The impact of essential fatty acid ratios and unsaturated to saturated fat ratio on growth performance of grow-finish pigs and estrus detection of gilts

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects dietary unsaturated and saturated fat ratio (U:S) linoleic linolenic acid (LA:ALA) on growth performance grow-finish pigs estrus detection gilts. A total 240 with initial body weight (BW) 54.4 ±5.5 kg were randomly assigned a high (>1.8; HUS) or low (<1.0; LUS) U:S in combination (20:1), moderate (12:1) (4:1) LA:ALA 3 ×2 factorial arrangement. Dietary ratios achieved using blends choice white grease, beef tallow, corn oil, flaxseed palm kernel oil. Diets fed across three phases balanced for energy acid. Pigs housed 60 pens either four gilts barrows per pen. On day 49, one gilt pen moved individual housing at approximately 154 days age evaluation reproductive characteristics. Data analyzed as repeated measures PROC MIXED (SAS 9.4; SAS Inst., Cary, NC) experimental unit U:S, LA:ALA, sex, their interactions fixed effects. Initial BW fit covariate. Within each phase, there no differences BW, daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) efficiency (G:F) interaction when averaged sex (P ≥0.128). Gilt improved during second phase compared barrows; however, not different between first third phases; resulting similar sexes overall period = 0.523). Compared HUS, receiving LUS had higher ADFI 0.018), which translated into G:F HUS 0.011). Overall, 20:1 diet tended have 12:1 0.086). Average diets formulated sources regardless sex. Detection by 235 impacted ≥0.356). In conclusion, feeding differing impacts growing pigs, particularly improving LA:ALA. Further investigation physiological mechanisms differentially affecting varying is warranted understand impact outcomes.