Gestation Diet Research Articles

Parental lifestyle patterns around pregnancy and risk of childhood obesity in four European birth cohort studies

BackgroundA high prevalence of excess weight in children younger than 5 years suggests the involvement of early-life risk factors. The preconception and pregnancy periods are crucial stages for the implementation of interventions to prevent childhood obesity. Most studies so far have evaluated the effects of early-life factors separately, with only a few investigating the combined effect of parental lifestyle factors. Our objective was to fill the literature gap regarding parental lifestyle factors in the preconception and pregnancy periods and to study their association with the risk of overweight in children after the age of 5 years. MethodsWe harmonised and interpreted data from four European mother–offspring cohorts (EDEN [comprising 1900 families], Elfe [comprising 18 000 families], Lifeways [comprising 1100 families], and Generation R [comprising 9500 families]). Written informed consent was obtained from parents of all involved children. Lifestyle factor data collected through questionnaires comprised parental smoking, BMI, gestational weight gain, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. We applied principal component analyses to identify multiple lifestyle patterns in preconception and pregnancy. Their association with child BMI z-score and risk of overweight (including obesity, overweight and obesity, as defined by the International Task Force reference) between the ages of 5 and 12 years were assessed using cohort-specific multivariable linear and logistic regression models (adjusted for confounders including parental age, education level, employment status, geographic origin, parity, and household income). FindingsAmong the various lifestyle patterns identified in all cohorts, the two that better explained variance were high parental smoking plus low maternal diet quality or high maternal sedentary behaviour, and high parental BMI plus low gestational weight gain. Overall, we observed that patterns characterised by high parental BMI, smoking, low-quality diet, or sedentary lifestyle before or during pregnancy were associated with higher BMI z-scores and risk of overweight and obesity in children aged 5–12 years. InterpretationOur data contribute to a better understanding of how parental lifestyle factors might be associated with the risk of childhood obesity. These findings are valuable to inform future family-based and multi-behavioural child obesity prevention strategies in early life. FundingEuropean Union's Horizon 2020 under the ERA-NET Cofund action (reference 727565) and European Joint Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life” (JPI HDHL, EndObesity).

Impact of glyphosate residues in sow diets on neonatal piglets: tail kinks, stillborn and diarrhoea

Among the applications, glyphosate-based herbicides are used for pre-harvest crop desiccation and weed management in glyphosate resistant crops. Due to these applications glyphosate residues have been found in feedstuff for conventional livestock. Besides its herbicidal property, glyphosate has documented mineral chelating and antimicrobial properties. Previous studies have found glyphosate residuals in animal organs, and glyphosate may cause adverse effects in animals during the embryonic or neonatal period. The present study has two endpoints; (1) whether glyphosate concentration in the diets fed to sows during early gestation, was associated with the frequency of congenital tail kinks and stillborn piglets, and (2) whether the glyphosate concentration in diets fed to lactating sows, is associated with the frequency of diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. The concentration of glyphosate in 78 gestation diets obtained from seven Danish conventional sow herds ranged from 0.08 to 1.52 mg/kg dry matter (DM) and in 34 lactation diets from 0.06 to 0.87 mg/kg DM. When correcting for an average DM content of 88.3% in gestation diets and 89.0% in lactation diets the concentration of glyphosate ranged from 0.07 to 1.34 and 0.05 to 0.77 mg/kg feed, respectively. In the first study, 28,336 docked tails from 2 to 4-day-old piglets were assessed for congenital tail kinks and the number of kinky tails per herd per week was linked to the glyphosate concentration in sow diets during week 1 to 6 of gestation. Percentage of kinky tails and stillborn piglets ranged from 0 to 2.60% and 0.7 to 3.2% per week, respectively. No associations between the glyphosate concentration in sow gestation diets and the frequency of kinky tails or stillborn piglets were found. In the second study, faeces consistency of 5,526 piglets from 386 litters was linked to the glyphosate concentration in sow lactation diets. A proportion of 0.15 of the 0- to 5-day-old piglets had diarrhoea. No association was found between the concentration of glyphosate in sow lactation diets and the frequency of diarrhoea in neonatal piglets.

Influence of fiber type and carbohydrase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, energy and nitrogen balance, and physiology of sows at mid and late gestation.

Carbohydrase supplementation in grow-finish pig diets improves energy, nutrient digestibility, and gastrointestinal function, but their efficacy in gestation diets is understudied. The experimental objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicarbohydrase to improve digestion, energetics, and various physiological functions in gestating sows fed soluble and insoluble fiber diets. On day 28 of gestation, 36 sows (186 ± 4.6 kg body weight), blocked by parity, were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments (n = 9). Factors included fiber type of insoluble (IF; 20% dried distiller grains with solubles) or soluble fiber (SF; 20% sugar beet pulp) and with (+) or without (-) enzyme (0.05%, Rovabio Advance P10; Adisseo, Antony, France). Diets were fed from days 28 to 109 of gestation at a feeding level of 2.1 kg (SID-Lys 11 g/d and 4.5 net energy-Mcal/d). Two separate 9-d metabolism periods were conducted on days 50 to 59 (mid) and 99 to 108 (late) of gestation. During each period, days 1 to 3 served as an adaptation period, days 4 to 7 total urine and feces were collected (96-h) and followed by a 48-h lactulose-mannitol study. Serum and plasma were collected on days 50 and 99. Data were analyzed as repeated records using a linear mixed model with block as a random effect and fiber type, enzyme, and period and their interactions as fixed effects. Sows fed SF+ had increased serum IL-1ra (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.035), and IL-2 (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.042). In the presence of IF, multicarbohydrases increased serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, but not when supplemented with SF (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.028). Circulating IL-8 and TNF-α were decreased in sows fed multicarbohydrases (P < 0.05). Multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter, and neutral detergent fiber by 2.8%, 3.4%, and 8.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared to IF-, the ATTD of hemicellulose was 5.3% greater in sows fed IF+ but did not differ from SF- and SF+ (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.037). Sows fed IF+ had the greatest ATTD of insoluble dietary fiber (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.011). Sows fed multicarbohydrases excreted less energy in their urine (519 vs. 469 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.033) and in their feces (985 vs. 900 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.003). This resulted in an improvement in both digestible energy (Enzyme P < 0.01) and metabolizable energy (Enzyme P = 0.041), irrespective of fiber type. In conclusion, multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the digestibility and energetic contribution of fiber, irrespective of adaptation time or fiber type, but modulation of inflammatory responses was unique to dietary fiber type.

Evaluation of multienzyme supplementation and fiber levels on nutrient and energy digestibility of diets fed to gestating sows and growing pigs.

The objective was to investigate the effect of a multienzyme blend (MEblend) and inclusion level on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients, as well as ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in gestation diets with low (LF) or high-dietary fiber (HF) fed to gestation sows. For comparison, growing pigs were fed the same HF diets to directly compare ATTD values with the gestating sows. In experiment 1, 45 gestating sows (parity 0 to 5; 187 ± 28 kg bodyweight; BW) were blocked by parity in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and fed 2.2 kg/d of the HF (17.5% neutral detergent fiber; NDF) or LF (13% NDF) diet and one of three levels of MEblend (0.0%, 0.08%, and 0.1%) to determine impacts of MEblend on ATTD. Twenty-seven growing pigs (initial 35.7 ± 3.32 kg BW) were fed the same HF diet (5% of BW) and one of three MEblend inclusions. The MEblend at both 0.08% and 0.1% increased ATTD of energy, NDF, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (P < 0.05) in gestating sows but ATTD of total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and its residues were not affected. Sows fed HF, regardless of MEblend, had greater ATTD of NDF, xylose, and total NSP (P < 0.05) in comparison to grower pigs. In experiment 2, ileal cannulas were placed in 12 gestating sows (parity 0 to 2; BW 159 ± 12 kg) to determine apparent and standardized ileal digestibility (AID and SID) of AA and NSP. In a crossover design, sows were fed the same six diets, as in experiment 1, and a nitrogen-free diet during five periods of seven days each to achieve eight replicates per diet. There was no interaction between diet fiber level and MEblend inclusion. Supplementation of MEblend to gestating sow diets did not impact SID of CP and AA regardless of dietary fiber level. The SID of His, Ile, Lys, Phe, Thr, Trp, and Val were 3% to 6% lower (P < 0.09) in HF than LF independent of MEblend. Supplementation of MEblend did not impact AID of NSP components, but sows fed HF had higher AID of arabinose (LF: 26.5% vs. HF: 40.6%), xylose (LF: 3.5% vs. HF: 40.9%), and total NSP (LF: 25.9% vs. HF: 40.0%) compared to sows fed LF (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of MEblend increased ATTD of nutrients, NSP, and energy in diets fed to gestating sows regardless of inclusion level, with MEblend having a greater incremental increase in diets with lower NDF levels. Inclusion of MEblend impacted neither SID of AA nor AID of NSP in low- or high-fiber gestation diets, but high-fiber diet, negatively affected SID of AA.

Maternal obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and diet in association with neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children

BackgroundMaternal metabolic disturbances and diet may influence long-term infantile neurodevelopment. We investigated whether maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), obesity, and diet could affect the neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children.MethodsNeurodevelopment of children (n = 243) born to mothers with overweight or obesity was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development–Third Edition, and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. Maternal adiposity was determined by air displacement plethysmography, and GDM with an oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary assessment included diet quality and fish consumption questionnaires, and three-day food diaries, from which dietary inflammatory index (DII®) scores were computed.ResultsGDM was associated with weaker expressive language skills (adj.β = −1.12, 95% CI = −2.10;−0.15), and higher maternal adiposity with weaker cognitive, language, and motor skills in children (adj.p < 0.05). Maternal good dietary quality (adj.β = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.004;1.73) and higher fish consumption (adj.p = 0.02) were related to better expressive language skills. DII scores were not associated with children’s neurodevelopment.ConclusionsFindings suggest that GDM and higher maternal adiposity may lead to weaker neurodevelopmental skills, although still within the mean normative range in this population of children. Good dietary quality and higher fish consumption during pregnancy could benefit a child’s language development.ImpactGestational diabetes mellitus and maternal higher adiposity may have unfavorable effects on a 2-year-old child’s neurodevelopment.An overall good quality of diet and higher fish consumption during pregnancy may result in more favorable cognitive and language skills when the child is 2-year-old.Our findings reveal that women with overweight or obesity, a risk group for pregnancy complications, could benefit from dietary counseling to support their children’s neurodevelopment.

Effects of yeast-derived postbiotic supplementation in late gestation and lactation diets on performance, milk quality, and immune function in lactating sows.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of yeast-derived postbiotic (YDP) supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation on the performance of sows and their offspring. At 90-d gestation, 150 sows (Landrace × Large White, parity: 3.93 ± 0.11) were allocated to three dietary treatments (n = 50 per treatment): 1) basal diet (control [CON]), 2) basal diet with 1.25 g/kg YDP (0.125 group), and 3) basal diet with 2.00 g/kg YDP (0.200 group). The experiment continued until the end of weaning (day 21 of lactation). Supplementation with YDP resulted in greater deposition of backfat in sows during late gestation and an increasing trend in average weaning weight of piglets than observed in the CON group (P < 0.01, P = 0.05). Supplementation with YDP decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets (P < 0.05). In farrowing sows' serum, the glutathione peroxide content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05); the content of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the 0.200 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In lactating sows' serum, malondialdehyde content was higher in the YDP group (P < 0.05). In day 3 milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content (P = 0.07), and tended to decrease the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content (P = 0.06) with respect to that in the CON group. The sIgA content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In the milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content with respect to that in the CON group (P = 0.08); the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in the 0.125 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). YDP supplementation increased the IgA content in the milk (P < 0.01). In sow placenta, the content of total anti-oxidant capacity in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P = 0.05); and the content of transforming growth factor-β in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In piglet serum, the content of IgG and immunoglobulin M in the 0.125 group was higher than that in the CON and 0.200 groups (P < 0.05). In summary, this study indicated that feeding sows diets supplemented with YDP from late gestation through lactation increased sows' backfat deposition in late gestation and piglets' weaning weight; decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets; and improved maternal and offspring immunity.

Evaluation of oxidized beta-carotene on sow and piglet immune systems, sow reproductive performance, and piglet growth.

This study aimed to determine if supplementation of oxidized-beta carotene (OxC-Beta) improved sow reproductive performance, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, and ability to alter immune cells abundance in sows and piglets, subsequent litter performance, and nursery growth performance. At approximately d 60 of gestation and through the lactation period, 194 sows (blocked by parity) were assigned to a common gestation diet or the common diet supplemented with 80ppm oxidized beta-carotene (OxC-Beta, Aviagen, Ottawa, ON, Canada). A subset of sows (n = 54 per treatment) were sampled for blood and body weight recorded at the beginning of the study, farrowing, and weaning. A blood sample was taken from a subset of piglets at birth and weaning, and all piglet weights were recorded. Blood was analyzed for vitamin A as retinol concentrations and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgG) levels were assessed from the sow's blood. Twelve pigs (n = 6 per treatment) were euthanized at birth and weaning. The livers were collected and analyzed for the Kupffer cell phagocytic activity through flow cytometry. Whole blood was analyzed via flow cytometry for cluster of differentiation (CD335, CD8, and CD4). Colostrum during farrowing and milk at weaning were analyzed for IgG and IgA concentrations. Data were analyzed via SAS 9.4 using MIXED and frequency procedures where appropriate. No differences (P > 0.05) between dietary treatments were observed in sow reproductive performance, feed intake, wean to estrus interval, or piglet growth performance. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the plasma or liver for vitamin A. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the composition of the colostrum or milk. No immunological differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the piglets' liver and blood or sow antibodies in colostrum and milk. The supplementation of OxC-Beta did (P < 0.05) decrease IgM and tended (P < 0.10) to decrease IgG in sow plasma. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the reproductive performance of subsequent litter information from the sows. Gilt litter weaning weight and feed intake were reduced (P < 0.05) compared to sow performance. In conclusion, the supplementation of OxC-Beta at 80ppm from d 60 of gestation through lactation does not affect the reproductive performance of sows, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, piglet immune status, and antibodies or composition in colostrum and milk.

Effects of maternal and offspring treatment with two dietary sources of vitamin D on the mineral homeostasis, bone metabolism and locomotion of offspring fed protein- and phosphorus-reduced diets

ABSTRACT The present study aims to compare the effects of maternal and offspring treatment with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) and vitamin D3 on vitamin D status, mineral homoeostasis, bone metabolism and locomotion in the offspring. Either vitamin D3 (50 μg/kg diet) or 25-OHD3 (50 μg/kg diet) was supplemented to the gestation and lactation diets of 49 multiparous sows and/or to the diets of their growing offspring. Treatment of the sows did not affect plasma concentrations of 25-OHD3 of the offspring. Pigs fed 25-OHD3 had higher plasma concentrations of 25-OHD3 than pigs that received vitamin D3 during rearing and fattening. However, neither plasma concentrations of calcium, phosphate and bone markers during the observation period nor bone ash and bone mineral density at slaughter were clearly affected by the treatment. Maternal and offspring treatment with 25-OHD3 instead of vitamin D3 resulted in a slight reduction in the prevalence of leg swelling. In addition, more pigs walked with even steps and normal stride length. Further studies are needed to test whether the slight effects observed in the present experiment are reproducible and of relevance for animal health and welfare. In that case, the underlying mechanisms should be revealed in order to take advantage of potentially beneficial influences especially under certain feeding regimes.

Frequency of preeclampsia spectrum disorders by diabetes subgroup

We aim to determine the frequency of preeclampsia (PE) spectrum disorders among subjects with diabetes by subtype: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM); Type 2 DM (T2DM); gestational diabetes diet controlled (A1GDM); medication controlled GDM (A2GDM); and hyperglycemia in early pregnancy. We hypothesized a higher rate of PE with severe features among those with T1DM and T2DM.

O efeıto do tempo de consumo de fruta na regulação da glıcose na gravıdez com dıabetes gestacıonal

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to determine the effect of fruit consumption time on blood glucose regulation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Methods The study was carried out with 64 volunteer participants diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Participants who were directed to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics were divided into two groups according to the order of application; Group 1 was included in the nutrition treatment program for a week, consuming fruit for the main meal and Group 2 for the snack. During this process, the participants were applied a personalized nutrition plan that was adjusted equally for macronutrients of all meals containing isocaloric 3 main and 4 snacks. In this process, blood glucose values were measured six times a day by the participants and the blood glucose results of both groups before starting the nutrition therapy and on the seventh day after starting the medical nutrition therapy were compared. Results The mean age of the women participating in the study was 33.50±4.95 years and 32.28±5.18 years for the 1st and 2nd groups, respectively, and the groups were similar in terms of anthropometric measurements. The post-diet average of postprandial blood glucose levels in the morning within each group dropped from 180mg/d to 115mg/dL (p&lt;0,001) for Group 1 and from 185mg/dL to 110mg/dL (p&lt;0,001) for Group 2. There was a decrease in the fasting plasma glucose and postprandial blood glucose levels measured in the morning, noon and evening before and after the medical nutrition therapy of the groups, but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p&gt;0.05). All participants on the gestational diabetes diet had normal blood sugar levels without the need for insulin. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the postprandial blood glucose-fasting plasma glucose difference levels of the pregnant women in the group that consumed fruit for snacks (Group 2) on the seventh day of the study (p&lt;0,001). There was no significant difference in the pre-diet and post-diet morning fasting plasma glucose values of both groups (p&gt;0,05). Conclusion This study found that medical nutrition therapy in pregnant women with gestational diabetes led to a decrease in blood glucose levels, but consuming fruits as a snack or at the main meal did not make a significant difference on fasting plasma glucose and postprandial blood glucose. It was concluded that the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed daily in gestational diabetes are determinative on blood glucose level.

ODP269 Impacts of Gestational Bisphenol A Exposure on Adult Hypothalamic Neurogenesis

Abstract Regulation of physiological homeostasis by the hypothalamus is influenced by low basal levels of adult neurogenesis arising from proliferative cell populations in various hypothalamic regions. Adult hypothalamic neurogenesis is involved in maintenance of energy homeostasis and is responsive to energy balance disruptions. Hormones such as oestradiol interact with energy balance disruptions to alter rates of prenatal and adult neurogenesis, demonstrating sensitivity of hypothalamic neural progenitor cells to endogenous hormones. We previously showed that gestational exposure to the hormone mimic bisphenol A (BPA) accelerates embryonic hypothalamic neurogenesis with lasting effects on hypothalamic function into adulthood (1). The impact of gestational exposure to BPA on hypothalamic progenitors that contribute to adult neurogenesis has not been explored. The present study examines the interaction between energy balance disruptions via high-fat diet and the lasting impact of gestational BPA exposure on adult hypothalamic neurogenesis. Pregnant dams were either fed a control diet or chow laced with a low dose of BPA (50 μg per kg diet), then offspring were placed on low-fat or high-fat diet throughout adolescence (postnatal day (P) 5-35) and weighed every 5 days to assess physical changes. Intraperitoneal injections of BrdU were conducted twice a day from P45-53 to mark proliferating cells. To identify changes in the number and/or type of proliferating cells as a result of gestational BPA exposure and diet changes, brains from mice sacrificed at P54 and P75 were co-stained for BrdU and cell type specific markers to label neurons, oligodendrocytes, or astrocytes. Results showed that in adolescent animals on low-fat diet, BPA exposure decreased weight gain compared to controls (7.68±4.22 g vs. 8.50±3.98g;p&amp;lt; . 0001; n≥20 per group). Similarly, in adolescent animals on high-fat diet, BPA exposure decreased weight gain compared to controls (8.54±2. 02 g vs. 9.97±4.89g;p&amp;lt; . 0001; n≥20 per group). There was no impact on weight gain in adult male mice, however in adult female mice on low-fat diet, BPA exposure decreased weight gain compared to controls (18.33±1.45 g vs. 18.97±1.50 g;p=. 019; n≥7 per group). The opposite effect was seen in adult female mice on high-fat diet, where BPA exposure increased weight gain compared to controls (20. 07±1.51 g vs. 19.62±1.478 g;p=. 050; n≥7 per group). Preliminary data demonstrate a trending increase in hypothalamic neurogenesis in adult P54 females on low-fat diet exposed to BPA compared to controls (200.15±34.85 BrdU+/NeuN+ cells vs. 69. 00±6. 00 BrdU+/NeuN+ cells, n=2) and on high-fat diet exposed to BPA compared to controls (169.65±101.65 BrdU+/NeuN+ cells vs. 50.15±17.85 BrdU+/NeuN+ cells, n=2). These data suggest BPA may have an estrogenic effect on hypothalamic neural progenitors, resulting in disruptions to adult hypothalamic neurogenesis and energy balance homeostasis. Reference: (1) Nesan et al., Science Adv. 2021 May 28;7(22): eabd1159 . Presentation: No date and time listed

The effect of moderate energy and protein restriction during gilt development on changes in body weight and backfat depth and subsequent lactation performance.

Eighty-eight gilts [initial body weight (BW) 49.8 ± 0.8 kg] were recruited to determine the effects of moderate energy and protein restriction during the development period on changes in BW and backfat depth (BF) and subsequent lactation performance. Gilts were randomly assigned to one of four feeding programs: 1) standard commercial diet fed ad libitum (CON), 2) standard commercial diet fed 10% or 3) 20% below ad libitum, or 4) a high-fiber diet fed ad libitum [2.5 times more fiber (neutral detergent fiber) than the commercial diet to dilute net energy and crude protein by approximately 20% and 13%, respectively; FIB]. The gilts were housed individually and received the feeding programs between 90 and 190 (breeding) d of age and standard gestation and lactation diets thereafter. Litters were standardized to 12 ± 1 pigs within 48 h of farrowing; weaning occurred at 20.0 ± 0.4 d of age. Gilts that received the 20% restricted program had lower overall average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the development period (2.64 ± 0.04 kg; P < 0.05) versus all other feeding programs and gilts that received the 10% restricted program had lower ADFI than FIB and CON, which were not different (2.96 vs. 3.44 and 3.47 ± 0.04 kg for 10%, FIB and CON, respectively; P < 0.05). Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations on day 180 of age were lower for gilts that received the 10% and 20% restricted programs compared to gilts that received the FIB and CON programs, which were not different (97 and 86 vs. 220 and 149 ± 29 µEq/L, respectively; P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of glucose, urea, prolactin, and IGF-1 were not different among feeding programs on day 180 of age. At breeding, gilts that received the FIB and 10% programs had lower BW and BF versus CON (145.7 and 144.8 vs. 155.2 ± 0.9 kg and 14.4 and 14.8 vs. 16.5 ± 0.2 mm for BW and BF, respectively; P < 0.05) but greater BW than gilts that received the 20% restricted program (137.9 kg; P < 0.05). The BW and BF of gilts did not differ at the end of gestation or at weaning. The ADFI of sows during lactation and offspring birth weight and growth rate during lactation and the 5-wk nursery period were not influenced by gilt development feeding program. Therefore, a high-fiber feeding program could be used in group-housing gilt-development scenarios, where feed is offered ad libitum, to control BW and BF prior to breeding without influencing milk production in the subsequent lactation period.

258 A Survey of Added Vitamin Levels in Diets Utilized in the U.S. Swine Industry

Abstract From November, 2021 to February, 2022, swine nutritionists representing 29 production systems and 8 nutrition supplier companies in the United States were surveyed about added vitamin concentration in swine diets. Respondents were asked to provide vitamin premix concentrations, inclusion rates, and weight ranges associated with feeding phases. Survey participants represented 4.38 million sows or 69% of the U.S. industry. Data were compiled into 3 nursery phases (Phase 1, weaning to 7 kg; Phase 2, 7 to 11 kg; and Phase 3, 11 to 23 kg), 3 finishing phases (23 to 55 kg; 55 to 100 kg; 100 to market), gestation, and lactation (Table 1). Vitamin concentrations were, on average, 3.9 times above NRC (2012) recommendations across all nursery diets. Vitamins D and K were the upper extremes, and choline and pyridoxine were the lower. In finishing diets, vitamin concentrations averaged 2.8 times the 2012 NRC recommendations. Vitamins D and K were the upper extremes, and niacin and riboflavin were the lower. Regarding breeding herd diets, vitamin concentrations were 2.9 times the 2012 NRC recommendations on average. In gestation diets, vitamins K and niacin were the upper extreme, and choline and biotin were the lower. Vitamins K and A were the upper extremes for lactation, and choline and biotin were the lower. The use of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as a source of vitamin D has become more common compared with previous surveys. Its use was reported by 31% of the nutritionists in the nursery, 11% in the finishing, and 40% in gestation and lactation diets. Understanding current supplementation practices may help develop experimental designs to test different vitamin inclusions and provide an industry benchmark of vitamin usage.

PSIV-A-10 Effects of Canola Meal Inclusion in Gestation and Lactation Diets with or without Probiotic on sow Performance, Milk Composition and Piglet Performance

Abstract The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of high dietary canola meal (CM) inclusion in gestation and lactation diets with or without probiotic supplementation on sow and litter performance and milk composition. Seventy-five sows were randomly allotted 1 of 3 diets to give 25 replicates per treatment. Diets consisted of a corn and soybean meal (SBM) control (CTRL) or the CTRL diet with SBM replaced by 300g/kg CM and fed with (CM+) or without (CM-) probiotic ActisafÒ Sc 47 supplementation. Sows BW and backfat thickness were determined on d 80 and 111 of gestation, d 1 post-farrowing, and at weaning on d 21. Milk samples were collected on d 1 and d 21 post-farrowing to determine milk composition. Piglets were weighed on d 0 and at weaning. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 for a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatment had no effect on sow performance, milk crude protein and lactose oligosaccharide composition, piglet ADG and weaning weight, and piglet survivability (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Sows fed CM- diet tended to fewer (P = 0.07) weaned piglets compared to sows fed CTRL diet, but no difference was found between sows fed the CM+ and CTRL diets (P &amp;gt; 0.10). At weaning, milk fat content for sows fed with CM+ diet was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and tended to be higher (P = 0.09) compared with those fed the CTRL and the CM- diet, respectively. In conclusion, including 300g/kg CM in gestation and lactation sow diets supported similar sow and piglet performance as those the control diet, without affecting piglet survivability at weaning. Also, probiotic supplementation in CM diet increased sow milk fat content at weaning.

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.

User engagement in relation to effectiveness of a digital lifestyle intervention (the HealthyMoms app) in pregnancy

Although user engagement is generally considered important for the effectiveness of digital behavior change interventions, there is a lack of such data in pregnancy. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the associations of user engagement with the HealthyMoms app with gestational weight gain, diet quality and physical activity in pregnancy. The study involved secondary analyses of participant data from the intervention group (n = 134) in a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a 6-month mHealth intervention (the HealthyMoms app) on gestational weight gain, diet quality and physical activity. In adjusted regression models, the total number of registrations from three self-monitoring features (i.e., for weight-, diet- and physical activity) was associated with lower gestational weight gain (β = − 0.18, P = 0.043) and improved diet quality (β = 0.17, P = 0.019). These findings were mainly attributable to the associations of physical activity registrations with lower gestational weight gain (β = − 0.20, P = 0.026) and improved diet quality (β = 0.20, P = 0.006). However, the number of app sessions and page views were not associated with any of the outcomes. Our results may motivate efforts to increase user engagement in digital lifestyle interventions in pregnancy. However, additional studies are needed to further elucidate the influence of different types of user engagement in digital pregnancy interventions on their effectiveness.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03298555); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03298555 (date of registration: October 2, 2017; date of first enrolled participant: October 24, 2017).

Effect of capsaicin on the feed intake and immunoglobin concentration of sows, and performance of piglets.

Capsaicin is a recognized alkaloid that can be used as a flavoring and palatability agent. These effects can increase feed intake in lactating sows during farrowing, especially under thermal stress conditions, and provide antioxidant and immunostimulant activities. The objective of this work was to find out the effects of a capsaicin-based product on the feed intake of sows, immunomodulation, and repercussions on litter performance and the control of piglet diarrhea conditions. A total of 132 pregnant sows and lactating sows and their respective litters were divided into 66 sows each and submitted to one of two possible treatments: a capsaicin-free diet (control group) or capsaicin per meal/day. Capsaicin was mixed with gestation and lactation diets in the proportion of 98.6g of feed and 1.4g of capsaicin/kg feed, with the dose administered "on top" of 100g per treatment day on the first feeding. The sows were treated between 90days of gestation and 21days of lactation. Backfat thickness, feed intake during farrowing, colostrum production, IgG colostrum concentration, sow reproductive performance, piglet performance, and diarrhea were evaluated. Compared to the sows in the control group, those that received capsaicin had higher feed intake (+ 0.69kg/day during lactation, P = 0.008), higher levels of IgG in colostrum (185.75 versus 153.80mg/mL, P = 0.04), an 11.2% higher litter weight gain, with individual piglet weight gains greater than 5.24% (P = 0.045), and an effective reduction in the frequency of piglet diarrhea on the 10th and 17th days of age (P = 0.013 and P = 0.001, respectively). Capsaicin is an additive with potential effects on the sow's performance, with positive influences on the health and growth of suckling piglets.

Present Situation and the Future Development of Web-Based Prenatal Education in China: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey.

BackgroundPregnancy serves as an important chapter in the life of women since more attention needs to be paid to both their physical and psychological health during this period. Adequate prenatal knowledge plays a key role in ensuring the health and safety of not only the pregnant women but also their fetuses and the entire family. With the development of information technology, web-based prenatal education has been brought into focus owing to its accessibility to comprehensive information, with high-quality information available to improve the quality of the overall gestation period, labor process, perinatal outcomes, and fetal outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the present situation of web-based prenatal education and to predict the future research direction of web-based prenatal education in China, thereby providing insights into improving the quality of health care of pregnant women.MethodsA national cross-sectional study was conducted on 590,912 pregnant women in 31 provincial administrations of mainland China between August 2018 and August 2019. These pregnant women were initially recruited from local hospitals across the nation during antenatal and postnatal periods via a web-based education school. Demographic information and course completion status (including the categories and the number of courses they completed) of all the participants were collected.ResultsA total of 590,912 pregnant women participated in the web-based prenatal education in 2018. Among them, 188,508 (31.90%) participants were excluded because they did not complete any course, while 17,807 (3.01%) actively participated in web-based prenatal education and completed more than 100 courses. There were 5 categories of web-based courses; almost half of the pregnant women attended the courses on first and second trimesters (293,262/590,912, 49.63% and 298,168/590,912, 50.46%, respectively). We found that pregnant women were more concerned about the gestational diet, fetal-related knowledge, and other precautions before the labor.ConclusionsIn the era of digitalization where information is rapidly disseminated, web-based prenatal education could become a more convenient, productive, and effective pathway for pregnant women since it could help them obtain adequate and optimal pregnancy-related information and gain more intellectual awareness about their pregnancy or preparation for pregnancy.

Human milk metabolome: Impact of gestational age, lactational stage and maternal diet.

Human breast milk due to its unique composition and the ability to adapt to the needs of the infant, is referred to as the "gold standard". Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of a inflant's life. The composition of breast milk and its metabolites is not constant and varies depending on the influence of various factors. Its analysis allows for rational management of infant nutrition. Intermediate and final metabolites of human milk are formed as a result of various metabolic processes in the mammary gland, and their role and the influence of various factors on them are not fully determined in the context of the proper development of infants. Metabolomic studies can be used to identify intermediate and terminal metabolites in breast milk. The aim of the study was to review the current literature on the variability of human milk metabolome depending on factors such as gestational age, lactation stage and mother's diet. A review of current research shows that the composition of human milk metabolome varies depending on various factors. Better understanding of metabolome of breast milk could be crucial in the future programming of metabolic processes in infants, which is crucial in preventing many diseases and maintaining health.

NFB-02. Maternal high-fat diet exposure increases the proliferation and glial differentiation of the cells of origin for NF1-optic glioma

Some pediatric cancers arise in the context of tumor predisposition syndromes caused by germline mutations in genes that regulate cell growth. The most common of these syndromes, Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), results in the development of low-grade tumors of the optic pathway (optic pathway gliomas; OPGs) in ~15% of affected children. However, risk assessment for each individual child is difficult, as it is currently challenging to predict which children with NF1 will develop OPG. Emerging human population-based evidence has raised the possibility that patient-specific risk factors, including infant birth weight, may modulate the risk of glioma development. High-infant birth weight can be modeled in mice by maternal exposure to a high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. To address the hypothesis that maternal high-fat diet exposure will increase the risk of OPG formation through intrinsic effects on the putative tumor cell of origin, we evaluated the effect of maternal exposure to a HFHS diet on the proliferation and differentiation of these cells (neural stem cells within the third ventricular zone; TVZ NSCs). Progeny from obese dams (MatOb) exposed to HFHS diet during and preceding gestation demonstrated increased proliferation and glial differentiation of TVZ NSCs in vivo. Similar results were observed with gestational HFHS diet exposure (GE) that did not result in maternal weight gain, suggesting these effects were related to maternal diet rather than weight. These effects were not observed in NSCs from other regions of the brain, supporting the regional specificity of the effect of diet on these tumor-initiating stem cells. Finally, we found that maternal HFHS diet resulted in elevated levels of leptin and insulin, both of which increase the proliferation of TVZ NSCs. Taken together, these findings provide early experimental evidence that maternal environmental exposure affects developing neural stem cells relevant to the risk of glioma formation.