EFFECT OF GESTATION HOUSING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YORKSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE × LACOMBE SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. DYCK ◽  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
E. E. SWIERSTRA
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Average Gain ◽  
Housing Environment

Forty-eight Yorkshire (Y) and 48 Yorkshire × Lacombe (YL) primiparous sows were used to evaluate the effect of outside lot and confinement housing from weaning to parturition on reproductive performance over the second to fourth parity. Feed intake of the sows housed in the outside lots was adjusted monthly to provide a similar average gain (54 kg) to that of sows housed in confinement (56 kg). All sows were bred by AI. Sows that did not conceive to mating at the first or second estrus were culled from the experiment. More (P < 0.05) sows housed in the outside lots than in confinement completed the experiment (77.1 vs. 52.1%, respectively). The number of sows that failed to conceive was similar for both treatments but 12 sows housed in confinement and one housed in outside lots were culled due to injury or death. The sows housed in outside lots weaned more (P < 0.01) piglets (8.42 ± 0.23 vs. 7.49 ± 0.25) than those housed in confinement while the number of piglets born (10.20 ± 0.15) and born alive (9.79 ± 0.14) and the weight at birth (1.31 ± 0.02 kg) and weaning (9.45 ± 0.09 kg) were similar. As anticipated, the YL sows farrowed and weaned more and heavier piglets (P < 0.01) than the Y sows. The housing environment did not have a significant effect on the farrowing interval which averaged 159.3 ± 0.6 days. These results indicate that effects of housing conditions from weaning to parturition are limited to the number of sows culled and the number of piglets weaned. Key words: Sows, gestation housing, litter size

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

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

scholarly journals The influence of adding estradiol to semen on reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol

The influence of purified porcine relaxin on the reproductive performance of sows following artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Frozen Semen

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows

Effect of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on sow reproductive performance

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Baidoo ◽  
F. X. Aherne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
G. R. Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Blood Samples

To study the effects of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on reproductive performance, 89 second-parity Lacombe sows were allowed 6 kg feed d−1 (H) or were restricted to 3 kg feed d−1 (R) during lactation and during the weaning to estrus interval (WEI); this resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design (groups HH, HR, RH and RR). To minimize the confounding effects of duration of WEI on sow performance, the experiment was terminated 10 d after weaning. The diet was formulated to provide 12.4 M J ME kg−1 and 16% crude protein. Restricted feeding during lactation resulted in a longer (P < 0.05) WEI (7.3 d vs. 5.9 d). WEI was not affected by feed intake after weaning. Fewer (P < 0.05) sows feed restricted during lactation exhibited estrus by 10 d from weaning (31.8% vs. 88.9%). Ovulation rate was not affected by lactation or postweaning feed intake. However, embryo survival at 25 d of gestation was influenced (P < 0.05) by feed intake during both periods. The highest embryo survival (85%) was in HR sows, and the lowest (64%) was in RR sows. Blood samples were taken from 12 sows from each of the four treatments by means of indwelling vena cava cannulae at 6-h intervals from weaning until 24 h after mating or 10 d after weaning, whichever came first. Plasma gonadotrophin concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) by low feed intake during lactation but were unaffected by postweaning feed intake. Peak preovulatory LH surge concentrations were highest (9.5 ng mL−1) in HR sows and lowest (7.6 ng mL−1) in RR sows (P < 0.05). These data confirm the adverse effects of restricted feeding during lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and indicate that such effects may be mediated through changes in plasma LH concentrations. No significant effect of post-weaning feed intake on any measured factor was observed. Key words: Sow, feed intake, reproductive performance

Interactive effects of selection for lower backfat and dietary pyridoxine levels on reproduction, and nutrient metabolism during the gestation period in Yorkshire and Hampshire sows

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. N. Knights ◽  
R. R. Grandhi ◽  
S. K. Baidoo
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Selection For

Two experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effects of selection for lower backfat over six generations, and two dietary supplemental pyridoxine levels (1.0 vs. 15.0 ppm) on sow reproductive performance and nutrient metabolism in second-parity Yorkshire and Hampshire sows. Feeding increased pyridoxine at 16.0 vs. 2.6 ppm from day of weaning through gestation did not improve (P > 0.05) the sow reproductive performance in experiment 1 (N = 32) or 2 (N = 66). In exp. 2, feeding increased pyridoxine reduced the weaning to estrus interval (4.6 vs. 5.7 d, P = 0.11). It also increased the average daily apparent retention of nitrogen during gestation in both experiments 1 (17.2 vs. 7.8 g, P = 0.11) and 2 (10.5 vs. 5.0 g, P = 0.10). Sows fed increased pyridoxine had higher (P < 0.01) plasma pyridoxal and pyridoxic acid levels throughout the gestation period. The overall results indicate that increased dietary pyridoxine tended to have a positive influence on sow weaning to estrus interval and nitrogen metabolism, and it also tended to have a positive influence on litter size only in Yorkshire select line of sows. Key words: Breed, line, sows, pyridoxine, reproduction, metabolism

The influence of premating feeding level and exogenous insulin on the reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Exogenous Insulin ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sow Nutrition ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Farrowing Rate

At weaning (day 0), 120 mixed parity Yorkshire × Landrace sows were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to be fed a 16% crude protein diet at either 1.8 or 3.6 kg d−1 until breeding and to receive either no insulin or insulin (0.75 IU kg−1) on days 1–4, inclusively. There were no significant effects of dietary or insulin treatments on days to rebreeding, farrowing rate or subsequent litter size. Key words: Sow, nutrition, insulin, reproduction

The Effect of Feed Intake on the Reproductive Performance of First Parity Sows

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 131-131
Author(s):  
C.M. Carrolli ◽  
P.B. Lynch ◽  
M.P. Boland ◽  
F.H. Austin ◽  
J.F. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Reproductive Failure ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Body Reserves ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Behavioural Factors

Thirty to forty per cent of sows in Irish herds are culled annually, one third of which are for reproductive problems such as anoestrus, anovulation and small litter size. Causes of reproductive failure include genetic, nutritional, environmental and behavioural factors. Failure to meet the nutritional requirements of sows during lactation and after weaning results in losses of liveweight and body fat (due to mobilization of body reserves) which can subsequently compromise reproductive performance. Although sows normally exhibit oestrus within one week of weaning, Sterning et al. (1990) observed that a large proportion of first parity sows showed a delayed return to oestrus. This results in a longer farrowing interval, fewer litters per sow per year and a reduction in herd output. The effects of malnutrition on reproduction are more severe in first parity than in multiparous sows (Kirkwood and Aherne, 1985). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low feed intake during lactation and postweaning on the subsequent reproductive performance of first parity sows.

scholarly journals REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OVER FOUR PARITIES OF GILTS STIMULATED TO EARLY ESTRUS AND MATED AT FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD OBSERVED ESTRUS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. YOUNG ◽  
G. J. KING ◽  
J. S. WALTON ◽  
I. McMILLAN ◽  
M. KLEVORICK
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Mating Group ◽  
Average Litter Size ◽  
Average Total Number

One hundred and eighty-seven gilts that were moved, regrouped and exposed to a mature boar at approximately 140 ± 3 d of age and subsequently farrowed to assigned mating at first, second, or third observed estrus as gilts were used to evaluate reproductive performance over four parities. Over the four parities, the average number of litters per initial sow (3.22–3.25); the average litter size 21 d postfarrow (8.3 to 8.6); the average total number of piglets weaned per initial sow (26.9 – 27.7); the number of sows completing four parities (37–40); the average litter weight at 21 d postfarrow (146–148 kg) were similar for each mating group. The age difference of 36.8 d at first mating between those mated on first or third estrus as gilts was maintained until 28 d postfarrowing after the fourth parity (37.1 d). Overall, reproductive performance after four parities was similar for gilts mated at first, second or third observed estrus. Key words: Pigs, reproduction, mating, longevity

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