Importance of Diet of Dam and Colostrum to the Biological Antioxidant Status and Parenteral Iron Tolerance of the Pig

Abstract

Fifteen second-parity sows were used to determine the importance of vitamin E (E) and selenium (Se) supplementation of the sow's diet and colostrum consumption by the neonatal pig on tolerance to parenteral iron. Selenium (.1 ppm) and E (50 IU/kg) supplementation of the diet of the sow increased plasma tocopherol and Se concentrations, but did not increase plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Colostrum had greater concentrations of E (primarily alpha-tocopherol) and Se than milk. Plasma biological antioxidant status (tocopherol level and GSH-Px activity) of pigs at birth was very low, but by 2 d of age had increased, especially in alpha-tocopherol (nearly a 20-fold increase). Liveability and body weight gain of pigs were not affected by the pre-colostrum iron injection (200 mg Fe as gleptoferron); however, plasma tocopherol concentrations of Fe-injected pigs were lower and plasma Se concentration and GSH-Px activities were higher at 2 d of age than values of pigs not receiving parenteral Fe. Supplementation of the dam's diet with E and Se maintained high tocopherol and Se levels in her colostrum and milk and a high biological antioxidant status in her pigs throughout the nursing period.

Parenteral iron administration in suckling piglets – a review

“…In his study, he used a dose of 20-60 mg·kg -1 b.w. According to Loudenslager et al (1986), the concentration of vitamin E and selenium in colostrum can be increased when the sow is fed adequate amounts of these nutrients. The authors found that the supplementation of sow feed with selenium (0.1 ppm) and vitamin E (50 International Units·kg -1 ) maintained high concentrations of these substances in colostrum and milk and also a high antioxidant status in piglets throughout the nursing period.…”

Vitamin E in immunity and reproductive performance in pigs

“…It has been reported that the concentration of serum α-tocopherol in unsuckled newborn piglets is several fold higher than that of their dams, strongly suggesting an efficient placental transfer of vitamin E even when the dams are not supplemented with the vitamin [57]. However, most reports have suggested that, prior to nursing, the α-tocopherol concentration in the serum of neonatal piglets is low whether or not the dam is provided with adequate or supplemented dietary levels of vitamin E during gestation [30,[61][62][63][64]. The low plasma and tissue levels of α-tocopherol in new-born pigs suggests a low rate of vitamin E transfer across the placenta which is not influenced by the dietary supplementation of the sow during pregnancy.…”

Oral iron administration in suckling piglets – a review

“…It is known that iron can catalyse production of free radicals and cause oxidative stress (Dziaman et al 2011). This risk is especially high in new-born piglets with insufficient reserves of vitamin E. The levels of this important antioxidant increase due to colostrum intake (Loudenslager et al 1986). For this reason, we recommend the oral administration of iron salts at the age of 3 days.…”