Glutamine and glutamate supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation reduces farrowing duration, improves colostrum amino acid content, and enhances piglet weaning weight.

Abstract

Functional amino acids including glutamine and glutamate (Gln/Glu) play critical roles in supporting intestinal health, antioxidant defense, and metabolic regulation during periods of increased physiological demand, including late gestation and lactation in sows. This study evaluated the effects of Gln/Glu supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, reproductive parameters, colostrum composition, blood biomarkers, and fecal microbiota. A total of 43 DanBred sows (parity 4.0 ± 1.7; body weight 270 ± 31 kg) were allocated using a randomized complete block design with parity and body weight as blocks and fed either a control diet or a Gln/Glu-supplemented diet (10 g/kg) from day 86 of gestation until weaning (day 21 of lactation). Sows fed the Gln/Glu-supplemented diet exhibited reduced farrowing duration (P < 0.05). Colostrum from sows fed the Gln/Glu-supplemented diet showed higher concentrations of methionine, cystine, isoleucine, leucine, alanine, and tyrosine compared to the control group (P < 0.05), with trends for increased levels of histidine (P = 0.083), glutamic acid (P = 0.081), glycine (P = 0.062), and serine (P = 0.089). A trend toward higher average daily feed intake during lactation (P = 0.089) and increased insulin concentration (P = 0.077) was also observed. Piglet weaning weight was improved (P < 0.05) in sows fed the Gln/Glu-supplemented diet. No effects were observed on gestation weight gain, lactation weight loss, backfat thickness, body condition score, or most blood biochemical and immunological parameters. The fecal bacterial load of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens was unaffected by treatment. These findings suggest that supplementing sow diets with Gln/Glu during late gestation and lactation may enhance farrowing efficiency, improve colostrum amino acid content, and improve neonatal growth during lactation. The period around farrowing (birth) and lactation is incredibly demanding for sows, requiring substantial nutrient support. This study evaluated whether supplementing glutamine and glutamate (Gln/Glu) to sow diets during late pregnancy and lactation could improve sow performance and colostrum quality. We found that sows fed Gln/Glu had shorter farrowing duration, which is beneficial because quicker farrowings reduce risks for piglet survival. Although colostrum protein and fat did not differ, Gln/Glu supplementation significantly increased the concentrations of several amino acids, including branched-chain, sulfur-containing, and tyrosine. These specific amino acids are crucial for piglet growth, muscle development, and immune system strength. Ultimately, piglets from sows supplemented with Gln/Glu had higher weaning weights compared with the control group. Our results suggest that Gln/Glu supplementation in sow diets may improve the farrowing process, enhance the nutritional quality of colostrum, and improve piglets’ weaning weight, even if it doesn’t drastically change all sow performance measures.