Influence of the number of piglets born on the composition of sow's colostrum milked immediately after parturition

Abstract

On determination of the content of the first colostrum of 37 Hungarian Large White xDutch Landrace sows with respect to dry matter, total protein, whey protein, casein, non-protein nitrogen, ash and macro- and microelements (potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese) it was established that most of the components examined were present in the highest concentrations where litter size was around 10 to 12, and that a decrease or an increase in litter size is accompanied by a decrease in the concentrations of the components studied. The changes, following a maximum curve dependent on litter size, observed in the concentration of these components are attributed partly to the effect of placental lactogen (in the section of the curve indicating increase), and partly to physiological overburden on the mother (in that indicating decrease).