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| Author(s): |
Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Pirassununga. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2023-12-13 |
| Examining board members: |
Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa;
Leonardo da Silva Fonseca;
Jorge Yair Perez Palencia
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| Advisor: | Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa |
| Abstract | |
Arginine can play an essential role in the litter development through improved placental vascularization and better quality and quantity of colostrum and milk. However, there are few challenges related with the use of this amino acid, including its short biological half-life and a high market cost, which justifies the use of alternatives like its precursors. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of dietary L-arginine and its precursors, N-carbamoyl glutamate and L-citrulline, in hyperprolific sows during the gestation and lactation phases on protein metabolism, hormonal response, reproductive performance and litter performance until weaning. Two experiments were conducted during gestation, one with supplementation in the initial third, from day four to 34, and the second in the initial and final thirds, from day four to 34 and from day 90 to 110. The treatments included: CONT diet (farm gestation feed), ARG (CONT diet supplemented with 1% L-arginine), NCG (CONT diet supplemented with 0.05% N-carbamoyl glutamate), and CIT (CONT diet supplemented with 0.25% L-citrulline). During lactation, supplementation covered 21 days, with the same dietary treatments. Variables analyzed in the sows included weight, body condition score using calipers, and carcass ultrasonography. In the gestation studies, variables assessed at farrowing included total born, live born, stillborn, and mummified piglet numbers; duration of farrowing; birth weight and placental weight. Weights were also measured on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of life. In the lactation experiment, initial individual weight, initial litter weight, individual and litter weights at 7, 14, and 21 days, as well as daily weight gain during these periods, were analyzed. No significant effects were found on the collected variables at farrowing in the two gestation experiments. However, in the experiment with supplementation in the initial third, effects on urea metabolism (P=0.029) were demonstrated, with NCG showing lower concentrations compared to ARG; phosphorus metabolism (P=0.005), with NCG and ARG having lower concentrations compared to CIT; and growth hormone (GH) metabolism (P=0.005), with NCG having higher concentrations than CONT. In the experiment with two supplementations, there was a higher piglet weight gain in the NCG group from days 7 to 14 compared to CONT and ARG. In the lactation study, significant differences in daily piglet weight gain were demonstrated in the periods 0-7 days, 15-21 days, and 0-21 days, where CIT was inferior to the others dietary treatments. Differences in daily piglet weight gain (ADG) were also determined in the period of 15-21 days, with NCG being superior to CONT. For hormonal profiles, growth hormone (GH) concentrations were higher in ARG and NCG groups contrasted with CONT while insulin concentration were lower (P<0.05) in NCG and CIT groups compared to CONT. It can be inferred that the supplementation of arginine and its precursors modulated the metabolic responses of the females both during gestation and lactation and was effective in benefiting weight gain during the lactation phase. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 21/11366-2 - Arginine precursors for hyperprolific sows during gestation |
| Grantee: | Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |