Supplementing 2 g per day bovine lactoferrin from late gestation until weaning did not improve lactation performance of mixed parity sows
Fan Liu
A E , Jordon Hogg A , Susie Kracht A , Chris J. Brewster A , Dave J. Henman A , Rebecca Z. Athorn A C , Rebecca S. Morrison A , Rob J. Smits A and Roger G. Campbell B D
A Rivalea Australia Pty Ltd, Corowa, NSW 2646, Australia.
B Pork CRC, Willaston, SA 5118, Australia.
C Present address: Australian Pork Ltd, Barton, ACT 2600, Australia.
D Present address: PO Box 165, Semaphore, SA 5019, Australia
E Corresponding author. Email: fliu@rivalea.com.au
Animal Production Science 59(12) 2191-2195 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18286
Submitted: 7 May 2018 Accepted: 15 April 2019 Published: 28 October 2019
Abstract
Context: Lactoferrin is a non-haem binding protein that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A previous study showed lactoferrin supplementation from early gestation to weaning improved lactation performance in primiparous sows; however, it is unknown whether the supplementation within a more specified duration (from late gestation to weaning) can improve lactation performance in multiparous sows, which limits its commercial application.
Aims: This experiment investigated the effects of 2 g/day bovine lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning on lactation performance in mixed parity sows.
Methods: Forty-seven primiparous sows and 167 multiparous sows (up to parity 5; Large White × Landrace, PrimeGro Genetics, Corowa, NSW) were allocated to either a Control diet (2 g/day casein) or Lactoferrin supplement diet (2 g/day lactoferrin) when entering the farrowing house in late gestation (101 ± 4.6 days, mean ± s.d.) balanced by parity (2.4 ± 1.80, mean ± s.d.). Sows were housed individually in farrowing crates and fed the experimental diets until weaning (26 ± 2.5 days, mean ± s.d.). Farrowing outcomes and lactation performance were recorded.
Key results: Lactoferrin supplementation did not affect the number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, number of mummified fetuses, the percentage of born-light piglets (≤1.1 kg) or piglet pre-fostering survival rate. Cross-fostering within the first 48 h standardised the litter size and litter weight between dietary treatments. Piglet pre-weaning survival rate, litter weight gain, average daily gain of piglets, or coefficient of variation of piglet growth rate was not affected by lactoferrin supplementation. Daily feed intake during lactation, bodyweight and backfat thickness of sows at weaning were similar between the dietary treatments.
Conclusions: Two grams per day lactoferrin supplementation from late gestation to weaning did not affect lactation performance in mixed parity sows.
Implications: The effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation may depend upon the duration of supplementation, which should be optimised in future studies.
Additional keywords: lactation physiology, mortality, nutrition, pig, protein.
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