Effects of age at first breeding and dietary energy levels during the rearing period of replacement gilts on reproductive performance
Joseph Moturi
A , Abdolreza Hosseindoust A , Sang Hun Ha A , Habeeb Tajudeen A , Jun Young Mun A and Jin Soo Kim A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Animal Industry Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, South Korea.
Animal Production Science 62(16) 1581-1589 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN21275
Submitted: 26 May 2021 Accepted: 4 June 2022 Published: 12 July 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: The occurrence of second parity syndrome is a major reason for culling sows depending on the bodyweight and energy level balance during the first lactation. Equally, the nutrition of gilts during the rearing period influences the age of first oestrus, longevity and reproductive performance.
Aims: The experiment investigated: (1) the influence of gilt mating age (early [EL], middle [MD] and late [LT]) at the first parity on reproductive performance, and (2) the interaction between dietary energy levels (high, 3320 kcal/kg; low, 3120 kcal/kg) and mating age.
Methods: A total of 120 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) gilts were allotted to six treatments according to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement based on mating age (EL [222 days], MD [244 days] and LT [264 days]) at the first parity and dietary energy levels (high, 3320 kcal/kg; low, 3120 kcal/kg). The average weight of gilts were 141 ± 3, 153 ± 3 and 164 ± 3 for the EL, MD and LT groups, respectively.
Results: High-energy diets tended to increase the growth rate of gilts (P = 0.083). At insemination, bodyweight and back-fat thickness were higher (P < 0.05) in the LT group. Back-fat thickness at farrowing was lower (P < 0.05) in the EL group. The back-fat thickness loss during lactation was highest in the LT group (P < 0.05) during parity one and two. Feed intake during lactation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the LT gilts in parity one. Insemination age and dietary energy levels had no significant effects on, litter size, litter weight and weaning to oestrus interval. A higher blood insulin-like growth factor (P < 0.05) was observed in the EL gilts during the first service and weaning.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, early inseminated gilts had a lower bodyweight loss during lactation without affecting litter size or growth, which in the long term may positively impact culling age.
Implication: This information may guide swine farmers on the most appropriate age to breed gilts at first service for increased reproductive life. The provision of high-energy feeds did not translate into any meaningful interaction towards improving reproductive performance in gilts.
Keywords: back-fat thickness, breeding age, dietary energy levels, gilt, parity, replacement, reproduction, weaning to estrus interval.
References
Amstalden M, Garcia MR, Williams SW, Stanko RL, Nizielski SE, Morrison CD, Keisler DH, Williams GL (2000) Leptin gene expression, circulating leptin, and luteinizing hormone pulsatility are acutely responsive to short-term fasting in prepubertal heifers: relationships to circulating insulin and insulin-like growth factor I. Biology of Reproduction 63, 127–133.| Leptin gene expression, circulating leptin, and luteinizing hormone pulsatility are acutely responsive to short-term fasting in prepubertal heifers: relationships to circulating insulin and insulin-like growth factor I.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10859251PubMed |
Belkova J, Rozkot M (2022) Gilt rearing impacts on sow performance and longevity – a review. Journal of Swine Health and Production 30, 10–16.
Che L, Feng D, Wu D, Fang Z, Lin Y, Yan T (2011) Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 46, 1061–1066.
| Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21518028PubMed |
Childs GV, Odle AK, MacNicol MC, MacNicol AM (2021) The importance of leptin to reproduction. Endocrinology 162, bqaa204
| The importance of leptin to reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 33165520PubMed |
Cosgrove JR, Kirkwood RN, Aherne FX, Clowes EJ, Foxcroft GR (1996) Nutrition and reproduction in the pig: ovarian etiology. Animal Reproduction Science 42, 131–141.
| Nutrition and reproduction in the pig: ovarian etiology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dourmad JY (1991) Effect of feeding level in the gilt during pregnancy on voluntary feed intake during lactation and changes in body composition during gestation and lactation. Livestock Production Science 27, 309–319.
| Effect of feeding level in the gilt during pregnancy on voluntary feed intake during lactation and changes in body composition during gestation and lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Estienne MJ, Harper AF, Kozink DM, Knight JW (2003) Serum and milk concentrations of leptin in gilts fed a high- or low-energy diet during gestation. Animal Reproduction Science 75, 95–105.
| Serum and milk concentrations of leptin in gilts fed a high- or low-energy diet during gestation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12535586PubMed |
Gobikrushanth M, Purfield DC, Colazo MG, Wang Z, Butler ST, Ambrose DJ (2018) The relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration and reproductive performance, and genome-wide associations for serum IGF-1 in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 101, 9154–9167.
| The relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration and reproductive performance, and genome-wide associations for serum IGF-1 in Holstein cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30031580PubMed |
Hoving LL, Soede NM, Graat EAM, Feitsma H, Kemp B (2011) Reproductive performance of second parity sows: relations with subsequent reproduction. Livestock Science 140, 124–130.
| Reproductive performance of second parity sows: relations with subsequent reproduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Iida R, Piñeiro C, Koketsu Y (2015) High lifetime and reproductive performance of sows on southern European Union commercial farms can be predicted by high numbers of pigs born alive in parity one. Journal of Animal Science 93, 2501–2508.
| High lifetime and reproductive performance of sows on southern European Union commercial farms can be predicted by high numbers of pigs born alive in parity one.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26020345PubMed |
Jin SS, Jung SW, Jang JC, Chung WL, Jeong JH, Kim YY (2016) Effects of dietary energy levels on the physiological parameters and reproductive performance of gestating gilts. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 29, 1004–1012.
| Effects of dietary energy levels on the physiological parameters and reproductive performance of gestating gilts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27282975PubMed |
Jindal R, Cosgrove JR, Foxcroft GR (1997) Progesterone mediates nutritionally induced effects on embryonic survival in gilts. Journal of Animal Science 75, 1063–1070.
| Progesterone mediates nutritionally induced effects on embryonic survival in gilts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9110221PubMed |
Koketsu Y, Tani S, Iida R (2017) Factors for improving reproductive performance of sows and herd productivity in commercial breeding herds. Porcine Health Management 3, 1
| Factors for improving reproductive performance of sows and herd productivity in commercial breeding herds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28405457PubMed |
Kummer R, Bernardi ML, Wentz I, Bortolozzo FP (2006) Reproductive performance of high growth rate gilts inseminated at an early age. Animal Reproduction Science 96, 47–53.
| Reproductive performance of high growth rate gilts inseminated at an early age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16431043PubMed |
Lamberson WR, Safranski TJ, Bates RO, Keisler DH, Matteri RL (1995) Relationships of serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations to growth, composition, and reproductive traits of swine. Journal of Animal Science 73, 3241–3245.
| Relationships of serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations to growth, composition, and reproductive traits of swine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8586579PubMed |
Lee SH, Hosseindoust A, Choi YH, Kim MJ, Kim KY, Lee JH, Kim YH, Chae BJ (2019) Age and weight at first mating affects plasma leptin concentration but no effects on reproductive performance of gilts. Journal of Animal Science and Technology 61, 285–293.
| Age and weight at first mating affects plasma leptin concentration but no effects on reproductive performance of gilts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Long HF, Ju WS, Piao LG, Kim YY (2010) Effect of dietary energy levels of gestating sows on physiological parameters and reproductive performance. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 23, 1080–1088.
| Effect of dietary energy levels of gestating sows on physiological parameters and reproductive performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lucia T, Dial GD, Marsh WE (2000) Lifetime reproductive performance in female pigs having distinct reasons for removal. Livestock Production Science 63, 213–222.
| Lifetime reproductive performance in female pigs having distinct reasons for removal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Masaka L, Sungirai M, Nyamukanza C, Bhondai C (2014) Sow removal in a commercial pig herd in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production 46, 725–731.
| Sow removal in a commercial pig herd in Zimbabwe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24550000PubMed |
Meunier-Salaün MC, Edwards SA, Robert S (2001) Effect of dietary fibre on the behaviour and health of the restricted fed sow. Animal Feed Science and Technology 90, 53–69.
| Effect of dietary fibre on the behaviour and health of the restricted fed sow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
National Research Committee (NRC) (1998) ‘Nutrient requirements of swine.’ 10th edn. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)
| Crossref |
National Research Committee (NRC) (2012) ‘Nutrient requirements of swine.’ 11th edn. (National Academy Press, Washington, DC)
| Crossref |
Noblet J, Dourmad JY, Etienne M (1990) Energy utilization in pregnant and lactating sows: modeling of energy requirements. Journal of Animal Science 68, 562–572.
| Energy utilization in pregnant and lactating sows: modeling of energy requirements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 2179194PubMed |
Oksbjerg N, Gondret F, Vestergaard M (2004) Basic principles of muscle development and growth in meat-producing mammals as affected by the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 27, 219–240.
| Basic principles of muscle development and growth in meat-producing mammals as affected by the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15451071PubMed |
Patterson JL, Willis HJ, Kirkwood RN, Foxcroft GR (2002) Impact of boar exposure on puberty attainment and breeding outcomes in gilts. Theriogenology 57, 2015–2025.
| Impact of boar exposure on puberty attainment and breeding outcomes in gilts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12066862PubMed |
Patterson JL, Beltranena E, Foxcroft GR (2010) The effect of gilt age at first estrus and breeding on third estrus on sow body weight changes and long-term reproductive performance. Journal of Animal Science 88, 2500–2513.
| The effect of gilt age at first estrus and breeding on third estrus on sow body weight changes and long-term reproductive performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20228234PubMed |
Piao LG, Ju WS, Long HF, Kim YY (2010) Effects of various feeding methods for gestating gilts on reproductive performance and growth of their progeny. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 23, 1354–1363.
| Effects of various feeding methods for gestating gilts on reproductive performance and growth of their progeny.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pond WG, Varel VH, Dickson JS, Haschek WM (1989) Comparative response of swine and rats to high-fiber or high-protein diets. Journal of Animal Science 67, 716–723.
| Comparative response of swine and rats to high-fiber or high-protein diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 2542211PubMed |
Quesnel H, Meunier-Salaün M-C, Hamard A, Guillemet R, Etienne M, Farmer C, Dourmad J-Y, Père M-C (2009) Dietary fiber for pregnant sows: influence on sow physiology and performance during lactation. Journal of Animal Science 87, 532–543.
| Dietary fiber for pregnant sows: influence on sow physiology and performance during lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18849389PubMed |
Rozeboom DW, Pettigrew JE, Moser RL, Cornelius SG, el Kandelgy SM (1996) Influence of gilt age and body composition at first breeding on sow reproductive performance and longevity. Journal of Animal Science 74, 138–50.
| Influence of gilt age and body composition at first breeding on sow reproductive performance and longevity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8778092PubMed |
Schenkel AC, Bernardi ML, Bortolozzo FP, Wentz I (2010) Body reserve mobilization during lactation in first parity sows and its effect on second litter size. Livestock Science 132, 165–172.
| Body reserve mobilization during lactation in first parity sows and its effect on second litter size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soede NM, Langendijk P, Kemp B (2011) Reproductive cycles in pigs. Animal Reproduction Science 124, 251–258.
Tani S, Piñeiro C, Koketsu Y (2016) Recurrence patterns and factors associated with regular, irregular, and late returns-to-service of female pigs and their lifetime performance on southern European farms. Journal of Animal Science 94, 1924–1932.
| Recurrence patterns and factors associated with regular, irregular, and late returns-to-service of female pigs and their lifetime performance on southern European farms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27285690PubMed |
Tantasuparuk W, Lundeheim N, Dalin A-M, Kunavongkrit A, Einarsson S (2001) Weaning-to-service interval in primiparous sows and its relationship with longevity and piglet production. Livestock Production Science 69, 155–162.
| Weaning-to-service interval in primiparous sows and its relationship with longevity and piglet production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tummaruk P, Lundeheim N, Einarsson S, Dalin A-M (2001) Effect of birth litter size, birth parity number, growth rate, backfat thickness and age at first mating of gilts on their reproductive performance as sows. Animal Reproduction Science 66, 225–237.
| Effect of birth litter size, birth parity number, growth rate, backfat thickness and age at first mating of gilts on their reproductive performance as sows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11348784PubMed |
van Barneveld RJ, Hewitt RJE (2016) Reducing variation in pork production systems through maternal and pre- and post-weaning nutrition strategies. Animal Production Science 56, 1248–1253.
| Reducing variation in pork production systems through maternal and pre- and post-weaning nutrition strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Wettere WHEJ, Smits RJ, Hughes PE (2012) Methyl donor supplementation of gestating sow diets improves pregnancy outcomes and litter size. Animal Production Science 53, 1–7.
| Methyl donor supplementation of gestating sow diets improves pregnancy outcomes and litter size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vargovic L, Hermesch S, Athorn RZ, Bunter KL (2021) Feed intake and feeding behaviour traits of gestating sows are associated with undesirable outcomes. Livestock Science 249, 104526
| Feed intake and feeding behaviour traits of gestating sows are associated with undesirable outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
