Lactation performance and fecal microbiome of sows supplemented with antioxidant-rich polyherbal extract

This study evaluated the lactation performance and fecal microbiome of sows supplemented with an herbal extract rich in antioxidants from day 110 of gestation until weaning. Ninety-five sows (parity 1 to 8) were assigned to either the control group (n = 48; 225.3 ± 4.1 kg), fed a non-supplemented lactation diet, or the herbal group (n = 47; 224.6 ± 4.2 kg), fed the same diet supplemented with an herbal extract (Herbal C Power^®, Nuproxa, Vaud, Switzerland). Environmental conditions in the farrowing facilities were within the critical temperature and humidity range. No differences were observed in sow rectal temperature, respiratory frequency, or number of weaned piglets (P = 0.15). However, piglets from the supplemented group showed lower pre-weaning mortality (0.72% vs. 1.23%), higher weight gain (213.8 g vs. 201.1 g), and greater weaning weight (6.1 kg vs. 5.8 kg; P ≤ 0.01). Supplemented sows produced more milk (11.0 kg/day vs. 9.9 kg/day; P < 0.01), though feed and water consumption remained similar (P ≥ 0.39). Antioxidant supplementation had no significant effect on sows' body weight, backfat thickness, or weaning-to-estrus interval, but supplemented sows had lower caliper units (12.1 vs. 13.0; P = 0.03). Serum levels of AST, ALT, C-reactive protein, and TNF-α were unaffected (P ≥ 0.17). Fecal analysis revealed a higher abundance of Enterobacteriales and Enterobacteriaceae in supplemented sows (P = 0.03). Antioxidant supplementation improved litter performance, reduced piglet mortality, increased milk production, and altered sow gut microbiota; however, further studies performed under more extreme conditions are needed.