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Smits et al, (unpublished)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