Comparative effects of dietary supplementations with sodium butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in late pregnancy and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of suckling piglets

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of adding sodium butyrate (SB), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) to the diet of sows during late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance and intestinal health of suckling piglets. Twenty-four sows (Landrace × Large-White hybrid; third parity; 200 ± 15 kg) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 diets: basal diet (control group), basal diet + 1 g SB/kg (SB group), basal diet + 7.75 g MCFA/kg (MCFA group), or basal diet + 68.2 g n-3 PUFA/kg (n-3 PUFA group). The experiment began on day 85 of gestation and ended day 22 of lactation. Colostrum samples were collected from each sow. After the experiment, blood and tissue samples were collected from 1 randomly selected piglet. The results showed that the weaning-to-estrus interval of sows in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups was shorter than that of sows in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea in suckling piglets in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups was lower than that of piglets in the control group (P < 0.05). The fat, protein, IgA, IgG, and IgM concentration in colostrum from sows increased following dietary supplementation with SB, MCFA, or n-3 PUFA (P < 0.05). Comparison with the control group, the mRNA expression of claudin-1, zona occludens 1, and interleukin-10 increased in the jejunum mucosa of suckling piglets in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups, while that of TLR4 decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Chao1 and ACE indexes of microbial flora in the colon contents of piglets in the SB, MCFA, and MCFA groups increased (P < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Synergistetes decreased at the phylum level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, during late pregnancy and lactation, dietary SB supplementation had a greater effect on intestinal health and caused a greater decrease in preweaning mortality of suckling piglets than did dietary MCFA or n-3 PUFA supplementation; dietary MCFA supplementation shortened the weaning-to-estrus interval of sows to a greater extent than did dietary SB or n-3 PUFA supplementation; and dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation increased the fat and protein content in the colostrum to the greatest extent.

Effects of microencapsulated sodium butyrate supplementation on growth performance, intestinal development and antioxidative capacity of juvenile black sea bream ( Acanthopagrus schlegelii )

“…However, the IgM has significantly increased in the MSB‐supplemented diet compared to control group. These observations are similar to the previous findings (Chen et al., 2019; Fang et al, 2014). In current study, there is no significant difference among all groups in the serum cholesterol contents, as previously reported by Ebrahimi et al.…”

Associations among Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, the Gut Microbiota, and Intestinal Immunity

“…Increased daily intake of 4 g of mixed omega-3 PUFAs (DHA and EPA) significantly increased the density of bacteria that are known to produce butyrate. Butyrate-producing bacteria play a key role in maintaining human gut health by degrading nonfermentable dietary transfer into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Effect of Maternal Diet and Medium Chain Fatty Acids Supplementation for Piglets on Their Digestive Tract Development, Structure, and Chyme Acidity as Well as Performance and Health Status

“…Coconut oil is a rich, natural source of MCFA [29]. MCFA, which are a good feed supplement for piglets, are not frequently used in sow feeding; however, Chen et al [3] reported that MCFA fed to sows during late pregnancy and lactation shortened the weaning-to-estrus interval, reduced the incidence of diarrhea in suckling piglets, and increased the protein, IgA, IgG, and IgM content in colostrum. Supplementation with coconut oil increased the content of MCFA, mainly lauric acid, in milk, but there was no significant difference in the number of piglets born or in their mean body weight.…”

“…However, there was a tendency for salmon oil to decrease piglet mortality as well as increase sow milk yield and change the milk fatty acids profile. Dietary supplementation of sows with polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (PUFA n-3) affects the colostrum composition to the greatest extent by increasing the content of fat and protein, while medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) additive shortens the weaning-to-estrus interval of sows [3]. However, with regard to offspring, these authors observed more positive effect on intestinal health and lower mortality of suckling piglets when dietary sodium butyrate was used for pregnant sows compared to the results observed for dietary MCFA or PUFA n-3.…”