This experiment deteremined whether the feed intake during lactation was related to the reactivity of the sow during gestation and plasma Trp and cortisol concentrations. This test allowed the selection of 12 reactive (R) and 8 nonreactive (NR) sows for the study. It was found that the NR sows were less reactive to human contact, had shorter farrowing duration, and a shorter birth interval than R sows. Feed intake was also greater for NR sows throughout the whole lactation period. Plasma cortisol concentration was maximal on the day after farrowing and returned to normal within 4 days postpartum. A low reactivity during gestation was associated with behaviour of the sow that was favourable to piglet survival during farrowing, increase feed intake and decreased plasma Trp concentration during week one of lactation.

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