Effect of phytosterols on the performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidation capacity of sows

In late gestation, sows undergo drastic changes in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds that can enhance the antioxidant status and regulate lipid metabolism to improve the growth performance of pigs. The present study examined the impacts of dietary supplement phytosterols on the performance and antioxidant status of sows in late gestation and lactation. Sixty sows were randomly allocated to three groups as follows: Control group (Con; basal diet), Low-concentration phytosterols (LP; basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg phytosterols), and High-concentration phytosterols (HP; basal diets supplemented with 80 mg/kg phytosterols). The reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of piglet were recorded and lipid concentration, antioxidative status, and plasma hormone levels of sows were measured. Compared with the Con group, the average body weight of born alive piglets was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the ratio of low-body-weight piglets was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the LP group. The serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase and catalase improved in sows of LP groups. Interestingly, sow feed intake was significantly higher in the HP group (p < 0.05), with a tendency of increased total milk yield (p < 0.10) and litter weight of weaning piglets in the HP group (p = 0.09). Consistently, the plasma leptin level on day 109 of gestation in sows was notably higher in the HP group (p < 0.05), which may result in high feed intake during lactation. Phytosterols supplement decreased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on day 109 of gestation in the HP group (p < 0.05) and the triglyceride concentration on day 1 of lactation (p < 0.05), balancing the lipid metabolism of late gestation and lactation. In conclusion, 40 mg/kg phytosterols ameliorate the reproductive performance of sows by improving redox biological condition of sows from late pregnancy to lactation.