Supplementation of palmitoleic acid improved piglet growth and reduced body temperature drop upon cold exposure.

Piglet survival is a major challenge in the first few days postpartum and interventions during this period may improve survival and growth. This study investigated the effects of palmitoleic acid (C16:1n-7; PA) supplementation on growth performance, body temperature, fatty acid (FA), and energy metabolism in milk-replacer-fed piglets. Forty-eight piglets were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% PA supplementation as a percent of milk replacer) and given the diet through an orogastric tube. They were fed dietary treatments every 2 h for 4 d in the first week postpartum and all were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The piglets were weighed daily, and half in each dietary treatment group, the same piglets each day, were exposed daily to a lower temperature for 2 h. Plasma samples were collected immediately before sacrifice for analyses of FA and other plasma metabolites. The weight of organs and empty body weight were determined after sacrifice. Liver and semimembranosus muscle tissue samples were collected and analyzed for FA content. Contents of C16:1n-7 and C18:1n-7 in both plasma and liver (P < 0.001), and C16:1n-7 in semimembranosus muscle (P < 0.001) increased linearly as PA supplementation increased. Most plasma FA levels (except C16:1n-7, C16:1n-9, and C22:5n-3) were lower in piglets exposed to lower temperatures than those that were not. Plasma glucose, triglycerides, and lactate dehydrogenase levels increased linearly with PA supplementation (P < 0.001). Piglets' average daily gain, liver glycogen pool, liver weight, and gallbladder weight increased linearly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively), but lung weight, liver nitrogen content, and body temperature drop decreased linearly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, and P < 0.05, respectively) with PA supplementation. Piglets exposed to low temperature had greater liver nitrogen (P < 0.05) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001) contents but had lower liver weight (P < 0.01) and plasma lactate concentration (P < 0.05) than those that were not. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the importance of PA on the growth performance of the piglets by increasing their average daily gain and decreasing a drop in body temperature upon cold exposure, most likely due to a modified energy metabolism.

Reducing piglet mortality in the early days after birth is a significant challenge in the modern pig industry. The focus on achieving larger litter sizes has had a negative impact on piglets' birth weight and their intake of colostrum. Additionally, piglets are born without easily oxidizable brown adipose tissue and have limited body reserves, making them more vulnerable to death due to their lower capacity for thermogenesis. Therefore, it is important to explore dietary strategies that can enhance piglets' thermogenesis capacity. In this study, the role of palmitoleic acid supplementation was investigated in a dose-response design to determine its impact on growth performance, fatty acid composition, and energy metabolism of milk-replacer-fed piglets during their first week of life. The results revealed a linear increase in the average daily gain of the piglets, liver weight, and liver glycogen content with increasing palmitoleic acid supplementation. Moreover, increased palmitoleic acid supplementation was associated with a drop in body temperature when piglets were exposed to a lower temperature during the experimental period. Altogether, the study indicated that palmitoleic acid has a sparing effect on glycogen reserves and that a greater proportion of energy utilized by the piglets to maintain their body temperature was derived from the oxidation of fatty acids. The results indicated a promising approach to improve piglet survival and growth through dietary modifications of fatty acids in the diet.

Feeding the modern sow to sustain high productivity.

Selection for hyper-prolific sows has increased the litter size by more than 50% during the last three decades, and proper nutrition of the female pigs has concomitantly changed due to improved prolificacy and productivity of gilts and sows. This review summarizes the physiological characteristics and nutritional challenges associated with feeding modern hyper-prolific sows during the gilt rearing period and during gestation, transition, and lactation periods. The review presents up-to-date knowledge of the energy and lysine requirements of female pigs and focuses on how nutrition may increase fat gain and limit protein and weight gain in the gilt rearing period and in early and mid-gestation. In late gestation, fetal and mammary growth should be considered and during the transition, colostrum yield and farrowing performance need to be optimized. Finally, milk production should be optimized and body mobilization should be minimized in the lactation period to achieve high feed efficiency in hyper-prolific sows.

Increased feed supply and dietary fiber from sugar beet pulp improved energy retention in gestating sows.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether increased inclusion of sugar beet pulp (SBP) alters retention of fat, protein, and energy when backfat (BF) is restored in early- and mid-gestation. In total, 46 sows were fed one of four treatments with increasing inclusion of SBP with dietary fiber (DF) levels of 119, 152, 185, and 217 g/kg; sows were assigned to one of three feeding strategies (FS; high, medium, and low) depending on BF thickness at mating and again at day 30 for the following month. On days 0, 30, 60, and 108, body weight (BW) and BF thickness were measured, and body pools of protein and fat were estimated using the deuterium technique. On days 30 and 60, urine, feces, and blood samples were collected to quantify metabolites, energy, and N balances. On days 15 and 45, heart rates were recorded to estimate the heat production. At farrowing, total born and weight of the litter were recorded. In early gestation, BW gain (P < 0.01) and body protein retention increased (P < 0.05) with increasing fiber inclusion, while body fat retention increased numerically by 59%. Increase in BF was the greatest for sows fed the high FS, intermediate when fed the medium strategy, and negligible for sows fed the lowest FS. N intake, N loss in feces, and N balance increased linearly, whereas N loss in urine tended to decrease with increasing inclusion of fibers in early gestation. Concomitantly, fecal energy output and energy lost as methane increased linearly (P < 0.001), while energy output in urine declined linearly, and total metabolizable energy intake, therefore, increased from 40.5 MJ ME/d in the low-fiber group to 43.5 mega joule (MJ) metabolizable energy (ME)/d in the high-fiber group (P < 0.001). Changing the metabolizable energy toward more ketogenic energy was expected to favor fat retention rather than protein retention. However, due to increased intake of metabolizable energy and increased N efficiency with increasing fiber inclusion, the sows gained more weight and protein with increasing fiber inclusion. In conclusion, increased feed intake improved both fat and protein retention, whereas increased DF concentration increased protein retention.

Feeding sows sugar beet pulp (SBP) has many known benefits, for example, increased satiety, and it is a highly fermentable fiber source for sows. This study investigates how efficient sows utilize energy for fat and protein retention in response to increased SBP inclusion in the diet. After a demanding lactation, sows need to restore body fat and concomitantly avoid excessive protein retention, which increases energy demand for maintenance and risk of locomotory problems. The hypothesis in this study was that energy from fermented fibers is more efficient for fat retention than dietary starch. In the study, sows had numerically greater fat retention when fed high concentrations of fiber from SBP, but, concomitantly, sows unintendedly also increased their protein retention, which in turn increased substantially their live weight. Sows were fed one of three feeding strategies depending on the body condition score (lean, medium, or fat) in early gestation, and backfat was efficiently restored in most sows within a month. To conclude, gestating sows have a high capability to utilize energy from fermented fiber, but sows prefer to retain protein rather than fat, which needs to be addressed in the nutrition of modern genotype sows.

Impact of four fiber-rich supplements on nutrient digestibility, colostrum production, and farrowing performance in sows.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fiber (DF) sources on sow and litter performance, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrients. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight at mating and randomly assigned to one of four DF sources (mixed fiber [MF], palm kernel expellers [PKE], sugar beet pulp [SBP], or soy hulls [SH]) and fed the diet from mating until farrowing. Within DF treatments, sows were supplemented with one of two extra energy sources (glycerol or sugar dissolved in water), whereas a third group (control) received water from day 108 of gestation until farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn pigs; birth time and birth weight of the pigs; farrowing duration; and farrowing assistance (FA) were recorded. Live-born pigs were weighed again at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Blood samples were collected once daily from day -3 relative to farrowing until day 1 after farrowing in sows and once from selected pigs right after birth. Fecal samples were collected on day 114 of gestation and colostrum at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after onset of farrowing. Intake of soluble and insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) was greater for SBP (P < 0.001) and PKE (P < 0.001) supplemented sows, respectively, when compared with other groups. Farrowing duration and stillbirth rate were not affected by DF sources, but PKE and SH supplemented sows had greater FA than SBP and MF supplemented sows (P < 0.001). Extra energy supplement did not improve the farrowing performance. Concentration (P = 0.02) and output (P = 0.04) of dry matter in colostrum, and ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and crude protein (CP; P < 0.001) were lower for PKE supplemented sows than in sows from the remaining groups. Intake of insoluble NSP correlated negatively with ATTD of GE (P < 0.001) and CP (P < 0.001). Concentrations of glucose (P < 0.001), lactate (P < 0.001), CO2 (P < 0.001), and HCO3 (P < 0.001) in sows blood were increased with time progress relative to farrowing. Newborn pigs from PKE supplemented sows had greater concentration of lactate (P = 0.02) and lower blood pH (P = 0.02) than the remaining treatments. In conclusion, PKE supplement reduced ATTD of GE and CP, and concentration and output of dry matter in colostrum but increased FA. Results of this experiment indicated that the use of PKE as a fiber source for late gestating sows should be avoided.

Intravenous infusion of glucose improved farrowing performance of hyperprolific crossbred sows.

The sow at parturition is challenged with respect to energy status due to increases in energetic expenses associated with 1) nest building 2) uterine contractions, and 3) colostrum production. A previous study indicated that sows were depleted of glucogenic energy around farrowing. The aim was to investigate whether intravenous infusion of glucose from observed nest-building behavior to 24 h postpartum affected the farrowing kinetics and colostrum production in sows. Ten multiparous sows (DanBred landrace × DanBred Yorkshire) were fitted with a jugular vein catheter on each side (one for infusion and the other one for blood sampling). Sows were infused with either 0.9% saline (CON; n = 5) or 10% glucose (GLU; n = 5) solution at a constant rate of 125 mL/h. From day 108 of gestation, sows were fed once daily with 3.33 kg of a standard lactation diet. During farrowing, sows were monitored to register the onset of farrowing, time of birth, birth status (live or dead), sex, stillbirth rate (SR), and weight of newborn piglets. Farrowing assistance (FA) was provided when the birth interval exceeded 60 min. In late gestation, 1 mL of blood was collected every third hour for blood gas analysis and every sixth hour for harvesting plasma. During farrowing, 1 mL (for blood gas) and 9 mL of blood were collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 h in milk (HIM). Colostrum and milk samples were collected at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 HIM and also at 3, 10, 17, and 24 d in milk. Compared with CON sows, GLU infusion decreased the SR (16.1% vs. 7.4%; P = 0.03), FA (21% vs. 9.0%; P = 0.01), and surprisingly also blood glucose at the onset of farrowing (5.53 vs. 5.09 mmol/L; P = 0.03), respectively. A tendency to higher plasma lactate at the onset of farrowing (P = 0.05) but decreased piglet mortality from 0 to 24 h (P = 0.06) was also found for GLU sows. No effects of treatment on farrowing duration or mean birth intervals were found. Lactate in whole blood (P = 0.003) and plasma (P = 0.002) was increased for GLU sows as compared with CON sows during the colostrum period. No effect of GLU infusion was seen on colostrum and milk composition and yield. The increase in lactate was most likely due to a shift toward a greater proportion of glucose oxidation and insufficient O2 supply to fuel uterine contractions. In conclusion, infusion of glucose reduced the frequency of SR and FA, and improved energy status of the sow which seems to be crucial to enhance total piglet survival.

Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows.

This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.

Impact of arginine supplementation on serum prolactin and mRNA abundance of amino acid transporter genes in mammary tissue of lactating sows.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that supplemental dietary Arg to late-pregnant and lactating sows increases serum prolactin concentrations and mRNA abundance of SLC7A1, SLC7A2, and SLC6A14 in mammary parenchymal tissue. From day 108 of gestation and until day 21 of lactation, sows were fed a diet either supplemented with 0.10 g of l-Arg/kg body weight (BW) per day (n = 10, ARG) or 0.34 g of l-Glu/kg BW per day (n = 10, control). Litters were standardized to 10 piglets on day 1 of lactation and piglets were weighed on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation. Sow BW was recorded on day 108 of gestation and days 1, 10, and 21 of lactation. Lactation sow feed intake was recorded daily. Mammary parenchymal tissue was biopsied on day 5 of lactation to measure mRNA abundance SLC7A1, SLC7A2, and SLC6A14. On days 4 and 18 of lactation, blood samples were collected from sows at 2, 4, and 6 hr postfeeding to measure serum prolactin concentrations. Milk samples were collected on days 4, 10, and 18 of lactation to measure fat, lactose, urea N, and true protein concentrations. Sow BW, backfat, and feed intake over all sampling days did not differ between treatments. Piglet BW on d 1 tended to be greater for the ARG treatment than the control treatment (P = 0.12). Sow milk yield and composition (fat, protein, lactose, and urea N) and mammary mRNA abundance of candidate genes did not differ between the ARG and the control group. Compared to controls, serum prolactin concentrations tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in ARG sows on day 4 of lactation, and did not differ on day 18. Current findings show a potential beneficial effect of dietary supplementation with Arg to late-pregnant multiparous sows on BW of their piglets on day 1. Dietary Arg supplementation at a rate of 0.10 g/kg BW during late pregnancy and lactation tended to increase serum prolactin concentrations with no increase in mammary transcript abundance of SLC7A1, SLC7A2, and SLC6A14 in early lactation.

Changes in long-chain fatty acid composition of milk fat globule membrane and expression of mammary lipogenic genes in dairy cows fed sunflower seeds and rumen-protected choline.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of crushed high oleic sunflower seeds (HOS) and rumen-protected choline (RPC) on the fatty acid (FA) profile of phospholipids and sphingomyelin and mammary transcription of genes that are important for milk fat synthesis and de novo synthesis of sphingolipids. Twenty-four cows were divided into four groups that either received an unsupplemented diet (Control), the Control diet supplemented with 50 g RPC per day, a diet supplemented with HOS at 10% of dry matter, or RPC and HOS in combination (RPC + HOS). RPC supplementation had no effect on the FA composition of milk or sphingomyelin. Cows receiving RPC and RPC + HOS had increased incorporation of C22:5 (n-3) into phospholipids. Milk FA proportion of C18:0 and C18:1 isomers was increased in cows receiving HOS (HOS and RPC + HOS). Sphingomyelin proportion of C22:0 was increased in cows receiving HOS and RPC + HOS, at the expense of C23:0. HOS supplementation further increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in milk phospholipids. HOS supplementation increased mammary transcription of UDP-glucose ceramide glycosyltransferase (UGCG), sterol response element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor Gamma subunit C 1b (PPARGC1b), and reduced transcription of insulin induced gene 1 (INSIG1) and fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3). Dietary supplementation of RPC increased mammary transcription of fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) and longevity assurance gene 2 (LASS2), and reduced transcription of sphingomyelin synthase (SGMS). The results show that the FA profile of milk phospholipids is sensitive to dietary lipid supplementation and, to a minor degree, RPC supplementation. Furthermore, transcription of genes that are important for milk fat synthesis and sphingolipids synthesis is affected by dietary supplementation of RPC and HOS.

Optimal lysine in diets for high-yielding lactating sows1.

The objective of the current study was to determine the optimal concentration of dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys required to maximize litter gain and minimize sow BW loss in modern high-yielding lactating sows when SID CP was kept constant across dietary treatments. A total of 396 parity 1 to 5 sows (L × Y, DanBred, Herlev, Denmark) were included in the study from day 3 after farrowing until weaning at day 26. Sows were allocated to 6 dietary treatments increasing in SID Lys concentration (6.19, 6.90, 7.63, 8.33, 9.04, and 9.76 g/kg). Diets were isoenergetic (14.04 MJ ME/kg as-fed). Litters were standardized to 14 piglets at day 3 ± 2 d postpartum. At day 3 ± 2 d and at day 26 ± 3 d in lactation, litter weight, and sow BW and back fat were registered. On a subsample of 72 parity 2 to 4 sows, litters were additionally weighed at days 10 and 17 ± 3 d, and milk and blood were sampled at day 3 ± 2 d, and 10, 17 and at 24 ± 3 d in lactation. For the 72 sows, body pools of fat and protein were also determined at days 3 ± 2 and 26 ± 3 d using the D2O dilution technique. All data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using PROC MIXED in SAS. Furthermore, data were subjected to linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts. Variables with quadratic or linear effects or days in milk × treatment interactions were selected for analysis in PROC NLMIXED using linear broken-line models to evaluate optimal SID Lys concentrations. Only models that converged and the best fitting models were included. Average daily litter gain increased until a breakpoint at 8.11 g/kg of SID Lys (as-fed). At and above the breakpoint, multiparous and primiparous sows had litter gains of 3.36 and 2.93 kg/d, respectively. Weaning litter size (13.0 ± 0.1) was similar between the 6 dietary treatments (P = 0.28). Lactation sow BW loss was minimized to 0.17 kg/d at 9.05 g/kg of SID Lys and sow body protein loss was minimized to 0.23 kg at 9.22 g/kg of SID Lys. Linear broken-line analyses showed that for 3, 10, 17, and 24 DIM, plasma urea was minimized at 7.02, 8.10, 8.73, and 8.32 g/kg of SID Lys, respectively, and milk fat was maximized at 7.80 g/kg of SID Lys. In conclusion, in our conditions, high-yielding lactating sows required 8.11 g/kg of SID Lys to maximize litter gain and 9.05 g/kg of SID Lys to minimize sow BW loss. Based on plasma urea, the optimal dietary concentration of SID Lys was lowest in week 1, intermediate in week 2 and 4, and greatest in week 3 of lactation.

Nitrogen utilization of lactating sows fed increasing dietary protein1.

The objectives of the study were 1) to quantify dietary N utilized for milk N and N loss in urine and feces, in sows fed increasing dietary CP with a constant amount of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp to meet their standardized ileal digestible (SID) requirement and 2) to determine the optimal dietary CP concentration based on dietary N utilization for milk production. Seventy-two sows were fed 1 of 6 dietary treatments, formulated to increase the SID CP as followed: 11.8, 12.8, 13.4, 14.0, 14.7, and 15.6% and formulated to be isocaloric (9.8 MJ NE/kg). Diets were fed from day 2 after parturition until weaning at day 28 (± 3 d). Litters were equalized to 14 piglets and weighed within 48 h following parturition. Sows were weighed and back fat scanned, at day 18 (± 3 d) and day 28 (weaning; ± 3 d). Litter weight was recorded at day 11, 18 (± 3 d), and 28 (± 3 d). Nitrogen balances were conducted on approximately day 4, 11, and 18 (± 3 d). Daily milk yield was estimated from recorded litter gain and litter size. To calculate sows mobilization of fat and protein, body pools of fat and protein were estimated by D2O (deuterated water) enrichment on day 4 and 18 (± 3 d). No linear, quadratic, or cubic effects of increasing dietary CP was observed for sows total feed intake, sow BW, body pools of protein and fat, protein and fat mobilization, total milk yield, and piglet performance. The protein content in milk increased linearly with increasing dietary CP in week 1 (P < 0.05), week 2 (P < 0.05), and week 3 (P < 0.001). Urine production did not differ among treatments and N output in urine increased linearly with increasing dietary CP concentration in week 1 (P = 0.05), week 2 (P < 0.001), and week 3 (P < 0.001). Urine N excretion relative to N intake increased linearly with increasing dietary CP (P < 0.001). Milk N utilization relative to N intake decreased linearly from 77.8% to 63.1% from treatment 1 through 6 (P < 0.001). Corrected milk N utilization decreased from 68.6% to 64.2% from treatment 1 through 6 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a low dietary CP concentration for lactating sows with supplemented crystalline AA improved the efficiency of dietary N utilization and reduced the N output in urine without affecting lactation performance.

Optimal crude protein in diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids fed to high-yielding lactating sows1.

The objective of the current study was to determine the requirement of standardized ileal digestible (SID) CP for maximal litter gain in high-yielding lactating sows due to insufficient supply of either His, Leu, Val, Ile, or Phe. The content of SID Lys was formulated at 95% of the recommended level, while that of Met, Met+Cys, Thr, and Trp was formulated at 100% of the recommended level or slightly greater using crystalline AA. A total of 540 parity 1 to 5 sows (L×Y, DanBred, Herlev, Denmark) were included in the study from day 3 after farrowing until weaning at day 26. Sows were allocated to six dietary treatments increasing in SID CP content (96, 110, 119, 128, 137, and 152 g/kg). Litters were standardized to 14 piglets at day 3 ± 2 after farrowing. At day 3 ± 2 after farrowing and at day 26 ± 3, sow BW and back fat, and litter weight were recorded. On a subsample of 72 sows (parity 2 to 4), litters were also weighed at days 10 and 17 ± 3, and milk and blood were sampled at day 3 ± 2 d, and 10, 17 and at 24 ± 3 d in lactation. Sow body pools of protein and fat were determined on the 72 sows at days 3 ± 2 and 26 ± 3 d using the D2O dilution technique. All data were subjected to ANOVA, and to linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts. Variables with quadratic effects or days in milk × treatment interactions were analyzed using linear regression or one-slope linear broken line using the NLMIXED procedure of SAS. Average daily litter gain reached a breakpoint at 125 g SID CP/kg (as-fed). Multiparous sows had a greater litter gain than primiparous sows (3.33 vs. 3.02 kg/d above the breakpoint; P < 0.001) but litter size (13.1 ± 0.1) at weaning were unaffected by dietary treatment (P = 0.62). Sow BW loss was minimized at 102 g SID CP/kg. Concentrations of protein and casein in milk increased linearly with increasing SID CP (P < 0.001). Milk urea reached a minimum at 111-118 g SID CP/kg (P < 0.05) and milk fat a maximum at 116 g SID CP/kg (P < 0.05). In conclusion, 125 g SID CP/kg feed was required to maximize litter gain.

High-Amylose Maize, Potato, and Butyrylated Starch Modulate Large Intestinal Fermentation, Microbial Composition, and Oncogenic miRNA Expression in Rats Fed A High-Protein Meat Diet.

High red meat intake is associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas dietary fibers, such as resistant starch (RS) seemed to protect against CRC. The aim of this study was to determine whether high-amylose potato starch (HAPS), high-amylose maize starch (HAMS), and butyrylated high-amylose maize starch (HAMSB)-produced by an organocatalytic route-could oppose the negative effects of a high-protein meat diet (HPM), in terms of fermentation pattern, cecal microbial composition, and colonic biomarkers of CRC. Rats were fed a HPM diet or an HPM diet where 10% of the maize starch was substituted with either HAPS, HAMS, or HAMSB, for 4 weeks. Feces, cecum digesta, and colonic tissue were obtained for biochemical, microbial, gene expression (oncogenic microRNA), and immuno-histochemical (O6-methyl-2-deoxyguanosine (O6MeG) adduct) analysis. The HAMS and HAMSB diets shifted the fecal fermentation pattern from protein towards carbohydrate metabolism. The HAMSB diet also substantially increased fecal butyrate concentration and the pool, compared with the other diets. All three RS treatments altered the cecal microbial composition in a diet specific manner. HAPS and HAMSB showed CRC preventive effects, based on the reduced colonic oncogenic miR17-92 cluster miRNA expression, but there was no significant diet-induced differences in the colonic O6MeG adduct levels. Overall, HAMSB consumption showed the most potential for limiting the negative effects of a high-meat diet.

Supplementation of sows with L-Arginine during gestating and lactation affects muscle traits of offspring related with postnatal growth and meat quality: From conception to consumption.

This study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of 25 g/day of L-Arginine (n = 7) or iso­nitrogenous amounts of alanine (n = 6) from d 30 of gestation to d 28 of lactation of sows on performance, muscle traits and meat quality in offspring. From each litter, heaviest and smallest littermate of both sexes were reared from d 28 and slaughtered at d 140 in accordance with a 23factorial design. A response to L-Arginine were obtained on small females where L-Arginine increased birth weight, however this effect disappeared at weaning. L-Arginine increased daily gain by 7% and increased the cross-sectional area of the M. semitendinosus in small females by 14%, suggesting an increased lean ratio. Mechanistic studies showed firstly, that small female littermates had increased number of muscle fibres (myogenesis) after L-Arginine treatment (11%) and secondly increased total DNA (12%) as a consequence of satellite cell proliferation. Traits describing tenderness seem to be affected by L-Arginine but further studies are needed.

l-arginine supplementation in sow diet during late gestation decrease stillborn piglet, increase piglet birth weight and increase immunoglobulin G concentration in colostrum.

The fetal growth is rapid during the last trimester of gestation in sows and hence sow nutrition during this period is important for fetal growth and development. During the last decade, studies reported that l-arginine HCl supplementation during gestation increased sow and piglet performances. However, clinical studies concerning the association between l-arginine HCL supplementation and some neonatal piglet characteristics as well as colostrum and milk yield of sow are still lacking. The present study aims to determine the effect of l-arginine HCl supplementation in sow diet during late gestation on piglet characteristics at birth, colostrum consumption (CC), concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in colostrum, milk yield, average daily gain at d 7 and 21 and piglet mortality at d 7 and 21 of life. In total, 166 sows were allocated into four groups, i.e., CON (n = 66), ARG-0.5 (n = 42), ARG-1.0 (n = 41) and ALA (n = 17). The sows in each group were fed with a conventional gestation diet (CON) or the same diet supplemented with 0.5% l-arginine HCl (ARG-0.5), 1.0% l-arginine HCl (ARG-1.0) or 1.7% l-alanine (ALA, isonitrogenous with ARG-1.0). The feeding protocol was carried out from 85 days of gestation until farrowing. The proportion of live-born piglets, piglet birth weight (BWB), within-litter variation of BWB, proportion of piglets with BWB above 1.35 kg, proportion of growth-restricted piglets (defined as BWB below 1.0 kg), blood oxygen saturation (SatO2) and heart rate were determined in 2292 newborn piglets from 166 litters. Colostrum consumption of each individual piglets and the colostral concentration of IgG was determined. The milk yield between d 0-7 and 7-21 and relative backfat loss were estimated in each individual sow. The piglet mortality and body weight was determined at d 7 and 21 of life. On average, the number of piglet born alive per litter was 12.4. The proportion of stillborn piglets, piglets with BWB above 1.35 kg and growth-restricted piglets were 6.9%, 62.7% and 14.0%, respectively. Piglet preweaning mortality at d 7 and 21 were 8.5% and 12.4%, respectively. Compared to the ALA group, ARG-0.5 increased the proportion of live-born piglets per litter (+9.8%, P < 0.001), reduced stillborn (-8.3%, P < 0.001) and tended to increase the proportion of piglets with BWB above 1.35 kg (+6.4%, P = 0.08). Compared to the CON group, ARG-0.5 increased BWB (+7.0%, P < 0.001), increased SatO2 (+3%, P < 0.001) and reduced heart rate (-20%, P < 0.001) and tended to reduce the relative backfat loss (-4.4%, P = 0.06). No difference between ARG-1.0 and ARG-0.5 was observed among these traits. Other traits including within-litter variation of BWB, growth-restricted piglets, average daily gain, piglets preweaning mortality and CC and milk yield were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). The colostral concentration of IgG at 1 h after onset of farrowing in ARG-1.0 sows (116 mg/ml) was higher than CON, ARG-0.5 and ALA sows (85, 74 and 78 mg/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusions, dietary l-arginine HCl supplementation in late gestating sows favourably increased proportion of live-born piglets, BWB, SatO2 and IgG concentration in the sow colostrum.

The effect of dietary fatty acids on post-operative inflammatory response in a porcine model.

The potential anti-inflammatory effects of dietary fish oil (FO) have been studied in numerous clinical trials. However, variation in lifestyle and morbidity among patients can be difficult to control. In the present study, the impact of a 3-week dietary pre-treatment with 10% (w/w) FO (n 28), sunflower oil (SO, n 28), or animal fat (AF, n 28) was evaluated with respect to post-operative responses in inflammatory markers in a porcine model on aortic vascular prosthetic graft infection. In the early post-operative period (0 < day ≤ 3), FO suppressed whole blood IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α responsiveness to LPS stimulation, decreased peripheral leukocyte IL-8 mRNA abundance, reinforced an increase in total leukocyte count, and counteracted a decrease in mononuclear leukocyte count compared with SO. In the late post-operative period (3 < day ≤ 14), FO increased total leukocyte count and showed higher maximum CRP and haptoglobin concentrations compared with SO. Compared with AF, FO decreased peripheral leukocyte IL-8 mRNA abundance in the early post-operative period, and increased total leukocyte count and maximum CRP concentration in the late post-operative period. In conclusion, the post-operative response in a number of inflammatory markers was affected by FO, and this was most apparent compared with SO.

Perspectives on immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk.

Immunoglobulins form an important component of the immunological activity found in milk and colostrum. They are central to the immunological link that occurs when the mother transfers passive immunity to the offspring. The mechanism of transfer varies among mammalian species. Cattle provide a readily available immune rich colostrum and milk in large quantities, making those secretions important potential sources of immune products that may benefit humans. Immune milk is a term used to describe a range of products of the bovine mammary gland that have been tested against several human diseases. The use of colostrum or milk as a source of immunoglobulins, whether intended for the neonate of the species producing the secretion or for a different species, can be viewed in the context of the types of immunoglobulins in the secretion, the mechanisms by which the immunoglobulins are secreted, and the mechanisms by which the neonate or adult consuming the milk then gains immunological benefit. The stability of immunoglobulins as they undergo processing in the milk, or undergo digestion in the intestine, is an additional consideration for evaluating the value of milk immunoglobulins. This review summarizes the fundamental knowledge of immunoglobulins found in colostrum, milk, and immune milk.

The thickness of the intestinal mucous layer in the colon of rats fed various sources of non-digestible carbohydrates is positively correlated with the pool of SCFA but negatively correlated with the proportion of butyric acid in digesta.

The present experiment aimed to study the influence of six sources of non-digestible carbohydrates (NDC) on the mucous layer in the colon of rats. The NDC sources used were as follows: cellulose (C); pectin (P); inulin; resistant starch (RS); barley hulls. The diets contained 108-140 g NDC/kg DM. A fibre-free (FF) diet served as a control. The diets were fed to forty-eight rats for 34-41 d. The thickness of the total mucous layer in the colon was increased (P < 0.05) in rats fed C, P and RS when compared with rats fed a FF diet. In the colon, positive correlations were observed between the total thickness of the mucous layer and the area of neutral mucins, the pool of SCFA and the pool of acetic acid, while it was negatively correlated with the proportion of butyrate. The total thickness of the mucous layer was not correlated with the MUC gene transcription. The transcription of the gene MUC2 was negatively correlated (P = 0.04), whereas the transcription of MUC3 was positively correlated (P = 0.05) with the butyrate pool in the caecum. No correlations between the MUC2 or MUC3 transcription and SCFA were found in the colon. Hence, the regulation of the MUC genes differs between the compartments of the hindgut and, within compartments, the MUC genes may be regulated differently. In conclusion, a diet providing a large pool of SCFA with a low proportion of butyrate in the colon stimulates the formation of a thick mucous layer, which probably benefits intestinal health.