Peripartal feeding strategy with different n-6:n-3 ratios in sows: effects on sows' performance, inflammatory and periparturient metabolic parameters

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of two lactation sow feeds, differing in n-6:n-3 ratio, given to sows before parturition on body condition and feed intake, periparturient metabolism (leptin, insulin, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)), inflammatory parameters (TNFα, IL-6, serum amyloid A (SAA)) and on piglet performance (birth weight, survivability). The feed contained either a low (supplemented with fish oil; f groups) or high (supplemented with sunflower-seed oil; s groups) n-6:n-3 ratio and was administered from 8 d (f8, s8) or 3 d (f3, s3) before parturition until weaning. The level of inclusion of the oil sources was 2 %. Seventy-two sows were randomly allocated 8 d before expected farrowing into four groups: f3, f8, s3, s8. Type of feed had a significant influence on the sows' feed intake during the first 2 d of lactation (s < f), leptin on days 4, 3 and 2 before parturition (f < s), insulin on day 1 after parturition (f < s), T4 on the day before parturition (s < f) and rectal temperature on the day after parturition (f < s). Onset of administration of the feed (3 v. 8 d) had significant effects on leptin on day 2 before parturition (8 < 3), insulin on day 4 before parturition (3 < 8), T3 on day 4 before parturition and on the day after parturition (3 < 8), SAA on day 3 after parturition (8 < 3) and piglet weight during the first days postpartum (3 < 8). In conclusion, under the present conditions, a lactation feed low in n-6:n-3 ratio administered from 8 d before farrowing ensures improved feed intake during the first days postpartum and was associated with a better metabolic change and inflammatory profile in sows in the periparturient period.

Effect of N,N-dimethylglycine supplementation in parturition feed for sows on metabolism, nutrient digestibility and reproductive performance

“…Moreover, levels of leptin in sows can vary in relation to the feeding level (Quesnel et al, 2009), feed composition, time after transition from one feed to another (Papadopoulos et al, 2009) and body condition, mostly measured as back fat thickness (Prunier et al, 2001). In this study, both feeding scheme and body condition of all sows were similar, resulting in similar fasting leptin levels at the first day of lactation for both treatment groups.…”

Changes in back fat thickness during late gestation predict colostrum yield in sows

“…Père et al (2000) state that all sows develop an insulin resistance starting from D85 of gestation and this is more apparent in fat sows. A positive energy balance increases the concentration of leptin (Barb et al, 2001), which leads to a lower insulin sensitivity (Franks et al, 2007;Papadopoulos et al, 2009). It might be worthwhile looking further into the relations between the change of body condition during late gestation, gestational mammogenesis, colostrogenesis and colostrum yield.…”

Influence of dietary fat source on sow and litter performance, colostrum and milk fatty acid profile in late gestation and lactation

“…Fats differ in quality and nutritional value, which is caused by the diversity of the fatty acid composition. It was also observed that offering fish oil (2%) rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) to multiparous sows from 8 days pre-parturition to weaning resulted in higher litter average daily gain (ADG) of the first 2 days, in contrast to sunflower oil (1.5%) + soybean oil (0.5%) (Papadopoulos et al 2009). The diets with a higher ratio of unsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid gave increased values of digestibility of dietary fat (Powles et al 1994).…”