Impact of feed intake in early gestation on maternal growth and litter size according to body reserves at weaning of young parity sows

Abstract The effect of increasing the feed level (1.8, 2.5, and 3.2 kg/d) during early gestation in parity 1 (PO1) and parity 2 (PO2) sows on maternal growth and litter size was evaluated. A total of 361 sows were group-housed and fed a diet based on a corn–soybean meal (3.15 Mcal Metabolizable Energy (ME) per kg and 0.68% standardized ileal digestible lysine) from day 6 of gestation until day 30. Sows were weighed at weaning and on day 30 of gestation. Farrowing rate, number of total piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, and mummified fetuses were recorded at farrowing. The effect of feed level on the total number of piglets born was also evaluated according to classes of body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), backfat (BF), and caliper unit at weaning for each parity order. There was no evidence for significant effect of the interaction between feed level × parity on the variables related to maternal growth and reproductive performance (P ≥ 0.128). Greater feed levels linearly increased the gains in body condition (i.e., BW, BCS, BF, and caliper unit) between weaning and day 30 of gestation (P < 0.001). Farrowing rate was not influenced by the feed level (P ≥ 0.200) and parity (P ≥ 0.209). The number of total piglets born decreased linearly as the feed level increased (P = 0.041), whereas no evidences for differences were observed on piglets born alive among treatments (P ≥ 0.317), neither between parities (P ≥ 0.904). For PO1 sows, the total piglets born on BW classes (≤183 vs. >183 kg) and on classes of BF (≤11.5 vs. > 11.5 mm) were quadratically affected by the feed levels (P ≤ 0.041). In contrast, the number of total piglets born was marginally affected (linear; P ≤ 0.094) by the feed level in the different classes of BW, BCS, and caliper unit in PO2 sows. There was no evidence for differences for the interaction of feed level and classes of body condition (P ≥ 0.199) for PO2 sows. Similarly, no interactions between feed level and classes of BW, BCS, and BF at weaning were observed (P ≥ 0.233) for PO1 sows; however, the total piglets born were affected by an interaction between feed level and caliper unit class (P = 0.042). In conclusion, increased feed intake from day 6 of gestation until day 30 resulted in increased maternal BW gain but reduced the number of total piglets born. Furthermore, lighter and in a poor BCS PO1 sows at weaning produced fewer total born piglets with no benefits from greater amounts of feed.

Download Full-text

GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF DAIRY COWS AND BODY CONDITION SCORE ASSOCIATED WITH SWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR PASTURE TYPES

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s001447971600020x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 214-226

Author(s):

O. A. CASTELÁN-ORTEGA ◽

C. G. MARTÍNEZ-GARCÍA ◽

F. L. MOULD ◽

P. DORWARD ◽

G. C. MIRANDA-DE LA LAMA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Bite Rate ◽

Sward Height ◽

Condition Score ◽

Native Pastures ◽

Grazing Behaviour

SUMMARYThe objectives were to assess the following: (1) the relationship between sward height and chemical composition of four pasture types in association with grazing behaviour and body condition score (BCS) of dairy cows, and (2) the possibility of developing predictive equations of the nutrient intake and grazing behaviour within a continued grazing system. Pasture type had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on nutrient supply from January to June for all pastures investigated. Ryegrass–white clover pasture (RW) had the highest metabolizable protein and metabolizable energy, followed by kikuyu pasture (KP), which was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than native pastures 1 and 2 (NP1 and NP2). The highest values for effective grazing time, bite rate and BCS were found when dairy cows grazed RW followed by KP, NP2 and NP1. The results suggested that pasture type and sward height influenced grazing behaviour and BCS of dairy cows during the dry season. In the same vein, RW showed higher effective grazing time, bite rate, nutrient intake and BCS than the other three pastures suggesting that RW pastures that appear to be more expensive than native pastures could result in superior cow performance.

Download Full-text

PSX-2 Growth and lactating performance of ewes fed with different energy levels

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.921 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 467-468

Author(s):

Fernanda F Santos ◽

Luciano Brochine ◽

Vanderlei Benetel Junior ◽

Maria Laura R Coelho ◽

Augusto H Gameiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Energy Levels ◽

The Body ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Condition Score

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) of ewes fed with different energy levels. Seventy-one ewes were used and distributed in three treatments according to the metabolizable energy (ME, Mcal/kg) levels in the diet: CTL = according to the NRC (2007) recommendation for each stage (gestation and lactation); PLUS = CTL plus 10% of ME per kilogram of dry matter; LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated a week before the expected date of parturition, a week after giving birth, and at weaning (60 days). Dairy production was evaluated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after giving birth by the indirect method of the two weighing. The experimental design was analyzed as randomized complete blocks. There were no differences on milk production during almost all the lactation curve. Only on day 50 (P = 0.051), CTL was still at peak, while LESS and PLUS had already decreased their production. However, at 60 days, all treatments were already with low production, justifying weaning in this period. Results of weight and BCS showed a significant difference in all periods evaluates. Ewes in the PLUS diet had greater BW and BCS. The BCS before giving birth is expected to be over 3.5 and treatment LESS was the only one that did not achieve this score (2.66, 3.37, 3.83 for LESS, CTL, and PLUS, respectively). At weaning, ewes fed PLUS and CTL had BCS of 3.51 and 2.92, respectively, but treatment LESS had only 1.82. That is prejudicial for the next mating seasonal and this animal. We concluded that LESS diet interfered with the body reserves of sheep.

Download Full-text

Effects of parity and body condition score (BCS) on oestrus expressions and post breeding reproductive performance of Katjang crossbred goat

Journal of Tropical Resources and Sustainable Science (JTRSS) ◽

10.47253/jtrss.v6i2.567 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 80-87

Author(s):

Intan Sofienaz Ahmad Fuad ◽

Khairiyah Mat ◽

Nor Dini Rusli ◽

Hasnita Che Harun

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Visual Observation ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Progesterone Concentration ◽

Condition Score ◽

Embryonic Loss

This experiment goal was to identify the effect of parity and body condition score (BCS) on oestrusexpressions (OE), post breeding reproductive performance (PBRP) of Katjang crossbred andchanges of progesterone (P4) concentration. Twenty-four does were treated with 14 dayssynchronisation followed by visual observation of oestrus expressions (standing heat (SH),mounted by other buck but not standing (MBNS), vocalization (VC), tail swaging (TW), andsniffing of the genital of other buck (SGB)) and blood sampling twice daily up to 72 hours followingControl Internal Drug Release (CIDR) removal. PBRP data was recorded for evaluation whichincluded pregnancy rate (PR), abortion rate (AR), mortality rate (MR), litter size (LS), litter birthweight (LBW) and gestation length (GL). Result revealed that there was no significant effect(P>0.05) of parity and BCS on OE, PBRP and progesterone concentration except for birth weightwhich had been affected by parity. Based on observation of OE of SH, it was found that accuracyof pregnancy prediction was up to 50%. Analysis of OE established reliability of OE in wassequence from SH>SGB>TW>MBNS>VC and onset of oestrus began approximately 33h post toCIDR removal. Analysis of PBRP shown parity?2 had heavier birth weight in single litter size thanparity?3 which was associated with no MR. Progesterone concentration indicated all of the doeswere on oestrus and highly susceptible as early as 48 h post to CIDR removal. In conclusion, thisstudy demonstrated that both non-genetic factors; parity and BCS are very poor in determining theeffect of OE, PBRP and P4 concentration due to limitation of sample size and greater influences ofexternal factors such as weather, extreme environmental condition and farm management. It isrecommended to improve program in future by focusing on enhancing the fertilization rate andreducing embryonic loss for optimum conception rate.

Download Full-text

Effects of body condition, food intake and temporary calf separation on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations in beef cows

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100002889 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 395-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

I. A. Wright ◽

S. M. Rhind ◽

A. J. F. Russel ◽

T. K. Whyte ◽

Alison J. McBean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Post Partum ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Pulse Frequency ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Barley Straw ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Feeding Level ◽

Condition Score

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to examine factors affecting the length of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated effects on LH, FSH and prolactin. Forty-six cows (24 Hereford × Friesian and 22 Blue-Grey) ranging in body condition score at calving from 1·50 to 2·75 were used. They were individually fed chopped barley straw and concentrate at either 50 (low) or 91 (high) MJ metabolizable energy per day from calving. At 34 days post partum half the cows were separated from their calves for 48 h. The duration of the post-partum anoestrous period was estimated from progesterone concentrations in thrice weekly blood samples. Blood samples were collected every 20 min for 10 h periods immediately prior to calf separation, during the last 10 h of calf separation and 1 week later. All samples were analysed for LH, and every third sample was analysed for FSH and prolactin.There were no significant effects of genotype, feeding level or calf separation on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period. There was a negative association between body condition score at calving and the length of the anoestrous period, with each unit increase in body condition score reducing the anoestrous period by 43 (s.e. 20) days. There was some evidence that feeding level affected the number of thin cows (body condition score ≤2·25 at calving) which were still acyclic at the end of the experiment, but not the number of fat cows (body condition score ≥2·5 at calving).FSH levels were not affected by any of the factors examined. Prolactin concentrations were higher in fatter cows, in cows on the higher level of feeding and in Blue-Grey cows. Prolactin concentrations decreased during the period of calf separation. Genotype and feeding level had no effect on LH concentration or LH pulse frequency. LH pulse frequency was increased (P < 0·05) during the period of calf separation, but there was no effect 1 week later. There was a significant positive relationship between LH puise frequency and body condition score at calving in two of the three sampling periods.It is suggested that the effect of body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period i s mediated through effects on LH pulse frequency.

Download Full-text

241 EFFECT OF INTRODUCTION OF THE INVERDALE FECUNDITY (FecXI) GENE INTO A TEXEL × SCOTTISH HILL EWE (CHEVIOT) FLOCK ON LITTER SIZE, BIRTHWEIGHT, AND LAMB SURVIVAL

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv18n2ab241 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 228

Author(s):

F. M. Alink ◽

J. J. Robinson ◽

M. J. A. Mylne ◽

P. Kenyon ◽

R. G. Watt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Live Weight ◽

Abnormal Development ◽

Size Category ◽

Prenatal Growth ◽

Morphogenetic Protein ◽

Condition Score ◽

Lamb Survival

The naturally occurring Inverdale fecundity gene (FecXI), first identified in a Romney flock in New Zealand is located on the X-chromosome and is a point mutation of the bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) gene. Although homozygous carriers are infertile due to abnormal development (hypoplasia) of the ovaries, heterozygotes exhibit an increase in ovulation rate and numbers of lambs born, thus making the gene a candidate for improving prolificacy of crossbred hill ewes in a stratified hill and lowground sheep industry. Heterozygous Inverdale gene-carrying crossbred (Texel � Cheviot) ewes (n = 76) and noncarrier controls (n = 18) were mated by non-carrier Texel rams at approximately 18 months of age. Ultrasound pregnancy scanning took place at approximately 70 days of gestation. Lambing records comprised litter size and birthweight data and all losses, including mummified fetuses. Regression analysis tested effects of ewe genotype, pre-mating liveweight, and body condition score on litter size. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare genotype and litter size category effects on dam and offspring data. Mean (� SEM) litter size was 2.6 � 0.10 and 1.9 � 0.11 for FecXI carrier and noncarrier ewes (P < 0.001). Although carrier ewes had lower pre-mating liveweights (60 � 5.2 vs. 63 � 3.8 kg; P < 0.05) and body condition scores (3.1 � 0.29 vs. 3.3 � 0.24; P < 0.01) than noncarrier ewes, litter size was not affected by either factor. Ultrasound scanning was a good predictor (r2 = 0.86; P < 0.001) of the eventual lamb crop. Incidences of singletons, twins, triplets and higher multiples were 8, 38, 42 and 12%, respectively, among FecXI carrier dams. Corresponding incidences among noncarriers were 17, 78, 5, and 0%. Peri- and neonatal losses increased with litter size. Of lambs from single, twin or triplet births, losses were 20% and 6% for FecXI carrier and noncarrier ewe groups, respectively (P = 0.049). Of 32 quadruplets (mean live weight = 2.65 kg), 9 did not survive; the sole set of quintuplets (mean = 1.52 kg) also succumbed. Birth weights of lambs influenced survival (P < 0.001); among quadruplets, for example, survivors were 0.5 kg heavier than counterparts that died. Surviving triplets from FecXI carrier dams were 0.8 kg heavier than non-survivors (3.66 kg vs. 2.86 kg). Overall, in this study mortality was four times greater among lambs below 3 kg live weight than among their heavier counterparts. Consequently, further studies are needed to investigate how Inverdale gene-carrying ewes can be managed during the peri-conception period to optimize litter size, placental function, and prenatal growth for maximum lamb survival. This work was funded by HIE, ANM Group, Britbreed, Ltd., and Harbro Ltd.; F. M. A. is a Genesis Faraday Associate and is sponsored by the SAC Trust, Harbro, Ltd., and Innovis.

Download Full-text

Relationships between body condition score change, prior mid-lactation phenotypic residual feed intake, and hyperketonemia onset in transition dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2016-12085 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 100 (5) ◽

pp. 3685-3696 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Francesca M. Rathbun ◽

Ryan S. Pralle ◽

Sandra J. Bertics ◽

Louis E. Armentano ◽

K. Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Score Change ◽

Transition Dairy Cows ◽

Condition Score

Download Full-text

Effect of pour-on alphacypermethrin on feed intake, body condition score, milk yield, pregnancy rates, and calving-to-conception interval in buffaloes1,2

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2014-8352 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 1850-1858 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. Bifulco ◽

V. Veneziano ◽

R. Cimmino ◽

L. Esposito ◽

L. Auletta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Condition Score

Download Full-text

Effect of dietary repletion on reproductive activity in cows after a long anoestrous period

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s135772980001451x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 217-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

E. Zerbini ◽

A. G. Wold ◽

T. Gemeda

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Live Weight ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Cyclic Activity ◽

Natural Pasture ◽

Condition Score ◽

Management Implication ◽

Metabolizable Energy Intake

AbstractThis study examined whether a prolonged anoestrus had any long-term effect on subsequent fertility of cows and estimated the relationship between repletion and resumption of reproductive activity. Twelve low body-condition, non-milking, non-cycling (depletion state) F1 crossbred dairy cows (Friesian × Boron and Simmental × Boran) were stratified to two diets (H: natural grass hay offered ad libitum and mineral lick +3 kg concentrate, and H + P: H + 7 h/day natural pasture grazing) according to parity, body weight, body condition score and calving intervals. Daily dry-matter intake was similar between cows on the two diets, but total intake of nitrogen was proportionately about 0·10 greater for cows with access to pasture. The calculated metabolizable energy intake was more than twice the estimated maintenance requirement for cows on both diets. Live weights increased from depletion to ovulation, to oestrus and to conception, but were not significantly different between cows on both diets. Body condition score increased from depletion time to first oestrus and to repletion and was greater for H + P than for H cows at first oestrus and at conception. After an average of 45 days of repletion, cows were already ovulating with no significant differences between cows on either diet. Days to onset of oestrus were 83 and 44 days for diet H and H + P, respectively. Time to conception was similar between coivs on both diets. Conception occurred when cows on H and H + P diets had recovered proportionately 0·51 and 0·58 of their live-weight and 0·84 and 1·27 of their body condition loss, respectively. Interval to repletion weight was 178 and 139 days for cows on the H and H + P diet, respectively. Cows subjected to an exceptionally long depletion period were able to resume ovarian cyclic activity and to conceive in less than 3 months when given twice maintenance requirements. These results have important management implication for on-farm situations in the tropics where fluctuations of food availability and quality occur.

Download Full-text

Effects of feeding treatment on growth rate and performance of primiparous Holstein dairy heifers

10.1101/760082 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yannick Le Cozler ◽

Julien Jurquet ◽

Nicolas. Bedere

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Production Performance ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Condition Score ◽

Catch Up

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate effects of feeding-rearing programs that aim for first calving at 20-27 months (mo) of age on growth, reproduction and production performance of Holstein cows at nulliparous and primiparous stages. We hypothesised that, in a seasonal autumn-calving strategy, heifers born late in the season could catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier and be inseminated during the same period, at a body weight (BW) of at least 370 kg. This approach would result in first calving age at 21-22 mo of age without impairing their later performance. To test this hypothesis, we studied 217 heifers over 3 years. They were split into three treatment groups: control feeding (SD), an intensive-plane diet (ID1) from birth to 6 mo of age or an intensive-plane diet from birth to one year of age. Heifers in groups SD and ID1 were born from September until the end of November, while those in ID2 were born later. The present study showed that late-born heifers (ID2) could catch up with the growth of the others due to the feeding treatment, although they were still 42 kg lighter than the SD and ID1 heifers at first calving. No difference in reproductive performance was observed among groups. Once primiparous, the cows reared with the ID2 treatment tended to produce less milk than SD and ID1 cows (ca. 400 kg less on a 305 d basis throughout lactation), and no differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. Age at first service (AFS) was classified a posteriori into three classes: 12.5 (AFS12.5), 14.0 (AFS14.0) and 15.5 mo (AFS15.5) of age. Heifers in AFS12.5 grew faster than those in AFS14.0 and AFS15.5. Once primiparous, the AFS12.5 cows tended to produce less milk at peak than AFS14.0 and AFS15.5 cows (ca. 1.5 kg/d less) although no difference in total milk yield during lactation was observed. No differences in milk composition, feed intake, body condition score or BW were observed among groups. These results support the conclusion that the feeding treatment can enable late-born heifers to catch up to the growth of heifers born earlier in the season. This strategy results in an earlier first calving that does not impair their reproductive performance but does decrease milk yield slightly during first lactation. Future studies should investigate long-term effects of this strategy.

Download Full-text

Impact of change in body condition score in mid-late pregnancy in ewes fed a mixed diet on lamb survival and performance

Journal of New Zealand Grasslands ◽

10.33584/jnzg.2020.82.442 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. 211-219

Author(s):

Sue McCoard ◽

Shen-Yan Hea ◽

Catherine McKenzie ◽

Kirsty Hammond ◽

Tim Smith

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Condition Score ◽

Lamb Survival ◽

And Performance ◽

Mixed Age ◽

Positive Effect

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that body condition score of pregnant ewes fed on turnip and swede crops during mid-late gestation had on offspring survival and performance. Data were collected from 755 multiparous mixed-age ewes carrying 1–4 fetuses. Ewes grazed a turnip crop for 1 month prior to pregnancy scanning with supplementary ryegrass/clover baleage (~75 days gestation) followed by a swede crop with supplementary Lucerne baleage for 1 month following pregnancy scanning (to ~120 days gestation). Ewe body condition score (BCS) at mating, pregnancy scanning and pre-lambing, along with lamb survival and growth rates to weaning were recorded. Lamb survival from pregnancy scanning to tailing differed by litter size (P<0.001) with lower survival in litters with 3 or more lambs compared to singles and twins which did not differ. Improving BCS from pregnancy scanning to 120 days gestation had a positive effect on lamb survival irrespective of litter size and ewe age (P<0.001). Lamb survival in ewes ≥5 years of age, irrespective of litter size, was lower (P<0.001) compared to 2 or 3–4-year-old ewes, which in turn did not differ from each other. The key finding of the study was that loss in BCS from pregnancy scanning to 120 days gestation, negatively impacted on lamb survival, especially in ewes carrying 3 or more fetuses and in ewes >5 years of age irrespective of the number of fetuses carried. Furthermore, there was high variation in BCS change observed in both early and mid-pregnancy.

Download Full-text