Abstract
Simple SummaryThis review discusses the current challenges in the pig industry and the potential nutritional significance of sialic acid (Sia) and glycoconjugates (Sia-GC’s) for pig health and nutrition. Sia is a nine-carbon acidic sugar which is present in various organs and body fluids of humans and animals. Sias contribute to many beneficial biological functions including pathogen resistance, immunomodulation, gut microbiota development, gut maturation, anti-inflammation and neurodevelopment. The role of Sias in regulating the metabolism of pigs has seldom been reported. However, we have documented significant beneficial effects of specific Sia-GC’s on health and production performance of sows and piglets. These findings are reviewed in relation to other studies while noting the beneficial effects of the inclusion of Sia, Sia containing oligosaccharide or the sialo-protein lactoferrin in the diets of gilts and sows. The importance of the passive transfer of of Sia and Sia-GC’s through milk to the young and the implications for their growth and development is also reviewed. This information will assist in optimizing the composition of sow/gilt milk replacers designed to increases the survival of IUGR piglets or piglets with dams suffering from agalactia, a common problem in pig production systems worldwide.Swine are one of the most important agricultural species for human food production. Given the significant disease challenges confronting commercial pig farming systems, introduction of a new feed additive that can enhance animal performance by improving growth and immune status represents a major opportunity. One such candidate is sialic acid (Sia), a diverse family of nine-carbon acidic sugar, present in various organs and body fluid, as well as an essential structural and functional constituent of brain ganglioside of humans and animals. Sias are key monosaccharide and biomarker of sialylated milk oligosaccharide (Sia-MOS’s), sialylated glycoproteins and glycolipids in milk and all vertebrate cells. Sias accomplish many critical endogenous functions by virtue of their physiochemical properties and via recognition by intrinsic receptors. Human milk sialylated glycoconjugates (Sia-GC’s) are bioactive compounds known to act as prebiotics that promote gut microbiota development, gut maturation, pathogen resistance, immunomodulation, anti-inflammation and neurodevelopment. However, the importance of Sia in pig health, especially in the growth, development, immunity of developing piglet and in pig production remains unknown. This review aims to critically discuss the current status of knowledge of the biology and nutritional role of Sia and Sia-GC’s on health of both female sow and newborn piglets.
Highlights
In the swine industry, several factors including neonatal mortality, weaner ill-thrift, infectious and non-infectious diseases can negatively affect pig populations worldwide.In addition, improvements in management practices, disease control and vaccination programs, nutritional supplementation is an effective strategy that can be implemented to improve pig production
Porcine milk is a rich source of sialic acid (Sia) for the piglets
In a rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sialylated oligosaccharides supplementation prevented the occurrence as well as reduce the pathology of NEC and Sia was shown to be obligatory for this effect [76]
Summary
Several factors including neonatal mortality, weaner ill-thrift, infectious and non-infectious diseases can negatively affect pig populations worldwide. Improvements in management practices, disease control and vaccination programs, nutritional supplementation is an effective strategy that can be implemented to improve pig production. Most nutritional strategies have focused on the requirements for specific nutrients in the diet to promote maximum growth. Recommendations for vitamins and minerals have been at the forefront of porcine nutritional research. Nutritional intervention has focused on several compounds that may act through multiple ways to boost the immune response thereby prevent or delay the occurrence of diseases in pigs. One group of nutrients, which have attracted significant attention in recent years is the complex functional carbohydrates, sialic acid (Sia). Sia has drawn the attention of many researchers due to its diverse beneficial biological functions through mediating or modulating a variety of normal and pathological processes both in humans and animals. This review gives an overview of current challenges in the pig industry and the potential nutritional significance of Sia and sialylated compounds for pig health and pig industry
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