Fifty four cyclic gilts were randomly selected and uniformized according to genetic background, litter of origin, weight gain, backfat, number of cycles and clinical score. Gilts were alloted to one of two groups fed isocaloric, isoproteic and isolysinic diets. Two energy sources were tested: corn starch (T1) and soybean oil (T2). Second estrus was synchronized with oral allyl-trenbolone, so that insemination was carried out at third estrus. Indweeling catheters were implanted by non-surgical technic in 21 gilts, which were submitted to consecutive blood samplings for glicose and insulin determination. Timing of ovulation was estimated by means of ultrasonography. All gilts were slaughtered at an average gestation lenght of 28.6 days. Starch-fed gilts (T1) showed higher ovulation rates than T2 gilts (16.52 vs 14.70; P<0.01). There was no effect of treatments on pregnancy rate and embryo survival. Results indicate it is possible to manipulate reproductive efficiency through diet even in anabolic experimental models like cyclic gilts. Feeding starch as main energy source during pre-mating flushing phase improved reproductive efficiency of cyclic gilts.
gilts; insulin; energy; flushing
