Lactational dietary fat levels and sources influence milk composition and performance of sows and their progeny

Abstract

One week prior to farrowing and during 28 days of lactation, a control diet without supplemental fat was compared to six diets containing 8% of either animal fat, rapeseed oil, fish oil, coconut oil, palm oil, or sunflower oil. The dietary effects on performance of 175 sows, their milk yield and composition, and on preweaning performance of the piglets were studied. Except for the fish oil and rapeseed oil, addition of fat to the diets increased the average litter body weight gain from birth and until weaning ( P=0.017) compared to the control diet. During lactation, the dietary fat sources, except coconut oil, enhanced the daily energy intake of sows ( P<0.001). In addition, body weight loss of sows during lactation was influenced by an interaction between dietary treatments and parity ( P=0.024). The content of total acids was the lowest ( P<0.001) in milk of the control group compared to groups fed diets with included fat, and the milk fatty acid composition reflected the fatty acid composition of the dietary fat sources. The daily output of energy and fat in sow milk increased ( P<0.001) with inclusion of fat in the diet and was also affected by dietary fat sources. It was concluded that depending on the fat source, addition of fat to sows diet at the 8% level improved the performance of the progeny by increasing the output of fat and energy into the sow milk.