Effects of magnesium on the performance of sows and their piglets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental magnesium (Mg) on the performance of gilts and parity 3 sows and their piglets. Fifty-six gilts (Trial 1) and 56 sows (Trial 2) were assigned to one of 4 treatments according to their mating weight, respectively. The treatments comprised corn-soybean meal based gestation and lactation diets (0.21% magnesium) supplemented with 0, 0.015, 0.03, or 0.045% Mg from mating until weaning. The results showed that magnesium supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the weaning to estrus interval in both gilts and sows. There were significant effects (P < 0.05) of supplemental magnesium on the total number of piglets born, born alive and weaned in sows. In late gestation and lactation, the digestibility of crude fiber (quadratic effects, P < 0.05), and crude protein (P < 0.05), were significantly influenced by magnesium in gilts and sows, respectively. There were differences among the 4 groups in terms of the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fiber in sows (P < 0.05) during both early and late gestation. The apparent digestibility of gross energy was increased for sows in late gestation (P < 0.05), and lactation (quadratic effects, P < 0.05). At farrowing and weaning, serum prolactin levels and alkaline phosphate activities linearly increased in sows as the Mg supplementation increased (P < 0.05). Serum Mg of sows at farrowing and serum urea nitrogen of sows at weaning was significantly influenced by Mg supplementation (P < 0.05). The Mg concentration in sow colostrum and the serum of their piglets were increased by supplemental magnesium (P < 0.05). In addition, growth hormone levels were linearly elevated (P < 0.05) in the serum of piglets suckling sows. Our data demonstrated that supplemental magnesium has the potential to improve the reproduction performance of sows, and the suitable supplemental dose ranged from 0.015% to 0.03%.

Maternal Magnesium Sulfate Supplementation in a Pre-Farrow Diet Improves Factors Important for Piglet Viability

“…Whilst there was no impact of MgSO 4 supplementation on inter-piglet birth intervals, the total farrowing duration was increased in this treatment. The laxative effect of MgSO 4 is well documented, and its dietary inclusion has been shown to reduce the incidence of constipation in sows [ 15 ]. Constipation is commonly associated with an increased farrowing duration [ 16 ], and so it might have been reasonable to expect a shorter length of parturition in Mg sows.…”

Dimethyl fumarate reduces the risk of mycotoxins via improving intestinal barrier and microbiota

“…Bacteroides were known to metabolize oligosaccharides of host origin derived from mucins [ 41 ], which were predicted to transport oligosaccharides across the outer membrane. Bacteroides were also reported to produce both propionate and succinate as terminal products of its metabolism [ 42 ]. Furthermore, propionate could not only create an acidic environment but also decreased the expression of virulence factors of pathogens [ 43 ].…”

The Contribution of Dietary Magnesium in Farm Animals and Human Nutrition

“…Although the requirement for Mg can be met by common feed ingredients in animal diets, research and practice have shown benefits from supplementing Mg above the estimated minimum requirements in several food producing animals like pigs, poultry, and cows (as farm ruminants’ representative). The practice of supplementing feedstuffs with Mg is widely used, with the primary aim to avoid Mg deficiency and then to improve animal performance (fertility and yield) and sometimes products’ quality [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…The reproductive performance of high producing sows has increased dramatically over the past decades, which may contribute to the changes in their nutritional requirements. It has been proven that Mg supplementation improves the conception rate of sows by 11–15% [ 10 ]. Moreover, its supplementation significantly reduces the weaning to oestrus interval in gilts and enhances the total number of born piglets, born alive, and weaned.…”