PSI-9 - Effects of yeast carbohydrate (YC) products fed to gestating and lactating sows on sow and offspring performance

Abstract: Supplementation of yeast carbohydrates (YC) derived from lysed yeast cell walls into sow diets has been linked to the modulation of immune responses for both sows and their offspring. Sixty-three multiparous sows (PIC Camborough 1050; Parity 0 to 5; 246 ± 31 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design in three farrowing groups and assigned to one of two treatment groups; CON and YC supplementation (0.1% of diet) from breeding through lactation to assess the impact of YC supplementation on sow and piglet hemoglobin levels and concentrations of immunoglobulins present in colostrum, milk, and serum, as well as the comprehensive performance outcomes of sows and their offspring. Recorded variables consisted of sow body weight (BW), backfat (BF), feed intake (ADFI), hemoglobin concentration (HbC), and sow litter performance. The effect of the two treatments was compared using a t-test to assess any statistically significant differences in outcomes, Total born and born alive did not differ between CON and 0.1 % YC. Sows supplemented with 0.1% YC had 0.88 fewer piglet mortalities compared to control sows. No differences were observed in the number of weaned pigs between groups. Supplementation of yeast carbohydrates showed no significant effects on sow hemoglobin concentration, either pre-farrowing or at weaning, indicating that YC did not substantially impact sow hemoglobin levels at these time points. However, YC supplementation tended to have a greater influence on piglet hemoglobin concentration, with YC-supplemented piglets tending to have (P = 0.09) higher hemoglobin concentration at birth compared to control piglets (10.2 vs 9.8 ± 0.21 g/L). Colostral immunocrit ratio tended to be greater in 0.1%YC sows compared with control sows (P = 0.07; 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.07, respectively). No differences were observed in the relative proportion of light ( < 1.2 kg), average (1.2-1.65 kg), and heavy ( >1.65 kg) birth weight piglets at birth. However, BW distribution at weaning indicated a greater proportion of average and heavy BW piglets at weaning in YC sow litters (43.3, 37.9, and 9.1 % in control vs. 40.4, 43.7, 12.8 % in YC for light, average, and heavy BW at weaning, respectively). There was a 25.9 % decreased pre-weaning mortality of average-born pigs in the 0.1% YC group compared with the control. Suckling pigs from sows in the 0.1% YC group tended to have greater (P = 0.07) concentrations of serum IgA at weaning (1.42 vs 1.55 μg/mL in control and 0.1, respectively). In conclusion, 0.1% YC supplementation in the sow diet enhanced markers of suckling piglet resilience based on Hb level at birth, colostral immunocrit ratio, and offspring IgA concentrations at weaning which increased the capacity to wean more average- and heavy-born pigs.