Abstract
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is the main death cause of newborn piglets in large-scale farms. To investigate the effects of maternal nano-selenium (nano-Se) and Macleaya cordata extracts (MCE) on immune functions of IUGR piglets in large scale farms, a 2 x 2 factorial design was adopted in this test, and two factors were nano-Se (0, 0.50 mg/kg) and MCE (0, 500 mg/kg). A total of 32 ternary hybrid sows (Landrace x Yorkshire x Duroc, parity 2) were used in this 25-day trial from day 90 of pregnancy to delivery. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) CON group, basic diet (0.0 mg/kg Se); (2) Nano-Se group, basic diet + 0.50 mg/kg added Se (nano-Se); (3) MCE group, basic diet + 500 mg/kg added MCE; (4) Combined group, basic diet + 0.50 mg/kg added nano-Se and 500 mg/kg added MCE. Maternal nano-Se or combination of nano-Se and MCE diets extremely increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (GSH-Px) contents in the serum and liver of IUGR offspring (P < 0.05), and MCE supplementation in sow diets remarkably increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (GSH-Px) contents of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Adding nano-Se, MCE, or nano-Se and MCE to sow diets decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and liver of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). The supplementation of nano-Se and combined diets extremely increased the activities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum and liver of IUGR offspring (P < 0.05). Maternal nano-Se, MCE, and combined diets greatly decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in the serum and liver of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Together, the application of nano-Se and/or MCE to sow diets improved antioxidant capacities and immune functions of IUGR offspring, and alleviated oxidative stress.
NSTL
Springer Nature