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Influence of folic acid supplements on the carry-over of folates from the sow to the piglet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

B. Barkow
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
J. J. Matte
Affiliation:
Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Lennoxville (Quebec), Canada J1M 1Z3
H. Böhme
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
G. Flachowsky*
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Nutrition, Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Professor G. F;achowsky fax +49 531 596 376 email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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This experiment aimed to investigate the influence of folic acid supplements on the carry-over of folates from the sow to the fetus during late gestation and to the suckling piglet. Two groups of sixteen German Landrace sows received, during gestation and lactation, a diet supplemented with either 0 or 10 mg folic acid/kg. Increased folic acid concentrations in the serum of sows were detected only at the end of gestation (day 100) and at the end of lactation (day 28). The supplementation with folic acid to the sows' diet improved the folic acid supply of the fetus compared with unsupplemented controls; values were respectively 92.6 v. 56.2 nmol folates/l serum in newborn piglets and 171.9 v. 76.3 μmol folates/g fresh liver in stillborn piglets (P < 0.05). Folate concentrations in colostrum and milk (day 28) were 3.6- and 5.0-times higher in supplemented than unsupplemented sows. This treatment effect was also reflected in the serum of piglets until weaning. Therefore, the folic acid supply for the suckling piglet is dependent mainly upon the carry-over of maternal folates via colostrum and milk.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2001

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