0
A total of 72 pregnant sows were moved on day 107 of gestation to the farrowing crates and they were randomly allocated using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to four different experimental groups (f3, f8, s3 and s8), where the to main factors were fat source and the duration of the supplementation. Sows from the f and s groups were fed with a diets supplemented with fish oil or sunflower oil, respectively; and 3 or 8 were the number of days to sows were supplemented before parturition. A biopsy of backfat white adipose tissue of each of the seventy-two sows was taken on the first day of lactation and blood samples were also taken at the same day. Gene expression of PPARg1a/1b, PPARg1c/1d, PPARg2, PPARg coactivator 1A (PPARGC1A), GLUT4, TNFa, adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor (LEPR), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were determined in the samples of white adipose tissue on the first day of lactation.
A low n-6:n-3 ratio reduced the 1 d postpartum expression of PPARg2 and PPARGC1A but only when applied from 3 d before parturition. Circulating leptin was negatively correlated with mRNA expression of adiponectin, LEPR and LPL, whereas thyroxine was positively correlated with levels of PPARGC1A.
It is concluded that the expression of crucial genes in nutrient metabolism can be modulated by the duration of different n-6:n-3 ratio supplementation before parturition. The role of certain genes as a key modulators of the gene expression are critically involved in glucose and lipid metabolism helping to elucidate the pathophysiology basis of metabolic associated problems during the first stages of lactation in sows.
GA Papadopoulos, T Erkens, DGM Maes, LJ Peelman, TATG van Kempen, J Buyse and GPJ Janssens. 2009. British Journal of Nutrition. 101: 197-205
