Effect of chromium yeast supplementation on performance, reproduction and immune function in pigs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Cr-supplementation of lactating sow diet on sow performance, reproduction and immune functions. Sixteen hybrid commercial breed (Goland) sows were assigned to two experimental groups (eight sows/group; average parity = 2.3 ± 0.4): control (no Cr supplementation) and Cr-supplemented. Supplementation of Cr was carried out by adding Cr-yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) from day 107 of gestation and during lactation. The following parameters were considered at day 3, day 15 after parturition and at weaning: litter size, litter weight, sow body condition score and feed intake. At the same time blood samples were collected to measure superoxide production by blood neutrophils, interleukin-1 production (ILK-1) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression by blood macrophages. Litter size, litter weight, sow body condition score and feed intake were not affected by Cr-supplementation of sow diet. There were no significant differences in superoxide anion production by blood neutrophils, or ILK-1 production and MHC class-II antigen expression by blood macrophages when control and Cr-supplemented sows were compared. (© Elsevier/Inra).