ABSTRACT

Twelve mature guts of approximately 7-8 months of age with an average body weight of 118.58 kg were used to determine the effects of selenium and vitamin E (tocopherol) on the performance of lactating sows. The treatments were designated T1, T2and T3consisting of control, selenium and vitamin E supplemented diets, respectively. Four guts were allocated to each of the treatments. Results of milk composition during the eight weeks of lactation showed that differences in total solids were significant (P<0.05) in week I and 2 with T3(12.59%) being higher than T2(11.13%) and T1(1 1.03%) in week 1. In week 2, total solids of T3and T2were higher than the control (Ti). Percent ash showed significant (P<0.05) differences in weeks 1 and 8 with T1(0.97) being higher than T2(0.85 %) and T3(0.82%) in week 1 while in week 8 T and T2were lower than T3. Milk protein showed significant P<0.05) differences in week 4, 5, 6 and 7 with T3being higher in most cases. For the butterfat, results showed significant (P<O.05) differences in weeks 1, 2, 3 and 8 only; solids-not-fats showed significant (P<0.05) differences in week 8 only; lactose showed significant (P<O.05) differences in weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7; and water showed significant (P<0.05) difference in week 1 only. For blood, only, PCV, and creatinine only at the first time of collection (before mating) showed significant (P<0.05) differences. For results of performance characteristics, only weight at 1 month of gestation showed significant (P<0.05) difference. On the weeldy body weights of piglets, only week 8 showed significant (P<0.05) differences. In conclusion, inclusion of selenium and vitamin E generally improved milk meant for the piglets. The haematological and biochemical constituents were within the normal range for sows an indication that there was no muscle waste and they did not survive at the expense of body reserves. There was large litter size at birth (7.75, 6.25 and 5.75 for selenium, vitamin E and control group respectively) low pre-weaning mortality (23.90%, 18.20% and 3 1.54%) and high litter size at weaning (5.75, 5.25 and 4.00) for the groups. On the weekly body weight of piglets, they gained appreciable weight throughout the lactation period. Since pork meat has started gaining popularity, it is recommended to farmers that selenium and vitamin F be included in sows diets to raise piglets that will reach market size within the shortest period.