M.K. Tamuli

Effect of dietary sunflower oil and coconut oil on adipose tissue gene expression, fatty acid composition and serum lipid profile of grower pigs

The present study was conducted to assess whether the partial replacement of feed energy by vegetable oils containing high medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFA) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) would modify lipogenic gene expression and other parameter of fat metabolism in pigs. Eighteen pigs (17–19 kg body weight) received one of three experimental diets for 60 days (six animals per group): (i) Control diet; (ii) a diet with sunflower oil (SO) or (iii) a diet with coconut oil (CO). In diets SO and CO, 10% of the feed energy was replaced by the respective oils. The experimental treatment did not influence the performance of the pigs. In blood serum, an increased content of total cholesterol was observed for SO and CO fed animals, whereas no significant changes for total triglycerides and different lipoprotein fractions were detected. The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue was significantly modified, with an increased content of MCFA and n-6 PUFA in CO and SO fed pigs, respectively. The gene expression for fatty acid synthase was decreased for SO and CO fed pigs; for stearoyl CoA desaturase and sterol regulatory element binding protein, a depression was observed in SO but not in CO fed pigs. The results of present study suggest that the type of dietary fat can modulate the adipose tissue gene expression and fatty acid composition differentially, with minimal effect on serum lipid profile.

Dietary supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alters endometrial expression of genes involved in prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway in breeding sows (Sus scrofa)

The present investigation was designed to study the effect of dietary supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) PUFA on endometrial expression of fertility-related genes in breeding sows. Sixteen crossbred sows were randomized to receive diets containing 4% (wt/wt) flaxseed oil as n-3 PUFA source (TRT group) or iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric standard control diet (CON group), starting from the first day of estrus up to 40 days and were artificially bred on the second estrus. Endometrial samples were collected during days 10-11 and 15-16 post-mating for studying relative expression profile of candidate genes viz. Prostaglandin F Synthase (PGFS), microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Carbonyl Reductase-1 (CBR-1) using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Expression level of mPGES-1 gene transcript was 2.1-fold higher (P < 0.05) during 10-11 days of pregnancy and 1.4-fold higher (P > 0.05) during 15-16 days of pregnancy in TRT group as compared to CON group. Relative expression of PGFS gene transcript was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during 10-11 days of pregnancy in TRT group while there was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary supplementation during 15-16 days of pregnancy. Endometrial mRNA level of CBR1 was significantly lower (P < 0.05) with 3.93-fold decrease in TRT group during 10-11 days of pregnancy whereas 2.82-fold reduction in expression (P > 0.05) was observed subsequently during 15-16 days of pregnancy as compared to CON group. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation can modulate gene expression of key enzymes in prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway during early gestation, which in turn might have beneficial impact on overall reproductive response in breeding sows. These findings partly support strategic dietary supplementation of plant-based source of n-3 PUFA with an aim to improve overall reproductive performance in sows.

Characterization of Thermal Properties of Pig Hair Fiber

ABSTRACT Hair fiber is a key by-product of humane slaughter of pigs with considerable economic value. In the present study, we investigated the thermal properties of pig hair fiber using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DSC curve showed a broad endotherm (around 50–80°C) initially, followed by denaturation doublet peaks (229°C and 239°C) and finally a pyrolysis endotherm. The melting enthalpy of pig hair fiber was 9.93 J/g on dry basis. During TGA, distinct phases of initial weight loss due to loss of moisture and later through thermal degradation of protein around 238–240°C were observed. Mean thermal insulation and conductivity values of pig hair fiber were 0.068 ± 0.004 m2K/W and 0.029 ± 0.003 W/m/K, respectively. The thermal characteristics of pig hair fiber were similar to other keratin fibers of animal origin.

Farrowing response and piglet viability following Cloprostenol-induced farrowing in Duroc sows with prolonged gestation

A trial was carried out to assess the effect of controlled induction of farrowing on sow performance and piglet viability in sows with prolonged gestation. Thirty healthy pregnant Duroc sows were randomly assigned into two groups balanced across the treatment for parity and day of gestation. Group I (n = 13) received a single intramuscular dose of prostaglandin analogue (2 ml Cyclix® containing 263 µg/ml Cloprostenol) on day 114 of gestation. Sows in the Group II (n = 17) were allowed to farrow naturally and kept as control group. Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.01) on litter size and weight at weaning. Significantly higher litter weight at birth was also observed in Group I (9.8 vs 5.04 kg; P < 0.01). Parturition loss was comparatively lesser in induced farrowing and a relatively higher percentage of piglet survivability was observed in Group I (90.2% vs 80.0%). Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.05) on incidence of stillbirth (8.0% vs 24.4% in Group I and II, respectively). Relatively higher number of animals farrowed during daytime (53.85%) in Group I as compared to Group II (29.41%). In prolonged gestational cases, induction of farrowing can be a useful managerial tool for improving the piglet survival and facilitating greater supervision of farrowing.