Comparative effects of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium transfer from sows to nursing pigs

To investigate the effects of supplemental Se on the transfer of Se to nursing pigs when sows are fed diets containing a Se level above the NRC recommendation (0.15 ppm), sows were fed diets containing no supplemental Se or supplemental (0.3 ppm) Se from sodium selenite or Se yeast. A nonSe-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet with a high endogenous Se content served as the negative control (0.20 to 0.23 ppm Se). Fifty-two sows were fed diets from 60 d prepartum until 14 d of lactation. Six sows per treatment were bled at 60 and 30 d prepartum, at farrowing, and at 14 d postpartum to measure serum Se concentrations. Colostrum was collected within 12 h postpartum, and milk was collected at 14 d of lactation. Blood was obtained from 3 pigs each from 12 litters per treatment at birth and at weaning (d 14), and pooled serum was analyzed for Se and immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity. Regardless of treatment, serum Se in sows declined throughout gestation and gradually increased during lactation. Sows fed Se yeast tended (P < 0.06) to have greater serum Se at farrowing than sows fed unsupplemented diets. Colostrum and milk (d 14) Se concentrations increased (P < 0.01) when sows were fed Se from yeast but not from sodium selenite. At birth, serum Se was increased (P < 0.01) for pigs whose dams were fed Se yeast compared with pigs from sows fed the basal diet. At 14 d of age, there was no difference in serum Se concentration of pigs from dams fed any of the treatments. Pig serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase-1 activity were unaffected by dietary Se source. Supplementation of gestating and lactating sow diets with Se (0.3 ppm) from an organic or inorganic source reduced the number of stillbirths per litter. However, only pigs born to sows fed organic Se (Se yeast) had greater serum Se at birth. Organic Se increased Se concentration of colostrum and 14-d milk to a greater degree than inorganic Se.     

Excessive dietary selenium to primiparous sows and their offspring. I. Influence on reproduction and growth

The effect of high dietary selenium (Se) on the reproductive performance, growth and health in pigs was examined. Addition of 0 to 16 mg Se per kg feed to sows and their piglets up to nine weeks of age did not cause any manifest toxic effect. None of the sows died due to the Se treatment. The piglets were all fullborn and showed no macroscopic abnormalities. The treatment did not influence neither the number of liveborn and stillborn piglets in the litter, nor the survival of the piglets until 9 weeks of age. The weight of the whole litter at birth was unaffected by the Se supplementation, while there was a significant difference in body weight of the piglets at 9 weeks of age. The weaned pigs receiving 8 or 16 mg Se per kg feed had a reduced feed intake. As the feed utilization was unaffected by treatment, these pigs had a significantly lower weight at 9 weeks of age.     

Assessment of the influence of dietary vitamin E on sows and offspring in three parities: reproductive performance, tissue tocopherol, and effects on progeny

Sixty crossbred (Yorkshire-Hampshire X Duroc) gilts were fed one of four corn-soybean meal diets fortified with .3 ppm Se and 0, 16, 33, or 66 IU of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg. The study was conducted over a three-parity period to evaluate sow reproductive performance and the vitamin E tissue status of both sows and progeny at various time periods postcoitum and(or) postpartum. The basal diet averaged 8.4 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .38 ppm of Se. Although litter size at birth was lowest (P less than .15) when sows were fed the basal diet, a higher incidence of agalactia when sows were fed the lower dietary vitamin E levels resulted in an increased (P less than .05) litter size at 7 d postpartum as dietary vitamin E increased. Sow serum alpha-tocopherol increased (P less than .01) at each measurement period as dietary vitamin E level increased. Colostrum and milk alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E level increased, and colostrum values were three to five times higher than at later milks. Colostrum alpha-tocopherol declined by parity from sows fed less than or equal to 16 IU/kg but was similar at each parity for sows fed greater than or equal to 33 IU/kg, resulting in a dietary vitamin E x parity interaction (P less than .01). The Se content of sow milk declined with parity but was not affected by dietary vitamin E level. Sow liver tocopherol at weaning (28 d postpartum) increased (P less than .01) as dietary vitamin E increased and increased with parity (P less than .05). Pig serum and liver alpha-tocopherol concentrations were elevated at birth and 7 and 28 d of age as sow dietary level of vitamin E increased. Upon weaning, pigs were fed a torula yeast-dextrose diet that contained 3.0 mg of alpha-tocopherol/kg and .32 ppm Se for a 28-d postweaning period. Liver and serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations declined during the postweaning period. Evidence of the vitamin E deficiency occurred at 28 d postweaning in the progeny from sows fed the basal diet or 16 IU of vitamin E; the incidence was more prevalent in the pigs from Parities II and III. These results suggest that a supplemental level of 16 IU of vitamin E/kg of diet was inadequate for the reproducing sow; higher levels are justified, particularly when females are retained in the herd for several parities.     

Effects of the Ratio of n-6:n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Maternal Diet on Immunoglobulins, Fatty Acid Composition, and Performance of Lactating Sows and Suckling Piglets under Conditions of Low Maternal Energy Intake

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different ratios of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in sow diets on the performance of lactating sows and their piglets at low digestible energy intakes.Twenty-one pregnant Landrace sows were assigned to one of three diets from day 108 of gestation until weaning (26 to 29 d),containing n-6∶n-3 PUFA ratios of 3∶1,8∶1 and 11∶1.The effects on sow and litter production traits and on sow body condition were examined.There were no differences among treatments in daily feed intakes or in changes in sow weight and back-fat levels during lactation.Litter size,litter weight at birth and weaning and litter average daily weight gain were also unaffected by treatment.As expected,large differences were observed in n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the colostrum and plasma of sows and piglets (P ＜ 0.01 ).The ratio of n-6∶n-3 PUFA the diet was positively correlated with those in colostrum,sow plasma and piglet plasma ( R2 =0.55,0.80 and 0.80,respectively).Sow plasma insulin and IGF-I levels at weaning were unaffected by the treatments.Plasma leptin ( P ＜ 0.05) concentrations were increased in sows fed the diet with a n-6∶ n-3 ratio of 8∶1.Immunoglobulin concentrations in colostrum were not altered by dietary treatment.Plasma IgG concentrations at d 14 were highest in piglets from sows fed the 8∶1 ratio of n-6∶n-3.Furthermore,this group had the highest IgA concentrations at day 21 of lactation compared with the other two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ).In summary,our study demonstrated that at low digestible energy levels,altering the ratio of n-6∶n-3 PUFA in the diets for lactating sows affected immune components and the fatty acid composition of lactating sows and their piglets.Further studies are needed to examine whether higher levels of fat supplementation than those used in the present study ( 1.5％ ) can successfully enhance performance.     

Long-term effects of dietary organic and inorganic selenium sources and levels on reproducing sows and their progeny

An experiment evaluated the effects of feeding either a basal non-Se-fortified diet, two Se sources (organic or inorganic) each providing 0.15 and 0.30 ppm Se, or their combination (each providing 0.15 ppm Se) on gilt growth and sow reproductive performance. The experiment was a 2 x 2 + 2 factorial conducted in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. One hundred twenty-six crossbred gilts were started on one of the six treatment diets at 27.6 kg BW. During the grower phase, animals were bled at 30-d intervals with three gilts killed per treatment at 115 kg BW for tissue Se analysis. Fifteen gilts per treatment were bred at 8 mo of age and were continued on their treatment diets for four parities. Sow serum collected within parity was analyzed for Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Tissue Se was determined from five 0-d-old pigs per treatment from fourth-parity sows. Three sows per treatment were killed after the fourth parity for tissue Se analysis. Similar treatment performance responses occurred from 27 to 115 kg BW. Serum Se (P < 0.01) and GSH-Px activity (P < 0.05) increased for both Se sources to 0.30 ppm Se during the grower and reproductive periods. Serum Se and GSH-Px activity decreased from 70 to 110 d postcoitum in all treatment groups, but increased at weaning (P < 0.01) in the Se-fortified groups. The number of pigs born (total, live) increased (P < 0.05) with the 0.15 ppm Se level for both Se sources. Tissue and total body Se content of 0-d-old pigs increased with Se level (P < 0.01) and also when the organic Se source (P < 0.01) was fed to the sow. When sows were fed either Se source, pig serum Se (P < 0.01) and GSH-Px activity (P < 0.05) increased at weaning. Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increased (P < 0.01) with Se level for both Se sources, but were substantially greater (P < 0.01) when sows were fed organic Se. The combination of Se sources had sow milk and tissue Se values that were similar to those of sows milk and fed 0.15 ppm organic Se. The fourth-parity sows had greater tissue Se concentrations when organic Se level was increased (P < 0.01), more so than when sows were fed inorganic Se. These results suggest that both Se sources resulted in similar sow reproductive performances at 0.15 ppm Se, but sows fed the organic Se source had a greater transfer of Se to the neonate, colostrum, milk, weaned pig, and sow tissues than sows fed inorganic Se.     

Effect of organic and inorganic selenium sources and levels on sow colostrum and milk selenium content

A study was conducted to evaluate the short-term effects of feeding two dietary Se sources at various Se levels on the transfer of Se to the dam's milk and nursing pig. Six dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two additional treatments in a randomized complete block designed experiment. Inorganic (sodium selenite) or organic (Se-enriched yeast) Se sources were added to the diet at .15 or .30 ppm Se. A non-Se-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet served as a negative control, and a sixth group was fed .15 ppm Se from both inorganic and organic Se sources. A total of 43 sows were fed their treatment diets at 2.2 kg/d from 6 d prepartum to parturition and at full feed through a 14-d lactation period. Ten sows were initially bled at 6 d prepartum, and three sows and three pigs from their litters were bled at 7 and 14 d postpartum. Serum was analyzed for its Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity. Colostrum was collected within 12 h postpartum and milk at 7 and 14 d of lactation. When the basal diet was fed, sow serum GSH-Px activity declined from 6 d prepartum and remained low throughout lactation. When dietary Se levels increased, sow serum Se concentration and serum GSH-Px activity increased (P < .05) at both 7 and 14 d postpartum. The short-term feeding of either Se source at .15 or .30 ppm Se did not affect colostrum Se content when inorganic Se was fed, but it was increased when organic Se was provided. This resulted in a significant Se source x Se level interaction (P < .01). Milk Se at 7 and 14 d postpartum was 2.5 to 3 times higher when the organic Se source was provided and resulted in a significant Se source x Se level interaction (P < .05). When the combination of inorganic and organic Se was fed at .15 ppm Se, colostrum and milk Se contents were similar to those of sows fed .15 ppm Se from the organic Se source. Pig serum GSH-Px activity was not affected at 7 and 14 d of age by dietary Se level or Se source fed to the sow, but serum Se increased (P < .05) as dietary Se level increased, particularly when sows had been fed organic Se. The results demonstrated that organic Se increased milk Se content more than did inorganic Se and increased the nursing pig's serum Se. These results indicate that inorganic Se was more biologically available for sow serum GSH-Px activity, but organic Se was more effectively incorporated into milk.     

Importance of diet of dam and colostrum to the biological antioxidant status and parenteral iron tolerance of the pig

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.     

Selenium and vitamin E deficiency in pigs. II. Influence on plasma selenium, vitamin E, ASAT and ALAT and on tissue selenium.

The effect of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit. E) in pigs on Se and Vit. E in plasma and on Se in tissue from liver, heart, m. long, dorsi and m. psoas major was studied; and furthermore was the influence on the enzymes ASAT and ALAT studied.Two levels of Se were used, 0.03 and 0.06 mg Se per kg feed. Within each Se level 2 levels of Vit. E were used, 15 and 45 i. u. per kg feed. This resulted in 4 groups: 1. low Se and low Vit. E; 2. low Se and high Vit. E; 3. high Se and low Vit. E; 4. high Se and high Vit. E.Ten% of all pigs fed low Se, and 4% of the pigs fed low Se and high Vit. E diet died with severe symptoms of Se deficiency. None of the pigs fed the high Se diet died with such symptoms. Plasma Se determinations have been shown to indicate the Se status in pigs almost as accurately as liver Se determination. ASAT and ALAT enzyme determinations were not of any diagnostic value.There was a good agreement between dietary Vit. E level and the corresponding levels in plasma. Oxidized herring oil seems to enhance the Vit. E need.     

日粮粗蛋白质水平对哺乳母猪及仔猪生产性能的影响

选用分娩日期相近的天津白猪 1 8头 ,按胎次、体重随机分成 3个处理组 ,每个处理 6个重复 ,每个重复 1头母猪。哺乳母猪自由采食 ,自由饮水。 3个处理日粮的蛋白质水平分别为 1 4.0 %、1 6.5%、1 9.0 %。试验期为 7周。分别于母猪分娩后 0天、3 5天测定背膘厚度、体重、采食量 ;对仔猪隔周称重 ;母猪分娩后 2 1天于前腔静脉采血 ,分离血清后分析血清尿素氮、血清总蛋白、肌酸酐。 2 8天在第一、最后两对有效乳头取奶样 ,分析总固形物、乳蛋白、灰分。试验结果表明 ,母猪体重损失、背膘厚度、采食量、乳成分、以及哺乳期仔猪增重在 3个蛋白水平上差异不显著。高蛋白日粮有提高母猪产奶量的趋势(P <0 .0 7)。母猪的血清尿素氮浓度处理间差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1 )。     

The effect of late pregnancy feed allowance on the milk composition of the sow's colostrum and milk

The composition of colostrum and milk and of sows fed either 3.4 kg or 1.0 kg daily of a conventional sow diet during the last 14 days of gestation was investigated. The fat content of colostrum of the very restrictedly fed sows was higher compared with the standard fed sows. There was a significantly decrease in the crude protein and immunoglobulin contents of colostrum during the first 4 h post farrowing. The milk composition 14 days after farrowing was not affected by the late pregnancy feeding level. The composition of milk was significantly correlated with the 3 week litter weight. The colostrum IgG content was not correlated to the mortality of piglets during the first week post favouring. The content of crude protein and immunoglobulins in the milk was not correlated with the frequency of post weaning diarrhoea.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of oregano essential oils to sows on colostrum and milk composition, growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing sow diets with oregano essential oils (OEO) during gestation and lactation on sow colostrum and milk composition and on the growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs. A total of 70 second-parity sows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 gestation dietary treatments within 24 h after service: control (CON) or CON + 250 mg/kg of OEO (OREG). In lactation, sows were again assigned to either the CON or OREG dietary treatment. Thus, the lactation treatments were CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 6 sows per lactation dietary treatment. Thymus lymphocyte (T lymphocyte) subpopulations (γδ, cluster of differentiation 8, and 32 cluster of differentiation 4) were enumerated in blood and mammary secretions along with IGF-1, IgG, and IgA concentrations. Piglet growth rate were determined from 18, 17, 17, and 18 litters from the CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG lactation dietary treatments, respectively. Growth rates were determined in 630 piglets, and piglets were individually identified and weighed on 1, 5, 9, 12, 16, and 19 d of age. Oregano essential oil supplementation during gestation or lactation had no effect (P > 0.05) on GE, CP, GE:CP, GE:fat, and IGF-1 in sow milk. Reductions of the fat percentage in milk on d 7 (P < 0.05) and d 14 (P = 0.07) were found in sows supplemented with OEO during lactation compared with those in the CON treatment. Milk from sows supplemented with OEO during lactation had the greatest number of T lymphocytes compared with those in the lactation CON treatment on d 14 of lactation (P < 0.01). The number of T lymphocytes in milk was greater for sows in the CON-OREG treatment compared with those other treatments on d 14 of lactation (P < 0.05). Energy intake was greater on d 1 to 5 in piglets from sows fed OEO during gestation than those from sows in the CON treatment (P < 0.05). A trend (P = 0.10) for greater milk intake was observed in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment. Similarly, a tendency for an increase in ADG on d 1 to 5 was found in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment (P = 0.10). Insulin-like growth factor-1 at birth and on d 7 and 14 of lactation did not differ among piglets from sows assigned to the different dietary treatments. Oregano essential oil supplementation of sow diets did not affect (P > 0.05) immunoglobulin concentrations in piglets after suckling. Supplementing sow diets with OEO during gestation or lactation did not affect (P > 0.05) the T lymphocytes, percentage of T-lymphocyte subpopulations, and natural killer cell activity of piglets during lactation. Supplementing sow diets with 250 mg/kg of OEO during gestation and lactation did not affect the growth potential of and immune responses in suckling piglets.     

太湖猪高产综合技术研究试验

本文系对103头360窝太湖猪的繁殖性能进行系统研究。结果是60头母猪在6个繁殖周期中共繁殖360窝,平均繁殖周期158.33天,年产仔2.31胎。窝产仔16.35头,活仔15.10头,35日龄断奶育成14.44头,窝重83.48公斤。每头母猪年产仔37.69头,年产活仔34.81头,年提供断奶仔猪33.29头。其中窝产仔达到18头以上,出现1胎或连续4胎高产的母猪69头,占试验母猪群66.99％。     

Prolonged feeding of high dietary levels of organic and inorganic selenium to gilts from 25 kg body weight through one parity

An experiment evaluated the selenosis effects from feeding high dietary Se levels of organic or inorganic Se sources to growing gilts with the dietary treatments continued through a reproductive cycle. A total of 88 gilts were allotted at 25 kg BW to two replicates in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Inorganic Se (sodium selenite) or organic (Se-enriched yeast) Se were added to diets at 0.3, 3, 7, or 10 ppm Se. At 105 kg BW, four gilts per treatment were killed and livers collected for Se analysis. At 8 mo of age, three gilts from each treatment group were bred and fed their treatment diet, with subsequent reproductive performance and selenosis effects evaluated. Serum collected at various intervals in gilts, sows, and progeny measured glutathione peroxidase activity and Se concentrations. Sow colostrum and milk was analyzed for their Se concentrations. Three pigs per treatment were killed before colostrum consumption and at weaning (14 d) and tissue collected for Se analysis. Gilt gains (P < 0.01) and feed intakes (P < 0.05) declined during the grower period as dietary Se level increased for both Se sources. Serum and liver Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and was higher when organic Se was fed (P < 0.01). Sows fed dietary Se levels at > 7 ppm had lower gestation weights (P < 0.05) and lower lactation feed intakes (P < 0.05). As Se level increased, sows fed organic Se had a lower number of live pigs born (P < 0.05) and weaned fewer pigs (P < 0.05) with lower litter gains (P < 0.05) than did sows fed inorganic Se. Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increased as dietary Se levels increased particularly when organic Se was fed (P < 0.01). Neonatal and weanling pig tissue Se and serum Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and when organic Se was fed, resulting in interaction responses (P < 0.01). Pigs nursing sows fed > 7 ppm inorganic Se had hoof separation and alopecia, with the severity being greater when sows were fed the inorganic Se source. These results suggest that both the organic and inorganic Se sources were toxic when fed at 7 to 10 ppm for a prolonged period, but organic Se seemed to express the selenotic effects more on reproductive performance, whereas inorganic Se was more detrimental during lactation.     

Effects of a novel carbohydrate and protein source on sow performance during lactation

Ninety-one primiparous and multiparous sows and their pigs were used to evaluate the effects of a novel carbohydrate- and protein-based feed ingredient (Nutri-Pal, NP) on sow and litter performance during lactation. Nutri-Pal is a feed supplement for sows that consists of a blend of milk chocolate, brewer's yeast, whey products, and glucooligosaccharides. The dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control and a corn-soybean meal plus 5% NP fed from d 110 of gestation to weaning. The diets were formulated to be equal in total Lys and ME. Sows were allotted to treatment based on parity, body weight, and the date of d 110 of gestation. There were 46 and 45 sows per treatment over four farrowing groups. Litters were standardized to 10 pigs and weighed within 1 d of farrowing, and all sows weaned at least 8 pigs at an average age of 21 d. Sows were weighed on d 110 of gestation, d 1 postfarrowing, and at weaning. Sows were fed three times daily during lactation. Sows were checked twice daily after weaning for signs of estrus. The weaning weight of sows fed NP was increased (P < 0.10) compared with those fed the control diet. Sows fed the control diet tended (P = 0.11) to lose more weight per day from d 110 of gestation to weaning than the sows fed NP. Otherwise, sow response variables (sow weight on d 110 of gestation and d 1 postfarrowing, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing and lactation weight change per day, d 110 of gestation to d 1 postfarrowing, lactation, and total feed intake, days to estrus, pigs born alive or dead, and litter and average pig birth weight) were not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. There were no effects (P > 0.10) of diet on litter performance response variables (pigs weaned, litter and average pig weaning weight and gain, and survival percent). The NP feed ingredient had minor effects on sow productivity, but it did not affect litter productivity indices.     

Effect of vitamin E sources (RRR- or all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and levels on sow reproductive performance, serum, tissue, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents over a five-parity period, and the effects on the progeny

Two dietary sources of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-beta-TAc], or D-alpha-tocopheryl acetate [DL-alpha-TAc]) at two dietary supplemental levels (30 vs 60 IU/kg) were evaluated in reproducing sows over a five-parity period. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments conducted as a randomized complete block in two replicates. A total of 48 gilts were fed their treatment diets from 40 kg BW through five parities, reflecting a total of 171 farrowings. Reproductive measurements of litter size, sow weight, and back-fat thickness were collected. The incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA) and fluid discharge from the vagina were evaluated for each sow on each of the first 3 d postpartum. Sows were bled at periodic intervals during gestation and at weaning (21 d) and serum was frozen. After the fifth parity, two to four sows from each treatment group were killed and tissues collected. At birth, two to three neonatal pigs were killed from each sow treatment group within each parity and livers were collected and frozen. In addition, three pigs from each litter from three to four sows per treatment group within each parity were bled at weaning and serum was saved. Six pigs from each sow group at weaning of Parity 5 were also killed and livers were collected and frozen. Sow and pig sera and tissues were analyzed for a-tocopherol. There was no effect (P > .15) of vitamin E source or level on the various sow reproductive measurements, litter size, or the incidences of MMA or fluid discharges from the vagina. Feeding D-alpha-TAc compared with DL-alpha-TAc or 60 IU compared with 30 IU vitamin E/kg diet resulted in higher (P < .01) sow serum, colostrum, and milk alpha-tocopherol contents at each measurement period. Sow liver, adipose, lung, and heart alpha-tocopherol contents were also higher (P < .01) when the 60 IU vitamin E level had been fed. Both serum and liver a-tocopherol contents in 21-d-old nursing pigs were higher (P < .01) when the sow had been fed D-alpha-TAc compared with the DL-alpha-TAc source or when the 60 IU level had been fed. There were no vitamin E source x vitamin E level interactions (P > .15) for the various alpha-tocopherol measurements. Although the supplemental vitamin E sources were provided on an equivalent IU basis, these results suggest that D-alpha-TAc has a higher equivalency than DL-alpha-TAc on an IU basis, but higher dietary levels also resulted in higher sow and pig alpha-tocopherol contents.     

Variation in Vitamin E,Glutathione Peroxidase and Retinol Concentrations in Blood Plasma of Primiparous Sows and their Piglets,and in Vitamin E,Selenium and Retinol Contents in Sows' Milk

The concentrations of vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and retinol were analysed in blood plasma of six primiparous sows during gestation and lactation and in their suckling piglets, and the concentrations of vitamin E, selenium and retinol were analysed in colostrum and in sows' milk. During late gestation the concentrations of vitamin E and retinol in blood plasma increased slowly while no changes were found for GSH-Px. This was followed by a large decline on the day of farrowing, when the lowest mean values of 1.07 mg, 0.15 mg and 2879 U per litre (l) of blood plasma, respectively, were recorded. During lactation the concentrations of vitamin E, GSH-Px and retinol in blood plasma of the sows increased to levels observed during late gestation. The highest mean concentrations of vitamin E (17.9 mg kg- 1 ), selenium (200 w g l- 1 ) and retinol (2.45 mg kg- 1 ) were found in colostrum, but with a large variation between sows. One week postpartum the concentrations of vitamin E, selenium and retinol in sow milk had decreased, on average by 86, 68 and 71%, respectively, after which only small changes occurred. Mean concentrations of vitamin E (1.77 mg l- 1 ), GSH-Px (682 U l- 1 ) and retinol (0.07 mg l- 1 ) were low in the blood plasma of the piglets at birth, but a large increase was observed on the next sampling occasion at the age of 3 days (vitamin E: 5.31 mg l- 1 ; GSH-Px: 996 U l- 1 ; retinol: 0.19 mg l- 1 ). The mean concentration of vitamin E in blood plasma of the piglets declined thereafter until the age of 6 weeks (1.04 mg l- 1 ), when there was a small increase, while the mean concentrations of GSH-Px and retinol continued to increase during the suckling period. A high correlation was found between the concentration of vitamin E in blood plasma and sidefat thickness of the sows (r = 0.94), and between the concentration of vitamin E in colostrum and vitamin E in blood plasma of the sows on the day of farrowing (r =0.77). High correlations were also found between the concentration of vitamin E in the blood plasma of the piglets at 3 days and 5 weeks of age and the concentration of vitamin E in colostrum (r = 0.78) and (r =0.89), respectively. The results indicate that vitamin E storage in the adipose tissues of the sow has a great influence on the supply of vitamin E via colostrum and milk to the piglet.     

Effect of supplementing sows' feed with alpha-tocopherol acetate and vitamin C on transfer of alpha-tocopherol to piglet tissues, colostrum, and milk: aspects of immune status of piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of sows with alpha-tocopherol acetate (ATA) and vitamin C on deposition of alpha-tocopherol (AT) in piglet lymphoid organs, such as bone marrow, thymus, and spleen at birth and at weaning, as well as on indicators of immune response in piglets. Sows were given the following treatment diets: control, vitamin C 10 g/day, ATA 500 mg/kg feed, and combined vitamins (ATA 500+Vit-C 10). Supplementation with vitamins started at the beginning of pregnancy and lasted until weaning at 21+/-3 days of age. AT was determined in colostrum, milk, piglet plasma (cord blood) and tissues at birth and on day 21. Immunoglobulins were measured in piglet plasma, milk, and colostrum. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to PHA and ConA was determined in sow and piglet blood. ATA supplementation resulted in a significant increase (P<0.001) in the AT content of colostrum, milk, piglet plasma, liver, thymus, bone marrow, and spleen at weaning. The AT content of colostrum and milk significantly (P<0.001) influenced the AT content of piglet plasma and tissues at weaning (day 21). Total Ig and IgG concentrations in piglet plasma were significantly increased in piglets given the combined vitamin treatment. No effect of AT supplementation was observed on IgG and IgA in colostrum and milk. In sows, vitamin C given alone significantly increased lymphocyte response to ConA and PHA; whereas, in piglets, there was no significant effect of treatments on lymphocyte response to PHA and ConA.     

Immunoglobulins in piglets from sows heat-stressed prepartum

Sows were subjected to moderate heat stress in a chamber (32 C) from d 100 of pregnancy until less than 8 h before delivery of first piglet, while control sows were in a thermoneutral chamber (21 C) or farrowing house (22 C). Blood serum and colostrum at parturition of heat-stressed sows and their piglets' serum at birth had elevated cortisol concentrations. Total protein, globulin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in sow serum tended to decrease as parturition time was approached; albumin did not change. Total protein and IgG concentrations in colostrum at parturition and in milk 24 and 48 h later tended to be lower in heat-stressed sows. Concentrations of these four protein fractions (total, globulin, IgG and albumin) in piglet serum at birth did not differ among treatment groups, but soon after colostrum ingestion they increased markedly in all groups. Therefore, in all groups total protein remained constant while globulin and IgG decreased. Globulin concentration on d 1 was lowest in piglets from heat-stressed sows, but its rate of decrease after d 1 was not affected by sow treatment. Immunoglobulin G concentration was 11 mg/ml lower, but its rate of decrease through postnatal d 20 was slower in piglets from heat-stressed sows than in those from control sows; a 10-mg/ml difference in IgG concentration on postnatal d 1 has been associated with increased preweaning mortality in piglets. Higher cortisol concentration in serum and lower IgG in colostrum of sows under heat stress was associated in their piglets with higher serum cortisol at birth and lower serum IgG for the first 20 d postnatum.     

Efficacy of mannanoligosaccharides additive to sows diets on colostrum, blood immunoglobulin content and production parameters of piglets

The present results suggest that mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) included in a sow nutrition may affect its immune system and humoral antibody production in colostrum and milk, and thus increase the piglet immunity at the postnatal period. The studies involved sows of the Polish Landrace breed mated with boars (Hampshire x Duroc). In each experiment, the sows were assigned to two groups: control and experimental (MOS). Each group consisted of 16 sows managed in pens (2 animals in each) during pregnancy, whereas at farrowing and lactation period they were placed in individual pens. The basal diet during pregnancy (PR-S) and lactation (LC-S) period contained wheat (40% in experiment I--groups 1 and 2) or triticale (40% in experiment II--groups 3 and 4), as well as barley, soybean meal, soybean oil and mineral-vitamin premix. Throughout both experiments, the sows from the experimental group had a dietary supplement of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) preparation for 4 of weeks prepartum and 4 weeks of post partum period. A level of the MOS supplementation (8 g of MOS per sow daily) based on the recommendations of the manufacturer. Blood samples were collected from the sows on days 84 (the start of trial) and 110 of pregnancy, after farrowing, and on day 21 of lactation period, while from the piglets at birth and on day 21 of age. Colostrum was collected between 1-3, 12, 24 and 48 h after farrowing. The blood samples taken from sows and piglets as well as the samples of sow colostrum and milk were evaluated for the presence of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. The present study has provided considerable evidence that MOS supplementation of sows feedstuff before and after farrowing (4 weeks before and 4 weeks after) exerts a positive effect on IgG content in the colostrum and plasma of sows and following this on serum IgG level in the suckling piglets. Higher level of colostral (passive) immunity influences positively body weight gain and survival rate of the piglets at weaning.     

Effects of dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunoglobulins,cytokines, fatty acid composition,and performance of lactating sows and suckling piglets

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ratios of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the performance of lactating sows and their piglets. Thirty pregnant Landrace sows were assigned to one of three treatments from d 108 of gestation until weaning (26–29 d) and were fed diets containing different ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFA including 3:1, 9:1 and 13:1. The effects on sow and litter production traits were examined together with an assessment of sow body condition. No differences were detected among the treatments for the daily feed intake of sows or changes in sow weight and back-fat levels during lactation (P > 0.05). Litter size at d 14 and d 21 were tended to increase in 3:1 treatment compared with 9:1 and 13:1 treatments (P < 0.10). Litter weight gain (1.77 kg/d) from d 0 to d 14 was tended to increase in 9:1 groups compared with the other two treatments (P < 0.10). A significant difference was observed for the content of α -linolenic acid, total n-3 PUFA, and the ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA in the colostrum, milk, and piglets plasma (P < 0.01). The effects of different ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFA in sow diets on colostrum, milk, and piglet plasma immunoglobulin concentrations are studied. No difference was observed among treatments in the concentrations of IgM, and IgA in colostrum (P > 0.05). A great significant difference for IgG concentration was observed among 3 group in colostrum. A great significant difference for IgA, and IgM (P < 0.01) concentrations in piglet plasma at d14 and a significant difference for IgG(P < 0.05) was observed at d14. Furthermore, at d 21 of lactation, piglet plasma IgG and IgA concentration were greater in 3:1 compared with 13:1 group (P < 0.01).In summary, the current study demonstrated that altering the ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA in lactating sow diet had an effect on the immune component including immunoglobulin and cytokines, and it tended to increase the litter average daily gain and improve the immune status of piglets when dietary ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA was 9:1.