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Maternal diets during pregnancy and lactation are key determinants that regulate the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in offspring. l-malic acid (MA) was previously reported to improve antioxidant capacity and aerobic metabolism. However, the effects of maternal MA consumption on the metabolic features of offspring remain largely unexplored. Herein, through pig models consuming MA-enriched diets during late pregnancy and lactation, we found that maternal MA consumption potentiated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of sows, thereby improving their reproductive performance and the growth performance of piglets. Maternal MA consumption also induced a transition of slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers in the early life of offspring. Along with muscle growth and fiber-type transition, insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, including aerobic metabolism and glycolysis, were improved in the skeletal muscle of offspring. An untargeted metabolomic analysis further revealed the contribution of modified amino acid metabolism to the improved aerobic metabolism. Mechanistically, maternal MA consumption remodeled colonic microbiota of their offspring. Briefly, the abundance of Colidextribacter, Romboutsia, and Family_XIII_AD3011_group increased, which were positively associated with the antioxidant capacity and glucose metabolism of skeletal muscles. A decreased abundance of Prevotella, Blautia, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Collinsella was also detected, which were involved in less insulin sensitivity. Notably, milk metabolites, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and granisetron (GS), were found as key effectors regulating the gut microbiota composition of piglets. The properties of AA and GS in alleviating insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress were further verified through mice treated with high-fat diets. Overall, this study revealed that maternal MA consumption could modulate the inflammatory response, antioxidant capacity, and glucose metabolism by regulating the gut microbiota of offspring through the vertical transmission of milk metabolites. These findings suggest the potential of MA in the prevention and treatment of MetS in early life.

The neonatal intestinal tract is immature and can be easily infected by pathogens causing inflammation. Maternal diet manipulation is a promising nutritional strategy to enhance the gut health of offspring. A fermented diet is a gut microbiota targeting diet containing live probiotics and their metabolites, which benefit the gut and overall health host. However, it remains unclear how a maternal fermented diet (MFD) affects neonatal intestinal inflammation. Here, in vivo and in vitro models together with multi-omics analysis were applied to investigate the impacts and the underlying mechanism through which an MFD prevents from gut inflammation in neonates. An MFD remarkably improved the performance of both sows and piglets and significantly altered the gut microbiome and milk metabolome of sows. In addition, the MFD significantly accelerated the maturation of the gut microbiota of neonates and increased the abundance of gut Lactobacillus and the microbial functions of amino acid-related enzymes and glucose metabolism on the weaning day. Notably, the MFD reduced susceptibility to colonic inflammation in offspring. The fecal microbiota of sows was then transplanted into mouse dams and it was found that the mouse dams and pups in the MFD group alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in gut Lactobacillus abundance and barrier injury. Milk L-glutamine (GLN) and gut Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) were found as two of the main MFD-induced sow effectors that contributed to the gut health of piglets. The properties of LR and GLN in modulating gut microbiota and alleviating colonic inflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK activation of Caspase 3 were further verified. These findings provide the first data revealing that an MFD drives neonate gut microbiota development and ameliorates the colonic inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota. This fundamental evidence might provide references for modulating maternal nutrition to enhance early-life gut health and prevent gut inflammation.

This study evaluated the strategy of supplementing oral micellized natural vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) to either piglets and/or sows on α-tocopherol concentrations in piglets serum and tissues after weaning. One first experiment tested the influence of the vitamin E supplementation source (natural form in water v. the synthetic form in feed) and dose administered to piglets and/or sows on serum α-tocopherol concentration, α-tocopherol stereoisomer accumulation, antioxidant capacity and immune response of weaned piglets. A second experiment studied the effect of sow source and dose vitamin E supplementation on some of these parameters in piglets. Oral supplementation to sows with natural vitamin E as a micellized form (d-α-tocopherol) at the lowest dose produced a similar concentration of α-tocopherol in serum at days 2, 14 and 28 postpartum to those supplemented with threefold higher dose of the synthetic form in feed. At day 39 of age, neither piglet supplementation source nor dose significantly affected α-tocopherol accumulation in the serum, muscle, subcutaneous fat or liver. Those piglets from sows supplemented with the micellized alcohol form had higher RRR-α-tocopherol stereoisomers (P

Ninety six multiparous sows (Landrace×Yorkshire, average parity=1.50±0.03) and/or their litters were used to investigate the effects of bromelain-C.3.4.22.32 (BR) on reproductive and growth performance, diarrhea score (DS), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, blood profiles, fecal microbiota and colostrum and milk contents. The pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments to give 24 replicates per treatment. Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) CON (basal diet), (2) BR1 (CON+0.5 g/kg BR), (3) BR2 (CON+1 g/kg BR) and (4) BR3 (CON+2 g/kg BR). Fecal samples (1 g) from each pen were diluted with 9 mL of 10 g/L peptone broth for evaluation of fecal microbiota. The piglets suckling sows fed the BR3 diet had linearly increased average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weight ( P =0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Lactating sows fed the CON diet had less fecal Lactobacillus and more fecal Escherichia coli counts (linear P =0.03 and linear and quadratic P =0.01 and 0.04, respectively). At weaning, sows fed the BR3 diet had linearly higher apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N; P =0.04). Lactating sows fed the BR3 diet had linearly lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and higher lymphocyte counts ( P =0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Consequently, piglets suckling sows fed the BR3 diet had higher IgG counts and lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN; linear, P =0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Sows fed the CON diet had linearly higher colostrum and milk somatic cell counts (SCC; P =0.01 and <0.01, respectively). Milk protein was linearly higher in sows fed the BR3 diet ( P =0.04). In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary supplementation of BR in late gestation and lactation improved performance in sows and suckling piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the strategy of supplementing oral micellized natural vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) to either piglets and/or sows on α-tocopherol concentrations in piglets serum and tissues after weaning. One first experiment tested the influence of the vitamin E supplementation source (natural form in water v. the synthetic form in feed) and dose administered to piglets and/or sows on serum α-tocopherol concentration, α-tocopherol stereoisomer accumulation, antioxidant capacity and immune response of weaned piglets. A second experiment studied the effect of sow source and dose vitamin E supplementation on some of these parameters in piglets. Oral supplementation to sows with natural vitamin E as a micellized form (d-α-tocopherol) at the lowest dose produced a similar concentration of α-tocopherol in serum at days 2, 14 and 28 postpartum to those supplemented with threefold higher dose of the synthetic form in feed. At day 39 of age, neither piglet supplementation source nor dose significantly affected α-tocopherol accumulation in the serum, muscle, subcutaneous fat or liver. Those piglets from sows supplemented with the micellized alcohol form had higher RRR-α-tocopherol stereoisomers (P<0.001) and lower (P<0.001) RRS- RSS- and RSR-α-tocopherol, at day 39 of age than those from sows supplemented with the synthetic form. A predominant importance of sow over piglet vitamin E supplementation was observed on stereoisomer distribution in piglets. Low doses of oral natural vitamin E supplementation to sows or piglets did not increase the oxidative stress of piglets when compared with the use of the synthetic form in feed. Immunoglobulin levels in piglet serum at day 39 were not affected by natural vitamin E supplementation at low doses in drinking water of piglets or sows when compared with the synthetic form in feed. IgA tended to be higher (P=0.145) at day 39 in piglets supplemented with natural vitamin E when compared with those supplemented with the synthetic form. Low doses of oral micellized natural vitamin E supplementation to sows is an interesting feeding strategy, when compared with the use of high doses of the synthetic form in feed, because it results in similar α-tocopherol concentrations, allows a predominant –R stereoisomer distribution in piglets and also maintains their oxidative status in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The influence of vitamin E supplementation (d-α-tocopherol) in drinking water administered concomitantly with the synthetic form in feed to sows during the lactation period and/or piglets post-weaned on tocopherol, and its transfer from sows to milk and piglet serum, as well as its antioxidant power and immune response, were investigated. Those piglets supplemented with natural α-tocopherol in drinking water and born from sows supplemented with the same form of vitamin E (SS-SP) had the highest serum α-tocopherol concentration at five days post-weaning, whereas the lowest serum α-tocopherol concentration was found for the group fed α-tocopheryl acetate and born from sows fed the same type of vitamin E (CS-CP). Intermediate values were found in those piglets provided with α-tocopheryl acetate born from sows supplemented with natural vitamin E in drinking water (SS-CP) and those provided with natural α-tocopherol in water born from sows supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate (CS-SP) at five days post-weaning. From weaning to day 5, piglet serum α-tocopherol concentration decreased by 65% for CS-CP and SS-CP groups and 47% for groups CS-SP and SS-SP. The CS-SP and SS-CP groups had similar α-tocopherol concentrations in serum to the SS-SP group at 20days post-weaning. The FRAP was significantly affected by the natural vitamin E supplementation of piglets (P=0.037) which is in accordance with the differences observed in vitamin E concentration. The GSSH level in the SS-SP group was by approximately 20% and 25% lower (P=0.0023) with respect to the CS-CP group at 5 and 20days post-weaning, respectively. The immunoglobulin levels in piglet serum were not significantly affected by natural vitamin E supplementation in drinking water. The treatment effects observed were mainly due to vitamin E supplementation of piglets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was conducted to determine the effect of sow pack supplementation on growth performance, fecal score and blood profile in sows and piglets. A total of 26 (Landrace x Yorkshire) were used in 18 wk study, sows were randomly allotted to 2 experimental dietary treatments: 1) basal diet (CON); 2) CON plus 0.28% sow pack (SP) (including 0.3% Bacillus subtilis C-3102 spores, 0.5% chromium, 0.2% Fresta F Cone (essential oil). The day before farrowing, the backfat of sows was measured 6 cm off the midline at the 10th rib using a real-time ultrasound instrument (Piglot 105, SFK Technology, Herlev, Denmark). Sow feed intake was recorded daily to determine the average daily feed intake (ADFI) during lactation. During the overall study, sows fed with the S P. diet had signifcantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight in sows after farrowing as well as, weaning and average daily gain of piglets, but a substantial decrease (P < 0.05) in body weight loss in sows. Serum immuno-globulin-G (IgG), cortisol, insulin and glucose were analyzed using nephelometry (Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany). All data were subjected to the GLM procedures of SAS and differences among treatments were separated by Tukey's multiple range test with a P < 0.05 indicating a signifcance. During the overall study, sows fed with the S P. diet had signifcantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight in sows after farrowing (CON = 201.8 kg, SP = 212.3 kg), sow backfat thickness (CON = 19.8mm, SP = 21.1mm) on d 110 as well as, weaning (CON = 184.8 kg, SP = 191.1kg) and average daily gain of piglets (CON = 210 g, SP = 225 g), and a substantial decrease (P < 0.05) in body weight loss (CON = 15.0 kg, SP = 11.2 kg) in sows. In blood profles, the level of IgG (at 11 and 13 h) and insulin (at 9 and 10 h) on d 14 lactating as well as the level of IgG (at 9, 11, 12, and 13 h) and insulin (at 13 h) after weanling were signifcantly increased when sows were provided with sow pack diet. However, the level of cortisol dramatically decreased (at 7, 10, 11, and 13 h) on 14 d in lactating sows. The level of cortisol (at 11 and 13 h) after weanling was decreased. Our results indicated that supplementation of sow pack diet could improve the performance of sows and piglets. The sow pack diet had positive effects on IgG, cortisol, insulin and glucose in the blood profles of sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of vitamin E supplementation source, and the dose given to sows or piglets, on the fatty acid profile of colostrum, milk, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat, and the oxidative status of piglets at 39 days of age. Sows (n = 10) were given 150 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate/d in feed, or 75 or 50 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d in water from Day 103 of pregnancy. Weaning piglets from each group of sows (n = 7) received 3.33 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate/d in feed, or 1.7 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d or 1.1 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d in water for 14 days. Colostrum from sows supplemented with micellized-d-α-tocopherol had a lower proportion of C20:0 (P = 0.02), C18:4 n-3 (P = 0.03) and a higher C18:1 n-9 to C18:0 ratio than those given dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Supplementation with micellized-d-α-tocopherol decreased the C18:0 proportion (P = 0.04) and the C18:1 n-9 to C18:0 ratio (P = 0.03) in milk, whereas the C18:1 n-7 proportion increased (P = 0.03) compared to dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Composition was affected by the d-α-tocopherol dose. A similar trend to that observed in milk was observed in fatty acid composition in piglet fat. Piglets supplemented with micellized-d-α-tocopherol at low doses did not have different ferric reducing antioxidant power in muscle tissues (P = 0.31) than when they were supplemented with dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Piglets given 1.7 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d had lower oxidized glutathione than those given 1.1 mg/d (P = 0.0055). In conclusion, oral supplementation of sows (75 mg/d) and piglets (1.7 mg/d) with micellized natural vitamin E modified the fatty acid profile of piglet tissues and improved their oxidative status.