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Effects of Lysine Intake during Middle to Late Gestation (Day 30 to 110) on Reproductive Performance, Colostrum Composition, Blood Metabolites and Hormones of Multiparous Sows |
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R. F. Zhang, Q. Hu, P. F. Li, L. F. Xue, X. S. Piao, D. F. Li |
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| Abstract |
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Lysine intake during gestation has a major impact on subsequent reproductive performance. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of lysine intake from mid-gestation until farrowing on the reproductive performance of multiparous sows. On day 30 of gestation, 200 LandraceLarge White sows were randomly assigned to one of four groups based on body weight and parity (n = 50). The gestation diets contained 0.46, 0.56, 0.65 or 0.74% lysine. Increasing dietary lysine concentration improved sow body condition at farrowing and increased litter weights (p<0.05). Dietary lysine level also had a significant effect on the dry matter (p<0.05) and protein content (p<0.05) of colostrum. Increased lysine intake increased serum insulin concentration (p<0.05) and there was a trend towards increased serum prolactin content (linear, p = 0.07). However, increased lysine tended to decrease blood urea N (quadratic, p = 0.05). These results suggest that higher lysine levels (0.65-0.75%) than those recommended by the National Research Council improved reproductive performance for multiparous gestating sows and this increase may be partially mediated through blood metabolites or metabolic hormone levels. |
| Keywords:
Lysine; Gestation; Sows; Reproductive Performance |
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