Effect of level of dietary calcium-phosphorus during growth and gestation on calcium-phosphorus balance and reproductive performance of first-litter sows.
Twenty-four bred gilts were used in a Ca-P metabolism trial. Twelve gilts were fed gestation treatment A (13 g Ca, 10 g/day), while the other 12 were fed gestation treatment B (19.5 g Ca. 15 g P/day). One-half of the gilts in each treatment group were fed .65% Ca, .50% P from 7 to 94 kg, and half were fed .975% Ca, .75% P for the same period. Treatment B gilts excreted more (P less than .005) fecal and urinary P. Twenty-four first litter sows fed the same treatment diets during growth and gestation and given .75% Ca, .50% P during lactation were used in a Ca and P balance trial conducted from day 38 to 42 of lactation. No difference in fecal, urinary or milk Ca or P were noted between sows fed the different diets during growth or gestation. A higher (P less than .05) value for Ca balance during lactation was observed for sows fed treatment diet B during gestation than for those fed gestation diet A. There were growth treatment x gestation treatment interactions (P less than .05) for both Ca and P balance. No differences were noted in total pigs farrowed, total pigs farrowed alive, average weaning weight or number of pigs weaned. Birth weights were higher (P less than .05) for pigs from sows fed diet B during gestation than for pigs from sows fed diet. A. Pre- and postfarrowing weights, weaned sow weight and lactation gain were similar regardless of treatment fed during growth or gestation.