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Sows (n=150) were assigned to one of five test diets on day 80 of gestation of cycle 1 and were maintained on these diets for two reproductive cycles. Diets were divided into gestation and lactation rations, and consisted of a control (tallow based) diet and 4 diets with different n‐6 to n‐ 3 ratios (10:1, 5:1 vegetable oil, 1:1 and 5:1 fish based), all of which had a constant total fat content (5%). Performance data was collected for all sows, with feed intakes and backfat thickness values included during cycle 2. A total of 12 sows / diet were selected during cycle 2 for collection of colostrum and piglet serum to determine immunoglobulin (IgG and IgA) concentrations.
Piglet weaning weights from sows consuming the 10:1 and 5:1 diets were heavier (P=0.02) during reproductive Cycle 1 than those from sows consuming the 1:1 or 5:1 fish based diets. During the 2nd reproductive cycle, differences were found in sow feed intakes (P = 0.04), piglet birth weights (P = 0.05), total litter weaning weights (P < 0.01) and average piglet weaning weights (P = 0.04), with the 5:1 fish diet pigs having lower values and the 1:1 diet pigs having intermediate values. Additionally, stillbirths increased as the n‐6 to n‐3 ratio decreased (P = 0.03). There were no differences in colostrum or piglet serum IgA or IgG concentrations among diets. A dietary ratio of 5:1 (n‐6:n‐3) improved litter weaning weights, and ensured highest feed intakes of the sows throughout lactation.
L. Eastwood , D. Beaulieu, P. Leterme. Reproductive performance of sows is affected by the dietary omega‐6 to omega‐3 fatty acid ratio. 43e Journées de la Recherche Porcine. 2011.
