Impact of feeding regimen on 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 < .05) and thus seemed to expend more energy. Further, daily-fed sows exhibited higher levels of mouth-based activities (i.e., sham chewing, licking, appetitive and consummatory feeding behavior, and excess drinking) than sows restricted to consumption of one large meal every 3rd d. These indicators suggest that feeding motivation significantly affected overall performance of sows. This study emphasizes the need for evaluating the impact of feeding regimens and meal size on feeding motivation and, ultimately, on the well-being of the gestating sows.