Effects of palygorskite dietary supplementation on back fat mobilization, leptin levels and oxidative stress parameters in sows

The effects of dietary supplementation of palygorskite on the metabolic and oxidative parameters during the peripartal period and performance of sows were assessed. Upon insemination sows were allocated to treatments: a) CON (n = 23): sows were fed a basal diet; b) PAL (n = 21): sows were fed the basal diet supplemented with 7 g/kg feed palygorskite; and c) PAL + (n = 23): sows were fed the basal diet supplemented with 8 g/kg feed of a palygorskite compound product. Sow plasma samples (n = 10/treatment) were obtained at days 108 of gestation, 1 and 14 postpartum. Leptin levels were higher in PAL and PAL + groups (P < 0.001). The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were higher in the CON group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). PAL sows exhibited higher back fat (BF) loss from late gestation to weaning (P = 0.015). Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain during lactation were higher in CON sows (P < 0.001). Overall, palygorskite supplementation affected peripartal energy balance of sows, which was characterized by the increased leptin levels and BF mobilization and accompanied by a decreased oxidative stress.