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Impact of Artificial Colostrum Supplement on the
Growth Performance and Blood Profile in Piglets
Vetriselvi Sampath1, Kyudong Han1,2 and In Ho Kim1*
Department of Animal Resource and Science, Dankook University
Cheonan-31116, Republic of Korea
(Received February 05, 2021)
ABSTRACT
Sampath, V., Han, K. and Kim, I.H. 2022. Impact of artificial colostrum supplement on the growth
performance and blood profile in piglets. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 22: 665-671.
The study aims to examine the effect of artificial colostrum (AC) supplement on growth performance
and blood profiles of piglets. A total of 15 multiparous sows (Landrace ×Yorkshire) and their 193 progenies
(initial body weight 1.38 kg) were used in a sixty-three-days trial. The designated nutritional supplements
were: CON: fed only sow milk (SM), TRT1: SM+AC (once a day), and TRT2: SM+AC (twice a
day) offered to piglets, while sows were fed with commercial gestation and lactation diets. TRT2 group
piglets showed a tendency to linearly increased body weight at week 1 (P=0.063), weaning (P=0.001),
and the end of the experiment (P=0.024). Moreover, the average daily gain was linearly increased in
TRT2 group at week1, weaning, and the overall trial period (P=0.006, 0.005, and 0.022, respectively).
In addition, piglets nourished AM twice a day along with SM showed higher lymphocyte count and IgG
concentration at week 1 and at weaning (P=0.020, 0.055, and 0.014, 0.017, respectively). In summary,
we infer that the providing artificial colostrum to piglets twice a day along with SM would be beneficial
to enhance their performance at post weaning stage.
Keywords: Artificial milk, Growth performance, Immunoglobulin, Piglets
INTRODUCTION
Larger litter size has become a common feature in modern swine husbandry
(Tao et al., 2020). The health and welfare consequence of large litter sizes are of
increasing concern, and the proper management of these large litter size poses a
challenge to pig producers (Pustal et al., 2015). Besides, the first 24 hours after birth
is the foremost and crucial period in swine production as piglets are born with low
body energy stores and with or without immunoglobulins. Adequate colostrum intake
in the first few hours after birth supports piglets to build their immunity for their
future performance. Various breeding practices have been adopted by farm owners
Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2022) 22: 665-671
DOI: 10.5958/0974-181X.2022.00053.1
*Corresponding author: inhokim@dankook.ac.kr
1Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan-31116,
Republic of Korea
2Center for Bio Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan-31116, Republic of
Korea
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Sampath et al.
to improve the survival and reduce mortality ratio in piglets, amongst, cross-fostering
(within 12 hr) become a common method. Although cross-breeding is considered an
effective technique, the total accessible teats on newly farrowed sow in prolific herds
may not be sufficient for the number of newborns and thus some piglets may face
severe starvation during lactation that eventually led to death (Rutherford et al.,
2013). This situation has triggered many researchers and animal nutritionists to find
additional sources of energy and/or immunoglobulins that could provide additional
nutritional benefits to improve their growth performance. Since 1949, the provision
of artificial milk has been found as a substantial alternative energy source to suit
neonates’ diet (Lehrer et al., 1949). Notably, the high amounts of cytokines in the
artificial milk has the ability to develop and modulate piglet’s immune system
(Nguyen et al., 2007). In the earlier study, Vasdal et al. (2011) reported that piglets
fed with low colostrum lead to pre-weaning mortality and decrease the average pre-
weaning daily weight gain. However, Devillers et al. (2007) pronounced that maximum
amount of colostrum ingestion had increase the live weight of piglets at birth and
reduce the complications such as ruptured umbilical cord, breathing difficulties, and
spraddle leg. From the above study, we hypothesize that feeding artificial colostrum
supplement along with sow milk may improve the growth performance and immune
status of piglets. Though provision of artificial colostrum during suckling has been
reported as a good substitute for raising low-birth-weight piglets before weaning (De
vos et al., 2014)to date, piglets ingest artificial colostrum along with sow milk for
21 days exhibiting her growth rate and immunity iss still scarce. Thus, the objective
of this research was to evaluate the impact of feeding artificial colostrum supplement
on growth performance and blood profile of piglets through determination of body
weight and blood parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ethical endorsement
Experimental protocols (Dk-2-1836) were revised and approved by the Animal
Care and Use Committee of Dankook University (Cheonan, South Korea), prior to
the trial.
Trial design, feed and feeding schedule
This study was conducted at Dankook University “Experimental farm” located
at Gonju (South Korea). A total of 15 multiparous sows (Landrace ×Yorkshire) and
their 193 progenies were used in sixty-three-days trial. Sows were housed and offered
with a commercial gestation (until day106) and lactation diet (from day 107- until
weaning day 21) which was formulated according to the nutritional requirements of
NRC (2012). After farrowing, piglets were cleaned, checked for mummification and
splay leg, and ear-notched for the identity. Also treated with regular management
practices like teeth cutting and tail docking. The number of alive, dead and mummified
piglets in each pen was recorded to determine the survival rate at farrowing period.
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Effect of artificial colostrum in piglets
The piglet’s initial birth weight (individual), and total birth weight was measured.
Approximately 12 piglets /per sow, were cross fostered with the same treatment
sows. One mL (per pig) intravenous iron dextran injection was also given within 24
hrs of birth. The male piglets were castrated (5 days after postpartum).
Piglets stayed along with their dam were assigned into one of three dietary
treatments (5 replicates /treatment): (i) CON-only sow milk, (SM)., (ii) TRT1-
SM+artificial colostrum (AC, once/day)., and (iii) TRT2- SM+AC (twice/day). The
AC powder used in this study was procured from Deahan Co., Ltd. (South Korea),
and offered to piglets from the day of farrowing and continued until weaning (day 21)
with a manufacturer prescribed level. AC powder contains 53.25 % protein, 1.65%
fat, 3.30% moisture, and 12.60% immunoglobulin (IgG).
Sampling and clinical analysis
The body weight (BW) of individuals was measured before farrowing, after
farrowing, as well at weaning (21 days). There was no difference in the reproductive
performance of sows, thus table was not included. Individual BW of the piglets was
measured at the initial, week 1, weaning, and the end of the experiment to calculate
the average daily gain (ADG). To evaluate the survival rate of piglets, the initial
number of piglets as well final (weaning) number of piglets were recorded. Five days
later, from farrowing and up to weaning, the diarrhea incidence in piglets were
recorded (every day) to calculate the severity of diarrhea. The moisture content of
fecal sample was determined by the scoring system of Hart and Dobb (1988). Scoring
was done as follows:1- hard, dry pellet in a small and hard mass, 2- hard stool
remains firm and soft, 3- soft, form, and remains its shape, 4- soft, unformed stool,
and 5- watery, liquid which can be poured.
Blood samples were collected at initial, week 1, weaning, and at the end of
the experiment period randomly from 12 piglets (per treatment) using a sterilized
syringe and stored in 5-mL vacuum tubes with K3EDTA (Becton Dickinson Vacutainer
Systems, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), placed on ice container and immediately
transported to the laboratory. Within one hour of collection, the whole blood samples
were centrifuged for 15 min at 3000 × g at 4 °C to separate serum. Harvested serum
samples were determined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) using ELISA kit, while white
blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and lymphocytes in the whole blood
samples were determined using an automatic blood analyzer (ADVIA 120, Bayer,
Tarry town, NY, US).
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed (complete randomized design) using one-way ANOVA
(SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The individual sow and their offerings were used
as an experimental unit. Linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts were performed
to determine the effects of artificial colostrum supplements in the diet of piglets.
P<0.05 was considered as significant, whereas, P<0.10 was considered as trend.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Proper dietary management of sows during pregnancy and lactation is crucial
for achieving the productivity and better litter performance (Olivieroetal, 2009)
because it has a profound impact on the robustness of their progenies. An adequate
amount of colostrum intake after birth is very essential for the newborns, however
proper colostrum intake is a challenging task in the hyper prolific sows (Bikker et
al., 2010). Previously, Boudry et al. (2008) reported that feeding colostrum
supplemetation has a high impact on growth and development of newborn piglets
which is correlated with the current findings in which piglets fed AC twice a day
along with sow milk showed a tendency to linearly increased BW and ADG at week
1 (P=0.063 and P=0.005), weaning (P=0.001), and at the end of experiment (p=0.024
and 0.022, respectively) (Table 1). Getting an adequate dosage of colostrum, particularly
from the sow, is the most important factor related to piglet’s survival and long-term
health (Pustal et al., 2015). The first colostrum secretion is always considered to be
precious as it provides the piglet with both energy and maternal antibodies which
helps to prevent them from post-weaning diarrhea. Further, feeding artificial colostrum
supplement as been found to reduce diarrhea incidence in piglets (Huguet et al.,
2012). However, the corresponding report was not correlated with our study as no
linear differences (P<0.05) were observed in the diarrhea incidence in piglets that
belongs to either TRT1 group or TR2 group throughout the trial (Table 1). However,
Table 1. Effect of artificial colostrum supplementation on growth performance and fecal score in piglets1
Items CON TRT1 TRT2 SEM2Linear Quadratic
Initial no 12.8 12.4 13.2 0.5 0.579 0.343
Final no 12.4 12.0 12.6 0.4 0.821 0.517
Survival rate (%) 96.8 96.7 95.4 1.3 0.630 0.807
Body weight, kg
Initial 1.30 1.33 1.34 0.04 0.607 0.904
wk1 2.36b2.41b2.49a0.03 0.063 0.852
Weaning 6.03b6.28ab 6.50a0.09 0.001 0.870
Finish 24.09b24.84ab 25.18a0.30 0.024 0.471
ADG, g
Initial 151b155ab 164a3 0.006 0.580
Weaning 263b276ab 285a5 0.005 0.705
Finish 449 462 464 5 0.071 0.357
Overall 374b386ab 391a5 0.022 0.524
Fecal score5
Overall 3.5 3.52 3.23 0.03 0.703 0.912
CON, only sow milk; TRT1, sow milk + artificial colostrum 1 time per day; TRT2, sow milk+ artificial
colostrum 2 times per day.Standard error of means
abMeans in the same row with different superscripts differ significantly (P<0.05)
Sampath et al.
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Drew and Owen (1998), observed no diarrhea incidence in piglets fed bovine supplement
during 28 days trial. In contrast, Dewey et al. (2008) reported that artificial milk
replacer increased diarrhea in piglets. The discrepancies between earlier research
outcome and ours are mainly attributed to the environmental factors or due to the
different type of supplementation.
Usually colostrum IgG concentrations in sow milk fluctuate between every
individual and also the concentrations of this IgG may decline after the first 24 h of
life (Le Dividich et al., 2005). IgG present in colostrum form chelating complex with
bacterial and viral antigens to show anti-inflammatory activity. Correspondingly, it
has the ability to modulate lymphocyte function in different ways (Boudry et al.,
2008) as well maternal cytokines which presents in sow colostrum plays an instructive
roles in developing neonatal immune response (Nguyen et al., 2014). Piglet can
absorb such IgG only prior to gut closure, which occurs in the first 24 h of life and
is induced by intakes of colostrum which are insufficient to maintain piglet live-
weight. However, the amounts of IgG absorbed by the piglets may differ widely. In
Table 2. Effect of artificial colostrum supplementation on blood profile of piglets1
Items CON TRT1 TRT2 SEM2Linear Quadratic
Initial
WBC 6.92 7.00 6.96 0.49 0.962 0.935
RBC 1.54 1.55 1.55 0.05 0.870 1.000
Lymphocyte 24.49 24.82 24.62 0.31 0.779 0.491
IgG 83.75 84.00 84.00 2.10 0.937 0.963
wk1
WBC 7.97 8.07 8.58 0.31 0.240 0.637
RBC 1.47 1.50 1.63 0.07 0.140 0.622
Lymphocyte 25.59b26.71a26.95a0.32 0.020 0.311
IgG 209.00b213.75ab 238.25a7.45 0.014 0.265
Weaning
WBC 19.12 19.27 20.45 0.54 0.204 0.554
RBC 1.58 1.75 1.87 0.13 0.207 0.884
Lymphocyte 29.89 30.31 32.75 0.94 0.055 0.393
IgG 101.25b106.75ab 114.00a3.02 0.017 0.823
Finish
WBC 18.46 19.18 20.06 0.73 0.334 0.957
RBC 1.76 1.83 1.90 0.16 0.524 0.979
Lymphocyte 32.11 33.73 34.94 1.10 0.043 0.323
IgG 109.75 113.25 116.25 7.17 0.037 0.980
CON, only sow milk; TRT1, sow milk + artificial colostrum 1time per day; TRT2, sow milk + artificial
colostrum 2 times per day
abMeans in the same row with different superscript differ significantly (P<0.05)
Effect of artificial colostrum in piglets
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the current investigation, lymphocyte and IgG concentration were linearly increased
in TRT2 group piglets compared to CON group at week 1 (P=0.020 and 0.014) and
at weaning period (P=0.055 and 0.017) this indicates that the presence of
oligosaccharides, an indigestible carbohydrate which naturally found in milk may
influence the immune status of the neonate piglets (Trevisi et al. 2020). Nevertheless,
the WBC and RBC counts in piglets remain similar throughout the trial. Researchers
have reported that colostrum intake alleviates various diseases and could serve as a
substantial alternative energy source in the forthcoming years (Devillers et al. 2007).
CONCLUSION
The immunoglobulins present in artificial colostrum has the potential to improve
the immune function of young animals when fed twice a day. Although artificial
colostrum supplementation improves the growth performance and blood profile of
piglets in this study, it is indeed to do more research on colostrum products to expand
their therapeutic role in livestock diets.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All authors appreciatively acknowledge the Center for Bio-Medical Engineering
core-facility at Dankook University for providing valuable reagents and equipment.
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