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Follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to estimated breeding value for within-litter variation in piglet birth weight

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

N. G. J. Costermans ,
K. J. Teerds Open the ORCID record for K. J. Teerds [Opens in a new window] ,
J. Keijer Open the ORCID record for J. Keijer [Opens in a new window] ,
E. F. Knol ,
R. E. Koopmanschap ,
B. Kemp  and
N. M. Soede
N. G. J. Costermans*
Affiliation:
Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
K. J. Teerds
Affiliation:
Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
J. Keijer
Affiliation:
Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
E. F. Knol
Affiliation:
Topigs Norsvin Research Center B. V., Schoenaker 6, 6641 SZ Beuningen, The Netherlands
R. E. Koopmanschap
Affiliation:
Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
B. Kemp
Affiliation:
Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
N. M. Soede
Affiliation:
Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
*
†E-mail: natasja.costermans@wur.nl
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Abstract

In this study we aimed to identify possible causes of within-litter variation in piglet birth weight (birth weight variation) by studying follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to their estimated breeding value (EBV) for birth weight variation. In total, 29 multiparous sows (parity 3 to 5) were selected on their EBV for birth weight variation (SD in grams; High-EBV: 15.8±1.6, N=14 and Low-EBV: −24.7±1.5, N=15). The two groups of sows had similar litter sizes (15.7 v. 16.9). Within 24 h after parturition, piglets were cross-fostered to ensure 13 suckling piglets per sow. Sows weaned 12.8±1.0 and 12.7±1.0 piglets, respectively, at days 26.1±0.2 of lactation. Blood and ovaries were collected within 2 h after weaning. The right ovary was immediately frozen to assess average follicle size and percentage healthy follicles of the 15 largest follicles. The left ovary was used to assess the percentage morphologically healthy cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of the 15 largest follicles. To assess the metabolic state of the sows, body condition and the circulating metabolic markers insulin, IGF1, non-esterified fatty acid, creatinine, leptin, urea and fibroblast growth factor 21 were analysed at weaning. No significant differences were found in any of the measured follicular or metabolic parameters between High-EBV and Low-EBV. A higher weight loss during lactation was related to a lower percentage healthy COCs (β= −0.65, P=0.02). Serum creatinine, a marker for protein breakdown, was negatively related to average follicle size (β= −0.60, P=0.05). Backfat loss during lactation was related to a higher backfat thickness at parturition and to a higher average follicle size (β=0.36, P<0.001) at weaning. In conclusion, we hypothesise that modern hybrid sows with more backfat at the start of lactation are able to mobilise more energy from backfat during lactation and could thereby spare protein reserves to support follicular development.

Keywords

sowslitter uniformityreproductionlactationmetabolism
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , March 2019 , pp. 554 - 563
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2018 

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