Journal of Animal Science, Vol 75, Issue 1 208-216, Copyright © 1997 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Pattern of feed intake and associated metabolic and endocrine changes differentially affect postweaning fertility in primiparous lactating sows

L. J. Zak, J. R. Cosgrove, F. X. Aherne and G. R. Foxcroft
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Effects of differential patterns of feed intake during lactation, associated metabolic and endocrine changes, and reproductive status after weaning were investigated in 26 primiparous sows suckled by six piglets. Sows were fed to appetite (Group AA; n = 9) from d 1 to 28 of lactation or restricted to 50% from d 22 to 28 (Group AR; n = 9) or from d 1 to 21 (Group RA; n = 8). Sow weight, backfat, and litter weights were recorded weekly. After weaning sows were tested twice daily for onset of estrus and inseminated twice using pooled semen. At d 28 of gestation sows were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were recovered to determine ovulation rate and embryo number. Intensive blood sampling was carried out for 12-h periods on d 21 and before and after weaning on d 28 to characterize changes in plasma, LH, FSH, insulin, and IGF-I by RIA. Litter growth rates did not differ among groups. Feed-restricted sows lost more (P < .01) body weight and backfat than those fed to appetite. During periods of feed restriction in AR and RA sows, postprandial insulin, mean IGF-I, and LH pulse frequency were less than in AA sows fed to appetite. All sows exhibited an increase (P < .001) in LH pulsatility in response to weaning. After weaning, no differences were observed in insulin, LH, or FSH, although IGF-I was still lower (P <.05) in AR sows. These results demonstrate that the pattern of metabolic change in the primiparous lactating sows exerts differential effects on fertility after weaning.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Patterson, A. Wellen, M. Hahn, A. Pasternak, J. Lowe, S. DeHaas, D. Kraus, N. Williams, and G. Foxcroft Responses to delayed estrus after weaning in sows using oral progestagen treatment J Anim Sci, August 1, 2008; 86(8): 1996 - 2004. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Aquila, V. Rago, C. Guido, I. Casaburi, S. Zupo, and A. Carpino Leptin and leptin receptor in pig spermatozoa: evidence of their involvement in sperm capacitation and survival Reproduction, July 1, 2008; 136(1): 23 - 32. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. R. Foxcroft, W. T. Dixon, S. Novak, C. T. Putman, S. C. Town, and M. D. A. Vinsky The biological basis for prenatal programming of postnatal performance in pigs J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(13_suppl): E105 - E. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. C. van der Peet-Schwering, B. Kemp, J. G. Plagge, P. F. G. Vereijken, L. A. den Hartog, H. A. M. Spoolder, and M. W. A. Verstegen Performance and individual feed intake characteristics of group-housed sows fed a nonstarch polysaccharides diet ad libitum during gestation over three parities J Anim Sci, April 1, 2004; 82(4): 1246 - 1257. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. C. van der Peet-Schwering, B. Kemp, G. P. Binnendijk, L. A. den Hartog, H. A. M. Spoolder, and M. W. A. Verstegen Performance of sows fed high levels of nonstarch polysaccharides during gestation and lactation over three parities J Anim Sci, September 1, 2003; 81(9): 2247 - 2258. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. Willis, L. J. Zak, and G. R. Foxcroft Duration of lactation, endocrine and metabolic state, and fertility of primiparous sows J Anim Sci, August 1, 2003; 81(8): 2088 - 2102. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Clowes, F. X. Aherne, A. L. Schaefer, G. R. Foxcroft, and V. E. Baracos Parturition body size and body protein loss during lactation influence performance during lactation and ovarian function at weaning in first-parity sows J Anim Sci, June 1, 2003; 81(6): 1517 - 1528. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Eissen, E. J. Apeldoorn, E. Kanis, M. W. A. Verstegen, and K. H. de Greef The importance of a high feed intake during lactation of primiparous sows nursing large litters J Anim Sci, March 1, 2003; 81(3): 594 - 603. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Clowes, F. X. Aherne, G. R. Foxcroft, and V. E. Baracos Selective protein loss in lactating sows is associated with reduced litter growth and ovarian function J Anim Sci, March 1, 2003; 81(3): 753 - 764. [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]