The effects of feeding sows at onset of farrowing supplemental energy (blend of carbohydrates and glycerol) on farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality

• DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101104
• Publication Date: 2024-02-08T04:13:03Z
• Authors: R.F. Carnevale; B.B.D. Muro; D.F. Leal; L.K.S. Alves; M.S. Monteiro; N.A.C. Gomes; F.A. Pereira; F.N.A. Ferreira; C.S.S. Neta; T.T.N. Watanabe; G.W. Almond; C.A.P. Garbossa
• Keywords: Vitality; Energy requirement

Delivering piglets is one of the most energy demanding activities sows undergo in their lifetime. Sows can have myometrial contractions from two to 12 hours before first piglet expelled as well a nest building behavior. Thus, when delivered female has already used part her supply. When sow gets exhausted due lack energy, farrowing process be interrupted, causing damage viability and vitality piglets. In present study, we evaluated effects feeding an supplement at onset on kinetics vitality. The consisted blend carbohydrates glycerol which provides 43,9 kJ metabolizable per kg metabolic weight. A total 180 were used. At farrowing, assigned following treatments: that not supplied serving controls (CON, n = 85); fed (ESP, 95). Farrowing kinetics, blood glucose concentration, recorded for each sow. Blood concentration was assessed by puncturing auricular vein using portable glucometer four different time points: after birth 1st (T0), 20 (T20), 40 (T40), 80 (T80), (T180) minutes piglet. 1st, 6th, 12th, 17th, 20th born Apgar score. Piglet weight average colostrum intake measured. duration min shorter (P < 0.05) ESP comparison with CON sows. treatment had higher ≤ T20 T40 compared inter-piglet interval shorten 14 between 2nd treatment. 17th score same order Colostrum 0.01) Litter growth performance did differ > 0.05). conclusion, improved