Effect of selenium supplementation on sow reproductive performance and on their progeny

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals and exists in nature in both inorganic and organic forms. Although organic Se is more bioavailable than inorganic Se, there are inconsistent reports on the effect of organic Se on the reproductive performance of sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal organic Se (2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic [HMSeBA]) supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant capacity of sows. In addition, its long-term effect on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of their offspring with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was also explored. For that purpose, 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows were distributed in three groups (n = 15) that received a different diet during gestation: control diet (Control), control diet supplemented with sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃, 0.3 mg Se/kg Na₂SeO₃), and control diet supplemented with HMSeBA (HMSeBA, 0.3 mg Se/kg HMSeBA). On day 21 of age, male offspring from each group were injected with LPS or saline (n = 6).

Results showed that maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, while it decreased the birth weight compared to the control group. In the first week of lactation, the HMSeBA group increased the ADG of piglets and decreased piglet birth interval. Besides, compared to the control animals, HMSeBA supplemented sows had higher plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and lower malondialdehyde concentration after farrowing. In addition, HMSeBA increased the concentration of selenoprotein P in colostrum compared with the control group. Further study revealed that the LPS-challenged HMSeBA group had higher antioxidant capacity than the LPS-challenged control group.

In conclusion, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, shortened the duration of farrowing, improved the antioxidant capacities of sows and their offspring, and improved the growth performance of suckling pigs at the first week of lactation.

Mou D, Ding D, Li S, Yan H, Qin B, Li Z, Zhao L, Che L, Fang Z, Xu S, Lin Y, Zhuo Y, Li J, Huang C, Zou Y, Li L, Briens B, Wu D, Feng B. Effect of maternal organic selenium supplementation during pregnancy on sow reproductive performance and long-term effect on their progeny. Journal of Animal Science. 2020; 98(12): skaa366. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa366