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Effect of Energy Intake on Reproductive Performance and Estrous Synchronization of Gilts

U. S. Department of Agriculture¹

Abstract

Two experiments involving 144 gilts were conducted to investigate the effect of energy intake on reproductive performance and estrous synchronization. In experiment 1, level of energy intake, 2,600 or 6,000 kcal ME daily for 78 days, had no significant effect on either ovulation rate or number of embryos 30 days post-coitum in gilts but did increase the interval from AIMAX withdrawal to estrus by 1.5 days (P<.01). Gilts receiving the higher energy intake gained significantly (P<.01) more weight than gilts receiving the lower energy intake. In experiment 2, gilts were fed 3,200 (L) or 6,000 (H) kcal ME daily either from breeding to parturition (LL and HH) or from breeding to 76 days post-coitum at which time they received the opposite energy intake to parturition (LH and HL). Gilts receiving any combination of a high energy intake during gestation farrowed (P<.05) more live pigs per litter and those on the high energy intake continuously (HH) weaned (P<.05) more pigs per litter than gilts receiving a low energy intake throughout gestation (LL). Birth and weaning weights were not appreciably affected by energy intake. Gilts receiving either the HH or HL energy sequence gained (P<.05) more from breeding to 24 hr. postpartum than gilts receiving the LL energy intake.

¹ Animal Husbandry Research Division, A.R.S., Beltsville, Maryland 20705.

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