Butyrate supplementation to gestating sows and piglets

Farmers know that the post-weaning period is critical and often leads to reduced growth, because of changes in the diet, mixing of pigs from different litters, stress of moving and greater exposure to pathogens. Antibiotics have been used to improve piglet survivability and performance, but are now questioned or banned in several countries as they raise concerns such as possible resistance of pathogens. In a trial presented at the XII International Symposium On Digestive Physiology of Pigs (2012), Lu and Ajuwon from Purdue University discussed their research on the effect of prenatal and postnatal butyrate supplementation on growth performance of piglets. They observed that when piglets were supplemented with 0.3% butyrate in a liquid feeding system from 4 d after birth to weaning (d21), their average daily gain was increased by 13%. Gene expression analysis revealed significant effects of butyrate on expression of genes involved in energy metabolism. Additionally, piglets born to sows given 0.3% butyrate in feed during gestation had a 15% higher body weight at 12 weeks than controls. In summary, butyrate given to gestating sows and piglets enhanced post weaning growth, which may be mediated by increased substrate oxidation in butyrate treated animals