Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of gilts with cow’s milk naturally enriched with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on reproductive outcomes, and the serum biochemical and FA profile of swine females and their offspring. During 316 days, 30 gilts were distributed into three groups: (1) Control, fed a basal diet + milk from cows without oil; (2) n-3, fed a basal diet + milk from cows fed a diet enriched with linseed oil; (3) n-6, fed a basal diet + milk from cows fed a diet enriched with soybean oil. The gilts receiving the diets containing PUFA had higher serum urea and very-low-density lipoprotein levels and lower serum total protein and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to the Control group. Females supplemented with n-3 presented higher serum palmitic acid and γ-linolenic acid levels than those fed n-6. Piglets from the Control group were heavier at birth than those from females supplemented with enriched milk. The piglets from females receiving enriched milk had 140 g higher body weight from 1 to 21 days old compared to the Control group, and greater average daily weight gain from 7 to 14 days old. The serum eicosapentaenoic acid level of piglets fed n-3 was 69% higher than those fed n-6, which reduced the AA/EPA ratio. Gilts supplemented with PUFA-enriched cow’s milk showed changes in their serum palmitic and γ-linolenic acid levels, in addition to improved performance, EPA concentration and consequently reduced AA/EPA ratio in their piglets, demonstrating beneficial results for their progeny.

Highlights

  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been emphasised as bioactive compounds correlated with cardiovascular health by reducing the levels of risk factors such as cholesterol level, reduced risk of diabetes and improved human health [1,2]

  • N-3—basal diet + milk from cows fed a diet enriched with linseed oil; and (3) n-6—basal diet + milk from cows fed a diet enriched with soybean oil

  • The highest percentage of body weight loss was observed for the Control group (9.42%), n-3 (6.48%)

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Summary

Introduction

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been emphasised as bioactive compounds correlated with cardiovascular health by reducing the levels of risk factors such as cholesterol level, reduced risk of diabetes and improved human health [1,2]. The suitability of the pig (Sus scrofa) as a model for human research is becoming accepted, because humans and pigs are classified as omnivorous mammals and share similarities related to anatomical features of the gastrointestinal tract [14]. In this sense, the supplementation of swine with enriched cow milk could be used as a model for human nutrition, providing a deeper understanding about its effect on human nutrition and metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of gilts with cow’s milk enriched with n-3 and n-6 on maternal blood metabolic profile, sow’s reproductive outcomes, colostrum and milk composition, colostrum and milk FA profile, piglets’ performance and the serum

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