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Van Ginneken C, Ayuso M, Van Bockstal L, Van Cruchten S. Preweaning performance in intrauterine growth-restricted piglets: Characteristics and interventions. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:697-707. [PMID: 35652465 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is frequently observed in pig production, especially when using highly prolific sows. IUGR piglets are born with low body weight and shape indicative of differences in organ growth. Insufficient uteroplacental nutrient transfer to the fetuses is the leading cause of growth restriction in the pig. Supplementing the sow's gestation diet with arginine and/or glutamine improves placenta growth and functionality and consequently is able to reduce IUGR incidence. IUGR piglets are at higher risk of dying preweaning and face higher morbidity than their normal-weight littermates. A high level of surveillance during farrowing and individual nutrient supplementation can reduce the mortality rates. Still, these do not reverse the long-term consequences of IUGR, which are induced by persistent structural deficits in different organs. Dietary interventions peri-weaning can optimize performance but these are less effective in combating the metabolic changes that occurred in IUGR, which affect reproductive performance later in life. IUGR piglets share many similarities with IUGR infants, such as a poorer outcome of males. Using the IUGR piglet as an animal model to further explore the structural and molecular basis of the long-term consequences of IUGR and the potential sex bias could aid in fully understanding the impact of prenatal undernutrition and finding solutions for both species and sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Van Ginneken
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Miriam Ayuso
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Cruchten
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Theil PK, Farmer C, Feyera T. Review: Physiology and nutrition of late gestating and transition sows. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6609157. [PMID: 35708593 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiology during late gestation and the transition period to lactation changes dramatically in the sow, especially during the latter period. Understanding the physiological processes and how they change dynamically as the sow approaches farrowing, nest building, giving birth to piglets, and producing colostrum is important because these processes greatly affect sow productivity. Glucose originating from assimilated starch accounts for the majority of dietary energy, and around farrowing, various organs and peripheral tissues compete for plasma glucose, which may become depleted. Indeed, physical activity increases shortly prior to farrowing, leading to glucose use by muscles. Approximately ½ to 1 d later, glucose is also needed for uterine contractions to expel the piglets and for the mammary gland to produce lactose and fat for colostrum. At farrowing, the sow appears to prioritize glucose to the mammary gland above the uterus, whereby insufficient dietary energy may compromise the farrowing process. At this time, energy metabolism in the uterus shifts dramatically from relying mainly on the oxidation of glucogenic energy substrates (primarily glucose) to ketogenic energy supplied from triglycerides. The rapid growth of mammary tissue occurs in the last third of gestation, and it accelerates as the sow approaches farrowing. In the last 1 to 2 wk prepartum, some fat may be produced in the mammary glands and stored to be secreted in either colostrum or transient milk. During the first 6 h after the onset of farrowing, the uptake of glucose and lactate by the mammary glands roughly doubles. Lactate is supplying approximately 15% of the glucogenic carbon taken up by the mammary glands and originates from the strong uterine contractions. Thereafter, the mammary uptake of glucose and lactate declines, which suggests that the amount of colostrum secreted starts to decrease at that time. Optimal nutrition of sows during late gestation and the transition period should focus on mammary development, farrowing performance, and colostrum production. The birth weight of piglets seems to be only slightly responsive to maternal nutrition in gilts; on the other hand, sows will counterbalance insufficient feed or nutrient intake by increasing mobilization of their body reserves. Ensuring sufficient energy to sows around farrowing is crucial and may be achieved via adequate feed supply, at least three daily meals, high dietary fiber content, and extra supplementation of energy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chantal Farmer
- Sherbrooke R & D Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada
| | - Takele Feyera
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Pérez RE, González CM, López M, Vargas K, Ordaz G, Ortiz R. Hemoglobin A1c, hemoglobin glycation index, and triglyceride and glucose index: Useful tools to predict low feed intake associated with glucose intolerance in lactating sows. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267644. [PMID: 35511787 PMCID: PMC9070943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), and triglyceride and glucose (TG) index as predictive indicators for low feed intake in lactating sows due to glucose intolerance. Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) was included in sow diets as a modulating factor of glucose. Thirty-six sows were separated into three groups (Gs). Although the three groups received a conventional diet during gestation and lactation, 2.0 kg per sow per day of steam-cooked cactus (G1) and fresh cactus (G2) were added to the lactation diet as a glycemic modulating factor, with G3 serving as the control group. Glycemia was assessed via glucometer (blood glucose concentrations), HbA1c and HGI. For each indicator of glycemia the triglycerides and glucose (TG) index was evaluated. The highest blood glucose concentration was observed on day 3 of lactation (88.2 mg/dL). The average glycemic concentrations obtained from HbA1c on farrowing day (61.6 mg/dL) and day 21 of lactation (65.6 mg/dL) were lower (p<0.05) than those measured by a glucometer on the same days (71.8 and 77.7 mg/dL for farrowing day and day 21 of lactation, respectively). At farrowing, the TG index obtained from the HGI indicated that 83.0% of sows were glucose intolerant, compared to 100% according to the TG index obtained from a glucometer. At weaning, 50% of G2 did not show glucose intolerance when the TG index was calculated using the HGI, compared to 54% when it was calculated with blood glucose concentrations measured by a glucometer. All G3 sows presented glucose intolerance, regardless of the test used. The HbA1c, HGI, and TG index tests are viable alternatives to predict low feed intake due to glucose intolerance in lactating sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Elena Pérez
- Faculty of Chemical Pharmacobiology, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico
| | - Cyntia Michelle González
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico
| | - Manuel López
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico
| | - Katya Vargas
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Ordaz
- National Center of Disciplinary Research in Animal Physiology and Genetics, INIFAP, Queretaro, Mexico
- * E-mail:
| | - Ruy Ortiz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico
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Papadopoulos GA, Wealleans AL, Delis GA, Janssens GPJ, di Benedetto M, Fortomaris P. Effects of Dietary Lysolecithin Supplementation during Late Gestation and Lactation on Sow Reproductive Performance, Sow Blood Metabolic Parameters and Piglet Performance. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050623. [PMID: 35268192 PMCID: PMC8909162 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lactation is metabolically very demanding, and sows struggle to eat enough to cover their requirements. Use of lysolecithin can improve energy digestibility and retention and may be able to help sows maintain condition and performance during lactation. In the present study supplementation with lysolecithin reduced backfat loss and increased litter growth. There were also impacts of lysolecithin supplementation on glucose and urea metabolism, indicating improved nutrient digestion and absorption, potentially via leptin-regulated mechanisms. Abstract The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of lysolecithin in sows’ diets during the last three weeks of the gestation period and throughout the lactation period on performance and metabolic parameters. In total 60 sows were allocated to two treatments: (a) CG (control group): the sows were fed commercially control diets; (b) LLG (lysolecithin group): the sows were fed the control diets supplemented with 750 g/t of feed supplemented with lysolecithin (Lysoforte Booster DryTM, Kemin Europa N.V., Herentals, Belgium). Backfat was lower in LLG than CG at end of gestation and at weaning (p = 0.030 and 0.044, respectively), while the CG sows mobilized more backfat between day 14 to weaning (p = 0.006). Litter weight at weaning was higher in the LLG (p = 0.027). Fasted glucose levels at day 14 of lactation tended to be lower in LLG compared to CG (p = 0.074). Urea concentrations were higher in LLG than CG at day 14 (p = 0.002). Lysolecithin supplemented sows compared to the control mobilized less tissue during lactation to support lactation demands. In conclusion, lysolecithin supplementation in sows resulted in improved litter weight at weaning without an excessive catabolism of backfat tissue, most probably due to an efficient nutrient utilization, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios A. Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra L. Wealleans
- Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health, Kemin Europa N.V., Toekomstlaan 42, 2200 Herentals, Belgium; (A.L.W.); (M.d.B.)
| | - Georgios A. Delis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Geert P. J. Janssens
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
| | - Mauro di Benedetto
- Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health, Kemin Europa N.V., Toekomstlaan 42, 2200 Herentals, Belgium; (A.L.W.); (M.d.B.)
| | - Paschalis Fortomaris
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
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Ordaz G, Juárez A, López M, Martínez HE, Pérez RE, Ortiz R. Opuntia ficus-indica as a supplement for gilts in late gestation and lactation: effects on biochemical parameters and voluntary feed intake. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2021.1995391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Ordaz
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Fisiología y Mejoramiento Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Aureliano Juárez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Manuel López
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Héctor Eduardo Martínez
- Facultad de Químico Farmacobiología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Rosa Elena Pérez
- Facultad de Químico Farmacobiología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Ruy Ortiz
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Mexico
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Rodríguez-Castelán J, Zepeda-Pérez D, Méndez-Tepepa M, Castillo-Romano M, Espíndola-Lozano M, Anaya-Hernández A, Berbel P, Cuevas-Romero E. Hypothyroidism Alters the Uterine Lipid Levels in Pregnant Rabbits and Affects the Fetal Size. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2020; 19:818-825. [PMID: 30387404 PMCID: PMC7040509 DOI: 10.2174/1871530318666181102093621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothyroidism has been related to low-weight births, abortion and prematurity, which have been associated with changes in the content of glycogen and vascularization of the placenta. Since hypothyroidism can cause dyslipidemia, it may affect the lipid content in the uterus affecting the development of fetuses. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of hypothyroidism on the lipid levels in serum and uterus during pregnancy and their possible association with the size of fetuses. METHOD Adult female rabbits were grouped in control (n = 6) and hypothyroid (n = 6; treated with methimazole for 29 days before and 19 days after copulation). Food intake and body weight were daily registered. At gestational day 19 (GD19), dams were sacrificed under an overdose of anesthesia. Morphometric measures of fetuses were taken. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), and glucose concentrations were quantified in blood, uterus and ovaries of dams. The expression of uterine 3β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) was quantified by Western blot. RESULTS Hypothyroidism reduced food intake and body weight of dams, as well as promoted low abdominal diameters of fetuses. It did not induce dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia at GD19 and did not modify the content of lipids in the ovary. However, it reduced the content of TAG and TC in the uterus, which was associated with uterine hyperplasia and an increased expression of 3β-HSD in the uterus. CONCLUSION Hypothyroidism alters the lipid content in the uterus that might subsequently affect the energy production and lipid signaling important to fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rodríguez-Castelán
- Center Tlaxcala of Behavior Biology, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala, Mexico.,Departament of Celular and Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dafne Zepeda-Pérez
- Center Tlaxcala of Behavior Biology, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Maribel Méndez-Tepepa
- Center Tlaxcala of Behavior Biology, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | | | | | - Arely Anaya-Hernández
- Center Tlaxcala of Behavior Biology, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Pere Berbel
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, University Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Estela Cuevas-Romero
- Center Tlaxcala of Behavior Biology, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala. Tlaxcala, Mexico
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7
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Blanco PG, Huk M, Lapuente C, Tórtora M, Rodríguez R, Arias DO, Gobello C. Uterine and umbilical resistance index and fetal heart rate in pregnant bitches of different body weight. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 212:106255. [PMID: 31864486 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare uterine and umbilical artery blood flow and fetal heart rate (FHR) in small, medium and large body weight (BW) dogs during the second half of pregnancy. Purebred pregnant bitches were assigned to one of the following groups according to their BW: small (S; ≤10 kg), medium (M; 11-25 kg) and large (L; >25-45 kg). Uterine and umbilical Doppler and M-mode ultrasonography was conducted every 10 days from Day 30-60 (Day 0 = first day of gestation). From Day 40, uterine and umbilical artery resistance index (RI) progressively and differentially decreased in the three groups (P < 0.01) being less in L than S bitches (P < 0.01). Litter size but not maternal BW (P > 0.1) affected uterine RI on Days 40 (r = 0.39; P < 0.01) and 50 (r = 0.41; P < 0.01). Conversely, on Day 60, maternal BW (r = 0.61; P < 0.01) had an effect on uterine RI while litter size did not (P > 0.1). Fetal heart rate increased from Day 30-50 and decreased to the time of parturition (P < 0.01) without differences among groups at any time point (P > 0.1). Uterine and umbilical blood flow differentially increased throughout mid- and late-pregnancy in breeds with large and small BW. These differences were affected by litter size on Days 40 and 50, and by maternal BW on Day 60. Conversely, during this same period, FHR did not vary among BW groups. Physiological variations should be considered when gestational ultrasonic examination is interpreted in different BW bitches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula G Blanco
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina.
| | - Marlene Huk
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Camila Lapuente
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Mariana Tórtora
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Raúl Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Daniel O Arias
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Cristina Gobello
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 y 118, La Plata, 1900, Argentina; CONICET, Argentina
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Mallmann AL, Camilotti E, Fagundes DP, Vier CE, Mellagi APG, Ulguim RR, Bernardi ML, Orlando UAD, Gonçalves MAD, Kummer R, Bortolozzo FP. Impact of feed intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and reproductive performance: a dose-response study performed in gilts. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:1262-1272. [PMID: 30649395 PMCID: PMC6396255 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of increasing feed intake (1.8, 2.3, 2.8, and 3.3 kg/d) during late gestation of gilts on piglet birth weight and female reproductive performance were evaluated. A total of 977 gilts were fed a diet based on corn-soybean meal (3.29 Mcal ME per kg and 0.64% standardized ileal digestible lysine) from day 90 of gestation until farrowing. Gilts were weighed on days 90 and 112 of gestation, at farrowing and weaning. Born alive and stillborn piglets were weighed within 12 h of birth. Colostrum yield (CY), lactation feed intake, and litter growth rate were measured in a randomly selected subsample of 245 gilts. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. As expected, gains in body weight (BW) were different at day 112 (P < 0.001) with the greatest values observed in the 3.3 kg/d treatment. As feed intake increased during late gestation, BW, body condition score (BCS), backfat (BF), and Caliper unit also increased between day 112 and weaning (P < 0.001). No differences were found among treatments in total number of piglets born, mummified fetuses, sum of born alive and stillborn piglets, and within-litter birth weight CV (P > 0.05). Tendencies for quadratic effect of feed intake were observed for born alive piglets (P = 0.079), average birth weight of piglets (P = 0.083), and litter weight (P = 0.059). Gilts with lower feed intake during late gestation had reduced percentages of stillborn piglets than gilts with greater feed intakes. The CY decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as the feed intake was increased. No differences among treatments were found at weaning in individual piglet weight and litter weight, as well as in percentage of weaned piglets (P > 0.05). Lactation feed intake decreased as gestation feeding level increased (P < 0.05). No differences in the subsequent cycle were observed among treatments for farrowing rate, retention rate up to the next farrowing, number of total piglets born, born alive, stillborn piglets, and mummified fetuses (P > 0.05). In conclusion, increased feed intake from day 90 of gestation until farrowing resulted in increased maternal BW gain and stillborn rate, but reduced CY and lactation feed intake. A slight increase in birth weight was observed for the 2.3 kg/d treatment. Furthermore, litter growth and subsequent female reproductive performance were not affected by feed intake during late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L Mallmann
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elisar Camilotti
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Deivison P Fagundes
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Vier
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula G Mellagi
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafael R Ulguim
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mari Lourdes Bernardi
- Departamento de Zootecnia/Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Kummer
- Master Agroindustrial, Videira, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernando P Bortolozzo
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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9
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Feyera T, Pedersen TF, Krogh U, Foldager L, Theil PK. Impact of sow energy status during farrowing on farrowing kinetics, frequency of stillborn piglets, and farrowing assistance. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:2320-2331. [PMID: 29684197 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Farrowing duration is rather long in sows most likely due to selection for large litters, and we hypothesized that prolonged farrowings would compromise sow energy status during farrowing and in turn the farrowing process. Two studies were performed as follows: 1) to evaluate whether sow energy status during farrowing compromise the farrowing kinetics (FK, i.e., farrowing duration and birth intervals) and 2) to study the underlying mechanisms potentially affecting stillbirth rate and farrowing assistance. In study-1, parameters affecting FK were characterized based on data from a total of 166 farrowings from 7 feeding trials focused on sow colostrum production. The data were screened for associations with FK using the CORR procedure of SAS. Traits that were correlated with the FK at P < 0.05 were included in a multivariate regression model. Time since last meal until the onset of farrowing greatly affected the farrowing duration (r = 0.76; n = 166; P < 0.001) and a broken-line model was fitted to describe that relationship. According to the model, farrowing duration was constant (3.8 ± 1.5 h) if the farrowing started before the breakpoint (3.13 ± 0.34 h after the last meal), whereas farrowing duration increased to 9.3 h if the farrowing started 8 h after the last meal. Subsequently, sows were divided into 3 categories based on that trait (≤3, 3 to 6, and >6 h) to evaluate the impact on birth intervals, farrowing assistance, and stillbirth rate. Birth intervals (P < 0.001), odds for farrowing assistance (P < 0.001), and odds for stillbirth (P = 0.02) were low, intermediate, and high when time since last meal was ≤3, 3 to 6, and >6 h, respectively. In study-2, blood samples were collected once or twice each week in late gestation and each hour during farrowing to measure arterial concentrations and uterine extractions of plasma metabolites. Time since last meal was strongly negatively correlated with arterial glucose 1 h after the onset of farrowing (r= -0.96; n = 9; P < 0.001). Glucose appeared to be the key energy metabolite for oxidative metabolism of gravid uterus. In conclusion, the present study strongly suggests that a substantial proportion of sows suffer from low-energy status at the onset farrowing and that this negatively affects the farrowing process. Transferring this knowledge into practice, the results suggest that sows should be fed at least 3 daily meals in late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takele Feyera
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Foulum, Tjele, Denmark
| | | | - Uffe Krogh
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Foulum, Tjele, Denmark
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10
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Mallmann AL, Betiolo FB, Camilloti E, Mellagi APG, Ulguim RR, Wentz I, Bernardi ML, Gonçalves MAD, Kummer R, Bortolozzo FP. Two different feeding levels during late gestation in gilts and sows under commercial conditions: impact on piglet birth weight and female reproductive performance. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:4209-4219. [PMID: 30169599 PMCID: PMC6162569 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in the litter size in past decades has caused reduction in the individual piglet birth weight. Therefore, nutritional strategies employed in the last third of gestation in order to improve the piglet birth weight have been studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 different feeding levels (1.8 and 2.2 kg/d) in the last third of gestation on the piglet birth weight and the female reproductive performance. A total of 407 females were fed on a diet based on corn-soybean meal (3.25 Mcal ME per kg and 0.65% standardized ileal digestible lysine) from day 90 of gestation until farrowing. The females were weighed on day 90 and day 112 of gestation, and at weaning. Born alive and stillborn piglets were weighed within 12 h of birth. The lactation feed intake and the litter growth rate were measured in a randomly selected subsample of 53 sows from each treatment. The data were analyzed using the generalized linear mixed models, considering the females as the experimental unit. Parity, treatment, and their interaction were analyzed for all responses. The females fed on 2.2 kg/d of diet from day 90 to day 112 exhibited greater body weight gain compared to the females fed on 1.8 kg/d (P < 0.001). No evidence of the effects of feeding levels on the individual piglet birth weight and on the within-litter CV were observed, for both gilts and sows (P ≥ 0.90). Similarly, when the classes of the total born piglets were considered in the analysis (<15 and ≥15 for gilts; <16 and ≥16 for sows), no positive effects of increasing the feeding level were observed on the individual piglet birth weight and the within-litter CV (P ≥ 0.47). Also, no differences in the stillborn rate, mummified-fetus rate, and percentage of piglets weighing less than 1,000 g at birth were observed between the treatments (P ≥ 0.28). The females fed on 1.8 kg/d of diet exhibited greater feed intake during lactation, compared to the females fed on 2.2 kg/d (P < 0.05). Weaning weight, weaning-to-estrus interval, subsequent litter size, and culling rate were not affected by the dietary levels (P ≥ 0.23). In conclusion, increasing the feed intake from day 90 of gestation until farrowing increased the body weight gain in sow, demonstrated no effect on the piglet birth weight, and reduced the lactation feed intake. Furthermore, there was no evidence of the effects of the treatments on the litter growth rate or on the subsequent female reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L Mallmann
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Felipe B Betiolo
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elisar Camilloti
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula G Mellagi
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafael R Ulguim
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ivo Wentz
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mari Lourdes Bernardi
- Departamento de Zootecnia/Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Kummer
- Master Agroindustrial, Videira, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernando P Bortolozzo
- Departamento de Medicina Animal/Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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