Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
17. Best practices in the lactating and weaned
sow to optimize reproductive physiology and
performance
N.M. Soede * and B. Kemp
Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University,
P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands; nicoline.soede@wur.nl
Abstract
For optimal reproductive performance of the weaned sow, management needs to be
optimised in the lactation period, in the interval from weaning to oestrus and during
oestrus and insemination. Essentially, management should be focussed on optimizing
follicle development during lactation and after weaning and on maximizing fertilisation
of the oocytes from those follicles during the first oestrus after weaning. During
lactation, follicle development is mostly affected by lactational weight loss and by
suckling. Management should therefore be aimed at stimulating feed intake and, possibly,
reducing the number of sucklings at the end of lactation. During the short weaning-to-
oestrus interval, nutrition of the sow and boar contact are most important. For optimal
fertilisation, a good oestrus detection and insemination strategy are essential.
Keywords: sow, lactation, weaning, reproduction, follicle
17.1
Introduction
During lactation, both the suckling intensity of piglets and the negative energy and/
or protein balance of the sows normally inhibit the growth of pre-ovulatory follicles
and, therefore, prevent the occurrence of lactational oestrus. Gonadotrophin release
and follicle development can be suppressed to such an extent that post-weaning follicle
development and subsequent fertility parameters (weaning-to-oestrus interval, ovulation
rate, embryo survival and embryo development) are impaired, eventually affecting
farrowing rate, litter size (see review by Prunier et al. , 2003; Soede et al. , 1995) and litter
uniformity (Steverink et al. , 1997; Wientjes et al. , 2013). This is most obvious in first litter
sows with extensive weight loss (Hoving et al., 2012), but is also observed in older parity
sows with high weight loss (Thaker and Bilkei, 2005). Post-weaning conditions may
also influence subsequent fertility, e.g. conditions that influence post-weaning follicle
development, such as chronic stress (Turner and Tilbrook, 2006), or that affect the quality
of oestrus detection and insemination timing, such as boar contact (Kemp et al. , 2005).
The current review discusses best practices for the management of the lactating and
weaned sow for optimal reproductive performance. To understand the physiological
background of these advices, an overview of relevant reproductive physiology and the
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