Reproductive Performance of Gilts Fed Diets Low in Protein during Gestation and Lactation

Abstract

TWO experiments involving 81 litters were conducted to determine the effect of low protein (45 g/day, from corn) and adequate protein (309 g/day, from corn and soybean meal) on reproductive performance of gilts. Gain during gestation was significantly decreased by the low level of protein, but litter size and pig weight at birth were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Weight loss was greater in gilts fed the low-protein level, and preweaning rate of gain by pigs was reduced significantly (P°.01) by feeding the low-protein diet. Cross-fostering of newborn pigs did not affect the performance of pigs in experiment 1. A carry-over effect of gestation treatment to lactation was observed in the first experiment as evidenced by reduced gains of pigs nursing sows fed the low protein during gestation but high protein during lactation. Progeny survival was unaltered by dietary treatment in experiment I; however, in the second experiment, in which an outbreak of enteritis occurred, survival rates were markedly lower for progeny of gilts fed low protein during gestation, lactation or both.