Dietary linseed oil in the maternal diet affects immunoglobulins, tissue fatty acid composition and expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes in piglets

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effects of supplementing the maternal diet with linseed oil (LSO) and soya bean oil (SBO) on immunoglobulins, the fatty acid composition and hepatic expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in piglets. Multiparous sows (twenty-four per diet) were fed on diets containing a supplement of either SBO or LSO during last week of gestation and lactation. The results indicated that supplementation of maternal diet with LSO could improve the weaning weight of piglets and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05). The concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) was enhanced in sow plasma, colostrum and milk by the addition of LSO (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of 18: 3n-3 fatty acids was higher in the milk of LSO sows. Meanwhile, maternal supplementation with LSO increased the levels of plasma IgG, IgA and the tissues n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in piglets (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic ∆5-desaturase (D5D) and ∆6-desaturase (D6D) were higher, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was lower in piglets from LSO-fed sows when compared with that in the SBO group. In conclusion, LSO supplementation of the maternal diet increases immunoglobulins, modifies the fatty acid composition and affects the gene of D5D and D6D expression of piglets.

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

“…The type of oil fed to sows had an apparent effect on the immune system of their progeny at the early period of life. This is in accordance with the results of Chen et al [34], who found increased levels of IgG and IgA after supplementation of maternal feed with linseed oil. This effect disappeared before the 60th day of the piglet's life.…”

“…Azain [33] showed that MCT supplementation increased the content of MCFA in milk (less than 5%), but improvement in piglet survival was observed mainly in animals weighing less than 900 g at birth. On the other hand, Chen et al [34] found a greater concentration of C18:3 fatty acids in the milk of sows fed linseed oil than in the milk of those receiving soybean oil. Linseed oil also improved the weaning weight of piglets and their average daily weight gain.…”

“…These piglets also utilized feed slightly (not significantly) better than those from the rapeseed oil group. Chen et al [34] compared soybean and linseed oils and indicated that the type of oil in the sow's diet affected the body weight gain of piglets.…”

Effects of dietary hemp seed oil to sows on fatty acid profiles, nutritional and immune status of piglets

“…Dietary inclusion of fish oil or soybean oil (3.8-3.9% of diet) improved growth performance of nursing piglets by increasing milk fat output [16], and the authors furthermore concluded that fish oil consumption by sows might benefit the piglets via increasing n-3 PUFAs availability and immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) secretion. In addition, supplementation of linseed oil, with an n-6/ n-3 ratio of 4.2 (in comparison with soybean oil with an n-6/n-3 ratio of 9.8) to maternal diets, increased immunoglobulins in sows' plasma, colostrum and milk [39]. On the other hand, Yao et al [5] observed beneficial effects on growth and immune status of the offspring when maternal diets were having an n-6/n-3 ratio of 9:1 rather than 3:1 or 13:1.…”

Effect of cow’s milk with different PUFA n-6: n-3 ratios on performance, serum lipid profile, and blood parameters of grower gilts

“…The importance of lipids consumed in the diet on the effects on human health has been widely discussed, as they influence the lipid composition of blood, colostrum, milk, tissues, and it is even possible to observe the manipulation of gene expression and immunity [28][29][30]. Myristic and stearic acids are the most abundant saturated fatty acids in mammals [31].…”