Effects Of Catechins On The Reproductive Performance,Antioxidant And Immune Function In Pregnant Sows

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of the catechins with four levels supplemented catechins in the diets of pregnant sows on the reproductive performance, antioxidation and immune function. Sixty cross-bred(LxY) multiparity sows with similar body weight, healthy and childhoods3-5parity were randomly divided into five diets groups including0,100,200,300,400mg/kg catechins groups. Catechins diet was fed to sow from breeding to40d of gestation. Serum and colostrums samples were collected when sows gestation40d and childbirth acquisition. We recorded the number stillbirths and their BW, counted the total number of piglets and litter BW. Serum samples were assayed for GSH-px, SOD, CAT, MDA, H2O2, NOS and NO concentrations. Serum and Colostrum concentrations of immunoglobulin(IgG, IgM) were assayed with using a Turbidimetric immunoassay method, serum level of BCR, TCR, MHC-1,MHC-2, IL-2, IL-4and PROG were assayed by enzyme-linked immuneosorbent method. The results were as follows:1The results showed that the farrowing performance in the groups supplemented with200and300mg/kg catechins was significantly higher (P<0.05) while the mortality was significantly less than the control (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference on the birth weight of piglets among all groups. The result was also indicated that the concentration of PROG in serum was improved with supplemented the increase in the amount of catechins, but there was no significant difference to some degree (P>0.05).2The concentrations of GSH-px, SOD and CAT activity in serum of pregnant sows at40d after mating properly showed obviously trend with the increase in the amount of catechins in diet, but there was no significant difference between the treat group and the control (P>0.05). The result showed that there is a reduction trends in the concentrations of MDA in serum of parturition. The concentrations of SOD, CAT activity in serum of parturition in the groups supplemented with200and300mg/kg catechins were significantly higher than the control (P<0.05), while the concentrations of MDA is significantly lower than the control (P<0.05). The concentrations of H2O2 in serum at40d after mating properly and parturition in the groups supplemented with200and300mg/kg catechins were significantly lower than the control (P<0.05). The concentrations of NOS activity and the content of NO in serum at40d after mating properly and parturition were increased with supplemented the increase in the amount of catechins in diet, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05).3The concentrations of IgG and IgM in colostrums were significantly improved with supplemented the increase in the amount of catechins in diet (P<0.05). The content of TCR in serum at40d after mating properly and MHC-2in serum of parturition were significantly improved than the control (P<0.05), while there was a rising trend in the content of IL-4in serum at40d after mating properly, but there was no significant difference to some degree (P>0.05).In summary:catechins supplemented in diets during early gestation can improve reproductive performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function by scavenging free radicals and oxidative metabolism. Under the experimental conditions, there exited significant dose-dependent effects and the effect of catechins with the level of300mg/kg in diets group was proved the most appropriate.