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Piglet growth performance was observed throughout the neonatal period, body weight, crown to rump length and body composition were recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of life. Individual piglet milk intake was assessed on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 of lactation. Urination and defecation by piglets during lactation was also recorded. Blood samples were obtained on days 3 and 21 of life to analyze plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor, thyroid hormones, glucose and NEFA. Growth performance and endocrine profile of LBW (<1.09 kg) and normal birth weight (NBW; 1.46-1.64 kg) piglets were compared.
It was observed that the percentage of piglets born alive categorized as LBW was highest in the litters of SOG1 sows, and lowest in those animals of the group OOG1 (P<0.05). The dietary supplementation with OO or SO during G2 resulted in a decrease in the average birth weight (P<0.05). Growth rate of LBW piglets was lower compared with their NBW piglets (P<0.05) when dietary supplementation was offered during G2 but were similar for G1. At birth, LBW offspring of supplemented animals possessed more fat compared with the control group (P<0.05); LBW offspring of control animal exhibits more rapid decline in fat free mass/kg prior to weaning. Plasma metabolites and insulin concentrations were influenced by maternal diet and birth weight. It is concluded that maternal dietary supplementation altered the distribution of piglet birth weights and improved the energy status of LBW piglets, irrespective of the fatty acid profile or timing of the supplement.
J Laws, JC Litten, A Laws, IJ Lean, PF Dodds and L Clarke. 2009, British Journal of Nutrition, 101: 240-249.
