Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Aristotle University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

Four groups of 12 pregnant sows of the same genetic background, with similar litter size, living under the same housing conditions and having the same hygienic and nutritional standards, were used. In control animals (gC), a basic feed was provided, in which the dietary level of α‐tocopherol was 20 mg/kg of feed and that of selenium (Se) was 0.45 mg/kg of feed (standard ration). Sows in the second group (gE) received basic feed supplemented with 30 mg α‐tocopherol per kg (50 mg/kg of feed, in total). To those in the third group (gSe) basic feed was provided but additionally they were injected with 30 mg Se (sodium selenite) on days 30, 60 and 90 of pregnancy. For the sows in the fourth group (gESe), basic feed was supplemented with 30 mg α‐tocopherol per kg. In addition they received 30 mg injectable Se (sodium selenite) on days 30, 60 and 90 of pregnancy. The experiment started on day 30 of pregnancy and lasted until weaning day (28 days post‐farrowing). It was found that α‐tocopherol and selenium act synergistically. Piglets born from sows in gESe had the highest immunoglobulin concentration level up to weaning day. All productive and clinical parameters (number of piglets born/litter, number of weaned piglets/litter, and piglets’ average body weight at birth and on weaning day) were greater in these piglets in comparison with the animals of the other groups. Diarrhoea problems were minimal in the piglets in gESe.

Maternal Supplementation with Herbal Antioxidants during Pregnancy in Swine

“…The assessment of plasma vitamin E concentrations showed, similarly to vitamin C, that piglets had higher values (about two-fold) than their mothers in both supplemented and control groups; which is again in agreement with previous studies [33,34], although others did not report differences [30]. Furthermore, there was a significant increase of vitamin E in piglets from supplemented mothers, which is also consistent with previous reports [33,35], in spite of the low transfer capacity of the swine placenta for vitamin E [22,36].…”

“…This effect was fundamentally influenced by piglets that were born weighing more than 1 kg, confirming the importance of birth weight on the postnatal growth trajectory of the piglets [59]. Increased weaning weights have been also described in piglets born to sows supplemented with vitamin E alone [33,34] and vitamin E plus selenium during gestation and lactation [33]. Conversely, maternal supplementation with vitamin E alone or with combined vitamins C and E from 90 days of gestation and during lactation did not show significant effects on the weight of the piglets at weaning [31].…”

“…Other in vivo studies have shown that the use of only vitamin E but combined with selenium induced an increase in litter size and birth weight of piglets, while supplementation only with vitamin E had no effects [33]. The absence of effect of vitamin E alone, however, may be due to the fact that the dose used (50 mg/kg of feed), although it is within the range suggested by NCR [25] to maximize litter size and immunocompetence of piglets, may be too low to achieve an antioxidant effect when oxidative stress is high.…”