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Influence of Energy Intake during Lactation on Subsequent Gestation, Lactation and Postweaning Performance of Sows¹

University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583^,4

Abstract

Forty-four second parity crossbred sows were used to determine (1) the effect of energy intake during their first lactation (Lac 1) on subsequent reproductive performance from rebreeding to farrowing and (2) the effect of energy intake during two successive lactations on performance during the second lactation (Lac 2) and postweaning periods. Sows received 8 (Lo) or 16 (Hi) Meal of metabolizable energy (ME)/d during Lac 1 and 5.4 Meal of ME/d during the subsequent gestation. Following parturition (i.e., Lac 2), sows fed Lo during Lac 1 were assigned to either the Lo or Hi diet. Similar assignments were made for sows fed Hi during Lac 1. Following parturition pigs were transferred among sows irrespective of treatment to minimize litter size variation. During the 28-d lactation period, all sows were fed an equal amount of crude protein, vitamins and minerals that met or exceeded the recommendations of the National Research Council. Each day following weaning, sows were fed 1.8 kg of a 14% crude protein diet and checked for estrus using boars. Serum samples were obtained weekly from sows not detected in estrus by 15 d postweaning for progesterone analysis. Sows fed Lo during Lac 1 gained more (P = .1) net weight, deposited more (P<.01) backfat during gestation and farrowed lighter weight (P<.10) pigs than sows fed Hi. Farrowing rate (i.e., number of sows farrowed/number mated) and the number of pigs born were not affected by energy intake during Lac 1. During Lac 2, Sow weight loss, average litter size at weaning, pig weaning weight and the percentage of sows in estrus by 7, 14, 21 and 70 d postweaning were not significantly affected by energy intake during Lac 1. Sow backfat loss during Lac 2 differed depending on the energy intake during Lac 1 and 2, resulting in an interaction (P<.05). Sows fed Lo during Lac 2 lost more (P<.01) weight and weaned lighter weight (P<.05) pigs than those fed Hi. Litter size at weaning was not affected by energy intake. Fewer sows fed Lo expressed estrus (P<.05) by 7, 14 and 21 d postweaning than those fed Hi. Six sows fed Lo were bled for progesterone analysis. None of these had luteal tissue activity in the absence of a detected behavioral estrus.

¹ Published as Paper No. 6719, Journal Ser. Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Present address: Anim. Sci. Dept., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia.

³ Dept. of Biometrics and Info. Systems Center.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci. Acknowledgement is made to Diana J. Smith for assistance with the preparation of this manuscript and to Blaine Hanson for assistance with data collection.