Effects of photoperiods on the reproductive performance of sows
1997
Tanaka, T. (Azabu Univ., Sagamihara, Kanagawa (Japan). Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) | Ito, K. | Tanida, H. | Yoshimoto, T.
The objective of the present study was to clarify the effects of photoperiods on the reproductive performance of sows. Three hundred and fifty-five hybrid sows were divided into 3 groups. They were reared in individual farrowing pens and exposed to 1 h (1L), 8 h (8L) or 16 h (16L) of light per day. The litter size and the number of weanlings were not affected by the photoperiod. However, the mean weight of weanlings and the return to estrus in sows improved with the reduction of the photoperiod (P0.01 and P0.05, respectively). The time spent nursing in the 1L group was significantly longer than in the 8L and 16L groups (P0.05). These results show that a short photoperiod provides a small benefit for sow and litter performance
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