Energy intake, body composition and reproductive performance of the gilt

The relationship between age, live weight, body composition and energy status on the onset and maintenance of reproductive activity in females is reviewed. When possible, swine studies have been employed, although, of necessity, much data are drawn from other species. The relationship between age, weight and puberty is controversial. However, from the available data we conclude that neither age nor weight are reliable indices of reproductive development, but that minimum threshold values for these characteristics must be achieved before puberty can occur. Human data provides a strong indication that a minimum adipose to lean tissue ratio is a prerequisite for puberty onset. Limited data from swine support this contention and indeed it may be a superior measure of reproductive development than either age or weight. However, the value of this ratio remains to be defined in pigs, and again it is minimum threshold level, the attainment of which is necessary, but not in itself sufficient, for puberty onset. A positive energy balance seems to be necessary for puberty onset and the maintenance of estrous cycles in some species, but this has not been investigated in swine. The mechanisms whereby adiposity and energy status influences reproduction are discussed. Human studies demonstrate a negative correlation between energy status, body fatness and plasma gonadotrophin levels. Also, adipose tissue has the ability to metabolize sex steroids, aromatizing androgens to estrogens and changing the direction of estrogen metabolism to produce more or less biologically potent estrogens.