Effects of Maternal Supplementation with Rare Earth Elements during Late Gestation and Lactation on Performances, Health, and Fecal Microbiota of the Sows and Their Offspring

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal supplementation with rare earth elements (REEs) on sows and their offspring. During late gestation, 120 multiparous sows were divided randomly into the control group (Basal diet) and REE-G group (Basal diet supplemented with 200 mg REE/kg). After delivery, REE-G group was further divided into two groups: REE-L- (Change to basal diet during lactation) and REE-L+ group (REE diet all the time). Our results showed that maternal REE supplementation improved the antioxidant and immunity of sows and piglets. Additionally, REE supply during late gestation significantly decreased the coefficient of within-litter variation (CV) in birth weight and increased the weaning weights and the average daily gain (ADG) of piglets. During lactation, the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in piglets of REE-L+ group were higher, while no difference between REE-L- and the control group. More beneficial bacteria (Christensenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae) were found in the REE-L+ group while some opportunistic pathogens (Proteobacteria and Campylobacter) were relatively suppressed. Fecal microbiota showed correlation with antioxidase, inflammatory factors, and average daily gain (ADG). Collectively, our findings indicated that REEs added in both gestation and lactation was more conducive to establish a healthier status for sows and their offspring.

Keywords: REE; fecal microbiota; offspring; oxidative stress; performances; sow.

Figure 1

Effect of maternal REE supplementation on growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion of their piglets. n = 8 per group. Values are mean ± SEM. ** p < 0.01. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied only in late gestation.

Figure 2

Effect of maternal REE supplementation on plasma antioxidant defense system of the sows and their piglets. n = 8 per group. Values are mean ± SEM. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied only in late gestation.

Figure 2

Effect of maternal REE supplementation on plasma antioxidant defense system of the sows and their piglets. n = 8 per group. Values are mean ± SEM. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied only in late gestation.

Figure 3

Effect of maternal REE supplementation on plasma inflammatory cytokines of the sows and their piglets. n = 8 per group. Values are mean ± SEM. ** p < 0.01. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied only in late gestation.

Figure 4

Abundant genera of fecal microbiota in (A) sows and (B) their piglets. n = 8 per group. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied only in late gestation.

Figure 5

Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis of the different abundance of microbiota in fecal samples of (A–C) sows and (D–F) their piglets from phylum to genus levels. Histograms of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) score (threshold > 2) are plotted. n = 8 per group. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied in late gestation.

Figure 5

Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis of the different abundance of microbiota in fecal samples of (A–C) sows and (D–F) their piglets from phylum to genus levels. Histograms of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) score (threshold > 2) are plotted. n = 8 per group. REE-L+, REE supplied during gestation and lactation. REE-L-, REE supplied in late gestation.

Figure 6

Spearman correlation analysis between differential genera and oxidative stress, inflammatory marker and growth performance of (A) the sows and (B) their piglets. n = 8 per group.