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