Respostas produtivas e reprodutivas de um aditivo imunomodulador na alimentação de marrãs durante o flushing

Abstract

Genetic improvement combined with stress-related challenges in swine production interferes with body condition, which may impair immunity and reproduction in gilts. The objective of the present study was to estimate productive and reproductive responses of gilts fed an immunomodulatory protein concentrate during the flushing period. A total of 196 gilts at the second estrus were used and distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial design, divided into two groups (light and heavy) and two treatments (0 and 40 g/day of immunomodulatory protein concentrate), followed by a multivariate analysis to form three new groups (C1, C2, and C3). Data on productive and reproductive performance, as well as metabolic and hormonal parameters, were collected and subjected to analysis of variance, adopting a significance level of 5%. There was no difference (P>0.05) among groups and treatments in productive and reproductive performance. Backfat thickness of gilts in both groups decreased during the gestation period (P<0.05). Gilts fed immunomodulators showed no difference (P>0.05) in metabolic and hormonal parameters. Diets containing an immunomodulatory additive do not alter the productive and reproductive responses of gilts during the flushing period.