Effects of Lactulose Supplementation on Production Performance of Sows and their Offspring

A total of 18 multiparous sows (Landrace×Yorkshire) and their litters were used in the present study to evaluate the effect of dietary lactulose supplementation on the performance of the sows and their offspring. On day 107 of gestation, all sows were allotted into three dietary groups, namely CON, fed a basal diet; L1, fed CON diet with 0.1% lactulose; and L2, fed CON diet with 0.2% lactulose. Results indicated no significant differences (P>0.05) in BW, back-fat thickness, average daily feed intake, and return to estrus interval among the three treatments. Also, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the number of piglets born and their birth weight, weanling weight, ADG, survival rate, and diarrhoea score among the piglets born to different groups of sows. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) observed in the nutrient digestibility by the sows, and select blood parameters of the sows as well the piglets. Sows fed lactulose supplemented diet did not exhibit any variations (P>0.05) in the emission of faecal ammonia and acetic acid among the treatments. At parturition, there was no differences (P>0.05) observed in faecal population of E. coli and Lactobacillus populations, whereas higher (P<0.05) Lactobacillus population was observed in L2 group when compared to CON at the time of weaning. In conclusion, the results suggested that the inclusion of lactulose at the level of 0.2% in the diet could increase the faecal lactobacillus concentration in sows, but this beneficial effect could not be observed on the production performance either the sows or their piglets.