Abstract: The Importance of Optimal Body Condition to Maximize Reproductive Health and Perinatal Outcomes in Pigs

Abstract: The importance of optimal body condition to maximize reproductive health and perinatal outcomes in pigs

Overnutrition or undernutrition during all or part of the reproductive cycle predisposes sows to metabolic consequences and poor reproductive health which contributes to a decrease in sow longevity and an increase in perinatal mortality. This represents not only an economic problem for the pig industry but also results in poor animal welfare. To maximize profitability and increase sustainability in pig production; it is pivotal to provide researchers and practitioners with synthesized information about the repercussions of maternal obesity or malnutrition on reproductive health and perinatal outcomes; and to pinpoint currently available nutritional managements to keep sows' body condition in an optimal range. Thus, the present review summarizes recent work on the consequences of maternal malnutrition and highlights new findings.