Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #117522
Title: DIETARY ENERGY DURING PREPUBERTAL GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF GILTS

Author
item Klindt, John
item Yen, Jong Tseng
item Christenson, Ronald

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2001
Publication Date: 3/19/2001
Citation: Klindt, J., Yen, J.T., Christenson, R.K. 2001. Dietary energy during prepubertal growth and reproductive development of gilts [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 79(Suppl. 2):65.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective was to determine the degree of feed restriction during development required to optimize reproductive performance and efficiency in gilts. Different patterns of growth and reproductive performance through d 30 of gestation were investigated. At 13 wk of age, 41 kg BW, 192 white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to receive 7/8, 3/4, 5/8, or 1/2 of ad libitum energy intake. At 25 wk of age, gilts were move to group pens, fed ad libitum, and a 7-wk estrous detection period was initiated. Gilts were inseminated at first estrus (puberty) and subsequent estruses. Gilts were slaughtered at 30 d of gestation. Feed restriction during development resulted in differences in BW and backfat thickness at start of the breeding period and differences in feed intake during breed- ing. The treatment group that entered breeding lightest and leanest consumed the least feed during breeding. Treatments did not differ in ovulation rate or live embryo numbers (P>0.39). Significant relationships between quantity of GE consumed during development and many development and reproductive performance variables were evident, e.g., BW and backfat at start of breeding, first detected estrus, and ADG during breeding period. Restricted energy intake during development coupled with ad lib- itum intake during breeding negated many effects of feed restriction during the development period. In contemporary swine production systems use of managed nutritional strategies, periods of restriction, as well as, periods of ad libitum access to feed, may allow improvements in efficiency of pork production.