Effects Of Four Fermented Herb Residues On Reproductive Ability Of Sows And Growth Performance Of Piglets

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with four fermented herb residues on reproductive ability of sows and growth performance of piglets,to provide the basis for the development and re-utilization of the herb residues.Sixty crossbred sows close to 85 d of gestation were used and randomly allocated to one of three groups with 20 replicates(one sow per replicate)in this study.The diets were supplemented with 3 kg/T of rice bran(control group),3 kg/T herb residues(HR group),or 3 kg/T fermented HR(FHR group),respectively.These diets were fed from 85 days of pregnancy to postnatal 21 days.The changes of reproductive ability of sows and growth performance of suckling piglets were determined,as well as plasma biochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity,faecal microbiota,and their metabolites to explore the underling mechanism.Our results showed that:1.The reproductive ability of sows and growth performance of piglets.Compared with the control group,dietary HR supplementation increased(P=0.072)the mummy size;dietary FHR supplementation increased the litter size(P=0.072),alive litter size(P=0.063),and average daily gain of weaned piglets(P=0.058),as well as the litter weight gain of weaned piglets and diarrhea rate of suckling piglets(P<0.05),while decreased(P=0.085)the backfat loss of sows.These findings suggest that dietary four FHR supplementation results in a certain degree of diarrhea of suckling piglets,but improves the reproductive ability in sows and growth performance of piglets.2.The plasma biochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity in sows and their suckling piglets.Compared with the control group,dietary HR supplementation increased(P<0.05)the plasma activity of ALT in sows at postpartum 14 and 21 d,while decreased(P<0.05)the plasma activity of ALP in piglets at 7 days of age;dietary FHR supplementation increased(P<0.05)the plasma activities of ALT and CAT in sows at postpartum 7 d,ALP and GSH-Px in sows at postpartum 14 d,and ALT and CAT in sows at postpartum 21 d,as well as of T-AOC in piglets at 14 days of age and CAT in piglets at 21 days of age,while decreased(P<0.05)the plasma contents of MDA in sows at postpartum 14 and 21 d,as well as of MDA in piglets at 14 days of age.These findings suggest that dietary four FHR supplementation during perinatal period alters the metabolism status and improves the antioxidant capacity in lactating sows and suckling piglets.3.The faecal microbiota and their metabolites in sows.Compared with the control group,dietary supplementation with HR or FHR increased(P<0.05)the fecal contents of acetate,propionate,butyrate,straight-chain fatty acids,and total short chain fatty acids(SCFA)at antepartum of sows,while decreased(P<0.05)the ratio of branched-chain fatty acids to straight-chain fatty acids;dietary HR supplementation decreased(P<0.05)the fecal contents of phenylethylamine at antepartum and tryptamine at postpartum of the sows;dietary FHR supplementation increased(P<0.05)the fecal contents of spermidine,spermine,and Lactobacillus at postpartum,while decreased(P<0.05)the population of E.coli of the sows.These findings suggest that dietary four FHR supplementation improves the balance of intestinal microflora and increases the contents of SCFA,which can increase the reproduction performance of pregnent sows.In summary,dietary supplementation with four fermented HR improves the nutrient metabolism,antioxidant capacity,and intestinal microflora balance,and increases the SCFA production,which can improve the reproduction ability of pregnant sows and growth performance of suckling piglets.