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Worku K, Kechero Y, Janssens GPJ. Measuring seasonal and agro-ecological effects on nutritional status in tropical ranging dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:4341-4349. [PMID: 33551156 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite high numbers of cattle, milk production in many tropical countries such as Ethiopia is very low. Animals are managed traditionally, meaning they mostly depend on seasonal availability of natural pasture, grass, and crop residues with no supplementary feeds. Due to the lack of pasture management, there is overgrazing and soil erosion, and the land still must deal with extremely dry periods. All this has a negative effect on dairy cow productivity. Identification of the specific nutritional deficits would enable targeted interventions to improve milk yield performance, but nutrient and energy intakes are difficult to assess in ranging conditions. The aim of this research was, therefore, to evaluate the nutritional status of ranging dairy cows through blood metabolites, milk yield, and body condition in relation to environmental factors such as agro-ecology and season. The study was performed in a tropical region that is known to be exposed to the above-mentioned situation, the Arba Minch region in the southern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Blood samples were collected from 170 ranging dairy cows in 6 different districts, along a transect extending from the lowlands to the highlands, in both seasons (dry and rainy). Body condition score and milk yield of all cows were also determined for both seasons. Serum urea, creatinine, triglyceride, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were quantified spectrophotometrically. Dried serum spots were subject to quantitative electrospray tandem mass spectrometry to estimate changes in nutrient metabolism based on selected free AA and carnitine esters. Based on these measurements, nutritional status varied with season and geographical region. It can also be concluded that extensive metabolite analysis such as mass spectrometry can provide detailed insights, but the simpler spectrophotometric metabolite analysis can estimate the nutritional status of ranging animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketema Worku
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Arba Minch University, PO Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia 4400; Department of Nutrition, Genetics, and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Yisehak Kechero
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Arba Minch University, PO Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia 4400
| | - Geert P J Janssens
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics, and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Ovarian Follicle Growth during Lactation Determines the Reproductive Performance of Weaned Sows. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061012. [PMID: 32532102 PMCID: PMC7341282 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this field study, the ovaries of weaned (n = 191, experiment 1) and lactating (n = 40, experiment 2) sows were transrectally scanned to measure the diameter of the follicles. Both the weaned and lactating sows showed great variability in the diameter of the ovarian follicles, indicating that the variability at weaning already existed during early lactation and was carried over to weaning. Sows with small follicles at weaning showed low reproductive performance and were more frequent among those with fewer farrowings and those weaned in summer–autumn. Abstract Factors causing variability in ovarian follicle size among weaned sows are not well known. This field study aimed to disclose influencing factors and evaluate if the differences at weaning were established during lactation. Ovaries were scanned using transrectal ultrasound. The first experiment was conducted over a year with 191 randomly chosen sows that were hierarchically grouped (p < 0.001) according to ovarian follicle diameter reached at weaning: Small (0.20–0.30 cm; n = 37), medium (0.31–0.39 cm; n = 75), and large (0.40-1.00 cm; n = 69). Sows with small follicles showed a higher incidence of post-weaning anestrus (p < 0.01), longer wean-to-estrus/ovulation intervals (p < 0.01) and farrowing smaller litters (p < 0.05). Ovaries with small follicles were more common among sows weaned in summer–autumn than in winter–spring (p < 0.01) and among sows of lower parity (1–3) (p < 0.05). In the second experiment, with 40 sows randomly chosen at farrowing, the ovaries were scanned at 7, 14, and 21 d post-partum. Sows showed great variability in ovarian follicular size during lactation with a consistent relationship between the three measurement times (r = 0.84, p < 0.01). Follicle size was smaller in sows nursing in summer–autumn than in winter–spring (p < 0.05). In conclusion, early lactation dictates the great variability in ovarian follicular diameter at weaning shown by sows. Sows with smaller follicles at weaning had longer intervals for estrus and ovulation and smaller litters at farrowing and they were in greater numbers among sows weaned during the summer and fall and among those with fewer previous farrowing.
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Hu L, Che L, Wu C, Curtasu MV, Wu F, Fang Z, Lin Y, Xu S, Feng B, Li J, Zhuo Y, Theil PK, Wu D. Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Difference on Reproductive Performance between High and Low Lactational Weight Loss Sows. Metabolites 2019; 9:E295. [PMID: 31817081 PMCID: PMC6950487 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9120295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Sows suffering excess weight loss during lactation may delay weaning to estrus interval (WEI) and have a detrimental effect on subsequent reproductive performance, however, the underlying mechanism is not completely clear. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate physiological profiles manifested in plasma originating from high (HWL) and low lactational weight loss (LWL) sows. The plasma biochemical parameters, hormones, antioxidant parameters, and milk compositions were assessed. Furthermore, plasma metabolites were analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion modes. Results showed that HWL sows had a lower feed intake and higher lactational weight loss and prolonged WEI, but had similar litter performance and milk composition compared to LWL sows. These changes were associated with lower plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 and higher fibroblast growth factor 21 levels in the HWL sows. Moreover, HWL led to a severe oxidative stress and metabolic damage, as accompanied by excessive protein breakdown and lipids mobilization at weaning. Metabolomic analysis revealed differences in 46 compounds between HWL and LWL sows, and the identified compounds were enriched in metabolic pathways related to amino acids metabolism, fatty acids oxidation metabolism, bile acids biosynthesis, and nucleoside metabolism. These results provide the evidence for physiological mechanism in sows with excessive lactational weight loss that delayed the WEI. Metabolomic data provides essential information and gives rise to potential targets for the development of nutritional intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Hu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Lianqiang Che
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Chen Wu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Mihai Victor Curtasu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; (M.V.C.); (P.K.T.)
| | - Fali Wu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Zhengfeng Fang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Lin
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Shengyu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Bin Feng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yong Zhuo
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Peter Kappel Theil
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; (M.V.C.); (P.K.T.)
| | - De Wu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of China Ministry of Education, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 211, Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (L.H.); (L.C.); (C.W.); (F.W.); (Z.F.); (Y.L.); (S.X.); (B.F.); (J.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Cools A, Maes D, Decaluwé R, Buyse J, van Kempen TATG, Liesegang A, Janssens GPJ. Ad libitum feeding during the peripartal period affects body condition, reproduction results and metabolism of sows. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 145:130-40. [PMID: 24559972 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Cools
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - D Maes
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - R Decaluwé
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - J Buyse
- Department of Biosystems, Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - A Liesegang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterhurenstrasse 270, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - G P J Janssens
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Eckhardt OHO, Horta FC, Parazzi LJ, Afonso ER, Martins SMMK, Santo TAD, Barros FRO, Freitas JE, Rennó FP, Visintin JA, Moretti AS. Differences in maternal plane of nutrition and body condition during late gestation coupled with estrus synchronization at weaning do not result in differences in embryonic development at 4 days of gestation. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:3436-44. [PMID: 23658362 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary energy in late pregnancy and hormone therapy at weaning on plasma metabolite profile, litter performance, reproductive parameters, and embryo viability in the second pregnancy. A total of 23 first-parity sows at 75 d of pregnancy were randomly allocated to 4 treatments. Treatments were factorial (2 × 2) combinations of 2 nutritional strategies [standard-energy feed (SEF) and high-energy feed (HEF)] and 2 hormone therapies [600 IU eCG and 2.5 mg swine LH 72 h later (HO) and no hormone (WH)]. Sows were weighed weekly from 75 d of pregnancy until 3 d before farrowing; 1 d after farrowing; 7, 14, and 21 d into lactation; and at weaning. Back fat (BF) was measured at 75 d of pregnancy, 3 d before farrowing, and at weaning. Average daily gain and ADFI were also calculated. Plasma metabolites were analyzed after 82, 89, 96, and 103 d of pregnancy, at farrowing, and after 7, 14, and 21 d of lactation. Embryo viability was assessed after 4.55 d of second pregnancy. During pregnancy, HEF-treated sows displayed greater BW (P < 0.05) compared with SEF-treated females, but no differences were observed during lactation. There were no differences in BW of the piglets caused by the treatments. High-energy-treated females showed superior BF (P > 0.05) in all periods; however, significant differences were detected only at the prefarrowing measurement (P < 0.05). No differences in ADFI were observed during lactation. The SEF group showed positive ADG, whereas the HEF group showed negative ADG (0.216 vs. -0.266 kg/d for SEF and HEF, respectively; P < 0.05). High-energy-treated sows presented greater concentrations of total cholesterol after 89 and 103 d of pregnancy and greater concentrations of high-density lipid cholesterol (HDL) after 89 and 96 d. At farrowing and 14 and 21 d of lactation, NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the HEF group. After hormone treatment, no differences were observed on weaning-to-estrus intervals and estrus duration. Greater mobilization of body reserves observed in the HEF group during lactation did not affect reproductive performance negatively, suggesting that metabolic status was adequate for the first lactational catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- O H O Eckhardt
- Laboratory of Swine Research, Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Duque de Caxias Norte, 225 Campus da USP, 13635-900, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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Embryo survival, progesterone profiles and metabolic responses to an increased feeding level during second gestation in sows. Theriogenology 2012; 77:1557-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Hoving LL, Soede NM, Feitsma H, Kemp B. Lactation Weight Loss in Primiparous Sows: Consequences for Embryo Survival and Progesterone and Relations with Metabolic Profiles. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 47:1009-16. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Leptin in sow: Influence on the resumption of cycle activity after weaning and on the piglet gain. Livest Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2009.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Park MS, Yang YX, Choi JY, Yoon SY, Ahn SS, Lee SH, Yang BK, Lee JK, Chae BJ. Effects of dietary fat inclusion at two energy levels on reproductive performance, milk compositions and blood profiles in lactating sows. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/09064700802400803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hultén F, Valros A, Rundgren M, Einarsson S. Reproductive endocrinology and postweaning performance in the multiparous sow. Part 2. Influence of nursing behavior. Theriogenology 2002; 58:1519-30. [PMID: 12374122 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01060-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The reason for variation in postweaning reproductive performance among multiparous sows is to a large extent unknown. In the present study, the influence of nursing behavior was explored. Blood samples were collected during lactation and after weaning from 18 multiparous sows for cortisol, LH, estradiol-17beta (E2), and progesterone analysis. Sow and piglet behavior was videotaped. The sows were fed according to litter size and slaughtered after the second postweaning estrus. The sows were divided into two groups based on average values for the different behavioral parameters. Sows with a long average nursing duration (long group) had lower average and basal LH levels on Day 14 and 21 of lactation as compared to the sows having a short average nursing duration (short group). In the long group, concentrations of E2 were lower the day after weaning, but on Day 15 and 21 of lactation no differences were noted between the two groups. Postweaning performance seemed impaired in the long group, though, differences were not significant. The sows in the long group were heavier and tended to lose less weight during lactation. To conclude, nursing duration seems to influence the extent to which reproductive functions are inhibited during lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Hultén
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre of Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
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