We have often discussed oxidative stress in the past and antioxidant substances that can be integrated into the diet to counteract its negative effects.
In this article, we will address the negative effects of oxidative stress on the reproductive performance of sows and the role of vitamin E and selenium in modulating its effects.
Surai and Fisinin (2016) demonstrated how oxidative stress and sow reproductive performance are closely related.
OXIDATIVE STRESS
Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance in cells between the concentration of antioxidant and oxidant molecules, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced during aerobic cellular metabolism, but their production exceeds the body’s antioxidant system’s ability to remove them when stress conditions occur.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) negatively affect oocyte maturation as well as embryo development.
This is related to their high reactivity with polyunsaturated fats associated with phospholipids present in the cell membranes of oocytes and embryonic cells, leading to lipid peroxidation, which involves a chain reaction eventually leading to cell death.
Effects of Vitamin E Deficiency and Supplementation on Reproductive Performance
It has been shown that vitamin E deficiency in sows can cause fetal resorption and can negatively affect the development and health status of piglets, with a significant negative impact on farming.
In contrast, studies on the integration of vitamin E during gestation have shown an increase in litter size and a reduction in piglet mortality before weaning.
However, while the minimum level of vitamin E to prevent deficiency has been determined [12-22 IU/kg (NRC, 1998)], the optimal level of vitamin E necessary to improve reproductive parameters has never been established due to the various managerial factors that can interfere with such studies and alter the requirements for this antioxidant vitamin, which is essential in cases of stress.
IMPROVING THE ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF SOWS TO ENHANCE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
The antioxidant status of animals can be improved through the dietary supplementation of antioxidants, including vitamin E and antioxidant enzyme cofactors, such as selenium, which is known to be an essential component of at least 25 selenoproteins, with at least 16 of these selenoproteins having antioxidant roles.
The importance of vitamin E on sow fertility is supported by various studies.
It is widely agreed that vitamin E supplementation before and after fertilization has positive effects on fertility rates and thus on litter size.
Supplementation with vitamin E during the final stage of gestation and lactation has proven useful in preventing issues related to piglet survival and development.
Lin Wang et al., 2016 reports that supplementing this vitamin up to a level of 250 IU/kg during the 7 days before farrowing and up to 21 days afterward increases α-tocopherol concentrations (the most common form of vitamin E in animals) in the sow’s milk and plasma, as well as in the piglets’ plasma.
Supplementation of this vitamin in the sow’s diet resulted in greater growth of piglets and increased circulating antibody levels and antioxidant capacity in both the sow and the piglets.
HOW VITAMIN E WORKS
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in varying amounts in the diet.
It is a multifunctional vitamin essential for the integrity and optimal functioning of the urogenital, muscular, circulatory, nervous, and immune systems.
The main dietary sources of vitamin E are wheat germ, alfalfa, bran, and milling by-products.
The main role of vitamin E is as a membrane antioxidant.
Vitamin E binds to phospholipids and “traps” free radicals to prevent lipid peroxidation, a process that leads inexorably to permanent damage to the cells of the organism, including oocytes and embryonic cells.
By interrupting lipid peroxidation at the membrane level, vitamin E (a chain reaction that, if not interrupted, leads to cell death) helps block this degenerative phenomenon induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).
HOW SELENIUM WORKS
It is known that some functions of vitamin E can be fulfilled wholly or partly due to the presence of trace amounts of selenium.
The antioxidant action of vitamin E increases linearly with the levels of selenium included in the diet, which is why vitamin E supplementation is often associated with selenium.
Their functions are so closely related that there are suspected to be unexplored functions of their synergistic action, particularly regarding their role in the immune system.
EVIT LIQUIDO
Evit Liquido is a complementary dietary feed in liquid form for estrus preparation and reproduction in pigs.
EVIT LIQUID provides vitamin E and selenium to supplement the sow’s diet.
Its use is recommended for sows during periods such as: mating, the final stage of gestation, and the early stages of lactation.
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