• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1617-1622
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• 2005

The activity of brush border enzymes (sucrase, lactase and maltase) in the piglet small intestine was evaluated as well as piglet performance during the weaning period in the present study. There were two treatment groups: Piglets of six litters were fed dry feed plus milk replacer (Group M) and of six litters fed dry pelleted feed (Group C). One piglet from each litter was sacrificed on day 3 before weaning, and day 3, 10 and 17 postweaning, respectively. Providing milk replacer caused an increased piglet live weight at weaning (p<0.001) and until termination of the experiment (p<0.001). A slightly higher (p<0.16) level of protein was measured in the jejunum of group M piglets as compared with group C piglets. Before weaning the activity of lactase was high in the jejunum of group C piglets. The activity of lactase in the jejunum was lowered in the jejunum of group C piglets and in distal jejunum of group M piglets during the postweaning period as compared with pre-weaning period (p<0.05). Lowered activity of lactase in the distal jejunum of piglets was found at day 10 and 17 postweaning, respectively. No treatment differences were found in the activity of lactase in the piglet jejunum. No treatment differences were seen in the activity of maltase and sucrase in the piglet jejunum also. However, weaning caused a higher activity of sucrase in the distal jejunum of group M piglets as compared with pre-weaning period. In conclusion, providing milk replacer to piglets caused an improved growth performance. Feeding milk replacer did not influence the activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the jejunum of piglets. Weaning resulted in a markedly lowered activity of lactase, while no dramatic changes in the activity of maltase took place during the period around weaning.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1333-1344
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• 2024

Objective: Litter size and piglet loss at birth significantly impact piglet production and are closely associated with sow parity. Understanding how these traits vary across different parities is crucial for effective herd management. This study investigates the patterns of the number of born alive piglets (NBA), number of piglet losses (NPL), and the proportion of piglet losses (PPL) at birth in Landrace sows under tropical conditions. Additionally, it aims to identify the most suitable model for describing these patterns. Methods: A dataset comprising 2,322 consecutive reproductive records from 258 Landrace sows, spanning parities from 1 to 9, was analyzed. Modeling approaches including 2nd and 3rd degree polynomial models, the Wood gamma function, and a longitudinal model were applied at the individual level to predict NBA, NPL, and PPL. The choice of the best-fitting model was determined based on the lowest mean and standard deviation of the difference between predicted and actual values, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Results: Sow parity significantly influenced NBA, NPL, and PPL (p<0.0001). NBA increased until the 4th parity and then declined. In contrast, NPL and PPL decreased until the 2nd parity and then steadily increased until the 8th parity. The 2nd and 3rd degree polynomials, and longitudinal models showed no significant differences in predicting NBA, NPL, and PPL (p>0.05). The 3rd degree polynomial model had the lowest prediction standard deviation and yielded the smallest AIC and BIC. Conclusion: The 3rd degree polynomial model offers the most suitable description of NBA, NPL, and PPL patterns. It holds promise for applications in genetic evaluations to enhance litter size and reduce piglet loss at birth in sows. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for sow parity effects in swine breeding programs, particularly in tropical conditions, to optimize piglet production and sow performance.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.543-554
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• 2024

This study investigated the correlation between piglet performance and sow body weight change (BWC) during two gestational periods: 35-70, 70-105, and 35-105 days. A cohort of 70 sows was evaluated for BWC, backfat thickness change (BFC), caliper score change (CALC), feed intake, and weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI). The collected data were then analyzed according to the two specified periods. Our findings highlighted that piglet birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily weight gain (ADG) correlated with sow body characteristics, including BFC and CALC. The strongest correlation was observed with BWC. Piglet mortality was intimately associated with BFC. Piglet birth weight, weaning weight, and ADG showed a positive correlation with sow BWC, particularly during the 35-70 day period. Furthermore, sows displaying a higher BWC during the 70-105 day period, and also exhibiting a higher BW gain from 35-70 days, registered greater piglet weight gains and higher weaning weights. These trends became more apparent as the sow's BWC increased during the 70-105 day period. Piglet mortality increased when the sow exhibited a lower BWC during both the 35-70 and 70-105 day periods. No significant observations were found concerning the number of stillborn piglets, live-born piglets, or weaned piglets, and no interaction effects were detected between these periods. In conclusion, our findings underscore the significance of sow BWC during the early stages of gestation (d 35-70) for enhancing piglet performance from birth to weaning.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1601-1606
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• 2011

32 sows (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) and their litters were used to evaluate the effects of varying creep feed duration on pre-weaning, post-weaning performance of piglets and sows. Sows were randomly assigned with 1, 2 or 3+ parities into 1 of 4 treatments. Creep feeding was initiated at day 5, 10 and 15 from birth for treatment 1 (TRT1), 2 (TRT2) and (TRT3), respectively, with a control group provided no creep feed. In this study, TRT1 and TRT2 diets had reduced (p<0.05) the post-weaning diarrhea scores in piglets and the weaning-to-estrus interval and cortisol concentration in sows at weaning time compared with other treatments. Dietary TRT1 led to a higher (p<0.05) epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than other treatments. No differences (p>0.05) were noted in suckling, sleeping, fighting frequency and mortality in piglet and eating, standing times, backfat and body weight loss in sows. In conclusion, creep feed initiated from day 5 and 10 reduce diarrhea scores in piglets and benefit the estrus interval in sows compared with those initiated from day 15 and no-creep feeding diets, indicating creep feeding could improve the pigs and sows performance, especially those initiated from day 5 and 10.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of dietary level of CLA and the duration of feeding CLAcontaining diets on reproductive performance in sows and piglet growth rate. Tallow (3% in gestation diet and 5% in lactation diet, respectively) was incorporated as a fat source in control diet, and each 50% (dietary CLA level of 0.75% in gestation diet, and 1.50% in lactation diet, respectively) or 100% (dietary CLA level of 1.50% in gestation diet, and 2.50% in lactation diet, respectively) of tallow was replaced by a commercial CLA preparation containing 50% CLA isomers. Diets containing CLA were fed either from d 15 premating to weaning or d 74 post-mating to weaning. The level of dietary CLA and feeding duration did not affect litter size. High dietary level of CLA, however, decreased piglet weights at birth (p<0.01) and tended to decrease backfat thickness of sows at weaning. Longterm feeding of CLA-containing diets decreased piglet weights at weaning (p<0.05) and backfat thickness of sows at weaning (p<0.05). CLA supplemented in sow diet was transferred to fetus and piglets during pregnancy and nursing period, respectively. CLA contents of femoral muscle of piglets were 2.08 to 2.57 mg per g of fat at birth, and 2.36 to 4.47 mg at 10 days of age in CLA groups, while CLA was not detected in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CLA tended to lower backfat thickness of sow and piglets' weight at birth or weaning, but did not affect total litter size. Dietary CLA was transferred efficiently during prenatal and postnatal periods of time through the placenta and milk, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.851-856
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of flavor supplementation on pre- and post-weaning performance and behavior of piglets and sows. A total of 30 sows (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) and their litters were employed in this study. Sows were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments (10 replications per treatment). Dietary treatments included: i) CON, basal diet; ii) TRT1, CON+0.1% vanilla supplement; iii) TRT2, CON+0.1% cheese supplement. The behavior of sows (nursery, eating and standing) and piglets (eating, sleeping and fighting) in each treatment was monitored throughout experiment. Each piglet was weighted at 5, 10, 15 and 21 d after birth to evaluate the average daily gain. Sows and piglets were bled on the weaning d to evaluate the blood characteristics. Back fat and estrus interval were investigated. In this study, there were no differences (p>0.05) in diarrhea score and blood characteristics among treatments. Likewise, the behavior was not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary flavor supplementation. However, administration of flavor increased (p<0.05) the pre-weaning feed intake, post-weaning average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed (G/F) ratio. No significant difference was observed (p>0.05) on the blood characteristics, behavior, backfat loss and estrus interval among treatments. In conclusion, administration of flavor could increase creep feed intake pre-weaning and piglet ADG post-weaning, whereas inclusion of flavor had no influence on blood characteristics and performance in sow and piglets.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.794-801
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation Oreganum aetheroleum essential oil on reproductive performance in sows and growth performance of their offspring of weaning pig. 12 sows ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) were randomly assigned within parities to 1 of 3 dietary treatments to give 4 replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments were as follows: 1) CON (basal diet) 2) ANT (basal diet + Efrotomycin 0.08%) and 3) ORE (basal diet + Oreganum aetheroleum essential oil 0.05%), EXP. 1, diets were fed from d 107 of gestation to weanling. EXP. 2, diets were fed from after weaning to 3 weeks. In the Exp.1, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in sow's average parity, sow backfat thickness, the number of piglets, feed intake of sows, the average of piglet weight, and piglet survival ratio between CON, ANT, and ORE treatments. Besides, in the Exp. 2, the inclusion of efrotomycin and Oreganum aetheroleum essential oil in the diets significantly (p < 0.05) increased final body weight, ADG, ADFI, and G/F in weanling pigs. In addition, weanling pigs fed ANT and ORE diets led to decrease the number of weanling pigs with diarrhea as well as fecal score. In conclusion, supplementation of efrotomycin and Oreganum aetheroleum essential oil enhanced growth performance, and decreased the number of weanling pigs with diarrhea and fecal score. However, no significant effect on grow performance was observed in sow and piglet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1435-1439
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of creep feed with different energy densities on litter performance. A total of 30 sows (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) and their litters were randomly assigned with 1, 2, or 3+parities into 1 of 3 treatments (10 sows). Dietary treatments were: i) CON (no creep feed), ii) LE (creep feed (DE 4,000 kcal/kg) from 5 d of age until weaning (21 d)), and iii) HE (creep feed (DE 5,000 kcal/kg) from 5 d of age until weaning). Each piglet was weighed at d 5, 10, 15, 21 (weaning), and d 7 postweaning to determine ADG. Creep feeding reduced concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol compared with those in CON group (p<0.05). Creep feeding reduced (p<0.05) the weaning-to-oestrus interval in sows. Piglets in the HE groups evidenced greater ADG (p = 0.024) and ADFI (p = 0.001) post-weaning than those in CON treatments. Creep feeding decreased (p<0.05) the suckling time of piglet in this study. In conclusion, creep feeding increased growth and feed intake of pigs after weaning. It can decrease the oestrus interval of sows. There was no difference between providing a high energy or a low energy creep fed diet to the piglets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.562-578
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• 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Ca-Mg complex on the longevity and reproductive performance of sows. In total, seventy-two gilts ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc, average body weight 181 kg) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments during 4 successive parity in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of CON (basal diet), CM1 (basal diet -MgO - 0.3% limestone + 0.4% Ca-Mg complex), and CM2 (basal diet - MgO - 0.7% limestone + 0.4% Ca-Mg complex). A higher (p < 0.05) number of totals born and live piglets, and sows increased feed intake during gestation and lactation, increased backfat thickness, and increased estrus interval were observed (p < 0.05) during their third and fourth parity than during their first and second parity. Ca-Mg complex supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the number of total piglets during the first and second parity as well as live-born piglets during the first to third parity, reduction (p < 0.05) in backfat thickness during the third and fourth parity, a higher (p < 0.05) initial and final number of suckling piglets as well as higher weaning weight compared with sows fed CON diet during the first, second, and third parity. The average daily gain (ADG) was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets born to CM1 and CM2 sows regardless of parity. The treatment diets fed to sows lowered (p < 0.05) the duration of first to last piglet birth and placenta expulsion time compared with CON sows. A significant interactive effect (p = 0.042) between parities and treatment diets was observed for the first to last piglet birth. Thus, Ca-Mg complex supplementation by partially replacing limestone in the basal diet enhanced sow performance, specifically during their third and fourth parity, thereby improving sow longevity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1067-1073
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• 1990

To clarify the changes of left ventricular function under normothermia, the time interval between the onset of ischemia and the beginning of contracture of left ventricle[TIC] were recorded in newborn piglet. Myocardial performance was assessed using intraventricular balloon to determine compliance and systolic function after 5 to 10 minutes interval per-fusing normothermic substrate free Krebs solution as a perfusate. The time to onset TIC was 29.5\ulcorner1.7 minutes and peak ischemic contracture was 46.7\ulcorner4.0 minutes[p<0.01]. In myocardial performance, systolic function of left ventricle[defined as cardiac contractility] was kept until 25 minutes of perfusion, but was decreased abruptly after 30 minutes of perfusion[p<0.0018] and diastolic function of left ventricle[defined as diastolic compliance] was kept until 15 minutes of perfusion, but was decreased after 20 minutes of perfusion [p=0.00\ulcorner9]. This study demonstrated maximal time of the tolerance to normothermic global ischemia and functional changes of left ventricle using Krebs perfusate under the same condition.