Humoral defence improvement and haematopoiesis stimulation in sows and offspring by oral supply of shark-liver oil to mothers during gestation and lactation

Abstract

Shark-liver oil (SLO) contains two bioactive lipids: alkylglycerols andn-3 PUFA. Alkylglycerols have immunostimulating and haematopoietic properties, whilen-3 PUFA are essential for optimal neonatal development. We investigated the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with 32g SLO/d to twelve pregnant and then lactating sows (from day 80 of pregnancy to weaning) on the growth and immune status of their offspring, compared with a control group. Sows were vaccinated against Aujeszky's disease 21d before term. Blood samples were collected from sows before treatment, on delivery and 14d later, and from five piglets per litter on days 2, 21 and 36 after birth; colostrum and milk samples were collected 12h, 14 and 28d postpartum. Compared with controls, supplemented sows had higher levels of both erythrocytes and Hb in their blood, and higher concentrations of IgG, alkylglycerols andn-3 PUFA in their mammary secretions. In piglets from supplemented sows, leucocytes and IgG were higher. Supplementation with SLO resulted in an increase in Aujeszky antibodies in both blood and colostrum of sows after vaccination, together with an increase in Aujeszky antibodies in piglet blood. Our findings demonstrate that improvement of both passive and active immune status in piglets is related to the consumption of alkylglycerols associated withn-3 PUFA in the sow diet. The overall improvement in offspring health status by SLO supplementation to the mother could be of interest for optimisation of the lipid diet during and after pregnancy.

Neonatal piglet survival: impact of sow nutrition around parturition on fetal glycogen deposition and production and composition of colostrum and transient milk

“…One of the most studied strategies to obtain that effect in swine and other species is dietary FA supplementation during gestation, and especially the long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA. It has been shown that the maternal-fetal transfer of n-6 or n-3 PUFA and subsequent transfer via sow milk improved both passive and active immune status in piglets by increasing leucocytes, IgG and Aujeszky antibodies (Mitre et al, 2005). Differences in the concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) and FAs in colostrum and milk of sows fed different dietary fat sources (coconut oil, fish oil, sunflower oil, and a combination of octanoic acid and fish oil) during the last week of gestation and throughout lactation were recently observed (Lauridsen C and Theil PK, unpublished).…”

Effects of dietary L-carnitine and fat type on the performance, milk composition and immunoglobulin in sows, and immunological variables of sows and piglets during late gestation and lactation

“…Studies with experimental animals indicate that diets rich in n-3 PUFA are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive in vivo (Calder 1999), and the anti-inflammatory effect has also been shown for suckling piglets of FO-fed sows (Fritsche et al 1993). Mitre et al (2005) observed improvements in IgG levels in colostrum by oral supply of shark-liver oil to sows during gestation and lactation (P < 0.05). Rooke and Bland (2004) found that sow's diets supplemented with FO could increase IgG content in colostrum (P < 0.05).…”

“…Lauridsen and Danielsen (2004) observed that FO supplementation from day 108 of gestation favoured no improvement on piglet daily BW gain. In contrast, Mitre et al (2005) reported that piglets from sows fed diets supplemented with shark liver oil from day 80 of gestation had greater weaning weight. Furthermore, Rooke et al (2001b) reported that piglets born to dams that were fed supplemental tuna oil from day 92 of gestation were heavier than piglets from control sows.…”

The effect of shark liver oil on the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and cytokine pattern in mice

“…PUFA induced growth inhibition and cytotoxicity to tumor cells may, at least in part, be due to enhanced free radical generation (Das et al, 1987). Alkylglycerols and squalene are modulators of immunity to infections and cancer (Mitre et al, 2005;Szostak and Szostak-Wegierek, 2006). They have immunostimulating and haematopoietic properties.…”

“…N-3 PUFA is of great importance in atherosclerosis prevention (Szostak and Szostak-Wegierek, 2006). It is essential for optimal neonatal development (Mitre et al, 2005). Recently, detailed biochemical analyses have shown that not all fatty acid families possess the same tumor-promoting potential.…”