Different Effect of Vitamin E or Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation to Sow’s Diet on Oxidative Status and Performances of Weaned Piglets

Abstract

Different feeding strategies are being applied to sows in order to obtain homogeneous piglets’ weights and improved health status. This study evaluated how the dietary supplementation of vitamin E (VE) (100 mg/kg), hydroxytyrosol (HXT) (1.5 mg/kg) or the combined administration (VE + HXT) given to Iberian sows from day 85 of gestation affected the growth pattern of the piglets and their oxidative status; and quantified what these effects were due to. Dietary VE and HXT improved the oxidative status of sows and piglets. Both VE and HXT modified the growth pattern at birth and performances of the piglets in a different way according to the growing period. Piglets’ performances were positively correlated with plasma VE and negatively with plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) of the sow. However, the highest variation in growth patterns was explained by the colostrum composition. Significant linear equations were observed between piglets’ performances and colostrum saturated (SAT), n-7 monounsaturated fatty acids (C16:1n-7 and C18:1n-7) and different desaturases indices. This study would confirm that VE supplementation to the sow diet could be more adequate than HXT for the improved development during the first weeks of a piglet’s life. The combined administration of both antioxidants would not produce additional positive effects compared to the individual supplementation.

Long-Term Effect of Maternal Antioxidant Supplementation on the Lipid Profile of the Progeny According to the Sow’s Parity Number

“…Modifications have been described in the desaturase activity in obesity [ 54 ], so changes in weight or body composition could affect these enzymes. However, the sows’ performances and piglets’ weights after weaning were not statistically affected by sows’ antioxidant supplementation [ 22 ], and slaughter weights were not affected either by any of the effects evaluated in the present research. Thus, differences in fatty acids after the fattening phase could not be attributed to the type of birth.…”

“…A positive relation between VITE concentrations and the activity of different desaturases and elongases has previously been described [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. Vitamin E was efficiently transferred to the tissues, both muscle and liver, where it could have exerted its antioxidant action [ 19 , 20 , 22 ] and could protect desaturase enzymes, which are very susceptible to oxidation [ 51 ], enhancing their effect. Moreover, some vitamin E metabolites have been reported to act as essential enzyme cofactors for the mitochondrial desaturation–elongation pathway [ 52 ].…”

“…Moreover, the antioxidant level in piglets’ tissues can be improved by maternal supplementation during lactation, mainly due to the transport of antioxidants through milk [ 19 , 20 ]. Recently, it has been reported that the supplementation of sows’ diets with antioxidant substances such as vitamin E (VITE) or an olive derivative like hydroxytyrosol (HXT) can significantly modify not only the antioxidant content of sows’ milk but also its lipid profile and energy intake [ 21 ], and therefore the oxidative status and growth of the piglets at birth and during the lactation period [ 22 ]. Thus, supplementing sows with VITE has shown a protective effect on desaturase enzymes and an increased ability to desaturate milk, whereas HXT increased polyunsaturated fatty acids in colostrum and seemed to inhibit desaturation [ 21 ].…”

Maternal Supplementation of Vitamin E or Its Combination with Hydroxytyrosol Increases the Gut Health and Short Chain Fatty Acids of Piglets at Weaning

“…The highest relationships were observed between iC4, iC5, and piglet’s plasma α-tocopherol, which were positively related (r = 0.70, R 2 = 0.49; p = 0.000; and r = 0.699, R 2 = 0.47; p = 0.000, respectively). The piglet’s plasma α-tocopherol was quantified in a previous paper of the same research project [ 31 ] and was higher in those weaned piglets from VE-supplemented sows compared with non-supplemented (1.051 vs. 1.604 µg/mL).…”

“…Data are presented as the mean of each group, and root mean square error (RMSE) together with the significance levels ( p value). Pearson correlation coefficients between faecal SCFAs and faecal characteristics, faecal SCFAs and piglets/sows oxidative status, faecal SCFAs and colostrum/ milk composition (analysed in Laviano et al [ 20 ]), faecal SCFAs and fatty acids of faeces or between SCFAs and piglet’s body size (measured in a previous paper; Gómez et al [ 31 ]), were carried out using Statgraphics-19 program (Statgraphics Technologies, The Plains, VA, USA). Correlations between piglets’ intestinal morphology and sows or piglets’ oxidative status and between piglets’ intestinal morphology or colostrum and milk composition were also evaluated by Statgraphics-19 program.…”