Impact of metabolic status of sows around the farrowing on stillbirth, pre-weaning mortality and as diagnostic tools of the metabolic state of lactating sows

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The general purpose of this project is to study metabolic status of sows and nutritional strategy around the**farrowing on lactating sow performances. Specifically, the objectives are 1- to evaluate the effect of dietary**strategy on incidence of stillbirth in relation with duration of farrowing and birth interval; 2- to determine the**relationship between the metabolic status of the lactating sow before and after farrowing as well as during**lactation, and the growth of the litter during lactation, feed intake of lactating sows and reproductive**performance at the next litter; 3- to develop a model from metabolic status and body parameters of sows to**predict feed intake, litter growth and reproductive performance at the next litter. In fact, even if it is known that**feed intake of lactating sows can affect their litter performances and long-term reproductive performances, the**effect of metabolic status (lipid and protein mobilisation and glucose utilization) of sows on the feed intake are**not clearly known. The pre-farrowing conditions of sows, like over fat deposition and constipation, are known**to affect farrowing process, and stillbirth and alive piglets per litter, but other factors, as calcium status, which**could affect uterine contraction and then dystocia, may be determining in farrowing process and then piglet**survival around the farrowing. The results obtained in this project will have a short and long-term impact on**sow performances, including a reducing stillbirth, better piglet survival and litter growth. This project will also**open several areas of investigation that will allow to understand the underlying control mechanisms of feed**intake in lactating sows, which is a determining factors of litter performances and long-term reproductive**performances. Finally, by developing new predicting model this project will contribute to using more**efficiently farm resources and develop farming techniques to maintain the competitiveness of Canadian swine**industry.