Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Sows’ Diet Reduce Body Weight Loss during Lactation and Increase IgG in Colostrum

Abstract

Isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) exert beneficial antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that supplementing sows’ diets with IQ during gestation would decrease farrowing stress, affecting the piglets’ development and performance. Sows were divided into: IQ1, supplemented with IQ from gestation day 80 (G80) to weaning; IQ2, supplemented from gestation day 110 (G110) to weaning, and a non-supplemented (NC) group. Sow body weight (BW), feed intake, back-fat thickness and back-muscle thickness were monitored. Cortisol, glucose and insulin were measured in sows’ blood collected 5 d before, during, and after 7 d farrowing. Protein, fat, IgA and IgG were analyzed in the colostrum and milk. Piglets were monitored for weight and diarrhea score, and for ileum histology and gene expression 5 d post-weaning. IQ-supplemented sows lost less BW during lactation. Glucose and insulin levels were lower in the IQ groups compared to NC-sows 5 d before farrowing and had higher levels of protein and IgG in their colostrum. No other differences were observed in sows, nor in the measured parameters in piglets. In conclusion, IQ supplementation affected sows’ metabolism, reducing body weight loss during lactation. Providing IQ to sows from their entrance into the maternity barn might be sufficient to induce these effects. IQ improved colostrum quality, increasing the protein and IgG content, improving passive immunity for piglets.

Performance of commercial growing-finishing pigs fed supplemental isoquinoline alkaloids: a statistical process control analysis

“…Additionally, IQ-fed finishing pigs have demonstrated lower levels of cortisol after transportation to slaughter, which was positively correlated to a decrease in Salmonella shedding, indicating that IQ supplementation reduces stress in pigs and the negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract [ 2 ]. In sows, it has been recently demonstrated that IQ supplementation during lactation reduced body weight loss and increased colostrum quality [ 1 ]. De Souza Massei et al [ 6 ] have recently investigated the effect of IQ supplementation on performance parameters, carcass characteristics and health in growing and finishing pigs under experimental conditions.…”

Appetite Suppressing Activity of Rumex Usambarensis Leaf and Stem Aqueous Extract in Wistar Albino Female Rats: an in vivo Experimental Study

“…19 This could be attributed to the presence of alkaloids and saponins in the aqueous extract of Rumex usambarensis, which have shown to have some weight reduction activity. 19,[24][25][26] Appetite being the desire to eat food, makes it a qualitative outcome and therefore difficult to quantify in a valid and reliable way. 27 Because appetite is directly proportional to food intake, a measure of food intake can indirectly measure appetite.…”