Effects of gestation length and supplemental dietary fat on colostrum and milk composition in swine

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of either induced premature or delayed farrowing and supplemental dietary fat on colostrum and milk composition in the sow. The induction of premature farrowing (d 112 of gestation) was shown to affect the composition of colostrum and milk, particularly by altering the fat content. The average fat content of mammary secretions during the first 12 hr after farrowing was 6.1% for naturally farrowing sows and 4.4% for induced sows (P $<$ 0.05). Changes in proportions of colostral and milk-specific proteins during the first few days postpartum were examined by gel electrophoresis. A novel cysteine-rich whey protein was identified in sow colostrum and milk. Qualitatively, the proportions of α-lactalbumin and the novel cysteine-rich whey protein may have increased later after farrowing in the induced farrowing sows than in the naturally farrowing sows. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of inducing farrowing on d 110, d 111 or d 112 of gestation and delayed farrowing (induction on d 115 of gestation) in combination with supplemental dietary fat on gross milk composition, piglet performance and immunoglobulin concentrations. Induced sows receiving no additional dietary fat tended to have fewer piglets weaned per litter than naturally farrowing sows receiving the same dietary treatment, but a reduction was not observed in a similar comparison of sows receiving supplemental dietary fat. The addition of supplemental dietary fat alleviated the decrease in milk fat found in induced sows not receiving supplemental fat. Addition of fat to sow diets did not have a detrimental effect on immunoglobulin G concentrations in piglet plasma. Three milk-specific whey proteins from sow milk, β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and cysteine-rich whey protein (CRWP), were quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Induced sows tended to have higher milk-specific whey protein concentrations in colostrum and milk than naturally farrowing sows. The results of these experiments show how the interrelationships of mammary function and parturition are closely timed and in a delicate balance. Management practices, i.e., induction of farrowing, which influence the time of parturition may ultimately influence piglet survival and performance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Jackson, Janet Rosann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Easter, Robert A.

• Agriculture, Animal Culture and Nutrition

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1990 Jackson, Janet Rosann

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9021699
(UMI)AAI9021699

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20731