Growth Performance Of Suckling Piglets Research Articles

Maternal resveratrol improves the intestinal health and weight gain of suckling piglets during high summer temperatures: The involvement of exosome-derived microRNAs and immunoglobin in colostrum

Previous studies have shown that maternal resveratrol improved growth performance and altered the microbial composition of suckling piglets under hot summer conditions. However, it remains unclear how maternal resveratrol improves growth performance of suckling piglets during high summer temperatures. A total of 20 sows (Landrace × Large White; three parity) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (with or without 300 mg/kg resveratrol) from d 75 of gestation to d 21 of lactation during high ambient temperatures (from 27 to 30 °C). The results showed that maternal resveratrol supplementation increased total daily weight gain of piglets under hot summer conditions, which is consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, we found that maternal resveratrol improved the intestinal morphology and intestinal epithelial proliferation in suckling piglets. Dietary resveratrol supplementation affected the characteristics of exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in sow colostrum, as well as the genes targeted by differentially produced miRNAs. MiRNAs are concentrated in the tight junction pathway. As a result, the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins was increased in suckling piglets (P < 0.05). Notably, maternal resveratrol increased the intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels of suckling piglets via colostrum immunoglobin (P < 0.05), which could increase the abundance of beneficial microbiota to further increase the concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in suckling piglets' intestine (P < 0.05). Finally, our correlation analysis further demonstrated the positive associations between significantly differential intestinal microbiota, intestinal sIgA production and SCFA concentrations, as well as the positive relation between total daily weight gain and intestinal health of suckling piglets. Taken together, our findings suggested that maternal resveratrol could promote intestinal health to improve piglet growth during high summer temperatures, which might be associated with the immunoglobin and exosome-derived miRNAs in sows' colostrum.

Maternal Supplementary Tapioca Polysaccharide Iron Improves the Growth Performance of Piglets by Regulating the Active Components of Colostrum and Cord Blood.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal supplementation with TpFe (tapioca polysaccharide iron) on reproductive performance, colostrum composition, cord blood active components of sows, and growth performance of their nursing piglets. Sixty healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly assigned to three groups at day 85 of gestation. The experimental diets included a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg FeSO4·H2O (CON group), the basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg TpFe (TpFe50 group), and the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg TpFe (TpFe100 group), as calculated by Fe content. The experiment lasted from day 85 of gestation to the end of weaning (day 21 of lactation). Results showed that maternal supplementation with 100 mg/kg TpFe improved (p < 0.05) feed intake during lactation, live births, and birth weight of the litter (alive) and increased (p < 0.05) colostrum IgM (immunoglobulin m), IgA (immunoglobulin A), as well as the IgG levels, while it decreased (p < 0.05) the urea nitrogen and somatic cell count of sows. Moreover, sows in the TpFe100 group had higher (p < 0.05) serum iron levels and IgG. Additionally, maternal supplementation with 100 mg/kg TpFe increased (p < 0.05) iron level, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase (CAT), IgG, red blood cells (RBC), and hemoglobin (Hb) of cord blood, similar with the iron content, T-AOC, GSH-px, IgG, RBC, Hb, hematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of weaned piglet blood. The diarrhea and mortality rates among the nursing piglets were decreased (p < 0.05), while the average weight at day 21 of age was increased (p < 0.05) in the TpFe100 group. Serum PRL (prolactin) levels of sows exhibited a positive correlation (p < 0.05) with live births. Suckling piglet diarrhea was positively correlated with colostrum urea nitrogen level but negatively correlated with colostrum IgM, IgG, and cord blood Hb content (p < 0.05). The mortality of suckling piglets was negatively correlated with serum iron content and IgM in colostrum, GSH-px, and IgG in cord serum of sows (p < 0.05). The average weight of weaning piglets was positively (p < 0.05) related to colostrum IgM and IgG levels, as well as cord serum RBC counts of sows on day 21. In conclusion, maternal supplementation with TpFe can improve the active components of colostrum and umbilical cord blood and improve the growth performance of suckling piglets.

Effect of sialyllactose administration on growth performance and intestinal epithelium development in suckling piglets

Sialyllactose (SL) is an abundant carbohydrate in sow’s colostrum, but decreases during the first few days of lactation. Here, we investigated its effect on growth performance and intestinal epithelium development in pigs during the suckling period. Sixteen litters of suckling piglets were divided into two groups (Control and SL group). All piglets were breast fed and the SL group was orally administrated with 4 g SL per day for 21 d. Results showed that SL administration increased the litter weight (P = 0.043) and tended to elevate the average body weight (P = 0.084) at weaning. The serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G and glutathione peroxidase were elevated, but the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α, malondialdehyde, and diamine oxidase were decreased upon SL administration (P < 0.05). Moreover, SL administration elevated the villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and the activities of lactase and sucrase in jejunum (P < 0.05), and decreased the total apoptotic cells in ileal epithelium (P = 0.003). The expression levels of tight-junction protein ZO-1 in the jejunum and ileum, and critical functional genes such as the glucose transporter 2, divalent metal transporter 1, and insulin growth factor 1 receptor in the jejunum were elevated by SL supplementation (P < 0.05). Importantly, SL increased butyric acid concentration, and elevated the abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in cecum (P < 0.05). These results suggest that SL could improve the growth performance of suckling piglets, which was associated with improved immunity and antioxidant capacity, as well as the intestinal barrier functions.

Dietary inclusion of glucose oxidase supplementation to corn-wheat-based diet enhance growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile of lactating sows.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of dietary glucose oxidase (GOx) supplementation on the reproductive performance, litter performance, total tract digestibility, and blood profile of lactating sows fed corn-wheat-based diet. A total of twenty multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were allocated into one of four treatments with five replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments were as follows: CON (Basal diet), GO1 (basal diet + 200 U GOx/kg), GO2 (basal diet + 300 U GOx/kg), GO3 (basal diet + 400 U Gox/kg). Dietary GOx supplementation did not affect lactating sow’s reproduction performance as well as body weight, backfat thickness, and body condition score during pre and post farrowing, and at weaning (p > 0.05). However, after farrowing to weaning period lactating sow’s fed GOx supplement has linearly (p = 0.0196) decreased the bodyweight loss. While, there were no effects (p > 0.05) observed on sows backfat thickness loss, average daily feed intake, and estrus interval among treatment groups. Dietary supplementation of GOx has linearly improved the body weight gain (p = 0.049) and average daily gain (p = 0.040) of suckling piglets. The total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen was linearly increased with the graded level of GOx supplement. Also, a linear effect was observed on the glucose and superoxide dismutase of blood profile with the dietary inclusion of GOx. In summary, our finding indicates that the dietary inclusion of GOx supplement with corn-wheat-based diet had a beneficial effect on the nutrient digestibility and blood profile of lactating sows and improved the growth performance of suckling piglets.

Effects of Amaranthus hypochondriacus supplementation during gestation and lactation on the apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, lactational feed intake, and litter performance in sows.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Amaranthus hypochondriacus (AH) inclusion in the diets of gestating and lactating sows on the lactational feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of suckling piglets. During gestation, 40 multiparous Landrace sows were restrictively fed with either a control diet or a diet including 30% AH. Both diets had similar levels of digestible energy and crude protein, but the 30% AH diet had higher crude fibre levels than the control diet. After breeding, lactating sows were fed ad libitum with one of two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets, either a control diet or a diet containing 10% AH. In gestating sows, AH supplementation was found to be associated with decreased digestibility of crude protein and dry matter (p < .001), resulting in lesser backfat depth (p < .001). However, in lactating sows, AH supplementation had little effect on digestibility and milk composition; moreover, it increased the feed intake (p < .001) and decreased backfat loss (p < .001) in sows. On the 21st day of lactation, suckling piglets in AH group showed significantly greater average daily gains (p < .001), and average body weight and litter weight significantly increased compared with sows fed the control diet. In conclusion, AH‐supplementation increased lactational feed intake in sows and improved the growth performance of suckling piglets.

Effects of dietary supplementation of nucleotides from late gestation to lactation on the performance and oxidative stress status of sows and their offspring.

Increased metabolic burdens in breeding sows, which are induced by elevated systemic oxidative stress, could increase the need for nucleotides to repair lymphocyte DNA damage; however, de novo synthesis of nucleotides may be insufficient to cover this increased need. This study investigated the effects of dietary nucleotides on milk composition, oxidative stress status, and the reproductive and lactational performance of sows. Forty multiparous sows were assigned to 2 dietary treatments (Control group, and 1 g/kg Nucleotides group) based on a randomized complete block design using their BW at 85 d of gestation as a block. Sows from 2 groups were fed a restricted diet during gestation and ad libitum during lactation. The experiment lasted from 85 d of gestation to 21 d of lactation. The reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of suckling piglets were measured. Oxidative stress parameters and milk components were also analysed. Data were analyzed using contrasts in the MIXED procedure of SAS. Sows in the Nucleotides group consumed more feed during the first week (P < 0.01) and from 1 to 21 d (P < 0.05) of lactation than those in Control group. Correspondingly, the litter weight gain of piglets showed a tendency to increase from cross-fostering to 9 d (P = 0.09) and from cross-fostering to 20 d (P = 0.10) in the Nucleotides group relative to the Control group. Additionally, the Nucleotides group was higher (P < 0.01) than the Control group in the concentrations of uridine 5'monophosphate, guanosine 5'monophosphate, inosine 5'monophosphate, adenosine 5'monophosphate and total nucleotides in milk. Furthermore, the Nucleotides group was higher (P < 0.01) than the Control group in the serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01) for sows at 109 d of gestation and glutathione peroxidase for weaning piglets, but lower at the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (P < 0.05) in serum of weaning piglets. This study indicated that maternal dietary nucleotides could promote piglet growth, probably due to the higher lactational feed intake and higher concentration of nucleotides in the milk of sows, and lower oxidative stress for both sows and piglets.

The influence of infection in the urinary tract of sows on arthritis, facial lesions and weight gain in suckling piglets

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disease in sows, it influences their yield and can also affect piglets. There is a small number of studies in the literature reporting close correlation between UTI in sows and disease development or reduced performance in piglets. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to test whether UTI in pregnancy influences disease development and the growth performance of suckling piglets. Healthy sows, presenting parity 1 to 4, were divided into two groups: UTI (+) (36 sows with UTI) and UTI (-) (36 sows without UTI). After delivery, piglets were monitored for diarrhea, omphalitis, arthritis and facial lesions. Average weaning weight (AWW) was calculated to measure growth performance. There was no difference in diarrhea and omphalitis between groups. However, parity 3 sows and all-parity analyses showed higher frequency of piglets with arthritis and facial lesions. The UTI (+) group showed lower AWW than the UTI (-) group in parity 4 sows and in all-parity analyses applied to growth performance. In conclusion, UTI in sows during pregnancy is a risk factor for arthritis and facial lesions in suckling piglets, as well as has negative effect on their growth performance.

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6 improves sow reproductive performance and reduces piglet birth intervals.

We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 (B. subtilis PB6) during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance, antioxidant indices, and gut microbiota. A total of 32 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows on d 90 of gestation were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 16 replicates per group, receiving basal diet (CON) or the basal diet + 0.2% B. subtilis PB6, containing 4.0 × 108 CFU/kg of feed (BS). The litter sizes (total born) and numbers of piglets born alive were larger in the BS group (P < 0.01), whereas the weights of piglets born alive and the piglet birth intervals were lower in the BS group (P < 0.05). Although the litter weights and piglet bodyweights (after cross-fostering) were lower after BS treatment (P < 0.05), the litter sizes, litter weights, lactation survival rate, and litter weight gains at weaning were higher in BS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the sow sera at parturition were lower in the BS group (P < 0.01). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at parturition and the serum catalase (CAT) concentrations on d 21 of lactation were higher in the BS group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis PB6 (P < 0.05) reduced the serum endotoxin concentrations in the sows and the serum cortisol concentrations of the piglets at d 14 of lactation. The α-diversity indices of microbial were higher in the CON group (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadete and Acidobacteria (both P < 0.01) and reduced those of Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria (both P < 0.05). At the genus level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 cc (P < 0.05) and reduced that of Streptococcus (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adding 4.0 × 108 CFU/kg B. subtilis PB6 to sows’ feed during late gestation and lactation could shorten piglet birth intervals, enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets, and improve the gut health of sows during late gestation.

Soybean bioactive peptides supplementation during late gestation and lactation affect the reproductive performance, free amino acid composition in plasma and milk of sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soybean bioactive peptides (SBP) supplementation to sows during late gestation and lactation on plasma and milk free amino acid composition and reproductive performance. A total of 86 gestating sows (Landrace × × Yorkshire; mean parity of 2.40 [SD 1.18]) from two successive batches of with a 9-day interval were randomly assigned to either a basal diet group (control diet [Con]) or the Con supplemented with 2% soybean bioactive peptides (SBP) product group from d 90 of gestation to weaning at day 21 of lactation. The duration of farrowing and the interval between piglet births (P < < 0.05) were decreased and the litter weight gain during lactation (P = 0.097) tended to increase of sows fed SBP than Con diet. Serum concentrations of lysine, phenylalanine, valine, arginine (+36–354%, P < < 0.05) and leucine (+30%, P = 0.056), glutamate (+36%, P = 0.057), ornithine (+104%, P = 0.079) at farrowing were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. Serum concentrations of methionine (+29%, P < 0.05), lysine (+72%, P = 0.068), isoleucine (+35%, P = 0.074), arginine (+45%, P = 0.098) and ornithine (+99%, P = 0.085) on postpartum day 21 were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. The concentrations of cystathionine, lysine, arginine, glutamine (+92~351%, P < 0.05), alanine (+191%, P = 0.061) in colostrum and arginine (+41%, P < 0.05) in milk were increased or tended to increase of sows fed SBP. The contents of IgG and fat in colostrum (P < 0.05) of sows fed SBP were increased compared with that in Con sows. Serum malondialdehyde concentrations of sows at parturition and at d 14 of lactation were both markedly (P < 0.05) decreased and the activity of total antioxidant capacity in serum of sows at parturition (P < 0.05) was significantly increased with SBP supplementation. In conclusion, the present research indicated that dietary supplementation with soybean bioactive peptides during late gestation and lactation could shorten the duration of farrowing and enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets by improving functional amino acids concentration and antioxidant properties.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum addition to sows in late gestation and lactation on reproductive performance and intestinal microbiota1.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum addition to diets in late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance and gut microbiota for sows. A total of 180 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows at 90 d of gestation were randomly assigned to one of four groups, with 45 replicates per group, receiving a basal commercial diet (Control, 0% C. butyricum) or diet added with 0.1% C. butyricum (1 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.2% C. butyricum (2 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), 0.4% C. butyricum (4 × 108 CFU/kg of feed), respectively. The experiment was conducted from 90 d of gestation to weaning at 21 d of lactation. The results showed that the interval between piglet born was linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, and the duration of farrowing was significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) shortened as C. butyricum addition increased. There was a linear (P < 0.05) increase in litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in colostrum, and IgM in milk were linearly increased (P < 0.05) as C. butyricum addition. Serum MDA concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) decreased, respectively. The serum total antioxidant capacity concentrations of sows at parturition and 14 and 21 d in lactation, and piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were linearly (P < 0.05) increased as C. butyricum addition, respectively. There was a linear decrease in the serum endotoxin concentration of sows on 21 d in lactation (P < 0.05). The serum cortisol concentrations of piglets at 14 and 21 d of age were both significantly (quadratic, P < 0.05) decreased. The 0.2% C. butyricum increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P = 0.016) at phylum level, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Prevotella_1, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Prevotella_9, Alloprevotella (P < 0.05) at genus level, and decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria (P < 0.001) at phylum level, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Streptococcus, Escheruchia-Shigella, Sphingomonas, Succinivibrio (P < 0.05) at genus level and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.020). In conclusion, the present research indicated that dietary addition with C. butyricum could shorten the duration of farrowing and enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets. Moreover, 0.2% C. butyricum administration to sows changed the composition of intestinal microbiota, especially increased the relative abundance of Prevotella.

The time of Calcium Feeding Affects the Productive Performance of Sows

Simple SummaryCalcium (Ca) is an important factor that affects the reproductive and lactation performance of sows. Circadian clocks and nutrient metabolism interact. We found that maternal feeding of Ca, varying with feeding time, improved the profile of some mineral elements in umbilical serum and milk, which contribute toward improving the productive performance of sows. This study confirmed that the absorption and metabolism of Ca in mammals also have circadian rhythms.This study aims to investigate the effect of Calcium (Ca) feeding time on a sow’s productive performance and the profiles of serum mineral elements during late pregnancy and lactation. A total of 75 pregnant sows were assigned to three groups: The control (C), earlier-later (E-L), and later-earlier (L-E) groups. During late pregnancy, the C group was fed an extra 4.5 g Ca (in the form of CaCO3) at both 06:00 and 15:00, the E-L group was fed an extra 9 g Ca at 06:00, and the L-E group was fed an extra 9 g Ca at 15:00. Similar treatments with double the amount of Ca were applied during lactation. The results show that, compared with the C group, L-E feeding decreased the number of stillbirths and the duration of farrowing and placenta expulsion (FARPLA) and increased the average daily weight gain (ADG) of piglets. Similarly, E-L feeding increased the ADG of piglets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both E-L and L-E feeding increased the Ca levels in sow serum and umbilical serum, and the Fe levels in umbilical serum, but decreased the Ca levels in the placenta and colostrum (p < 0.05). Experiments on the genes involved in mineral element transport showed that E-L feeding activated the mRNA expression of TRPV5, S100G, SLC30A7, SLC39A4, and Ferroportin1, while it inhibited the mRNA expression of ATP7A in the placenta (p < 0.05). Moreover, L-E feeding up-regulated the mRNA expression of ATP2B and IREB2, while it down-regulated the mRNA expression of ATP7B in the placenta (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that maternal Ca feeding at 15:00 h during late pregnancy and lactation decreased FARPLA and stillbirths and improved the growth performance of suckling piglets by altering the mineral element of the metabolism in the umbilical serum and milk, compared to conventional feeding regimes.

Creep feeding improves growth performance of suckling piglets

The present study evaluated the optimal duration of creep feeding that improves the growth performance and fecal score of piglets and the performance and estrus interval of sows. Sixteen sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) and their litters were used in this 24-day trial. Dietary treatments were: Treatment 1, in which creep feed was not provided; treatment 2, in which creep feed was provided at the 7th day of life (day 7 to weaning); treatment 3, in which creep feed was provided at the 14th day of life (day 14 to weaning); and treatment 4, in which creep feed was provided at the 21st day of life (day 21 to weaning). There was no difference in body weight or loss, backfat thickness or loss, or estrus interval among treatments in the sows. Piglets in treatment 2 had higher body weight (BW) than pigs of treatments 1, 3, and 4. In addition, piglets in treatment 3 had higher BW than those of treatments 1 and 4. From birth to weaning, piglets of treatments 2 and 3 had higher average daily gain than those of treatments 1 and 4. There was no difference in fecal score of piglets among treatments. Piglets fed creep feed initiated from the first week have higher BW and average daily gain at weaning compared with those initiated from the second and third weeks, indicating that a longer duration of creep feeding improves the growth performance of piglets.

Improved Milk Glutamine Level and Growth Performance of Suckling Piglets by Glutamine Supplementation in Maternal Diet

Abstract Glutamine plays an important role in neonatal growth and health. It is unknown whether supplementing the lactating sows’ diet with glutamine will benefit the growth performance and intestinal development of suckling piglets through increasing content of milk glutamine. A total of 24 lactating sows (Large White) were fed diets supplemented with/without 1% glutamine throughout the 21-d lactation. Feed intake of the sows was recorded, blood and milk samples were collected. Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning, one piglet randomly selected from each litter was sacrificed for morphological analysis of the small intestine. Average daily feed intake of the sows did not differ between control and glutamine groups. Concentrations of total protein and urea nitrogen in sows’ serum was increased by glutamine at d 14 of lactation (P&lt;0.05). Contents of glutamine in both plasma and milk of sows were significantly increased by glutamine supplementation throughout lactation (P&lt;0.01). Concentrations of proline, citrulline, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and arginine in sows’ plasma were increased by glutamine supplementation (all P&lt;0.05). Milk yield was increased by glutamine supplementation at d 14 and 21 of lactation (P&lt;0.05). Supplementing the lactating sows’ diet with glutamine increased average daily gain (P=0.006), weaning weight (P=0.032), as well as villous height and ratio of villous height:crypt depth in duodenum of the suckling piglets (both P&lt;0.05). Collectively, supplementing lactating sows’ diet with 1% glutamine significantly improved the growth performance of suckling piglets through elevating milk yield and glutamine content in the milk.

Fermented soybean meal improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and microbial flora in piglets.

In order to increase nutritive values of soybean meal (SBM), 3 species of microbes were used to ferment SBM. Through a 3 × 3 orthogonal design and parameter measurements of soybean peptide and anti-nutritional factor contents in the fermented soybean meal (FSBM), it was estimated that the best microbial proportion of Bacillus subtilis, Hansenula anomala and Lactobacillus casei was 2:1:2 for SBM fermentation (P < 0.05). The further piglet feeding experiment showed that 10% FSBM substitute for SBM had no significant effect on growth performance of suckling piglets (d 7–28) (P > 0.05). However, newly-weaned piglets (d 28–38) fed 10% FSBM and different levels of plasma protein obtained higher average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared with those without FSBM but with 6% plasma protein (P < 0.05). Piglets (d 38–68) fed diets supplemented with FSBM and soybean protein concentrate (SBPC) at 3.75% and 7.5% respectively increased nutrient digestibility, fecal enzyme activity and lactic acid bacteria counts, and decreased fecal Escherichia coli counts (P < 0.05), compared with the control. These data indicated that FSBM had positive effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal microflora for piglets.