Effect of Level of Protein and Supplemental Choline on Reproductive Performance of Gilts Fed Sorghum Diets

Abstract

A total of 214 gilts was used (two trials) to determine the effect of protein level and choline supplementation during gestation on weight gain, conception rate and subsequent reproductive performance. The gihs were fed either a 12 or 16% crude protein sorghum-soybean meal diet containing either a high supplemental choline level or no supplemental choline in a 2 • 2 factorial arrangement of treatments Conception rate was not influenced by either protein or choline level. Choline ~pplementation increased pig weight at 42 d of age (P<.14) and litter weight at 21 (P<.12) and 42 d (P<.I). Gilts fed the 16% protein diet produced larger pigs at 42 d (P<.13) and heavier litters at birth, (P<.l) 21 d (P<.14) and 42 d (P<.05) than gilts fed the 12% protein diet. A larger choline effect on litter size and pig and litter weight was observed for gihs fed the 12% protein diet than for those fed the 16% gestation diet, although the protein-choline interaction was not significant for any traits measured. The incidence of spraddle leg condition was low and was not affected by level of dietary protein or ~applemental choline.

Congenital Splay Leg Syndrome in Piglets—Current Knowledge and a New Approach to Etiology

“…PCS symptoms apparently disappeared after injection of the acetylcholine esterase blocker neostigmine-methylsulfate (21). However, these results could not be confirmed in other studies (48,49). Furthermore, neither choline plasma levels nor activities of various choline esterases were found to be reduced in PCS piglets (44).…”

“…This was supported by positive effects of the administration of the acetylcholine esterase blocker neostigmine-methylsulfate on the incidence of PCS (21). However, these results have not been confirmed in other studies (44,48,49). In contrast, it was shown that PCS-affected animals showed significantly increased acetylcholine esterase activities in cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord (50).…”