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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250759
Title: Metabolic Measurements in the Sow and Relationship to Post-Weaning Reproductive Performance

Author
item Rempel, Lea
item Vallet, Jeff
item Nonneman, Danny - Dan

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2010
Publication Date: 7/1/2010
Citation: Rempel, L.A., Vallet, J.L., Nonneman, D.J. 2010. Metabolic Measurements in the Sow and Relationship to Post-Weaning Reproductive Performance [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 88 (E-Supplement 2):112-113. (Abstract #M293).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Excessive weight (wt) loss during lactation is an indicator of tissue catabolism in exchange for maintaining metabolic output and can have adverse effects on reproductive parameters. Creatine is a nonprotein nitrogen that acts as a phosphagen and aids in tissue repair. Creatine may provide an indication of a sow’s ability to support offspring as well as the postpartum uterus. Our objective was to establish creatine and body condition measurements at periods of physiological changes due to parturition and lactation in the sow and how these components related to post-weaning (pw) reproductive performance. First and 2nd parity sows were bled and weighed at d110 gestation (d110), d1 post-farrowing (d1PF), and at weaning (wn). Plasma was assayed for creatine using a modified method of Bergmeyer. Loin eye area (LEA) and 10th rib backfat (bft) were measured by ultrasound at d110, wn, and following pw estrus (pwE). Weaning to estrus interval (WEI), pwE within 14d, and subsequent ovulation rate (OR) were recorded. Day 110 bft and change in bft from wn to pwE was negatively associated (-ASSOC; P<0.05) with pwE in 1st parity sows. Creatine at d110 tended (P<0.10) to be -ASSOC with pwE in 1st parity sows as well. Body wt change in 2nd parity sows from d110 to d1PF and d1PF to wn tended (P<0.10) to be positively associated (+ASSOC) with pwE, and change in body wt from d110 to wn was +ASSOC (P<0.05) with pwE. Creatine at wn and change in creatine from d1PF to wn were -ASSOC (P<0.05) with pwE in 2nd parity sows only. 1st parity WEI was -ASSOC (P<0.05) with d1PF creatine and +ASSOC (P<0.05) with change in creatine from d1PF to wn. OR was +ASSOC (P<0.05) with LEA at wn of 1st parity sows whereas OR in 2nd parity sows was +ASSOC (P<0.05) with wn wt. Creatine at wn in 1st parity sows was -ASSOC (P<0.05) to both wn wt and LEA at wn. Backfat in 1st parity sows was associated with pwE whereas creatine at wn in 2nd parity sows was coupled with pwE. First parity WEI was related to creatine at d1PF, which may reflect stress events associated with parturition. These data suggest that body wt, bft, LEA, and creatine contribute to the complex trait of pw reproduction but may respond differently dependent upon female maturity.