| The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) to late-gestation (d 90) and lactation sows on their reproduction performance, serum metabolite concentrations and antioxidant ability. Sixty Large White×Landrace primiparous sows were divided into four groups (fifteen sows per group). The control group was fed with basal diet, the others were fed with basal diet supplemented with 0.02%,0.04% and 0.06% PFA, respectively. In addition, ten sows per treatment were selected to collect blood on d 90 of gestation, farrowing, d 7 and 18 of lactation. Then the samples were analyzed for serum metabolite concentrations, immunoglobulins levels, lysozyme activity and antioxidant indexes. Furthermore,30 to 40 mL of milk was collected from functional glands of these sows on day 1 and 7 of lactation, and then determined milk quality. The results indicated that:1) The number of total and live-born piglets, birth weight of live-born piglets, total litter weight and survival rate at birth did not differ in treatments (P>0.05). Litter weaning weight was increased significantly by 16.01% and 13.37% respectively in 0.04% PFA group than 0% and 0.06% PFA group. Compared with 0%PFA group, piglet weaning weight, average daily weight gain have a trend of increase (P=0.057,0.073), but have no prominent difference (P>0.05). Weaning-to-estrus interval of 0.06% PFA group was shorter than 0% PFA (P=0.061). The average daily feed intake of 0.04%PFA group was higher by 7.78% than 0% PFA group (P<0.05).2) At farrowing, glucose content was increased when the sows were fed the diet with 0.04% PFA compared with 0% PFA group (P<0.05) and serum IgG level in 0.02% PFA group was higher than the others (P<0.05). On d 7 of lactation, the sows fed PFA diets had lower urea nitrogen levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents than the 0% group (P<0.05), meanwhile lysozyme activity in 0.06%PFA was higher than the others (P<0.05). At weaning, the sows fed 0.06%PFA had lowest triglyceride content and highest SOD activity among groups (P<0.05). The T-AOC activity in 0.04% and 0.06%PFA groups were higher than 0%PFA (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed for total protein, IgA and IgM levels, and GSH-Px activity (P>0.05).3) When sows were fed 0.04% PFA diet, milk fat was significantly higher in colostrum (1d of lactation) than 0.06% PFA diet (P<0.05). Compared with the 0%PFA group, lactose contents in milk (7d of lactation) from all the PFA sows were increased significantly (P<0.05). On d 7 of lactation, the data showed an increase in IgG contents in 0.02% and 0.04% PFA groups (P<0.05). Sow dietary treatments had no significant effect on milk protein content, IgA and IgM levels (P>0.05).The conclusion:1) The use of 0.04% phytogenic feed additive in late-gestating (d 90) and lactating primiparous sow diets appears to be effective in improving litter weaning weight, litter gain and sows feed intake during lactation.2) Furthermore, it also shows that PFA improves serum IgG level at parturition, influences serum urea nitrogen concentrations and lysozyme activity at postpartum, enhances the antioxidant ability. As a result, the reproductive performances of primiparous sows are improved.3) The PFA in diet can increase colostrum fat, milk lactose and IgG contents of sows and improve the quality of milk. So the piglet has a good growth. |
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