Short and long term effects of protein nutrition on reproduction in gilts

Selection for carcass leanness in pig breeding schemes has promoted lean tissue growth rate whilst reducing body fat stores and appetite. Dietary protein restriction has been proposed as a way to enhance body fat reserves in the breeding animal. However, protein restriction during gilt rearing has been shown to adversely affect reproductive performance (Cia et al., 1996). The aim of this study was to test the effect of short term elevation of dietary protein prior to ovulation in gilts reared on restricted protein, to determine whether short term improvement in metabolic state could reverse these detrimental effects.