The Impacts of Feeding a Reduced Energy and Lysine Balance in Lactation on Sow Body Composition, Litter Growth, and Markers of Subsequent Reproductive Performance

Tracy L. Muller, Kate J. Plush, John R. Pluske (), Darryl N. D’Souza, David W. Miller and Robert J. Van Barneveld
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Tracy L. Muller: SunPork Group, 1/6 Eagleview Place, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009, Australia
Kate J. Plush: SunPork Group, 1/6 Eagleview Place, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009, Australia
John R. Pluske: College of Environmental and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Darryl N. D’Souza: SunPork Group, 1/6 Eagleview Place, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009, Australia
David W. Miller: College of Environmental and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
Robert J. Van Barneveld: SunPork Group, 1/6 Eagleview Place, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009, Australia

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: This experiment examined whether multiparous sows fed a diet lower in energy and lysine at a reduced feed allowance would still mobilise fat and (or) protein to support piglet growth and negatively impact subsequent reproductive performance. A total of 152 multiparous sows was allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design with the respective factors being diet type fed in lactation (gestation, 13.0 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg, 0.42 g standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine/MJ DE; or lactation, 14.3 MJ DE/kg, 0.62 g SID lysine/MJ DE) and feed allowance (ad libitum or 7.5 kg/d, ~15% reduction on ad libitum intake). Body composition was estimated on the day after farrowing (day 2) and at weaning (day 21). Blood was collected on days 2, 21 and at standing heat, for the analysis of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Diet type did not alter ( p > 0.05) bodyweight or P2 backfat depth change in lactation, estimated body fat and protein changes, litter growth, or subsequent total piglets born. Ad libitum-fed sows showed a significant gain in girth compared to sows offered 7.5 kg/d (2.9 versus −0.4 mm, p = 0.015) and had a tendency for a shorter wean-to-service interval ( p < 0.10). Sows fed the lactation diet had higher insulin concentrations at weaning ( p < 0.05), but levels were the same ( p > 0.10) by heat detection; IGF-1 concentrations remained unaffected. These data indicate that imposing a calculated negative energy and lysine balance on lactating sows had a limited impact on lactation or subsequent reproductive performance, supporting the notion that the modern sow may be more resilient to nutritional impositions than has been historically reported.

Keywords: sow; lactation; piglet survival; feed allowance; diet type; litter growth; protein; fat; girth; wean-to-service interval (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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