Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3 Research Outcomes.
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Transcript of Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3 Research Outcomes.
Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3
Research Outcomes
Omega 3 PUFA for gilts and sows
How Omega-3’s affect reproduction
Outcomes from lactating sows
Outcomes in gilts
Outcomes from studies on lameness and sow turnover
• Recommendations
Omega 3 fatty acids – why are they important?
All animals require some intake of fats for cellular function
Fats used for
Energy Fat soluble vitamin source (Vit. A and E), sources of retinol, B-carotene and -
tocopherol antioxidants
Cell membrane component
Synthesis of prostaglandins and a reproductive role Formation of compounds associated with inflammatory responses, immune
function and general health
Omega-3 in gilts and sows
• Palmer (1970) reported increase in litter size in first and second litter size by
feeding sows fishmeal
• Following studies using fish oil showed supporting evidence (Perez-Rigau et
al, 1995; Webel et al, 2004; Spencer et al 2004) while others found no
response (Rooke et al, 2001; Estienne et al 2006) in reproductive
performance
• Embryos and endometrium develop with high levels of EPA and DHA by day
19 when gilts fed dietary omega 3 PUFA’s (Brazle et al 2009)
• The pig oocyte and follicular fluid contains relatively high levels of long
chain PUFA’s compared to other mammals (Homa et al, 1986; Khandoker et
al, 1997)
Mechanism
Litter size improved by higher embryo survival
Ovulation rate unaffected
Increases follicle size and oocyte developmental competence (better
quality oocyte for fertilization)
May affect the prostaglandins that support maternal recognition and
implantation (PGE - luteotrophic) and reduce those that try and stop
pregnancy (PGF - luteolytic).
Acts in an anti-inflammatory capacity to reduce symptoms of lameness
Evidence from commercial studies
N=106 N=97
P < 0.05
+1.0 live born
Methodology: Mixed parity 2-9Fed during lactation (18d to weaning)
Smits et al, (2011)
Evidence from commercial studies
Methodology: Mixed parity 5-8Fed during lactation (27 d) and through to mating
Smits et al, (unpublished)
n=51 n=57
Embryo 13.6 v 15.5, P < 0.06Ovulation rate, NSES 61.5 v 70.0%, P < 0.06
Combining lactation and early gestation omega-3 supplementation
Methodology: Commercial piggery , parity 1-7 sows, 850 sows
Lactation 20 days Controls Omega 3
Pre-mating 5 days Controls Omega 3
Mating day 0 Controls Omega 3 Controls Omega 3
Gestation day 25 All sows return to unsupplemented feed for the remainder of gestation
Mixed parity lactation vs early gestation
Total born omega-3 effect P = 0.041Live born omega-3 effect P = 0.100
Smits et al. 2011n=17
3
Treatment x parity
Smits et al. 2011
Improvements in older parities
Farrowing rate
Treatment effect NS
Omega-3 in gilts
Studies evaluated response to feeding supplemented gilt developer diets
Feeding for 3 or 6 weeks before mating on litter size and farrowing rate
Second study fed supplemented diets before mating and early (4 weeks)
pregnancy
Dose response 0, 3 and 10 g fish oil/kg
Gilt studies
Treatment response NS
Smits et al. 2012
Gilt studies
Treatment response P <0.1000 vs 3 g/kg P <0.05
Smits et al. 2012
Summary of omega-3 for improved fertility
Sows
Feeding supplemented diets during lactation and up to mating
Increased litter size in older parities, no effect on farrowing rate
Feeding supplemented diets during early pregnancy
Increased litter size in older parities, no effect on farrowing rate
Feeding both in lactation and early pregnancy
Increased litter size overall (+0.5 BA), no effect on farrowing rate
Replacing tallow with 3 g/kg (0.3%) fish oil increased EPA and DHA
by 6-7-fold
Reducing n-6:n-3 ratio from 12.5 to 7.5 improved litter size and ES
Summary of omega-3 for improved fertility
GILTS
Feeding supplemented diets during puberty up to mating
no significant benefit on litter size or farrowing rate
Feeding supplemented diets during puberty and early pregnancy
increase in embryo survival
Feeding 3 g/kg v 10 g/kg fish oil during puberty and early pregnancy
Maximal response at 3 g/kg
No treatment effect on farrowing rate
Small increase age at mating
217 d (Omega-3) v 213 d ControlSmits et al. 2012
Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3 to reduce lameness
Experimental design
Gilt gestation
Control diet0 g/kg fish oil
Omega-3 diet6 g/kg fish oil15 g fish oil/d
Gilt lactation Control diet0 g/kg fish oil
Omega-3 diet3 g/kg fish oil18 g fish oil/d
Parity 1 gestation
Post-weaning
Parity 1 lactation
2,000 mated gilts Day 2
Control diet0 g/kg fish oil
Omega-3 diet6 g/kg fish oil15 g fish oil/d
Assessment of sow retention
Results - Reproductive
Treatment Gilt farrow rate
(%)
Gilt live born
Parity 1 farrow
rate (%)
Parity 1 subs live
born
Retention over two parities
(% of mated gilts)
Control 90.8 10.8 84.0 12.1 72.6
Fish oil - 3g/kg 91.6 10.8 84.4 12.2 75.8
Significance NS NS NS NS P=0.137
Results – Sow removal
Treatment Re-bred after parity 1 weaning
(%)
Mortality (%)
Locomotion culls (%)
All Physical removal
(%)
Control 91.3 1.2 5.2 6.2
Fish oil - 3g/kg 93.1 0.4 2.8 3.3
Significance NS P=0.09 P =0.011 P = 0.004
Omega-3 and sow retention
Omega-3 supplements reduced sow wastage due to lower destructions
and culling for lameness
No effect on parity 1 (gilt) litter size when fed from d 2 post-mating
No increase in parity 2 litter size , though high baseline due to parity 1
skip-a-heat)
Take-Home recommendations
Supplementing diets with low levels of fish oil can increase litter size
Evidence of improved physical fitness with prolonged supplementation
Aim for dietary n-6:n-3 ratio of < 9 in lactation and (early) gestation diets
Recommended intake of DHA (22:6) +EPA (20:5) of 2.9 g/day
Sourcing quality fish oil or other sources of long-chain omega-3
important, as is suitable antioxidants and vit E in feed preparation
Thank you to the Pork CRC and Rivalea for funding and support during the project and my PhD