Maternal Lecithin Supplementation in Sows Regulates the Hepatic Glycolipid Metabolism of Offspring

Maternal nutrition during gestation and lactation influences offspring development and metabolic health. Lecithin, a crucial phospholipid commonly used in animal diets to improve lipid absorption and energy metabolism, is a viable approach to optimize this synergy and improve neonatal resilience. This study aimed to investigate the regulation mechanism of maternal lecithin supplementation during late gestation and lactation on the growth performance and hepatic glycolipid metabolism of offspring. Twenty-four multiparous sows were randomly allocated to receive either a control (CON) diet or a lecithin-supplemented diet (2 kg/t lecithin) on day 95 of gestation until weaning (day 21 postpartum). Blood samples were collected from sows during late gestation and on day 21 of lactation, as well as from umbilical cords and weaned piglets at 21 days. Results showed that suckling piglets from lecithin group had faster growth rate, especially during 1-7 d of suckling period. Lecithin supplement reduced the serum cholesterol of pregnant sows, while not affected it in serum of umbilical cord. In contrast, both the serum cholesterol and glucose level presented upward trend in lactating sows in the lecithin group. Accordingly, maternal lecithin supplement increased the serum glucose level, as well as the levels of hepatic lipid and glucose levels, accompanied by decreasing the hepatic levels of certain long-chain fatty acids of 21-day-old piglets compared with the CON group. Furthermore, maternal lecithin supplement activated hepatic glycolipid metabolism via regulating the mRNA level of hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid synthesis in 21-day-old piglets. In short, this study demonstrated that maternal lecithin supplementation improved hepatic energy homeostasis in offspring by activating gluconeogenesis and optimizing lipid storage, thereby enhancing neonatal growth performance and metabolic resilience for weaning challenges.