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The effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation of the maternal diet on the performance and behaviour of piglets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

S.A. Edwards ,
C. Bulman ,
K. Breuer ,
N.E. O’Connell ,
I.A. Sneddon ,
M.E.M. Sutcliffe ,
J.T. Mercer  and
K.A. Rance
S.A. Edwards
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
C. Bulman
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
K. Breuer
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
N.E. O’Connell
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, UK
I.A. Sneddon
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Queens University, Belfast, Co., Antrim BT7 1NN, UK
M.E.M. Sutcliffe
Affiliation:
Rattlerow Farms Ltd, Hillhouse Farm, Stradbroke, Suffolk IP21 5NB, UK
J.T. Mercer
Affiliation:
Independent Breeding Consultants, Harryburn Stables, Lauder, Berwickshire TD2 6PD, UK
K.A. Rance
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 5UA, UK
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Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of preand postnatal supplementation of sows with an algal source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the pre and post–weaning performance of their piglets. The experiment was of 2 x 2 factorial design, with DHA supplementation of the sow diet (3g DHA/kg feed) during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and/or 4 weeks of lactation. There was a significant positive effect (P<0.05) of lactation DHA on weaning weight. Piglets from sows which had received DHA supplement in gestation were heavier throughout the post–weaning period than controls (P<0.05), as were piglets whose mothers received DHA in lactation (P<0.05). When age and weight at weaning were used as covariates in the model, the liveweight gain in week 1 and over the whole 26 day post–weaning period were significantly greater (P<0.05) for piglets from sows which had received DHA supplement in gestation. It is concluded that DHA supplementation of sow diets can improve piglet performance.

Type
Posters
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 31: The Appliance of Pig Science , 2004 , pp. 181 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2014

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References

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