l-arginine supplementation in sow diet during late gestation decrease stillborn piglet, increase piglet birth weight...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Nutritional Physiology

Background:

• Sow nutrition in late gestation is critical for rapid fetal growth.
• Previous studies suggest l-arginine hydrochloride supplementation benefits sow and piglet performance.
• Limited clinical data exists on l-arginine's impact on neonatal piglet characteristics and sow colostrum/milk production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of l-arginine hydrochloride supplementation in late gestation diets on sow and piglet outcomes.
• To assess impacts on piglet birth characteristics, colostrum consumption, immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, milk yield, growth, and mortality.
• To evaluate physiological parameters like blood oxygen saturation and heart rate in newborn piglets.

Main Methods:

• 166 sows were divided into four groups: control (CON), 0.5% l-arginine HCl (ARG-0.5), 1.0% l-arginine HCl (ARG-1.0), and 1.7% l-alanine (ALA).
• Dietary treatments were administered from day 85 of gestation until farrowing.
• Evaluated outcomes included piglet birth weight, survival rates, colostrum IgG concentration, milk yield, piglet growth, and mortality up to 21 days.

Main Results:

• l-arginine hydrochloride (ARG-0.5) significantly increased the proportion of live-born piglets and birth weight compared to controls.
• ARG-0.5 also improved piglet blood oxygen saturation and reduced heart rate at birth.
• Sows supplemented with 1.0% l-arginine HCl (ARG-1.0) showed higher colostrum IgG concentrations post-farrowing.

Conclusions:

• Dietary l-arginine hydrochloride supplementation during late gestation positively influences key parameters for piglet viability.
• Supplementation enhances live-born piglet rates, birth weight, and neonatal oxygenation.
• Increased colostrum IgG concentration in sows fed l-arginine HCl offers passive immunity benefits to piglets.