Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Difference on Reproductive Performance between High and Low Lactational Weight Loss Sows.

Liang Hu,Chen Wu,Shengyu Xu,Lianqiang Che,Bin Feng,Fali Wu,Peter Kappel Theil,Yong Zhuo,Yan Lin,Zhengfeng Fang,De Wu,Jian Li,Mihai Victor Curtasu

doi:10.3390/metabo9120295

Liang Hu, Chen Wu + Show 11 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo9120295

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Journal: Metabolites	Publication Date: Dec 4, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Sichuan Agricultural University, Aarhus University

Abstract

Sows suffering excess weight loss during lactation may delay weaning to estrus interval (WEI) and have a detrimental effect on subsequent reproductive performance, however, the underlying mechanism is not completely clear. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate physiological profiles manifested in plasma originating from high (HWL) and low lactational weight loss (LWL) sows. The plasma biochemical parameters, hormones, antioxidant parameters, and milk compositions were assessed. Furthermore, plasma metabolites were analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion modes. Results showed that HWL sows had a lower feed intake and higher lactational weight loss and prolonged WEI, but had similar litter performance and milk composition compared to LWL sows. These changes were associated with lower plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 and higher fibroblast growth factor 21 levels in the HWL sows. Moreover, HWL led to a severe oxidative stress and metabolic damage, as accompanied by excessive protein breakdown and lipids mobilization at weaning. Metabolomic analysis revealed differences in 46 compounds between HWL and LWL sows, and the identified compounds were enriched in metabolic pathways related to amino acids metabolism, fatty acids oxidation metabolism, bile acids biosynthesis, and nucleoside metabolism. These results provide the evidence for physiological mechanism in sows with excessive lactational weight loss that delayed the WEI. Metabolomic data provides essential information and gives rise to potential targets for the development of nutritional intervention strategies.

Highlights

Modern lactating sows have a large demand for energy and nutrients for supporting the large litter
The reproductive parameters did not differ between high body weight loss (HWL) and lactational weight loss (LWL) sows (p > 0.05)
The body condition at parturition did not differ between HWL and LWL sows (Table 2, p > 0.05), whereas HWL

Summary

Introduction

Modern lactating sows have a large demand for energy and nutrients for supporting the large litter. The feed intake of lactating sows is often not sufficient to fulfil the energy demands for maintenance and milk production [1,2]. The discrepancy between a large nutrient demand and insufficient nutrient intake leads to mobilization of their body reserves, to keep sufficient milk. Metabolites 2019, 9, 295 production for suckling pigs during the lactation period, resulting in a high body weight loss (HWL) at weaning [3,4]. Numerous studies have shown that excessive weight loss in sows negatively influences weaning to estrus interval (WEI), subsequent farrowing rates, total born litter sizes and the variation of birth weight [5,6,7], due to insufficient restoration of follicle development, affecting ovulation rate and embryo quality [8,9]. Previous studies reported that sows with excessive weight loss are associated with low plasma glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)

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