J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1966. 25:706-710.
© 1966 American Society of Animal Science
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Influence of Energy Intake on Reproductive Performance of Gilts1

R. H. O'Bannon2, H. D. Wallace, A. C. Warnick and G. E. Combs3

Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville

Abstract

Three trials involving a total of 72 crossbred gilts were conducted to determine the effect of energy levels and energy sources on reproductive phenomena. Gilts fed a typical high-energy diet composed mainly of corn and soybean meal reached puberty at an average age of 194 days and an average weight of 102 kg. Gilts fed a low-energy diet which included 52% of alfalfa meal reached puberty at an average age of 207 days and at an average weight of 81 kg. Gilts fed a low-energy diet, which included 40% ground snapped corn and 9% ground corn cobs, reached puberty at an average age of 200 days and an average weight of 91 kg. All gilts reached puberty at an average age of 200 days and an average weight of 92 kg.

Ovulation rate was increased (P<.05) by the high-energy diet. The low-energy diets favored embryo survival, but differences were not significant.

Factors significantly (P<.05) correlated with ovulation rate were breeding weight (0.42), slaughter weight (0.39), prebreeding daily gains (0.36), carcass weight (0.38), carcass length (0.37) and backfat thickness (0.35). In all of these comparisons except prebreeding daily gains, the correlations were greater for the gilts on low energy and high alfalfa. Factors significantly (P<.05) correlated with the number of viable embryos included breeding weight (0.25), prebreeding daily gains (0.30) and backfat thickness (0.26). The daily gain of the gilts on high energy was significantly (P<.05) negatively correlated (–.46) with the number of viable embryos.

Footnotes

1 Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 2357.

2 Present address: Middele East Superintendent, Church of God World Missions, Cairo, Egypt

3 Department of Animal Science.






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Copyright © 1966 by the American Society of Animal Science.