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Effect of Copper and Iron Supplement on Performance and Hematology of Confined Sows and their Progeny through Four Reproductive Cycles

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705

Abstract

Purebred Duroc gilts were fed 0, 15, 30, or 60 ppm of supplemental copper with 100 or 200 ppm of supplemental iron throughout four reproductive cycles. Traits studied included: gestation, lactation, and weaning-to-estrus weight changes; total and live pigs farrowed; total and live pig birth weights and weaned weights at 3 weeks of age; and hemoglobin, hematocrit and plasma copper and iron of sows and their progeny. Animals were bled at breeding, 109th day of gestation, 24 hr and 3 weeks postpartum for sows, and 24 hr and 3 weeks postpartum for progeny. Copper increased linearly the total and live adjusted birth weights at all supplemental copper levels and weaned weights only at the 60 ppm supplemental copper level; copper x iron interactions were significant for lactation weight change. Supplemental iron did not affect birth weight. The sow hematology data showed a maximum response to 15 ppm of supplemental copper for hematocrit and plasma copper and iron; a copper x iron interaction for plasma iron; and bleeding time effects for hematocrit and plasma iron. Supplemental iron had no effect on sow hematological parameters. The progeny hematology data indicated copper and iron effects for plasma copper and iron; copper x iron interactions for hematocrit, and plasma copper and iron; and greater values at 3 weeks postpartum bleeding time than at 24 hr postpartum for all progeny hematology parameters.

¹ Nonruminant Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Nutrition Institute, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.

² The authors express gratitude for the valuable laboratory services rendered by J. Pelura and E. G. Geis and statistical services rendered by Dr, Bernie Weinland of the Biometrical Services Staff, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.