Effects of birth weight on puberty and the reproductive performance of crossbred Moo Lath x Duroc gilts

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the birth weight of crossbred Moo Lath x Duroc (CMD) gilts on their puberty and first mating age, including the body condition and morphology. The litter size and birth weight of their offspring were also evaluated. Eighteen (18) CMD gilts were selected after weaning and kept in an individual pen 1.5 x 2 x 1 m after puberty. The gilts were grouped into three groups based on birth weight: groups A, B, and C (with <0.7, ≥0.7−0.9≤, and >0.9 kg, respectively). 15 mature purebred Moo Lath (PML) gilts reared by farmers were also involved in this study to compare the morphology between the CMD and PML at first mating. There was no difference in the age and body weight of CMD gilts at puberty and first mating among the studied groups. However, the gilts in group A showed a lower mean age at puberty, and marginally lighter body weight than those in groups B and C. Birth weight showed a significant influence on the backfat thickness at puberty and first mating ( P <0.039 and 0.031). The CMD gilts could have their first mating at 193 days, that is at their 3 rd and 4 th estrous cycle, with approximately 40 kg of body weight, 38 mm of backfat thickness, 90 cm of heart girth, 100 cm of body length, and 51 cm height at wither. The CMD gilts’ birth weight did not influence their litter size, but influenced their offspring’s birth weight.