Evaluation of oxidized beta-carotene on sow and piglet immune systems, sow reproductive performance, and piglet growth

Abstract

This study aimed to determine if supplementation of oxidized-beta carotene (OxC-Beta) improved sow reproductive performance, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, and ability to alter immune cells abundance in sows and piglets, subsequent litter performance, and nursery growth performance. At approximately d 60 of gestation and through the lactation period, 194 sows (blocked by parity) were assigned to a common gestation diet or the common diet supplemented with 80 ppm oxidized beta-carotene (OxC-Beta, Aviagen, Ottawa, ON, Canada). A subset of sows (n = 54 per treatment) were sampled for blood and body weight recorded at the beginning of the study, farrowing, and weaning. A blood sample was taken from a subset of piglets at birth and weaning, and all piglet weights were recorded. Blood was analyzed for vitamin A as retinol concentrations and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgG) levels were assessed from the sow’s blood. Twelve pigs (n = 6 per treatment) were euthanized at birth and weaning. The livers were collected and analyzed for the Kupffer cell phagocytic activity through flow cytometry. Whole blood was analyzed via flow cytometry for cluster of differentiation (CD335, CD8, and CD4). Colostrum during farrowing and milk at weaning were analyzed for IgG and IgA concentrations. Data were analyzed via SAS 9.4 using MIXED and frequency procedures where appropriate. No differences (P > 0.05) between dietary treatments were observed in sow reproductive performance, feed intake, wean to estrus interval, or piglet growth performance. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the plasma or liver for vitamin A. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the composition of the colostrum or milk. No immunological differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the piglets’ liver and blood or sow antibodies in colostrum and milk. The supplementation of OxC-Beta did (P < 0.05) decrease IgM and tended (P < 0.10) to decrease IgG in sow plasma. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the reproductive performance of subsequent litter information from the sows. Gilt litter weaning weight and feed intake were reduced (P < 0.05) compared to sow performance. In conclusion, the supplementation of OxC-Beta at 80 ppm from d 60 of gestation through lactation does not affect the reproductive performance of sows, litter growth performance, vitamin A status, piglet immune status, and antibodies or composition in colostrum and milk.

Beta-Carotene Supplementation for Sows: Reproductive Parameters and Productive Performance of Piglets

“…In a previous study, Coffey and Britt [20] evaluated the intramuscular administration of 200 mg of beta-carotene for sows during the lactation period and found a difference of 0.80 kg. Elefson et al [21] did not observe a gain in piglet performance when supplementing the maternal diet with beta-carotene from the 60th day of gestation. The studies' results highlight the importance of supplementation timing.…”

Multi-Omics Insights into the Impact of Increased Litter Size on Sow Gut Microbiota: Unveiling the Role of Serotonin-Associated Microbiota in Fertility Enhancement

“…Fresh feces from all 62 sows were collected into sterile centrifugal tubes, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80°C for subsequent analysis [8,9]. Approximately 10 mL of blood was collected using blood sample collection tubes with vacuum and centrifuged at 3000 g for 15 min at 4°C.…”