Lactoferrin (LF), a sialylated iron-binding glycoprotein, performs multiple beneficial functions including modulating immunity and improves neurodevelopment, health and growth performance. Maternal LF intervention for gilts (first parity sows) on the performance of gilts and their offspring remains unknown. In the current study gilts were fed with a commercial pig feed supplemented with 1g LF /day (treatment group) or 1g milk casein/day (control group) from day 1 post mating throughout pregnancy and lactation for about 135 days. The milk production and body weight gain was monitored. The immunoglobulin concentrations in the serum of gilts and piglets were measured using ELISA. Our study showed that maternal LF supplementation to the gilt (1) significantly increased milk production at different time points (day 1, 3, 7 and 19) of lactation compared to the control (p<0.001); (2) significantly increased body weight gain of their piglets during the first 19 days of life compared to the control group (p<0.05); (3) tended to increase pregnancy rate, litter size and birth weight, number of piglets born alive, and decrease the number of dead and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) piglets; (4) significantly increased the concentration of serum IgA in gilt and serum sIgA in piglet (p<0.05). In summary, maternal Lf intervention in gilts can improve milk production, pig production and serum IgA and sIgA levels, and therefore plays a key role in shaping the performance of their progeny.

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Context Lactoferrin is a non-haem binding protein that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study showed lactoferrin supplementation from early gestation to weaning improved lactation performance in primiparous sows; however, it is unknown whether the supplementation within a more specified duration (from late gestation to weaning) can improve lactation performance in multiparous sows, which limits its commercial application. Aims This experiment investigated the effects of 2 g/day bovine lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning on lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Methods Forty-seven primiparous sows and 167 multiparous sows (up to parity 5; Large White × Landrace, PrimeGro Genetics, Corowa, NSW) were allocated to either a Control diet (2 g/day casein) or Lactoferrin supplement diet (2 g/day lactoferrin) when entering the farrowing house in late gestation (101 ± 4.6 days, mean ± s.d.) balanced by parity (2.4 ± 1.80, mean ± s.d.). Sows were housed individually in farrowing crates and fed the experimental diets until weaning (26 ± 2.5 days, mean ± s.d.). Farrowing outcomes and lactation performance were recorded. Key results Lactoferrin supplementation did not affect the number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, number of mummified fetuses, the percentage of born-light piglets (≤1.1 kg) or piglet pre-fostering survival rate. Cross-fostering within the first 48 h standardised the litter size and litter weight between dietary treatments. Piglet pre-weaning survival rate, litter weight gain, average daily gain of piglets, or coefficient of variation of piglet growth rate was not affected by lactoferrin supplementation. Daily feed intake during lactation, bodyweight and backfat thickness of sows at weaning were similar between the dietary treatments. Conclusions Two grams per day lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning did not affect lactation performance in mixed parity sows. Implications The effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation may depend upon the duration of supplementation, which should be optimised in future studies.