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Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3

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.

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Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3

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  1. Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3 Research Outcomes

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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

  6. Evidence from commercial studies +1.0 live born Methodology: Mixed parity 2-9 Fed during lactation (18d to weaning) Smits et al, (2011) P < 0.05 N=106 N=97

  7. Evidence from commercial studies Methodology: Mixed parity 5-8 Fed during lactation (27 d) and through to mating Smits et al, (unpublished) Embryo 13.6 v 15.5, P < 0.06 Ovulation rate, NS ES 61.5 v 70.0%, P < 0.06 n=51 n=57

  8. Combining lactation and early gestation omega-3 supplementation Methodology: Commercial piggery , parity 1-7 sows, 850 sows Lactation 20 days Controls Omega 3 Controls Omega 3 Pre-mating 5 days Mating day 0 Controls Controls Omega 3 Omega 3 Gestation day 25 All sows return to unsupplemented feed for the remainder of gestation

  9. Mixed parity lactation vs early gestation Total born omega-3 effect P = 0.041 Live born omega-3 effect P = 0.100 n=173 Smits et al. 2011

  10. Treatment x parity Improvements in older parities Smits et al. 2011

  11. Farrowing rate Treatment effect NS

  12. 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

  13. Gilt studies Treatment response NS Smits et al. 2012

  14. Gilt studies Treatment response P <0.100 0 vs 3 g/kg P <0.05 Smits et al. 2012

  15. 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

  16. 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 Control Smits et al. 2012

  17. Supplementing gestation diets with omega-3 to reduce lameness Experimental design 2,000 mated gilts Day 2 Omega-3 diet 6 g/kg fish oil 15 g fish oil/d Gilt gestation Control diet 0 g/kg fish oil Omega-3 diet 3 g/kg fish oil 18 g fish oil/d Gilt lactation Control diet 0 g/kg fish oil Post-weaning Parity 1 gestation Control diet 0 g/kg fish oil Omega-3 diet 6 g/kg fish oil 15 g fish oil/d Parity 1 lactation Assessment of sow retention

  18. Results - Reproductive

  19. Results – Sow removal

  20. 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)

  21. 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

  22. Thank you to the Pork CRC and Rivalea for funding and support during the project and my PhD

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