ENHANCEMENT OF SOW MOTHERING ABILITY TRAITS, SUCKLING PIG PERFORMANCE AND LIVABILITY USING EXOGENOUS INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 (IGF-1)

Abstract

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is important in growth and development of animals. This study demonstrated the effects of dietary IGF-1 supplementation to sow udder morphometry, which impacts sow mothering ability. Twenty gilts bred in two batches were assigned to control or treatment diet (supplemented with exogenous IGF-1 at 50 g/50 kg of feeds) from day 1 of gestation to day 30 of lactation. Sow udder morphometric traits like teat diameter (DIA), teat length (LEN), same row adjacent teat distance (SAM), opposite row adjacent teat distance (OPR) and teat tip to floor distance (FLO) were measured from each sow during pre-breeding, post-breeding and post-farrowing stages. Strong relationship between LEN and DIA was observed during the post-breeding and post-farrowing. A higher (P ≤ 0.01) IgG concentration was seen in sows given IGF-1 supplementation, indicating a positive effect of IGF-1 on colostrum quality. Moreover, data obtained on the average litter weaning weight, ADG, and diarrhea incidence in piglets were different (P ≤ 0.01) between control and treatment groups, where piglets nursed by treated sows demonstrated better performance. Results of this study showed that dietary supplementation of IGF-1 improved sow mothering ability, which positively affected suckling pig performance.