bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
273 Effect of dietary iodine supplementation on the growth performance and thyroid hormone concentrations of nursery pigs
Authors: Dove Robert , Locke Savannah , Edmund Clint , Sterling Mallory , Sanvidge Jordan , Wang Nuan , Lents Clay A , Azain Michael
Published: May 2024

Iodine (I) is critical for growth, development, and thyroid hormone circulation. This study examined the impact of dietary iodine concentration on nursery pig growth performance and thyroid hormone concentrations. Weaned piglets (n =180, 21 ± 3 d of age) were blocked by body weight (BW; 5.4 ± 0.8 kg) and sex (2 barrows and 2 gilts/pen). Pens within a block (n = 9) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments (mg/kg I added): 0 (CON), 0.14 (NRC), 1.4 (NRC10), 14 (NRC100), or 140 (NRC1000). Diets were fed in three phases for 35 d (P1, d 0-10; P2, d 11-21; P3, d 22-35). Piglets were weighed and feed intake recorded on d 0, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Blood was collected on d 21 and 35 for analysis of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design via the GLM procedure of SAS. Increasing dietary I concentration linearly increased (P < 0.03) piglet BW on d 10, 21, and 35. On d 35 BW were 19.2 kg CON, 19.9 kg NRC, 20.5 kg NRC10, 21.1 kg NRC100 and 20.2 kg NRC1000. Average daily gain was linearly increased by the addition of I to the diet during P1 (P < 0.02), P2 (P < 0.03) and for the entire 35 d feeding period (P < 0.01). From d 0 to 35, average daily gain (ADG) was (g/d) 384 CON, 405 NRC, 420 NRC10, 440 NRC100, and 407 NRC1000. Average daily feed intake was linearly increased dietary treatment during P1 (P < 0.01), P3 (P < 0.04) and from d 0 to 35 (P < 0.01). From d 0 to 35, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was (g/d) 731 CON, 779 NRC, 791 NRC10, 819 NRC100 and 782 NRC1000. No differences were observed for gain to feed ratio (G:F; P > 0.3) at any time during the study. On d 21, T4 concentrations linearly increased in response to dietary I (P < 0.02), On d 35, T4 and the T4:T3 ratio linearly increased (P < 0.01). On d 35 the T4 values were (nmol/L) 48.4 CON, 51.4 NRC, 58.3 NRC10, 59.3 NRC 100, 59.9 NRC 1000 and the T4:T3 ratio was 36.6 CON, 41.3 NRC, 40.0 NRC10, 45.2 NRC100, and 44.6 NRC1000. Based on the present findings, nursery pigs fed iodine levels above NRC recommendations have improved growth and feed intake and positive impacts on thyroid hormone concentrations. The data from this study indicated that dietary I concentrations 100 times the current NRC resulted in the best piglet performance.
271 The effects of supplementing diets with 25-OH-D3, with or without increased vitamin E, on the performance of nursery pigs
Authors: Bergstrom Jon R , Landero Jose , Young Malachy , Hough Sara
Published: May 2024

A total of 1,440 pigs (Camborough × line 800, PIC Canada) were weaned [(20 d of age, 5.5 kg body weight (BW)] and used to compare the effects of 3 dietary fortification strategies for vitamin D and vitamin E, specifically, on growth performance from d 0 to 42 post-weaning. The 3 vitamin fortification strategies were fed over 3 dietary phases; d 0 to 7 (P1), d 7 to 21 (P2), and d 21 to 42 (P3); and consisted of 1) Control (C), “industry-type” diet that met or exceeded NRC (2012) requirement estimates for each diet phase with 1,500 IU vitamin D3 and 70 IU vitamin E/kg diet; 2) HyD, C with 50 μg 25-OH-D3 added per kg diet; and 3) HyD+E, HyD with 140 IU vitamin E/kg diet. There were 16 pens of 28 to 32 pigs allotted to each fortification strategy in a RCBD based on initial BW. Pens were weighed and feed consumption for each was recorded weekly, and average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed to gain (F/G) were calculated for each week, diet phase, and the overall period. During P1, ADFI was greatest (P < 0.05, 137 g/d) for pigs fed HyD, and pigs fed HyD or HyD+E had greater (P < 0.05) ADG compared with C (117, 110, and 103 g/d, respectively). Pigs fed HyD were heavier (P < 0.05, 6.37 kg) on d 7 compared with pigs fed C (6.27 kg), with pigs fed HyD+E intermediate (6.31 kg), but there were no differences in F/G during P1. During P2, ADFI was greatest (P < 0.05, 502 g/d) for pigs fed HyD, and pigs fed HyD or HyD+E had greater (P < 0.05) ADG compared with C (419, 412, and 401 g/d, respectively). Pigs fed HyD or HyD+E were heavier (P < 0.05) on d 21 compared with pigs fed C (12.22, 12.13, and 11.91 kg, respectively), but there were no differences in F/G during P2. There were no differences in growth performance during P3 or overall (d 0 to 42). Nevertheless, in conclusion, performance differences during P1 and P2 resulted in pigs fed HyD or HyD+E having numerically greater BW (+0.34 kg) and Income-Over-Feed-Cost (+CA $0.31/pig) on d 42 when compared with pigs fed C.
267 Effects of replacing soybean meal with a hydrothermal mechanical processed soybean meal on growth performance and health of nursery pigs fed a low complexity diet
Authors: May Sabrina , Gonzalez-Vega Caroline , Pilcher Chad M , Parks Chris W
Published: May 2024

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that replacing soybean meal (SBM) with a hydrothermal mechanical processed (HTM) SBM (Provisoy), optimized for digestibility, would improve growth performance of nursery pigs. In total, 1,680 weaned pigs [5.4 ± 0.2 kg initial body weight (BW)] were allotted to 16 replicate pens per treatment (21 pigs per pen) in 2 barns. Pens were blocked by location within barn and randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% HTM SBM. A low complexity diet with 31% conventional SBM and limited inclusion of highly digestible protein ingredients and health promoting additives was used as the basal diet for the 0% HTM SBM treatment, and HTM SBM was added at the expense of conventional SBM at levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20% in phase 1 (d 0-10) and phase 2 (d 10-22), respectively. Pig and feed weights were recorded at the beginning and end of each phase. Data were analyzed using the lme4 package of R 4.1.2, and the statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment, as well as the random effects of barn and location within barn. Mortality and removals were analyzed as generalized linear mixed models, with a binomial distribution. Contrasts were used to evaluate the linear and quadratic effect of increased dietary inclusion of HTM SBM. Results indicated that increasing HTM SBM linearly improved (P < 0.01) gain to feed ratio (G:F) in phase 1 and tended (P < 0.10) to linearly improve average daily gain (ADG) and G:F d 0 to 22 post-weaning (Table 1). Mortality and removals were numerically reduced when HTM SBM was added to the diet. In conclusion, replacing SBM with HTM SBM up to 20% in a low complexity diet improved early nursery performance and numerically reduced mortality and removals.
270 Interactive effects of available phosphorus and Ca:P on growth performance of nursery pigs fed diets containing phytase
Authors: Cemin Henrique S , Hart Morgan , Hansen Sharlie A , Soto Jose A , Hansen Ernie L
Published: May 2024

An experiment was conducted to determine the interactive effects of available phosphorus (aP) and Ca:P on growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 2,492 pigs [PIC 337 × 1050, initial body weight (BW) = 5.6 kg], placed in pens with 35 or 36 pigs each, were used in a 36-d trial. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 4 factorial structure with two levels of aP (0.40 or 0.55%) and four Ca:P (0.85, 1.07, 1.29, and 1.51) with 9 replicates per treatment. Four basal diets with the extreme aP and Ca:P levels were manufactured in meal form and blended at the farm to create intermediate treatments. Phytase [Allzyme Spectrum Swine (Alltech, Nicholasville, KY)] was included in the experimental diets at superdose levels with an estimated 0.15% aP release. The experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 19 and a common corn-soybean meal-based diet with adequate aP and 1.20 Ca:P was fed from d 19 to 36. Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure in SAS in a randomized complete block design with pen serving as the experimental unit and initial BW as the blocking factor. There was no evidence (P > 0.10) for aP and Ca:P interactive effects on growth performance (Table 1). From d 0 to 19, there was no evidence (P > 0.10) for growth performance differences between the aP levels. Increasing Ca:P resulted in a quadratic response (P = 0.043) in gain to feed ratio (G:F), with no evidence for (P > 0.10) differences in average daily gain (ADG) or average daily feed intake (ADFI). From d 19 to 36, pigs previously fed 0.55% aP had improved (P ≤ 0.047) ADFI and ADG. Pigs previously fed increasing Ca:P had improved (linear, P = 0.024) G:F. There was also no evidence (P > 0.10) for interactive effects on removal or mortality rates. However, pigs fed greater aP had decreased (P = 0.021) mortality rate. In summary, there were minor performance differences between different aP and Ca:P levels, but feeding greater aP diets resulted in a significant improvement in mortality rate.
268 Effect of soybean gums and soybean soapstocks on weanling pig growth performance
Authors: Gaffield Katelyn , Goodband Robert D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: May 2024

Currently, the soybean processing industry has not fully characterized the composition or nutritional value of certain processing by-products (e.g., gums, phospholipid) and their effect on soybean meal (SBM) quality. Depending on the processing plant, soybean gums and soapstocks may be added back to SBM during manufacturing. There is potential for these by-products to serve as an affordable energy source for swine due to their residual oil content. For this study, pigs [n = 350; Line 241 × 600, DNA; initial body weight (BW) = 5.3 ± 0.02 kg] were weaned at approximately 19 d of age and used in a 42-d experiment. At weaning, pigs were randomly assigned to pens and allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments. There were 5 pigs per pen and 14 pens per treatment. Diets were fed in 3 phases: phase 1 from weaning to d 11, phase 2 from d 11 to 23, and phase 3 from d 23 to 42. Treatments included a control diet containing SBM with no added soybean by-products. Two additional diets contained gums or soapstocks at 4% of the SBM level in the diet. Another treatment diet contained SBM with 2% added soybean gums and 2% added soybean soapstocks. Lastly, a negative control contained 4% less SBM with no added by-products to have equal protein from soybeans as the diets with added gums or soapstocks. From d 0 to 11 (phase 1) and d 11 to 23 (phase 2), there was no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) for any growth response criteria (Table). From d 23 to 42 (phase 3), feeding SBM with added gums increased (P = 0.05) average daily gain (ADG). However, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in average daily feed intake (ADFI) or gain to feed ratio (G:F). For the overall experimental period (d 0 to 42), there was no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) due to dietary treatment in ADG, ADFI, or G:F. In summary, these data suggest that adding soybean processing by-products such as gums or soapstocks had minimal impacts on nursery pig growth performance. However, there is a potential for improved ADG in the late nursery period when SBM containing added gums is included in the diet.
265 Effect of L-glutamine and enzyme supplementation of liquid creep feed from d 8 to 28 of age on pre-weaning growth and health of pigs
Authors: Arnaud Elisa A , Gardiner Gillian E , O’Doherty John V , Sweeney Torres , Lawlor Peadar G
Published: May 2024

The provision of liquid creep feed has been shown to increase dry matter intake (DMI) compared with dry creep feeding. The greater DMI associated with liquid feeding means that it could be used as an effective route for feed additive supplementation of suckling pigs to optimize growth and health at weaning. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of L-glutamine or enzyme supplementation of liquid creep feed on growth and medication usage in suckling pigs. Sows (n = 60) were blocked on parity, previous number of piglets weaned and body weight (BW) at d 107 of gestation, and randomly assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments from d 8 of age to weaning at d 28: 1) liquid starter (control); 2) control supplemented with 10 kg of L-glutamine per tonne of starter diet (glutamine); and 3) control supplemented with a cocktail of enzymes (lipase, protease and α-amylase included at 200 g, 50 g and 112.5 g, respectively per tonne of starter diet; enzymes). Individual piglets were weighed on d 8, 14, 21 and 27 of age. Litter dry matter intake, the volume of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories administered per pig and per sow were recorded for the pre-weaning period. Data were analyzed using the mixed models procedure in SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc.) with treatment as a fixed effect, and day post-partum as the repeated measure. Block was included as a random effect and the number of pigs/litter at d 8 and the average pig BW at d 8 were included as co-variates when significant in the model. Means separation was by Tukey’s adjustment for multiple comparisons. The piglet nested within sow was the experimental unit. The DMI of creep feed did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). From d 14 to 21, glutamine decreased average daily gain (ADG) by 7% compared with the control (P < 0.05). However, ADG did not differ between treatment groups from d 8 to 14 or from d 21 to 27. Body weight was not affected by treatment at d 8 or 14 (P > 0.05). However, at d 21, glutamine tended to reduce BW by 2% compared with the control (P = 0.09) and at d 27, it tended to reduce BW by 2% compared with the control and enzymes (P = 0.08). The volume of antibiotics or anti-inflammatories administered to piglets or sows was not affected by treatment. However, glutamine tended to increase diarrhea incidence by 12% between d 8 and 27 compared with the control (P = 0.09). In conclusion, supplementing liquid creep feed with 10 kg of glutamine/tonne of feed reduced pre-weaning growth and tended to increase diarrhea incidence in piglets. In addition, supplementing liquid creep feed with enzymes had no effect on pre-weaning growth and medication usage in piglets.
266 Evaluation of anchovy fish meal with or without added fish solubles on nursery pig performance
Authors: Stas Ethan , Tokach Mike D , DeRouchey Joel M , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: May 2024

Two experiments were conducted in a commercial environment to evaluate anchovy fish meal with or without added anchovy fish solubles on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, pigs [n = 2,172; initial body weight (BW) = 5.2 kg] were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. There were 25 or 27 pigs/pen and 14 replications/treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and consisted of: 1) diet containing 7.0% enzymatically treated soybean meal (HP 300; Hamlet Protein; Findlay, OH), 2) diet with 3.5% spray-dried bovine plasma (APC Inc, Ankeny, IA), 3) diet with 5.0% microbially enhanced soybean meal (MEPro, Prairie Aquatech, Brookings, SD), 4) diet with 5.2% microbially enhanced soybean meal with added anchovy fish solubles (TASA, Lima, Peru), 5) diet with 4.85% anchovy fish meal (TASA Prime, TASA, Lima, Peru), and 6) diet with 5.1% anchovy fish meal with added fish solubles (TASA Swine, TASA, Lima, Peru). In Exp. 2, pigs (n = 1,134; initial BW = 4.7 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments. There were 27 pigs/pen and 14 replications/treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based consisting of a control diet containing enzymatically treated soybean meal at 7.0% of the diet, a diet containing 5.1% anchovy fish meal, and a diet containing 5.3% anchovy fish meal with added anchovy fish solubles. All protein sources in both trials were added on an SID Lys basis to maintain the same level of soybean meal across all dietary treatments. For both experiments, pigs were fed treatments for approximately 21 d in two phases based on feed budgets of 2.3 kg and 5.4 kg/pig in phases 1 and 2, respectively. For Exp. 1, diets contained 18.0 and 7.2% lactose for phase 1 and 2, respectively. For Exp. 2, diets contained 16.0 and 6.6% lactose for phase 1 and 2, respectively. Following experimental diets, all pigs were fed a common corn-soybean meal-based diet until the completion of the study. For Exp. 1, from d 0 to 21, pigs fed spray-dried bovine plasma or anchovy fish meal had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with pigs fed anchovy fish meal with solubles with other treatments intermediate (Table). For Exp. 2, there were no differences in growth performance throughout the experimental period (d 0 to 21; P > 0.10); however, during the common period (d 21 to 42), pigs previously fed anchovy fish meal with added fish solubles had increased (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio (G:F) compared with pigs fed the control diet with those fed anchovy fish meal alone intermediate. In conclusion, both experiments indicate anchovy fish meal can be used in nursery pig diets; however, further analysis is warranted to confirm the results of fish meal with solubles from Exp. 2.
272 Effects of increasing folic acid on nursery pig growth performance and serum homocysteine
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Gebhardt Jordan T , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Woodworth Jason C
Published: May 2024

Barrows (n = 350; DNA 200×400; [n = 2,172; initial body weight (BW) = 6.0 ± 0.06 kg] were used in a 38-d growth trial to determine the effects of increasing folic acid on nursery pig growth performance and serum homocysteine. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. A total of 70 pens were used with 5 pigs per pen and 14 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based and consisted of increasing added folic acid: 0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg. Treatment diets were fed in three phases from d 0 to 10 (phase 1), d 10 to 23 (phase 2), and d 23 to 38 (phase 3) after weaning. For phase 1, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in BW, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) across treatments (Table). However, increasing folic acid resulted in decreased gain to feed ratio (G:F; linear, P = 0.032). For phase 2, there was a marginally significant response in BW, ADG, and ADFI where performance was decreased as folic acid increased with the poorest performance observed when pigs were fed 20 mg/kg (quadratic, P ≤ 0.079). No treatment differences (P > 0.10) were observed for G:F. For phase 3 and overall (d 0 to 38), final BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were reduced with increasing folic acid with the poorest performance observed when pigs were fed 20 mg/kg (quadratic, P ≤ 0.049). No differences (P > 0.10) were observed for mortality or removals across treatments with a very low amount of overall mortality. On d 10 and 23, blood samples were collected from 70 pigs to determine serum homocysteine concentrations. A marginally significant treatment × d interaction was observed (linear folic acid × d, P = 0.069). An increase (linear, P = 0.037) in homocysteine concentrations was observed as folic acid increased from 0 to 40 mg/kg in the diet on d 10; however, no differences were observed across increasing folic acid treatments on d 23 (P = 0.450). Pigs had increased (P < 0.001) homocysteine concentrations on d 10 compared with d 23. In summary, the addition of folic acid resulted in reduced growth performance with the greatest impact observed when pigs were fed 20 mg/kg.
269 Influence of herbal active D on nursery pig growth performance, bone characteristics and blood measures
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: May 2024

Pigs [n = 2.268; L337×1050 PIC; initial body weight (BW) = 5.5 ± 0.17 kg] were used in a 42-d growth study to evaluate the effects of herbal active D (a source of calcitriol) on growth performance, bone characteristics, and serum criteria of nursery pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21-d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 27 pigs/pen and 28 replications/treatment across 2 rooms with pens blocked by BW and weaning date. Treatment diets were corn-soybean meal-based and consisted of a control diet (1,650 IU/kg of vitamin D3), or the control diet with 120 or 200 mg/kg of herbal active D (Phytobiotics, St. Louis, MO). Blood samples were collected from 25 gilts/treatment on d 21 and 42 to assess 25(OH)D3 and cytokine concentrations. At the end of the study, 10 pigs/treatment were euthanized and the right fibula, metacarpal, 2nd rib, and 10th rib were collected to determine bone density, bone breaking strength, and percentage bone ash by utilizing the de-fatted processing method. Overall (d 0 to 42), there was a marginally significant (P = 0.067) reduction in gain to feed ratio (G:F) as herbal active D increased, but no effect on final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI), or mortality (P > 0.10; Table). For bone breaking strength and bone ash, there was no evidence of a treatment × bone interaction (P > 0.10). Percentage of bone ash increased linearly across all bones as herbal active D increased (P = 0.026). Treatment did not affect bone ash weight and breaking strength (P > 0.10). However, metacarpals and 10th ribs had the greatest bone ash weight followed by the fibula with 2nd rib having the least (P < 0.05). Metacarpals had greater breaking strength compared with all other bones, followed by the fibula and 10th rib, with the 2nd rib having the least (P < 0.001). There was a bone × treatment interaction for bone density, where increasing herbal active D increased bone density for the 2nd rib (P = 0.012), but there were no treatment differences for other bones (P > 0.10). Additionally, there was no difference (P > 0.10) between treatments for porcine circovirus type 2 S/P ratio, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, 25(OH)D3 status or circulating cytokine concentrations except for IL-8 concentrations which increased linearly (P = 0.027) as herbal active D increased. Antibodies and cytokine concentrations were greater on d 21 compared with d 42 (P < 0.001), except for IL-1ra and IL-8 having no significant (P > 0.10) day effect. In summary, herbal active D had minimal impact on growth or serum parameters; however, increasing herbal active D increased percentage bone ash.
275 Assessment of changes in hemoglobin concentration (Hb) in sows and their offspring over two consecutive reproductive cycles
Authors: McClellan Katlyn A , Lindemann Merlin D , Levesque Crystal L
Published: May 2024

There remains a knowledge gap regarding changes in hematological parameters, such as Hb, throughout the reproductive cycle of a sow. The principle aim of this study was to assess Hb concentartions in sows and their offspring over at least two consecutive reproductive cycles. Blood Hb measurements were initiated during the gilt stage and continued through parities 1 and 2, with measurements taken at six time points (d 30, 60, 90, and 112 of gestation; d 2 and 17 of lactation) involving a total of 13 sows. Sow body weight (BW) during gestation was 193.2 ± 38.1 kg for parity 1 and 220.7 ± 26.2 kg for parity 2; in lactation, sow BW was 201.5 ± 14.3 kg for parity 1 and 214.0 ± 19.6 kg for parity 2. Sow daily iron (Fe) intake, based on analyzed Fe content, was 0.621 ± 0.06 g during gestation and 1.79 ± 0.15 g during lactation across parities 1 and 2, which represents more than a 2-fold greater Fe intake than NRC 2012 requirement estimates. All liveborn piglets (n = 204 for parity 1; n = 201 for parity 2) underwent Hb measurements. Blood Hb concentrations were assessed within 24 h of birth before iron supplementation (200 mg iron dextran) and again at 17 d of age. Sows and piglets were classified as either anemic (Hb < 10 g/dL) or non-anemic (Hb ≥ 10 g/dL). Analysis of variance included the main effect of day, parity and their interaction based on Tukey’s comparison. In gestation Hb was less (P = 0.03) at d 90 in parity 1 and at d 90 and 112 in parity 2 (Table 1). Across parity, Hb was less (P = 0.02) at d 60 in parity 2. In lactation, Hb was least (P = 0.0002) at d 17 in parity 1 where sows were deemed anemic; in parity 2, sows were deemed anemic throughout lactation. The total number of piglets born and born alive was 17.15 ± 2.03 and 16.0 ± 1.9, respectively, for parity 1, and 17.0 ± 3.11 and 15.85 ± 2.41, respectively, for parity 2. Regardless of parity, piglet Hb was greater (P < 0.02) at weaning compared with birth. However, Hb concentrations were greater (P < 0.0001) at both time points in parity 2 piglets. There was a reduced incidence of anemia at birth (39.1% vs. 59.02%, respectively) and weaning (14.2% vs 36.1%, respectively) among piglets born in parity 2 compared with parity 1. The decline in sow Hb status with parity, particularly in lactation, suggests the need to explore strategies to improve Hb in sows with advancing parity. Alternatively, piglet Hb status improved with parity, indicating a need to modify iron supplementation methods to facilitate greater Hb in parity 1 litters.
276 Effects of a phytogenic feed additive fed during lactation on sow and litter performance
Authors: Lima Gabriella , Manu Hayford , van de Ligt Chris P A , Wall Emma H , Johnston Lee J
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a phytogenic feed additive on sow and litter performance. Six cohort groups of sows (n = 250) were used in this experiment. Dietary treatments were: 1) a corn-soybean meal diet (Control); 2) Control containing 150 ppm of a phytogenic feed additive (Low); and 3) Control + 200 ppm of a phytogenic feed additive (High). The feed additive contained a proprietary formulation of turmeric, capsicum, and black pepper oleoresins (Fytera Care, Selko USA, Indianapolis, IN). Sows were moved to a farrowing room and housed in individual farrowing stalls at 109 d of gestation. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements for lactating sows, as outlined by NRC (2012). During lactation, sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Piglets were cross-fostered within dietary treatments within 24 h of birth to equalize suckling intensity as much as possible. Piglet mortalities were recorded daily. Statistical analyses included a one-way ANOVA with repeated measurements in time when appropriate. The statistical model included the fixed effect of dietary treatment, and the random effect of cohort group with parity as a covariate. We observed no significant interactions between dietary treatment and time for any measured response variable. Average daily feed intake of sows, sow body weight, wean-to-estrus interval, and the proportion of sows expressing estrus by d 14 postweaning were not significantly different across treatments (Table). We observed a tendency (P = 0.074) for increased loss of backfat depth during lactation for sows fed Low and High compared with sows fed Control diet. Dietary treatments did not affect litter size, litter weight, or litter weight gain. Percentage of piglet mortality before cross-fostering tended to be less (P = 0.056) for High-fed sows compared with Control sows. However, piglet mortality after cross-fostering was not affected by diet. In conclusion, under the conditions of this experiment, feeding 150 or 200 ppm of the phytogenic feed additive to lactating sows did not substantially improve sow or litter performance.
279 Effect of multiple feed additives on sow inflammatory status and reproductive performance during lactation
Authors: Hu Qiong , Zhao Junmei , Pecqueur Thomas , Walston Stephanie
Published: May 2024

Low grade inflammation and insulin resistance were associated with increased gut permeability in lactating sows during the farrowing transition period. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of 4 feed additives including monolaurin, essential oil (Cinergy FIT 3S), phytogenic prototype 1 (PT1) and 2 (PT2) on sow inflammatory status and reproductive performance. It was hypothesized that the active components in these additives will reduce sow inflammation during lactation and lead to better sow reproductive performance. A randomized block design with 5 treatments was used in the study. A total of 550 gestating sows were enrolled with entry body weight of 240.1 ± 14.6 kg and allotted to one of the following five diets: Control; monolaurin; Cinergy; PT1 and PT2. Corn-soy based lactation diet was formulated with CP of 18%. All diets were formulated to be at similar net energy and standardized ileal digestible Lysine level. Experimental diets were fed beginning approximately 4 d before farrowing and throughout the entire lactation phase (21 d). Blood was collected from 16 sows per treatment before farrowing and within 5 d post farrowing to measure inflammatory cytokine concentrations. Performance data were analyzed using a general linear model in R (version 4.0.0). Count data were analyzed using a generalized linear model with a binomial distribution. Dietary treatments did not impact average daily feed intake. Dietary treatment did not affect probability of still born or number of weaned pigs, but diet supplemented with PT1 resulted in greater (P < 0.05) probability of born alive compared with the control (Table 1). There was a tendency (P < 0.10) in treatment effect on pre-weaning mortality, with sows received PT2 supplemented diet having lowest value numerically. The concentration of cytokines IL-1α (P < 0.05), IL-1β (P < 0.01), IL-4 (P < 0.01), IL-6 (P < 0.10) and IL-10 (P < 0.10) were reduced between pre and post farrowing to a greater extent in sows fed Cinergy supplemented diet compared with the control. In conclusion, Cinergy worked best in reducing multiple inflammatory cytokine concentrations post-farrowing. Sows received PT1 supplemented diet had greater born alive and those received PT2 supplemented diet had numerically least pre-weaning mortality.
278 Phytogenic feed additive increased sow lactation average daily feed intake, litter weaning weight, and subsequent conception rate when fed in summer environmental conditions
Authors: McGhee Molly L , Pilcher Chad M , Frederick Brent , Moran Kory
Published: May 2024

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that feeding a phytogenic feed additive (Fresta F, Delacon, Austria) to sows during lactation would increase lactation average daily feed intake (ADFI) during natural heat stress from summer environmental conditions. At the time of entry to lactation facilities, 192 sows were randomly allotted by parity and within farrowing batch to one of two treatments. A basal lactation diet based primarily on corn, soybean meal, and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) served as the control treatment, whereas the test treatment contained 0.04% phytogenic feed additive at the expense of corn. Before farrowing, sows were limit fed, but once farrowing occurred, sows were provided with ad libitum access to feed. Individual feed disappearance was recorded daily, and sow was considered the experimental unit. Sow body weights (BW) and ultrasound backfat thickness were recorded at the time of entry to and exit from the lactation facilities. Litter weights were recorded at birth and at weaning, and litter inventories were recorded at birth, upon completion of cross-fostering within treatment, on d 5 of lactation, and at weaning. Ultimately, 185 sows completed the study and were included in statistical analyses. Data were analyzed using the lme4 package of R 4.1.2, and the statistical models included the fixed effect of treatment and the random effects of parity and farrowing batch. Data were assumed to be normally distributed, except for pig survival and conception rate, which were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models specifying a binomial distribution. Total and live litter size did not differ at birth, nor did litter birth weight (Table 1). Inclusion of the phytogenic feed additive increased (P < 0.05; ADFI in lactation from 6.21 to 6.74 kg per day. In turn, the phytogenic feed additive tended (P < 0.10) to increase litter wean weight, which was driven by numerically increased piglet survival (87.47% for control and 89.37% for phytogenic, P = 0.126) and a tendency (P < 0.10) for increased average pig weaning weight. Sow BW did not differ at entry to lactation, though sow weight at weaning tended to be greater (P < 0.10) when the phytogenic feed additive was fed. The phytogenic feed additive also increased (P < 0.05) subsequent conception rate from 88.7 to 97.8%. In conclusion, feeding a phytogenic feed additive during summer conditions increased lactation feed intake, which resulted in increased weaning weight and improved subsequent conception rate.
281 Effects of dietary Aspergillus oryzae postbiotic during gestation and lactation on sow and progeny performance
Authors: Junior Sudario Roberto Silva , Johnston Lee J , Manu Hayford , Gomez Andres , Ocazio Cesar , Ipharraguerre Ignacio R , Urriola Pedro E
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to evaluate effects of Aspergillus oryzae postbiotic (AOP) supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on sow performance, litter performance, and offspring performance through the nursery period. Sows [n = 118; Landrace × Yorkshire; body weight (BW) = 238 ± 2.2 kg; parit y= 3.8 ± 0.32] were blocked by parity and assigned randomly to one of two treatments. Treatments were a control diet and a control diet supplemented with AOP (Biozyme Inc.) at 1.5 g/sow/d in gestation from 5 days before breeding until farrowing, and adjusted to 1.55 g•sow-1•d-1 during lactation. Sow BW and P2 backfat thickness were measured on d 0, 30, and 109 of gestation and 24 h postpartum and at weaning on d 20 ± 2. Litters were standardized to 13 piglets within 24 h of farrowing. Piglets were weighed individually at birth, after 24 h, and at weaning. At weaning, 369 pigs were allotted to pens within maternal dietary treatment (48 pens, with 7 or 8 pigs/pen) for a 42-d nursery trial. All pigs received a common nursery diet in 3 dietary phases. Sows fed AOP had a lighter (P < 0.01) BW than those in the control group on d 109 of gestation (234.1 vs 244.1 kg) and post-farrowing (227.4 vs 236.7 kg), respectively, but not at other time points. Moreover, sows fed AOP showed less (P < 0.01) BW loss from d 109 of gestation to weaning (-0.9 vs -7.8 kg) and from post-farrowing to weaning (4.1 vs -1.9 kg) compared with control sows. Total feed intake and average daily feed intake (Control: 6.0 vs AOP: 6.2 kg/d) during lactation were not impacted (P > 0.10) by dietary treatments. Supplementation of AOP did not influence (P > 0.10) litter size (14.8 vs 16.0), litter birth weight (17.4 vs 18.2 kg), percentage of low birth weight piglets (13 vs 12.5 %) or normal birth weight piglets (87.0 vs 87.5 %), stillbirths (1.2 vs 1.2/litter), or mummies (0.9 vs 0.5/litter) for Control and AOP sows, respectively. Across treatments, no differences (P > 0.10) were observed for litter weight gain (43.2 vs 40.4 kg), average piglet BW at weaning (5.1 vs 4.9 kg), or piglet mortality rate (12.4 vs 13.1 %) for Control and AOP sows, respectively. Piglets weaned from AOP sows tended (P = 0.07) to have an increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the first week after weaning compared with pigs weaned from Control sows (0.28 vs 0.26 kg), but AOP did not influence other performance parameters for the entire nursery period. There were no interactions between maternal dietary treatment and nursery phase (P > 0.10), suggesting consistent responses to maternal dietary treatments over time. In summary, feeding sows AOP reduced sow BW loss but had no impact on litter or nursery performance.
280 Feeding a combination of feed additives before and during farrowing of sows reduces inflammation and oxidative stress and increases blood calcium to support uterine contraction
Authors: Blavi Laia , Sobrevia Laia , Laird Steven , Nu Mai Anh Ton , Tibble Simon
Published: May 2024

Farrowing is associated with inflammation and increasing oxidative stress status. In addition, during farrowing, calcium requirement increases to support uterine contraction. We have previously observed that feeding a combination of feed additives (FA), that contains inulin, Bacillus velezensis, extracts of olive oil and artichoke, and calcitriol, reduced the duration and assistance of farrowing in sows, and the number of stillborn piglets. It was hypothesized that feeding the combination of FA would reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and provide Ca to support uterine contractions during farrowing. A total of 34 sows from d 107 of gestation until 2 d post-farrowing were randomly allotted (balanced by parity 3.8 ± 2.5) to two treatments: without (control -CON) or with the FA combination (FA, Adicare Vita, 200 g/d). At the starting d (D 107 of gestation) and 24 h post-farrowing, blood samples were obtained to analyze for pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP as an inflammation biomarker) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx as an antioxidant biomarker). During farrowing, sows were monitored, and blood samples were collected at 0 h, 2.5 h and 5 h to analyze for ionized Ca (iCa). Data was analyzed using SAS 9.4. Mean values were calculated using LSMeans statement. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant while tendencies were considered at 0.05 ≤ P < 0.10. Pig-MAP and GPx were analyzed using the MIXED procedure and iCa concentrations as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure. Sows fed the FA combination compared with CON sows tended to have decreased post-farrowing Pig-MAP l concentrations (2.52 vs. 4.29 mg/mL, respectively; P = 0.08) and greater GPx concentrations (2,112 vs. 1,588 U/L, respectively; P < 0.01). FA sows had greater (P < 0.05) blood Ca concentrations during farrowing compared with CON sows (0.90, 1.10, and 1.01 vs. 0.85, 0.98, and 0.96 mmol/L at 0, 2.5 and 5h, respectively). To conclude, feeding a combination of FA during the last week of gestation might provide antioxidant effects, reduce inflammation caused by farrowing, and increase blood Ca to favor the uterine contractions.
282 Effect of dietary supplementation with guanidinoacetic acid, a creatine precursor, in gestating and lactating sows on sow and litter performance
Authors: Mendoza S M S , Bauer L , Htoo John K , Asmussen Sarah , Richert S
Published: May 2024

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is the immediate metabolic precursor of creatine. Sows undergo periods of high energy demand and dietary supplementation of GAA can support the creatine/phosphocreatine energy system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of GAA in sows on sow and litter performance. Sows (n = 150; Danbred x Pietrain, parity 1 to 7) were allocated to two dietary treatments (75 sows/treatment), 0.0 or 0.1% GAA in both gestation and lactation phases and balanced by parity and body weight (BW). Gestation diets (2.87 Mcal ME/kg, 2.13 g SID Lys: Mcal ME, 0.21% SID Met, and 0.13% choline) were fed from d 1 to 107 of pregnancy and 4 d post-weaning; and lactation diets (3.14 Mcal ME, 3.18 g SID Lys: Mcal ME, 0.34% SID Met, and 0.14% choline) were fed from d 108 of gestation through the lactation (26 days). Sows were kept in the same treatment during gestation and lactation. After farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 pigs per sow. Dietary supplementation with GAA during the gestation reduced sow feed intake (319.4 vs. 313.6 kg, P = 0.009), and did not affect sow BW at d 108 of gestation (284.2 vs. 282.8 kg, P = 0.889), born alive (15.70 vs. 15.92, P = 0.668), stillborn piglets (1.78 vs. 1.51, P = 0.332), and piglet BW at birth (1.34 vs. 1.32 kg, P = 0.591), for 0.0 and 0.1% GAA respectively. Dietary supplementation with GAA during lactation did not affect sow feed intake (181.1 vs. 181.5 kg, P = 0.999), sow BW at weaning (252.7 vs. 255.3 kg, P = 0.747) and wean-to-estrus interval (5.0 vs. 4.9 d, P = 0.978), and tended to reduce sow backfat loss at weaning (17.0 vs. 17.4 mm, P = 0.090), for 0.0 and 0.1% GAA, respectively. Sows fed GAA in lactation tended to have a greater number of pigs weaned (11.76 vs. 12.10, P = 0.088), and their piglets tended to have a greater average daily gain (ADG; 216.1 vs. 226.0 g/d, P = 0.062), have significantly heavier litters at weaning (81.87 vs. 86.28 kg, P = 0.048) and their litters have a greater BW gain (64.07 vs. 68.60 kg, P = 0.028). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.1% of GAA to gestating and lactating sows improved litter weight at weaning, litter weight gain, and number of pigs weaned and did not affect sow BW and reproductive performance. More studies are needed to evaluate if supplementing GAA in gestation has a carryover effect on the lactation period.
283 Identification of new or existing risk factors associated with the development of sow pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Kociemba Lori , Vier Carine M , Canavate Sergio , Diaz Andres , Diaz Julia A Calderon , Weger Kendall , Orlando Weasley A , Dritz Steve
Published: May 2024

A survey was conducted between March and December of 2022 to examine the variation between farms that had high and low pelvic organ prolapse (POP) rate. The objective was to identify new or existing risk factors associated with the development of POP, which could open new avenues for further investigation. Sow farms (n = 53) across 26 production systems located in the US, Canada, and Mexico were used. Sampling of farms was not random. High and low POP systems were selected within each region as well as high and low POP farms within each system. Over 800 variables related to general farm information and management, performance traits, reproductive management, replacement gilt management, gestation and farrowing practices, labor and health management, and nutrition were collected during farm visits. To be included in the analysis, at least 70% of observations were needed for continuous variables with at least 10% of observation for each category for categorical variables. Univariable models were fitted to identify variables associated with annualized POP rate for 2021. Variables with P ≤ 0.10 were selected for further analysis, with 94 predictor variables selected for principal components analysis (PCA). A factor analysis of mixed data was conducted, and results were then fitted into a hierarchical clustering on PCA, which segregated the data into three clusters: 2 with low POP (2.5%) and 1 with high POP (6.1%) prevalence (low vs high P < 0.05). The resulting clusters explained 33.7% of the variability in annualized 2021 POP rate. Differences between clusters were evaluated by Kruskall-Wallis test for numerical variables and chi-square test for categorical variables. High POP cluster farms had greater total piglets born over the years, greater number of sows per worker, greater annual gestation feed usage, and a lower mean body condition score at 16 wk of gestation compared with low POP cluster farms. High POP cluster farms had a decreased proportion of farms using conventional artificial insemination, a greater proportion of farms utilizing cup waterers in gestation for sows in group housing and in farrowing, and greater proportion of farms with a routine sleeving practice. High POP cluster farms compared with low POP cluster farms had greater gestation distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion level (14.6% vs 4.0%, SE 3.02), greater levels of standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) P% (0.49% vs 0.39%, SE 0.014), narrower analyzed Ca to STTD P ratio (1.7 vs 2.2, SE 0.06), and lower phytase inclusion and release (0.16% vs 0.09%, SE 0.014). These variables were also the predictors with the greatest R2 values in the univariable models. These observations suggest further research is needed to evaluate the connection between dietary Ca and P and pelvic organ prolapse.
284 Relationship between sow caliper measurements with sow reproductive performance and longevity in the herd
Authors: Vier Carine M , Dritz Steve , Orlando Weasley A , Diaz Julia A Calderon , Camp Jordi , Cast Wayne R , Lu Ning , Canavate Sergio , Hamilton Dan , Knauer Mark , Poulin Jean
Published: May 2024

Ideal conditioned sows are desired because they maximize herd performance, improve female well-being, and optimize financial outcomes. Sow productivity has increased, and body composition of females has changed, with sows being leaner and having less adipose tissue compared with their predecessors. Our objective was to determine the relationship between sow caliper measurements with sow reproductive performance and longevity in the herd. Data collected in four different production systems located in the US and Brazil were used, with 3,083, 356, 7,456, and 26,773 individual PIC Camborough observations represented within each of these databases. Caliper measurements were collected at due to farrow and weaned sows and were recorded in units, standardized to an ideal range of 12 to 15 units. Caliper change in lactation was determined as the caliper units at weaning minus the caliper units pre-farrowing. Response variables included proportion of born alive and stillborn piglets, lactation feed intake, as well as removal and mortality risk for all causes, or specifically for reproductive and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) causes. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models, hazard ratio analysis, and survival models with the lmer, glmer, and surv functions of R. Sow served as the experimental unit. Caliper measurements at farrowing had curvilinear associations (P < 0.05) with percentage born alive piglets and percentage stillborn piglets. Increasing caliper units at farrowing resulted in linear reduction (P < 0.05) in lactation average daily feed intake and in linear increase (P < 0.05) in caliper losses during lactation. Sows losing 1 to 2, 3 to 4, or 5 and greater caliper units in lactation had 1.5, 1.8, and 2.4 times, respectively, greater risk (P < 0.05) of being removed from the herd in the next cycle compared with sows that gained 0 or more units. Reduced caliper units in due-to-farrow sows resulted in reduced probability (P < 0.05) of survival in the next cycle considering prolapse removal reasons. Sows with due to farrow caliper units of 12 to 15 had 1 to 1.6 times (95% Odd Ratio Confidence Interval), 9 to 11 had 1.2 to 2.1 times, and less than 9 caliper units 3.1 to 3.2 times greater risk of death or being removed from the herd due to POP compared with those with >15 units. Reduced caliper units in due-to-farrow sows resulted in reduced probability of survival in the next cycle considering all removal and mortality causes. Specifically, sows with less than 9 caliper units at farrowing had 2.0 times greater risk (P < 0.05) of removal and 4.4 times greater risk (P < 0.05) of mortality compared with sows with over 15 caliper units. In summary, both under and over-conditioned sows have reduced productivity. Underconditioned sows are at greater risk for mortality and for POP related removal.