Inclusión de grasa en dieta de cerdas primíparas: efecto sobre la reproducción y performance de la camada

Adding fat to sow diets may improve reproductive performance during the warm season. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fat addition at different levels on reproductive variables of primiparous sows in subtropical conditions. Three groups of six animals (n=18) were fed with three diets with different fat levels (0%, 3.5% and 7%) from day 90 of gestation until the end of lactation (21 days). Litter size, weight and number of piglets born alive and stillborn were recorded, as well as weight and number of pigs at weaning, along with weaning-to-estrus interval. Completely random design was used, and collected data were analyzed using Infostat® statistical software. ANOVA was used for means comparison. No differences between treatments were observed among number and weight of pig born alive, stillborn, litter size and weaning-to-estrus interval (p>0.05), whereas number and weight of pigs at weaning were increased by the addition of fat (p<0.05). In conclusion, fat inclusion resulted in an improved number and weight of piglets at weaning; however, weaning-to-estrus and variables at birth, were not affected.