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Effect of Dietary energy and protein on age and weight at puberty of gilts¹

Agricultural Canada, Research Branch, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OC6

Abstract

Fifty-four gilts (averaging 111 days of age and 49 kg body weight) were used in a 3² factorial experiment in each of 3 years; dietary treatments were supplements of 0, 10 and 20% levels of soybean oil and 0, 3 and 6% levels of purified soybean protein. The diets were limit-fed until the onset of puberty (first estrus); the limit of daily feed intake being set, within each replicate, by the gilt fed to appetite the diet containing 20% oil plus 6% soybean protein. Age at puberty averaged 168 days (range 127 to 212 days) and was affected by neither soybean oil (energy) nor soybean protein (crude protein) supplementation of the control (0% oil, 0% soybean protein) diet. Body weight at puberty was increased significantly by the addition of soybean oil, but not protein, to the diet. Increasing the energy and protein content of the diet gave significantly higher rates of body weight gain compared with controls. The efficiency of calorie and protein utilization did not differ among levels of intake but significant interaction effects pointed to a need for increased dietary energy with increased protein intake, to maintain conversion efficiency

¹ Animal Research Institute, Contribution No. 652

² The author wishes to acknowledge consultation on statistical matters with Dr. Mark S. Wolynetz (Research Branch, Statistical Research Service). The staff responsible for animal care and management were R. A. E. Armstrong, W. R. Berube, D. D. Milligan and G. N. Simmons