Moderately increased energy intake during gestation improves body condition of primiparous sows, piglet growth performance, and milk fat and protein output

Abstract This study determined the effect of dietary energy allowance during gestation on reproductive performance, blood metabolites, and milk composition in primiparous sows. Forty-four Landrace×Yorkshire gilts were randomly assigned to receive one of four dietary energy allowances (n=11): low (L), medium (M), high (H), and extremely high (EH). The gilts in L, M, H, and EH treatments were provided 75, 100, 125, and 150% of the energy requirement for maintenance from 0 to 30 d of gestation, respectively. Compared to d 0–30 of gestation, dietary energy allowances in each group increased by 20% from d 30–90 of gestation and increased by 50% from d 90 of gestation to parturition. After parturition, all primiparous sows received the same diet and fed ad libitum during lactation. The results showed that dietary energy linearly and quadratically increased ( P P P P P P P =0.06). The greatest litter weight at birth and weaning was observed when sows were provided the H energy allowance. The number of total born and born alive was not influenced by dietary energy. With increasing dietary energy allowance, the fat and protein content linearly and quadratically increased ( P P =0.01) in mature milk. The greatest fat and protein content in mature milk was observed when sows were provided the H energy allowance. The results indicated that providing 125, 150, and 187.5% of the energy requirement for maintenance during early, mid, and late gestation was beneficial in maintaining optimal body condition of primiparous sows, as well as improving piglet growth performance and milk fat and protein output.