Effects of Proanthocyanidins on Growth Performance, Intestinal Inflammation and Barrier Function, and Bile Acid Metabolism-Related Genes in Weaned Piglets Challenged with Lipopolysaccharide.

This study aims to investigate the effects of dietary proanthocyanidins (PACs) on growth performance, intestinal inflammation and barrier function, and bile acid metabolism-related genes in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 18 21-day-old castrated piglets (7.16 ± 1.

Liver ERα mediates sex differences in metabolic pattern changes in response to time-restricted feeding.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a dietary strategy used to prevent and treat obesity in both sexes. However, TRF affects liver metabolism differently in males and females, and the mechanisms behind these differences remain unclear. Our study reveals that during TRF, female livers are more likely to break down amino acids (AAs) to synthesize fats, while male livers significantly reduce fatty acid synthesis.

NAD Repletion Enhances Mammary Lactogenesis and Improves Offspring Development in a Sow Model.

Background: Breastfeeding provides bidirectional biosocial benefits for maternal-neonatal dyads, yet lactation insufficiency remains a major clinical challenge due to incomplete understanding of lactogenesis mechanisms. Emerging evidence has identified nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as a critical modulator of reproductive physiology.

Objectives: We characterized mammary gland (MG) NAD+ metabolism and evaluated maternal nicotinamide riboside (NR), an NAD+ precursor, supplementation in orchestrating mammary lactogenesis.

Maternal obesity impairs fetal brown adipogenesis by attenuating fetal FGF21 signaling.

In mammals, maternal obesity typically impairs brown adipose tissue (BAT) formation in fetuses, increasing their risk of metabolic disorders in adulthood. However, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not well understood. Our single-nucleus transcriptomic analysis revealed dynamic changes in cell heterogeneity within the fetal interscapular BAT (iBAT) from obese dams, leading to compromised thermogenesis in their offspring.

Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation Alleviates Heat Stress-Induced Testicular Damage and Improves Semen Quality in Boars.

Rising global temperatures and increasing extreme weather events have profound and widespread health impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations and sensitive organs. This study aimed to investigate the impact of HS on testicular NAD metabolism and assess the potential of NAD precursor supplementation in alleviating heat stress (HS)-induced reductions in semen quality. This study aimed to investigate the impact of HS on testicular NAD metabolism and assess the potential of NAD precursor supplementation in alleviating HS-induced reductions in semen quality.

Effects of maternal and post-weaning supplementation with microbe-derived antioxidants on sow and piglet performance, oxidative status, and gut microbiota.

The antioxidants were found to improve inflammatory responses and redox status. This study investigated the effects of maternal and post-weaning supplementation with microbe-derived antioxidants (MA) on sow performance, redox status, and fecal microorganisms, as well as the growth performance, inflammatory responses and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets. Sixty multiparous sows were randomly allocated to the control group (CON, basal diet) and the MA group (basal diet supplemented with 2.

Use of cornstarch or fermented soybean meal in lactation diet improved sows' nutrient utilization and litter performance during lactation.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of cornstarch (CS) and fermented soybean meal (FSM) substitutions for conventional corn and soybean meal, respectively, on sow's performance, nutrient digestibility, milk composition, and oxidative status during lactation.

Methods: Twenty-four lactating sows (8 sows/treatment) were assigned to either a standard lactation diet (CON), a CS diet in which pure CS substituted 60% of starch provided by conventional corn, or FSM diet in which FSM substituted 60% of crude protein provided by soybean meal. The experiment lasted from day 2 to 28 of lactation.

Cinnamaldehyde supplementation in sows and their offspring: effects on colostrum and milk composition, performance, redox status and intestinal health.

Background: Maternal nutrition significantly influences offspring development. This study investigated the effects of maternal or post-weaning cinnamaldehyde (CA) supplementation in sows and their offspring on reproductive performance and health. Sixty sows, selected based on body condition score and parity, were randomly allocated to control or CA (500 mg/kg) diets from d 107 of gestation to d 24 of lactation.

Effects of dietary cinnamaldehyde supplementation in the perinatal period on reproductive performance, milk composition, redox status and gut microbiota of sows.

Improving sow health during the perinatal period is crucial for reproductive performance. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), a naturally occurring compound, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary CA supplementation during the perinatal period on reproductive performance, milk composition, redox status, and gut microbiota of sows.

Microencapsulation with chitosan-embedded Houttuynia cordata oil: Integrating antibacterial and antioxidant properties in pork packaging.

Fresh pork is difficult to preserve given its high water content and nutrient density. The controlled release of encapsulated essential oils may be an effective way to prevent spoilage. The aim of this study was to develop chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl tamarind gum (CTG) wall material for Houttuynia cordata oil microcapsules (HCOMs) for use in pork preservation.

Effects of energy and amino acid intake during gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, antioxidant status and placental nutrient transport in high-parity sows.

Appropriate nutritional strategies show promise for enhancing productive performance and longevity of sows. This study aimed to determine the effects of increased energy and amino acids (AA) intake during gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, blood parameters, placental nutrient transport and antioxidant capacity of high-parity sows. A total of 72 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (seventh to ninth parity) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments consisting of combinations of 2 energy levels and 2 AA levels in a 2 × 2 factorial design.

Impact of replacing sow milk with milk replacer on growth performance, intestinal development, bacterial profile and muscular maturation in neonatal and nursery piglets.

Along with the increasing litter sizes in pig industry, using milk replacer (MR) as a nutrient supplement has been widely practiced, yet the effects of replacing sow milk (SM) with MR on growth and development of piglets remain unclear. This study evaluated the differential effects of MR versus SM on growth performance, body composition, muscle fiber types, and intestinal health of piglets during the neonatal and nursery periods. Forty 2-day-old piglets, selected from 10 healthy sows, were randomly divided into two groups receiving either SM or MR ad libitum until postnatal day 23 (PND 23), then transitioned to be fed with nursery diet until PND 37.

Dynamic changes in peripheral blood CD4+ T cell subsets are associated with litter performance in primiparous gestating sows.

This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and their association with litter performance in primiparous gestating sows. Blood samples were collected from 72 Large White × Landrace crossbred primiparous sows on the day of mating (G0), and on days 30 (G30), G60, G90, and G110 of gestation, and were analyzed for levels of CD4+ T cell subsets include T helper 1 cells (Th1), T helper 17 cells (Th17), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and related cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-4, IL-5, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-10, Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and reproductive hormones pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (P4) and Estra-1,3,5 (10)-triene-3,17β-diol (E2). Results showed that Th1 and Th17 levels increased during early gestation (G0 ~ G30) and late gestation (G90 ~ G110) but decreased in middle gestation (G60), with their typical cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-17A) following a broadly similar pattern.

Digestive characteristics of Tibetan tea polyphenols and polysaccharides in vitro and their effects on gut microbiota.

Tibetan tea contains highly valuable bioactive components like polyphenols and polysaccharides, which can regulate gut microbiota and promote bodily health. This study systematically investigated the gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation behavior of Tibetan tea polyphenols (TPP), polysaccharides (TPS), and their polyphenol-polysaccharide complex (TC). TPP, TPS, and TC demonstrated minimal changes in physicochemical and structural characteristics after gastrointestinal digestion.

Effects of Dietary n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Selenomethionine on Meat Quality and Fatty Acid Composition in Finishing Pigs.

The interaction between selenomethionine (SeMet) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in producing n-3 PUFA-enriched pork remains unknown. This study investigates the effect of different n-3 PUFA sources (linseed oil vs. fish oil) and SeMet supplementation on meat quality and fatty acid composition in finishing pigs.

Impact of Iron Supplementation on Growth Performance, Iron Homeostasis and Redox Balance of Suckling Piglets.

This study evaluates the effects of intramuscular injection or oral supplementation of iron on the growth performance, iron homeostasis, and redox status of suckling piglets. A total of 94 newborn piglets, selected from 8 healthy sows, were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups during the lactation period, receiving injections of normal saline without iron (CON, n = 23), intramuscular dextran injection of bound iron at 2 mL (200 mg Fe) on postnatal day 3 (PND 3) (FeDex, n = 24), oral supplementation from PND 2 to 13 with 10 g of FerkoFer containing 2.2 g Fe per day (FeOra, n = 23), or both FeDex and FeOra (FeDPO, n = 24).

Intestinal overexpression of alters the composition, diversity and function of gut microbiota in mice.

The intestinal microbiota is important for the health of the host and recent studies have shown that some genes of the host regulated the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Group 10 phospholipase A2 (PLA2G10) is a member of the lipolytic enzyme family PLA2, which hydrolyze the ester bond at the sn-2 position of phospholipids to produce free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. PLA2G10 is secreted into the intestinal lumen, but its impact on the gut microbiota remains unclear.

Synergistic effects of multi-enzyme supplementation on nutrient digestion and absorption in the foregut and hindgut.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary multi-enzyme (MCPC) supplementation on synergistically enhancing the functions of both the foregut and hindgut, ultimately improving the nutrient digestion and utilization throughout the gastrointestinal tract. results demonstrated that MCPC increased the phosphorus and reducing sugar levels in the supernatant during enzymatic hydrolysis. Furthermore, during the fermentation of the enzymatic hydrolysis products, MCPC significantly increased the FRD value of the enzymatic hydrolysis products from both the positive control (PC) and negative control 1 (NC1) diets ( < 0.

Increased maternal consumption of methionine as its hydroxyl analog improves placental angiogenesis and antioxidative capacity in sows.

Background: Previous evidence suggests that methionine (Met) consumption can promote placental angiogenesis and improve fetal survival. To investigate the mechanisms by which increased levels of Met as hydroxyl-Met (OHMet) improve placental function, forty sows were divided into four groups and fed either a control diet, or diets supplemented with 0.15% OHMet, 0.

Dietary supplementation with alleviates diarrhea and improves growth performance and immune function in weaned piglets fed a high-protein diet.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with on growth performance, diarrhea scores, nutrient digestibility, immune function, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets fed a high-protein diet. A total of 96 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups in a randomized complete block design and received a low-protein diet (LP, 18.27% crude protein), a high-protein diet (HP, 20.

Effects of Dietary Multi-Carbohydrase and Phytase Complex Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility, Bone Mineralization and Puberty Onset in Gilts.

The study was conducted to determine the effects of multi-carbohydrase and phytase complex (MCPC) supplementation in standard and commercial diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, blood biochemical parameters and puberty onset in gilts. A total of 144 healthy gilts (Duroc × (Landrace × York)) were assigned randomly to four treatments ( = 36), with 10 replicate pens (6 pens, each containing 4 gilts, and 4 pens, each containing 3 gilts). The trial consisted of two phases (phase 1: 70-100 kg; phase 2: 100-140 kg).

Farnesol Improves Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Hepatic Metabolic Dysfunction Induced by Tunicamycin in Mice.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress significantly affects liver metabolism, often leading to disorders such as hepatic steatosis. Tunicamycin (TM), a known ER stress inducer, is frequently used to model metabolic stress, but its specific effects on liver energy homeostasis remain unclear. This study investigates how farnesol (FOH), a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, counteracts TM-induced ER stress and its associated metabolic disruptions in the liver.

Xylo-oligosaccharides enhance intestinal and thymic immunity by modulating pyroptosis, gut microbiota, and Th17/Treg immune response in lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets.

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) have been shown to improve the immune system of weaned piglets, but the molecular mechanism of their action remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of XOS on intestinal and thymic immune function in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and elucidate the underlying mechanism. In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of diet treatment (basal diet vs 0.

Serum metabolomics analysis reveals a novel association between maternal metabolism and fetal survival in sows fed diets containing differing methionine levels and sources.

Methionine (Met) metabolism is vital for one carbon metabolism, redox status and fetal development. Hence, this study investigated the effects of different levels and sources of Met on maternal metabolism, anti-oxidative capacity and fetal survival in pregnant sows. Forty primiparous sows were assigned to the following four groups: control group (basal diet, CON), 1.

Nutritional values of soybean meal from different sources in multiparous sows.

This study determined the available energy content, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) from different sources in non-gestating, non-lactating sows. In Exp. 1, 24 multiparous Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) sows (parity 3 to 5) were allotted to a replicated 12 × 3 Youden square design consisting of 12 diets and 3 periods.