Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The pig industry suffers economical loss due to stillbirths, piglet mortality and low birth weight. This is due to breeding programs that have resulted in larger litters. It has been suggested that these problems are due to the metabolic state of the sow during gestation and the fact that she might not be able to supply her foetuses with enough nutrients for survival and a high and even birth weight. A lot of research has been done to investigate whether body weight and back fat thickness of the sow has any impact on her reproductive traits and if there are any special feed components that improve reproduction. Fibers and unsaturated fatty acids have a positive impact on reproductive traits as long as the sow is fed a sufficient amount of energy and protein during gestation and lactation. In conclusion foetal growth and survival is affected by the amount and type of sow feed. Thus there is a connection between the metabolic state of the sow and the ability of the piglets to survive and it is possible to affect foetal growth with different feeding strategies. However more research is needed.