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Fang C, Tang X, Zhang Q, Yu Q, Deng S, Wu S, Fang R. Effects of Dietary Lonicera flos and Sucutellaria baicalensis Mixed Extracts Supplementation on Reproductive Performance, Umbilical Cord Blood Parameters, Colostrum Ingredients and Immunoglobulin Contents of Late-Pregnant Sows. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2054. [PMID: 39061516 PMCID: PMC11273922 DOI: 10.3390/ani14142054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effects of dietary Lonicera flos and Sucutellaria baicalensis mixed extract (LSE) supplementation during the late-pregnancy period on the reproductive performance, umbilical cord blood hematological parameters, umbilical cord serum biochemical parameters, immune indices, hormone levels, colostrum ingredients, and immunoglobulin contents of sows. A total of 40 hybrid pregnant sows were randomly assigned to the control group (CON; sows fed a basal diet) and LSE group (LSE; sows fed a basal diet supplemented with 500 g/t PE). The results indicated that dietary LSE supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of alive and healthy piglets and the litter weight at birth, and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the platelet counts in umbilical cord blood. Dietary LSE supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the levels of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), and the content of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in umbilical cord serum. Moreover, immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the colostrum were increased with PE supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary LSE supplementation in late-pregnancy sows could improve reproductive performance and colostrum quality, and could also regulate the levels of reproductive hormone in umbilical cord serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengkun Fang
- College of Animal Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.F.); (Q.Z.); (S.D.)
| | - Xiaopeng Tang
- State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertfication Control, School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China;
| | - Qingtai Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.F.); (Q.Z.); (S.D.)
| | - Qifang Yu
- College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China;
| | - Shengting Deng
- College of Animal Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.F.); (Q.Z.); (S.D.)
| | - Shusong Wu
- College of Animal Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.F.); (Q.Z.); (S.D.)
| | - Rejun Fang
- College of Animal Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (C.F.); (Q.Z.); (S.D.)
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Farmer C, Johannsen JC, Gillies C, Huber LA, Hovey RC. Parity affects mammary development in late-pregnant swine. Transl Anim Sci 2024; 8:txae037. [PMID: 38572173 PMCID: PMC10990050 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The goal of this project was to determine whether various measures of mammary development differed between gilts and multiparous sows at the end of gestation. During gestation, Yorkshire × Landrace gilts (n = 19) and sows (second and third gestations, n = 17) were fed one daily meal of a conventional corn-based diet, where the amount fed was based on body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BF) at mating. On day 110 ± 1 of gestation, a jugular blood sample was obtained from all gilts and sows to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucose, free fatty acids, and urea. On that same day, BW and BF were measured and animals were euthanized. Mammary glands from one side of the udder were dissected for compositional analyses. The fifth gland of the contralateral row of mammary glands was sampled for histology and immunohistochemical localization of Ki67. There was less total parenchyma (1,437.4 vs. 2,004.7 ± 127.1 g; P < 0.001) and total extraparenchymal tissue (1,691.0 vs. 2,407.0 ± 125.3 g; P < 0.001) in mammary glands of gilts compared to those from sows. When these values were expressed per kg BW (226.0 and 284.0 ± 2.7 kg for gilts and sows, respectively), parenchymal mass did not differ (P > 0.10), while extraparenchymal tissue weight tended to be less in gilts than sows (P = 0.07). All components within the parenchyma differed by parity (P < 0.001). Specifically, parenchymal tissue from gilts contained a greater proportion of fat and dry matter (DM), a lower proportion of protein, and lower concentrations of DNA (6.59 vs. 9.35 ± 0.53 mg/g DM) and RNA (7.76 vs. 12.33 ± 0.70 mg/g DM) than that from sows. On the other hand, the circumference of alveolar lumens was greater in gilts than sows (P < 0.001), while the percentage of epithelial cells that were positive for Ki67, a marker of cell proliferation, was greater in sows than gilts (P < 0.05). Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 were greater in gilts than in multiparous sows (45.0 vs. 27.3 ± 2.8 ng/mL, P < 0.001). None of the other blood variables were changed by parity. Results show a marked effect of parity on mammary gland development in swine. At the end of gestation, the mammary glands of gilts had less parenchyma with lower epithelial proliferation than glands from multiparous sows. These differences could alter the response of mammary tissue to various nutritional or endocrine signals. This information is crucial for the development of management strategies designed to maximize sow milk yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Farmer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, 2000 College, Sherbrooke, QC, CanadaJ1M 0C8
| | - Jakob C Johannsen
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Caroline Gillies
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaN1G 2W1
| | - Lee-Anne Huber
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaN1G 2W1
| | - Russell C Hovey
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Adi YK, Taechamaeteekul P, Ruampatana J, Malison M, Suwimonteerabutr J, Kirkwood RN, Tummaruk P. Influence of prepartum feed levels on colostrum production and farrowing performance in highly prolific sows in a tropical environment. Animal 2024; 18:101066. [PMID: 38217893 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of data on the effects of altering feed levels on sow performance and piglet characteristics during the transition period in tropical environments. The present study determined the effect of sow feed levels during the transition period on colostrum yield, colostrum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, colostrum intake of piglets, farrowing duration, proportion of stillborn piglets per litter (SB) and the incidence of farrowing assistance in highly prolific sows. A total of 114 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows and their offspring (n = 2 072) were included in the experiment. Sows were assigned to different feed supply levels from entry to farrowing at 110 days of gestation until farrowing based on their parity number. Three feed-level groups were the control group who received 3.0 kg/day of lactation feed (n = 40), treatment 1 group who received 3.6 kg/day of gestation feed (n = 39) and treatment 2 group who received 4.0 kg/day of lactation feed (n = 35). Colostrum samples (5 ml) were obtained from the sows within 3 h after the onset of farrowing for IgG assay. Piglets were weighed immediately after birth and then again 17-24 h later to estimate their colostrum intake. Colostrum yield was determined by aggregating the colostrum intake of piglets within the litter. The total number of piglets born, SB and farrowing duration were 18.2 ± 3.8, 7.5% and 259.1 ± 138.1 min, respectively. Among these sows, 28.9% experienced a farrowing duration exceeding 300 min and 50.9% required assistance during farrowing. Interestingly, piglets in the treatment 2 group demonstrated a greater colostrum intake (403.1 ± 14.9 g) compared to the control group (360.6 ± 15.1 g, P = 0.046) and the treatment 1 group (361.0 ± 12.9 g, P = 0.033). On average, colostrum yield of sows in the treatment 2 group tended to be higher than in the control group (+0.5 kg, P = 0.081), but did not differ from the treatment 1 group (+0.3 kg, P = 0.191). No significant differences in farrowing duration, SB, farrowing assistance, or colostrum IgG concentration were found across various feed-level groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study showed that raising lactation feed by 1.0 kg/day prefarrowing increased piglet colostrum intake and tended to boost sow colostrum production, without significantly affecting farrowing duration, stillbirth rates, or need for assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y K Adi
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - P Taechamaeteekul
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - J Ruampatana
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - M Malison
- Thai Food Research Center Co. Ltd, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - J Suwimonteerabutr
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - R N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - P Tummaruk
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Johannsen JC, Sørensen MT, Theil PK, Bruun TS, Farmer C, Feyera T. Optimal protein concentration in diets for sows during the transition period. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae082. [PMID: 38517473 PMCID: PMC11017514 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae082] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal concentration of dietary protein required in transition diets for multiparous sows that enhance the farrowing process, colostrum production, and subsequent lactation performance. Forty-eight multiparous sows were allotted to one of six dietary treatments according to body weight (290 ± 3 kg) and parity (3.8 ± 0.2) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The diets were isoenergetic and contained increasing concentrations of dietary protein (expressed as standardized ileal digestible [SID] Lys) and were supplied at a daily feed supply of 3.8 kg. On day 108 of gestation and days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of lactation, body weight, and back fat thickness were recorded, and blood was sampled on day 108 of gestation, at the onset of farrowing, and days 3, 10, 17, and 24 of lactation from the sows for analysis of plasma metabolites. On day 115 of gestation, urine, and feces were collected for nitrogen (N) balance. The number of liveborn and stillborn piglets and time of birth were recorded and blood from every fourth piglet was sampled at birth for blood gas analysis. Piglets were weighed individually from birth until weaning, to estimate the colostrum and milk yield of the sows. Colostrum and milk samples were collected, and their compositions were determined. On days 3 and 28 of lactation, sows were injected with deuterium oxide to estimate body composition. The N utilization was maximized when the concentration of SID Lys in the transition diet was 6.06 g/kg (P < 0.01). When urinary concentrations of urea were expressed relative to creatinine, the relative concentration of urea remained low until a dietary concentration of 6.08 g SID Lys/kg, above which the relative concentration of urea increased (P < 0.01). Stillbirth rate increased linearly with increasing SID Lys concentration in the transition diet (P < 0.001), thus the concentration of SID Lys should be kept as low as possible without impairing sow performance excessively. A carry-over effect on milk yield was observed, showing that a dietary SID Lys concentration of 5.79 g/kg during transition optimized milk production at an average yield of 13.5 kg/d (P = 0.04). Increasing loss of body fat in lactation was observed with increasing SID Lys concentration in the transition diet (P = 0.03). In conclusion, the transition diet of multiparous sows should contain 5.79 g SID Lys/kg when fed 3.8 kg/d (13.0 MJ ME/kg), for a total SID Lys intake of 22 g/d.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob C Johannsen
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Campus Viborg, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Martin T Sørensen
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Campus Viborg, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Peter K Theil
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Campus Viborg, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | | | - Chantal Farmer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, QC, CanadaJ1M 0C8
| | - Takele Feyera
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Campus Viborg, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Jo H, Kim BG. Standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement of pregnant sows under commercial conditions. Anim Biosci 2023; 36:1880-1888. [PMID: 37871903 PMCID: PMC10623031 DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present experiment aimed to determine standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) requirements for pregnant sows individually housed under commercial farm conditions. METHODS Two hundred multiparous sows (parity = 5.1±2.0) on day 42 of gestation were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with a balanced parity. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.42%, 0.52%, and 0.62% of SID Lys for the mid-gestation period (days 42 to 76) and 0.36%, 0.46%, 0.56%, 0.66%, and 0.76% of SID Lys for the late gestation period (days 77 to 103). All indispensable amino acids except Lys were provided at 110% of their requirement estimates. Daily feed allowance per sow was determined based on the back-fat thickness and body condition score at the second pregnancy check and on day 90 of gestation. Three different statistical models were used to estimate the SID Lys requirement. RESULTS Total born piglets alive per litter increased linearly and quadratically (p<0.001) as dietary SID Lys increased. For total born piglets alive per litter, the SID Lys requirement estimates ranged from 9.69 to 12.4 g/d for the mid-gestation period (1.19 to 1.52 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.39% to 0.49%) and 14.6 to 17.4 g/d for the late gestation period (1.62 to 1.93 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.52% to 0.62%). CONCLUSION The mean values of the SID Lys requirement for the mid-gestation period and the late gestation period are 11.1 and 16.1 g/d (1.36 and 1.79 g/Mcal metabolizable energy; 0.44% and 0.58%), respectively, for maximal total born piglets alive per litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunwoong Jo
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029,
Korea
| | - Beob Gyun Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029,
Korea
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Farmer C, Gillies C, Johannsen JC, Hovey RC, Huber LA. Dietary supplementation with lysine (protein) in late pregnancy does not enhance mammary development in multiparous sows. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad385. [PMID: 37971408 PMCID: PMC10746349 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This project was conducted to determine if providing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys at 40% above estimated requirements (NRC, 2012), with the concomitant increased protein intake, from days 90 to 110 of gestation stimulates mammary development in multiparous sows. From day 90 of gestation, Yorkshire × Landrace multiparous sows (parities 2 and 3) were fed 2.6 kg/d of either a conventional diet (CTL, control, n = 17) providing 14.8 g/d of SID Lys or a diet providing 20.8 g/d of SID Lys via additional soybean meal (HILYS, n = 16). The diets were isoenergetic. Concentrations of IGF-1, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), urea, and amino acids (AA) were measured in jugular blood samples obtained on days 90 and 110 of gestation. Sows were necropsied on day 110 ± 1 of gestation to obtain mammary glands for compositional and histological analyses. Backfat or BW changes of sows during late gestation were unaffected by treatment (P > 0.10), as was the case for fetal BW (P > 0.10). None of the variables measured in mammary tissue were altered by supplementary Lys (P > 0.10). Circulating IGF-1, glucose, and FFA did not differ (P > 0.10) between HILYS and CTL sows on day 110 of gestation, whereas concentrations of urea were greater (P < 0.01) in HILYS versus CTL gilts. Concentrations of Ile and Thr in plasma were also greater (P < 0.05), and those of Glu were lower (P < 0.01) in HILYS than CTL sows. These results demonstrate that feeding Lys (via protein) above current NRC recommendations during late gestation does not improve mammary development of multiparous sows. Hence, the use of a two-phase feeding strategy to provide more Lys (protein) to multiparous sows during this period is not necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Farmer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke R & D Centre, 2000 College, Sherbrooke, QC, CanadaJ1M 0C8
| | - Caroline Gillies
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaN1G 2W1
| | - Jakob C Johannsen
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Russell C Hovey
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lee-Anne Huber
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, CanadaN1G 2W1
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Gregory N, Farmer C, Friendship RM, Huber LA. The effect of moderate energy and protein restriction during gilt development on changes in body weight and backfat depth and subsequent lactation performance. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skac351. [PMID: 36269319 PMCID: PMC9831128 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac351] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Eighty-eight gilts [initial body weight (BW) 49.8 ± 0.8 kg] were recruited to determine the effects of moderate energy and protein restriction during the development period on changes in BW and backfat depth (BF) and subsequent lactation performance. Gilts were randomly assigned to one of four feeding programs: 1) standard commercial diet fed ad libitum (CON), 2) standard commercial diet fed 10% or 3) 20% below ad libitum, or 4) a high-fiber diet fed ad libitum [2.5 times more fiber (neutral detergent fiber) than the commercial diet to dilute net energy and crude protein by approximately 20% and 13%, respectively; FIB]. The gilts were housed individually and received the feeding programs between 90 and 190 (breeding) d of age and standard gestation and lactation diets thereafter. Litters were standardized to 12 ± 1 pigs within 48 h of farrowing; weaning occurred at 20.0 ± 0.4 d of age. Gilts that received the 20% restricted program had lower overall average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the development period (2.64 ± 0.04 kg; P < 0.05) versus all other feeding programs and gilts that received the 10% restricted program had lower ADFI than FIB and CON, which were not different (2.96 vs. 3.44 and 3.47 ± 0.04 kg for 10%, FIB and CON, respectively; P < 0.05). Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations on day 180 of age were lower for gilts that received the 10% and 20% restricted programs compared to gilts that received the FIB and CON programs, which were not different (97 and 86 vs. 220 and 149 ± 29 µEq/L, respectively; P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of glucose, urea, prolactin, and IGF-1 were not different among feeding programs on day 180 of age. At breeding, gilts that received the FIB and 10% programs had lower BW and BF versus CON (145.7 and 144.8 vs. 155.2 ± 0.9 kg and 14.4 and 14.8 vs. 16.5 ± 0.2 mm for BW and BF, respectively; P < 0.05) but greater BW than gilts that received the 20% restricted program (137.9 kg; P < 0.05). The BW and BF of gilts did not differ at the end of gestation or at weaning. The ADFI of sows during lactation and offspring birth weight and growth rate during lactation and the 5-wk nursery period were not influenced by gilt development feeding program. Therefore, a high-fiber feeding program could be used in group-housing gilt-development scenarios, where feed is offered ad libitum, to control BW and BF prior to breeding without influencing milk production in the subsequent lactation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gregory
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Chantal Farmer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke R & D Centre, 2000 College, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada
| | - Robert M Friendship
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Lee-Anne Huber
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Cao Y, Hu G, Li W, Wang J, Ge Y, Li F, Guo W, Kan X, Fu S, Liu J. Lysine promotes proliferation and β-casein synthesis through the SLC6A14-ERK1/2-CDK1-mTOR signaling pathway in bovine primary mammary epithelial cells. J Therm Biol 2022; 110:103375. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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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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