Energy-Expenditure Rate of Sows and Gilts during Parturition and Lactation

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Abstract
Energy-expenditure rate (EER) of six crossbred gilts and four crossbred, second-litter sows was measured at 5-min intervals during and a few days after parturition at 20.5 C (thermoneutrality) or 29.8 C (moderate heat stress). Using an exponential function to describe instrumental time-lag, a multiple-regression model was fitted to the data. Energy cost of parturition was (mean ± SE):.63 ± .56, 4.23 ± .88, 1.36 ± .44 and 1.92 ± .81 kcal min-1 for gilts and sows at thermoneutrality and those under moderate heat stress, respectively. This amounted to 24, 127, 45 and 61% of the general average EER of 210 kcal hr-1. However, EER was higher shortly before than during parturition for all but sows at thermoneutrality. After parturition there was an increase in EER at thermoneutrality and a decrease under moderate heat stress, even though sow weight losses were similar. When piglets were with the sow, EER (mean ± SE) was 78.27 ± 9.9 kcal hr-1 greater than when the dam was alone. This increment appears to be greater than that estimated from piglet body weights. Because piglets could alter the type of activity when the dam was sitting or standing, two additional terms were included in the regression model. When piglets were with the dam, the heat increment for the dam's sitting activity, relative to sitting without the piglets, was (mean ± SE): 14.81 ± 5.4, 1.09 ± 6.0, -2.56 ± 4.0 and 3.14 ± 6.4 kcal min-1 for respective groups. The increment, associated with the presence of piglets, to the cost of standing by the sow averaged 1.31 ± .91 kcal (min standing)-1. After parturition, the diurnal cycle in EER generally peaked in late afternoon. It accounted for less than 10% of the average energy-expenditure rate. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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