for a-tocopherol. There was no effect (P > .15) of vitamin E source or level on the various sow reproductive measurements, litter size, or the incidences of MMA or fluid discharges from the vagina. Feeding D-alpha-TAc compared with DL-alpha-TAc or 60 IU compared with 30 IU vitamin E/kg diet resulted in higher (P < .01) sow serum, colostrum, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents at each measurement period. Sow liver, adipose, lung, and heart alpha-tocopherol contents were also higher (P < .01) when the 60 IU vitamin E level had been fed. Both serum and liver a-tocopherol contents in 21-d-old nursing pigs were higher (P < .01) when the sow had been fed D-alpha-TAc compared with the DL-alpha-TAc source or when the 60 IU level had been fed. There were no vitamin E source x vitamin E level interactions (P > .15) for the various alpha-tocopherol measurements. Although the supplemental vitamin E sources were provided on an equivalent IU basis, these results suggest that D-alpha-TAc has a higher equivalency than DL-alpha-TAc on an IU basis, but higher dietary levels also resulted in higher sow and pig alpha-tocopherol contents.     

发酵黄芪对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化功能的影响

试验旨在研究黄芪发酵前后对肉鸡生长性能、抗氧化功能的影响。将210只1日龄AA肉鸡随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只。A组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;B、C、D、E、F、G组分别在基础日粮中添加0.2%黄芪、0.5%黄芪、0.8%黄芪、0.2%发酵黄芪、0.5%发酵黄芪、0.8%发酵黄芪,添加量以质量百分比计。试验期为42 d。分别于第21、42天测定肉鸡生长指标、抗氧化指标。结果表明,在第21天,发酵黄芪组平均日采食量均显著高于黄芪组（P < 0.05）,黄芪组料重比显著低于对照组和发酵黄芪组（P < 0.05）;E组血清过氧化氢酶（CAT）含量显著高于A、B组（P < 0.05）,血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性显著高于与A组（P < 0.05）。在第42天,发酵黄芪组平均日增重均较高,料重比显著低于A、B组（P < 0.05）;试验组GSH-Px活性均显著高于A组（P < 0.05）,发酵黄芪组与黄芪组相比差异不显著（P > 0.05）,发酵黄芪组血清中超氧化物歧化酶（T-SOD）活性均高于黄芪组,且与B和C组差异显著（P < 0.05）。综上所述,在肉鸡日粮中添加一定量发酵黄芪能显著提高平均日增重,降低料肉比,且可通过提高血清中GSH-Px和T-SOD活性来提高其抗氧化能力;发酵黄芪的作用效果优于黄芪,最适宜添加量为0.5%。     

Effects of a high-fiber diet and frequent feeding on behavior, reproductive performance, and nutrient digestibility in gestating sows

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a corn-soybean meal (control) diet vs. a corn-soybean meal-40% soybean hulls (high fiber) diet, as well as the frequency of feeding (once vs. twice daily), on the welfare and performance of gestating sows. Two hundred thirty-nine mixed-parity sows were assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Sows fed once daily received their entire meal at 0730, whereas sows fed twice daily received one-half of their feed allotment at 0730 and the other half at 1430. The behavior of 68 focal sows (> or = 16 sows per treatment combination) was observed on d 1 postweaning, and on d 40 and d 80 of gestation. The percentage of time standing, lying, sitting, feeding, inactive, and performing stereotypic behaviors was determined. Saliva samples were collected to determine cortisol concentrations. Sow BW and backfat depth were determined on d 0, 40, and 80 of gestation, within 24 h of farrowing, and at weaning. An energy and nitrogen digestibility study was conducted using 36 sows assigned to each of the 4 treatment combinations. Over a 24-h period, the sows fed the high-fiber diet spent less time lying (P < 0.05) than the sows fed the control diet. The frequency of feeding did not affect sow behavior measured over a 24-h period. During mealtimes, sows fed the high-fiber diet spent more time feeding (P < 0.05) than sows fed the control diet. Feeding the high-fiber diet did not affect stereotypic behavior measured over 24 h or during mealtimes. Neither diet nor feeding frequency affected salivary cortisol concentration. Sows fed the high-fiber diet gained less BW and lost backfat (P < 0.05) during gestation compared with sows fed the control diet, whereas sows fed once daily gained less BW and lost backfat (P < 0.05) compared with sows fed twice daily. Sows fed the high-fiber diet had fewer pigs born (P < 0.05) compared with sows fed the control diet. Feeding frequency had no effect on size or weight gain of litters. Sows fed the high-fiber diet exhibited lower digestibility of DM, energy, and N (P < 0.05) compared with sows fed the control diet. Feeding a high-fiber diet utilizing soybean hulls or increasing feeding frequency did not enhance the welfare of sows by reducing stereotypic behaviors nor did it improve reproductive performance.