The metabolic and immune status of the sow in the last trimester of pregnancy will influence the quality and quantity of colostrum. Sows invest several weeks in preparing their colostrum at the same time as diverting large amounts of nutrients in the rapidly growing litter. ColfaPig was designed to support the sow during this period of increased metabolic and oxidative stress, so she can invest more in the nutrition and immunity she can provide to her litter.
Devenish has worked closely with leading research partners in Italy and Australia conducting laboratory studies, field trials and proteomics to better understand which combination of fatty acids would improve the health and productivity of gestating and lactating sows, and subsequently allow them to invest more in the quality of their colostrum and milk. Ultimately this work has been done to support the ColfaPig product and ensure it improves welfare, performance and profitability for producers.
In commercial field trials in Italy and Australia the supplementation of ColfaPig at 1kg/T to gestating sows improved the immunoglobulin G concentration in the colostrum. Colostrum samples, collected within 3 hours of the first piglet being born, were analysed. In both trials the percentage of sows producing borderline or poor colostrum was reduced.
The increased concentration in immunoglobulin G achieved from the supplementation of Colfapig was not influenced by sow parity or by the litter size born alive. All parities and litter sizes benefited from ColfaPig. Additional research has also shown increased expression of IgA and IgM in colostrum of sows fed ColfaPig. It is well known that larger litters produce more variable piglets in terms of birth weight and quality. ColfaPig is a nutritional tool that can support modern hyper-prolific sows throughout their reproductive life to produce higher quality offspring.
The supplementation of ColfaPig has been shown to enrich the nutritional value of colostrum by increasing the fat content. This is due to improved stability of the milk fat globule membrane in supplemented sows, which results in elevated fat levels in colostrum for longer. The supplementation of ColfaPig was also shown to reduce the number of non-viable piglets which weigh less than 800gm at birth. This is confirmed by the up-regulation of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a gene associated with vasodilation. Low birthweight and low energy intake are two of the key risk factors for neo-natal pigs survival.
If you would like to know more about ColfaPig, click here or contact your local Devenish representative.
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