An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of CP intake during gestation on productive and reproductive performance of pregnant sows of 4th or 5th parturition orders. A total of 25 crossbred sows averaging 189.0±16.46 kg at 4th parity order was allotted to a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments (10, 13.5, and 17% of CP) and 18, 15 and 12 replicates, and each sow was considered an experimental unit. No treatment effects on sow weight gain from mating to 110 days of gestation and from mating to parity, on weights at parity and weaning, backfat thickness gain during gestation and backfat thickness loss during lactation were observed. The dietary CP level of 13.5% provided the best energetic balance for sows, the highest number of piglets born alive, the highest average piglet weight at weaning, the highest litter weight at parity and weaning and the highest litter average daily weight gains. The energetic balance in the productive process was more efficient in sows fed diets with 13.5% of CP. The best dietary CP level for sows of 4th or 5th parity orders in the gestation is of 13.5%, that is correspondent to a daily intake of 312 g of CP.
energetic efficiency; estrus; lactation; litter; reproduction; weaning
