Evaluation of essential fatty acids in lactating sow diets on sow reproductive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and piglet survivability

Abstract

Mixed parity sows (n=3,451; PIC, Hendersonville, TN; parities 2 through 9) and their litters were used to evaluate the effects of essential fatty acid (EFA) intake on sow reproductive performance, piglet growth and survivability, and colostrum and milk composition. Our hypothesis, like observed in earlier research, was that increasing linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) would improve sow and litter performance. At approximately d 112 of gestation, sows were randomly assigned within parity groups to 1 of 4 corn-soybean meal-wheat-based lactation diets that contained 0.5 (Control) or 3% choice white grease (CWG), 3% soybean oil (SO), or a combination of 3% soybean oil and 2% choice white grease (Combination). Thus, sows were provided diets with low LA and ALA in diets with CWG or high LA and ALA in diets that included soybean oil. Sows received their assigned EFA treatments until weaning and were then fed a common gestation and lactation diet in the subsequent reproductive cycle. Average daily feed intake during the lactation period increased (P < 0.05) for sows fed the Combination and CWG diets compared to sows fed the Control or SO diet. However, daily LA and ALA intakes of sows fed the Combination and SO diets were still greater (P < 0.05) than those of sows fed 0.5 or 3% CWG. Overall, sows consuming high EFA from the Combination or SO diets produced litters with heavier (P < 0.05) piglet weaning weights and greater (P < 0.05) litter ADG when compared to litters from sows fed diets with CWG that provided low EFA. Despite advantages in growth performance, there was no impact of sow EFA intake on piglet survivability (P > 0.10). Additionally, lactation diet EFA composition did not influence sow colostrum or milk dry matter, crude protein, or crude fat content (P > 0.10). However, LA and ALA content in colostrum and milk increased (P < 0.05) in response to elevated dietary EFA from SO. There was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in subsequent sow reproductive or litter performance due to previous lactation EFA intake. In conclusion, increased LA and ALA intake provided by soybean oil during lactation increased overall litter growth and pig weaning weights, reduced sow ADFI, but did not affect piglet survivability or subsequent performance of sows.

Dynamics of fatty acid and non-volatile polar metabolite profiles in colostrum and milk depending on the lactation stage and parity number of sows

“…Regarding the influence of animal parity, our results demonstrated that primiparous sows had higher milk linoleic acid concentration than multiparous sows. This observation was aligned with literature stating that, without lipid supplementation, sows advance in parity could encounter a negative EFA scenario during their lactation 29 , 33 . Because linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) is a precursor for synthesis of hormones involved in diverse stages of reproduction, dietary EFA supplementation is thus recommended to mature sows 29 , 33 .…”

“…This observation was aligned with literature stating that, without lipid supplementation, sows advance in parity could encounter a negative EFA scenario during their lactation 29 , 33 . Because linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) is a precursor for synthesis of hormones involved in diverse stages of reproduction, dietary EFA supplementation is thus recommended to mature sows 29 , 33 . Lignoceric (C24:0) and behenic acid (C22:0) are very long-chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFA) present in milk of various mammal species 34 .…”

“…Linoleic acid (C18:2n6) is an essential fatty acid (EFA) in sow milk which supports piglet’s brain, neural, vision, digestive tract and immune system development and function 29 . A high level of linoleic acid in milk has been reported to be positively correlated with reproductive performance of sows and survivability of piglets 32 .…”

Supplementation alpha glycerol monolaurate during late gestation and lactation enhanced sow performance, ameliorated milk composition, and improved growth of suckling piglets

“…The present experiment con rmed that the fatty acid pro le in sow's colostrum was in uenced by the dietary α-GML. Previous studies have shown that the impact of dietary fatty acid composition during the last gestation and lactation on fatty acid pro le of colostrum and milk [7,8]. However, this study is the rst one using α-GML for sow nutrition.…”

“…Studies have found that dietary supplementation of fatty acids during late pregnancy and/or lactation can increase the overall litter growth and pig weaning weights [7], reduce body weight loss during lactation and shorten the weaning-to-estrus interval [6]. Furthermore, the type and amount of fat in daily feed rations also affect the sow milk yield and the milk fatty acids pro le [8].…”