Effect of fructose consumption during lactation on sow and litter performance and sow plasma constituents

The effects of dietary consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and dextrose during a 28-d lactation on sow and litter performance and sow plasma constituents were examined in 45 multiparous and 36 primiparous crossbred sows. Isocaloric and isonitrogenous corn-soybean meal diets were formulated to contain either 20% fructose or 20% glucose. Diets were fed on a metabolic BW basis from d 0 to d 28 of lactation. Litter and pig weights on d 28 were not affected (P greater than .05) by treatment. Litter size was greater (P less than .10) at weaning for primiparous sows fed HFCS, but multiparous sows weaned heavier (P less than .05) pigs. Sow weight change during lactation was not influenced by diet, but primiparous sows lost more (P less than .05) weight during lactation and had longer intervals to estrus than multiparous sows did. Milk yields on d 17 and 21 of lactation were not different (P greater than .05) for sows fed HFCS vs dextrose, but sows fed HFCS tended to have greater (P = .05) percentage of milk fat. Preprandial concentrations of fructose in plasma were low in sows fed HFCS and nondetectable in those fed dextrose but were elevated (P less than .05) after consumption of HFCS. Conversely, similar (P greater than .05) concentrations of glucose in plasma preprandially were followed by greater (P less than .05) postprandial glucose concentrations in sows fed dextrose. Although postprandial concentrations of insulin were not affected (P greater than .05) by diet, sows fed dextrose had greater (P less than .05) preprandial insulin concentrations in plasma. Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and growth hormone in plasma and response to a glucose challenge were not affected (P greater than .05) by feeding HFCS. However, concentrations of insulin in plasma following glucose infusion were less (P less than .05) during the glucose challenge period on d 25 than on d 13 of lactation.