Efeito do tamanho e sexo dos suínos no início da fase de terminação sobre os indicadores produtivos no final da engorda

The effect of segregation by sex and size at the start of the growing-finishing stage on traits at the end of the fattening and at slaughter was studied in commercial pigs, 121 Danbreed×Pietrain pigs were used, entire males and females. They were divided in good and bad males, and good and bad female groups (G). They were housed in 9 m2 pens. The pigs received clean, fresh water, and ad libitum food and water. The initial weight varied from 12.4±2.0 to 25.3±2.3 kg. The target weight was 115 kg. Fattening was divided into growth (0-60 d) and finishing phases (60-120 d). The response variables were initial (P1), intermediate (P2), and final weight (P3); total feed intake (CMD); daily weight gain between P1 and P2 (GDP1y2), P2 and P3 (GDP2y3), and P1 and P3 (GDP1y3); and feed conversion ratio (CA). The pigs that reached the target weight in 114 d were termed "first quality", the "second quality" in 122 d, the "underachievers" did not reach this weight in 122 d. The GLM procedure of SAS and statistical analysis with learning machines in R were used to analyze the of productive variables and to determine the factors affecting the quality of the pigs at the end of fattening. The females exceeded (P≤0.0263) the males by 2.72 kg and 0.05 kg d-1 for P2 and GDP1y2. The sex*G interaction affected (P≤0.0181) P3, GDP1y3, and GDP2y3. Sex of pig and G were not the most important factors to classify quality at the end of fattening. Regrouping pigs by sex and size at the beginning of the growth-finishing phase affected significantly the productive performance and indirectly influences quality at the end of fattening.El objetivo fue estudiar el efecto de la segregación por sexo y tamaño al iniciar el crecimiento-finalización en características al finalizar la etapa y al sacrificio en cerdos comerciales. Se utilizaron 121 cerdos Danbreed×Pietrain; hembras y machos enteros, clasificados por sexo y crecimiento en: machos buenos y malos y hembras buenas y malas. Los cerdos se alojaron en corrales de 9 m2. El agua y alimento fueron limpios, frescos y ad libitum. El peso inicial por grupo varió de 12.4±2.0 a 25.3±2.3 kg. El peso objetivo fue 115 kg. La engorda se dividió en crecimiento (0-60 d) y finalización (60-120 d). El peso vivo inicial (P1), intermedio (P2) y final (P3); consumo total de alimento (CMD); ganancia diaria de peso entre P1 y P2 (GDP1y2), P2 y P3 (GDP2y3), P1 y P3 (GDP1y3); y conversión alimenticia (CA) fueron las variables de respuesta. Los cerdos que llegaron al peso objetivo en 114 d se denominaron “primera calidad”, los de “segunda calidad” en 122 d, los “saldos” no lo alcanzaron en 122 d. El procedimiento GLM de SAS y análisis estadístico con máquinas de aprendizaje en R se utilizaron para determinar las variables productivas y los factores que influyen la calidad de los cerdos al finalizar la engorda. Las hembras superaron (P≤0.0263) a los machos por 2.72 kg y 0.05 kg día-1 para P2 y GDP1y2. La interacción macho*malo fue significativa (P≤0.0181) para P3, GDP1y3 y GDP2y3. El sexo y grupo de crecimiento no fueron factores importantes para determinar la calidad al finalizar la engorda. Reagrupar los cerdos por sexo y tamaño al iniciar la fase crecimiento-finalización afecta significativamente el comportamiento productivo e influye indirectamente la calidad al finalizar la engorda.O efeito da segregação por sexo e tamanho no início da fase de crescimento-terminação nas características no final da engorda e no abate foi estudado em suínos comerciais, foram utilizados 121 suínos Danbreed×Pietrain, todos machos e fêmeas. Eles foram divididos em grupos de machos bons e maus e grupos de fêmeas boas e más (G). Eles foram alojados em baias de 9 m2. Os suínos receberam água limpa e fresca e comida e água ad libitum. O peso inicial variou de 12,4±2,0 a 25,3±2,3 kg. O peso-alvo era de 115 kg. A engorda foi dividida em fases de crescimento (0-60 d) e terminação (60-120 d). As variáveis de resposta foram peso inicial (P1), intermediário (P2) e final (P3); consumo total de ração (CMD); ganho de peso diário entre P1 e P2 (GDP1y2), P2 e P3 (GDP2y3) e P1 e P3 (GDP1y3); e razão de conversão alimentar (CA). Os suínos que atingiram o peso alvo em 114 d foram denominados de "primeira qualidade", os de "segunda qualidade" em 122 d, os "underachievers" não atingiram esse peso em 122 d. O procedimento GLM de SAS e análise estatística com máquinas de aprendizagem em R foram utilizados para analisar as variáveis produtivas e determinar os fatores que afetam a qualidade dos suínos no final da engorda. As fêmeas excederam (P≤0,0263) os machos em 2,72 kg e 0,05 kg d-1 para P2 e GDP1y2. A interação sexo*G afetou (P≤0,0181) P3, GDP1y3 e GDP2y3. O sexo do porco e o G não foram os fatores mais importantes para classificar a qualidade no final da engorda. O reagrupamento dos suínos por sexo e tamanho no início da fase de terminação afeta significativamente o desempenho produtivo e influencia indiretamente a qualidade no final da engorda

Dietary Vitamin E and/or Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation to Sows during Late Pregnancy and Lactation Modifies the Lipid Composition of Colostrum and Milk

Modifying the composition of a sow’s milk could be a strategy to improve the intestinal health and growth of her piglet during the first weeks of life. This study evaluated how dietary supplementation of vitamin E (VE), hydroxytyrosol (HXT) or VE+HXT given to Iberian sows from late gestation affected the colostrum and milk composition, lipid stability and their relationship with the piglet’s oxidative status. Colostrum from VE-supplemented sows had greater C18:1n−7 than non-supplemented sows, whereas HXT increased polyunsaturated (∑PUFAs), ∑n−6 and ∑n−3 fatty acids. In 7-day milk, the main effects were induced by VE supplementation that decreased ∑PUFAs, ∑n−6 and ∑n−3 and increased the Δ-6-desaturase activity. The VE+HXT supplementation resulted in lower desaturase capacity in 20-day milk. Positive correlations were observed between the estimated mean milk energy output and the desaturation capacity of sows. The lowest concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in milk was observed in VE-supplemented groups, whereas HXT supplementation increased oxidation. Milk lipid oxidation was negatively correlated with the sow’s plasma oxidative status and to a great extent with the oxidative status of piglets after weaning. Maternal VE supplementation produced a more beneficial milk composition to improve the oxidative status of piglets, which could promote gut health and piglet growth during the first weeks, but more research is needed to clarify this.This research was funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-108695RB-C32/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) co-funded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). H.D.L. and G.G. received grants from the Spanish Government (FPI National Program grant: PRE2020-092891) and IRIAF-Sánchez Romero Carvajal Jabugo, S.A., agreement, respectively.Peer reviewe

Estimation of fetal development in Manchega dairy ewes by transrectal ultrasonographic measurements

Serial transrectal ultrasonographies were performed during the first three months of gestation measuring different structures of ovine fetuses to establish their gestational age. Data were obtained from 23 Manchega ewes that became pregnant after oestrous synchronization. Embryonic vesicle diameter, from day 12 to 29 of pregnancy, showed high correlation with gestational age (p < 0.01). From day 19 of gestation onwards, the crown-rump length and the trunk diameter of the embryo were estimated. Later, when the foetal organs and structures could be distinguished, several measurements were done in the skull (occipito-snout length and biparietal and orbit diameters), the trunk (thoracic diameter, width of three vertebrae and width of three ribs), and the abdominal cavity (stomach and kidney longitudinal diameters); femur length was determined too. All measurements were correlated with gestational age (p < 0.005), but the parameters showing the highest correlation coefficients with time (up to 0.92) were the crown-rump and occipito-snout lengths, and the thoracic, biparietal and orbit diameters. No significant differences were observed in pregnancies with one or two fetuses in the period studied. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V

Diagnosis and evaluation of the response to the treatment of pseudopregnancy in small ruminants, through ultrasonography and analysis of plasma progesterone concentrations

A clinical and ultrasonographic study has been completed with analysis of plasma progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay in three pseudopregnant goats and one pseudopregnant ewe. Persistence of luteal function (> 0.5 ng/ml of plasmatic progesterone) and accumulation of aseptic fluid within the uterus (hydrometra) are characteristics of pseudopregnancy in goats and ewes. Cloprostenol treatment effectively reduced the plasma progesterone concentration to levels < 0.5 ng/ml in all animals and induced a re-establishment on ovulatory activity. The ultrasonic morphology of corpora lutea was not different of corpora lutea during the oestrus cycle

Factores condicionantes de la respuesta del ganado caprino a la sincronización de celos mediante progestágenos y PMSG

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de los factores genéticos y nutricionales sobre la aparición del celo, la ovulación y la viabilidad de¡ cuerpo lúteo en cabras con celos inducidos mediante esponjas intravaginales. Para ello, se utilizaron 24 cabras de raza Cachemira y 24 cabras autóctonas en las que se valoró el peso y la condición corporal. Los resultados indican que las variaciones en la respuesta estarían más relacionadas con los factores dependientes de¡ animal que con el protocolo de tratamiento utilizado. Así, tanto el porcentaje de animales con ovulación como la tasa de ovulación media fueron mayores en la raza Cachemira (100 p. 100 vs 78,6 p. 100: p<0,05 y 3,7 vs 2,4: p<0,1, respectivamente), independientemente de las diferencias de peso. Asimismo, una condición corporal alta se relaciona con un aumento del número de ovulaciones (4,3 vs 2,0: p<0,001)

Oestrous behaviour and development of preovulatory follicles in goats induced to ovulate using the male effect with and without progesterone priming

The objective of the current study was to examine follicular dynamics in goats induced to ovulate by using the male effect with or without progesterone pretreatment. Ten Murciano-Granadina goats were treated with a single dose of 25 mg of progesterone in olive oil on the day of male effect induction (Day 0), whereas ten does remained untreated. Changes in the ovarian follicular population and onset of oestrous behaviour were checked daily from Day 0 to the day on which ovulation was detected by ultrasonography. All of the treated goats and only 20% of control goats (P < 0.001) showed oestrous behaviour between 72 and 96 h after the introduction of bucks. Differences in follicle growth were found between the groups. The control goats exhibiting oestrous behaviour during the first 4 days of ovarian screening and all of the goats treated with progesterone had their preovulatory follicles in growing phase. However, the largest follicles in control does not showing oestrus in these first 4 days were in regressing phase, being necessary for the emergence of new preovulatory follicles from a new follicular wave between Days 6 and 7, for exhibition of oestrous behaviour and subsequent ovulation. In conclusion, the appearance of short luteal phases and delayed ovulation in goats treated with the male effect during seasonal anoestrous depends on the stage of follicle development at the time of buck introduction. A single injection of progesterone stimulates the emergence of a new follicular wave, able to grow and give adequate ovulation after induction of the male effect. © CSIRO 2006

Effect of season on the resumption of postpartum cyclic ovarian activity in Mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon) and Manchega sheep (Ovis aries)

The objective of this study was to compare ovulatory activity of Mouflon and Manchega ewes lambing at different times of the year. A total of 38 adult European Mouflon and 26 Manchega ewes were divided into two groups according to whether lambing occurred in late winter/early spring or summer. Plasma progesterone concentrations were monitored to assess the interval to first ovulation after parturition. Both season and type of sheep affected the postpartum interval. When parturition occurred towards the end of the breeding season for Mouflon (February-March), 12 of 26 animals had a mean (±s.e.) interval to first ovulation of 25 ± 1.8 days and exhibited between 1 and 6 short or normal cycles before the onset of anoestrus. The remaining 14 animals did not resume ovulatory activity until the following breeding season which started in October. Similarly, female Mouflon (n = 12) giving birth in June reinitiated their breeding activity only at the start of the following season in October. Manchega ewes that lambed in April (n = 11) and June (n = 15) had postpartum intervals to first ovulation of 111.5 ± 4.1 and 31.5 ± 1.9 days, respectively. Both groups of Manchegas reinitiated ovulatory activity at the start of the expected breeding season for the breed (July). It can be concluded that the time of year is a major factor controlling the duration of ovarian inactivity following parturition in both Mouflon and Manchega ewes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V

Relationship between ultrasonographic assessment of the corpus luteum and plasma progesterone concentration during the oestrous cycle in monovular ewes

Ultrasonographic observations of the corpus luteum (CL) and collection of blood samples for progesterone radioimmunoassay were performed daily during 15 oestrous cycles in Spanish Merino ewes, a consistently monovular breed. Ultrasonographic image of the CL changed during the oestrous cycle, increasing its echogenic pattern from ovulation to luteolysis. The size of the CL and mean progesterone levels were significantly affected by day of cycle (p &lt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Both increased their values from day 1 to day 12 (from 49.6 ± 7.4 to 154.6 ± 11.8 mm2 and from 0.2 ± 0.0 to 2.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml, respectively) and then declined sharply until day 0 (28.2 ± 5.3 mm2 and 0.1 ± 0.0 ng/ml, respectively). There was a significant correlation between CL area and plasma progesterone concentrations during the entire oestrous cycle, taking the developing and regressing phases of the CL separately (p &lt; 0.05). A central cavity was observed in 33.3% of the CL studied. The presence of this cavity had no effect in total luteal-tissue area of the CL nor on oestrous cycle length or on progesterone concentrations. Likewise, the cavity did not affect the correlations observed between CL size and progesterone levels, CL size and day of cycle and progesterone levels and day of cycle. It is concluded that ultrasonographic assessment of CL area is a reliable method for estimating peripheral plasma progesterone levels, regardless to the presence or absence of a cavity in the CL

Effects of FSH commercial preparation and follicular status on follicular growth and superovulatory response in Spanish Merino ewes

Ovarian follicular development was characterized in 24 Spanish Merino ewes to study effects of the follicular status and the FSH commercial product used on follicular growth and subsequent superovulatory response. Estrus was synchronized using 40 mg fluorogestone acetate sponges. The superovulatory treatment consisted in 2 daily im injections of FSH from 48 h before to 12 h after sponge removal. Sheep were assigned randomly to 2 groups treated with 6 decreasing doses (4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2 mg) of FSH-P(TM) or with 6 doses of 1.25 mL of OVAGE(TM) Growth and regression of all follicles ≥2 mm were observed by transrectal ultrasonography, and recorded daily from Day 6 before sponge insertion to the first FSH injection, and then twice daily until estrus was detected with vasectomized rams. Differences were detected in follicular development from the first FSH injection to detection of estrus (-48 to 36 h from sponge removal) between groups. Administration of FSH-P increased the appearance of new follicles with respect to OVAGEN (6.3 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 0.4; P < 0.05), and the mean number of medium (4 to 5 mm) follicles (8.9 ± 1.2 vs 6.6 ± 0.9; P < 0.05). However, the mean number of follicles that regressed in size after sponge removal (5.9 ± 0.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.4) and the number of preovulatory sized follicles that did not ovulate (60 vs 42.4%) were also higher in FSH-P treated ewes (P < 0.05). So, finally, there were no differences in ovulation rate, as determined by laparoscopy on Day 7 after sponge removal, between ewes treated with FSH-P or OVAGEN (6.3 ± 1.9 vs 7.0 ± 1.7 CL). In all the ewes, the ovulatory response was related (P < 0.05) both to the number of small follicles (2 to 3 mm in diameter) present in the ovaries at the start of treatment with exogenous FSH and to the number of follicles that reached ≥4 mm in size at estrus, despite differences in the pattern of follicular development when using different commercial products. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc

Attainment of puberty in the European Mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon) and the domestic Manchega ewe (Ovis aries)

The onset of puberty was assessed from plasma progesterone profiles for Mouflon (n = 8) and Manchega (n = 7) female lambs born in April. Four Mouflons exhibited their first ovulation at a mean date of 27 November ± 1.4 days, the mean age being 248.5 ± 3.9 days and the mean body weight 23.8 ± 0.6 kg. The remaining four Mouflons, which had a slower growth rate, attained puberty during the autumn of the following year. Five of seven Manchega lambs attained puberty in their first year at a mean date of 5 Oct ± 3.3, the mean age being 185.6 ± 2.6 days and the mean body weight 41.8 ± 2.0 kg. The mean live-weight at the onset of puberty was 65.1 and 82% (p < 0.05) of adult body weights for Manchega and Mouflons, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that there is a threshold of body-weight necessary for the attainment of puberty in the first breeding season for spring-born lambs, which is very different between both Mouflon and Manchega. When body weight was below 23.8 ± 0.6 and 41.8 ± 2.0 kg for Mouflon and Manchega lambs, respectively, first ovulation did not occur until the beginning of the next breeding season. The onset of puberty during the second year of life occurred within the specific reproductive seasons for Mouflon (October-April) and Manchega (July-March) ewes, despite minimal further growth