0
Hyper-prolific sows suffer from highly stressful conditions to maximize productivity. An improper nutrition can cause negative impacts on litter performance by decreasing milk production and litter growth. However, dietary manipulation can enhance nutrient intake and utilization in sows. In particular, the use of lysophospholipids (LPL) have been reported to improve lipid digestibility and growth of nursery pigs, as well as the energy utilization of sows with increased immunoglobulin concentration in the milk. It was hypothesized that feeding lactating sows with LPL would improve sow performance and influence milk composition, thus improve the intestinal health of offspring. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the supplemental effects of dietary LPL in lactation diets on performance, milk characteristics, and intestinal health of piglets in a commercial farm. For that purpose, 60 pregnant sows were allotted to 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design with parity and BW as blocks on day 110 of gestation. Treatments were CON (no added LPL) and LPL (0.05% LPL). Sows were fed 2 kg/d from day 110 of gestation until farrowing and ad libitum after farrowing. Diets were formulated to meet NRC requirement for lactating sows. Colostrum and milk samples from 12 sows per treatment were collected and twelve piglets per treatment (1 piglet per litter) were euthanized on day 18 to collect intestinal tissues.
As a result, there was no difference in sow BW, parity, and litter size between treatments on day 0 of lactation. Sows fed LPL had increased litter BW gain (53.9 vs. 59.4 kg) and decreased piglet mortality (13.9% vs. 10.6%) on day 18 of lactation. Sows fed LPL had increased omega-6:omega-3 and unsaturated:saturated fatty acids ratios with increased oleic acid and tended to have increased IgG and linoleic acid in the milk on day 18 of lactation. Piglets from sows fed LPL had increased IL-8 and crypt cell proliferation rate and tended to have increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in the jejunum.
In conclusion, LPL-supplemented sows showed increased levels of IgG, oleic acids, and linoleic acids in their milk. These changes could contribute to the improved survivability and intestinal health of piglets by increasing IL-8 concentration, enhancing balance among gut-associated microbiome, and increasing enterocyte proliferation in the jejunum.
Jang KB, Purvis JM, Kim SW. Supplemental effects of dietary lysophospholipids in lactation diets on sow performance, milk composition, gut health, and gut-associated microbiome of offspring. Journal of Animal Science. 2020; 98(8): skaa227. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa227