Metabolic and Reproductive Responses to Peripartum Feed Supplementation in Hyperprolific Gilts

A nutritional supplement was formulated for hyperprolific gilts to support metabolic adaptation and reproductive performance during the peripartum period. A total of 126 gilts were randomly assigned to a control (C) or a treatment (T) group. Control gilts received standard commercial diets, whereas treatment gilts received the same diets supplemented during the last 35 days of gestation and the first 5 days of lactation. The multi-nutrient supplement contained calcium (Ca; 4.1%), sodium (Na; 4.0%), lysine (Lys; 1.96%), methionine (Met; 1.32%), vitamin B₁₂ (0.3 mg/kg), choline chloride (600 mg/kg), betaine (475 mg/kg), and L-carnitine (500 mg/kg). The treatment group showed a reduction in stillbirth rate (p = 0.001), a lower incidence of neonatal diarrhea (p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of postpartum hypophagia (p = 0.014). In addition, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and creatinine (CREA) concentrations at day 107 of gestation were significantly lower in the T group (p < 0.001). Higher piglet body weight at birth (p = 0.011) and at 15 days of lactation (p < 0.001), as well as greater maternal backfat thickness and longissimus muscle depth at 26 days of lactation (p < 0.001), were also observed in supplemented gilts. More-over, hypophagia was associated with elevated BHBA concentrations (p < 0.001), whereas neona-tal diarrhea was associated with higher BHBA (p = 0.001) and CREA (p = 0.005) concentrations. Overall, peripartum multi-nutrient supplementation could represent a practical nutritional strategy to support reproductive efficiency and early litter performance in hyperprolific gilts.