EFFECTS OF SOW NUTRITION IN LATE GESTATION ON THE BODY COMPOSITION AND SURVIVAL OF THE NEONATAL PIG

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Abstract
One hundred and two sows were fed either 2.0 kg/day (C–L) or ad libitum a control diet (C–H) or diets containing 10% added sucrose (SU) or 10% stabilized tallow (TA) from day 100 of gestation until parturition. Level of nutrient intake or source of energy in the sows’ diet did not significantly influence the number or weight of pigs born or the number of pigs weaned. The survival of pigs of less than 1.0 kg birthweight was significantly greater for sows fed the C–H diet. At weaning, pigs from sows fed the SU diet were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than those from sows receiving the other three treatments. Pigs from the sows fed TA were heavier (P < 0.05) at weaning than those from sows fed C–L or C–H. There were no significant differences in the proximate composition of the colostrum from sows on any of the four treatments. Proximate carcass composition of the pigs at birth, 24 or 48 h of age was similar for pigs from all four sow treatments. The fatty acid content of the carcass lipid of the newborn pig was not significantly affected by sow feeding regimen. Carcass proximate analyses and fatty acid content of the carcass lipid were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by age of pig at slaughter.