Impact of feeding regimen of behavioral and physiological indicators for feeding motivation and satiety, immune function, and performance of gestating sows

The effect of daily or interval (every 3 d) feeding on body weight change, blood glucose and cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations, immune function, and behavioral activity were determined during the gestation period of sows. Sows were fed a corn-soybean meal diet either 2 kg daily or 6 kg once every 3rd d (interval). Body weight changes for the 42-d trial period were not different (P > .05) between regimens. Blood glucose concentrations were similar before feeding (P > .05). Two hours after feeding, glucose concentrations increased in interval-fed sows but not in daily-fed sows (P < .05). Premeal plasma CCK concentrations were greater for daily-fed sows than for interval-fed sows (P < .05). The CCK concentrations in sows of both regimens increased after feeding above premeal levels (P < .05), and interval-fed sows exhibited higher concentrations than daily-fed sows ( P < .05). Immune function as evaluated through mitogen-induced proliferation of T cells was greater in daily-fed sows than in interval-fed sows (P < .05). Daily-fed sows were more active overall and on any given day than interval-fed sows (P