Enhanced Efficiency of Milk Utilization for Growth in Surviving Low-Birth-Weight Piglets  

作　　者：Reza Rezaei Darrell A. Knabe Xilong Li Shuo Feng Guoyao Wu 

机构地区：[1]Departments of Animal Science , Texas A＆M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA [2]Department of Statistics, Texas A＆M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

出　　处：《Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology》2011年第2期73-83,共11页畜牧与生物技术杂志（英文版）

基　　金：supported by funds from Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants no.2008-35206-18764;2008-35203-19120 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture;Texas AgriLife Research Hatch project (H-8200), and Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas, USA)

摘　　要：This study determined effects of birth weights （0.70 to 1.09, 1.10 to 1.49, 1.50 to 1.89, and ≥ 1.90 kg） on the efficiency of milk utilization for growth in sow-reared piglets. One-hundred-sixty piglets from 18 multiparous sows （ Landrace × Large White） were individually weighed immediately after birth （ day 0） and at 7-day intervals for 35 days. Milk consumption of piglets was determined weekly using the weigh-suckle-weigh method. Deaths of piglets were recorded daily. Piglets with the lightest birth weight had the highest incidence of mortality. Birth weights between 0.70 and 1.89 kg were positively as- sociated with average dally gains （ADG, g/day ） during the suckling period （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Compared with piglets having birth weights of 1.50 to 1.89 kg, birth weights ≥ 1.90 kg did not confer any additional benefit on preweaning survival or ADG. Colostrum or milk consumption per kilogram of body weight among low-, normal-, and large-birth-weight piglets did not differ in the first week. At days 14 to 35, milk consumption of piglets （ g/kg BW/day ） increased （e 〈 0. 01 ） but the ratio of gain to milk consumption decreased （ P 〈 0.01 ） progressively, as their birth weights increased from 0.70 to ≥1.90 kg. Additionally, surviving low-birth-weight piglets had a higher relative growth rate （%/day ） than normal-and large-birth- weight piglets. Based on these novel findings, it is imperative that great efforts be made to improve the survival of low-birth-weight piglets so as to increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization by both lactating sows and suckling piglets.This study determined effects of birth weights （0.70 to 1.09, 1.10 to 1.49, 1.50 to 1.89, and ≥ 1.90 kg） on the efficiency of milk utilization for growth in sow-reared piglets. One-hundred-sixty piglets from 18 multiparous sows （ Landrace × Large White） were individually weighed immediately after birth （ day 0） and at 7-day intervals for 35 days. Milk consumption of piglets was determined weekly using the weigh-suckle-weigh method. Deaths of piglets were recorded daily. Piglets with the lightest birth weight had the highest incidence of mortality. Birth weights between 0.70 and 1.89 kg were positively as- sociated with average dally gains （ADG, g/day ） during the suckling period （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Compared with piglets having birth weights of 1.50 to 1.89 kg, birth weights ≥ 1.90 kg did not confer any additional benefit on preweaning survival or ADG. Colostrum or milk consumption per kilogram of body weight among low-, normal-, and large-birth-weight piglets did not differ in the first week. At days 14 to 35, milk consumption of piglets （ g/kg BW/day ） increased （e 〈 0. 01 ） but the ratio of gain to milk consumption decreased （ P 〈 0.01 ） progressively, as their birth weights increased from 0.70 to ≥1.90 kg. Additionally, surviving low-birth-weight piglets had a higher relative growth rate （%/day ） than normal-and large-birth- weight piglets. Based on these novel findings, it is imperative that great efforts be made to improve the survival of low-birth-weight piglets so as to increase the efficiency of nutrient utilization by both lactating sows and suckling piglets.

关 键 词：birth weight growth rate MORTALITY PIGLETS 

分 类 号：S828[农业科学—畜牧学]