Effect of gilt development diet on the reproductive performance of primiparous sows.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of development diet on first-parity reproductive performance across different genetic types of females. Gilts (n = 708) 8 to 15 d of age from five genetic lines were assembled using a segregated early weaning protocol. Genetic types represented industry variation for reproductive capacity and lean growth potential. Sampling procedures were not designed to evaluate performance differences among the genetic lines. When the gilts weighed approximately 20 kg, they were moved from the nursery facilities to a slotted-floor, environmentally controlled facility, and seven to eight animals within a genetic type were penned together. When the gilts weighed approximately 40 kg, they were moved to a modified open-front facility. Nineteen gilts were allotted to each pen (.92 m2 per pig). Gilts were assigned to one of three development diets at 120 d of age. Diet 1 (high energy, 18% CP) and Diet 2 (high energy, 13% CP) were provided for ad libitum consumption to the assigned gilts until they weighed approximately 113 kg. Gilts receiving Diet 3 (23% CP) were fed 1.8 kg/d from 82 kg until they reached 180 d of age (approximately 100 kg). Gilts were fed 2 kg daily of a gestation diet from 180 d to 200 d of age and 2.7 kg daily from 200 d until mating. To stimulate the estrus cycle, gilts were commingled and exposed to vasectomized boars beginning at 180 d of age. Gilts that were in estrus and 210 d of age or older were artificially inseminated with commercial semen. Gilts not detected in estrus within the first 50 d of observation were injected with PG600 and estrus detection continued for 30 additional days. Of the 657 gilts entering breeding pens, 422 farrowed. Bred gilts were distributed to 10 cooperator facilities before farrowing. Mixed model procedures were used to analyze the data. Significant (P < .05) genetic type x gilt development diet interactions were found for number of pigs born, number of pigs born alive, total litter birth weight, and litter birth weight of pigs born alive. Significant interactions consistently involved one genetic line and gilt development Diets 1 and 2. Gilts from this genetic line-diet subclass had poorer farrowing performance (P < .05) than gilts from the same line fed development Diet 3. Only two other significant genetic line x gilt development diet interactions were found. Gilt development diet had little influence on first-parity reproductive performance.

Gilt development traits associated with genetic line, diet and fertility

“…In agreement, Johnson et al (2009) and Klindt et al (2001) reported no differences (Po0.05) between gilts reared ad libitum or restricted for STAY or litter size. Stalder et al (1998) reported higher STAY, but not litter size, for gilts fed restrictively vs. ad libitum from 120 to 180 d of age. Newton and Mahan (1993) reported gilts fed ad libitum vs. 60% of ad libitum from 150 to 240 d of age had a similar number of pigs born alive but an increased pre-weaning mortality.…”

“…Studies have quantified the relationship between gilt body weight and body composition, achieved through dietary manipulation, on subsequent reproductive performance (Barczewski et al, 1990;Johnson et al, 2009;Klindt et al, 2001;Newton and Mahan, 1993;Stalder et al, 1998). However, few studies have examined estrous traits in relation to subsequent reproductive performance (Cronin et al, 1982;Gäde et al, 2006).…”

Body composition of breeding gilts in response to dietary protein and energy balance from thirty kilograms of body weight to completion of first parity1

“…A number of studies have placed importance on the relationship between body composition of gilts during development and subsequent reproductive performance (O'Dowd et al, 1997;Cia et al, 1998;Stalder et al, 2000). Particular emphasis has been given to body fat 1926 as a percentage of BW was increased at mating (26.0 vs. 21.9%, P = 0.005).…”

The effect of different dietary energy levels during rearing and mid-gestation on gilt performance and culling rate

“…They found that the plus feed treatment, which is similar to the higher dietary energy level during mid-gestation in our study, resulted in an average of 2 more piglets without decreasing the average piglet birth weight. Stalder et al (2000) found no influence of gilt development diet on first parity maternal performance, but found that genetic line  development diet interaction was a significant source of variation for litter size and litter weight at birth. Although gilt development strategy may influence the reproductive performance of gilts, the results from the present study suggest that most of the gilts, regardless of dietary treatment during rearing and mid-gestation, were in adequate body condition at parturition resulting in similar numbers of piglets born alive and litter birth weights.…”