The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Opuntia ficus-indica L. (OFI) on the metabolic profile of primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation, and its impact on voluntary feed intake (VFI) during lactation. From day 85 of gestation to weaning, 32 sows were divided into four feeding schemes (n = 8 sows/ scheme): Basal diet (BD) without OFI supplementation; Test scheme I, BD during gestation and BD + OFI during lactation; Test scheme II, BD + OFI during both gestation and lactation, and Test scheme III, BD + OFI during gestation and BD during lactation. Blood samples were obtained during gestation (day 85 and 100) and lactation (day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21) to determine plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, leptin, osteocalcin, ghrelin and agouti-related protein (AgRP). VFI was higher (20% higher than that of controls) in sows that received dietary OFI during lactation (p < .05). The concentration of plasma glucose was lower in sows that consumed OFI than sows fed the conventional diet (p < .05). Plasma insulin concentrations were higher in sows that consumed OFI, than in sows that did not (p < .05). Triglyceride concentrations during gestation, farrowing and lactation were also lower in sows that consumed OFI (p < .05). OFI intake caused lower plasma concentrations of leptin during lactation (p < .05). Osteocalcin was higher in sows that consumed OFI versus controls (p < .05): 8.6% and 13.4% during gestation and lactation respectively. From day 3 of lactation, sows that consumed OFI had higher concentrations of ghrelin (p < .05). The concentration of plasma AgRP was higher (p < .05) in sows that consumed OFI versus controls: 3.1% and 14.2% in gestation and lactation respectively. We concluded that OFI intake by primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation favourably modulated the factors that caused insulin resistance and increased sow performance.

Objective:The aim was to evaluate the effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) to the lactating sows’ diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning.Materials and Methods:Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were monitored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning.Results:FI sow-1 was higher in EG (p < 0.05). MP, MQ, and LW piglet-1 at weaning were equal (p > 0.05). FI piglet-1 in the sixth and eighth week of age was higher in EG (p < 0.05); at the end of weaning phase, EG presented higher LW (p < 0.05): 8.4% more. LIV of the jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in EG at 48 h (28.8%) and 42 days post-weaning (29.9%). At day 0, post-weaning LIV of the descending portion was higher (p < 0.05) in CG (1,571.0 μm) versus EG (1,058.0 μm). At day 42, post-weaning LIV of the transverse portion was higher (p < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher.Conclusion:Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW.

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Sows with increased blood glucose during late gestation may have decreased feed intake in lactation. Supplying dietary fibre to the sow reportedly modulates blood glucose and improves feed intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) on the regulation of blood glucose and productive performance in lactating sows. Data from 52 hybrid sows were analysed. The sows were divided into two groups, namely a control group (CG), that is, sows fed conventionally; and an experimental group (EG), that is, sows fed commercial feed plus cacti. Blood glucose in late gestation, and feed intake, milk production and milk quality, development of the piglet, energy balance, post-weaning body weight balance and the interval from weaning to oestrus were recorded. Preprandial blood glucose was 55.9 mg per dL in EG and 71.4 in CG. Sows on EG had greater daily feed intake and lower negative energy balance (5.4 kg/day and-2.8 MJ/day) than those on CG (4.5 kg/day and-9.4 MJ/day). Sows fed EG produced more milk (8.6 L/day) than those on CG (8.1 L/day). The quality of milk produced and the weaning weight of piglets were similar for the two groups. Body weight balance after weaning was greater for sows fed EG, 3.5% versus-1.5% in those fed CG. The weaning to oestrus interval was 0.6 days less for sows fed EG than those fed CG. Feeding cactus to lactating sows regulated blood glucose, which improved most of their productive indicators.