Effect of the administration of copper, vitamins A and D and bovine colostrum on performances, antioxidant and micronutrients status and microbiome in lactating piglets on a commercial farm

Abstract

Placental and colostral transfer of copper and vitamins A and D from sows to piglets is limited. This study aimed to determine, in commercial conditions, the effect of supplemental provision of copper, vitamins A and D and bovine colostrum (BC) to suckling piglets on their growth performance, antioxidant status and gut microbiota. One group of sows (n = 50) was fed a conventional diet, while another group (n = 52) was fed conventional diet supplemented with vitamin D (25-OH-D3), β-carotene and copper-yeast from one week before parturition to weaning. During lactation, each litter was assigned to the one of the following treatments: (CON) control; (VIT) exposure to UVB lights and administration of oral retinol acetate, 25-OH-D3 and copper-yeast at 2 and 5 days of age; (COLOS) supplementation of BC from 5 to 10 days of age and (CC) VIT+COLOS. Blood samples were collected from one low-weight (LW) and one high-weight (HW) piglet per litter at 21 days of age (weaning). Piglet weights were measured at birth and at 1, 21 and 56 days of age. Fecal microbiome was analyzed at weaning on one LW and one HW piglet per litter. Sow supplementation increased piglet weight at birth and at 1 day of age, decreased the number of LW piglets (<1.1 kg) at 1 day of age, but the effect faded over time. Colostrum supplementation (COLOS, CC) increased piglet weight at 21 and 56 days of age by 230 and 700 g, respectively. Dietary supplements to sows and piglets had no impact on serum retinol (vitamin A indicator), marginal effects on serum copper whereas it increased (P<0.05) serum 25‑hydroxy-calciferol (vitamin D indicator) in piglets at weaning. Concerning antioxidant activities, no clear effect due to treatments to sow or piglets was observed. Analysis of fecal microbiome showed that supplementation to sows and piglets did not have a marked impact on piglet microbiota excepted for BC supplementation to piglets (COLOS, CC) which decreased Enterobacteriaceae whereas supplementation in micronutrients to sow increased Christensenellaceae in piglet's microbiota at weaning. This study reveals that BC can affect microbiota and improve growth performances before and after weaning. Administrations of vitamin D via UVB light exposure and oral supplementation was an efficient way to increase postnatal status of vitamin D in piglets up to weaning while supplementation to sows may improve only piglet weight at birth and modulate microbiota at weaning.