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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1332v1 87/6/2104    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Silva, B. A. N. Articles by Renaudeau, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Silva, B. A. N. Articles by Renaudeau, D.

Effects of dietary protein level and amino acids supplementation on the feeding behavior of multiparous lactating sows in a tropical humid climate

B. A. N. Silva^*, , J. Noblet, R. F. M. Oliveira, J. L. Donzele, Y. Primot^|| and D. Renaudeau^*

^* INRA, Unité de Recherches Zootechniques INRA UR143, 97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, French West Indies , INRA, UMR Systèmes d'Elevage, Nutrition Animale et Humaine INRA UMR 1079, 35590 St Gilles, France , Animal Science Department/Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), 36571-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil ^|| Ajinomoto Eurolysine S.A.S. 153, rue de Courcelles, 75817 PARIS CEDEX 17, France

David.Renaudeau{at}antilles.inra.fr

Abstract

Forty-seven mixed-parity Large White sows were used to determine the effect of diets with reduced CP content or supplemented with essential AA on 28-d lactation feeding behavior under humid tropical climatic conditions. The study was conducted at the INRA experimental facilities in Guadeloupe, French West Indies (Latitude 16°N, Longitude 61°W) between February 2007 and January 2008. Two seasons were distinguished a posteriori from climatic measurements continuously recorded in the open front farrowing room. The average ambient temperature and average daily relative humidity for the warm season was 23.6°C and 93.8%, respectively. The corresponding values for the hot season were 26.1°C, and 93.7%. The dietary experimental treatments were: a normal protein diet (NP; 17.3%), a low protein diet (LP; 14.1%), and a NP diet supplemented with essential AA (NP+; 17.6%). No interaction between season and diet composition was found for all criteria. Average daily feed intake was lower (P < 0.01) during the hot season (4,559 ± 161 vs. 5,713 ± 204 kg/d). Meal size was reduced during the hot season (542 ± 37 vs. 757 ± 47 g/meal; P < 0.01). Daily ingestion time (45.5 ± 3.2 vs. 55.8 ± 4.0 min/d; P < 0.05) was lower in the hot season. Meal size was lower during the hot season at night (P < 0.01). In both seasons, daily feed intake, feed ingestion, and rate of feed intake were lower (P < 0.01) during the nocturnal than during the diurnal period. The number of meals per day was not affected (P > 0.10) by season or diet composition. Daily feed intake was greater for the sows fed LP diet when compared with normal protein treatments (P < 0.05). Duration of standing was not affected by diet or season (P > 0.05), and it averaged 126 ± 35 min/d. This study confirms that feeding behavior parameters of the lactating sow are affected by seasonal variations of the tropical climate. Irrespective of season, the reduction of CP content increased voluntary improves the feed consumption under tropical conditions.

Key Words: dietary protein • feeding behavior • lactation • sow • tropical climate