Abstract
Objective:The aim was to evaluate the effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) to the lactating sows’ diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning.Materials and Methods:Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were monitored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning.Results:FI sow-1 was higher in EG (p < 0.05). MP, MQ, and LW piglet-1 at weaning were equal (p > 0.05). FI piglet-1 in the sixth and eighth week of age was higher in EG (p < 0.05); at the end of weaning phase, EG presented higher LW (p < 0.05): 8.4% more. LIV of the jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in EG at 48 h (28.8%) and 42 days post-weaning (29.9%). At day 0, post-weaning LIV of the descending portion was higher (p < 0.05) in CG (1,571.0 μm) versus EG (1,058.0 μm). At day 42, post-weaning LIV of the transverse portion was higher (p < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher.Conclusion:Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW.
Highlights
The stages of lactation and weaning in pig production are crucial to the productivity of the swine industry [1,2]
The current genetic lines used in pig production, especially those specializing in growth rate, have shown problems in reproductive efficiency, since, in the genetic lines specialized for leanness is exacerbated the phenomenon known as lactational physiological hypophagia [8]
The non-fermentable dietary fiber can stimulate the restoration of orexigenic pathways [21], since fiber stimulates the release of glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), a peptide that participates in the release of insulin and the inhibition of hepatic production of glucose [23]
Summary
The stages of lactation and weaning in pig production are crucial to the productivity of the swine industry [1,2]. With regard to lactational hypophagia, post-farrowing sows have decreased in voluntary feed intake due to increased glucose concentration and insulin resistance [8,9]. It has been established [10] that, the deficit of feed intake at lactation phase affects productive and reproductive indicators of the sows, as it is milk production, weaning piglet weight, weaning sow’s body weight, weaning-estrus interval, as well as fertility and prolificacy of the sows in the reproductive cycle [9]. The early change (21 days of age) of liquid feeding (milk) to solid causes reduction of the enzymatic activity and modifies the structures of the intestinal
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