Differences in maternal plane of nutrition and body condition during late gestation coupled with estrus synchronization at weaning do not result in differences in embryonic development at 4 days of gestation

• Grant number: 13/15277-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Grantee: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary energy in late pregnancy and hormone therapy at weaning on plasma metabolite profile, litter performance, reproductive parameters, and embryo viability in the second pregnancy. A total of 23 first-parity sows at 75 d of pregnancy were randomly allocated to 4 treatments. Treatments were factorial (2x2) combinations of 2 nutritional strategies (standard-energy feed [SE] and high-energy feed [HE]), and 2 hormone therapies (600 IU eCG and 2.5 mg swine LH 72 h later [HO]) and no hormone [WH]. Sows were weighed weekly from 75 d of pregnancy until 3 d before farrowing, 1 d after farrowing, 7, 14 and 21 d into lactation, and at weaning. Backfat (BF) was measured at 75 d of pregnancy, 3 d before farrowing, and at weaning. Average daily gain and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were also calculated. Plasma metabolites were analyzed after 82, 89, 96 and 103 d of pregnancy, at farrowing, and after 7, 14 and 21 d of lactation. Embryo viability was assessed after 4.55 d of second pregnancy. During pregnancy, HE-treated sows displayed greater BW (P < 0.05) compared with SE-treated females, but no differences were observed during lactation. There were no differences in BW of the piglets caused by the treatments. High energy-treated females showed superior BF (P > 0.05) in all periods; however, significant differences were detected only at the pre-farrowing measurement (P < 0.05). No differences in ADFI were observed during lactation. The SE group showed positive ADG, whereas HE group showed negative ADG (0.216 vs. -0.266 kg/d, SE and HE, respectively; P < 0.05). High energy-treated sows presented greater concentrations of total cholesterol after 89 and 103 d of pregnancy, and greater concentrations of high density lipid cholesterol (HDL) after 89 and 96 d. At farrowing, 14 and 21 d of lactation, NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the HE group. After hormone treatment, no differences were observed on weaning-to-estrus intervals and estrus duration. Greater mobilization of body reserves observed in the group HE during lactation did not affect reproductive performance negatively, suggesting that metabolic status was adequate for the first lactational catabolism. (AU)