Characteristics of sows' milk and piglet nutrient utilization during a 28-d lactation period

The present study aimed to characterize the performance of suckling piglets from high prolific sows and investigate the impact of milk composition on piglet growth during a 4-wk lactation period. Piglet performance included weight gain (WG), milk intake, nutrients and energy in milk, and piglet energy metabolism in weeks 1 to 4 of lactation. Data from six previous experiments were used with a total of 2,047 piglets and 604 milk samples collected from 151 sows. Piglet body weight linearly increased (P < 0.001) as lactation progressed, with the piglet WG being low in week 1 (132 g/d) and relatively constant from weeks 2 to 4 (248 g/d; P < 0.001). The metabolizable energy (ME) intake of the piglets increased (P < 0.001) from weeks 1 to 3; however, with lower values in week 4 than for week 3. The heat energy production and energy required for maintenance (MEm) linearly increased (P < 0.001) from weeks 1 to 4. In addition, the retained energy and ME to MEm ratio only increased from weeks 1 to 2 (P < 0.001) and then declined through week 4. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relations between the milk nutrient composition and the WG in weeks 1 to 4. The results showed that WG was negatively correlated with the milk protein concentration at all stages of lactation (P < 0.001). In contrast, the WG was positively correlated with milk fat and lactose concentrations in weeks 2 and 4, respectively (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the stage of lactation influenced WG, milk intake, nutrients in milk, energy in milk, and the energy metabolism of the suckling piglets. Moreover, maximizing milk protein concentration does not optimize piglet growth. Lay Summary The manuscript reviews the results of six experiments with high-performing lactating sows. Different variables in sow's milk, which influence the performance of suckling piglets during lactation, have been examined. Many factors influence the content of macronutrients in sow's milk, hence the potential growth of suckling piglets. This study evaluates the effects of lactation stage, milk intake, nutrients in milk, energy in milk, and the energy metabolism of suckling piglets.

Automated summary

The present study aimed to characterize the performance of suckling piglets from high prolific sows and investigate the impact of milk composition on piglet growth during a 4-wk lactation period. The results showed that the stage of lactation influenced piglet growth, milk intake, nutrients in milk, energy in milk, and the energy metabolism of the suckling piglets. Moreover, maximizing milk protein concentration does not optimize piglet growth.