Effect of initial breeding weight on macro- and micromineral composition over a three-parity period using a...

A total of 36 high-producing F1 (Landrace x Yorkshire) gilts and sows were used to determine total body minerals as influenced by initial breeding weight, age, and reproductive state. Four gilts at 9 mo of age were killed at 120, 135, or 150 kg BW for the determination of total body ash and minerals. An additional two gilts from each weight group were maintained in a nonpregnant state until 24 mo of age and then killed, and six sows from each breeding weight group were killed after completing three reproductive cycles (i.e., 24 mo of age). Total body minerals were quantified from the mineral analysis of all body components, including blood. The mineral spectrum of 25 elements was determined by the Inductively Coupled Plasma spectroscopic method. The results suggested that as BW increased at 9 mo of age, P, K, Na, and Cu contents seemed to reach a plateau at 135 kg BW, whereas Ca increased. Non-pregnant gilts at 24 mo of age had higher (P < .01) body mineral contents than at 9 mo and Ca, P, Mg, K, and Na linearly increased (P < .01) as body weight increased in the older gilts. When sows had completed three reproductive cycles, Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Al, Zn, and Cu contents were lower (P < .01) than those in similarly aged, nongravid gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)