Beneficial effects of a decreased meal frequency on nutrient utilization, secretion of luteinizing hormones and ovarian follicular development in gilts

Abstract Background Replacement gilts are typically fed ad libitum , whereas emerging evidence from human and rodent studies has revealed that time-restricted access to food health benefits. The objective of this study was investigate the effect meal frequency on metabolic status ovarian follicular development in gilts. Methods A total 36 (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an age 150±3 d a body weight 77.6±3.8 kg were randomly allocated into one three groups ( n = 12 each group), based group allocation, at (T1), two meals (T2), or six per day (T6) for 14 consecutive weeks. effects growth preference, nutrient utilization, short-chain fatty acid production by gut microbial, post-meal dynamics status, reproductive hormone secretions, measured. Results T1 presented higher average daily gain (+ 48 g/d, P < 0.05) 4.9 kg, than those T6 group. had no apparent digestibility dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, gross energy, exception exhibited greater NDF 0.05). nitrogen balance analysis decreased urine excretion (? 8.17 retention 9.81 0.05), thus utilization time-course glucose, ?-amino nitrogen, urea, lactate, insulin levels serum nutrients after T2 also acetate content SCFAs feces age, backfat thickness first estrous expression not affected frequency, but luteinizing 18th 3rd estrus cycle 17?-estradiol, larger number growing follicles corpora lutea, mRNA genes related 19th cycle. Conclusions current findings benefits lower equal feed intake function replacement gilts, provide new insights nutritional strategy dietary pattern other mammals, such as humans.