Impact of increased vitamin E and nutrient intake during early gestation on reproductive performance in sows

This study investigated the impact of increased vitamin E and nutrient intake during early gestation on reproductive performance in sows. Thirty first-parity sows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average initial body weight of 163 kg were used. Sows were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in early gestation and fed one of three diets for 30 days: 1) 1.5 kg of a standard feed per day, 2) 1.5 kg of a feed containing 1.7× the vitamin and mineral content of the standard feed and a total vitamin E content of 150 IU per day, or 3) 2.5 kg of the standard feed per day. Water was provided ad libitum, and ten individually housed sows were assigned to each treatment. Data on body weight, backfat thickness, body condition score, and wean-to-oestrus interval were collected. Piglet data collected included the litter size, number of stillbirths, piglet birthweight, number of piglets weaned, and piglet weaning weight. Sows in treatment 3 had the highest body weight, backfat thickness, and body condition score on day 30 of gestation. Sows in treatment 2 had the lowest body weight, backfat thickness, and body condition score at weaning, but had the highest litter size and number of weaned piglets. Treatment 1 sows produced piglets with the highest average birth and weaning weights. It was concluded that a low intake of a feed containing 1.7× the vitamin and mineral content during early gestation can improve sow reproductive performance, particularly litter size, thereby enhancing profitability in pig production.


(Submitted 26 September 2025; Accepted 5 April 2026; Published 04 May 2026)