Effects of low ω6:ω3 ratio in sow diet and seaweed supplement in piglet diet on performance, colostrum and milk fatty acid profiles, and oxidative status

Nguyen, T. X., Agazzi, A., Comi, M., Bontempo, V., Guido, I., Panseri, S., Sauerwein, H., Eckersall, P. D. , Burchmore, R. and Savoini, G. (2020) Effects of low ω6:ω3 ratio in sow diet and seaweed supplement in piglet diet on performance, colostrum and milk fatty acid profiles, and oxidative status. Animals, 10(11), 2049. (doi: 10.3390/ani10112049) (PMID:33167599) (PMCID:PMC7694489)

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Abstract

The ratio of omega-6 (ω6) to omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the diet contributes to animal health and performance modulations because they have mostly opposite physiological functions. Increasing ω3 PUFAs content in the maternal diet can stimulate antioxidative capacity in sow and piglets; however, the optimal ratio of ω6 and ω3 PUFAs in the sow diet is still under discussion. Rich sources of bioactive constituents such as brown seaweed are an excellent supplementation to promote animal health and antioxidant status. However, the knowledge of the effects of this compound, specifically in post-weaning piglets, is still limited. Moreover, the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 PUFAs ratio in sow diet and seaweed supplementation in post-weaning piglets’ diet has never been studied. This research aims to assess the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in sow diets and seaweed supplementation in piglet diets on their growth and oxidative status. We also assessed the impact of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in the maternal diet on reproduction, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and plasma leptin concentration. Two sow diets (n = 8 each) contained either a control ratio (CR, 13:1 during gestation, starting from day 28 (G28) and 10:1 during lactation) or a low ratio (LR, 4:1 from G28 until the end of lactation (L-End)) of ω6:ω3 FA by adding soybean oil or linseed oil, respectively. Reproductive performance was evaluated. Colostrum and milk at lactation day 7 (L7) and L-End were collected to analyze FA profile. Plasma was collected at G28, G79, G108, L7, L14, and L-End for determination of leptin and oxidative status. At weaning, 20 male piglets were selected per sow group to form 4 diet treatments (n = 10 each), which were supplemented with or without 4 g/kg seaweed. Recording of growth performance and collection of blood were performed at days 0, 7, 15, and 21 of post-weaning for oxidative status. LR diet increased (p 0.05) the survival rate of piglets at weaning, and individual and litter weight gains. Colostrum and milk at L7 and L-End had lower (p 0.05) ω6:ω3 ratio in LR sows. Interaction between dietary treatments on sows and piglets was revealed for all examined growth parameters at most time points (p 0.05). LR diet did not affect plasma leptin levels and oxidative status. These findings suggest that the seaweed supplement during post-weaning could not improve growth rate and oxidative status of piglets born from mothers receiving a low dietary ω6:ω3 ratio (4:1) during gestation and lactation. However, this low ratio was beneficial for weaning survival rate, sucking piglets’ weight gain, and ω3 enrichment in colostrum and milk.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017-EJD under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (European Joint Doctorate in Molecular Animal Nutrition, MANNA), grant agreement No 765423.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Burchmore, Dr Richard and Eckersall, Professor David and Nguyen, Thi Xuan
Authors: Nguyen, T. X., Agazzi, A., Comi, M., Bontempo, V., Guido, I., Panseri, S., Sauerwein, H., Eckersall, P. D., Burchmore, R., and Savoini, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Animals
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2076-2615
ISSN (Online):2076-2615
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Animals 10(11):2049
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
303918Joint Doctorate in Molecular Animal NutritionPeter EckersallEuropean Commission (EC)765423Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine