Effects of dietary arginine supplementation on reproductive performance and immunity of sows

Abstract

Arginine (Arg) is considered to have beneficial effects on placental development and function, as well as reproductive performance. The well-developed placenta is highly required in late gestation for rapid fetal growth, however, it is unknown if there is a crucial role of Arg in late gestation. Likewise, the immunological response of sows to Arg needs to be determined. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of dietary Arg supplementation on reproductive performance and immunity of sows. At day 30 of gestation, sixty sows (Landrace × Large White) were allocated to 3 groups receiving corn and soybean-based control diet (control group, n = 20), control diet supplemented with 1% l-arginine HCl until day 90 of gestation (Arg90 group, n = 20), and control diet supplemented with 1% l-arginine HCl until day 114 of gestation (Arg114 group, n = 20), respectively. Litter performance was recorded at parturition. Blood samples (n = 6) collected at days 30, 90, and 110 of gestation were measured for metabolic and immunological parameters. At parturition, total litter size was not affected by dietary Arg supplementation. As a result of less pigs born dead, however, sows in Arg114 group had more pigs born alive than sows in control group (+1.6 pigs, P < 0.05), total and live litter weights were increased (+1.6~2.1 kg, P < 0.05) in Arg114 group relative to both control and Arg90 groups. Compared with control group, dietary Arg supplementation increased (+12~110%, P < 0.05) plasma levels of ornithine, proline, and arginine at either day 90 (Arg90 and Arg110 groups) or day 110 of gestation (Arg110 group). Moreover, immune response was enhanced in Arg-supplemented sows, as indicated by the increased levels of serum immunoglobulin and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibody. These findings indicate dietary Arg supplementation can improve litter performance and immune response, and the beneficial effect of Arg on fetal growth is evident in late gestation.

L‐arginine supplementation during the final third of gestation improves litter uniformity and physical characteristics of neonatal piglet thermoregulation

“…Dallanora et al () reported a decrease in the number of low‐weight piglets, with a significant decrease in the number of piglets weighing less than 1,000 g from sows supplemented with 1.0% L‐arginine in the middle third of gestation. Nuntapaitoon et al () supplemented the diets of sows with 0.5% L‐arginine in the final third of gestation and observed a decreased incidence of piglets weighing less than 1,000 g and an increased number of piglets weighing >1,350 g. A decrease (4%) in the number of piglets weighing less than 1,000 g was also reported after dietary L‐arginine supplementation in sows from 30 to 114 days of gestation (Che et al, ). These studies indicate that L‐arginine supplementation at the end of gestation may effectively modulate piglet birthweights (Nuntapaitoon et al, ) and determine which gestational nutritional strategies may selectively improve foetal development and growth, thereby favouring low‐weight piglets (Dwyer, Stickland, & Fletcher, ; Quesnel et al, ).…”

“…L‐arginine supplementation at 0.5% in the last third of gestation increased piglet birthweights by approximately 100 g, thus suggesting increased placental blood flow and improved foetal development compared with non‐supplemented sows (Nuntapaitoon, Muns, Theil, & Tummaruk, ). Studies have also reported improved litter uniformity after amino acid supplementation (Che et al, ). Some studies found results similar to the results herein, observing no supplementation effect on piglet birthweight (Bass et al, ; Quesnel et al, ).…”

Effect of Dietary N‐Carbamylglutamate Levels on Reproductive Performance of Gilts

“…; Che et al. ). So, the improved litter performance in response to supplemental NCG in the diet can be attributed to production of arginine.…”

“…; Che et al. ). Because total nitrogen and amino acid accretion in the foetal pig increased progressively from days 60 to 114 of gestation, so the delivery of amino acids from uterine and placentae to foetal pig must increase with advancing gestation (Wu et al.…”

“…; Che et al. ). More recently, similar result has been reported that dietary supplementation with 0.4% or 0.8% L‐arginine between days 14 and 25 of gestation enhances embryonic development and survival in gilts (Li et al.…”