Fish Oil Supplementation in Iberian Sows: Impacts on Piglet Growth and Development
Iberian pig breeds typically exhibit lower productivity compared too conventional breeds, characterized by reduced fertility, slower growth rates, and smaller litter sizes with greater weight variation at weaning. Consequently, research focuses on nutritional strategies and farm management improvements to enhance piglet growth and survival during lactation.
A recent study conducted by researchers at IRTA and CYCTEX investigated the effects of supplementing Iberian sow diets with fish oil,examining its impact on fatty acids,oxilipins,and immune responses (as detailed in thier publication in Animal).
The study found that including fish oil in the sows’ diet from mating did not significantly affect litter size.Interestingly, piglets born to sows fed diets rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCFA N-3) initially weighed less 24 hours after birth – a finding consistent with observations in conventional pig breeds. Researchers hypothesize this may be due to reduced availability of arachidonic acid, crucial for early piglet development, in the LCFA N-3 group. Previous studies (Llauradó-Calero et al., 2022) have reported lower arachidonic acid concentrations in the blood of conventionally bred sows fed fish oil during late pregnancy.
Though, this initial weight disadvantage was reversed. Piglets in the LCFA N-3 group demonstrated significantly higher weights at weaning and a greater average daily gain throughout the lactation period, suggesting a potential compensatory growth effect. Similar trends – increased weight gain during lactation and at weaning – were observed in conventional breeds by Llauradó-Calero et al., though litter size was also slightly reduced in those studies.
Ultimately, the researchers acknowledge that determining whether the observed weight gain is directly attributable to the fish oil supplementation, or simply improved access to colostrum and milk, requires further investigation.
