Effects of nursing a large litter and ovarian response to gonadotropins at weaning on subsequent fertility in first parity sows.

Post-weaning fertility failures occur more often in parity 1 (P1) sows due to high metabolic demands for lactation and their inability to meet energy requirements for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. We hypothesized that body condition loss occurs more frequently in P1 sows nursing a large litter, resulting in impairment of ovarian follicle development during lactation and post-weaning, which can negatively impact estrus and subsequent fertility. At 24 h post-farrowing, P1 sows (n = 123) were assigned to treatment (TRT) based on sow weight and the number of functional teats to receive a high number (HN, 15 to 16) or low number (LN, 12) of nursing piglets.

Effects of a high-protein, high-fiber diet rich in antioxidants and l-carnitine on body weight, body composition, metabolic status, and physical activity levels of cats after spay surgery.

Spay and neuter surgeries are useful in controlling pet populations, but increase obesity risk due to increased appetite, decreased metabolic rate, and decreased energy expenditure. Dietary management may help limit post-spay weight gain, but few research studies have been conducted in cats. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high-protein, high-fiber diet (HPHF) compared to a moderate-protein, moderate-fiber diet (MPMF) in female cats following spay surgery.

Effects of physical or fenceline boar exposure and exogenous gonadotropins on puberty induction and subsequent fertility in gilts.

The present study was part of a larger experiment that evaluated litter of origin effects on gilt production. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of physical or fenceline boar exposure and exogenous gonadotropins on puberty induction and subsequent fertility in a commercial farm environment. The experiment was performed in three replicates.

Fertility responses of melatonin-treated gilts before and during the follicular and early luteal phases when there are different temperatures and lighting conditions in the housing area.

This study was conducted to determine whether exogenous melatonin affected gilt fertility when there were different housing temperature and lighting conditions. Prepubertal gilts (n = 72) were fed (MEL, 5 mg/day) or not fed (CON) melatonin while housed in rooms where temperatures (31.0 ± 1 °C) and daily lighting (240 lx) duration differed: 8 (8 H); 16 (16 H); or 24 (24 H) h in winter and summer replicates.

Effects of flush feeding strategy before breeding on reproductive performance of modern replacement gilts: impacts on ovulation rate and litter traits.

AbstractThe effects of two feed levels offered during two estrous cycles before insemination were evaluated on the reproductive performance of gilts. A total of 93 gilts (PIC Hendersonville, TN) were individually housed and manually fed twice a day with 2.1 or 3.

Effects of feeding melatonin during proestrus and early gestation to gilts and parity 1 sows to minimize effects of seasonal infertility1.

This study tested whether supplemental melatonin given to mimic the extended nighttime melatonin pattern observed in the higher fertility winter season could minimize infertility during summer and fall in swine. Exogenous melatonin was fed during periods coinciding with follicle selection, corpus luteum formation, pregnancy recognition, and early embryo survival. Experiments were conducted at a commercial farm in 12 sequential replicates.