Supplemental Vitamin E: A Requirement for Optimizing Fecundity Rates and Litter Size in Sows

A total of 60 Large White gilts were randomly allotted to three groups (20 gilts per group) from coitus to lactation phases over a two-parity period to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E on fecundity rates and litter size of sows. Each of the three dietary vitamin E treatment combinations involved 0, 40 or 70 IU per kg of dl-I±-tocopheryl acetate per kg of diet, and parity 1 and 2. Sow serum I±-tocopherol and Selenium (Se) were collected on the 30th d post coitum, 99th d of gestation and 21st d of lactation. Serum I±-tocopherol and Se were collected from piglets at 1 d post birth and 21 d weaning age. Data relating to sow fecundity and litter size were also recorded. Results indicated that body weights and body weight gains of sows and their litters increased significantly (P Key Words: dl- I±-tocopheryl acetate, farrowing interval, litter size, non-return rate, pigs Abbreviations: BW – body weight, IU – international unit