Abstract
The aim of this research was to determine whether feeding gestating and lactating sows (n-3) PUFA [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexenoic acid (DHA)] or coconut fat (saturated fat) influences ex vivo glucose absorption in the proximal jejunum and glucose and glycogen concentration of liver and muscle of their offspring at weaning. Sows were fed 1 of 4 diets for 150 d, which included the entire gestation and lactation periods. The diets consisted of basal corn/soybean meal (CONT), CONT + protected EPA and DHA-rich fish oil (PFO), CONT + DHA Gold fat (DHAGF), and CONT + coconut fat (COCO). All tissues were collected from piglets (n = 4 per treatment) following a 24-h period of food deprivation, which was initiated at weaning. Proximal jejunum samples were mounted in modified Ussing chambers for transport determinations. Relative to the CONT (7 μA/cm2), active glucose transport was greater (P = 0.013) in piglets from sows fed the PFO (30 μA/cm2) and DHAGF (40 μA/cm2) diets, but not the COCO diet (19 μA/cm2; pooled SEM = 5). Likewise, jejunum expression of glucose transporter 2 and sodium glucose transporter 1 protein tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in piglets from dams fed the PFO and DHAGF diets, as did AMP-activated protein kinase activity. Piglets’ muscle glycogen was greater than in CONT (34 ± 5.2 mg/g wet tissue) only in piglets from dams fed the DHAGF (46 ± 5.2 mg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05). These results indicate that (n-3) PUFA, particularly DHA, improves intestinal glucose absorption and muscle glycogen concentrations in newly weaned pigs. These findings may also have important implications for human mothers and infants.
Highlights
At birth and weaning, piglet survival is markedly dependent on gut health and function
The 4 experimental dietary treatments consisted of: 1) basal corn/soybean meal control (CONT); 2) the basal diet supplemented with protected fish oil (PFO) (Gromega365; JBS United); 3) the basal diet supplemented with docosahexenoic acid (DHA) from Schizochytrium algae (DHAGF) (S-Type Gold Fat; Advanced BioNutrition); and 4) the basal diet supplemented with dried coconut fat (COCO)
Milk from sows fed the COCO diet was higher in total SFA compared with the protected eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA-rich fish oil (PFO) and DHA Gold fat (DHAGF) but not compared with the CONT milk (P, 0.05; Table 3)
Summary
Piglet survival is markedly dependent on gut health and function. During the transition from the prenatal to postnatal environments and from suckling to weaning, the intestine must adapt to dramatic shifts in nutrient supplies and profiles. These transition periods are associated with inflammatory responses in the gut, which may be augmented by limited feed intake, and may contribute to functional disorders in the small intestine [1,2]. GLUT2 protein is present at birth and rapidly increases in the proximal part of the small intestine [3], whereas in rats, it increases from weaning [4]. SGLT1 protein expression in the small intestine of the piglet is readily apparent at birth but declines slightly over the suckling period [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
