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Tissue Glycogen Levels in Dams and Fetuses as Affected by Fasting and Refeeding Pregnant Sows¹

US Department of Agriculture^2,3,, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

Nineteen Landrace sows mated to Landrace boars were randomly assigned, on d 91 of pregnancy, to three groups: (1) control (six sows)—fed standard 13% protein corn-soybean meal gestation diet at 1.82 kg/d to d 112 of pregnancy; (2) 4-d fast (seven sows)—fed standard gestation diet to d 94 of pregnancy, fasted from d 95 to 98 of pregnancy and then refed a semipurified fat-free diet ad libitum until d 112 of pregnancy, and (3) 8-d fast (six sows)—treated the same as group 2, except that the fast began on d 91 and extended through d 98 of pregnancy. The fat-free diet consisted of dextrose and soybean meal and was fortified with minerals and vitamins. On d 112 of pregnancy, all fetuses were removed by Caesarean section and determinations were made of fetal body and liver weights, fetal liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen concentrations, and maternal uterus and peritoneal adipose tissue glycogen levels. Sows in groups 2 and 3 consumed more (P>.01) average daily feed during the refeeding period than did the control sows. Fasting and refeeding failed to affect maternal or fetal tissue glycogen concentration, or fetal body or liver weight. Average sow tissue glycogen concentrations were .23 and 3.0mg/g tissue for peritoneal adipose tissue and uterus, respectively. Average fetal liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen concentrations were, 87 and 62 mg/g tissue, respectively. Average fetal body and liver weights were 1,287 and 39.5 g/fetus, respectively. We conclude that fasting followed by refeeding of a fat-free diet to pregnant sows during late gestation does not increase maternal or fetal tissue glycogen content and appears to be of no value in enhancing pig survival in early postnatal life.

¹ The authors express their appreciation to R. N. Lindvall and associates for animal care and feeding, to Jean Gray, Scott McDowell and Dale Hill for technical assistance, and to Sherry Hansen for stenographic work.

² Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, ARS.

³ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.