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The long-term effects of dietary glucosinolates (GSL) when feeding rapeseed meal (RM) (Brassica napus) on sow reproductive and litter performance are a persistent concern to feed manufacturers. Four batches of 24 hyperprolific sows were fed to evaluate the effects of including 0 or 10% RM [14.5 µmol GLS g−1 dry matter (DM) basis] in the gestation and lactation diets over three reproductive cycles. Intake of dietary GLS remained below 5 mmol d−1 over the gestation period and averaged 8 mmol d−1 over the lactation period, corresponding to less than 2 µmol GLS g−1 DM basis.
Lactation feed intake, sow body weight and backfat, and the length of the weaning-to-estrus interval were not different (P>0.05) between treatment groups. Sows fed diets with 10% or no RM farrowed 43.6 and 43.8 piglets over three reproductive cycles, respectively (P>0.05). Piglet weight at birth or weaning, survival and litter weight gain were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary RM inclusion. Similar (P>0.10) plasma thyroxin levels of sows and piglets indicated that thyroid function was not altered by RM inclusion.
In conclusion, feeding gestation and lactation diets including 10% RM to hyper prolific sows over three parities was safe and did not affect sow longevity, reproductive or litter performance.
N. Quiniou, A. Quinsac, K. Crépon, J. Evrard, C. Peyronnet, A. Bourdillon, E. Royer, M. Etienne. Effects of feeding 10% rapeseed meal (Brassica napus) during gestation and lactation over three reproductive cycles on the performance of hyperprolific sows and their litters. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 2012, 92(4): 513-524, 10.4141/cjas2012-039