Journal of Animal Science, Vol 77, Issue 8 2124-2134, Copyright © 1999 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Influence of high ambient temperatures on performance of multiparous lactating sows

N. Quiniou and J. Noblet
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Saint-Gilles, France. nathalie.quiniou@itp.asso.fr

Multiparous Large White sows (n = 63) were used to investigate the effects of five ambient temperatures (18, 22, 25, 27, and 29 degrees C) and two dietary protein contents on their lactation performance. At each temperature treatment, ambient temperature was maintained constant over the 21-d lactation period. Dietary protein content was either 14 or 17% with essential amino acids levels calculated not to be limiting. The animals had ad libitum access to feed between the seventh and the 19th day of lactation. Diet composition did not influence lactation performance. Over the 21-d lactation, feed intake decreased from 5.67 to 3.08 kg/d between 18 and 29 degrees C. Between d 7 and 19, the corresponding values were 7.16 and 3.48 kg/d, respectively. This decrease was curvilinear; an equation to predict voluntary feed intake (VFI) from temperature (T, degrees C) and body weight (BW, kg) is proposed: VFI = -49,052 + 1,213 T - 31.5 T2 + 330 BW - .61 BW2 (residual standard deviation: 1,018). Skin temperature increased regularly with increased ambient temperature (34.6 to 37.4 degrees C between 18 and 29 degrees C), whereas udder temperature reached a plateau at 25 degrees C (38.3 degrees C). The gradient of temperature between skin and rectum was minimal (2 degrees C ) at 27 degrees C and remained constant at 29 degrees C. This constancy coincides with the marked reduction of feed intake. The respiratory rate increased from 26 to 124 breaths/min between 18 and 29 degrees C, and this indicates that the evaporative critical temperature was below 22 degrees C. The BW loss increased from 23 to 35 kg between 18 and 29 degrees C, but its estimated chemical composition remained constant. Pig growth rate was almost constant between 18 and 25 degrees C (241 g/d) and was reduced above 25 degrees C (212 and 189 g/d at 27 and 29 degrees C, respectively). In conclusion, temperatures above 25 degrees C seem to be critical for lactating sows in order to maintain their performance.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. L. Gourdine, J. P. Bidanel, J. Noblet, and D. Renaudeau Effects of breed and season on performance of lactating sows in a tropical humid climate J Anim Sci, February 1, 2006; 84(2): 360 - 369. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Gourdine, J. P. Bidanel, J. Noblet, and D. Renaudeau Effects of season and breed on the feeding behavior of multiparous lactating sows in a tropical humid climate J Anim Sci, February 1, 2006; 84(2): 469 - 480. [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]

				J. D. Spencer, R. D. Boyd, R. Cabrera, and G. L. Allee Early weaning to reduce tissue mobilization in lactating sows and milk supplementation to enhance pig weaning weight during extreme heat stress J Anim Sci, August 1, 2003; 81(8): 2041 - 2052. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K. Johnson and J. J. McGlone Fender design and insulation of farrowing huts: Effects on performance of outdoor sows and piglets J Anim Sci, April 1, 2003; 81(4): 955 - 964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Renaudeau, J. Noblet, and J. Y. Dourmad Effect of ambient temperature on mammary gland metabolism in lactating sows J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(1): 217 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]