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Two different trials were conducted for the present study. In the first trial, three different batches with 28 Large White x Landrace mixed parity sows with 202 kg of average initial BW were used. Sows were inseminated with semen from a terminal line crossbred Large White x Piétrain boars. Based on parity number and body condition on the 7th day of gestation, the sows were allocated to one of the two treatments. Sows were fed diets containing either soybean oil (5%, treatment GL5) or cornstarch (11.3%, GL0) from day 35 of gestation to weaning. In the second trial, five batches of mixed parity sows weighing 200 kg of average BW at 9 days after insemination were used. On the day 108 of gestation 24 sows per batch were allocated to their respective treatments based on parity and assessed body condition. They were fed either the fat enriched lactation diet (treatment L5) and the starch-enriched lactation diet (treatment L0). Within each trial, piglets farrowed in one of the batches were studied during the nursery and growing-fattening periods.
No differences were observed between treatments on piglet birth weigh in trial 1. Survival rate at birth and after 24 h of life were higher in treatment GL5 (4% vs 7.5% stillborn piglets in the treatment GL0, P<0.05; 12.6% vs 8.7% of piglets alive at 24 h of age died in treatment GL0, P=0.06). Overall survival rate until weaning was higher in treatment GL5 (81.4% vs 75.7% of total born piglets, P=0.03), but litter size at weaning was not significantly affected. Litter growth rate was increased when a fat enriched diet was provided during gestation and lactation (+140 g/ day per litter; P<0.01) and to lower extent when provided only after farrowing (+90g/day; P<0.05). Backfat thickness loss was higher in those animals fed the GL5 treatment (P<0.05). After weaning piglet ADG, FGR and carcass lean content were not affected by the energy source supplied before and/or after farrowing. Muscle lipid content at weaning did not differ between treatments, but it was higher at slaughter in the GL5 pigs (3.46% vs 2.58%; P<0.001).
It is concluded that energy supply through lipids from the 35th day of gestation until weaning improves the survival rate after parturition.
N Quiniou, S Richard, J Mourot and M Etienne.2008, Animal 2 (11): 1633-1644
