Sow parity structure and body condition measurements throughout lactation and relationship to piglet growth

Authors: CERVANTES, MIGUEL - Texas A&M University; GARCIA, MICHELLE - Texas A&M University; Keel, Brittney; Oliver, William; Wells, James - Jim; Rempel, Lea

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2019
Publication Date: 7/29/2019
Citation: Cervantes, M.A., Garcia, M., Keel, B.N., Oliver, W.T., Wells, J., Rempel, L.A. 2019. Sow parity structure and body condition measurements throughout lactation and relationship to piglet growth [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 97 (Supplement 2):250. Abstract PSI-16. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz122.441.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz122.441

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Energy demands during lactation can greatly influence sow body condition and piglet performance. We hypothesized that primiparous sows would have reduced sow body condition measurements and piglet growth. Eight weekly farrowing seasons (N=157 dams) were used to evaluate sow body condition (Post Farrowing; PF to Weaning; WN) and piglet growth. Final number of white composite sows within parity were as follows: Parity 1(P1), 62; P2, 50; P3, 30; and P4, 15. Body condition was measured at PF and WN using sow calipers (last rib and hip) and 10th rib ultrasound. Sows were categorized as thin, moderate, or fat by caliper. Piglets were weighed at Day 0 PF (D0), D10, WN, and D45. All data were analyzed using mixed models and reported as LSM ± SE. Fat sows at WN (last rib or hip) had the lightest (P<0.05; Table 1) piglets at D10 and WN. However at D45, piglets from fat sows were heavier than piglets from moderate and thin sows (P<0.05; Table 1). At WN, piglets from P1 sows weighed the least (P<0.05; Table 1). Parity 4 sows had greater hip caliper measurement compared to P1 sows (P<0.05; 15.5 ± 0.389 versus 13.92 ± 0.215). Sows had similar (P>0.10) PF last rib caliper measurements but at WN, P1 sows had the smallest caliper measurements compared to other parities (P<0.05). Parities 1, 2, and 3 sows had similar (P>0.10) loin eye area at PF; however, at WN P1 sows had the smallest loin eye area (P<0.05; 38.2 ± 0.63 cm2). Parity 1 sows had the greatest (P<0.05) reduction of backfat and loin eye area over the lactation period (-2.9 ± 0.31 mm and -2.6 ± 0.49 cm2, respectively). In conclusion, fat sows, had similar or smaller piglets throughout lactation, but by D45 piglet weights surpassed moderate and thin caliper groups.