0
Foetal environment can lead to permanent post-natal changes in the metabolism of the offspring related to appetite regulation, fat deposition and muscle fibre composition.
In this study, using a porcine model, they combined both maternal nutrition (restricted, control (normal) or high) and body condition (thin or fat) during gestation to investigate how maternal backfat and feeding levels interact to influence offspring growth. They also investigated the effect of maternal body condition and feed intake during gestation on subsequent sow reproduction. They hypothesised that the effect on offspring growth would be compounded by maternal stress levels and milk composition.
A total of sixty-eight thin (backfat depth about 8 mm) and seventy-two fat (backfat depth about 12 mm) gilts were selected at about 22 weeks. This backfat difference was then accentuated nutritionally up to service at about 32 weeks. On day 25 of gestation, gilts from each body condition group (fat or thin) were blocked according to weight and expected farrowing date and allocated at random to one of three feeding levels: (a) restricted (1.8 kg/d), (b) control (2.5 kg/d) or (c) high feed level (3.5 kg/d), until day 90 of gestation. In total there were six treatment groups: thin restricted, thin control, thin high feed level, fat restricted, fat control and fat high feed level. After day 90 of gestation all gilts were fed 2.5 kg/d through to day 110.
The results showed that during gestation restricted gilts had higher levels of cortisol and gave birth to lighter piglets than high and control fed animals. This response to restricted feeding was greatest for the fat gilts. Piglets born from fat gilts had higher average daily gain during the lactation period and higher weaning weights at day 28 than piglets born to thin gilts. Gilts on a high feed level had heavier piglets than those provided with restricted and control allocations. Fat gilts had less saturated fat in their milk at day 21 of lactation and higher unsaturated fat levels. No differences were observed in the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio in the milk between thin and fat gilts.
In conclusion, maternal body condition influenced the daily weight gain of offspring up to weaning (day 28) and milk fat composition. Furthermore, maternal feed level during gestation alters maternal cortisol levels and milk fat composition.
Amdi, C., Giblin, L., Hennessy, A.A., Ryan, T., Stanton, C., Stickland, N.C. and Lawlor, P.G. (2013) Feed allowance and maternal backfat levels during gestation influence maternal cortisol levels, milk fat composition and offspring growth. Journal of Nutrition Science.2; 1-10. doi:10.1017/jns.2012.20
