2009 Univ of NE Swine Report- Effect of Dam Parity on Litter Performance

Preliminary experiments (reported in the 2008 Nebraska Swine Report) suggest that progeny health status may be affected by dam parity. However, the preliminary experiments only included a small population of sows and their progeny. Therefore, the objective of the current experiment was to evaluate litter performance and the production and passive transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) in dams (P1 vs. P4) and their progeny. Litter birth weight tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for P4 progeny compared to P1 progeny. No effects of dam parity were observed on circulating Ig in dams during gestation or at parturition. How- ever, concentrations of IgA tended (P < 0.09) to be greater for P4 sows compared to P1 gilts in samples of colostrum and milk and serum IgG concentrations were greater (P < 0.02) for P4 progeny com- pared to P1 progeny across all preweaning samples. These results suggest that litter performance and health status may be affected by dam parity.