Summary. Feeding a very protein-poor diet to sow at different periods during pregnancy. Effects on fetal development.We report an experiment using 51 multiparous sows to determine the effects of protein nutrition on the litter during pregnancy. Two diets were offered to the animals ; one was a protein-poor ration containing 1.3 p. 100 protein (p) and the other was a control diet containing 10.6 p. 100 protein (P). The sows were divided into lots according to diet distribution sequence during pregnancy and were fed 2.5 kg daily of either one diet or the other. No significant difference was noted in fetus number or weight in the different groups 60 days after service. However, at farrowing the mean weight of the piglets receiving diet p was lower as that diet was given over a longer period. When it was provided during the whole pregnancy, the development of uterine contents slowed down : the dry matter level in placenta and piglet body and the protein percentage of piglet dry matter decreased. The weight of several organs (liver, heart, kidneys, adrenals) and the femur length were reduced almost in proportion to total animal weight. Only brain weight was unaffected. These piglets were observed to be weaker between birth and weaning. On the contrary, the body development of offspring from sows fed the control diet during at least 25 days at the beginning or end of pregnancy seemed to be much less affected. These results confirm both the low protein requirements of the sow during pregnancy and that the mother's body acts as a buffer against nutrient deficiencies.Introduction.
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