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Effects of Vitamin A and β-Carotene on Reproductive Performance in Gilts¹

Washington State University², Pullman 99164

Abstract

The effects of vitamin A and β-carotene on various reproductive parameters were examined in 108 crossbred gilts. Gilts were fed a diet free of vitamin A and β-carotene for 5 wk, then assigned to one of eight treatments. Statistical comparisons were performed on three sub-groupings of these treatments as follows: (1) DEFICIENT (received 2,100 IU of vitamin A·head^–1 · d^–1, (2) FED (received dietary supplementation of 0, 2,100 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and(or) 0, 32.6 or 65.2 mg β-carotene · head^–1 · d^–1) or (3) INJECTED (received injection supplementation of 0 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and 32.6 mg β-carotene · head^–1 · d^–1, administered once weekly). Gilts remained on treatment through weaning of litters at 21 d postpartum. Plasma vitamin A and β-carotene levels were greatly elevated in INJECTED gilts. Concentrations of these compounds in plasma were similar between DEFICIENT and FED gilts. There was no treatment difference in number of corpora lutea/gilt. Embryonic mortality was lowest (P<.01 to .02) in INJECTED gilts (14 ± 3%) compared with DEFICIENT (29 ± 5%) or FED (25 ± 3%) gilts. Baby pig mortality averaged 6 ± 1% and was not different among treatments. INJECTED gilts had more (P<.05 to .01) piglets/litter at birth and at weaning (9.5 ± .3 and 9.0 ± .3 piglets/ litter, respectively) than DEFICIENT (7.9 ± .5 and 7.6 ± .5 piglets/litter) or FED gilts (8.7 ± .3 and 8.1 ± .3 piglets/litter). INJECTED gilts also had heavier litters than DEFICIENT or FED gilts at birth (P<.01) and weaning (P<.05). Concentrations of plasma immunoglobulins were higher (P<.10) among piglets from INJECTED gilts compared with other groups, although concentrations of colostral immunoglobulins in gilts were similar among treatments.

¹ Research supported by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. and the Washington State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta. (Project 0525). Scientific paper no. 6804.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.

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