Effect of age and backfat thickness on reproductive performance of 100 kg Large White sows

Background: Gilts represent the largest category (18-20%) of female pigs in a breeding herd. Under field conditions, the amplitude of growth rate and age at the first mating of gilts are remarkably higher than the recommendations made by the genetic companies. There are several studies that have considered the management of these animals starting from their introduction to the herd till the mating. It has been noted that the genetic selection constantly promotes evolution that may change certain traits of these animals. However, there is a lack of the studies that evaluate the management strategies suitable for the modern sows. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effect of age and growth rate of gilts at the first mating on productive performance and retention rate until the third farrowing.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was performed in a gilt development unit (GDU) with a breeding stock capacity of 1000 females and a goal of 90 gilts mating per week. The groups were retrospectively created according to age (<210 d and ≥210 d) and the growth rate (GR; <700 g/d and ≥700 g/d) at the first mating with a 2 × 2 factorial design. A real-time ultrasound examination was performed at approximately 28 days after artificial insemination to detect pregnancy. Afterward, the productivity data over three parities of 703 females were collected and analyzed at 28 commercial farms of destination. The analyses were performed using SAS, with individual gilts as the experimental unit. The total number of piglets born and the age at the third parity were analyzed using the PROC MIXED. The number of estrus at breeding, weaning-to-estrus interval and the number of piglets in the previous farrowing were included as covariates in the model of total piglets born. The farrowing rate and retention rate until the third parity were considered as binary responses and analyzed using logistic regression (PROC GLIMMIX). The effects of age, GR, and their interaction were included as fixed effect in all analyses. There was no effect of age and GR and their interaction (P > 0.05) on farrowing rate after first, second, and third mating. The total number of piglets born in the three first farrowing and over three parities were not affected (P > 0.05) by the age and GR at first mating. The retention rate until the third farrowing of gilts inseminated with more than 210 days of age was approximately 7% greater than in the gilts mated younger; however, no statistical difference (P > 0.05) was detected. An effect of the age at the first mating was observed in the age to reach the third farrowing. Gilts mated with less than 210 and more than 210 days reached the third farrowing, respectively, at 604.5 ±1.9 and 625.1 ± 2.7 days of age (P < 0.001).Discussion: With a minimum GR of 550 g/d, 180 days of age, and at least 130 kg of weight, gilts are eligible to be inseminated without impairing their litter size, farrowing, and retention rate until the third parity. The gilts having modern genotypes can have a high stillbirth rate if bred with an excessive body weight. It is worth to consider that the gilts inseminated with > 700g/d did not present overweight in this study. The reproductive performance expressed by farrowing rate and piglets born and the longevity expressed by the retention rate from the first pregnancy until the third parturition were not impaired by the groups of age and GR in Large White × Landrace crossbred (Camborough 23®). In addition, gilts inseminated earlier than 210 days but having the minimum required weight resulted in less non-productive days for the breeding herd, which represents an important financial rate to the system.

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The effect of age of purebred large white and landrace boars at time of service on herd performance

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600018407 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 1990 ◽

pp. 59-59

Author(s):

M. J. H. Francis ◽

J. T. Mercer

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Breeding Performance ◽

Large White ◽

The Past ◽

Selection For ◽

The Relationship ◽

Effect Of Age

Practically, the effect of selection for growth and efficiency on breeding performance has been largely ignored in the past, despite changes in the age and weight of animals at puberty. It has been demonstrated that it is beneficial to delay service in gilts, both to improve their condition and allow them to complete more oestrous cycles prior to service. It seems likely that performance of boars might also be enhanced if they were worked later.This analysis was designed to examine the relationship between age and reproductive performance in the boar, with a view to developing guidelines for young boar management.

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The influence of fatness at parturition. nutrition during lactation and litter size on the performance of breeding sows

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600016792 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 1988 ◽

pp. 40-40

Author(s):

C.T. Whittemore ◽

H. Yang ◽

P. Phillips ◽

P.R. Eastham

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Present Report ◽

Live Weight ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Large White ◽

Daily Feeding ◽

Company Limited ◽

Ad Libitum

The influence of fatness at parturition, nutrition during lactation and the size of litter upon changes in backfat depth, live weight and conformation of sows over four parities has been presented in the first report. The present report will deal with the consequences for reproductive performance and production efficiency.One hundred and two Large White x Landrace Fl hybrid gilts were purchased from the Cotswold Pig Development Company Limited at about 30 kg live weight. At mating, animals were allocated at random to one of B treatments comprising: two levels (fat and thin) of target backfat thickness at parturition (10-14 mm. T vs 20-24 mm. F): two daily feeding levels (high and low) during 4-week lactation (3 kg. L vs ad libitum to a maximum of 7 kg. H): and two sizes of sucking litter (5 vs 9 in parity 1, and 6 vs 10 in parities 2, 3 and 4).

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129 Genomic Relationship Between PRRSV Wild-type Infection and PRRSV Vaccination for Antibody Response and Reproductive Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 18-18

Author(s):

Leticia P Sanglard ◽

Felipe Hickmann ◽

Yijian Huang ◽

Kent A Gray ◽

Daniel Linhares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibody Response ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Wild Type ◽

Large White ◽

Selection For ◽

Indicator Trait ◽

Type Infection

Abstract Immunoglobulin G antibody response, measured as sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio, to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been proposed as an indicator trait for improved reproductive performance in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and PRRSV-vaccinated crossbred gilts. In this study, we investigated the genetic correlations (rg) of S/P ratio following a PRRSV outbreak and PRRSV-vaccination with performance in non-exposed and PRRSV-exposed sows. PRRSV outbreak phase was defined based on previously described methodologies after the detection of typical clinical signs of PRRSV infection. 541 Landrace sows had S/P ratio measured at ~54 days after the beginning of the PRRSV outbreak (S/Poutbreak), and 906 Landrace x Large White naïve F1 gilts had S/P ratio measured at ~50 days after vaccination with a commercial modified live PRRSV vaccine (S/PVx). 711 and 428 Landrace sows had reproductive performance recorded before and during the PRRSV outbreak, respectively. 811 vaccinated F1 animals had farrowing performance for up to 3 parities. All animals were genotyped for ~28K SNPs. The estimate of rg of S/Poutbreakwith S/PVx was high (rg±SE = 0.72±0.18). Estimates of rg of S/Poutbreak with reproductive performance in F1 sows were low to moderate, ranging from 0.05±0.23 (number stillborn) to 0.30±0.20 (total number born). Estimates of rg of S/PVxwith reproductive performance in non-infected purebred sows were moderate and favorable with number born alive (0.50±0.23), but low (0 to -0.11±0.23) with litter mortality traits. Estimates of rg of S/PVx were moderate and negative (-0.47±0.18) with the number of mummies in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and low with other traits (-0.29±0.18 for total number born to 0.05±0.18 for number stillborn). These results indicate that selection for antibody response following a PRRSV outbreak collected in purebred sows and to PRRSV vaccination collected in commercial crossbred gilts may increase litter size of non-infected and PRRSV-exposed purebred and commercial crossbred sows.

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The effect on the reproductive performance of sows of dietary protein concentration and pattern of feeding in pregnancy

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600014520 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 301-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

I. H. Pike ◽

T. G. Boaz

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Fish Meal ◽

Live Weight ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Large White ◽

Low Protein ◽

Lower Capacity ◽

In Pregnancy

SUMMARYIn a factorial experiment the effect of two protein intakes and three patterns of feeding in the second pregnancy of 48 Large White x Wessex Saddleback sows was examined. The high protein (HP) diet (19·5% crude protein) contained 15% white fish meal. The low protein (LP) diet (10·5% crude protein) contained cereal protein only. Nutrient components of the diets differed in protein only. The pattern treatments involved allowances of 1·8 kg (L), 2·7 kg (C) and 3·6 kg (H) per day, the three pregnancy patterns being HL, C and LH with the changeovers made from the 49th to the 63rd day post coitum (p.c). Sows on the three pattern treatments received the same total amount of feed from 0–112 days p.c. and were treated alike at farrowing and during lactation.Fertility and parturition results were similar for all treatments, but the number of piglets alive after birth (when weighed) was least for LP sows on the HL pattern. At 3 weeks of age the size and weight of litters on HP sows were significantly greater than those on LP sows (P < 0·05 and < 0·001 respectively). More piglets were weaned by HP sows than LP sows (P < 0·05). HP sows gained more weight in pregnancy (P < 0·001) which was slightly longer, and lost more weight in lactation (P < 0·05) than LP sows.The HL pattern of feeding was associated with smaller live weight gains in pregnancy than the LH pattern (P < 0·001) and the total birth weight of HL litters was lighter than LH (P < 0·05), mean piglet weights being similar. Lactation performance was unaffected by pattern treatment.The main conclusion is that a low intake, particularly during the latter half of pregnancy, of protein which is of vegetable origin, is associated with decreased viability of the piglets at birth and in early suckling life, and with lower capacity of the sows for milk production.

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Effect of triple versus double mating on sow productivity

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100010217 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 279-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

J. E. Tilton ◽

D. J. A. Cole

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Mating Systems ◽

Large White ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Double Mating

ABSTRACTTwo hundred Landrace × Large White sows were used to evaluate the influence of mating to Landrace or hybrid boars, at different intervals and with different frequencies, on subsequent reproductive performance. Sows were allocated at random to either a mating on each of the first 2 days of oestrus (double mating), two matings on the 1st day and one on the 2nd, one on the 1st day and two on the 2nd or single matings on each of the first 3 days of oestrus. All triple mating systems increased number of piglets born and born alive, with mating on 3 consecutive days significantly influencing these parameters compared with double mating (P < 0·05). Number of piglets weaned and mean piglet weaning weight were not affected significantly by treatment. Breed of boar used did not influence significantly any of the factors measured.

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PSIII-9 The Effect of Sire Line on Reproductive Performance During Lactation

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 169-169

Author(s):

H Manu ◽

M Fletcher ◽

K Fang ◽

Sudario Roberto Silva Junior ◽

J Dunkelberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Large White ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Genetic Source ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

Line P ◽

Synthetic Line

Abstract The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of sire line on sow and piglet performance during lactation. Commercial Landrace x Large White females (n = 60) were bred to one of the following sire lines: a purebred Duroc line (Line S1), a synthetic (Line S2), or purebred Duroc (Line S3) from a different genetic source. Matings were balanced by line and parity. Females were fed a common gestation and lactation diet during these respective phases. Sow and piglet data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLM procedure of SAS. Results show that, during lactation, females bred to line S3 lost significantly (P = 0.01) more BW (-16.93 ± 3.56 kg) than females bred to line S2 (-2.00 ± 3.50 kg). However, no evidence of a difference (P = 0.18) in BW loss was detected between females bred to line S3 (-16.93 ± 3.56 kg) vs. Line S1 (-7.90 ± 3.56 kg). Further, sows bred to line S3 weaned significantly (P = 0.03) more piglets (12.0 ± 0.28) than females bred to line S2 (10.9 ± 0.27), but not (P = 0.1) compared to females bred to line S1 (11.7 ± 0.27). No significant effect of line (P > 0.05) or parity (P > 0.05) on total number of piglet’s born, number born alive, number of stillborn piglets, or preweaning mortality was detected. The number of mummified fetus tended to be lower in line S2 (0.17 vs 0.66; P = 0.079) and line S3 (0.12 vs 0.66; P = 0.051) sows compared with line S1 sows, respectively. In conclusion, sire line did not have a significant effect on total number born, number born alive, number stillborn, or preweaning mortality. However, females bred to line S3 lost significantly more BW during lact but weaned significantly more piglets than females bred to line S2.

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Influence of Dietary Protein during the Pre-Breeder Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkeys

Poultry Science ◽

10.3382/ps.0590352 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 352-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

G.B. MEYER ◽

C.F. PROPS ◽

A.T. LEIGHTON ◽

H.P. VAN KREY ◽

L.M. POTTER

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Large White

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Cumulative reproductive performance effect on overall lifetime productivity in Merino sheep

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an17794 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (8) ◽

pp. 1470

Author(s):

J. S. Richards ◽

M. A. Sladek ◽

G. J. Lee

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

New South ◽

Dental Health ◽

Age Groups ◽

The South ◽

Performance Effect ◽

South West ◽

South Wales ◽

The Impact ◽

Effect Of Age

Reproduction is an important driver of profitability in commercial sheep flocks. Historically, Merino flocks have been run with a fixed age structure, ignoring individual merit and casting for age at a specific age. More recently, research has focussed on utilising the variation within age groups by keeping productive older ewes longer and culling less productive ewes earlier. Previous studies have also examined the effect of age on reproduction and the impact of reproduction status on productivity, but little research has been conducted on cumulative effects of reproductive performance on later productivity, reproduction and health. The present study examined the impact of higher lifetime reproduction on other key production and fitness traits in older ewes run under commercial conditions. Data were collected from two commercial wool-producing properties in the South West Slopes and the Central West Plains of New South Wales during 2009–2011. Reproduction, fleece measurements, bodyweight and condition and dental health were recorded during the study. The results showed that age had a bigger effect on productivity and dental health than did cumulative lifetime reproduction. Environment and genetics determined the level of impact, with minimal loss in productivity from increased age of animals occurring in the South West Slopes flock, whereas the Central West Plains flock would appear to require closer monitoring of productivity as ewes aged. The data collected did not allow separation of the genetic and environmental influences within the study. Retaining animals with a higher reproductive performance past normal culling age does not necessarily result in reduction of productivity or ewe health, but this must be monitored.

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Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management ◽

10.4314/jasem.v20i2.17 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 357-361

Author(s):

J.O. Oyedeji ◽

G.O. Imagbenikaro

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Cooling System ◽

Large White ◽

Feed Cost ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

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