Piglet Birth Weight Research Articles

Low-fat dairy consumption improves intestinal immune function more than high-fat dairy in a diet-induced swine model of insulin resistance.

To understand the effects of consuming high-fat and low-fat dairy products on postprandial cardiometabolic risk factors and intestinal immune function, we used an established low birthweight (LBW) swine model of diet-induced insulin resistance. LBW piglets were randomized to consume one of the 3 experimental high fat diets and were fed for a total of 7weeks: (1) Control high fat (LBW-CHF), (2) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings of high-fat dairy (LBW-HFDairy) and (3) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings of low-fat dairy (LBW-LFDairy). As comparison groups, normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were fed a CHF (NBW-CHF) or standard pig grower diet (NBW-Chow). At 11weeks of age, all piglets underwent an established modified oral glucose and fat tolerance test. At 12weeks of age, piglets were euthanized and ex vivo cytokine production by cells isolated from mesenteric lymph node (MLN) stimulated with mitogens was assessed. Dairy consumption did not modulate postprandial plasma lipid, inflammatory markers and glucose concentrations. A lower production of IL-2 and TNF-α after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation was observed in LBW-CHF vs NBW-Chow (P < 0.05), suggesting impaired MLN T cell function. While feeding high-fat dairy had minimal effects, feeding low-fat dairy significantly improved the production of IL-2 and TNF-α after PWM stimulation (P < 0.05). Irrespective of fat content, dairy had a neutral effect on postprandial cardiometabolic risk factors. Low-fat dairy products improved intestinal T cell function to a greater extent than high-fat dairy in this swine model of obesity and insulin resistance.

Eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil in sow and piglet diets modifies blood oxylipins and immune indicators in both, sows and suckling piglets

Over the last decades, genetic selection has increased sows’ litter size. Consequently, there is a high proportion of piglets born with low weight which are vulnerable. Their viability may potentially be enhanced through early nutrition. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether including a fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diets of the sow and piglets was able to increase concentrations of anti-inflammatory molecules in their blood. Thirty-six sows, in four consecutive batches, were randomly assigned to either a control diet with animal fat (15 g/kg in gestation and 30 g/kg in lactation) or an n-3 long-chain fatty acid (n-3 LCFA) diet from insemination until the end of lactation. From day 11 of lactation, piglets were also offered a diet containing 30 g/kg of animal fat or n-3 LCFA. To prepare the n-3 LCFA diet, 15 g/kg or 30 g/kg of animal fat in the control diet were replaced by an equivalent amount of solid fish oil for sows and piglets, respectively. All the sows were sampled for serum and plasma at day 108 of gestation and at weaning. Additionally, only for the first batch of sows, blood samples were also obtained at weaning from the two lightest (>800 g) and the two heaviest birth weight piglets in each litter. Serum fatty acids (FAs) were quantified by gas chromatography, plasma oxylipins by ultra-HPLC-MS and plasma immunoglobulins (Ig) and cytokines by ELISA. The n-3 LCFA diet increased the concentrations of n-3 FAs in gestating and lactating sows and in piglets (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively), particularly EPA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and DHA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and also their oxygenated derivatives. In addition, fish oil increased plasma IgM in gestating and lactating sows (P = 0.014 and P = 0.008, respectively), interleukin (IL) 6 in sows at weaning (P = 0.012), and IL1β in piglets (P = 0.018). Birth BW of piglets, regardless of diet, slightly influenced some of the n-6-derived oxylipins. In conclusion, fish oil addition in diets increased the blood concentrations of n-3 FAs and their oxygenated derivatives, some of which have anti-inflammatory activity, in gestating and lactating sows and piglets, IgM in gestating and lactating sows, IL6 in lactating sows and IL1β in piglets.

Integrative Analysis of Liver Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveals Oxidative Stress in Piglets with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

Simple SummaryAlthough the correlation between oxidative stress and liver metabolic dysfunction has been established in piglets with intrauterine growth restriction, detailed information concerning the molecular mechanisms that facilitate this relationship remains limited. In the present study, metabolomic and transcriptomic techniques were used to investigate differences in gene expression and metabolites in the liver of piglets in intrauterine growth restriction and normal birth weight groups to systematically analyze the potential mechanism of metabolic characteristics induced by oxidative stress in the liver of intrauterine growth restriction piglets. Our results revealed that the intrauterine growth restriction piglets were involved in a variety of metabolic abnormalities, including mitochondrial dysfunction, imbalance of fatty acid composition, disruption to sources of one-carbon unit supply, and abnormal galactose conversion, which may be responsible for oxidative stress in the liver.The correlation between oxidative stress and liver metabolic dysfunction in piglets with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains limited. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate potential mechanisms of metabolic characteristics induced by oxidative stress in the livers of IUGR piglets using metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. Analysis of the phenotypic characteristics showed that the liver weight of the intrauterine growth restriction piglets was significantly lower than that of normal birth weight piglets. Intrauterine growth restriction piglets exhibited disordered hepatic cord arrangement and vacuolization as well as excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased in the liver of the intrauterine growth restriction piglets, whereas the level of the lipid peroxidation marker MDA was significantly increased. Finally, our findings revealed that intrauterine growth restriction piglets were involved in a variety of metabolic abnormalities, including mitochondrial dysfunction, imbalance of fatty acid composition, disruption to sources of one-carbon unit supply, and abnormal galactose conversion, which may be responsible for oxidative stress in the liver. In summary, these data provided a detailed theoretical reference for revealing the hepatic metabolic characteristics of intrauterine growth restriction piglets.

PSVI-4 Serum Metabolomic Characterization of Birth Weight and Neonatal Nutrient Restriction on Piglet Growth and Development

Abstract The objective was to characterize developmental differences in low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets with or without nutrient restriction using serum metabolomic profile analysis. After farrowing, 112 piglets were selected as LBW (1.22 ± 0.28 kg) or NBW (1.70 ± 0.27 kg) and were categorized to receive normal nutrition (NN) or restricted nutrition (RN - 6 h/day no suckling) until d 28 when the pigs were weaned onto a common diet until d 56. Blood samples were taken on d 28 and d 56 (n=8 pigs/treatment) and were analyzed using quantitative metabolomics via a combination of direct injection mass spectrometry with a reverse-phase LC-MS/MS custom assay (TMIC prime). Data were normalized using logarithmic transformation and auto-scaling. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out to further explore the differential metabolites among the treatments (metaboanalyst.ca) with an integrated enrichment and pathway topography analysis. The results suggest that at d 28, LBW piglets had decreased metabolites associated with fatty acid oxidation, glycolysis and TCA cycle metabolites, and essential amino acids such as valine, leucine, arginine. These indicate a decrease utilization of gluconeogenic, and TCA cycle pathways compared with the NBW group. On d 56, LBW piglets had increased utilization of fatty acids, exhibited by increased production of serum acetoacetate, B-hydroxybutyrate, glycerol, compared with NBW. Additionally, the LBW piglets had decreased glucose utilization, pyruvate, succinate, citrate, a-ketoglutaric acid, and lactate compared with the NBW piglets. Due to low utilization of glycolysis and the TCA cycle, associated amino acids were less in LBW piglets, except for a increased glycerol which may indicate impairments in glucose tolerance. In summary, LBW piglets appear to have more metabolic deficiencies in early life, which is not resolved with nutrition in early life, but may be responsive to a tailored nutritional intervention post-weaning.

Dietary bile acids supplementation modulates immune response, antioxidant capacity, glucose, and lipid metabolism in normal and intrauterine growth retardation piglets.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) results in intestinal dysfunction contributing to metabolic syndrome and growth lag of piglets. Bile acid (BA) presents various bioactivities, including regulation roles in antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Forty-eight weaned piglets were allocated to four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the effects of BA supplementation and IUGR challenge. Twenty-four IUGR piglets and 24 normal birth weight (NBW) piglets were allocated into two groups, respectively, including the control group fed with a basal diet, and the treatment group fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg BA. The experiment lasted 28 days. The results indicated that BA improved liver and spleen indexes in IUGR piglets, whereas decreased blood RDW-CV and RDW-SD regardless of IUGR (P < 0.05). Dietary BA supplementation decreased plasma CAT activity and liver GSH concentration regardless of IUGR, whereas increased plasma GSH and liver H2O2 and decreased liver T-AOC in weaned piglets (P < 0.05). In addition, IUGR downregulated liver Nrf1 and Nrf2 expression levels, while BA supplementation upregulated the Nrf2 expression of liver in weaned piglets (P < 0.05). Dietary BA decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal GSH concentration and ileal CAT activity regardless of IUGR. Furthermore, IUGR upregulated (P < 0.05) jejunal SOD and CAT expression levels; however, dietary BA upregulated ileal Nrf1 (P < 0.05) and Keap1 (P = 0.07) expression levels in piglets regardless of IUGR. Moreover, IUGR upregulated the liver lipid synthesis (FAS) and downregulated HSL and SCD1 expression levels, while dietary BA downregulated liver FAS and SCD1 expression levels (P < 0.05). However, BA supplementation could enhance liver gluconeogenesis by upregulating (P < 0.05) the liver G6PC and PCK1 expression levels in the NBW piglets but not in the IUGR piglets. Collectively, these findings suggest that BA could regulate the redox status of weaned piglets by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and improving liver glucose and lipid metabolism of IUGR piglets. These findings will provide a reference for the application of BA in swine production; moreover, considering the physiological similarity between pigs and humans, these findings will provide a reference for IUGR research in humans.

254 Effects of Increasing Daily Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Intake of Gilts and Sows During day 35-to-112 of Gestation on Reproductive Performance

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of increasing daily dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) intake during d35-to-112 of gestation on sow and litter performance. A total of 583 gilts and sows (PIC Camborough) were used. Females were group-housed after d35 of gestation and individually fed with electronic sow feeders (ESF). At d35 of gestation, females were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments that were balanced for body weight (BW) and caliper scores (CS) within parity categories. Treatments consisted of increasing daily dietary SID Lys intake (11.1, 13.5, 16.1, and 18.5 g/d). Both gilts and sows received 1.85 kg/d of a gestation diet containing 2.38 Mcal of NE/kg. Treatments were achieved by different blends of low (0.60% SID Lys) and high (1.00% SID Lys) Lys diets via ESF. Sow was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with the lmer and glmer functions of R. Body weight and CS at d112 of gestation increased (linear, P&amp;lt; 0.05) with increasing daily dietary SID Lys intake. There was no evidence for treatment difference on d112 backfat depth (BD), or changes of BW, CS, and BD during lactation. There was no evidence for treatment difference on total born, percentage born alive and stillbirth, but there was a marginal reduction (linear, P=0.086) on mummified fetuses. Increasing daily dietary SID Lys intake during d35-to-112 of gestation did not affect piglet birth weight, percentage of piglets born with less than 900g, pre-weaning mortality, or piglet average daily gain. In summary, increasing daily dietary SID Lys intake during d35-to-112 of gestation increased female BW and CS, without changing BD, indicating that more lean tissue had been deposited. However, there was no evidence for treatment differences on reproductive performance.

Impact of dietary supplementation with N-carbamoyl-aspartic acid on serum metabolites and intestinal microflora of sows.

N-Carbamoyl-aspartic acid (NCA) is a critical precursor for de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. To investigate the cumulative effects of maternal supplementation with NCA on the productive performance, serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota of sows, 40 pregnant sows (∼day 80) were assigned into two groups: (1) the control (CON) and (2) treatment (NCA, 50 gt-1 NCA). Results showed that piglets from the NCA group had heavier birth weight than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). In addition, maternal supplementation with NCA decreased the backfat loss of sows during lactation (P < 0.05). Furthermore,16S-rRNA sequencing results revealed that maternal NCA supplementation decreased the abundance of Cellulosilyticum, Fournierella, Anaerovibrio, and Oribacterium genera of sows during late pregnancy (P < 0.05). Similarly, on the 14th day of lactation, maternal supplementation with NCA reduced the diversity of fecal microbes of sows as evidenced by significantly lower observed species, Chao1, and Ace indexes, and decreased the abundance of Lachnospire, Faecalibacterium, and Anaerovorax genera, while enriched the abundance of Catenisphaera (P < 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics showed that a total of 48 differentially abundant biomarkers were identified, which were mainly involved in metabolic pathways of arginine/proline metabolism, phenylalanine/tyrosine metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis, etc. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results indicated that NCA supplementation regulated intestinal microbial composition of sows and serum differential metabolites related to arginine, proline, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and fatty acids metabolism that may contribute to regulating the backfat loss of sows, and the birth weight and diarrhea rate of piglets. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Traits Defining Sow Lifetime Maternal Performance.

Simple SummaryIn pig production, the ability of a sow to produce and rear a high number of viable piglets that meet weight targets for a desired age at slaughter is the ultimate goal. To achieve this, both management and breeding programs have to be tailored and continuously optimized. Reproductive characteristics, maternal attributes, and the ability to maintain body condition are highly variable, both within sows and amongst sows. For individual sows, maternal performance alters with age, and the environmental factors have a large impact on sow performance. This study demonstrated that the sow influences the number of high-quality slaughter pigs produced, which is not solely related to variation in litter size. Accounting for the sow’s influence on the number of tail-enders in breeding programs could assist with producing more high-quality slaughter pigs.Declining sow performance with increasing parity or an increase in the number of poor- quality pigs potentially impacts on farm productivity. This study investigated the phenotypic and genetic background of the sow’s influence on (i) the number of pigs not meeting the industry standards (tail-enders) and (ii) changes in performance with parity. Data were available for 3592 sows and their litters (13,976 litters) from a pig production system in NSW, Australia. The mean, standard deviation (SD), and slope for trait values over time were estimated for the sow characteristic traits: number of born-alive (NBA) and stillborn (SB) piglets and body condition of sow recorded with a caliper (CAL), along with maternal effects on piglet performance, represented by: average piglet birth weight (APBW), number of weaned piglets (WEAN), and tail-enders (TEND). Traits were analyzed in ASReml 4.2, by using an animal model. The number of tail-enders produced by a sow is a heritable trait, with a heritability estimate of 0.14 ± 0.04. Sow characteristics and maternal effects on piglet performance expressed by mean and slope had similar heritability estimates, ranging from 0.10 ± 0.03 to 0.38 ± 0.05, whereas estimates for SD traits were generally not different from zero. The latter suggests individual variability in sow characteristics or maternal performance between parities is largely not genetic in origin. This study demonstrated that more attention is required to identify contributions to the problem of tail-enders, and that slope traits could potentially be useful in the breeding program to maximize lifetime performance.

Metabolome, microbiome, and gene expression alterations in the colon of newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction.

Newborn animals with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are characterized by impaired intestinal structure and function; however, their intestinal microbiota and metabolome profiles have not been fully identified. The present study investigated the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and barrier function-related gene expression profiles between the IUGR and normal birth weight (NBW) piglets at 7, 21, and 28 days of age. Forty-eight piglets (24 NBW and 24 IUGR) from 24 litters were assigned to assess the differences in colonic microbiota, metabolomics, and gene expression between IUGR and NBW piglets. Compared with the NBW piglets, IUGR piglets showed decreased Shannon index and increased Simpson index at 7 days of age and Chao1 index at 21 days of age (p < 0.05). The IUGR piglets had lower abundances of Firmicutes, Subdoligranulum, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-003 at 7 days of age, and Bacteroidetes, Phascolarctobacterium, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 at 21 days of age, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed significant changes in 147 metabolites mainly involved in organic acids and their derivatives in the colon. Six differential metabolic pathways were significantly enriched, including purine metabolism, amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism, ubiquinone/other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis, phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and histidine metabolism. Spearman’s correlation analysis further demonstrated significant correlations between colonic microbiota and metabolites. In addition, colonic isobutyrate at 7 days of age, isovalerate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) at 21 days of age, and acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFAs levels at 28 days of age were lower and isovalerate was higher at 28 days of age in the IUGR piglets than in the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 at 7 days of age, ZO-1, occludin, and interleukin (IL)-4 at 21 days of age were down-regulated in the IUGR piglets, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) at 28 days of age were up-regulated, when compared with the NBW piglets (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that the IUGR pigs present abnormal microbiota and nutrient metabolism in the colon, which may further affect the intestine barrier function by regulating gene expressions.

Proteomics analysis reveals promotion effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on mammary gland development and lactation of primiparous sows during gestation

1α,25(OH)2VD3 is the most active form of vitamin D3 in animals, and it plays an important role in regulating mineral metabolism and reproduction. In this study, 140 crossbred gilts (Landrace × Yorkshire) were selected, randomly divided into four groups, and fed with a commercial diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2, and 4 μg/kg of 1α,25(OH)2VD3 in the form of 1α,25(OH)2VD3-glycosides. The mammary gland tissues were sampled from sows on day 114 of gestation. The production data of sows in each group were analyzed, and the colostrum quality was evaluated. Differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in the mammary tissues were identified by tandem mass tag (TMT) technique and were verified by Western blot and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). The results showed that 4 μg/kg 1α,25(OH)2VD3-glycosides significantly promoted the piglet birth weight, weaning weight, colostrum quality, and lactation ability of primiparous sows. The proteomics analysis showed that of the identified 53,118 peptides, 48,868 were unique peptides. A total of 5029 DAPs were identified, of which 4292 DAPs contained quantitative information. Our data indicated that 1α,25(OH)2VD3 was involved in the regulation of the mammary gland development and lactation in a dose-dependent manner through multiple pathways during gestation of primiparous sows. SignificanceThe mammary gland is an important lactation organ of female mammals. Our research aims to reveal the effect of dietary supplementation with 1α,25(OH)2VD3 on mammary gland development and lactation of primiparous sow. This study identified potential signaling pathways and DAPs involved in regulating the mammary gland development and lactation in sows. Our findings provides theoretical basis for improving the fecundity of sows.

Supplementing sows with the leucine metabolite beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and vitamin D3 improves piglet birth weights that may lead to increased weaning weights

Previous university studies demonstrated that supplementing sows with calcium beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (CaHMB) in late gestation and/or lactation improved piglet weights through weaning. Two studies were conducted at commercial farrowing operations to test if the results would translate to commercial operations. Sows in both trials were randomized to receive either 3 g/day CaHMB plus 500 IU/day vitamin D3 (HMB/D) or a calcium carbonate containing control top-dressed to the feed from day 104 of gestation through weaning. Sows were randomly assigned to either HMB/D (n = 41 trial 1 and n = 26 trial 2) or control (n = 46 trial 1 and n = 26 trial 2). Data were analyzed using a general linear model with main effects of group, treatment, and group by treatment interaction. Treatment with HMB/D had no effect on sow weights, lactational weight loss, and stillborn or mummified piglets. In trial 1, the control group had an increased number of live born piglets, which at 24 h tended to be greater, and no difference in liveborn or 24-h piglet numbers was seen in trial 2. In trial 1, HMB/D increased piglet live birth (P &amp;lt; 0.03) and 24-h weights (1,490 ± 30.1 vs. 1,390 ± 28.8 g in HMB/D and control piglets, respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.02). Farm practices were to equalize piglet numbers across sows by cross-fostering. After cross-fostering, the 24-h average piglet weights were not different, and further advantages to supplementation were not observed (P = 0.21). In trial 2, birth and 24-h weights of the piglets from HMB/D-supplemented sows were increased (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Piglets from sows supplemented with HMB/D were 9.7% heavier at birth and 9.2% heavier at 24 h (1,549 ± 22.0 and 1,419 ± 21.2 in HMB/D and control, respectively). A difference was observed in weaning age (P &amp;lt; 0.0001), and weaning weights were adjusted to 21-day weights (5,426 ± 103.5 and 5,205 ± 99.5 for HMB/D and control piglets, respectively, P = 0.12). Analysis by group showed that HMB/D tended to increase weaning weights in younger sows (second and third parity), 5,432 ± 150.7 and 5,074 ± 142.7 in HMB/D and control piglets, respectively (P &amp;lt; 0.09). In conclusion, these results agree with previous university studies demonstrating that CaHMB supplementation increased early piglet weights with a tendency to improve weaning weights.

Effect of a combination of altrenogest and double PGF2α administrations on farrowing variation, piglet performance and colostrum IgG

The variation of gestation length in sows leads to difficulties performing farrowing supervision. The present study was performed to investigate whether oral administration of altrenogest until 112 days of gestation and double administration of PGF2α at 113 days of gestation can synchronise the onset of parturition in sows and minimise deleterious effects on the incidence of stillbirths and colostrum quality. Additionally, the effects of synchronised farrowing on colostrum yield and piglet birth weight, colostrum intake and survival rate of piglets until seven days of postnatal life were also investigated. In total, 193 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred sows were randomly allocated according to parity number into two groups, i.e. control (n = 95) and treatment (n = 98). The control sows were allowed to farrow naturally. The treatment sows were orally administered 20 mg per day of altrenogest for four days from 109 to 112 days of gestation and were administered PGF2α twice on day 113 of gestation. Individual body weight at birth and 24 h after birth of piglets in all litters were determined in both control (n = 1609) and treatment (n = 1707) groups. Colostrum consumption of all piglets, colostrum yield, colostrum IgG and serum progesterone of sows were determined. On average, the total number of piglets born per litter were 17.0 ± 3.1. The proportion of sows farrowed before 114 days of gestation was higher in the control than the treatment group (8.4% and 2.0%, respectively, P = 0.05) and 92.8% of sows in the treatment group farrowed on day 114 of gestation. The percentage of stillborn piglets per litter did not differ significantly between control and treatment groups (4.5% and 4.6%, respectively). Colostrum yield of sows did not differ between control and treatment groups (5.52 ± 0.13 and 5.28 ± 0.12 kg, respectively, P = 0.174). However, colostrum intake of piglets was lower in the treatment than the control group (354.7 ± 6.6 and 381.2 ± 7.0 g, respectively, P = 0.012). Colostrum IgG was higher in the control than the treatment group (41.2 ± 1.1 and 37.3 mg per ml, P = 0.013). In conclusion, altrenogest treatment from 109 to 112 days and double administrations of PGF2α on day 113 of gestation can control gestation length in sows. No deleterious effects of this protocol on the incidence of stillbirths and sow colostrum yield were detected. However, piglet colostrum intake and colostrum IgG were compromised. Thus, care of newborn piglets in the treatment group should be considered.

Maternal pyrimidine nucleoside supplementation regulates fatty acid, amino acid and glucose metabolism of neonatal piglets.

Pyrimidine nucleosides (PN) are abundant in mammalian milk and mainly involved in glycogen deposition and lipid metabolism. To investigate the effects of maternal supplementation with pyrimidine nucleoside on glucose, fatty acids (FAs), and amino acids (AAs) metabolism in neonatal piglets. Forty pregnant sows were randomly assigned into the control (CON) group (fed a basal diet, n = 20) or the PN group (fed a basal diet supplemented with PN at 150 g/t, n = 20). Litter size, born alive and birth litter weight were recorded. The serum and placenta of sows, and jejunum and liver of neonatal piglets were sampled. The results indicated that supplementing sow diets with PN decreased birth mortality and increased the birth weight of piglets (P < 0.05). In addition, neonates from sows supplemented with PN had higher glucose levels in serum and liver compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Moreover, maternal PN supplementation regulated the ratio of saturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs, and AAs content in serum and liver of piglets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, an up-regulation of mRNA expression of genes related to glucose and AA transport were observed in the neonatal jejunum from the PN group (P < 0.05). Additionally, hepatic protein expressions of phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase (P-HSL), HSL, sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1c (SREBP-1c), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (P-AKT) was higher in the piglets from the PN group than the CON group (P < 0.05). Together, maternal PN supplementation may regulate nutrient metabolism of neonatal piglets by modulating the gene expression of glucose and AA transporters in placenta and jejunum, and the gene and protein expression of key enzymes related to lipid metabolism in liver of neonatal piglets, which may improve the reproductive performance of sows.

Varying the hemicellulose content in sow’s lactation diets enlightened again the importance of early-life interventions for improving health and performance of small piglets during the post-weaning period

A recommendation of: Francesco Palumbo, Giuseppe Bee, Paolo Trevisi, Marion Girard Decreasing the level of hemicelluloses in sow's lactation diet affects the milk composition and post-weaning performance of low birthweight piglets. https://doi.org/10.31220/agriRxiv.2022.00116

O79 The effect of early neonatal glutamine supplementation on tissue and digesta free amino acid profiles in suckling low birth weight piglets

O79 The effect of early neonatal glutamine supplementation on tissue and digesta free amino acid profiles in suckling low birth weight piglets

Effects of dietary supplementation of gestating sows with adenosine 5'-monophosphate or adenosine on placental angiogenesis and vitality of their offspring.

Our previous study found that dietary nucleotide supplementation, including adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), could increase AMP content in sow milk and promote piglet growth, but its effects on placental efficiency and piglet vitality remain unknown. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary AMP or its metabolite adenosine (ADO) supplementation on sow reproductive performance and placental angiogenesis. A total of 135 sows with a similar farrowing time were blocked by backfat and body weight (BW) at day 65 of gestation and assigned to one of three dietary treatment groups (n = 45 per treatment): basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 0.1% AMP or 0.1% ADO, respectively. Placental analysis and the characteristics of sows and piglets unveiled that compared with control (CON) group, AMP or ADO supplementation could improve sow placental efficiency (P < 0.05) and newborn piglet vitality (P < 0.05), increase piglet birth weight (P < 0.05), and reduce stillbirth rate (P < 0.05). More importantly, AMP or ADO supplementation could increase the contents of AMP, ADO, and their metabolites in placentae (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, AMP or ADO supplementation could also increase placental vascular density (P < 0.05) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (P < 0.05), as well as promote the migration and tube formation of porcine iliac artery endothelial cells (P < 0.05). Overall, maternal dietary AMP or ADO supplementation could increase their contents in the placenta, thereby improving placental angiogenesis and neonatal piglet vitality.

Birthweight leads to seminal and testicular morphofunctional commitment in sexually mature boars

Given the importance of males as semen donors for artificial insemination (AI) and the high incidence of low birthweight piglets at commercial farms, the impact of birthweight on fertility in boars deserves special attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate testicular morphofunctional parameters and semen characteristics in different birthweight boars. Forty littermate males were selected at birth and divided into two experimental groups, according to birthweight: high (HW, birthweight ranging from 1.80 to 2.15 kg, n = 20) and low (LW, birthweight ranging from 0.75 to 1.10 kg, n = 20). At 170 days of age, a sub-set of 24 littermate boars (n = 12 HW and n = 12 LW) were randomly selected for semen collection, which was performed once a week, at a 15-day interval, during five weeks. At 300 days of age, boars were orchiectomized, and the testis processed for histological and molecular analyses. The HW group was heavier and presented larger testes compared to LW animals (P < 0.05). Despite that, birthweight did not significantly affect semen volume or sperm quality parameters (concentration, motility, vigor or morphology), although LW boars produced 38.2% fewer total sperm and 24% lower semen concentration, leading to 36.8% less inseminating doses. The histomorphometrical evaluation showed that seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium height were similar between experimental groups. However, LW boars presented shorter seminiferous tubules and, consequently, fewer Sertoli cells per testis (P 0.05). Even though plasma testosterone levels were equivalent in both birthweight groups, LW testis presented less androgen receptors (P < 0.05). Additionally, birthweight was positively correlated with total seminiferous tubule length and number of Sertoli cells (P < 0.01), and with body and testis weights (P < 0.01). Taken together, even though adult LW boars showed no evident semen pathologies or spermatogenesis commitment, mature HW males have the potential to produce more spermatozoa, consequently more semen doses per ejaculate, being more valuable to an industry that relies on AI.

Effect of High-Fat and Low-Fat Dairy Products on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Immune Function in a Low Birthweight Swine Model of Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance.

Although dairy intake has been shown to have a neutral or some beneficial effect on major cardiometabolic risk factors, the impact of dairy, and especially dairy fat, on immune function remains to be investigated. To understand the effect of consuming dairy fat on cardiometabolic risk factors and immune function, we used an established low birthweight (LBW) swine model of diet-induced insulin resistance to compare high-fat and low-fat dairy products to a control high-fat diet (CHF). LBW piglets were randomized to consume one of the 3 experimental HF diets: (1) CHF, (2) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of high-fat dairy (HFDairy) and (3) CHF diet supplemented with 3 servings/day of low-fat dairy (LFDairy). As comparison groups, normal birthweight (NBW) piglets were fed a CHF (NBW-CHF) or standard pig grower diet (NBW-Chow). A total of 35 pigs completed the study and were fed for a total of 7 weeks, including 1 week of CHF transition diet. At 12 weeks of age, piglets were euthanized. Fasting blood and tissue samples were collected. Ex vivo cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with pokeweed (PWM), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol myristate acetate-ionomycin (PMA-I) were assessed. As expected, LBW-CHF piglets showed early signs of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P model = 0.08). Feeding high-fat dairy products improved fasting plasma glucose concentrations more than low-fat dairy compared to LBW-CHF (P < 0.05). Irrespective of fat content, dairy consumption had neutral effect on fasting lipid profile. We have also observed lower production of IL-2 after PWM and PHA stimulation as well as lower production of TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation in LBW-CHF than in NBW-Chow (all, P < 0.05), suggesting impaired T cell and antigen presenting cell function. While feeding high-fat dairy had minimal effect on immune function, feeding low-fat dairy significantly improved the production of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ after PWM stimulation, IL-2 and IFN-γ after PHA stimulation as well as TNF-α after PMA-I stimulation compared to LBW-CHF (all, P < 0.05). These data provide novel insights into the role of dairy consumption in counteracting some obesity-related cardiometabolic and immune perturbations.

Effects of Dietary Fiber, Crude Protein Level, and Gestation Stage on the Nitrogen Utilization of Multiparous Gestating Sows

Simple SummaryTwo major concerns for sustainable swine production are the shortage of protein feed resources and the excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment. Those concerns can be partly alleviated by increasing nitrogen utilization by improving nutrition for pigs. This study observed that a low crude protein and dietary fiber supplemented diet can improve nitrogen utilization and reduce urinary nitrogen excretion. Additionally, late gestating sows have greater nitrogen utilization than those of early gestation, characterized by reduced nitrogen in urine and lower amino acids in serum. These findings offer nutritional solutions for improving nitrogen utilization.To investigate the effects of dietary fiber (DF), crude protein (CP) level, and gestation stage on nitrogen utilization, 28 Landrace-Yorkshire cross gestating sows at parity two were randomly divided into four dietary treatments with seven duplicates of one pig with a repeated-measures design. The diets comprised one with normal crude protein (CP) of 13.3%, one with a low CP diet of 10.1%, and two diets, one with dietary fiber (DF) supplementation of inulin and cellulose at the ratio of 1:1 and one without DF. The total litter size, litter size alive, and newborn birthweight of piglets did not differ between treatment groups. Sows that received high DF levels had greater nitrogen output in feces, lower urinary nitrogen, and increased nitrogen retention. Sows that received a low CP diet had reduced nitrogen excretion in feces and urine, lower nitrogen retention, and an unchanged nitrogen retention ratio. Sows at the late stage of gestation on days 95 to 98 had lower nitrogen excretion in urine and greater nitrogen retention than in the early stage of gestation on days 35 to 38, associated with a significant decrease in serum amino acids in late gestation. Maternal protein deposition was increased by high DF, decreased by low CP, and lower in late gestation compared with early gestation. Collectively, DF improved nitrogen utilization by decreasing urine nitrogen output, and nitrogen utilization increased as gestation advanced.

Bacillus subtilis QST 713 Supplementation during Late Gestation in Gilts Reduces Stillbirth and Increases Piglet Birth Weight.

Recent studies have shown that probiotic supplementation during late gestation exerts some beneficial effects on reproductive performance of the sows. This study aimed to investigate effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 supplementation in gilts on different reproductive criteria. A total of 94 Camborough-48 gilts at day 85 of gestation were randomly allocated into 2 groups: (1) control diet; (2) control diet + 4 × 108 CFU Bacillus subtilis QST 713 per day. Gilts were supplemented until farrowing. At farrowing, litter size, number of piglets born alive, stillbirths, mummies, birth weight, farrowing duration, and birth interval were recorded. Within litter variation of piglet birth weight, depicted as SDBW and CVBW, was also calculated. Results showed that Bacillus subtilis QST 713 supplementation decreased stillbirth rate (1.26 vs. 4.37%, p=0.035) and increased birth weight of the piglets (1303.94 vs. 1234.09 g, p=0.007). Also, the litter size (11.85 vs. 10.67, p=0.03), number of piglets born alive (11.71 vs. 10.23, p=0.008), and litter weight (15473.06 vs. 13174.86 g, p=0.002) in the treatment group were higher than those in the control. Farrowing duration (174.39 vs. 160.81 minutes, p=0.162), birth interval (16.32 vs. 16.59 minutes, p=0.674), SDBW (85.07 vs. 94.65 g, p=0.343), and CVBW (6.42 vs. 7.85, p=0.12) were independent of the Bacillus subtilis QST 713 supplementation. Results of the present study indicate that supplementation of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 during late gestation in gilts reduces stillbirth and increases birth weight thereby improving their reproductive performance.