Important fatty acids (EFAs), notably linoleic (n-6) and α-linolenic (n-3) acids, are essential for reproductive well being, however have to be obtained by the weight loss plan. Supplementing these EFAs throughout lactation has been proven to enhance post-weaning fertility, being pregnant retention, and scale back lifeless or mummified piglets, particularly in mature sows.
Goal: This research explored how growing the consumption of those two key important fatty acids, linoleic and α-linolenic acid, throughout completely different phases of the reproductive cycle might affect sow fertility.
Strategies: A complete of 309 sows have been grouped primarily based on age (both first-to-second parity or older, extra skilled sows) and fed diets both low or excessive in these fatty acids. The upper ranges have been achieved utilizing soybean oil, whereas tallow was used within the lower-fat diets. Researchers examined the results of those diets throughout lactation or between weaning and breeding, aiming to raised perceive how the timing and quantity of fatty acid supplementation might have an effect on future reproductive outcomes.
Outcomes: Feeding sows a weight loss plan excessive in EFA throughout lactation helped enhance their reproductive efficiency in a while. Whereas it didn’t change how a lot they ate or how their piglets grew at that stage, it led to extra sows changing into pregnant once more (82.1% vs. 70.4%) and barely fewer being faraway from the herd. Curiously, it additionally elevated the variety of piglets born alive per 100 sows weaned, though the entire variety of piglets born was barely decrease. Youthful sows (these of their first or second litter) benefited from these high-EFA diets throughout lactation by returning to warmth sooner after weaning. Nonetheless, older sows (with 3 or extra litters) didn’t present this impact, however they have been extra more likely to be bred rapidly after weaning and had barely extra mummified piglets. On the flip facet, giving excessive ranges of EFA after weaning (as an alternative of throughout lactation) had destructive effects-especially for younger sows. Their farrowing fee dropped, and extra of them needed to be faraway from the herd. In addition they had fewer piglets born alive.
Conclusion: In abstract, including extra important fatty acids to sow diets throughout lactation can help higher reproductive outcomes, however giving these fat after weaning, notably to younger sows, could have detrimental results.
Shipman GL, Rosero D, van Heugten E. Supplementation of excessive ranges of important fatty acids utilizing soybean oil in lactation diets advantages the next replica of sows however may be detrimental to the efficiency of younger sows if offered after weaning. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025; 16(1):55.
doi: 10.1186/s40104-025-01192-y
