Abstract
Glycerol is a by-product of the biodiesel industry and it might be a good alternative to moderate the energy deficiency of sows during the lactation period. Preliminary experiments were carried out to test the effect of a powder, solid based “food grade” glycerol source with 72.9% glycerol content (Trial 1) and a liquid “feed grade” glycerol source with 86% glycerol content (Trial 2) on the performance of lactating sows and their litters. Trial 1 was conducted with 5 Hungarian Large White×Hungarian Landrace sows/treatment (313±24.9 kg) and Trial 2 with 12–12 DanAvl (323±17.0 kg) sows and their litters/treatment. Neither the solid, powder based glycerol (Trial 1), nor the liquid glycerol source (Trial 2) had significant effect on the feed intake, reduction in live weight and back-fat thickness, and weaning-tooestrus interval (p>0.05) of lactating sows. In Trial 2, on the 14th, 21st and 27th days of lactation the milk samples were collected and it was found that 50 kg/t glycerol decreased the protein content of milk samples (p<0.05). Glycerol supplementation had no effect on dry matter, fat, lactose content of milk samples (p>0.05). In Trial 2, no significant difference was found between control and experimental sow groups in triglyceride concentration of blood samples and in the activity of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT; p>0.05), but the concentration of plasma glucose and cholesterol increased tendentiously (p<0.10).
 Based on our preliminary results, it can be concluded that additional dose trials are needed to perform in order to study the effect of glycerol supplement on milk production and on metabolic processes of lactating sows.
Highlights
Due to the increasing energy demand, an ascending tendency in the production of biodiesel was presented in the last decade
Based on our preliminary results, it can be concluded that additional dose trials are needed to perform in order to study the effect of glycerol supplement on milk production and on metabolic processes of lactating sows
In Trial 1, the solid based glycerol source had no statistically proven effect on the lactating sows weight- and backfat loss (p>0.05) 10 kg/t solid glycerol supplementation had no effect on the weaning-to oestrus interval
Summary
Due to the increasing energy demand, an ascending tendency in the production of biodiesel was presented in the last decade. Glycerol has been used as energy supplementation in ruminant and monogastric diets for several decades. Hyperprolific sows are more sensitive to the environmental and nutritional effects, their energy and nutritional requirements are increased, compared to the traditional genotypes. Because of the negative energy balance during lactation, it can happen even at ad libitum feeding, that the body condition of sows is getting worse, and it might have a negative effect on the reproductive and the lifetime performance. Hyperprolific sows are forced to sustain a high milk production from less body fat reserves. Glycerol might be a good alternative to moderate this energy deficiency and provide appropriate energy supply in the feed portion of lactating sow
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