Journal of Animal Science, Vol 71, Issue 7 1887-1894, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Metabolic and endocrine changes associated with undernutrition in the peripubertal gilt

A. Prunier, C. Martin, A. M. Mounier and M. Bonneau
Station de Recherches Porcines, INRA, Saint Gilles, France.

The effect of feed restriction on circulating metabolites and metabolic and gonadotropic hormones was determined in Large White gilts. From 25 kg BW and 80 d of age, control gilts (CTRL, n = 10) were fed close to ad libitum intake, whereas restricted-fed gilts (REST, n = 10) were offered approximately 50% of the CTRL diet. Estrus was detected with a mature boar. Serial blood samples were collected at approximately 160 and 210 d of age from 0800 to 2000. A meal was supplied at 0900, and an i.v. injection of GnRH (80 ng/kg BW) was given at 1600. The gilts were slaughtered at 220 d of age. No REST and four CTRL gilts exhibited their first estrus between the two series of blood samplings. Feed intake, daily gain, and fat content of the carcass were reduced by 50% in REST gilts (P < .001). Preprandial concentrations of free fatty acids were significantly lower in CTRL gilts at 210 d of age than at 160 d and than in REST gilts at both ages. Within the CTRL group, concentrations were lower (P < .05) at both ages in gilts pubertal before 210 d than in others. After the meal, plasma insulin and urea increased in all gilts, whereas glucose increased and free fatty acids decreased in all except the 210-d CTRL gilts. The afternoon concentration of cortisol was slightly higher (P = .09) in REST than in CTRL gilts. The number of pulses and mean and interpulse concentrations of growth hormone did not show any clear variation with feed level and age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Quesnel, M. Etienne, and M.-C. Pere Influence of litter size on metabolic status and reproductive axis in primiparous sows J Anim Sci, January 1, 2007; 85(1): 118 - 128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Damon, I. Louveau, L. Lefaucheur, B. Lebret, A. Vincent, P. Leroy, M. P. Sanchez, P. Herpin, and F. Gondret Number of intramuscular adipocytes and fatty acid binding protein-4 content are significant indicators of intramuscular fat level in crossbred Large White x Duroc pigs J Anim Sci, May 1, 2006; 84(5): 1083 - 1092. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Gondret, L. Lefaucheur, H. Juin, I. Louveau, and B. Lebret Low birth weight is associated with enlarged muscle fiber area and impaired meat tenderness of the longissimus muscle in pigs J Anim Sci, January 1, 2006; 84(1): 93 - 103. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Mejia-Guadarrama, A. Pasquier, J. Y. Dourmad, A. Prunier, and H. Quesnel Protein (lysine) restriction in primiparous lactating sows: Effects on metabolic state, somatotropic axis, and reproductive performance after weaning J Anim Sci, December 1, 2002; 80(12): 3286 - 3300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Blat and C. H. Malbert The vagus is inhibitory of insulin secretion under fasting conditions Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 2001; 281(4): E782 - E788. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]