# Relationship Between Litter Weight Gain and Colostrum Fatty Acid Composition: Implications for Cross-Fostering?

## TL;DR

This study finds that sows with lower litter weight gain produce colostrum with less beneficial fatty acids, suggesting these fatty acids could help select better-performing sows.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific fatty acids in colostrum that correlate with litter weight gain, offering new indicators for sow selection.

## Key findings

- Sows with lower litter weight gain had colostrum with reduced concentrations of specific fatty acids like myristic and palmitic acid.
- Low-performing sows had higher n-6:n-3 ratios and lower n-3 fatty acid content in their colostrum.
- These findings suggest that fatty acid composition could be used to improve cross-fostering and piglet growth.

## Abstract

Newborn piglets depend on their mother’s first milk, called colostrum, for energy and protection against disease. Taking in enough high-quality colostrum shortly after birth is essential for their survival and growth. This study investigates the relationship between a sow’s litter weight gain and the composition of her colostrum, specifically focusing on many fatty acids, lactose, calculated gross energy and crude protein. Sows with lower litter weight gain produced colostrum with lower concentrations of myristic acid (C14:0), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), margaric acid (C17:0), elaidic acid (C18:1n9t), linoleic acid (C18:2n6c), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), behenic acid (C22:0), docosadienoic acid (C22:2) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n3). In addition, these low-performing sows showed a lower content of n-3 fatty acids and a higher n-6:n-3 ratio in their colostrum. Thus, the study suggests that a low n-6:n-3 ratio and the levels of specific fatty acids in colostrum could be valuable indicators for selecting sows with improved litter performance. The study proposes that, if rapid testing methods for these components were available, this approach could become a useful tool for optimising cross-fostering strategies and enhancing overall piglet health and growth. In addition, heavier sows at weaning had litters with lower weight gain.

Colostrum is the primary source of nutrients for newborn piglets, significantly influencing their growth, health and survival. This study examines the relationship between sow litter weight gain and the fatty acid composition of colostrum, including crude protein, lactose, calculated gross energy and total solids. The n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio was higher in low-performing sows (p < 0.05), suggesting that a lower ratio, associated with higher n-3 fatty acid content, may positively impact litter weight gain. Specific fatty acids such as myristic acid (C14:0), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), margaric acid (C17:0), elaidic acid (C18:1n9t), linoleic acid (C18:2n6c), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), behenic acid (C22:0), docosadienoic acid (C22:2) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n3) were also found in lower concentrations in the colostrum of low-performing sows (p < 0.05). The study suggests that the content of n-3 fatty acids and perhaps the n-6:n-3 ratio of the colostrum and the content of some special fatty acids could serve as a selection criterion for improving litter performance in the future.