RT Journal Article
T1 The Use of Precision Feeding During the Lactation of a Traditional Breed, Iberian Pig, Improves Maternal Nutritional Status and Offspring Performance
A1 Aparicio-Arnay, María
A1 Gonzalez-Bulnes, Antonio
A1 Yeste-Vizcaino, Natalia
A1 Piñeiro, Carlos
A1 Isabel Redondo, Beatriz
AB The present study evaluated the impact of precision feeding using Electronic Sow Feeders (ESFs) during lactation on the nutritional status of Iberian sows and the performance of their offspring under intensive farming conditions. Fifty-three second-parity Iberian sows were assigned to three feeding systems: ESFs (PF), feeding ball (FB), and conventional feeders (CON). Results showed that PF sows had a significantly lower feed disappearance, without affecting body weight and condition, when compared to FB and CON groups (p < 0.05). Although milk yield did not differ significantly among groups, PF piglets exhibited higher weaning weights and average daily weight gains (ADWG), particularly during the second half of lactation (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Metabolic profiling revealed an improved glucose and lipid homeostasis in PF sows, with lower Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFAs) levels and more favorable cholesterol profiles (p < 0.05 for all). No remarkable differences were observed in welfare biomarkers (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase) among treatments. These findings suggest that precision feeding enhances feed efficiency, stabilizes maternal metabolism, and improves piglet growth in traditional swine breeds (“fatty pigs”) like the Iberian pig, offering a sustainable strategy for intensifying production without compromising animal welfare.
PB MDPI
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/130821
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/130821
LA eng
NO Aparicio-Arnay, M., Gonzalez-Bulnes, A., Yeste-Vizcaino, N., Piñeiro, C., & Isabel, B. (2026). The Use of Precision Feeding During the Lactation of a Traditional Breed, Iberian Pig, Improves Maternal Nutritional Status and Offspring Performance. Biology, 15(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010033
NO Contribución de autores:Conceptualization: M.A.-A., A.G.-B., N.Y.-V., C.P. and B.I.; methodology, M.A.-A., A.G.-B. and N.Y.-V.; formal analysis, M.A.-A., A.G.-B. and N.Y.-V.; investigation, M.A.-A., A.G.-B., N.Y.-V., C.P. and B.I.; writing—original draft preparation, M.A.-A. and A.G.-B.; writing—review and editing, N.Y.-V., C.P. and B.I. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
NO European Commission
NO Instituto para la Competitividad Empresarial de Castilla y León
DS Docta Complutense
RD 26 feb 2026