The comparative roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids in pig neonatal development

Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Prenatal Effects on Fetal Fatty Acid Composition in the Iberian Pig

Simple Summary

The present study aimed to determine the effects of maternal dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol and n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA) from day 35 to day 100 of gestation on the fatty acid (FA) composition of the offspring tissues of the Iberian pig. No effects were found in the plasma FA composition of the dams but higher levels of n3-PUFA were found in the plasma and different tissues (muscle, liver, and brain) of the supplemented fetuses. These findings may have important implications for piglets’ health and may offer guidance for achieving human dietary n3-PUFA recommendations.

Abstract

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a major problem in pig production and different strategies, mainly maternal supplementation with different agents, are currently being studied. The combination of hydroxytyrosol and n3-PUFA seems to be a promising treatment to counteract IUGR, since the combination may help improve n3-PUFA composition and lower the inflammatory status of IUGR piglets. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a maternal supplementation, from day 35 to day 100 of pregnancy, with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol on the fetal FA composition. The results showed higher n3 levels, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic FA in the offspring from treated gilts, which showed lower n6-PUFA/n3-PUFA (n6/n3) ratios. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were also affected by treatment, especially in the muscle and brain. Thus, a maternal supplementation with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol affected the fetal FA tissue composition, which could have implications in pig production due to the improvement of the piglets’ health status.

Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Prenatal Effects on Growth and Metabolism

Simple Summary

The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on prenatal development and metabolic traits in swine, a model of intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancies. No effects were found regarding sows’ weight and adiposity. Treated sows had larger litters, with smaller fetuses. However, these animals had better development of some major organs. Fetuses from the treated group had better glycemic and lipidic indexes, but no effects on anti/prooxidant profiles were found.

Abstract

Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n-3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-neonates. A previous studies showed beneficial outcomes of the combination of hydroxytyrosol and linoleic acid, but there is no data of its prenatal effects. The present study aimed to determine the possible prenatal implications of such maternal supplementation at prenatal stages in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. Results showed effects on litter size, with treated sows having larger litters and, therefore, smaller fetuses. However, the brain/head weight ratio showed a positive effect of the treatment in development, as well as in some other major organs like lungs, spleen, or kidneys. On the other hand, treated piglets showed better glycemic and lipidemic profiles, which could explain postnatal effects. However, further research on the implications of the treatment on litter size and prenatal and postnatal development must be done before practical recommendation can be given.

Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Effects on Growth, Metabolism, and Body Composition of the Offspring

Simple Summary

The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol and n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on developmental patterns and metabolic traits of offspring in swine, a model of intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pregnancies. There were no deleterious effects on the reproductive traits of the sows and the postnatal features of the piglets. Piglets from the supplemented sows, in spite of a lower mean weight and corpulence at birth, showed higher average daily weight gain and fractional growth rate afterwards. Consequently, they reached higher weight and corpulence with increased muscle development and better lipidemic and fatty acids profiles than control offspring at juvenile stages.

Abstract

Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol from olive leaves and fruits, and n3 PUFAs, from linseed oil, on developmental patterns and metabolic traits of offspring in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. The results obtained indicate that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy has no deleterious effects on the reproductive traits of the sows (prolificacy, homogeneity of the litter, and percentage of stillborns and low-birth-weight, LBW, piglets) and the postnatal features of the piglets (growth patterns, adiposity, and metabolic traits). Conversely, in spite of a lower mean weight and corpulence at birth, piglets from the supplemented sows showed higher average daily weight gain and fractional growth rate. Thus, at juvenile stages afterwards, the offspring from the treated group reached higher weight and corpulence, with increased muscle development and better lipidemic and fatty acid profiles, in spite of similar adiposity, than offspring in the control group. However, much caution and more research are still needed before practical recommendation and use in human pregnancies.

Milk Replacer Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid from Microalgae Does Not Affect Growth and Immune Status in Goat Kids

Simple Summary

The consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has beneficial effects on human health. Meat from suckling goat kids is highly valuable, especially in Mediterranean countries. Based on this, several strategies have been implemented to increase the content of DHA in foodstuffs such as meat and meat products. Several studies have observed how feeding diverse sources of DHA can improve the fatty acid profile in goat kid meat. However, few studies have focused on the effect of using these DHA supplements on growth and the immune system development in these animals. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of DHA supplementation on growth and the immune system development in newborn goat kids. The current study showed that the DHA supplementation did not affect either growth or the immune status of goat kids during the first 35 days of life.

Abstract

Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has beneficial effects for consumers’ health. Consequently, there is an increased interest in enhancing meat fatty acid profiles (i.e., PUFA and DHA content) through diverse nutritional strategies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA on growth and immune system development in newborn goat kids. In this experiment, newborn goat kids were fed milk replacer (MR) supplemented with three levels of a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA (DHA-Gold^®, Martek Biosciences, MD, USA). Groups were designed as follows: MR-NS (milk replacer without DHA-Gold^® supplementation; n = 10), MR-DHA-9 (9 g of DHA-Gold^®/L milk replacer; n = 10) and MR-DHA-18 (18 g of DHA-Gold^®/L milk replacer; n = 10). The immune status of the kids was evaluated by the plasma IgG and IgM concentrations, as well as by the complement system and chitotriosidase activities. Dietary supplementation with DHA did not affect either growth or innate and humoral immunity (p > 0.05). This study concludes that supplementation with DHA does not cause negative effects on growth and immune status in newborn goat kids.

Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of Maternal Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Hepatic Fat Accretion and Energy and Fatty Acids Profile of Fetal Tissues

Maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol present in olive leaves and fruits, is a highly promising strategy to improve the oxidative and metabolic status of fetuses at risk of intrauterine growth restriction, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol, by preventing lipid peroxidation, may influence the fat accretion and energy homeostasis in the liver, as well as the fatty acid composition in the liver and muscle. The results indicate that hydroxytyrosol treatment significantly decreased the energy content of the fetal liver, without affecting fat accretion, and caused significant changes in the availability of fatty acids. There were significant increases in the amount of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are highly important for adequate fetal tissue development. However, there were increases in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio and the desaturation index, which make further studies necessary to determine possible effects on the pro/anti-inflammatory status of the fetuses.

Apparent metabolizable energy values ofn-6 andn-3 rich lipid sources for laying hens

The objective of this research was to evaluate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) balance of the following lipid sources: soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, and fish oil. Two hundred eighty 24-wk-old laying hens of the Hysex White were used. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet (reference group), basal diet + 10% soybean oil addition (group 1), basal diet + 10% sunflower oil addition (group 2), basal diet + 10% linseed oil addition (group 3), and basal diet + 10% fish oil addition (group 4), distributed in a completely randomized design with seven replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The metabolic assay was performed by the total excreta collection method. The AMEn values found in the natural material were 9 334 kcal kg−1for soybean oil, 10 533 kcal kg−1for sunflower oil, 10 928 kcal kg−1for linseed oil, and 9 005 kcal kg−1for fish oil. The AMEn were different among the lipid sources. Sunflower oil and linseed oil had higher AMEn compared with soybean oil and fish oil (P < 0.05). The AMEn of the lipid sources of plant origin had higher values than the gross energy. The fatty acid profile of each lipid source was presented in this work. Thus, it is important to have individual nutritional information for each type of oil for laying hens, making it possible to formulate more appropriate and accurate feed.

Supplementation of DHA-Gold pre and/or postnatally to goat kids modifies in vitro methane production and rumen morphology until 6 mo old

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre and/or postnatal supplementation of a dry whole cell algae (DHA-Gold) to goat kids, on in vitro methane (CH4) production, animal growth, and rumen morphology at the age of 6 mo. Furthermore, the in vitro retreatment effect of DHA-Gold was evaluated. Twenty pregnant Saanen goats giving birth to 2 male kids were used. Half of these does were supplemented (D+) with 18.2 g/d of DHA-Gold in the last 3 wk of pregnancy, whereas the other half was not (D-). After kidding, one goat kid per doe in both groups was supplemented daily with 0.28 g/kg of body weight of DHA-Gold (k+) until 12 wk, whereas the other goat kids were untreated (k-). This resulted in 4 experimental groups D+k+, D+k-, D-k+, and D-k-. In vitro incubations were performed at the ages of 4 wk, 11 wk, and 6 mo. At the age of 6 mo, goat kids were euthanized and additional incubations were performed supplementing 4 doses of DHA-Gold (0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/mL). Additionally, rumen tissue of the atrium ruminis, ventral rumen, and dorsal blind sac were collected to assess rumen morphology. Rumen inocula of 4-wk-old goat kids supplemented D+ showed lower (P < 0.05) in vitro CH4 production, however, this was mainly due to a reduction in the overall fermentation, while CH4 expressed relatively to total volatile fatty acids (VFA) was higher when goat kids were treated D+ or k+. The detrimental D+ effect on VFA production diminished at 11 wk old but remained a tendency (0.05 < P < 0.1). As for 4 wk D+ as well as k+ supplementation of DHA-Gold stimulated rather than inhibited in vitro CH4 production expressed relative to total VFA. Supplementation of DHA-Gold either D+ or k+ decreased density, width, and surface area of the ruminal papillae. However, no effect on animal growth was observed. Moreover, detrimental effects of D+ or k+ treatment on VFA production or stimulation of relative CH4 production were no longer observed at 6 mo old. Nevertheless, direct exposure of DHA-Gold to 6-mo-old inoculum linearly (P < 0.05) decreased CH4 and VFA production, which tended (P = 0.06) to be greater when using D-rumen inoculum. Accordingly, neither D+ nor k+ DHA-Gold supplementation showed potential for reduction of rumen methanogenesis. Furthermore, this early life intervention could represent some risk for impaired rumen papillae development, which, however, did not impair animal performance.

Selected meat quality parameters and nutritional profiles of M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum of Niang-Megha pigs

Niang Megha is one of the 7 registered pig breeds of indigenous origin in India. The study was part of a programme to improve pig production in India and the information on carcass composition and meat quality are very much essential towards the development of a suitable breeding plan for this pig breed. Gilts (14) and barrows (20) from Niang Megha breed were slaughtered at the age of 10 months for evaluating the different parameters. Moisture: protein ratio varied from 3.38 to 3.64 and no significant difference was observed between gilts and barrows. The cholesterol content in M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum varied from 46.81 mg/100g to 68.15 mg/ 100g, with an average of 60.68 mg/100g. Instrumental colour measurement indicated that the coordinates were in the following range: lightness (L*), 55.83–74.18; redness (a*, red±green), 9.81–19.37; and yellowness (b*, yellow±blue), 19.97–39.38. The haem iron content was significantly higher in barrows compared to gilts. The mineral contents in the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum were in the following range: potassium, 271–337 mg/ 100g; zinc, 0.54–0.97 mg/100g; copper, 0.03–0.09 mg/100g; manganese, 0.02–0.03 mg/100g, and magnesium, 4.37–7.22 mg/100g. Significant differences were not observed in the concentration of any of the estimated amino acids between the sexes. Fatty acid profiling of M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum indicated that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were in the range of 32.75%–38.91% and 54.69%–69.28%, respectively.

Effects of fetal genotype and sex on developmental response to maternal malnutrition

The present study aimed to determine whether developmental patterns, adiposity level and fatty-acid composition of fetuses exposed to maternal malnutrition are driven by their sex or their genotype, or both, as these may modulate the adaptive response to the intrauterine environment independently of the maternal genotype. We used a single maternal genotype (purebred Iberian (IB) sows), which was inseminated with heterospermic semen (obtained by mixing semen from Iberian and Large White (LW) boars), to obtain four different subsets of fetuses (male and female, purebred (IB×IB) and crossbred (IB×LW)) in Iberian purebred sows. Analysis of fetal phenotypes indicated a better adaptive response of the female offspring, which was modulated by their genotype. When faced with prenatal undernutrition, females prioritised the growth of vital organs (brain, liver, lungs, kidneys and intestine) at the expense of bone and muscle. Moreover, the analysis of fat composition showed a higher availability of essential fatty acids in the female sex than in their male counterparts and also in the Iberian genotype than in crossbred fetuses. These results are of high translational value for understanding ethnic differences in prenatal programming of postnatal health and disease status, and show evidence that prenatal development and metabolic traits are primarily determined by fetal sex and strongly modulated by fetal genotype.

Ontogeny of Sex-Related Differences in Foetal Developmental Features, Lipid Availability and Fatty Acid Composition

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development.

Effect of offering maize, linseed or tuna oils throughout pregnancy and lactation on sow and piglet tissue composition and piglet performance

The effects of different dietary essential fatty acids on piglet tissue composition at birth and performance until 7 days post weaning were investigated by offering the sow diets containing (17·5 g oil per kg diet) either maize oil (MO) as a control treatment, tuna oil (TO) as a source of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly 22:6 n-3, or a mixture of maize and linseed oils (LO) which supplied the same amount of n-3 acids as TO but in the form of 18:3 n-3. Ten sows were allocated to each treatment which was offered throughout pregnancy and lactation. Compared with MO, offering TO increased sow plasma and subcutaneous adipose tissue 22: 6 n-3 proportions whereas LO increased 18: 3 n-3 and, to a much lesser extent than TO, 22: 6 n-3. Offering TO to the sow increased the proportions of 20: 5 n-3 and 22: 6 n-3 in piglet brain and liver at birth and decreased the n-6 acids, 20: 4, 22: 4 and 22: 5. LO only increased piglet liver 20: 5 n-3 proportions but to a lesser extent than TO; however, LO also decreased the proportions of 20: 4, 22: 4 and 22: 5 n-6 in piglet tissues. Offering the pregnant sow dietary 18: 3 n-3 therefore increased deposition of 22: 6 n-3 in foetal piglet tissues to a much lesser extent than tuna oil and so it is necessary to offer the sow pre-formed 22: 6 n-3 in order to achieve maximum foetal 22: 6 n-3 deposition. By experimentally allocating piglets at birth, effects of sow nutrition during pregnancy and lactation were separated. Piglets sucking MO or TO sows were heavier than piglets sucking LO sows 7 days post weaning.

Impact of fat and selected profiles of fatty acids contained in the colostrum and milk of sows of native breeds on piglet rearing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of fat and selected fatty acids found in the milk of sows on the rearing of native breed piglets. Simultaneously, in order to improve the accuracy of the performed analyses, atomic absorption spectrometry was employed in the applied analytic methodology. The experimental animal material comprised 60 sows of the indigenous White Złotnicka breed. Colostrum and milk were collected on the first and 14th days of lactation. In all, 240 samples were collected. The following parameters were determined in the course of the experiment: number and weight of piglets, body weight gains as well as deaths of piglets. A total of 1270 born piglets was subjected to investigations. The performed experiments demonstrated that, with the progress of the lactation period, the content of fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) turned out to be statistically significant and showed a growing tendency. Fat increased by about 2% and palmitic acid (C16:0) increased most, that is by 5%. Linolic (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) acids revealed decreasing trends. Irrespective of the day of lactation, the level of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) determined in sows' colostrum and milk was higher in comparison with that of SFA, and the UFA to SFA ratio ranged from 1.84% to 1.33%. Proportions of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids were determined at the level of about 1.6:1.0 in the colostrum and 1.3:10 in milk. The highest daily body weight gains were recorded in the case of piglets derived from sows with the highest fat level – 294 g, while in the case of stearic acid (C18:0), the smaller its concentration in the colostrum and milk of the experimental sows, the better body weight gains of piglets – 262 g. At the same time, stearic acid (C18:0) was found to exert a statistically significant effect on piglet mortality at the level of P ≤ 0.05. Its highest concentration caused the highest proportion of deaths among piglets - 16.23%. The performed analysis of correlations that occurred between fat, fatty acids and traits associated with piglet rearing confirmed that linolic acid (C18:2; n-6) was highly significantly correlated with piglets' body weights (r = 0.456**) and was negatively correlated with piglets' deaths (r = −0.312). On the other hand, fat revealed correlation with body weight gains of piglets (r = 0.333*_ and a negative correlation with deaths of piglets (r = −0344*). Recapitulating, the results of the performed experiments revealed that differences in the levels of fat and fatty acids found in sows' colostrum and milk influenced results of piglet rearing. Together with the increase in the content of fat and UFA in sows' colostrum and milk, piglets were characterized by the best body weight, growth rate, as well as by small mortality.

Responses to n-3 fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation of gestating gilts, and lactating and weaned sows

Feeding n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) to gilts or sows has shown different responses to litter growth, pre-weaning mortality and subsequent reproductive performance of the sow. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that feeding a marine oil-based supplement rich in protected n-3 LCPUFAs to gilts in established gestation would improve the growth performance of their litters; and (2) that continued feeding of the supplement during lactation and after weaning would offset the negative effects of lactational catabolism induced, using an established experimental model involving feed restriction of lactating primiparous sows. A total of 117 primiparous sows were pair-matched at day 60 of gestation by weight, and when possible, litter of origin, and were allocated to be either control sows (CON) fed standard gestation and lactation diets, or treated sows (LCPUFA) fed the standard diets supplemented with 84 g/day of a n-3 LCPUFA rich supplement, from day 60 of first gestation, through a 21-day lactation, and until euthanasia at day 30 of their second gestation. All sows were feed restricted during the last 7 days of lactation to induce catabolism, providing a background challenge against which to determine beneficial effects of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on subsequent reproduction. In the absence of an effect on litter size or birth weight, n-3 LCPUFA tended to improve piglet BW gain from birth until 34 days after weaning (P = 0.06), while increasing pre-weaning mortality (P = 0.05). It did not affect energy utilization by the sow during lactation, thus not improving the catabolic state of the sows. Supplementation from weaning until day 30 of second gestation did not have an effect on embryonic weight, ovulation rate or early embryonic survival, but did increase corpora lutea (CL) weight (P = 0.001). Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were increased in sow serum and CL (P < 0.001), whereas only DHA levels increased in embryos (P < 0.01). In conclusion, feeding n-3 LCPUFA to gilts tended to improve litter growth, but did not have an effect on overall subsequent reproductive performance.

Effect of maternally supplied n-3 and n-6 oils on the fatty acid composition and mononuclear immune cell distribution of lymphatic tissue from the gastrointestinal tract of suckling piglets

Fatty acids are essential for immune cell function. Maternal dietary fatty acid supply influences body fat composition of their offspring. As a first step to study immunonutritional interactions at an early age of pigs, four sows were fed a diet containing sunflower oil or oil from seal blubber during pregnancy and lactation. Corresponding piglets were sacrificed at three consecutive time points in the suckling period and their mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analysed by gas chromatography for levels of fatty acid. At the same time mononuclear cells of these organs and of the intestinal lymphoid tissue from the jejunum were isolated and subpopulations characterised by flow cytometry. Levels of fatty acids from the lymphatic organs of the piglets were significantly influenced by the maternal diet. The concentration of the fatty acids 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 were higher in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node of piglets suckled to sows of the test diet. Additionally, suckling time affected the levels of some long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dietary effects were seen on some subpopulations including CD4-CD8alpha+ lymphocytes of the mesenteric lymph nodes and CD4+CD8alpha+ lymphocytes of the lamina propria, which were higher in the group fed seal blubber oil. The levels of CD21+ B-cells were higher in the group fed sunflower oil. The results indicate that the maternal diet and suckling time affect the fatty acid status of the investigated lymphatic tissues of piglets, but may have minor effects on the investigated lymphocyte subpopulations.

Efeito da adição de agentes tróficos na dieta de leitões desmamados sobre a estrutura e ultraestrutura do intestino delgado e sobre o desempenho

Foram estudados os efeitos da glutamina, dos ácidos graxos poli-insaturados e da parede celular de levedura (PCL) sobre a estrutura e ultraestrutura do intestino delgado e o desempenho de leitões. Foram utilizados 45 leitões, desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, para testar os seguintes tratamentos: T1 - dieta basal; T2 - dieta basal + 1% de glutamina; T3 - dieta basal + 0,2% de PCL; T4 - dieta basal + 5% de óleo de peixe. Nos dias sete e 14 pós-desmame, foram abatidos cinco leitões de cada tratamento. Os aditivos testados não alteraram a altura e a densidade dos vilos nem a profundidade das criptas do intestino delgado. Foi observado efeito de idade, mostrando redução na altura e na densidade dos vilos e na profundidade das criptas após o desmame. No duodeno e jejuno, foram observados maiores valores de relação vilo:cripta, que aumentaram com a idade pós-desmame. Ocorreram redução da altura dos microvilos do duodeno aos sete dias e aumento da largura dos microvilos do jejuno aos 14 dias pós-desmame. A área de superfície apical dos enterócitos não foi alterada pelos fatores estudados. Os aditivos estudados não foram eficientes em prevenir a atrofia da mucosa intestinal do jejuno, ao não interferir na sua ultraestrutura. Os aditivos incluídos na dieta não influenciaram o desempenho dos leitões no pós-desmame.

Sow litter size is increased in the subsequent parity when lactating sows are fed diets containing n-3 fatty acids from fish oil

Supplementing diets with n-3 fatty acids from fish oil has been shown to improve reproductive performance in dairy cattle and sheep, but there is little published literature on its effects in sows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows fed fish oil as a source of n-3 PUFA prefarrowing and during lactation. From d 107.7 ± 0.1 of pregnancy, 328 sows ranging in parity from 0 to 7 (parity 1.95 ± 0.09, mean ± SE) were fed either a diet containing tallow (control) or an isocaloric diet containing 3 g of fish oil/kg of diet (n-3). Diets were formulated to contain the same amount of DE (13.9 MJ/kg), crude fat (54 g/kg), and CP (174 g/kg). Sows were fed their treatment diet at 3 kg daily for 8 d before farrowing and continued on treatment diets ad libitum until weaning at 18.7 ± 0.1 d of lactation. After weaning, all sows were fed a gestation diet without fish oil until their subsequent farrowing. There was no effect (P > 0.310) of feeding n-3 diets prefarrowing on piglet birth weight, preweaning growth rate, piglet weaning weight, or sow feed intake. However, n-3 sows had a larger subsequent litter size (10.7 ± 0.3 vs. 9.7 ± 0.3 total born; 10.2 ± 0.3 vs. 9.3 ± 0.3 born live; P < 0.05). In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that feeding sows a diet containing n-3 PUFA from fish oil fed before farrowing and during lactation increased litter size in the subsequent parity independent of energy intake.

Fatty Acid Transfer From Sow to Piglet Differs for Different Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential for the development of the nervous system in animals. It is known that pigs are good models for human in many aspects. The aim of the study was to investigate how fat content and FA composition in sows’ diet influence FA composition in brain of newborn and in liver and brain of one-day-old piglets, respectively. High fat (6 %) feeds were designed with regard to saturated or polyunsaturated fat content and n-6/n-3 ratio by adding either oats rich in linoleic acid (LA) or linseed oil rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA). The ratio n-6/n-3 PUFA was 11 in all three diets (the low fat (3 %), high fat saturated and high fat oats diet), while the ratio in the linseed oil diet was 2. Increased proportion of ALA in the diet increased ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in piglets’ neutral and polar liver lipids and the long chain PUFA, EPA, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid in piglet brain. The results suggest that transport of n-3 PUFA from sow to piglet was higher via milk than via bloodstream in the uterus and that increased content of ALA in sows’ feed led to an increased accumulation of n-3 FA in piglets’ liver and brain.

The effects of diet on blood glucose, insulin, gastrin and the serum tryptophan: Large neutral amino acid ratio in foals

High carbohydrate diets can affect the health and behaviour of foals, but the mechanisms are not always fully understood. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feeding a starch and sugar (SS), or a fat (oil) and fibre (FF) rich diet to two groups of eight foals. Diets were fed from 4 to 42 weeks of age, alongside ad libitum forage. Faecal pH levels did not differ significantly between groups and endoscopic examination showed that the gastric mucosa was healthy in both groups at 25 and 42 weeks of age. At 40 weeks of age, SS foals had significantly higher total blood glucose and lower total blood gastrin than FF foals during the 6h period following ingestion of their respective diets, but insulin levels did not differ significantly. The ratio between serum tryptophan and other large neutral amino acids showed a trend towards an interaction between diet and sampling time. The results provide preliminary information about the effects of diet on the physiology of young horses.

Effect of medium- and long-chain triglyceride supplementation on small newborn-pig survival

The pre-weaning survival of 508 piglets was studied with a categorical survival analysis, evaluating the effect of medium-long-chain triglyceride (MCT-LCT) supplementation on small newborn pigs, and determining additional risk factors. Half of the 98 piglets born with birth weight (BW)<1250 g received 1.95 g of MCT-LCT each 24 h during the first 3 days of life, and their death hazard was reduced 1.9-fold in relation with small unsupplemented siblings. The death hazard ratio (HR) of supplemented animals compared to 410 heavier littermates was not different. However, the HR for newborn pigs that were small in relation with their siblings was 2.8, and the HR for litters with >12 piglets born alive was 4.5. There was variation across months, and also piglets from primiparous sows had increased hazard of death (HR=4.0).

Changes in piglet tissue composition at birth in response to increasing maternal intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are non-linear

Addition of marine oils containing long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to the diet of pregnant sows may reduce piglet mortality. In previous experiments, when marine oils have been fed to pregnant sows, improvements in piglet tissue 22 : 6n-3 status have been accompanied by potentially undesirable decreases in 20 : 4n-6. The objective of the present experiment was to establish an amount of dietary salmon oil which would enhance piglet 22 : 6n-3 status while minimising reductions in 20 : 4n-6. Twenty-four pregnant multiparous sows were used in the experiment which began on day 60 of pregnancy (gestation length 115 d). To give four diets, salmon oil was added in increasing amounts (0, 5, 10 and 20 g/kg diet) to a basal diet; the diets were made isoenergetic by adding palm oil to each diet to give a total of 20 g oil/kg diet. Diets were offered to the sows in fixed amounts (2.5 kg/d) until parturition. Piglet tissue samples (brain, liver and retina) were obtained at birth before consumption of colostrum. The greatest increase in piglet tissue 22 : 6n-3 proportions occurred between 0 and 5 g salmon oil/kg diet, with only small increases between 10 and 20 g salmon oil/kg diet. In contrast, tissue 20 : 4n-6 proportions declined progressively as the amount of salmon oil fed to the sow increased. In brain, the change in the value 22 : 6n-3/22 : 5n-6 was greatest between 0 and 5 g salmon oil/kg diet, whereas in liver the value increased linearly with added salmon oil. In addition, piglet brain weight (g/kg live weight) increased to a maximum at 10 g salmon oil/kg diet. The optimum amount of supplementary salmon oil in the current experiment, defined as that which gave the greatest response in brain 22 : 6n-3 proportions with minimum reduction in 20 : 4n-6,was 10 g salmon oil/kg diet. This corresponds to an intake of approximately 2.4 g 20 : 5n-3 plus 3.6 g 22 : 6n-3/d or 0.6 % digestible energy.

Separation of some mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated fatty acids containing 18 carbon atoms by high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection

Positional and geometric isomers of mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated fatty acids containing 18 carbon atoms were separated on commercially available reversed-phase columns in gradient systems composed of acetonitrile and water, utilizing photodiode array detection. The biological samples were hydrolyzed with 2 M NaOH for 35-40 min at 85-90 degrees C. After cooling, the hydrolysates were acidified with 4 M HCl and the free fatty acids were extracted with dichloromethane. The organic solvent was removed in a gentle stream of argon. The fatty acids were determined after pre-column derivatization with dibromacetophenone in the presence of triethylamine. The reaction components were mixed and reacted for 2 h at 50 degrees C. Separations of derivatized fatty acids were performed on two C18 columns (Nova Pak C18, 4 microm, 250x4.6 mm, Waters) by binary or ternate gradient programs and UV detection at 254 and 235 nm. The geometric and positional isomers of some unsaturated fatty acids were substantially retained on the C18 columns and were distinct from some saturated fatty acids, endogenous substances in biological samples or background interference. Only slight separation of critical pairs of cis-9 C18:1/cis-11 C18:1 and cis-6 C18:1/trans-11 C18:1 was obtained. A ternate gradient program can be used for complete fractionation of a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) from cis-9, cis-12 and trans-9, trans-12 isomers of C18:2. The CLA isomers in the effluent were monitored at 235 nm. The CLA isomers were differentiated from saturated and unsaturated fatty acids using a photodiode array detector. The utility of the method was demonstrated by evaluating the fatty acid composition of duodenal digesta, rapeseed and maize oils.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid consumption during pregnancy and lactation influences growth and tissue composition in weaned pigs

We evaluated the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance, tissue fatty acid composition and ex vivo lipogenic enzyme activity in piglets (n = 40) reared on sows fed diets supplemented with CLA or linoleic acid (LA). Weaned offspring of both sow groups were offered either a CLA- or LA-enriched starter diet for 35 d. The starter diets were formulated to contain 2 g CLA (containing 58.9 g CLA/100 g total fatty acids) or LA per 100 g feed. All piglets were slaughtered at 70 d of age and tissue samples of the back fat, omental fat and longissimus dorsi were collected. Irrespective of the dietary fat supplied in the starter period, piglets reared on the CLA sows had greater final body and warm carcass weights (P: < 0.01), and greater feed intake (P: = 0.02) than piglets reared on the LA sows. The dietary effect on the fatty acid composition was similar for the adipose and muscle tissues. Compared with the LA-enriched diets, CLA increased the level of total saturated fatty acids (P: < 0.05), whereas that of monounsaturated fatty acids was decreased (P: < 0.05). Dietary CLA increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (P: < 0.01) and malic enzyme activities (P: < 0.06) in the fat tissues, but did not affect fatty acid synthase activity. The shift toward a higher deposition of saturated fatty acids and a lower deposition of monounsaturated fatty acids is the result of down-regulation of Delta9-desaturase activity that was induced by CLA rather than an altered rate of de novo synthesis.