Effect of supplemental copper proteinate on reproductive performance of first- and second-parity sows

Abstract

The effects of copper supplementation in the form of copper proteinate (CuP) on sow reproductive performance were determined. In Trial 1, 140 parity-1 and parity-2 sows received basal (B) or CuP treatment from day 108 of gestation through day 14 after weaning. Each CuP-fed sow received daily 40 g dried molasses that contained 0.32% CuP, which supplied 14 mg d-1 Cu as CuP; B-fed sows received no dried molasses. After weaning, sows were housed in large breeding pens (3.6 m × 6.6 m). Weaning-to-estrus interval was shorter (P < 0.05) and percentage bred by day 7 postweaning was greater (P < 0.05) for CuP-fed than for B-fed sows. Trials 2 and 3 used 110 and 56 parity-1 sows, respectively. Treatments (40 g of dried molasses, B, or 40 g of CuP-supplemented dried molasses, which provided 14 mg d-1 Cu) were administered from day of farrowing to day 7 postweaning. Weaned sows were housed in small breeding pens (2.4 m × 3.6 m) in Trial 2, and in large pens (the same as used in Trial 1) in Trial 3. No treatment differences (P ≥ 0.48) were detected in Trial 2. In Trial 3, CuP supplementation tended to increase (P = 0.09) percentage of sows bred by day 7 postweaning. In conclusion, supplemental Cu as CuP fed to sows housed in large breeding pens can increase the percentage bred by day 7 postweaning. Key words: Copper proteinate, reproductive performance, sows