Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase

The present study investigates the impact of supplementing diets with a synergistic blend of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFAs-MCFAs) during the peripartum and lactation phases on early microbial colonization and the subsequent growth performance of newborn pigs. The experiment involved 72...

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Main Authors: Sandra Villagómez-Estrada, Diego Melo-Durán, Sandra van Kuijk, José F. Pérez, David Solà-Oriol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3692
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author Sandra Villagómez-Estrada
Diego Melo-Durán
Sandra van Kuijk
José F. Pérez
David Solà-Oriol
author_facet Sandra Villagómez-Estrada
Diego Melo-Durán
Sandra van Kuijk
José F. Pérez
David Solà-Oriol
author_sort Sandra Villagómez-Estrada
collection DOAJ
description The present study investigates the impact of supplementing diets with a synergistic blend of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFAs-MCFAs) during the peripartum and lactation phases on early microbial colonization and the subsequent growth performance of newborn pigs. The experiment involved 72 sows and their litters, with a follow-up on 528 weaned pigs. Sows were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with SCFAs-MCFAs and the pigs were monitored for their growth performance and microbial populations. Subsequently, selected weaned pigs were allotted to an SCFAs-MCFAs diet according to the maternal diet. Results showed that SCFAs-MCFAs supplementation led to reduced backfat loss in sows and improved pig weight and uniformity at weaning (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, suckling pigs exhibited significant shifts in gut microbiota, including increased lactic acid bacteria and reduced <i>Streptococcus suis</i> populations (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although there was no influence of maternal diet on pig growth after weaning, there was a modulation on bacterial populations at 7 and 35 days post-weaning. Pigs fed SCFAs-MCFAs demonstrated improved feed efficiency with notable reductions in <i>E. coli</i> and <i>Streptococcus suis</i> counts. The findings suggest that maternal dietary supplementation with SCFAs-MCFAs can positively influence both sow and pig performance, offering a potential strategy to enhance productivity and health in the commercial swine production.
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spelling doaj-art-f2dfbda804be47e5899c4c686d151d772025-08-20T02:56:05ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011424369210.3390/ani14243692Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning PhaseSandra Villagómez-Estrada0Diego Melo-Durán1Sandra van Kuijk2José F. Pérez3David Solà-Oriol4Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service (SNIBA), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainAnimal Nutrition and Welfare Service (SNIBA), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainTrouw Nutrition, Research and Development Department, Stationsstraat 77, 3811 MH Amersfoort, The NetherlandsAnimal Nutrition and Welfare Service (SNIBA), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainAnimal Nutrition and Welfare Service (SNIBA), Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SpainThe present study investigates the impact of supplementing diets with a synergistic blend of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFAs-MCFAs) during the peripartum and lactation phases on early microbial colonization and the subsequent growth performance of newborn pigs. The experiment involved 72 sows and their litters, with a follow-up on 528 weaned pigs. Sows were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with SCFAs-MCFAs and the pigs were monitored for their growth performance and microbial populations. Subsequently, selected weaned pigs were allotted to an SCFAs-MCFAs diet according to the maternal diet. Results showed that SCFAs-MCFAs supplementation led to reduced backfat loss in sows and improved pig weight and uniformity at weaning (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Additionally, suckling pigs exhibited significant shifts in gut microbiota, including increased lactic acid bacteria and reduced <i>Streptococcus suis</i> populations (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although there was no influence of maternal diet on pig growth after weaning, there was a modulation on bacterial populations at 7 and 35 days post-weaning. Pigs fed SCFAs-MCFAs demonstrated improved feed efficiency with notable reductions in <i>E. coli</i> and <i>Streptococcus suis</i> counts. The findings suggest that maternal dietary supplementation with SCFAs-MCFAs can positively influence both sow and pig performance, offering a potential strategy to enhance productivity and health in the commercial swine production.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3692organic acidsshort-chain fatty acidsnursery sows
spellingShingle Sandra Villagómez-Estrada
Diego Melo-Durán
Sandra van Kuijk
José F. Pérez
David Solà-Oriol
Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
Animals
organic acids
short-chain fatty acids
nursery sows
title Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
title_full Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
title_fullStr Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
title_full_unstemmed Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
title_short Specialized Feed-Additive Blends of Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improve Sow and Pig Performance During Nursery and Post-Weaning Phase
title_sort specialized feed additive blends of short and medium chain fatty acids improve sow and pig performance during nursery and post weaning phase
topic organic acids
short-chain fatty acids
nursery sows
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3692
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