scholarly journals Dietary energy sources during late gestation and lactation of sows: effects on performance, glucolipid metabolism, oxidative status of sows, and their offspring1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 4608-4618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunyu Yang ◽  
Cheng Jun Hu ◽  
Xichen Zhao ◽  
Kaili Xiao ◽  
Ming Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Liver Glycogen ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Stillbirth Rate ◽  
Neonatal Piglets ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract In this study, the effects of maternal energy sources during late gestation and lactation on the performance, glucolipid metabolism, and oxidative status of sows and their offspring were investigated using a total of 75 (2 to 6 of parity) Landrace × Large White sows at day 85 of gestation under 3 different dietary treatments: SO diet (basal diet plus 3.0% and 5.0% soybean oil during late gestation and lactation, respectively), FO diet (basal diet plus 3.0%/5.0% fish oil during late gestation and lactation, respectively), and CS diet (basal diet plus 32%/42% corn starch during late gestation and lactation, respectively). All the 3 groups showed no obvious differences (P > 0.05) in the number of total piglets born, born alive, after cross-fostering, and at weaning, whereas the CS group exhibited a shorter farrowing duration (P < 0.05) and lower stillbirth rate (P < 0.05) when compared with the SO group. In addition, litter weight at birth was significantly higher in the CS group than in the SO or FO group (P < 0.05). Despite no notable differences in the ADG of suckling piglets among dietary treatments (P > 0.05), the CS group had greater feed intake than the SO group during the lactation period (P < 0.05). In neonatal piglets with normal birth weight (NBW, 1.3 to 1.5 kg), the CS group was lower than the SO group in the content of liver glycogen (P < 0.05) and the mRNA abundances of fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid-binding protein 1, and acyl-CoA oxidase (P < 0.05). Interestingly, compared with the SO group, the FO group had a lower preweaning mortality rate (P < 0.05), but greater liver glycogen pools (P < 0.05) in neonatal piglets with low birth weight (LBW, <1.1 kg). Compared with the CS group, the FO group showed an increase in the plasma malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05) of sows, as well as an increase of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (P < 0.05) and a decrease of ferric reducing ability of plasma (P < 0.05) in NBW piglets. Overall, the diet rich in starch decreased the stillbirth rate and increased the litter weight of neonatal piglets, the dietary supplementation with fish oil decreased preweaning mortality rate, and the diet with a low n6:n3 ratio increased the oxidative status of sows and their offspring.

scholarly journals Effects of L-Arginine Supplementation during Late Gestation on Reproductive Performance, Piglet Uniformity, Blood Profiles, and Milk Composition in High Prolific Sows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1313
Author(s):  
Jinsu Hong ◽  
Lin Hu Fang ◽  
Jae Hark Jeong ◽  
Yoo Yong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Arginine Supplementation

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of L-arginine supplementation levels during late gestation on reproductive performance and piglet uniformity in high prolific sows. A total of 60 F1 multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace), with an average body weight of 238.2 kg, were allotted to one of three treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were divided by the supplementation level of arginine during the late-gestation period, from day 70 to farrowing, as follows—(1) CON: corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (Arg 0.72%), (2) Arg10: basal diet + L-Arg 0.28% (Arg 1.0%), and (3) Arg15: basal diet + L-Arg 0.79% (Arg 1.5%). The same lactation diet was provided ad libitum to sows during the lactation period. There were no significant differences in body weight and backfat thickness in sows during late-gestation and lactation. Dietary arginine levels had no significant influences on the number of total born, stillbirth, and born alive. However, increasing inclusion level of L-arginine supplementation tended to increase (p < 0.10) alive litter weight linearly, and also linearly increased (p < 0.05) the piglet weight gain and litter weight gain during the lactation period. In piglet uniformity, the standard deviation of piglet birth weight (p < 0.05) and the coefficient of variation for piglet birth weight (p < 0.10) increased linearly, as dietary arginine levels increased in the late gestation period. Increasing L-arginine supplementation to late gestating sows linearly increased (p < 0.05) the blood concentrations of arginine and ornithine at day 90 and day 110 of gestation. On the other hand, dietary arginine levels in late gestation did not affect the blood parameters related to the nitrogen utilization. Increasing dietary arginine levels for the late gestating sows did not affect the milk composition for colostrum and milk at day 21 of lactation. In conclusion, the inclusion level of arginine in the diet for late gestating sows, by up to 1.5%, could improve the alive litter weight at birth and litter weight gain during lactation, whereas the piglet uniformity at birth was decreased due to the increase of survival for fetuses with light birth weight.

scholarly journals 78 Effects of Isomaltooligosaccharide and Bacillus supplementation on sow performance, serum metabolite and oxidative status in serum and placenta

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 76-77
Author(s):  
Xueling Gu ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Zehe Song ◽  
Yanan Ding ◽  
Xi He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Bacillus Licheniformis ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Placental Efficiency

Abstract This study investigated the effects of Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) and Bacillus supplementation on sow performance, serum metabolite and oxidative status in serum and placenta. One hundred and thirty multiparous gestating sows with similar body condition were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 26), receiving basal diet (CON group) or basal diet supplemented with 0.5% IMO (IMO group), 0.5% IMO and 0.02% Bacillus subtilis (IMO+S group), 0.5% IMO and 0.02% Bacillus licheniformis (IMO+L group), and 0.5% IMO, 0.02% Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (IMO+S+L group), respectively. The reproductive performance of sows was recorded. During farrowing, serum of sow from the ear vein and umbilical vein were collected for determining the metabolite and antioxidatant capacity. The placenta also was collected to determine antioxidant capacity. Statistical analysis was performed with covariance analysis and one-way analysis of variance followed by a Duncan multiple range test with SPSS 21.0. The results showed that no difference was observed in litter size among all groups (P &gt; 0.05), while the average piglet birth weight was improved in all treatments and the placental efficiency was increased in IMO+S group and IMO+S+L group compared with CON group (P &lt; 0.05). IMO+S+L increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reduced total cholesterol (TC) concentration in umbilical venous serum (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, sows in all treatment groups had greater malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in umbilical venous serum compared with CON group (P &lt; 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of placenta was increased in IMO+L group and IMO+S+L group (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the concentration of growth hormone (GH) in umbilical venous serum was improved (P &lt; 0.05) in all treatments group. In conclusion, IMO and Bacillus supplementations during late gestation changed the lipid and protein metabolism of sows, improved the placental antioxidant capacity, increased GH levels in umbilical venous serum, ultimately improved the piglet birth weight and placental efficiency.

scholarly journals Effects of maternal supplementation with fully oxidised β-carotene on the reproductive performance and immune response of sows, as well as the growth performance of nursing piglets

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Chen ◽  
Jiaming Chen ◽  
Yinzhi Zhang ◽  
Yantao Lv ◽  
Hanzhen Qiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Status ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Lactose Concentration ◽  
Biological Similarity ◽  
Maternal Supplementation ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Β Carotene

AbstractThe present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary fully oxidised β-carotene (OxBC, C40H60O15) supplementation during the perinatal period on immune status and productivity in a sow model. At day 85 of pregnancy, 150 sows were allocated to one of three dietary treatments with fifty sows per treatment. The three experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 4 or 8 mg/kg OxBC in the basal diet. The feeding trial was conducted from gestation day 85 until day 21 of lactation. Dietary OxBC supplementation greatly enhanced colostrum IgM, IgA and IgG levels, and the IgM and IgG content of 14-d milk. Dietary OxBC supplementation decreased the TNF-α and IL-8 levels in colostrum, as well as the TNF-α and IL-18 levels in 14-d milk. There was also a tendency towards an increase in the soluble CD14 level in 14-d milk. Although dietary treatments did not affect average daily feed intake nor backfat thickness loss during lactation, dietary OxBC supplementation tended to enhance litter weight and individual piglet weight at weaning. There was a trend towards increased lactose concentration in 14-d milk with increasing dietary OxBC. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with OxBC during the perinatal period enhances the lactose concentration of sow milk and the immune status of sows, which is reflected by improved cytokine status and immunoglobulin concentrations in colostrum and milk, and thus tending to increase litter weight and individual piglet weight at weaning. The results also provide a scientific nutritional reference for perinatal mothers due to the biological similarity between pigs and humans.

scholarly journals Effects of Mannanoligosaccharide Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Immunity, and Oxidative Status of Partridge Shank Chickens

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 817
Author(s):  
Minyu Zhou ◽  
Yuheng Tao ◽  
Chenhuan Lai ◽  
Caoxing Huang ◽  
Yanmin Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Bursa Of Fabricius ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Secretory Immunoglobulin

Mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) can be used in poultry production to modulate immunity and improve growth performance. So, we hypothesized that our enzymatic MOS could achieve the same effects in broilers. To investigate this, a total of 192 one-day-old Partridge Shank chickens were allocated to four dietary treatments consisting of six replicates with eight chicks per replicate, and they were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g MOS per kg of diet(g/kg) for42 days. Treatments did not affect the growth performance of chickens. Dietary MOS linearly increased the relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and jejunal immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content, whereas it linearly decreased cecal Salmonella colonies at 21 days (p < 0.05). The concentration of jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and IgG at 42 days as well as ileal sIgA, IgG, and IgM at 21 and 42 days were quadratically enhanced by MOS supplementation (p < 0.05). Also, chickens fed MOS exhibited linear and quadratic reduction in jejunal malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this enzymatic MOS can improve the immune function and intestinal oxidative status of Partridge Shank chickens.

Supplementing 2 g per day bovine lactoferrin from late gestation until weaning did not improve lactation performance of mixed parity sows

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 2191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Liu ◽  
Jordon Hogg ◽  
Susie Kracht ◽  
Chris J. Brewster ◽  
Dave J. Henman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Bovine Lactoferrin ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Large White ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Context Lactoferrin is a non-haem binding protein that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study showed lactoferrin supplementation from early gestation to weaning improved lactation performance in primiparous sows; however, it is unknown whether the supplementation within a more specified duration (from late gestation to weaning) can improve lactation performance in multiparous sows, which limits its commercial application. Aims This experiment investigated the effects of 2 g/day bovine lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning on lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Methods Forty-seven primiparous sows and 167 multiparous sows (up to parity 5; Large White × Landrace, PrimeGro Genetics, Corowa, NSW) were allocated to either a Control diet (2 g/day casein) or Lactoferrin supplement diet (2 g/day lactoferrin) when entering the farrowing house in late gestation (101 ± 4.6 days, mean ± s.d.) balanced by parity (2.4 ± 1.80, mean ± s.d.). Sows were housed individually in farrowing crates and fed the experimental diets until weaning (26 ± 2.5 days, mean ± s.d.). Farrowing outcomes and lactation performance were recorded. Key results Lactoferrin supplementation did not affect the number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, number of mummified fetuses, the percentage of born-light piglets (≤1.1 kg) or piglet pre-fostering survival rate. Cross-fostering within the first 48 h standardised the litter size and litter weight between dietary treatments. Piglet pre-weaning survival rate, litter weight gain, average daily gain of piglets, or coefficient of variation of piglet growth rate was not affected by lactoferrin supplementation. Daily feed intake during lactation, bodyweight and backfat thickness of sows at weaning were similar between the dietary treatments. Conclusions Two grams per day lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning did not affect lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Implications The effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation may depend upon the duration of supplementation, which should be optimised in future studies.

PSXIV-5 Methionine supply during mid-gestation affects offspring birth weight in a sex-dependent manner in beef cattle

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 470-471
Author(s):  
Vinícius N Gouvêa ◽  
Mackenzie M Smithyman ◽  
Naghme Bagheri ◽  
Fernanda Batistel
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Effect Of Treatment

Abstract In previous studies with dairy cattle, methionine supply during late-gestation enhanced cow feed intake and affected calf growth in utero and postnatally. Our objective was to investigate how methionine supply during mid-gestation, phase where the secondary myogenesis occurs, alters heifers’ plasma concentration of amino acids and offspring’ birth weight in beef cattle. Forty purebred Angus heifers were blocked by expected parturition day and blocks were balanced by sire, body weight, and body condition score. Heifers were randomly assigned to a basal diet with no added methionine (Control) or the basal diet plus a commercial source of rumen-protected methionine (Methionine). The methionine source was dosed to deliver 6 grams of metabolizable methionine daily. Heifers received the treatments from day 90 to 180 of gestation, and all heifers were pair-feed during early- and late-gestation. Heifers’ plasma samples were collected on day 180 of gestation. Data were analyzed using mixed models. The model for plasma samples included the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of block, while the birth weight model included the fixed effect of treatment, sex, and its interaction and the random effect of block. Plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, and urea were not affected by treatments (P ≥ 0.20). Dietary supply of methionine increased plasma concentration of methionine (P &lt; 0.01), and decreased glycine and serine (P &lt; 0.01). None of the other essential and non-essential amino acids were affected by treatments (P ≥ 0.12). Heifers supplemented with methionine had a greater plasma concentration of the antioxidant taurine than control heifers (P = 0.04). A treatment × sex interaction was observed for calf birth weight; methionine-fed heifers delivered heavier male calves than control-fed heifers (P = 0.03). No treatment or sex effect was observed for calf birth weight (P ≥ 0.18). Our preliminary results indicate that methionine supply during mid-gestation affects fetal growth in beef cattle in a sex-dependent manner.

scholarly journals 21 Effects of supplementing late gestation sow diets with zinc on pre-weaning mortality of pigs under commercial rearing conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
Julia P Holen ◽  
Pedro E Urriola ◽  
Mark Schwartz ◽  
Jae-Cheol Jang ◽  
Gerald C Shurson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Rearing Conditions ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine pre-weaning survival of pigs when sows were supplemented with 3 dietary levels of Zn in late gestation. Gilts and sows (n = 339) were assigned to one of three dietary treatments based on parity. Treatments were: 1) Control – corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 125 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (75 ppm Zn) and AvailaZn™ (50 ppm Zn, CON); 2) Intermediate – as Control + 240 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (INT); and 3) High – as Control + 470 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (HI). Final supplemental Zn concentrations of diets were: 1) CON – 125 ppm; 2) INT – 365 ppm; and 3) HI – 595 ppm. Sows received dietary treatments from about d 85 of gestation until farrowing. Individual piglet birth weights were recorded within 12 h of parturition and all instances of piglet mortality were recorded. The statistical model considered fixed effects of diet and random effects of parity. Chi-square analysis was used to determine diet effects on piglet mortality. There were no differences in total pigs born, born alive, or weaned per litter. However, piglets from sows fed the INT diet had heavier (P &lt; 0.05) birth weights (1.42 kg) than those fed CON (1.38 kg). Furthermore, incidence of low birth weight pigs was less (P &lt; 0.05) for sows consuming INT compared with sows fed CON and HI (Table 1). Overall piglet mortality tended to decrease (P &lt; 0.10) as dietary Zn increased. Furthermore, mortality of low birth weight pigs decreased (P &lt; 0.05) as dietary Zn increased. Overall, effects of supplemental dietary Zn at 365 and 595 ppm in late gestation improved pre-weaning survival of low birth weight piglets and reduced overall pre-weaning mortality of piglets.

The response of sows to increased nutrient intake during mid to late gestation

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. King ◽  
P. J. Eason ◽  
R. J. Smits ◽  
W. C. Morley ◽  
D. J. Henman
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Subsequent Fertility ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Five hundred and ten multiparous sows were allocated at 66 days after mating to one of 6 dietary treatments that were imposed for the subsequent 35 days. The dietary treatments were 5 feeding levels of 2.2, 2.6, 3.0, 3.4, and 3.8 kg/day of a gestation diet containing 12.9 MJ DE/kg, 127 g crude protein/kg, and 5.6 g lysine/kg, plus a protein intake treatment where sows received 2.8 kg/day of a lactation diet containing 13.8 MJ DE/kg, 168 g crude protein/kg, and 8.3 g lysine/kg. After the treatment period, all sows were offered the lactation diet at the common feeding level of 3.0 kg/day and after farrowing, all sows were offered this diet ad libitum throughout lactation. Increasing feeding levels between Day 66 and Day 101 of pregnancy increased (P < 0.001) liveweight gain prior to farrowing but increased (P < 0.001) liveweight loss during lactation. The majority of the extra maternal energy intake during mid to late gestation was deposited as maternal gain. These linear weight responses during lactation were explained by the significant inverse relationship between voluntary daily feed intake in lactation (FI) and average daily digestible energy intake in the previous gestation (DE): Neither increasing the feeding level during mid to late gestation nor increasing the protein content of the diet had any significant effect on litter birth weight, average piglet birth weight, or the standard deviation of individual piglet birth weight within the litter. In addition, there were no significant effects of gestation feeding treatments on litter size weaned or weaning weight. Furthermore, neither increasing the feeding level during mid to late gestation nor increasing the protein content of the gestation diet had any significant effect on subsequent fertility or litter size. In conclusion, when average individual piglet birth weight is already well in excess of 1.5 kg, there is no significant response to feed intake levels between 2.2 and 3.8 kg/day when offered between Day 66 and Day 101 of gestation.

scholarly journals PSII-10 Effect of gilt feeding level and length of increased feeding level in late gestation on piglet birth weight

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 233-233
Author(s):  
James K Quick ◽  
Mark Knauer
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of increasing gilt feeding level in late gestation, for different durations, on piglet quality. Gilts (n = 472) were allocated to one of five dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial + control design at a commercial farm in eastern North Carolina. Hence gilts were fed 1.82 kg of feeding until farrowing (Control) or feeding level was increased by either 0.68 or 1.36 kg at either day 93 (d93) or 100 (d100) of gestation. Treatments were randomly assigned by pen (5 to 6 gilts per pen). The gestation diet contained 2,979 Kcal/kg ME and 0.58% SID lysine. Gilt body condition score was captured at day 93 of gestation using a sow body condition caliper (thin = < 12, ideal = 12 to 15, fat = > 15). Piglet birth weights were captured within 24 h of farrowing and piglets were ear notched by treatment prior to cross-fostering. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM with fixed effects of dietary treatment, contemporary group and covariates of litter size and sow functional teat number when applicable. Average gilt caliper score at d 93 of gestation was 17.0. Gilt caliper score did not differ (P > 0.05) across dietary treatments. Mean piglet birth weight did not differ (P > 0.05) between the five dietary treatments or the main effects of feeding level or length of feeding level. A one piglet increase in litter size reduced (P < 0.01) mean piglet birth weight by 30 g. An increase of one functional sow teat increased (P < 0.05) litter size at weaning of the biological sow by 0.28 piglets. Results suggest increasing gilt feeding level in late gestation does not impact mean piglet birth weight when gilts are over conditioned.

scholarly journals Effects of supplementing late-gestation sow diets with zinc on preweaning mortality of pigs under commercial rearing conditions1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-530
Author(s):  
Julia P Holen ◽  
Pedro E Urriola ◽  
Mark Schwartz ◽  
Jae-Cheol Jang ◽  
Gerald C Shurson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine preweaning survival of pigs when sows were supplemented with 3 dietary levels of zinc (Zn) in late gestation. Gilts and sows (n = 339) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments based on parity. Dietary treatments were 1) Control—sows fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet containing 125 ppm total supplemental Zn supplied by ZnSO4 (75 ppm Zn) and AvailaZn (50 ppm Zn, CON); 2) Intermediate—as Control + 240 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (INT); and 3) High—as Control + 470 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (HI). Final supplemental Zn concentrations of the 3 dietary treatments were 1) CON—125 ppm; 2) INT—365 ppm; and 3) HI—595 ppm. Sows received dietary treatments from about day 85 of gestation until farrowing. Individual piglet birth weights were recorded within 12 h of parturition. Instances of piglet mortality were recorded daily. The statistical model considered fixed effects of treatment and random effects of parity. Piglets from sows fed the INT diet had heavier (P &lt; 0.05) birth weights than those fed CON (1.42 vs. 1.38 kg, respectively), while offspring from sows fed HI tended to have heavier (P &lt; 0.10) birth weights (1.40 kg) than pigs from INT sows. Furthermore, incidence of low birth weight pigs was less (P &lt; 0.05) for sows consuming INT compared with sows fed CON and HI. Despite differences in birth weight, there were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) in total pigs born, born alive, or weaned, nor differences in individual piglet gain or weaning weight across treatments. Mortality of low birth weight pigs was lowest (P &lt; 0.05) for offspring from sows fed HI (28.1%) compared with offspring from sows fed INT (36.1%) and CON (38.3%). Similarly, overall piglet mortality tended to decrease (P &lt; 0.10) as dietary Zn content increased (CON: 15.0%, INT: 13.2%, and HI: 12.2%). A subset of pigs (n = 420, n = 140/treatment) were selected at weaning to evaluate effects of dietary treatment on postweaning performance. There were no significant effects of sow Zn supplementation on final body weight, days to market, or carcass characteristics of market pigs. Overall, effects of supplemental dietary Zn at 365 and 595 ppm in late gestation improved preweaning survival of low birth weight piglets and reduced overall preweaning mortality of piglets.

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