Effects of energy source in the diet on reproductive hormones and insulin during lactation and subsequent estrus in multiparous sows.

Two experiments were performed. The first experiment was done to study the effects of dietary energy source on plasma insulin concentration using five gilts in a Latin square design with two diets over two periods. The diets contained either 200 g/kg of cornstarch (Starch) or soybean oil (Fat) as energy sources. Results indicate that insulin response was greater in the Starch-fed than in the Fat-fed gilts. A second experiment was performed in which 18 multiparous sows were fed one of the two experimental diets from farrowing until slaughter at d 35 of subsequent pregnancy. All sows nursed nine pigs. Blood samples were taken from a permanent jugular vein catheter every 12 min during a 12-h period on d 109 +/- 1 of pregnancy, on d 7 +/- 1, 14 +/- 1, and 21 +/- 1 of lactation, and on the day of weaning ( d 22 +/- 1). From 48 h after weaning, blood samples were taken every 4 h until 24 h after ovulation. After that, blood samples were taken at 12-h intervals until d 10 after ovulation. Differences between diets in insulin response were not significant. In Starch-fed sows, LH pulsatility at d 7 of lactation was greater (P < .05), the preovulatory LH surge was greater ( P < .05), and progesterone production was greater (P < .05) from 108 h until 256 h after the LH surge than in the Fat-fed sows. Results indicate that feeding Starch-rich diets to multiparous sows compared with Fat-rich diets, on an isocaloric basis, increases LH pulsatility during early lactation, the preovulatory LH surge, and progesterone production after the LH surge.