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Effect of l-carnitine supplementation and sugar beet pulp inclusion in gilt gestation diets on gilt live weight, lactation feed intake, and offspring growth from birth to slaughter
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2019-08-14
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Hazel B Rooney, Keelin O’Driscoll, John V O’Doherty, Peadar G Lawlor, Effect of l-carnitine supplementation and sugar beet pulp inclusion in gilt gestation diets on gilt live weight, lactation feed intake, and offspring growth from birth to slaughter, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 97, Issue 10, October 2019, Pages 4208–4218, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz268
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of l-carnitine (CAR) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) inclusion in gilt gestation diets on gilt live
weight, cortisol concentration, lactation feed intake, and lifetime growth of progeny. Eighty-four pregnant gilts (Large
White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to a treatment at day 38 of gestation until parturition; Control (0% SBP, 0 g
CAR), CAR (0.125 g/d CAR), SBP (40% SBP), and SBP plus CAR (40% SBP, 0.125 g/d CAR). Gilts were weighed and back-fat depth
was recorded on day 38, day 90, and day 108 of gestation and at weaning. Gilt saliva samples were collected pre-farrowing
and fecal consistency was scored from entry to the farrowing room until day 5 post-partum. The number of piglets born
(total, live, and stillborn) and individual birth weight was recorded. Piglet blood glucose concentration was measured 24 h
post-partum and pigs were weighed on day 1, day 6, day 14, day 26, day 76, day 110, and day 147 of life. Carcass data were
collected at slaughter. There was no interaction between CAR and SBP for any variable measured. The SBP-fed gilts were
heavier on day 90 and day 108 of gestation (P < 0.05) and lost more weight during lactation (P < 0.05) than control gilts. They
also had a greater fecal consistency score (P < 0.01). Total farrowing duration, piglet birth interval, and lactation feed intakes
were similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The number of piglets born (total, live, and stillborn) and piglet birth weight was
likewise similar between treatments (P > 0.05). Piglets from CAR-fed gilts had lower blood glucose concentrations (P < 0.01),
while piglets from SBP-fed gilts had greater blood glucose concentrations (P < 0.01). Piglets from CAR gilts had a lower
average daily gain between day 1 and day 6 (P < 0.05) and day 14 and day 26 post-partum (P < 0.05) compared to piglets from
control gilts. However, CAR gilts weaned a greater number of pigs (P = 0.07). Live weight and carcass weight at slaughter
were heavier for pigs from CAR gilts (P < 0.05) and from SBP gilts (P < 0.05). Pigs from CAR gilts (P < 0.01) and SBP gilts
(P < 0.05) had increased carcass muscle depth. In conclusion, no benefit was found from the combined feeding of CAR and
SBP. Fed separately, CAR increased the live weight, carcass weight, and muscle depth of progeny at slaughter. Feeding a high
SBP diet increased fecal consistency in gilts pre-farrowing and increased live weight and carcass muscle depth of progeny.