Effects of maternal vitamin D3 concentration during pregnancy on adipogenic genes expression and serum biochemical index in offspring piglets

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different vitamin D3 concentrations in sows during pregnancy on adipogenic genes expression in musculus longissimus dorsi tissue and serum biochemical parameters in their piglets. In total 27 pregnant sows (41st day of pregnancy) were randomly divided into low vitamin D3 (LD), normal vitamin D3 (ND) and high vitamin D3 (HD) groups with 9 sows in each, and maintained on these diets throughout pregnancy till giving birth. Animals in LD, ND and HD groups were fed 200, 800 and 3200 IU of vitamin D3/kg basal diet, respectively. From parturition to weaning (28 days of piglet life), all lactating sows were fed ND diet. At 28-day of life, 6 offspring pigs with similar body weight in each group (2 offspring pigs per replicate, sex balance) were weighed and slaughtered to investigate adipogenic genes expression and serum biochemical index. It was shown that piglets born in LD group had higher PPARG expression, serum IGF-I, FT3 and FT4 concentrations, while lower VDR and ZFP423 expressions, serum leptin, 25(OH)D and insulin levels than those born in ND and HD groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, FAS expression and FAS/HSL ratio in piglets born in HD group were higher than in those born in LD and ND groups (P < 0.05). So, it is suggested that maternal vitamin D3 concentration influenced adipocyte commitment and differentiation of musculus longissimus dorsi in piglets by altering adipogenic genes expression and serum biochemical parameters concentration.