Postpartum hypophagia in primiparous sows. I. Effects of gestation feeding level on feed intake, feeding behavior, and plasma metabolite concentrations during lactation

To investigate the relationship between feeding level during gestation and voluntary feed intake, feeding behavior, and plasma metabolite levels during lactation, 18 crossbred, primiparous sows were assigned to two dietary treatments. From d 60 of gestation until farrowing, sows were fed either a standard level of feed (SL; 1.85 kg/d) or were allowed ad libitum (AL) access to feed. During a 28-d lactation all sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed. Eight SL and seven AL sows completed the experiment. Feed intake was measured daily during the final 40 d of gestation and throughout lactation. On d 105 of gestation and d 1, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation, feeding behavior was observed and blood samples were collected via indwelling catheters. Plasma was analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, glucose, and alpha-amino N. During gestation AL sows ate more feed than did SL sows. This increased intake was balanced by reduced feed intake during lactation, when AL sows ate less than SL sows (P 0.001). The AL sows gained more weight during gestation (P 0.001) and lost more weight during lactation (P 0.005) than did the SL sows. Feed intake and weight change during gestation and lactation combined were not different between treatments (P