Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T06:19:00.286Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect on the reproductive performance of sows of dietary protein concentration and pattern of feeding in pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. H. Pike
Affiliation:
School of Agricultural Sciences, The University, Leeds, 2
T. G. Boaz
Affiliation:
School of Agricultural Sciences, The University, Leeds, 2

Summary

In a factorial experiment the effect of two protein intakes and three patterns of feeding in the second pregnancy of 48 Large White x Wessex Saddleback sows was examined. The high protein (HP) diet (19·5% crude protein) contained 15% white fish meal. The low protein (LP) diet (10·5% crude protein) contained cereal protein only. Nutrient components of the diets differed in protein only. The pattern treatments involved allowances of 1·8 kg (L), 2·7 kg (C) and 3·6 kg (H) per day, the three pregnancy patterns being HL, C and LH with the changeovers made from the 49th to the 63rd day post coitum (p.c). Sows on the three pattern treatments received the same total amount of feed from 0–112 days p.c. and were treated alike at farrowing and during lactation.

Fertility and parturition results were similar for all treatments, but the number of piglets alive after birth (when weighed) was least for LP sows on the HL pattern. At 3 weeks of age the size and weight of litters on HP sows were significantly greater than those on LP sows (P < 0·05 and < 0·001 respectively). More piglets were weaned by HP sows than LP sows (P < 0·05). HP sows gained more weight in pregnancy (P < 0·001) which was slightly longer, and lost more weight in lactation (P < 0·05) than LP sows.

The HL pattern of feeding was associated with smaller live weight gains in pregnancy than the LH pattern (P < 0·001) and the total birth weight of HL litters was lighter than LH (P < 0·05), mean piglet weights being similar. Lactation performance was unaffected by pattern treatment.

The main conclusion is that a low intake, particularly during the latter half of pregnancy, of protein which is of vegetable origin, is associated with decreased viability of the piglets at birth and in early suckling life, and with lower capacity of the sows for milk production.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ballinger, C. E. (1944). Nutrition of breeding sows. N. Z. Jl Agric. 69, 101.Google Scholar
Boaz, T. G. (1962). The significance of the level of protein in the nutrition of the pregnant sow. Vet. Rec. 74, 52.Google Scholar
Boaz, T. G. (1964). Progress in pig production. Agric. Prog. 39, 123.Google Scholar
Campbell, R. M., Innes, I. R. & Kosterlitz, H. W. (1953). Maternal and foetal weights in tho rat. J. Endocr. 9, 68.Google Scholar
Davidson, H. R. (1930). The effect of protein and calcium deficient rations on reproduction of the sow. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 20, 233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heap, F. C. & Lodge, G. A. (1966). The influence of nutrition during oestrus on ovulation rate in the sow. Proc. 9th int. Congr. Anim. Prod., Edinburgh Scientific programme and abstracts, p. 28.Google Scholar
Johnson, C. W., Speer, V. C., Ashton, G. C., Culbertson, C. C. & Catron, B. V. (1957). Supplementary plane of nutrition for sows fed corn silage. J. Anim. Sci. 16, 600.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lenkeit, W. & Gütte, J. O. (1957). Factors controlling yield during lactation of the pig. Z. Tierernähr. Futtermittelk. 12, 58.Google Scholar
Lodge, G. A., Elsley, F. W. H. & Macpherson, R. M. (1966). Effect of level of feeding of sows during pregnancy. Anim. Prod. 8, 29.Google Scholar
Mayrose, V. B., Speer, V. C., Hays, V. W. & McCall, J. T. (1964). The effect of antibiotic and protein source on reproductive performance of swine. J. Anim. Sci. 23, 737.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mayrose, V. B., Speer, V. C. & Hays, V. W. (1966). Effect of feed levels on the reproductive performance of swine. J. Anim. Sci. 25, 701.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McElroy, L. W. & Drapper, H. H. (1950). Effect of inadequate brood sow rations on the prenatal and postnatal development of the progeny. Scient. Agric. 30, 172.Google Scholar
Moroney, M. J. (1964). Facts from Figures. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books Ltd.Google Scholar
O'Grady, J. F. (1962). Feeding of pregnant sows. Research Report, Animal Production Division, An Foras Taluntais, Dublin, p. 46.Google Scholar
Olbrycht, T. N. (1943). The statistical basis of selection in animal husbandry. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 33, p. 28 and p. 74.Google Scholar
Robertson, G. L., Casida, L. E., Grummer, R. H. & Chapman, A. B. (1951). Some feeding and management factors affecting age at puberty and related phenomena in Chester-White and Poland China gilts. J. Anim. Sci. 10, 481.Google Scholar
Salmon-Legagneur, E. (1957). Observations on the milk production of sows. Annls Zootech. 7, 143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salmon-Legagneur, E. (1963). Ability of sows to lay down tissue during pregnancy and lactation, restricted feeding during pregnancy and unrestricted feeding during lactation. C. r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris, 257, 4028.Google Scholar
Salmon-Legagneur, E., Gomez, G. & Jacquot, R. (1960). Influence of high plane of feeding at the end of pregnancy on milk production of the sow. C. r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Agric. Fr. 46, 445.Google Scholar
Salmon-Legagneur, E. & Rettagliati, J. (1962). Chronologic effect of plane of nutrition in pregnant sows. Annls Zootech. 11, 173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salmon-Legagneur, E. & Rettagliati, J. (1964). Quantitative nitrogen requirements in pregnant and lactating sows. A comparison of two proteins—groundnut and fishmeal. Annls Zootech. 13, 51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Self, H. L., Grummer, R. H. & Casida, L. E. (1955). Effects of various levels of full and limited feeding on reproductive phenomena in Chester-White and Poland China gilts. J. Anim. Sci. 14, 573.Google Scholar
Walters, A. A. & Boaz, T. G. (1963). Effects of temperature and birth weight on milk intake by baby pigs. Anim. Prod. 5, 223.Google Scholar