Colostrum and milk production - The Gestating and Lactating Sow - page 161

8. Colostrum and milk production

H. Quesnel 1,2* , C. Farmer 3 and P.K. Theil 4
1 INRA, UMR1348 PEGASE, 35590 Saint-Gilles, France; [e-mail]
2 Agrocampus Ouest, UMR1348 PEGASE, 35000 Rennes, France
3 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine R & D Centre, Sherbrooke, QC,
J1M 0C8, Canada
4 Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Research Centre Foulum, Blichers
Álle 20, Post box 50, 8830 Tjele, Denmark

Abstract

Colostrum and milk production play an essential role in ensuring piglet survival and
growth. Sow colostrum yield is a limiting factor for piglet survival during the few days
after birth and for piglet health and growth until weaning, and sow milk yield is a limiting
factor for piglet growth rate. Both colostrum and milk yields are even more limiting in
the current context where hyperprolific sow lines are being used. Colostrum and milk
are produced during two distinct physiological stages of lactation and differ in timing
of secretion and composition. Unlike sow milk yield, sow colostrum yield is not highly
determined by litter size and suckling intensity. Factors that affect colostrum yield are less
known than those affecting milk yield. Colostrum production is under hormonal control,
with prolactin and progesterone concentrations prepartum having, respectively, positive
and negative influences on colostrum yield. Colostrum yield varies with parity. The most
recent studies collectively indicate that sow nutrition during late gestation is important for
the colostrum yield of sows, but it is at present unknown which part of gestation is most
critical for colostrum production. The potential impact of mammary gland development,
on the one hand, and of sow metabolic status, on the other hand, on colostrum yield
clearly warrants more research. Milk yield varies with sow genetics and parity and is
influenced by the environment (noise, ambient temperature), and sow management and
housing. Additionally, several nutritional aspects are important for the milk yield of sows
including supply of dietary energy, dietary amino acids, bioactive ingredients, dietary fat
sources, feeding curve, sow body condition and sow body mobilisation.

Keywords: colostrum yield, lactogenesis, milk yield, sow, piglet

8.1 Introduction

During the last few decades, improving prolificacy and carcass merit have been the
main objectives for selection. As a result, prolificacy has increased by 2 to 4 piglets per
farrowing over the past 20 years and it currently reaches 14 to 16 total born piglets per
farrowing in many countries. Colostrum and milk production play an essential role in
ensuring piglet survival and growth until weaning. Another consequence of selecting for
prolificacy and lean meat is a substantial increase in piglet mortality before weaning. Pre-