Microalgae supplementation to late gestation sows and its effects on the health status of weaned piglets fed diets containing high- or low-quality protein sources

Publication date: Available online 3 September 2019Source: Veterinary Immunology and ImmunopathologyAuthor(s): A.V. Lee, L. You, S.Y. Oh, Z. Li, R.E. Fisher-Heffernan, T.R.H. Regnault, C.F.M. de Lange, L. Huber, N.A. KarrowAbstractMaternal stress, such as a bacterial infection occurring in late gestation, may predispose offspring to a variety of diseases later in life. It may also alter programming of developing systems within the fetus, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immune system. Dietary supplementation during the last trimester of pregnancy with immune-modulating compounds may be a means of reducing potential adverse effects of maternal stress on the developing fetus. Essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) such as docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid are well-known for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Sources of these n-3 PUFA include fish products such as fish oil and microalgae, which may be a suitable alternative to fish-based products. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing gestating sow diets with n-3 PUFA and inducing an immune stress challenge in late gestation on piglet growth and immune responsiveness when placed on either a high- or low-quality protein diet after weaning. Forty-eight sows were fed gestation diets containing either 3.12% microalgae, 3.1% fish oil or a corn oil control diet containing 1.89% corn oil starting on gestation day (gd) 75. On ...
Source: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research