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Homocysteine (Hcy), an intermediary sulfur AA, is recognized as a powerful prooxidant with deleterious effects on physiological and immune functions. In piglets, there is an acute 10-fold increase of plasma concentrations of homocysteine (pHcy) during the first 2 wk of life. This project aimed to maximize pHcy variations within physiological ranges using typical supplies of folates and vitamin B12(B12) to sows and piglets. Growth, immune response, and Hcy metabolism of piglets were studied until piglets reached 56 d of age. Third-parity sows were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 split-plot design with 2 dietary treatments during gestation and lactation, S−(1 mg/kg folates and 20 µg/kg B12, n= 15) and S+(10-fold S−levels, n= 16), and 2 treatments to piglets within each half litter, intramuscular injections (150 µg) of B12(P+) at d 1 and 21 (weaning) and saline (P−). Within each litter of 12 piglets, 3 P+and 3 P−piglets were studied for growth and Hcy metabolism, and the others were studied for immune responses. During lactation, plasma B12decreased and was transiently greater in S+vs. S−piglets on d 1 and P+vs. P−piglets on d 7 (sow treatment × age and piglet treatment × age; P< 0.05). From 14 to 21 d of age, pHcy was 33% lower in S+P+vs. S−P−piglets (sow treatment × piglet treatment interaction; P< 0.05). At 56 d of age, hepatic B12was greater and pHcy was lower for P+vs. P−piglets (P< 0.05). No treatment effect was observed on growth except for a lower postweaning G:F in S+P−piglets than in others (sow treatment × piglet treatment interaction; P< 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between pHcy and growth (r> 0.29, P< 0.05) before and after weaning. Antibody responses to ovalbumin and serum tumor necrosis factor-α were not affected by treatments, but postweaning serum IL-8 peaked earlier in S−P−vs. S+P+piglets (piglet treatment × age; sow treatment × piglet treatment interaction, P< 0.05). Proliferation of lymphocytes in response to the mitogen concanavalin A tended to be lower in culture media supplemented with sera from S−vs. S+piglets (P= 0.081) and P−vs. P+piglets (P= 0.098), and the reduction of response was more marked (P <0.05) with high (>21 µM) compared to medium (17 to 21 µM) or low (<17 µM) pHcy. In conclusion, the present vitamin supplements to sows and/or piglets produced variations of pHcy that were not apparently harmful for growth performance of piglets. The greater pHcy, particularly prevalent in S−and/or P−piglets, had negative effects on some indicators of immune responses, suggesting that these young animals may be immunologically more fragile.

This project aimed to determine the effect of Se as inorganic Na-selenite (MSe) or organic Se-yeast (OSe) on antioxidant status, hormonal profile, reproductive performance, and embryo development in first-parity gilts. Forty-nine gilts were allocated to 1 of the 3 dietary treatments starting at first pubertal estrus and lasting up to 30 d after AI: control [CONT: basal diet (Se = 0.2 mg/kg) without added Se; n = 16], MSe (CONT + 0.3 mg/kg of MSe; n = 16), and OSe (CONT + 0.3 mg/kg of OSe; n = 17). Blood was collected from all gilts on the day after each onset of estrus and on d 30 after AI. Blood was also collected daily from d −4 to d +4 of the third onset of estrus (d 0) in 8 CONT, 9 MSe, and 8 OSe cannulated gilts. Gilts had received, after d 14 and 15 of their third estrus, a hormonal challenge to induce super-ovulation. At slaughter, embryos and corpora lutea (CL) were weighed and measured. Blood Se was less (P< 0.01) in CONT than in Se gilts and greater in OSe than in MSe (P< 0.01) from the first estrus until d 30 of gestation. At the same time, blood Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased for CONT gilts, whereas it increased for both Se groups. The increase was greater in MSe than in OSe gilts (treatment × time, P= 0.02). Plasma 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations for MSe tended to be less than for OSe gilts (P< 0.06). In cannulated gilts, plasma FSH tended to change among treatments (treatment × time, P= 0.06), and plasma estradiol-17β (E2) was less (P= 0.01) for MSe than for OSe. There was no treatment effect on mean litter size or embryonic antioxidant status. The Se content of individual embryos was greater for Se-treated than for CONT gilts (P= 0.03), and Se content of individual embryos and total litter was greater for OSe than for MSe gilts (P< 0.01). The length, weight, and protein content of embryos were greater in OSe than in MSe gilts (P< 0.05). There was no treatment effect on weight, length, Se content, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of CL, but GSH-Px in CL was greater for Se than for CONT gilts (P= 0.02). In summary, the Se status response of gilts to dietary Se was affected by both the quantity and the source of Se dietary supplements. Moreover, the uterine transfer of Se to embryos was improved with OSe as compared with MSe, and this was concomitant with an enhanced development of embryos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with different fish oils (rich in PUFA) vs. hydrogenated animal fat (SFA) on semen production and quality, fatty acid composition, and preservation properties in boars under controlled and commercial conditions. In Exp. 1 (in a research station), 44 boars, allocated to 4 dietary treatments, received daily 2.5 kg of basal diet with a supplement of 1) 62 g of hydrogenated animal fat (AF, n = 12); 2) 60 g of menhaden oil containing 18% docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and 15% eicosapentanoic acid (EPA; MO, n = 11); 3) 60 g of tuna oil containing 33% DHA and 6.5% EPA (TO, n = 11); and 4) 60 g of menhaden oil and 2 mg/kg of biotin (MO+B, n = 10). Biotin is a critical factor in the elongation of PUFA. Semen was collected according to 3 successive phases: phase 1 (twice per week for 4 wk); phase 2 (daily collection for 2 wk); and phase 3 (twice per week for 10 wk). Experiment 2 was conducted in commercial conditions; 222 boars were randomly allocated to AF, MO, and TO treatments. Semen was collected twice weekly over a 6-mo period. All diets were balanced to be iso-energetic and provided an equivalent of 989 mg of vitamin E per day. Classical measurements of sperm quantity and quality were done for both experiments. Experiment 1 showed, after 28 wk of supplementation, a massive transfer of n-3 PUFA into sperm from boars fed fish oil diets (MO and TO). No differences were observed among dietary treatments for libido (P> 0.30), sperm production (P> 0.20), or percentage of motile cell (P> 0.20). Unexpectedly, MO+B diet reduced the percentage of normal sperm compared with the other treatments (P< 0.03). In conclusion, although it modified the fatty acid composition of sperm, supplementation of boars with dietary fish oils, rich in long chain n-3 fatty acids, did not influence semen production or quality postejaculation.

The present study was undertaken to assess the relevance of increasing the daily provision of dietary vitamins on vitamin metabolic status and semen characteristics of boars under controlled and commercial conditions as well as to evaluate the efficiency of this vitamin supplement to allow boars to cope with intensive semen collection frequency. In the first experiment, 39 boars were allocated to 2 dietary treatments, a basal diet (control) and the basal diet supplemented with extra fat- and water-soluble vitamins (Vit). Within each treatment, boars were submitted to 2 regimens of semen collection frequency: 3 times per 2 wk (3/2) and 3 times per week (3/1) over a 12-wk period. Afterwards, all boars were intensively collected (daily) for 2 wk. A resting period of 4 wk followed, and all boars were collected 2 times per week. Thereafter, collection frequencies were reversed, and the same procedure was followed until the end of the intensive collection period. A second experiment was conducted in commercial conditions at a commercial stud, and 252 boars were randomly allocated to the control and Vit dietary treatments. All boars were collected 2 times per week over a 6-mo period. Classical measurements of ejaculate and sperm quality were assessed, and blood samples were collected throughout both experiments to quantify vitamin concentrations. In the first experiment, vitamin concentrations in blood and seminal plasma increased in Vit boars (P< 0.05); however, vitamin concentrations were not affected by collection frequency (P> 0.14). The Vit supplement did not affect sperm production or sperm quality (P> 0.28), although semen volume increased during the 12-wk periods for Vit boars (P< 0.05). The 3/1 boars produced fewer doses per ejaculate than 3/2 boars (P< 0.01); however, the cumulative sperm production for the 12-wk periods increased by 19% in 3/1 boars compared with 3/2 boars. In the second experiment, blood plasma concentrations of vitamin B9were greater (P< 0.01) in Vit than control boars. The vitamin supplement did not increase sperm production of boars (P> 0.61). In conclusion, dietary supplements of fat- and water-soluble vitamins increase the amount of vitamins available for the animal, and the collection frequencies had no effect on vitamin status. Moreover, in spite of an effect on the ejaculate volume, the dietary supplement of extra vitamins had no effect on sperm production or quality.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of dietary supplements of vitamins on vitamin status, libido, and semen characteristics in young boars under normal and intensive semen collection. Sixty Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc boars were allocated randomly from 6 to 10 mo of age to one of the following diets: 1) basal diet (industry level) for minerals and vitamins (Control, n = 15); 2) basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (ASC, n = 15); 3) basal diet supplemented with fat-soluble vitamins (FSV, n = 15); and 4) basal diet supplemented with water-soluble vitamins (WSV, n = 15). After puberty (approximately 12 mo of age), semen was collected at a regular frequency (three times every 2 wk) for 5 wk. Thereafter, all boars were intensively collected (daily during 2 wk). A recovery period (semen collection three times every 2 wk) followed and lasted for 10 wk. Sperm quality (percentage of motile cells and percentage of morphologically normal cells) and quantity (sperm concentration, semen volume, and total sperm number) were recorded as well as direct and hormone related measurements of boar libido. Blood and seminal plasma samples were taken to monitor vitamin status. High concentrations of B6(P< 0.05) and folic acid (P< 0.05) were observed in the blood plasma of WSV boars, whereas greater concentrations of vitamin E (P< 0.01) were obtained in FSV boars. In the seminal plasma, folic acid concentrations tended to be greater in WSV boars (P < 0.08). During the intensive collection period, there was a tendency (P< 0.06) for semen production to be greater in WSV boars, the effect being less pronounced (P< 0.10) in FSV boars. During the recovery period, the percentage of motile sperm cells was greater in WSV boars (P< 0.03) and, to a lesser extent, in FSV boars (P< 0.10) compared with Control boars. Sperm morphology and libido were not affected by treatments. These results indicate that the transfer of vitamins from blood to seminal plasma is limited and the dietary supplements of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins may increase semen production during intensive semen collection.

Placental and colostral transfers of copper, vitamins A and D are limited in pig. This study aimed to determine the impact of supplementations of these micronutrients and bovine colostrum (BC) on piglets’ micronutrient status. Twenty-three sows were fed conventional gestation and lactation diets (CONT) whereas another group of 24 sows was fed CONT diets with daily supplements of 25-OH-D3 (4 КIU), β-carotene (30 КIU) and Cu-yeast (45 mg) (SUPPL) from day 90 (d90) of gestation to farrowing. The supplementation was doubled until weaning. For each group, all piglets within litters received one of these treatments: (T1) control; (T2) oral retinol-acetate at d2 (8 mg) and d8 (16 mg) of age, 25-OH-D3 (100 and 200 µg, respectively) and Cu-yeast (4 and 8 mg, respectively) with exposure to UVB lights (15 min every other day from d5 to weaning); (T3) oral BC (4 g daily) from d5 to d10; (T4) T2 + T3. Determinations of 25-OH-D3, copper and retinol in piglets’ blood serum were done at d2, d8, d21 and d42. Measurements of liver retinol and copper were made at d16, d23 and d42 from one low (LW) and one high weight (HW) piglet per litter. Serum 25-OH-D3 was greater in (T2-T4) than (T1-T3) piglets except on d42 (Table 01). Liver retinol and copper were greater in (T2-T4) than (T1-T3) piglets at d16 and d23 but this response was more pronounced in LW than HW piglets for retinol. At d42, liver retinol decreased but concentrations remained higher (P < 0.01) in (T2-T4) than (T1-T3) piglets (Table 02). For liver copper, values collapsed after weaning despite supranutritional basal levels of copper in diets (Table 03). In conclusion, supplementation to piglets is efficient to increase the postnatal micronutrient status during lactation but residual effects either disappeared or were attenuated after weaning.

It has been recently shown that placental and colostral transfer of copper and vitamins A and D from dams to neonates is limited in pig species (Matte et al., 2014, JAS 92-Suppl. 2:153). The present study aimed to determine the efficiency of neonatal supplementation strategies for these micronutrients in piglets. Within litter from 14 sows fed conventional diets, 5 groups of 2 newborn piglets were formed. In each group, piglets received a combination of micronutrient source and route of administration as follows: oral vitamin D3, retinol-acetate and CuSO4(T1); oral 25-OH-D3, β-carotene and Cu-proteinate (T2); UVB light exposure (20 min, every second d during lactation), oral retinol-palmitate and Cu-gluconate (T3); intramuscular vitamin D3 and retinol-propionate and oral Cu-acetate (T4); oral saline (CTL). Oral or intramuscular provisions corresponded to 12 mg of copper and 70 and 12 MIU of vitamins A and D, respectively, partitioned between administrations at 2 (33%) and 8 d of age (67%). This design was repeated with 14 other sows fed extra daily supplements of 25-OH-D3 (4 MIU), β-carotene (24 MIU) and Cu-proteinate (45 mg) from 90 d of gestation to 21 d of lactation (weaning). Blood samples were collected on piglets at 2 and 8 d of age (before treatment administrations) and at weaning for plasma 25-OH-D3 determinations. At 23 d of age, 5 repetitions of a combination of sow and piglet factorial treatments (n= 50 piglets) were sacrificed for copper and retinol determinations in liver. For vitamin D, plasma 25-OH-D3 was increased by extra supplementation to sows (15.1 vs. 13.1 ng/mL, P< 0.02, SE = 0.6). Within piglet treatments, at 8 d of age, values were greater in T2 than CTL (24.3 vs. 6.8 ng/mL) and intermediate for other treatments whereas, at 21 d of age, the response was in favor of T3 vs. CTL (20.8 vs. 9.1 ng/mL, interaction piglet treatment × age, P< 0.01, SE = 0.9). Sow treatments did not influence liver copper and retinol. Liver copper concentrations in supplemented piglet treatments were globally 38% greater than CTL (93.8 vs. 68.1 µg/g, P< 0.01, SE = 8.0). For retinol, hepatic concentrations were 3 times greater with T1 than with CTL (321.5 vs. 103.8 µg/g) and intermediate for the other treatments (piglet treatment effect, P< 0.01, SE = 20.5). Therefore, marked increases of copper and vitamins A and D statuses can be achieved by the oral route of supplementation or UVB light to neonatal piglets. Moreover, for oral vitamins A and D, sources also matter.