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Effect of increasing dietary energy density during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, piglet vitality, and lifetime growth of offspring
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2019-12-25
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Rooney, H.B., O’driscoll, K., O’doherty, J.V., Lawlor, P.G. Effect of increasing dietary energy density during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, piglet vitality, and lifetime growth of offspring, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 98, Issue 1, skz379, January 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz379
Abstract
Genetic selection for hyperprolificacy in sows has resulted in a significant increase in the number of piglets born alive
per litter but subsequently, decreased piglet vitality and growth. As a consequence, increasing sows’ energy intake
during lactation to help increase piglet vitality and growth is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to
investigate the effect of increasing dietary energy density for lactating sows on weight and back-fat changes in sows,
milk composition, and vitality and growth of progeny. Gestating sows (N = 100; Large White × Landrace) were randomly
assigned to one of four energy dense diets at day 108 of gestation until subsequent service; 13.8 (LL), 14.5 (L), 15.2
(H), and 15.9 MJ DE/kg (HH). All diets contained 1.2% total lysine. Blood samples from sows were taken on day 108 of
gestation and at weaning (day 26 of lactation) and colostrum (day 0) and milk samples (day 14) were collected during
lactation. Sow lactation feed intakes were recorded daily. The number of piglets born per litter (total and live), piglet
birth weight (total and live), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) traits and muscle tone were recorded in piglets at
birth. Piglet tympanic ear temperature (TEMP) was recorded at birth and at 24 h. Pigs were weighed on days 1, 6, 14,
26, 33, 40, 54, 75, and 141 of life. Postweaning (PW) pigs were fed standard cereal-based diets. Pig carcass data were
collected at slaughter (day 141). Lactation energy intake was higher for HH sows than for all other treatments (P < 0.01).
Colostrum and milk composition and lactation feed intake were not affected by treatment. The number of piglets born
per litter (total and live) and piglet birthweight (total and live) was similar between treatments. Piglets from LL sows had
more IUGR traits (P < 0.01), while those from HH sows had better muscle tone (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Piglets
from LL sows (P < 0.01) and piglets from H sows (P < 0.01) had a higher 24 h TEMP than piglets from HH sows. H sows
weaned a greater number of piglets than L sows (P < 0.05) and HH sows (P < 0.01), while L sows weaned lighter litters
than H (P < 0.05) and LL sows (P < 0.05). Pig growth PW was unaffected by treatment. High energy dense diets increased
energy intake in sows, without depressing appetite. Feeding an HH diet improved piglet muscle tone at birth, whereas
feeding an H diet increased litter size at weaning. Inconsistent results were observed for other traits of piglet vitality
and for preweaning litter growth performance.