Organic selenium and vitamin E for gilts and sows bred in equatorial climate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary supplementation of organic selenium (Se) and vitamin E for sows from 1st and 2nd parity order, without adiabatic cooling on physiological parameters, reproductive performance, milk composition, litter performance and blood concentrations of antioxidant enzymes. A total of 96 sows were allotted in a 4 × 2 completely factorial design, with 4 experimental groups and 2 parity orders (1st and 2nd). The experimental groups consisted of: ACCon-sows receiving adiabatic cooling and no dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E; WACCon-sows without adiabatic cooling and no dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E; WACSe-sows without adiabatic cooling with dietary supplementation of 0.3 mg/kg organic Se; WACSeE-sows without adiabatic cooling with dietary supplementation of 0.3 mg/kg organic Se and 90 UI of vitamin E. ACCon Sows had lower respiratory rate, rectal temperature and body surface temperature when compared to the others sows (p < 0.05). Sows without evaporative cooling had lower daily milk production and weaned litters with lower weight and average daily gain when compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). ACCon sows presented higher weaned piglets to WACSeE sows. WACSeE Sows had higher concentrations of GSH-Px when compared to other experimental groups and higher levels of SOD than sows from ACCon and WACSe. Piglets of sows from WACSeE group presented higher levels of GSH-Px and SOD when compared to the other experimental groups. ACCon sows have higher milk yield and higher litter weight than others groups. Under equatorial climate conditions, dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E from first and second parity order sows does not respond efficiently on thermoregulatory physiology and performance compared to adiabatic cooling, but modulates the enzymatic antioxidant balance of sows and piglets.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 on performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance of mixed-parity sows in a tropical humid climate.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (SB) for sows on their productive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance, in tropical humid climatic conditions. A total of 105 sows (Topigs Norsvin®) were allotted to a 5 × 3 completely randomized factorial design, with five diets (control diet; SBGL4 and SBGL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation from the 90th day of gestation until 24th day of lactation; SBL4 and SBL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation during lactation) and three parity order groups (PO: 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th; 5th to 7th), considering each sow and their litter as experimental unit. Sows above the 5th PO that fed control diet had a lower daily milk production (DMP), number of weaned piglets (NWP), and daily weight gain of litter (DWGL) than sows from 1st to 4th PO that fed the same diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4 and SBGL8 to older sows provided a higher DMP, NWP, and DWGL when compared to sows of same PO that fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4, SBGL8, SBL4, and SBL8 provided a higher dry matter and protein contents in sows' milk of 1st and 2nd PO when compared to sows from same PO that fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SB enhances milk yield of older sows and their litter performance, as well as the dry matter and protein content of younger sows' milk in tropical humid climatic conditions.