• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.1186-1190
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• 2002

One hundred and twenty nine primiparous sows were used to determine the effects of alternative processing procedures and feeding systems on the nutritional value of sorghum grain-based diets for lactating sows. Treatments were a ground sorghum control, steam-flaked sorghum and extruded sorghum fed in meal form and the ground sorghum control given as pellets or gruel (1:1 ratio of water and feed on a volume:volume basis). Average daily feed intake was greater for sows fed pelleted and gruel diet forms than sow fed the diets with steam-flaked and extruded sorghum (p<0.04). However, no differences occurred in sow weight or backfat losses among the treatments (p>0.14). Number of pigs weaned and livability rates were similar among treatments except that steam-flaked sorghum supported greater litter weight gains than extruded sorghum (p<0.02). Apparent digestibilities of DM, N and GE in sows fed steam-flaked and extruded sorghum were greater (p<0.001) than in sows fed pelleted or gruel diets. Of the various treatments, sows fed extruded sorghum tended to have the highest digestibilities of DM, N and GE, and lowest excretions of DM and N in the faeces. Severity of ulceration was not significantly affected by treatments (p>0.35), but keratinization was greatest for sows fed extruded sorghum (p<0.01). In conclusion, the alternative processing methods (steam-flaking and extrusion) and feeding system (pellets and gruel) had little effect on sow and litter performance. However, nutrient digestibilities were improved for all treatments that involved heating (steam flaking, extrusion and pelleting) and, thus, these treatments resulted in less fecal excretion of DM and N.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2020

The present study investigated the effects of loose farrowing type during gestation and after farrowing on reproductive performance and of lactating sows. A total of 22 primiparous sows (Landrace; average initial body weights [BW], 228.54 ± 12.79 kg) were allotted to one of two treatments on the basis of body weight. Sows were divided into two experimental groups, conventional farrowing crates (CON), and loosed-farrowing pens (LFP). The experiment duration was around 38 days ranging from 10 days before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Gestating sows at the age of 105 d were placed in gestational stalls (group housing). All the sows were fed a common diet according to the National Research Council requirements for lactation. Cross-fostering was performed within 1 day of parturition. From 1 day after weaning, estrus detection was performed twice-daily (0900 and 1730 h) for 10 min by boar exposure. There were significant effects of LFP housing type on the farrowing duration, and farrowing interval. At the farrowing time, none of the litter parameters including total born, stillborn, mummy, born alive piglets and total litter weight and piglet weight were affected. There were no effects of housing type on the mortality of piglets at d 1, 3, 7, 21, and 28. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that there is no performance difference between the crated or LFP sows, which indicate that the LFP housing has the potential to be used as an alternative to the crated house without any detrimental effects in reproduction performance of lactating sows.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.377-385
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• 2021

A total of 18 sows with an average body weight (BW) of 211.6 kg (within 24 h after farrowing) were used for a 5-week experiment to determine the effects of the dietary valine : lysine (V : L) ratios on the performance and fecal score in lactating sows and litters. Sows were raised in individual pens and assigned to one of three experimental diets consisting of different V : L ratios (0.83, 0.85, and 0.88%). Sows BW was improved with the 0.85% V : L ratio compared to the 0.83 and 0.88%. However, no significant difference was observed for BW loss, average daily feed intake, back fat thickness and days to return to estrus among the three treatment groups during the experiment period. Furthermore, the growth performance of the piglets, the weaning weight, was improved in the group receiving the diet with the 0.85% V : L ratio compared to the 0.83 and 0.88%. Moreover, the average daily gain of the piglets was increased when the V : L ratio was 0.88% compared to 0.83 and 0.85%. The fecal score of the sows was better (p > 0.05) when the V : L ratio was 0.85% compared to the V : L ratio of 0.83%. In the piglets, the V : L ratios 0.88 and 0.85% had a better fecal score compared to the V : L ratio of 0.83% at day 14. In conclusion, the V : L ratio had no effect on the gut microflora shown by the fecal scores of the sows during lactation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.875-883
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of group-housing facility (GHF), compared to an individual confinement stall (CON), on the reproductive performance, behavior, and stress hormones of gestating sows. A total of 50 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into either CON (n = 25) or GHF (n = 25) during the gestation period. One week before parturition, the sows were transferred into conventional farrowing crates, and cross-fostering was conducted within 1 d of delivery. Blood was collected for analyses of stress indices at 75 d of gestation and postpartum. Reproductive performance was estimated during the period of birth to weaning. Behavior patterns were identified at 90 d of gestation. Litter size was not different between the CON and GHF treatments. Weaning to estrus interval, however, tended to be lower in the GHF than in the CON (p < 0.1). Activity, treating, belly nosing, and exploring behaviors were observed only in the GHF group, whereas rubbing was shown only with the CON. Serum cortisol concentration was lower in the GHF than in the CON at 75 d of gestation (p < 0.05). Sows housed in the GHF showed lower epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than those housed in the CON at postpartum (p < 0.05). The GHF sows demonstrated more natural behavior characteristics associated with stress relief than the CON sows with no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, these results suggest that GHF could be applied as an alternative housing facility to improve animal welfare on swine farms.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.782-791
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of multiple cooling systems and different drinking water temperatures (DWT) on the performance of sows and their hair cortisol levels during heat stress. In this study, the effect of four different cooling systems: air conditioner (AC), cooling pad (CP), snout cooling (SC), and mist spray (MS), and two DWT, namely low water temperature (LWT) and high water temperature (HWT) on 48 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 242.84 ± 2.89 kg) was tested. The experiment is based on the use of eight replicas during a 21-days test. Different behaviors were recorded under different cooling treatments in sows. As a result, behaviors such as drinking, standing, and position change were found to be lower in sows under the AC and CP treatments than in those under the SC and MS treatments. Lying behavior increased under the AC and CP systems as compared with that under the SC and MS, systems. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) in sows and weight at weaning in piglets was higher under the AC, CP, and LWT treatments than under the SC, MS and HWT treatments. Sows subjected to SC and MS treatment showed higher hair cortisol levels, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate during lactation than those under AC and CP treatments. Hair cortisol levels, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate were also higher under the HWT than under the LWT treatment. As per the results of this study, the LWT has no significant effect on any of the behavioral factors. Taken together, the use of AC and CP cooling treatment is highly recommended to improve the behavior and to reduce the stress levels in lactating sows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.302-311
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• 2022

This study investigated the effect of a synergistic blend of free and buffered organic acid (FMP) on the performance of piglets born to sows supplemented with a blend of short- and medium-chain organic acids (SGG) during the late gestation and lactation period. A total of 150 multiparous sows (n = 50/treatment, Landrace × Yorkshire) were blocked (2.4 parity) and assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: CON - corn-soybean meal-based basal diet, SGG-Low - CON+ 1.5 kg/ton SGG, and SGG-High - CON + 3kg/ton SGG. During weaning, 600 piglets (6.72 ± 0.5kg) which weaned from sows supplemented with 3 levels of SGG were allocated to 2 weaner diets (Control and FMP - 3kg/ton) following 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Supplemental effects on performance were measured at d0-d21 and d 21-42, and the entire period. Pigs fed with FMP and born to sows supplemented with SGG-High gained more weight and ate more (p < 0.05) compared with those in the CON group in both phases, and with SGG-Low in the second phase. Over the entire post-weaning period, piglets born to sows supplemented with SGG-Low and SGG-High had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) (p < 0.05). Regardless of sow treatment, pigs fed with an FMP diet had higher ADG (p < 0.001), BW (p = 0.045), and a lower feed conversion ratio (p = 0.033). Also, feeding FMP diets reduced the fecal Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens counts at d42. The current study indicates that sows fed SGG supplement had a positive carry-over effect on the post-weaning growth rate, and FMP supplement enhances the growth performance and reduced the number of C. perfringens and E. coli. Thus, the application of 3 kg/ton of SGG in sows' diet and subsequent feeding of piglets with FMP would be an effective strategy to improve growth rate and reduce pathogenic bacteria in post-weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 1996

In order to investigate the prevalence and pattern of renal lesions in sows, 250 kidneys collected from abattoir were examined grossly and histopathologically. The prevalence of renal lesions in sows was 46.8% (l17/250). Main gross findings were consisted of congestion and/or petechiation (21.6%), cortical enlargement (15.2%), renal cysts (6.0%), abscessation (4.4%), and infarction (1.5%). Principle microscopic lesions were composed of interstitial nephritis (25.6% ), glomerulosclerosis (13.6%), glomerular thrombosis (3.6%), amyloidosis (2.0%) and glomerulosclerosis (2.0%) Sixty four kidneys with interstitial nephritis was classified by 46 chronic and 18 acute cases. Among 34 kidneys with glomerulonephritis, there were divided into 18 membranous type, 9 proliferative type and 7 membranoproliferative type. For these results, it was confirmed that sows raised in Kwangju and Chonnam areas had been affected by a variety of pathological renal lesions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 1992

This experiment was carried out to study the behavior of the estrus cycle in sows shortened uterine horns and to see whether the embryos could be recovered nonsurgically. The uteri of sows(n=4) were surgically shortened. It took about 3 hours to surgically remove the middle section of both uterine horns. The lengths of the shortened uterine horns were 18.7 to 29.5cm. After treatment, two sows exhibited natural estrus and the intevals from surgery to estrus were 8 days and 15 days, respectively. But the sows were not successful on synchronization and superovulation with PMSG and PGF$_2$$\alpha$. In the resurgery for confirmative examination, the sows had 6 and 7 corpus lutelin in ovaries, respectively. One sow had a small adhesion between the infundibulum and ovary, and the other sow had unilateral uterine obstruction at the sutured position and purulent materials in the uterus.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.56-59
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• 1981

The sows which had not returned estrus since 15 to 152 days after weaning were treated with PMSG or PGF2$\alpha$ to induce estrus and inseminated to conceive on that estrus. 1. Eight (83%) among 12 sows treated with PMSG came into estrus on average 5.3 days after treatment. 2. The one sow which didn't show any estrus by treatment of PMSG showed an estrus by intramuscular use of 10mg PGF2$\alpha$ and the other one showed an estrus by another intramuscular use of 1000 I.U. of PMSG at 15 days after first injection of PMSG. 3. The one sow injected with Vit. A.D.E. complex(Injacom) (Vit. A 500,000 I.U., Vit. D. 75,000 I.U., and Vit. E. 50 I.U. per ml) on 6 days before PMSG injection showed an estrus on 6 days after PMSG injection and farrowed 8 piglets. 4. Five among 10 sows showed an estrus by treatment of PMSG or PGF2$\alpha$ were pregnant and litter size of the four farrowed sows averaged 9.5.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.295-306
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• 2007

The growth and health of the fetus and neonate are directly influenced by the nutritional and physiological status of sows. Sows are often under catabolic conditions due to restrict feeding program during pregnancy and low voluntary feed intake during lactation. The current restrict feeding program, which aims at controlling energy intake during gestation, results in an inadequate supply of dietary protein for fetal and mammary gland growth. Low voluntary feed intake during lactation also causes massive maternal tissue mobilization. Provision of amino acids and fatty acids with specific functions may enhance the performance of pregnant and lactating sows by modulating key metabolic pathways. These nutrients include arginine, branched-chain amino acids, glutamine, tryptophan, proline, conjugated linoleic acids, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, which can enhance conception rates, embryogenesis, blood flow, antioxidant activity, appetite, translation initiation for protein synthesis, immune cell proliferation, and intestinal development. The outcome is to improve sow reproductive performance as well as fetal and neonatal growth and health. Dietary supplementation with functional amino acids and fatty acids holds great promise in optimizing nutrition, health, and production performance of sows and piglets. (Supported by funds from Texas Tech, USDA, NLRI-RDA-Korea, and China NSF).