Earticle

today's dairy production management systems, reproductive efficiency affects the income of any farm by influencing overall milk production, genetic gain, amount of replacement heifers, and wise cullling decisions. Nutrition, management, and genetics play a major role achieving this maximum herd-reproductive performance. Several reports using trace minerals on the diet of cattle have shown reproductive effects. The main justification for using blocks, to provide deficient nutrients is, therefore, their convenience for packaging, storage, transport and ease of feeding. Dairy cattle are annually exposed to prolonged periods of elevated humidity and heat which reduce feed intake and reproductive performance. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of mineral on reproductive performance of dairy cows during Summer. The experimental group of cows had access ad libitum to the mineral lick in the following composition : Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, Co, Se. Environmental heat load was described using the THI (temperature humidity index) because thermoregulation in cows is affected by both Temp and RH. The THI was calculated: THI=(0.8×Temp)+[RH×(Temp— 14.4)]+ 46.4. All cows were monitored for estrus twice daily in the morning and late afternoon. And any animal found in estrus was artificially inseminated. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via ultrasonography at 45 to 70 d after insemination. The visitation and intake of mineral were higher with the maximum THI. The mean intake of mineral block was 23.1 kg in Summer and 17.7 kg in other seasons. The reproductive performance was considerably improved by mineral supplementation. The factors influencing consumption of mineral mixtures include: soil fertility and forage type, available energy and protein, individual requirements, salt content of the water, palatability of mineral mixture, availability of fresh minerals and physical form of minerals. These results show that minerals have a great impact on animal's reproductive physiology.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli on boar sperm quality and reproductive performance in sows after artificial insemination. Three different levels of E. coli were artificially inoculated to semen with following concentrations; Control, 500, 5,000 and 50,000 colony forming unit (cfu)/ml. Semen samples were preserved at 17℃ for 5 days. Sperm motility was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 3 in the group inoculated with 5,000 cfu/ml compared to control groups. In all treatment groups, sperm motility was gradually decreased as storage time increased, but the decline pattern was more drastic in the groups inoculated with 5,000 and 50,000 cfu/ml groups from day 3 (p<0.05) compared to control group. After 3 day of storage at 17℃, sperm viability in sample inoculated with the highest concentration (50,000 cfu/ml) of bacteria was less (p<0.05) than that of control group. The pH of semen sample pH was maintained 7.2～7.5 in all groups during the experimental period. No differences (p>0.05) were found for both storage time and bacterial concentration. The pregnancy rate and live born piglets tend to decrease by increasing the concentration of E. coli in semen. In particular, the rate of pregnancy was lower in the group inoculated with 50,000 cfu/ml (58.3%) compare to the other groups (81.8, 75.0, 76.5%). These results suggest that the contamination of E. coli in boar semen negatively affects fertilizing ability of boar sperm and the reproductive performance obtained from sows after artificial insemination.

본 연구는 후산정체 젖소에 있어서 Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)의 처리가 번식 성적에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여 분만 후 12시간이 경과하여도 후산이 배출되지 않은 홀스타인 개체 33두 및 대조구 12두에 대하여 분만후 20일째에 LPS 100 g을 자궁 내에 주입한 다음 7일후에 발정이 발현되었을 때 인공수정을 실시하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 후산정체 젖소에 있어서 첫 수정에 의한 수태율은 대조구의 경우 공시한 12두가 모두 첫 수정에 의해 수태가 되지 않았고 처리구는 33두중 11두가 수태되어 33.3%의 수태율을 나타내었다. 후산정체 젖소에 있어서 대조구 및 처리구의 분만후 수태까지의 일수는 각각 149.6±34.3일 및 53.0±12.5일로 처리구가 대조구에 비하여 유의적(p<0.01)으로 단축되는 경향을 나타내었다. 후산정체 젖소에 있어서 대조구 및 처리구의 수태당 종부 횟수는 각각 3.6±0.8회 및 2.1±0.3회로 처리구가 대조구에 비하여 유의적(p<0.05)으로 낮은 경향을 나타내었다.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect intra-uterine infusion of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the reproductive performance of dairy cows with retained placenta. The LPS isolated from Bacteroids helcogenes and Fusobacterium varium was injected at the rate of 100 g with 30 ml of phospahte buffer saline in each cow (n=33) at day 20 postpartum. Twelve cows with retained placenta were not treated with LPS and served as a control. Conception rate after first service was 0% and 33.3% for control and LPS groups, respectively. Service period was 149.6±34.3 and 53.0±12.5 days for control and LPS groups, respectively (p<0.05). Services per conception was 3.6±0.8 and 2.1±0.3 for control and LPS groups, respectively (p<0.05). In conclusion, intra-uterine infusion of LPS in cows with retained placenta can reduce the service period and services per conception. Reduced service period can improve the dairy farm profitability by decreasing cost on feeding and management of cows.

본 연구는 환경 온도와 등지방 두께(BT)가 모돈의 번식능력에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위해서 수행되었다. 실험은 포유모돈 60두를 공시하였고, 2×2 factorial arrangement에 따라 각 처리구는 두 수준의 사육 온도(high temperature [HT], 27.5±1.76℃; low temperature [LT], 23.3±0.89℃) 및 BT(<20mm, 평균 17.70mm; ≥20mm, 평균 23.20mm)로 나누어 2019년 7월부터 8월까지 2개월 동안 실시하였다. 실험 결과 HT 처리구에서 등지방두께 변이폭이 크고, 사료 섭취량은 적은 것으로 나타났다. <20mm BT 처리구가 ≥20mm BT 처리구에 비하여 체중 손실과 등지방 손실이 적은 것으로 나타났다. <20mm BT 처리구의 재귀발정일(<20mm 5.20, 4.93d vs. ≥20mm 5.87, 5.60d)이 ≥20mm BT 처리구보다 짧은 것으로 나타났다. 포유자돈 생존률은 LT 처리구(94.87%) 보다 HT 처리구(90.31%)에서 더 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 자돈의 이유체중과 일일증체량은 BT가 ≥20mm 이상인 모돈(각각 5.49kg 및 188.41g)보다 BT가 <20mm미만인 모돈(각각 5.75kg 및 201.46g)에서 더 큰 것으로 나타났다. HT 처리구의 모돈은 LT 처리구의 모돈 보다 코티솔 농도가 더 높았다(post farrowing: HT 7.86ug/mL vs. LT 6.04ug/mL; weanling: HT 5.48ug/mL vs. LT 4.40ug/mL). 결론적으로 환경 온도는 모돈의 번식과 코티솔 수치에 부정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, BT가 높은 모돈은 열 스트레스를 받을 때 이유에서 발정까지의 간격이 더 길었다. 본 실험 결과는 실제 농가에서 고온기에 모돈관리하는데 활용될 것으로 보여진다.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of environmental temperature and backfat thickness (BT) on the reproductive performance of lactating sows. Sixty crossbred sows were allotted to four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement by environmental temperature (high temperature [HT], 27.5±1.76℃; low temperature [LT], 23.3±0.89℃) and BT (< 20 mm, average 17.70 mm; ≥ 20 mm, average 23.20 mm) from July to August 2019. Sows in the HT group experienced a greater change in BT and a lower feed intake. Losses in body weight and BT were lower in sows with < 20 mm BT than in those with ≥ 20 mm BT. Sows with low BT had a lower weaning-to-estrus interval than sows with high BT (5.20, 4.93 d vs. 5.87, 5.60 d, respectively). Piglet survivability was lower in the HT group (90.31%) than in the LT group (94.87%). Piglet weaning weight and average daily weight gain were greater in sows with < 20 mm BT (5.75 kg and 201.46 g, respectively) than in those with ≥ 20 mm BT (5.49 kg and 188.41 g, respectively). Sows in the HT group had higher cortisol concentrations than those in the LT group (post-farrowing: HT 7.86 µg/mL vs. LT 6.04 µg/mL; weanling: HT 5.48 µg/mL vs. LT 4.40 µg/mL). In conclusion, environmental temperature adversely influenced sow performance and cortisol levels. Moreover, sows with low BT had a greater weaning-to-estrus interval when subjected to heat stress.

Presently, the first pregnancy age of dairy heifers attended National Dairy Herd Improvement Program (NDHI) in Korea has increased, and more research have been requested to evaluate the possibility of decreasing the first pregnancy age of dairy heifers. Accordingly, this study was investigated the effects of the month of age at the first service and pregnancy on the reproductive efficiency of Holstein heifers. For these, the reproductive performance of heifers was analyzed by evaluating the effects of first insemination service at 12-14 months of age (12 month old), 15-16 months of age (15 month old), 17-19 months of age (17 month old), and > 20 months of age (20 month old) in Holstein heifers. The service numbers per conception in the first insemination months were 1.85±1.22, 1.59±0.77, 1.58±0.72, and 1.76±0.97 times at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. The conception rates in the first service were 51.2, 57.8, 54.8, and 52.9% at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. The conception ages were 453.2±78.9, 512.1±75.9, 590.1±98.0, and 713.0±74.5 days in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. There was significantly difference in the conception age among groups (p<0.05). The cumulative conception rates in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age were 51.21, 57.8, 54.8 and 53.0% by the first service, 29.8, 30.1, 32.3, 23.5% by the second service, and 19.0, 12.1, 12.9 and 23.5% by the third service, respectively. The service numbers per conception in the first pregnancy months were 1.31, 1.55, 2.0, 2.05 times at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of the first service age, respectively. The service numbers per conception in the 12 and 15 months of age were significantly lower than those in the 17 and 20 months of age (p<0.05). The rates of repeat-breeder were 6.0, 11.3, 22.0, and 41.0% in the heifers serviced firstly at 12, 15, 17 and 20 months of age, respectively. These results demonstrate that first pregnancy of Holstein heifers should be conducted at 15 months of age, because the age at first pregnancy in heifers can be substantially influenced through implementation of reproductive management and performance.

s study was carried out between November 2008 and October 2009 in the experimental farm of Chunnam National University to investigate the effect of feeding of Sudangrass silage on the reproductive performance of Hanwoo cows. Two diets, rice straw or Sudangrass silage separately from concentrate were fed 19 Hanwoo cows. In control group (=CON), cows (n=9) were fed 5 kg (/head) rice straw and 3 kg (/head) commercial diet. In Sudangrass silage group (=SGS), cows (n=10) were fed 12.5 kg (/head) Sudangrass silage and 1 kg (/head) commercial diet. 1. Days to post-partum insemination were 78.8±25.3 days for CON and 84.7±24.6 days for SGS group and days to post-partum conception in CON or SGS were 90.1±24.1 and 87.7±26.8 days, respectively. 2. Post-partum conception rates for first service in CON or SGS was 66.7% and 90.0%, respectively, and caving interval was 375.1±46.7 days for CON and 370.2±34.4 days for SGS group. 3. Body Condition Scores of Hanwoo cows at artificial insemination was 5.36 for CON group and 4.93 for SGS group.

This study was carried out between 2008 and 2009 in four dairy farms to investigate the effect of feeding of whole crop barley silage on the reproductive performance of Holstein heifers. Two diets, mixed hay or whole crop barley silage separately from concentrate were fed 6-month old Holstein heifers (=37). In control group (=CON), heifers (n=16) were fed 6 kg (/head) mixed hay and 4 kg (/head) commercial diet. In whole crop barley silage group (=WBS), heifers (n=21) were fed 10 kg (/head) whole crop barley silage, 4 kg (/head) mixed hay and 2 kg (/head) commercial diet. To manage body weight gain, the body condition score of heifers were measured every month. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Body weight in CON and WBS heifers at 13-, 14-, 15- and 17-month old were 340±17.9 and 342±13.6 kg, 356±15.7 and 366±14.7 kg, 382±13.1 and 387±14.4 kg, and 429±15.0 and 417±10.3 kg, respectively. 2. Body condition score in CON and WBS heifers at 9-, 12-, 15- and 17-month old were 2.88±0.04 and 2.80±0.04, 2.88±0.04 and 2.80±0.04, 2.89±0.08 and 3.00±0.07, and 2.89±0.08 and 3.00±0.07, respectively. 3. Average age of sexual maturity in CON and WBS heifers were 437.3±9.9days and 939.6±12.5days, WBS group heifers were significantly shorter (p<0.05) than CON group heifers. 4. First-service conception rates in CON or WBS group were 81.3% (13/16) and 66.7% (14/21), respectively, and cumulative conception rate to 2nd artificial insemination were 87.5% for CON and 85.7% for WBS group. Conception rate was not different between treatments

This study was carried out between November 2007 and October 2008 in the experimental farm of Chunnam National University to investigate the effect of feeding of whole crop barley silage on the reproductive performance of Hanwoo heifers and cows. Two diets, rice straw or whole crop barley silage separately from concentrate were fed 11 Hanwoo heifers and 26 Hanwoo cows. In control group (=CON), heifers (n=6) and cows (n=13) were fed 7 kg (/head) rice straw and 4 kg (/head) commercial diet. In whole crop barley silage group (=WBG), heifers (n=5) and cows (n=13) were fed 8 kg (/head) whole crop barley silage and 1 kg (/head) commercial diet. 1. Conception rates for first service in CON or WBG heifers were 66.7% (4/6) and 60.0% (3/5), respectively, and the services per conception cows were 1.5±0.2 for CON and 1.4±0.2 for WBG group. 2. Days to post-partum insemination were 106.6±26.3 days for CON and 85.6±12.6 days for WBG group, and days to post-partum conception in CON or WBG were 128.4±27.1 and 96.8±16.8 days, respectively. 3. Post-partum conception rates for first service in CON or WBG were 76.9% (10/13) and 84.6% (11/13), respectively, and caving interval was 418.1±50.7 days for CON and 392.8±20.7 days for WBG group.

We studied the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LSB) supplemented to lactating sows on reproductive traits and farrowing duration and to piglets from day 7 of life on post-weaning performance and IgG concentration. Ninety-six Landrace × Yorkshire sows started the trial 5 days before the expected farrowing date. Sows were distributed into 2 groups according to parity number and backfat thickness: control (CON: regular lactation diet) and LSB (CON + LSB at 2 × 109 colony forming units [CFU]/kg of feed). Seven days after birth, litters were randomly selected from each group and supplemented creep feed with or without LSB at 2 × 109 CFU/kg. At weaning, piglets from CON sows were shifted to a commercial farm and allocated to 14 pens in groups of 25 piglets/pen according to the creep feed supplemented during lactation. Piglets followed a 3-phase feeding program: creep, pre-starter and starter, with or without LSB at 2 × 109 CFU/kg LSB in creep and pre-starter, and 1 × 109 CFU/kg LSB in starter. The piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever on days 41 and 72 of life. One day before each vaccination and at the end of the trial, blood samples were collected from 15 randomly selected piglets per treatment and assessed for total IgG. Supplemented sows with non-supplemented litters displayed the lowest backfat thickness loss during lactation (p < 0.05). The LSB supplementation shortened farrowing duration (p < 0.05) and increased feed intake (p < 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The LSB-fed piglets were heavier at the end of creep (p < 0.05), pre-starter (p < 0.05), and the trial (p < 0.05); grew faster during creep (p < 0.05), starter (p < 0.05), and overall (p < 0.05); and displayed an improved feed conversion ratio during creep (p < 0.05). Total IgG content was higher at days 40 (p < 0.05) and 71 (p < 0.05) in LSB-fed piglets. We conclude that supplementing sows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 from late gestation until weaning shortens farrowing duration, increases feed intake, and minimizes backfat losses during lactation. When supplemented to piglet diet, post-weaning performance is improved. This improvement observed could be linked to a better immune status, as suggested by the higher IgG.

This study investigated the correlation between piglet performance and sow body weight change (BWC) during two gestational periods: 35?70, 70?105, and 35?105 days. A cohort of 70 sows was evaluated for BWC, backfat thickness change (BFC), caliper score change (CALC), feed intake, and weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI). The collected data were then analyzed according to the two specified periods. Our findings highlighted that piglet birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily weight gain (ADG) correlated with sow body characteristics, including BFC and CALC. The strongest correlation was observed with BWC. Piglet mortality was intimately associated with BFC. Piglet birth weight, weaning weight, and ADG showed a positive correlation with sow BWC, particularly during the 35?70 day period. Furthermore, sows displaying a higher BWC during the 70?105 day period, and also exhibiting a higher BW gain from 35-70 days, registered greater piglet weight gains and higher weaning weights. These trends became more apparent as the sow’s BWC increased during the 70?105 day period. Piglet mortality increased when the sow exhibited a lower BWC during both the 35?70 and 70?105 day periods. No significant observations were found concerning the number of stillborn piglets, live-born piglets, or weaned piglets, and no interaction effects were detected between these periods. In conclusion, our findings underscore the significance of sow BWC during the early stages of gestation (d 35?70) for enhancing piglet performance from birth to weaning.

Hot environments can affect feed intake and lactation, and the subsequent unavailability of important micronutrients to the newborn piglet can impair piglet growth, reduce the viability of newborn piglets and limit their subsequent performance. This work addresses the effects of hot environments (summer season) upon the reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation as well as on the serum levels of vitamins and the concentration of immunoglobulins in their litters in comparison with the winter season. Fourteen sows were evaluated over 100 ± 2 days of gestation in each season. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was used as an indirect measure of heat stress during gestation. The reproductive performance, milk yield, and body condition of the sows were recorded. The concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin A in piglets and in sow serum, colostrum, milk and feed were determined by HPLC; immunoglobulins were assessed by an ELISA. The THI index indicated that animals were subject to heat stress only in during the summer. Although the effect was not significant, there were a lower number of piglets at birth and at weaning and the milk yield in summer compared with winter. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in the body condition of sows between seasons. Season had an effect (p < 0.05) on the vitamin A concentration of postpartum sow serum (0.29 μg/mL in winter vs 0.21 μg/mL in summer) and on the vitamin E concentration before birth (2.00 μg/mL in winter vs 0.90 μg/mL in summer). Vitamin E in milk was higher (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer (2.23 vs 1.81 μg/mL). Serum levels of vitamins A and E in piglets at birth were lower (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer. The concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) in colostrum and milk were similar between seasons (p > 0.05), but the IgA in piglet serum was higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). High temperatures produced heat stress in sows, which affected certain aspects of production that can be translated into economic losses for this sector.

A goal for swine farming is the improvement in the number of live-born and weaned piglets per sow. Hence, the effect of parities should consider the correlation between the component traits of reproductive performance, weaning, and duration. Sows were housed in farrowing pens (W 2.2 × D 1.8 × H 1.2 m) on a partially slatted plastic floor. Twenty sows used in this study were between the first and sixth parity in gilts (P1), parity 2?5 (P3), and parity 6?9 (P6). Data collection by parity was classified into three categories: (1) reproduction performance (gestation length, total number of piglets born, number of piglets live born, number of piglets stillborn, total piglet birth weight; (2) weaning traits (weaning period, number of piglets weaning, total piglets weaning weight); (3) duration traits (farrowing duration, placenta expulsion duration, time from last piglet to first placenta, average birth interval, and tail wagging behavior). Gestation length was higher in P6 than P1 and P3 of different parity sows. The maximum value in P1 and P3 was 117 days, but the median value in P6 was 117 days (p < 0.05). The total number of piglets born (p = 0.113), number of piglets live born (p = 0.118), number of still piglets born (p = 0.151), and total piglet birth weight (p = 0.117) were not affected by parity. The number of live piglets was higher than the other parities by an average of 15.6 ± 2.1 in P1. The duration of farrowing was the lowest at 22.2 min in P6, but the maximum value was 42.2 min more than other parities (p = 0.355). Weaning traits of sows also did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), but the weaning period from P1 was lower than that of the other parities (p = 0.170). The number of piglets weaned was 10 heads on average in P1, P3, and P6 (p < 0.05). However, the mean values of the total piglet weaning weight (p = 0.377) of P6 (62.0 10.4 kg) were higher than those of P1 (54.9 10.2 kg) and P3 (58.4 13.6 kg). The placenta expulsion duration was higher in P6 than that in P1 and P3 (p = 0.447). The time from the last piglet to first placenta was be lower in P3 than that of the other parities (p = 0.206). The average birth interval was higher in P3 than that of the other parities (p = 0.156). Tail wagging (count) behavior was higher in P6 than in the other parities (p = 0.065). The data showed that the reproduction performance, total piglets born, and weight were higher in the gilts group, and higher in the weaning trait than that in the P6 group. This study examined the relationship between reproductive performance, birth interval and tail motion according to sow parity. Regarding duration, farrowing duration was lower in P6 than that in the other parities, but placenta expulsion and tail wagging were higher in P6 than in the other parities. Therefore, it is possible that the results from these sows could be used as basic data for effective farm management.

The present study investigated the effects of loose farrowing type during gestation and after farrowing on reproductive performance and of lactating sows. A total of 22 primiparous sows (Landrace; average initial body weights [BW], 228.54 ± 12.79 kg) were allotted to one of two treatments on the basis of body weight. Sows were divided into two experimental groups, conventional farrowing crates (CON), and loosed-farrowing pens (LFP). The experiment duration was around 38 days ranging from 10 days before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Gestating sows at the age of 105 d were placed in gestational stalls (group housing). All the sows were fed a common diet according to the National Research Council requirements for lactation. Cross-fostering was performed within 1 day of parturition. From 1 day after weaning, estrus detection was performed twice-daily (0900 and 1730 h) for 10 min by boar exposure. There were significant effects of LFP housing type on the farrowing duration, and farrowing interval. At the farrowing time, none of the litter parameters including total born, stillborn, mummy, born alive piglets and total litter weight and piglet weight were affected. There were no effects of housing type on the mortality of piglets at d 1, 3, 7, 21, and 28. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that there is no performance difference between the crated or LFP sows, which indicate that the LFP housing has the potential to be used as an alternative to the crated house without any detrimental effects in reproduction performance of lactating sows.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of light colour on rabbit reproductive performance and the expression of key follicular development genes. Rabbits (n = 1,068, 5 months old, 3.6?4.4 kg live body weight) were divided randomly into four groups, housed individually in wire mesh cages and exposed to red, green, blue, and white light-emitting diode (LED) light (control). The lighting schedule was 16 L : 8 D-15 d / 150 lx / 6:00 am?22:00 pm (3 d preartificial insemination to 12 d postartificial insemination). Red light and white light affected the conception rate and kindling rate and increased the total litter size at birth (p < 0.05). The effects of red light on litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, and individual weight at weaning increased compared with the green and blue groups. The effects of red light on live litter size at birth were increased compared with those in the blue group (p < 0.05). Compared to white light, green and blue light reduced the number of secondary follicles (p < 0.05). Compared to red light, green and blue light reduced the number of tertiary follicles (p < 0.05). Compared with white light, red LED light resulted in greater ovarian follicle stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Compared with green and blue LED light, red LED light resulted in greater B-cell lymphom-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Compared with green LED light, red LED light inhibited FOXO1 mRNA expression in rabbit ovaries (p < 0.05). Red light can affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits and the expression of key genes for follicular development.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy and crude protein (CP) levels on reproductive performance, litter performance, milk quality, and blood profiles in gestating sows. A total of 59 multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) with similar body weights (BW), backfat thickness (BF), and parity were assigned to one of six treatments with 9 or 10 sows per treatment using a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and completely randomized design. The first factor was two levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) density (13.40 or 13.82 MJ/kg) and the second factor was three dietary protein levels based from 35 day in gestating phases (10.5%, 12%, and 13.5%). Backfat thickness change in lactating sows decreased linearly as CP level increased (p = 0.03). Increased energy level in the gestating sow diet tended to increase the total number of piglets born (p = 0.07), but piglet weight decreased (p = 0.02). Dietary CP level had a negative effect on colostrum quality. Casein, protein, total solid, and solids-not-fat concentrations decreased linearly and lactose level increased linearly as CP level in the gestating sow diet increased (casein%: p = 0.03; protein%: p = 0.04; lactose%: p = 0.06; total solids: p = 0.03; solid-not-fat: p = 0.03, respectively). However, improving ME by 0.42 MJ/kg had no significant effect on the chemical composition of sow colostrum. There were no significant differences in blood glucose concentration in gestating sows when sows were fed different levels of energy during gestation, but blood glucose increased at 21 day of lactation when energy increased by 0.42 MJ/kg (p = 0.04). Blood urea nitrogen concentration increased linearly when dietary CP levels increased at 110 day in gestation, 24-hours postpartum, and 21 days of lactation (linear, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively), and it also increased when dietary energy increased at 110 days of gestation and 24-hours postpartum (p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). A gestating sow diet containing 13.82 MJ/kg ME and 10.5% CP can improve reproductive performance, litter performance, and colostrum quality.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of multiple cooling systems and different drinking water temperatures (DWT) on the performance of sows and their hair cortisol levels during heat stress. In this study, the effect of four different cooling systems: air conditioner (AC), cooling pad (CP), snout cooling (SC), and mist spray (MS), and two DWT, namely low water temperature (LWT) and high water temperature (HWT) on 48 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 242.84 ± 2.89 kg) was tested. The experiment is based on the use of eight replicas during a 21-days test. Different behaviors were recorded under different cooling treatments in sows. As a result, behaviors such as drinking, standing, and position change were found to be lower in sows under the AC and CP treatments than in those under the SC and MS treatments. Lying behavior increased under the AC and CP systems as compared with that under the SC and MS, systems. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) in sows and weight at weaning in piglets was higher under the AC, CP, and LWT treatments than under the SC, MS and HWT treatments. Sows subjected to SC and MS treatment showed higher hair cortisol levels, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate during lactation than those under AC and CP treatments. Hair cortisol levels, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate were also higher under the HWT than under the LWT treatment. As per the results of this study, the LWT has no significant effect on any of the behavioral factors. Taken together, the use of AC and CP cooling treatment is highly recommended to improve the behavior and to reduce the stress levels in lactating sows.

The adequate intake of energy and lysine for primiparous sows are necessary for maternal growth of sows and growth of their progeny. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary energy and lysine levels on primiparous sows and their progeny. A total of 48 gilts (Yorkshire × Landrace), with an initial body weight (BW) of 168.1 ± 9.71 kg and at day 35 of gestation, were allotted to eight treatment groups with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. The first factor was metabolizable energy levels in diet (3,265 or 3,365 kcal of ME/kg), and the second factor was lysine levels in diet (gestation 0.55%, 0.65%, 0.75%, 0.85%, lactation 0.70%, 0.85%, 1.00%, 1.15%). The BW gain (p = 0.07) and backfat thickness (p = 0.09) in the gestation period showed a tendency to be increased in sows fed the high-energy diets. In the lactation period, sows fed the high-energy diets tended to be greater BW (p = 0.09) and less BW loss (p = 0.05) than those of sows fed the low-energy diets. Sows fed high-energy diets had a tendency of greater piglet weight at day 21 of lactation and greater piglet weight gain (p = 0.08 and p = 0.08, respectively). Although the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was increased linearly as dietary lysine level increased at day 110 of gestation (Linear, p = 0.03), the BUN was decreased linearly as dietary lysine level increase at day 21 of lactation (Linear, p < 0.01). In the composition of colostrum, sows fed high-energy diets had greater casein, protein, total solid, solid not fat, and free fatty acid concentrations than those of sows fed low-energy diets (p < 0.05). Supplementation of total lysine 0.75% for gestation and 1.00% for lactation with 3,365 kcal of ME/kg energy level could be applied to the primiparous sows’ diet to improve performance of sows and growth of their progeny.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin levels on physiological responses, blood profiles, and reproductive performance in gestating sows. A total of 52 F1 multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) with an average body weight of 223.5 ± 31.7 kg, an average parity of 6.4 ± 2.7, and an average backfat thickness of 18.5 ± 4.9 mm were divided into four treatment groups considering body weight, backfat thickness, and parity in a completely randomized design with 13 replicates. The treatments were 100% (V1), 300% (V3), 600% (V6) and 900% (V9) of the National Research Council (NRC) Nutrient Requirements of Swine. The gestation diet was formulated based on corn-soybean meal (SBM) and contained 3,265 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg and 12.00% crude protein. During the lactation period, all sows were fed the same commercial lactation diet. There was no significant difference in body weight of gestating sows. However backfat thickness tended to increase when higher levels of vitamins were provided to gestating sows (p < 0.10). When high levels of dietary vitamins were provided, the body weight change of lactating sows increased (p < 0.01). When sows were fed higher levels of vitamins, the feed intake of lactating sows tended to decrease (p = 0.06). There were no treatment differences in the number of total born, born alive, stillbirth piglets, or the body weight of piglets according to different dietary vitamin level. As dietary vitamin level increased, the serum concentration of 25(OH)D3 in sows at 90 days of gestation linearly increased (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the serum vitamin E level of gestating sows was linearly increased with increasing dietary vitamin level (p < 0.05). The current NRC vitamin requirements are sufficient for gestating sows and higher levels of vitamins in the gestation diet did not show any beneficial effects for gestating and lactating sows.