Effects of dietary arginine supplementation on reproductive performance and immunity of sows

Arginine (Arg) is considered to have beneficial effects on placental development and function, as well as reproductive performance. The well-developed placenta is highly required in late gestation for rapid fetal growth, however, it is unknown if there is a crucial role of Arg in late gestation. Likewise, the immunological response of sows to Arg needs to be determined. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of dietary Arg supplementation on reproductive performance and immunity of sows. At day 30 of gestation, sixty sows (Landrace × Large White) were allocated to 3 groups receiving corn and soybean-based control diet (control group, n = 20), control diet supplemented with 1% l-arginine HCl until day 90 of gestation (Arg90 group, n = 20), and control diet supplemented with 1% l-arginine HCl until day 114 of gestation (Arg114 group, n = 20), respectively. Litter performance was recorded at parturition. Blood samples (n = 6) collected at days 30, 90, and 110 of gestation were measured for metabolic and immunological parameters. At parturition, total litter size was not affected by dietary Arg supplementation. As a result of less pigs born dead, however, sows in Arg114 group had more pigs born alive than sows in control group (+1.6 pigs, P < 0.05), total and live litter weights were increased (+1.6~2.1 kg, P < 0.05) in Arg114 group relative to both control and Arg90 groups. Compared with control group, dietary Arg supplementation increased (+12~110%, P < 0.05) plasma levels of ornithine, proline, and arginine at either day 90 (Arg90 and Arg110 groups) or day 110 of gestation (Arg110 group). Moreover, immune response was enhanced in Arg-supplemented sows, as indicated by the increased levels of serum immunoglobulin and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibody. These findings indicate dietary Arg supplementation can improve litter performance and immune response, and the beneficial effect of Arg on fetal growth is evident in late gestation.

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129 Genomic Relationship Between PRRSV Wild-type Infection and PRRSV Vaccination for Antibody Response and Reproductive Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 18-18

Author(s):

Leticia P Sanglard ◽

Felipe Hickmann ◽

Yijian Huang ◽

Kent A Gray ◽

Daniel Linhares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibody Response ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Wild Type ◽

Large White ◽

Selection For ◽

Indicator Trait ◽

Type Infection

Abstract Immunoglobulin G antibody response, measured as sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio, to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been proposed as an indicator trait for improved reproductive performance in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and PRRSV-vaccinated crossbred gilts. In this study, we investigated the genetic correlations (rg) of S/P ratio following a PRRSV outbreak and PRRSV-vaccination with performance in non-exposed and PRRSV-exposed sows. PRRSV outbreak phase was defined based on previously described methodologies after the detection of typical clinical signs of PRRSV infection. 541 Landrace sows had S/P ratio measured at ~54 days after the beginning of the PRRSV outbreak (S/Poutbreak), and 906 Landrace x Large White naïve F1 gilts had S/P ratio measured at ~50 days after vaccination with a commercial modified live PRRSV vaccine (S/PVx). 711 and 428 Landrace sows had reproductive performance recorded before and during the PRRSV outbreak, respectively. 811 vaccinated F1 animals had farrowing performance for up to 3 parities. All animals were genotyped for ~28K SNPs. The estimate of rg of S/Poutbreakwith S/PVx was high (rg±SE = 0.72±0.18). Estimates of rg of S/Poutbreak with reproductive performance in F1 sows were low to moderate, ranging from 0.05±0.23 (number stillborn) to 0.30±0.20 (total number born). Estimates of rg of S/PVxwith reproductive performance in non-infected purebred sows were moderate and favorable with number born alive (0.50±0.23), but low (0 to -0.11±0.23) with litter mortality traits. Estimates of rg of S/PVx were moderate and negative (-0.47±0.18) with the number of mummies in PRRSV-infected purebred sows and low with other traits (-0.29±0.18 for total number born to 0.05±0.18 for number stillborn). These results indicate that selection for antibody response following a PRRSV outbreak collected in purebred sows and to PRRSV vaccination collected in commercial crossbred gilts may increase litter size of non-infected and PRRSV-exposed purebred and commercial crossbred sows.

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88 Benefits of increasing amino acid intake in late gestation in prolific sows

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 76-76

Author(s):

Ron Ball ◽

Crystal L Levesque ◽

D J Cadogan

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Essential Amino Acid ◽

Control Diet ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Amino Acid Levels ◽

The Many

Abstract Most sows are fed a constant energy and amino acid supply throughout gestation, in line with the recommendations of most authorities and swine genetic companies. These recommendations for sow feeding have seen little change in decades, despite the many ways that sows have changed dramatically in reproductive performance. Beginning in about the year 2000, sow litter size has steadily increased as a result of genetic selection. With this increase in litter number has been a steady decline in birth weight, and the resulting negative effects of lower birthweight on subsequent piglet performance. Many experiments using so-called ‘bump’ feeding, or increased energy intake in late gestation, have been conducted in attempts to arrest this decline in birthweight and piglet performance. Generally, these experiments have shown little to no improvement in birthweight and often have negative effects on sow feed intake during gestation. These experiments have ignored the fact that the energy:amino acid ratios (lysine, threonine, isoleucine, tryptophan) in late gestation are different than during early and mid-gestation. In recent research in Australia we hypothesised that rapidly increasing essential amino acid levels in late gestation would increase birth weight and potentially improve subsequent reproductive performance. Three hundred and thirty-four multiparous PIC sows (average parity 3.6, average LW 261 kg) were housed in a dynamic gestation pen after mating and randomly assigned to one of two diet regimes. Two 13.5 MJ/kg DE gestation diets were formulated and created by blending in an ESF. The Control diet contained 0.48 g SID lysine per MJ DE and SID threonine, methionine+ cysteine, isoleucine and tryptophan at 68%, 65%, 58% and18% of SID lysine and offered at 2.2kg/day from d 28 to d 110. Sow were then moved to the farrowing house and placed on a lactation diet at 3.5kg/d. The Treatment diet contained 0.55 g SID lysine/MJ DE and SID threonine, methionine+cysteine, isoleucine and tryptophan at 78%, 65%, 60% and 20% of SID lysine and offered at 2.1kg/d from d 28 to d 85 and then increased to 2.4 kg/d to d 110 d. Increasing essential amino acid levels in late gestation increased gestational weight gain (5.6 kg, P=0.004), increased total litter birth weight (1.25 kg, P=0.003), and increased the birthweight of liveborn pigs from 1.286 to 1.329 kg, (P=0.04). There was no significant effect on the total number born or born alive. Piglet performance is not available because this commercial farm practices cross-fostering. Effects of continuation of this feeding regime in the same sows during subsequent parities is currently being evaluated.

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Probiotics Modulate Tilapia Resistance and Immune Response against Tilapia Lake Virus Infection

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9110919 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 919

Author(s):

Pitchaporn Waiyamitra ◽

Mehmet Arif Zoral ◽

Aksorn Saengtienchai ◽

Amorn Luengnaruemitchai ◽

Olivier Decamp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Viral Load ◽

Control Diet ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Control Group ◽

Probiotic Treatment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bacillus Spp ◽

Immune Related Genes

Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) causes an emerging viral disease associated with high mortality and economic damage in tilapia farming around the world. The use of probiotics in aquaculture has been suggested as an alternative to antibiotics and drugs to reduce the negative impact of bacterial and viral infections. In this study, we investigate the effect of probiotic Bacillus spp. supplementation on mortality, viral load, and expression of immune-related genes in red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) upon TiLV infection. Fish were divided into three groups, and fed with: control diet, 0.5% probiotics-supplemented diet, and 1% probiotics-supplemented diet. After 21 days of experimental feeding, the three groups were infected with TiLV and monitored for mortality and growth performances, while organs were sampled at different time points to measure viral load and the transcription modulation of immune response markers. No significant difference was found among the groups in terms of weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), or feed conversion ratio (FCR). A lower cumulative mortality was retrieved from fish fed 0.5% and 1% probiotics (25% and 24%, respectively), compared to the control group (32%). Moreover, fish fed with 1% probiotic diet had a significantly lower viral load, than those fed with 0.5% probiotic and control diet at 5, 6, 9, and 12 days post infection-challenge (dpc). The expression patterns of immune-related genes, including il-8 (also known as CXCL8), ifn-γ, irf-3, mx, rsad-2 (also known as VIPERIN) showed significant upregulation upon probiotic treatment during the peak of TiLV pathogenesis (between 9 and 12 dpc) and during most of the study period in fish fed with 1% probiotics-supplemented diet. Taken together, these findings indicate that dietary supplementation using Bacillus spp. probiotics may have beneficial effects to strengthen tilapia immunity and resistance against TiLV infections. Therefore, probiotic treatments may be preventively administered to reduce losses caused by this emerging viral infection in tilapia aquaculture.

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316. MATERNAL DIETARY ARGININE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING LATE GESTATION IMPROVES REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN PIGS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/srb10abs316 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 116

Author(s):

M. J. De Blasio ◽

C. T. Roberts ◽

K. Kind ◽

R. Smits ◽

M. Nottle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Umbilical Vein ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Critical Periods ◽

Placental Development ◽

Pregnant Rats ◽

Growth And Survival ◽

Arginine Supplementation

Arginine (a non-essential amino acid) and its conversion to nitric oxide (NO) can promote formation of new blood vessels and cause vasodilation. This may reduce resistance and increase blood flow to the uterus and placenta, and the delivery of nutrients for fetal growth and survival. In pregnant rats, dietary arginine deficiency causes IUGR and increases fetal death and perinatal mortality, whereas dietary arginine supplementation reverses this. Human IUGR is associated with impaired NO synthesis, and eNOS activity in umbilical vein endothelial cells, but maternal arginine supplements have produced inconclusive results. We hypothesised that maternal arginine supplementation (MAS) in the pig (a species with naturally occurring IUGR), during late gestation, when placental angiogenesis and vascularity increase, would increase birth and placental weights. Large White (LW) and Landrace (LR) gilts (n = 285) and sows (n = 326), were fed either a control or arginine supplemented (+25 g/d arginine, Nutreco Progenos premix) diet (2.5 kg/d) in late gestation (d75-term at ~114 days). Number born, born alive, still born and mummified, birth weight and d10 weight of progeny were measured. Data were analysed using Univariate ANOVA. MAS in late gestation in gilts and sows reduced the number of still born (Con: 1.17 ± 0.13 piglets/litter; Arg: 0.84 ± 0.09 piglets/litter; P = 0.046). In LW gilts, MAS increased birth weight (Con: 1.21 ± 0.05kg; Arg: 1.34 ± 0.05kg; P < 0.05), and litter birth weight (Con: 13.38 ± 0.72 kg; Arg: 15.27 ± 0.73 kg; P < 0.05). MAS also increased birth weight in LW (Con: 1.17 ± 0.06 kg; Arg: 1.30 ± 0.06 kg; P < 0.05) and LR (Con: 1.47 ± 0.05 kg; Arg: 1.60 ± 0.05 kg; P < 0.05) sows, and reduced still borns in LW sows (Con: 1.12 ± 0.14 piglets/litter; Arg: 0.77 ± 0.09 piglets/litter; P < 0.05). MAS in late gestation improves pregnancy outcomes in terms of piglet survival and birth weight, in LW and LR gilts and sows. MAS during critical periods of placental development may enhance placental-fetal blood flow and nutrient transfer, thereby improving fetal growth and survival.

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Loss of the pregnancy-induced rise in cortisol concentrations in the ewe impairs the fetal insulin-like growth factor axis

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd10317 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 665 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ellen C. Jensen ◽

Laura Bennet ◽

Charles Wood ◽

Mark Vickers ◽

Bernhard Breier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Fetal Growth ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Control Group ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽

Igf I ◽

Low Cortisol

Maternal cortisol levels increase during pregnancy. Although this change is important for optimal fetal growth, the mechanisms of the changes in growth remain unclear. The hypothesis examined was that alterations in maternal plasma cortisol concentrations are associated with changes in the fetal insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis. Pregnant ewes in late gestation (115 ± 0.4 days) were studied: six control animals, five ewes given 1 mg kg–1 day–1 cortisol (high cortisol) and five adrenalectomised ewes given 0.5–0.6 mg kg–1 day–1 cortisol (low cortisol). Blood samples were taken throughout the experiment and at necropsy (130 ± 0.2 days) and fetal liver was frozen for mRNA analysis. Fetal IGF-I and insulin plasma concentrations were lower and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) concentrations were higher in the low cortisol group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Fetal liver IGF-II and IGFBP-3 mRNA were decreased in low cortisol animals compared with controls (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in these parameters in the high cortisol group, and there were no changes in fetal liver IGF-I, growth hormone receptor, IGF-I receptor, IGF-II receptor, IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-2 mRNA levels between the groups. These data suggest that reduced fetal IGF availability contributes to reduced fetal growth when maternal cortisol secretion is impaired, but not during exposure to moderate increases in cortisol.

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Effects of Dietary Monoglyceride and Diglyceride Supplementation on the Performance, Milk Composition, and Immune Status of Sows During Late Gestation and Lactation

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.714068 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Hanqing Song ◽

Wei Chai ◽

Fei Yang ◽

Man Ren ◽

Fang Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Cholesterol ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Dietary Lipid ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Inflammatory Factor ◽

Large White ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Fat Thickness

Monoglyceride and diglyceride (MGDG) have antiviral and antibacterial properties and act as emulsifiers to increase dietary lipid digestibility. The primary aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of dietary MGDG supplementation on the reproductive performance and health status of sows during late gestation and lactation. One hundred sows (Landrace × Large White, mean parity of 4.59) were randomly allocated to groups receiving two different diets with 4% soybean lipids or 4% MGDG from day 85 of gestation to day 21 of lactation. Milk samples were collected on the day of farrowing (colostrum) and on day 14 of lactation, and blood samples were collected from the sows on days 0, 14, and 21 of lactation. Compared with control sows, sows fed MGDG showed no significant differences in reproductive performance (P > 0.05), but sow back fat thickness loss decreased during lactation (P < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in TNF-α concentrations in colostrum in the MGDG-supplemented sows compared with that in the soybean lipid-supplemented sows (P < 0.05). Dietary MGDG supplementation decreased sow plasma IL-8 concentrations on day 0 of lactation and IL-18 concentrations on days 14 and 21 of lactation (P < 0.05). Administration of MGDG increased the glucose and total cholesterol concentrations in sow plasma on day 14 and day 21, respectively (P < 0.05). The findings in this study suggest that MGDG supplementation could be effective in reducing back fat loss, decreasing inflammatory factor levels, and controlling total cholesterol (TCHO) concentrations during lactation.

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Effect of Dietary Hemp Seed on Oxidative Status in Sows during Late Gestation and Lactation and Their Offspring

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9040194 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 194 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Laurentiu Mihai Palade ◽

Mihaela Habeanu ◽

Daniela Eliza Marin ◽

Veronica Sanda Chedea ◽

Gina Cecilia Pistol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Antioxidant Enzymes ◽

Control Diet ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Oxidative Status ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Control Group ◽

Ros Generation ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Hemp Seed

This study shows the antioxidant effect of a dietary hemp seed diet rich in ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on oxidative status in sows during late gestation and lactation and their offspring. Ten pregnant sows were divided into two groups and fed either a control diet (CD) or a hemp diet (HD) containing 2% hemp seed meal for a period of 10 days before farrowing and 5% throughout the lactation period (21 d). After farrowing, 16 of their resulting piglets were divided into two groups: control group CD (eight piglets derived from control sows) and HD group (eight piglets derived from HD sows), respectively. Blood collected from sows and piglets at day 1, 7 and 21 was used for the measurement of antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GPx)), nitric oxide production (NO), lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma. The results showed a significant improvement in the oxidative status of sows fed HD throughout lactation compared with CD. Similarly, in piglets, HD positively influenced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, TAC and NO levels and significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in plasma until weaning, in comparison with the CD group. This study suggests the potential of hemp seed diet to improve the overall antioxidant status of the lactating sows and their progeny.

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Resilience Effects of SGK1 and TAP1 DNA Markers during PRRSV Outbreaks in Reproductive Sows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050902 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 902

Author(s):

Marina Laplana ◽

Joan Estany ◽

Lorenzo José Fraile ◽

Ramona Natacha Pena

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Dna Markers ◽

Health Problems ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Large White ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Stable Performance ◽

Potential Use

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major infectious stressor that causes serious health problems and productivity drops. Based on previous genome-wide analyses, we selected SGK1 and TAP1 as candidate genes for resilience, and genotyped three mutations, including a 3′UTR variant SGK1_rs338508371 and two synonymous variants TAP1_rs1109026889 and TAP1_rs80928141 in 305 Landrace × Large White sows. All polymorphisms affected the reproductive performance in the outbreak, but not during the endemic phase, thereby indicating a potential use of these markers for resilience. Moreover, some genotypes were associated with a stable performance across PRRSV phases. Thus, in the outbreak, the SGK1_rs338508371 AA sows had less piglets born alive (p < 0.0001) and more stillborns (p < 0.05) while other sows were able to keep their productivity. During the outbreak, TAP1_rs80928141 GG sows had less piglets born alive (p < 0.05) and both TAP1 polymorphisms influenced the number of mummies in an additive manner (p < 0.05). Remarkably, TAP1_rs80928141 AA sows had around one mummy more than GG sows (p < 0.01). Resilience to PRRSV could be improved by including the SGK1 and TAP1 markers in crossbreeding and/or selection schemes, as they contribute to maintaining a stable number of piglets born alive and lost, particularly mummies, despite the outbreak.

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Effects of peat feeding on the performance and health status of fattening pigs and environmentally derived mycobacteria

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/5587-vetmed ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 51 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 533-543 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Trckova ◽

Z. Zraly ◽

L. Matlova ◽

V. Beran ◽

M. Moravkova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Control Diet ◽

Live Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Large White ◽

Experimental Animals ◽

And Performance ◽

Short Time ◽

Experimental Group

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of feeding peat as a supplement in the period after weaning on the performance and health status of pigs. Also to assess the risk of the development of tuberculous lesions in the lymph nodes and parenchymatous organs, caused by conditionally pathogenic mycobacteria present in peat. Twenty Large White × Landrace pigs in equal numbers of barrows and gilts (mean live weight 18.0 ± 1.7 kg) were used in the experiment. The experimental group was fed a diet containing commercial underground peat in the dose of 80 g peat/kg dry matter for 30 days. Subsequently, they were fed an identical diet with the control group without peat for 60 days. A short-time feeding peat did not significantly affect the growth and performance of pigs. From day 21, a statistically highly significant (P < 0.01) increase in the consumption of the experimental diet was recorded, however, without a positive effect on the growth of experimental animals. The conversion of the peat containing diet was comparable to the conversion of the control diet. It follows from the results of biochemical analysis of blood that peat feeding for 30 days did not adversely affect the metabolic profile and health status of experimental animals. No tuberculous or tuberculoid lesions in lymph nodes or parenchymatous organs were detected in any of 20 slaughtered animals. Despite that, mycobacteria were isolated from 10 (25.0%) tissues of 5 (50.0%) pigs from the experimental group. One isolate was identified as Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (IS901– and IS1245+). Seven of nine isolates were determined as conditionally pathogenic atypical mycobacteria: M. fortuitum (n = 2) and M. xenopi (n = 5). It follows from the present results that feeding of a peat supplemented diet to pigs may be considered as economically non-effective and due to the findings of mycobacteria as risky.

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Effect of Increasing Dietary Aminoacid Concentration in Late Gestation on Body Condition and Reproductive Performance of Hyperprolific Sows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10010099 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

Senén Seoane ◽

Pasquale De Palo ◽

José Manuel Lorenzo ◽

Aristide Maggiolino ◽

Pablo González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Control Diet ◽

The Body ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Dietary Amino Acid ◽

Ideal Protein ◽

Performance Results ◽

Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine ◽

The Ideal

A total of 62 highly prolific Danbred sows was used to evaluate the implications of increasing dietary amino acid (AA) concentration during late gestation (from day 77 to 107 of pregnancy) on body condition and reproductive performances. Sows were assigned to one of the two treatments (n = 31, with similar number of sows in the second-, third- and fourth-cycle); control diet (containing 6 g of standardized ileal digestible lysine -SID Lys-)/kg) and high AA level (containing 10 g SID Lys/kg and following the ideal protein concept for the remaining essential AA). On day 108 of pregnancy, animals were moved to the farrowing-lactating facilities where they spent until weaning receiving a common standard lactation diet. After farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 piglets each. At 107 d of gestation, backfat depth was thicker in sows fed high AA concentration than in those fed control diet (p < 0.0001) but these significant differences disappeared at weaning (p > 0.05). Additionally, at farrowing, the litter size (p = 0.043) and weight (p = 0.017) were higher in sows fed high AA level. It can be concluded that the increase in the AA content in the feed during the last month of gestation could improve the body condition of the sows and their performance results.

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