Differences in maternal plane of nutrition and body condition during late gestation coupled with estrus synchronization at weaning do not result in differences in embryonic development at 4 days of gestation

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary energy in late pregnancy and hormone therapy at weaning on plasma metabolite profile, litter performance, reproductive parameters, and embryo viability in the second pregnancy. A total of 23 first-parity sows at 75 d of pregnancy were randomly allocated to 4 treatments. Treatments were factorial (2 × 2) combinations of 2 nutritional strategies [standard-energy feed (SEF) and high-energy feed (HEF)] and 2 hormone therapies [600 IU eCG and 2.5 mg swine LH 72 h later (HO) and no hormone (WH)]. Sows were weighed weekly from 75 d of pregnancy until 3 d before farrowing; 1 d after farrowing; 7, 14, and 21 d into lactation; and at weaning. Back fat (BF) was measured at 75 d of pregnancy, 3 d before farrowing, and at weaning. Average daily gain and ADFI were also calculated. Plasma metabolites were analyzed after 82, 89, 96, and 103 d of pregnancy, at farrowing, and after 7, 14, and 21 d of lactation. Embryo viability was assessed after 4.55 d of second pregnancy. During pregnancy, HEF-treated sows displayed greater BW (P < 0.05) compared with SEF-treated females, but no differences were observed during lactation. There were no differences in BW of the piglets caused by the treatments. High-energy-treated females showed superior BF (P > 0.05) in all periods; however, significant differences were detected only at the prefarrowing measurement (P < 0.05). No differences in ADFI were observed during lactation. The SEF group showed positive ADG, whereas the HEF group showed negative ADG (0.216 vs. -0.266 kg/d for SEF and HEF, respectively; P < 0.05). High-energy-treated sows presented greater concentrations of total cholesterol after 89 and 103 d of pregnancy and greater concentrations of high-density lipid cholesterol (HDL) after 89 and 96 d. At farrowing and 14 and 21 d of lactation, NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the HEF group. After hormone treatment, no differences were observed on weaning-to-estrus intervals and estrus duration. Greater mobilization of body reserves observed in the HEF group during lactation did not affect reproductive performance negatively, suggesting that metabolic status was adequate for the first lactational catabolism.

Associação de probióticos adicionados à dieta de leitões no aleitamento e na creche: índices zootécnicos e economicidade

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar efeitos zootécnicos e econômicos da associação de probióticos adicionados à dieta de leitões no aleitamento e na creche. Foram utilizados 144 leitões do nascimento até os 62 dias de idade. No aleitamento o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos: Controle e Probiótico A. Na creche, foram blocos casualizados com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 2x3: Probiótico A e Probiótico B; Controle e Probiótico B; Probiótico A e Probiótico A; Controle e Controle; Probiótico A e animais desafiados; e Controle e animais desafiados. Aos 35 dias de idade 48 animais da creche foram inoculados com Salmonella Typhimurium via oral. Avaliou-se peso médio, consumo médio de ração, o ganho de peso médio e a conversão alimentar. Para a análise econômica, calcularam-se os custos das dietas durante a creche e o desempenho da receita de comercialização dos animais. O consumo de ração utilizado na análise corresponde àquele ocorrido no período total de 21 a 62 dias de idade. Na maternidade não foi observado efeito nos parâmetros avaliados. Na creche, a conversão alimentar foi favorável ao tratamento Probiótico A Probiótico A. Na avaliação econômica o tratamento Controle Probiótico B apresentou menor custo em relação aos demais, podendo, assim, representar uma alternativa satisfatória.