Effects of live yeast supplementation to gestation and lactation diets on reproductive performance, immunological parameters and milk composition in sows

• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.12.022
• Publication Date: 2013-01-30T18:16:06Z
• Authors: Y.D. Jang; K.W. Kang; L.G. Piao; T.S. Jeong; E. Auclair; S. Jonvel; R. D'Inca; Y.Y. Kim
• Keywords: Litter

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation of sow diets on reproductive performance, immune function, milk composition of sows and performance of their progeny. A total of 47 F 1 sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) were allotted to five dietary treatments and two different levels (10 6 or 10 7 CFU/g of diet) of live yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc47) were supplemented during gestation, lactation or both. Treatments were (1) no yeast supplementation during gestation and lactation, (2) gestation—basal diet, lactation—10 6 CFU of yeast/g of diet, (3) gestation—basal diet, lactation—10 7 CFU of yeast/g of diet, (4) gestation—10 6 CFU of yeast/g of diet, lactation—10 6 CFU of yeast/g of diet, (5) gestation—10 7 CFU of yeast/g of diet, lactation—10 7 CFU of yeast/g of diet. Inclusion of live yeast in sow diets did not result in any significant difference in body weight or backfat thickness of sows at 110 d of gestation and 21 d postpartum. Additionally, reproductive performance of sows, i.e. litter size, total born alive, birth weight and weight gain of progeny, was not influenced by live yeast supplementation ( P >0.13). Dietary treatment did not affect average daily feed intake of sows during lactation. Compared with the control, weaning to estrus interval (WEI) was shortened ( P P P =0.10) compared with the control group, resulting in higher IgG concentration in plasma of piglets at 24 h postpartum ( P