Effects of Dietary Star Anise (Illicium verum) Supplementation during Late Gestation and Lactation on the Performance of Multiparous Sows and Their Progeny until 21 Days Post-weaning.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of star anise supplementation during late gestation and lactation on the performance of sows and their progeny, focusing on serum antioxidant status, milk composition, and stress markers in piglets.
Results Summary
Star anise supplementation significantly improved serum antioxidant status in sows, increased lactose content in milk, and reduced stress markers in piglets. The study did not report any adverse effects but was limited to sows and piglets, not human subjects.
Population
Multiparous sows and their progeny (piglets) until 21 days post-weaning.
Effective Dosage
0.1% SA supplementation in diet during late gestation and lactation.
Duration
Late gestation and lactation period (specific duration not detailed in abstract).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
star anise (SA) supplementation during late gestation | increase | serum total antioxidant status | sows | p < 0.03 | exhibited significantly higher | #1 |
SA supplementation | increase | lactose content in the milk | sows | p < 0.01 | increased | #2 |
SA diet during late gestation | decrease | serum cortisol concentrations at weaning | piglets from sows fed the SA diet | p < 0.01 | showed lower | #3 |
SA diet during late gestation | decrease | serum epinephrine concentrations at weaning | piglets from sows fed the SA diet | p < 0.04 | showed lower | #4 |
SA supplementation during lactation | decrease | serum cortisol levels in weaning piglets at a day after weaning | weaning piglets | p < 0.05 | further reduced | #5 |
supplementing dietary SA in gestation and lactation diet | increase | serum antioxidant properties | sows | - | showed higher | #6 |
supplementing dietary SA in gestation and lactation diet | increase | the quality of sow milk | sows | - | improved | #7 |
supplementing dietary SA in gestation and lactation diet | increase | litter performance | piglets | - | enhancing | #8 |
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of star anise (SA) supplementation during late gestation and lactation on the performance of multiparous sows and their progeny until 21 days post-weaning. METHODS: A total of 40 pregnant sows were housed in individual stalls and allocated into two treatment groups using a completely randomized design based on body weight, backfat thickness, and parity. The treatments consisted of either 0% or 0.1% SA supplementation during late gestation and lactation. Following the lactation period, 160 weaning piglets were used to investigate the imprinting effects of SA. The dietary treatment was continued in a manner that the piglets received the same diet as their litter. Data collected included serum antioxidant status in sows, milk composition, and stress markers in piglets, which were measured at various stages. RESULTS: Sows fed with SA during late gestation exhibited significantly higher serum total antioxidant status (p < 0.03). Additionally, SA supplementation increased lactose content in the milk (p < 0.01). Piglets from sows fed the SA diet during late gestation showed lower serum cortisol and epinephrine concentrations at weaning (p < 0.01, p < 0.04, respectively). SA supplementation during lactation further reduced serum cortisol levels in weaning piglets at a day after weaning (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current experiment indicated that supplementing dietary SA in gestation and lactation diet showed higher serum antioxidant properties in sows and improved the quality of sow milk, consequently enhancing litter performance.