Changing the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio in sow diets alters serum, colostrum, and milk fatty acid profiles, but has minimal impact on reproductive performance.

Eastwood L ，Leterme P ，Beaulieu AD 《-》

Evaluation of essential fatty acids in lactating sow diets on sow reproductive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and piglet survivability.

Mixed parity sows (n = 3,451; PIC, Hendersonville, TN; parities 2 through 9) and their litters were used to evaluate the effects of essential fatty acid (EFA) intake on sow reproductive performance, piglet growth and survivability, and colostrum and milk composition. Our hypothesis, like observed in earlier research, was that increasing linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) would improve sow and litter performance. At approximately day 112 of gestation, sows were randomly assigned within parity groups to 1 of 4 corn-soybean meal-wheat-based lactation diets that contained 0.5 (Control) or 3% choice white grease (CWG), 3% soybean oil (SO), or a combination of 3% soybean oil and 2% choice white grease (Combination). Thus, sows were provided diets with low LA and ALA in diets with CWG or high LA and ALA in diets that included soybean oil. Sows received their assigned EFA treatments until weaning and were then fed a common gestation and lactation diet in the subsequent reproductive cycle. Average daily feed intake during the lactation period increased (P < 0.05) for sows fed the Combination and CWG diets compared with sows fed the Control or SO diet. However, daily LA and ALA intakes of sows fed the Combination and SO diets were still greater (P < 0.05) than those of sows fed 0.5 or 3% CWG. Overall, sows consuming high EFA from the Combination or SO diets produced litters with heavier (P < 0.05) piglet weaning weights and greater (P < 0.05) litter ADG when compared with litters from sows fed diets with CWG that provided low EFA. Despite advantages in growth performance, there was no impact of sow EFA intake on piglet survivability (P > 0.10). Additionally, lactation diet EFA composition did not influence sow colostrum or milk dry matter, crude protein, or crude fat content (P > 0.10). However, LA and ALA content in colostrum and milk increased (P < 0.05) in response to elevated dietary EFA from SO. There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in subsequent sow reproductive or litter performance due to previous lactation EFA intake. In conclusion, increased LA and ALA intake provided by soybean oil during lactation increased overall litter growth and pig weaning weights, reduced sow ADFI, but did not affect piglet survivability or subsequent performance of sows.

Holen JP ，Woodworth JC ，Tokach MD ，Goodband RD ，DeRouchey JM ，Gebhardt JT ，DeDecker AE ，Martinez X ... -  《-》

Evaluation of supplemental fat sources and pre-farrow essential fatty acid intake on lactating sow performance and essential fatty acid composition of colostrum, milk, and adipose tissue.

A total of 91 sows (Line 241, DNA Genetics) were used to evaluate the effects of supplemental fat sources and essential fatty acid intake on sow farrowing performance, litter growth performance, and essential fatty acid composition of colostrum, milk, and adipose tissue. At approximatelyday 107 of gestation, sows were blocked by body weight and parity, then allotted to 1 of 5 experimental treatments as part of a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement. Experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-based with a control diet that contained no added fat or diets with 3% added fat as either beef tallow or soybean oil, with consumption of the added fat diets starting on day 107 or 112 of gestation and fed until weaning. Thus, sows were provided low essential fatty acids (EFA; as linoleic and α-linolenic acid) without supplemental fat or with beef tallow or high EFA with soybean oil. Sows were provided approximately 2.8 kg/d of their assigned lactation diet pre-farrow and then provided ad libitum access after parturition. Sows consuming diets with beef tallow had greater lactation ADFI (fat source, P = 0.030), but lower daily linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) intake than sows that consumed diets with soybean oil (fat source, P < 0.001). Supplemental fat sources providing either low or high EFA did not influence litter growth performance (fat source, P > 0.05). Sows fed diets with beef tallow did not influence the LA composition of colostrum; however, lactation diets with high EFA provided by soybean oil on day 107 of gestation increased colostrum LA concentration compared to providing diets on day 112 of gestation (fat source × time, P = 0.084; time, P < 0.001). Additionally, regardless of pre-farrow timing, ALA concentration of colostrum increased when sows consumed diets with soybean oil compared to beef tallow (fat source, P < 0.001). Both LA and ALA concentrations of milk at weaning were greater for sows that consumed diets with soybean oil compared to beef tallow (fat source, P < 0.001). Furthermore, concentrations of LA and ALA within adipose tissue were greater at weaning when sows consumed diets with high EFA compared to low EFA (fat source, P < 0.05). These responses suggest that providing dietary fat sources with high concentrations of EFA can increase backfat, colostrum, and milk LA and ALA. However, in this experiment, changes in colostrum and milk composition did not influence litter growth performance.

Holen JP ，Woodworth JC ，Tokach MD ，Goodband RD ，DeRouchey JM ，Gebhardt JT ... -  《-》

Effect of increasing dietary energy density during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, piglet vitality, and lifetime growth of offspring.

Genetic selection for hyperprolificacy in sows has resulted in a significant increase in the number of piglets born alive per litter but subsequently, decreased piglet vitality and growth. As a consequence, increasing sows' energy intake during lactation to help increase piglet vitality and growth is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary energy density for lactating sows on weight and back-fat changes in sows, milk composition, and vitality and growth of progeny. Gestating sows (N = 100; Large White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to one of four energy dense diets at day 108 of gestation until subsequent service; 13.8 (LL), 14.5 (L), 15.2 (H), and 15.9 MJ DE/kg (HH). All diets contained 1.2% total lysine. Blood samples from sows were taken on day 108 of gestation and at weaning (day 26 of lactation) and colostrum (day 0) and milk samples (day 14) were collected during lactation. Sow lactation feed intakes were recorded daily. The number of piglets born per litter (total and live), piglet birth weight (total and live), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) traits and muscle tone were recorded in piglets at birth. Piglet tympanic ear temperature (TEMP) was recorded at birth and at 24 h. Pigs were weighed on days 1, 6, 14, 26, 33, 40, 54, 75, and 141 of life. Postweaning (PW) pigs were fed standard cereal-based diets. Pig carcass data were collected at slaughter (day 141). Lactation energy intake was higher for HH sows than for all other treatments (P < 0.01). Colostrum and milk composition and lactation feed intake were not affected by treatment. The number of piglets born per litter (total and live) and piglet birthweight (total and live) was similar between treatments. Piglets from LL sows had more IUGR traits (P < 0.01), while those from HH sows had better muscle tone (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Piglets from LL sows (P < 0.01) and piglets from H sows (P < 0.01) had a higher 24 h TEMP than piglets from HH sows. H sows weaned a greater number of piglets than L sows (P < 0.05) and HH sows (P < 0.01), while L sows weaned lighter litters than H (P < 0.05) and LL sows (P < 0.05). Pig growth PW was unaffected by treatment. High energy dense diets increased energy intake in sows, without depressing appetite. Feeding an HH diet improved piglet muscle tone at birth, whereas feeding an H diet increased litter size at weaning. Inconsistent results were observed for other traits of piglet vitality and for preweaning litter growth performance.

Rooney HB ，O'driscoll K ，O'doherty JV ，Lawlor PG ... -  《-》

Evaluation of oxidized beta-carotene on sow and piglet immune systems, sow reproductive performance, and piglet growth.

This study aimed to determine if supplementation of oxidized-beta carotene (OxC-Beta) improved sow reproductive performance, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, and ability to alter immune cells abundance in sows and piglets, subsequent litter performance, and nursery growth performance. On approximately day 60 of gestation and through the lactation period, 194 sows (blocked by parity) were assigned to a common gestation diet or the common diet supplemented with 80 ppm oxidized beta-carotene (OxC-Beta, Aviagen, Ottawa, ON, Canada). A subset of sows (N = 54 per treatment) were sampled for blood and body weight recorded at the beginning of the study, farrowing, and weaning. A blood sample was taken from a subset of piglets at birth and weaning, and all piglet weights were recorded. Blood was analyzed for vitamin A as retinol concentrations and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgG) levels were assessed from the sow's blood. Twelve pigs (N = 6 per treatment) were euthanized at birth and weaning. The livers were collected and analyzed for the Kupffer cell phagocytic activity through flow cytometry. Whole blood was analyzed via flow cytometry for cluster of differentiation (CD335, CD8, and CD4). Colostrum during farrowing and milk at weaning were analyzed for IgG and IgA concentrations. Data were analyzed via SAS 9.4 using MIXED and frequency procedures where appropriate. No differences (P > 0.05) between dietary treatments were observed in sow reproductive performance, feed intake, wean to estrus interval, or piglet growth performance. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the plasma or liver for vitamin A. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the composition of the colostrum or milk. No immunological differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the piglets' liver and blood or sow antibodies in colostrum and milk. The supplementation of OxC-Beta did (P < 0.05) decrease IgM and tended (P < 0.10) to decrease IgG in sow plasma. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the reproductive performance of subsequent litter information from the sows. Gilt litter weaning weight and feed intake were reduced (P < 0.05) compared to sow performance. In conclusion, the supplementation of OxC-Beta at 80 ppm from day 60 of gestation through lactation does not affect the reproductive performance of sows, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, piglet immune status, and antibodies or composition in colostrum and milk.

Elefson SK ，Ross JW ，Rademacher CJ ，Greiner LL ... -  《-》