Gao, Q.; Chen, D.; Ding, X.; Xu, Z.; Wu, A.; Zhang, K. Effects of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Immune Parameters in Weanling Piglets. Agriculture2023, 13, 2271.
Gao, Q.; Chen, D.; Ding, X.; Xu, Z.; Wu, A.; Zhang, K. Effects of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Immune Parameters in Weanling Piglets. Agriculture 2023, 13, 2271.
Gao, Q.; Chen, D.; Ding, X.; Xu, Z.; Wu, A.; Zhang, K. Effects of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Immune Parameters in Weanling Piglets. Agriculture2023, 13, 2271.
Gao, Q.; Chen, D.; Ding, X.; Xu, Z.; Wu, A.; Zhang, K. Effects of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Immune Parameters in Weanling Piglets. Agriculture 2023, 13, 2271.
Abstract
In order to study the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation on growth performance and immune status in weanling piglets, a single factorial randomized block design trial with 6 dietary FA levels at 0.35, 0.66, 2.19, 5.18, 7.51 or 10.81 mg/kg was conducted. A total of 108 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire) castrated weanling piglets (at 21 d of age) were allocated by body weight into 36 feeding cages (3 piglets/cage), which were allotted randomly into 6 dietary groups (6 cages/group). Piglets were fed ad libitum for 24 days. Blood samples were collected on the 24th day. The growth performance and the immune parameters were measured. Results showed that FA supplementation increased the serum FA level of weaned piglets (p < 0.01), and tended to increase the body weight (BW) at 45 d of age (p < 0.1) and the average daily gain (ADG) from 29 d to 45 d of age (p < 0.1). FA addition improved the feed efficiency (G/F) from 21 d to 45 d of age (p < 0.01), and with significant effects at 21 d to 45 d of age with FA 2.19 or 7.51 mg/kg (p < 0.05). Dietary FA at 0.66 or 2.19 mg/kg increased the serum CD3+CD8+ subset (p < 0.05), decreased the CD3+CD4+ / CD3+CD8+ ratio (p < 0.05); Moreover, FA addition increased the serum IFN-γ level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the adequate dietary FA is necessary to improve the immunity and growth performance of weaned piglets at 21 d of age. The suitable dietary FA level for immune function from 21 d to 45 d of age was 0.66 mg/kg, while were 6.82 mg/kg from 21 d to 28 d of age and 5.42 mg/kg from 29 d to 45 d of age respectively for feed efficiency.
Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology
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