PSVII-7 - The Effects on Supplementation of Medium Chain Fatty Acids on Piglet Health and Immune Markers

Abstract: A total of 77 mixed parity sows were used from d 28 of gestation until weaning to determine the effects of supplementation of medium chain fatty acids on colostrum composition and serum immunocrit ratios. On d 28 of gestation, sows were weighed, blocked by parity and weight and allotted to either control diets (UNSUP) or control diets plus 0.3% inclusion of MCFA blend in gestation and lactation. After birth of the first piglet, a 40 mL colostrum sample was collected. On d 2 of age, a 1 mL blood sample was collected from the piglet mammary vein and serum was stored. Colostrum samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and total solids. Piglet serum were analyzed for immunocrit ratios. Piglet fecal samples were collected at 10, 35 and 63 days of age and quantitative rtPCR for Lactobacillus were completed. Data was analyzed as randomized incomplete block with maternal diet as main effect and litter as experimental unit. MCFA sows had higher (P < 0.05) concentration of colostral protein (17.7 vs 16.5%) and solids not fat (23.4 vs 22.2%), a tendency for higher concentration of total solids (29.9 vs 28.6%, P=0.07) and tendency for lower (P = 0.07) concentration of lactose. Overall preweaning survivability was 91.6 and 92.5% in UNSUP and SUP litters, respectively. Serum immunocrit values (0.16 vs 0.14) were greater (P = 0.01) in piglets from UNSUP sows compared to supplemented. Lactobacillus represented 55 and 49% at day 10, 24 and 57% at day 35 and 9 and 3% at day 63 of age in UNSUP and SUP pigs, respectively and were not different. In conclusion, MCFA supplementation in gestation and lactation diets improved overall colostrum quality.