Effects of n-3 long-chain fatty acids in sow and piglet diets on perinatal piglet performance, oxylipins, immunity, and microbiota.

Identifier:  TDX:4076

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4076

Authors:  Llauradó Calero, Eudald

Abstract:
The increase in sow prolificacy has resulted in larger litters, increasing the proportion of piglets born with low birth weight. These piglets are weaker and present more difficulties to face critical stages such as weaning. Nutritional strategies could improve piglet's development and health. n-3 long-chain fatty acids and the derived oxylipins have been associated with anti-inflammatory roles. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to determine whether the inclusion of fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diets of sows and weaned piglets affects productive parameters, fatty acid and oxylipin profiles, immune parameters, and microbiota in sows, and particularly in piglets. The piglets from sows supplemented with fish oil tended to be heavier at weaning, however, the litters also tended to be smaller. Furthermore, the inclusion of n-3 fatty acids resulted in an increased these fatty acids and their anti-inflammatory-related oxylipins. In terms of immune parameters, there was an increase in immunoglobulin M in sows and weaned piglets, and a decreased tumor necrosis factor α in milk. Finally, it is worth noting that fish oil in the sow diet increased bacterial diversity and potentially beneficial populations such as the mucin-degrader genera Akkermansia and Bacteroides in suckling piglets. On the other hand, microbial diversity was reduced in piglets from sows fed with n-3 diets 28 days after weaning, but no differences in growth were observed between treatments. Therefore, this thesis presents new findings on the influence of the inclusion of long-chain n-3 fatty acids in the diets of sows and piglets.