Studies on energy and nitrogen metabolism of pregnant and lactating sows and suckling piglets

Abstract

The chemical composition and the energy content of the conception products, the reproductive organs and the live weight gains or losses of pregnant and lactating sows were determined in dependence on the litter number (1, 2 and 4) and the energy supply (120, 100 and 80% of requirement recommendation) of sows as well as on the course of gestation and lactation. The results will be used as a basis for factorial derivation of requirement recommendation. The deposition of protein and energy in the conception products in dependence on the time is characterized by an exponential function. The deposition of nutrients and energy in the conception products is increased with rising litter size. The deposition of nutrients and energy per fetus is lower in the litter number 1 than in the litter number 2 and 4. The energy supply in the selected limits has no significant influence on the litter size as well as on the intrauterine deposition of nutrients and energy. The litter number, the energy supply as well as the course of gestation and lactation influence considerably the weight, the chemical composition and the energy content in the mammary gland. The chemical composition and the energy content of the live weight gains or losses of pregnant and lactating sows are strong affected by the energy supply. The increased energy supply of the pregnant sows is connected with increased live weight gains and with increased contents of dry matter, fat and energy however decreased contents of protein in the live weight gains. The live weight losses of the lactating sows are connected with mobilisation of body fat and body protein. The proportion of body fat to body protein degradation is increased with increased losses of body weight. Regression equations are calculated for the relationships between course of gestation and lactation respectively and deposition of protein and energy in the conception products, reproductive organs and maternal live weight gains or losses of sows.

Chemical Composition of Newborn Piglets with Different Weights at Birth in Sows with a High Reproductive Performance

“…Sagel [33] determined crude fat contents of 9.8 g/kg (fresh basis) in light piglets and 10.7 g/kg (on a fresh basis) in heavy piglets; the correlation calculated as a function of DM was 0.37. Our results agree with those of Beyer et al [31], who reported crude fat contents of 9.18-11.6 g/kg (fresh basis) and 54-63 g/kg in DM. The crude fat contents (in DM) in the present study deviated slightly upwards.…”

“…On the other hand, Sagel [33] observed slightly higher crude protein contents (on a fresh basis) in the heavy piglets. When compared to the results of Beyer et al [31], who determined the crude protein contents in the range of 569 and 594 g/kg DM, those findings are consistent with the contents of piglets from the present study with a BW of >1.2 kg at the time of birth, but not with those of piglets <1.2 kg BW, as the crude protein content of the lighter piglets had numerically higher values.…”

“…The results of the present study regarding the DM content of newborn piglets are consistent with those of previous studies; the DM content varied between 18 and 20% [30][31][32]. According to the literature, the water content of newborn piglets varies between 750 and 850 g/kg of total BW, regardless of the BW of the animals [30].…”

“…The crude fat contents (in DM) in the present study deviated slightly upwards. Only piglets with a BW of <0.8 kg at the time of birth had crude fat contents in the range mentioned by Beyer [31]; heavier piglets at the time of birth had higher crude fat contents of around 70 g/kg DM. This observation is very interesting against the background of breeding activities for a low-fat meat pig, as it would suggest lower crude fat contents at the time of birth.…”

“…These values appear quite high in comparison to the results of the present study, as only a few piglets (n = 6) in our study reached crude fat levels above 15 g/kg (on a fresh basis). Sagel [33] and Beyer et al [31] also reported lower crude fat levels. Sagel [33] determined crude fat contents of 9.8 g/kg (fresh basis) in light piglets and 10.7 g/kg (on a fresh basis) in heavy piglets; the correlation calculated as a function of DM was 0.37.…”