The effect of superovulation and different feed protein levels on sow reproductive performance

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of superovulation and different feed protein levels before mating on sow reproductive performance. Eighteen gilts weighted 100-107 kg were used in this study. There were two types of hormones used for superovulation agents in this study, namely PMSG (Folligon, Intervet, North-Holland) and hCG (Chorulon, Intervet, North-Holland). Meanwhile, prostaglandins (Prosolvin, Intervet, North-Holland) was used to synchronized estrus. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design with a factorial model of 2×3, whereas the first treatment factor was the superovulation hormone PMSG + hCG with two levels, namely zero injection of hormones (as a control) and hormone injections; and the second treatment factor was the level of feed protein with three levels of administration, namely: 14%, 16% and 18% level of feed protein, respectively. Each treatment combination was repeated 3 (three) times. The variables observed were the gestation period of the sow, the weight of sow at the end of pregnancy, and the birth litter size. The results showed that the treatment had a significant effect on the gestation period of sows and its body weight at the end of gestation, but there was no significant difference in the litter size of birth. It is concluded, the reproductive performance of sows through superovulation and feed protein level before mating, were able to shorten the length of gestation, improve the bodyweight of pregnant sows and litter size born.