• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.768-774
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• 2016

The present study investigated the impact of parity 1 gilt body weight during late gestation (d 109) on subsequent reproductive performance of sows and performance of suckling pigs. A total of 2,404 farrowing records over 6 parities were divided into six groups on the basis of body weight (190, 200, 210, 220, 230, and 240 kg) at d 109 of gestation of 585 gilts. Significant effects (p<0.05) of body weight on sow retention rate was noticed, with the 210 kg group having the lowest culling rate and highest total number of piglets born alive over the 6 parities. With increase of body weight, a linear increase (p<0.05) in losses of body weight and backfat during the lactation period of parity 1 and a linear decrease (p<0.05) in backfat loss for parities 4 and 6 were found. Compared with light sows, heavy sows had higher (p<0.05) litter weight at birth for parities 1 and 2 and at weaning in parity 1. Sow weaning-to-estrus interval of sows was not influenced (p>0.05) by body weight. In conclusion, maintaining optimal body weight during gestation would be beneficial to sows and suckling piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1350-1357
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• 2017

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate whether the long-lasting, recurrent restricting of sows leads to the physiological and psychological reaction of discomfort. Methods: Sows (Large White) that had experienced restricting for about 0.5 or 3 years and agematched sows kept in a group housing system (loose sows) were compared. Pupillary light reflex parameters were measured at the weaning stage. Immediately after slaughter, blood samples were taken to measure serum cortisol levels, and the brain was dissected, gene expression in the hippo-campus, frontal cortex and hypothalamus was analyzed. Results: The serum cortisol levels were higher in the confined sows than in the loose sows. The full maturity, but not the young adolescent, confined sows had longer latency time in the onset of pupil constriction than their loose counterparts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed an increased expression of interleukin 6 mRNA in the hippocampus and decreased expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in hippocampus and hypothalamus and to a lesser extent in the frontal cortex of the full maturity confined sows, compared with the full maturity loose sows. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicated that recurrent restricting stress in full maturity sows leads to the physiological and psychological reaction of discomfort.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2021

A total of fourteen primiparous sows' (Landrace × Yorkshire) were used to determine the effects of two patterns of feed intake during early gestation on the growth performance and litter characteristics in sows. Daily feed intake from day 5 to 112 of gestation for parity 1 sows was 2.2 kg·d^-1 of feed offered with the exception of seven sows who were offered 3.2 kg·d^-1 from day 90 to 108 of gestation (TRT A) or 2.5 kg·d^-1 (d 5 - 60) and 2 kg·d^-1 (d 60 - 90) of feed with the exception of seven sows who were offered 3.5 kg·d^-1 from day 90 to 108 of gestation (TRT B). The different feed intake patterns in early gestation did not have a significant effect on body weight, backfat thickness, or body condition score during, before, and after farrowing (p > 0.05) respectively. However, initial to d 60, backfat thickness difference was significantly improved by TRT B patterns of feed intake during early gestation. In addition, during the overall experiment, average daily feed intake was significantly enhanced for sows in the dietary TRT B group feed intake pattern (p = 0.0001). The fecal score during day 90 was significantly reduced (p = 0.0132) in sows fed with TRT B feed intake pattern. Litter size, litter survival rate, and initial weight showed no significant differences with different feed efficiency of gestating sows. In summary, the results indicate that the 2.5 kg·d^-1 gestation intake pattern allowed gestating sows to obtain optimal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.1186-1190
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• 2002

One hundred and twenty nine primiparous sows were used to determine the effects of alternative processing procedures and feeding systems on the nutritional value of sorghum grain-based diets for lactating sows. Treatments were a ground sorghum control, steam-flaked sorghum and extruded sorghum fed in meal form and the ground sorghum control given as pellets or gruel (1:1 ratio of water and feed on a volume:volume basis). Average daily feed intake was greater for sows fed pelleted and gruel diet forms than sow fed the diets with steam-flaked and extruded sorghum (p<0.04). However, no differences occurred in sow weight or backfat losses among the treatments (p>0.14). Number of pigs weaned and livability rates were similar among treatments except that steam-flaked sorghum supported greater litter weight gains than extruded sorghum (p<0.02). Apparent digestibilities of DM, N and GE in sows fed steam-flaked and extruded sorghum were greater (p<0.001) than in sows fed pelleted or gruel diets. Of the various treatments, sows fed extruded sorghum tended to have the highest digestibilities of DM, N and GE, and lowest excretions of DM and N in the faeces. Severity of ulceration was not significantly affected by treatments (p>0.35), but keratinization was greatest for sows fed extruded sorghum (p<0.01). In conclusion, the alternative processing methods (steam-flaking and extrusion) and feeding system (pellets and gruel) had little effect on sow and litter performance. However, nutrient digestibilities were improved for all treatments that involved heating (steam flaking, extrusion and pelleting) and, thus, these treatments resulted in less fecal excretion of DM and N.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.875-883
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of group-housing facility (GHF), compared to an individual confinement stall (CON), on the reproductive performance, behavior, and stress hormones of gestating sows. A total of 50 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into either CON (n = 25) or GHF (n = 25) during the gestation period. One week before parturition, the sows were transferred into conventional farrowing crates, and cross-fostering was conducted within 1 d of delivery. Blood was collected for analyses of stress indices at 75 d of gestation and postpartum. Reproductive performance was estimated during the period of birth to weaning. Behavior patterns were identified at 90 d of gestation. Litter size was not different between the CON and GHF treatments. Weaning to estrus interval, however, tended to be lower in the GHF than in the CON (p < 0.1). Activity, treating, belly nosing, and exploring behaviors were observed only in the GHF group, whereas rubbing was shown only with the CON. Serum cortisol concentration was lower in the GHF than in the CON at 75 d of gestation (p < 0.05). Sows housed in the GHF showed lower epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than those housed in the CON at postpartum (p < 0.05). The GHF sows demonstrated more natural behavior characteristics associated with stress relief than the CON sows with no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, these results suggest that GHF could be applied as an alternative housing facility to improve animal welfare on swine farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1080-1088
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy levels of gestating gilts on physiological parameters and reproductive performance for primiparous sows. A total of 40 F1 gilts (Large White${\times}$Landrace) were allocated to 4 treatments using a completely randomized design (CRD). Four different experimental diets contained 3,165, 3,265 3,365 and 3,465 kcal of ME/kg and each diet was provided to gilts at 2.0 kg/d during gestation. Consequently, energy intake of each treatment of gestating gilts was 6,330, 6,530, 6,730 and 6,930 kcal ME/kg, respectively. During the whole gestation period, body weight, fat mass gain and backfat thickness of gilts were increased in proportion to dietary energy levels (p<0.01). However, estimated protein mass gain of gilts was not affected by dietary energy level (p>0.10). At farrowing, the total number of pigs born per litter did not show any significant difference among treatments. However, the number of pigs born alive per litter in treatment 6,730 kcal ME/d was significantly higher than that of other treatments (p<0.05). Moreover, litter weight at birth was improved as dietary energy level was increased (p<0.05). Feed intake of sows during lactation tended to decrease as dietary energy level of gestation was increased, but litter weight gain was not affected by dietary treatment during the gestation period. Fat content in colostrum was higher as dietary energy level was increased during gestation. The concentration of blood estradiol-$17{\beta}$ was increased and was higher at the first trimester of gestation in 6,730 kcal ME/d treatment compared to other treatments. These results suggested that increased dietary energy level during gestation resulted in higher body weight and backfat thickness of sows. In addition, reproductive performance of the sow, such as litter weight at farrowing and the number of pigs born alive, was improved when 6,730 kcal of ME/d treatment diet was provided. Consequently, the NRC (1998) recommendation of energy for gestating gilts (6,015 to 6,150 kcal of ME/d) should be reevaluated to maximize reproductive performance because recent high-producing sows require much more energy to produce a large litter size and heavier piglets from the first parity.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 1994

In order to examine the effects of PGF2$\alpha$ on intervals from weaning to estrus and serum progesterone levels seventeen crossbred primiparious sows were randomly alloted to two groups. One group was injected intramuscularly on the day of weaning with 10 mg PGF2$\alpha$ (10mg/2ml, Lutylase). The other group was treated with saline as a control. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined at 24 hour intervals for 12 days after weaning. A serum progesterone level in PGF2$\alpha$-treated group was reached to the lowest level(1.19$\pm$0.38 ng/ml) on day 3 after weaning and remained low(1.26~1.43ng/ml) thereafter. Whereas, the control group showed the lowest level of progesterone on day 4 after wearing, then showed a rapid increase up to 5.02$\pm$0.38ng/ml on day 8 and a rapid decrease was followed. The PGF2$\alpha$ treated group showed an interval from weaning to estrus(5.2$\pm$0.8 days) approximately 2 days shorter than the control(7.4$\pm$3.0 days)(p<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1354-1363
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• 2010

This study compared the effect of four different feeding methods for gestating gilts on reproductive performance and growth of their progeny. A total of 40 F1 primiparous sows (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace) were allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). For treatments, gestating period of sows was divided into three trimesters (0-35 d, 36-90 d and 91-110 d) and different amounts of feed were provided to each treatment group by Flat, Down-Up-Down (DUD), Up-Down-Up (UDU) and Down-Up-Up (DUU) feeding methods. The experimental diet was formulated to meet or exceed the standards of NRC (1998). Body weight gain of gestating gilts from d 0 to 110 was affected by feeding method (p<0.05). When gilts were fed constant feed ration (Flat feeding), less body weight loss was observed during lactation (-0.9 kg, p<0.05) and desirable backfat thickness (average 19.5 mm) was acquired at 110 days of gestation. Feed intake of lactating sows tended to be greater (4.22, 3.60, 3.97 and 4.13 kg/d, p>0.05) as sows in Flat feeding treatment had lower backfat thickness during gestation compared with other treatments (p<0.05). When gestating gilts were fed higher amount of feed during mid-trimester, the number of stillborn (1.4 piglet per litter, p<0.05) and mummies (0.8 piglet per litter, p = 0.25) were increased compared to other treatments. Feeding methods for gestating gilts had no effect on litter weight and gain of litter weight during the nursing period. Flat feeding method resulted in decreased plasma glucose concentration at 7 d postpartum (p<0.05), and increased LH concentration at 21 d postpartum (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. These results suggested that higher feed intake of gestating gilts resulted in detrimental effects on body condition and reproductive performance of sows. When gestating gilts consumed constant feed during gestation (2 kg/d), better reproductive performance and less body weight loss in lactation were observed because sows consumed more feed during the whole lactation period. Consequently, Flat feeding will be a desirable feeding strategy for gestating gilts to maximize reproductive performance, and better body condition of sows without any negative influence on the growth of their progeny.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.343-348
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• 2013

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the development of T cells in intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) piglets at different gestational stages, and tentatively explore the relationship between T cells development and the Notch signaling pathway. A total of 18 crossbred (Landrace${\times}$Large white) primiparous sows were mated at similar weights and estruses and euthanized at d 60, 90 and 110 of gestation with six replicates for each time point. One IUGR and one normal fetus were picked from each litter. The T-cell subsets, mRNA expression of Delta-like1, Delta-like4, Jagged1, and Notch2 genes in the thymus were investigated. Compared to normal piglets, $CD3^+CD4^-CD8^+$ cells in IUGR fetuses at d 90 was 0.13% lower (p<0.05). At d 110 of gestation $CD8^+$ T cells in IUGR fetuses was 0.19% lower (p<0.05). The percentage of $CD8^+$ T cells was 3.14% lower (p<0.05) of the total T cells in IUGR pigs at d 60. The abundance of Notch2 and Delta-like4 mRNA at d 110 was 20.93% higher and 0.77% (p<0.05) lower, and Delta-like1 mRNA at d 90 was 0.19% (p<0.05) higher compared to normal pigs. These results suggested that normal fetuses had a greater proportion of T-cell subsets at earlier gestation periods, and the Notch signaling pathway was likely partially responsible for these differences to some degree.