REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS ON A PROTEIN-RESTRICTED DIET

Abstract

Summary. Two trials with sixty-five sows indicate that severe protein restriction during gestation and lactation significantly impairs subsequent reproductive efficiency. The percentage of sows exhibiting oestrus, the average number of days from weaning to oestrus, and the average ovulation rate and uterine weights were significantly lower in sows fed a low-protein diet. Conception rate and embryo survival to 28 days were not significantly affected. The detrimental effects from protein restriction were more severe in younger gilts. Oestrus, ovulation and fertility were induced in non-cyclic sows fed the low-protein diet by injecting pmsg and hcg.