Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) algal supplement for newly weaned pigs

Abstract Text: Alltech SP1^TM (Alltech, Inc.) is a natural, pure and sustainable algal source of fatty acids, including 27% DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune modulation properties which may improve the health and growth performance of newly weaned pigs. The objective of this experiment was to measure the growth performance of newly weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with SP1. Diets were formulated to provide the nutrient requirements according to NRC (2012) in 3 diet phases. Diets with SP1 were fed for only the first 7 d post-weaning (Phase 1). All pigs were fed complex nursery diets in Phases 2 (7 to 21 d) and 3 (21 to 42 d). Pigs (n=270) were weaned into pens of 10 pigs/pen and fed one of three diets containing 0, 0.5, or 1.0% SP1 added to the diets at the expense of an inert material. Pigs were provided ad libitum access to feed and water in a commercial research facility. Means were compared between treatments according to one-way analysis of variance procedures. Feeding SP1 did not affect Phase 1 ADG, ADFI or feed efficiency of piglets (P>0.05). In Phase 2, pigs previously fed diets containing 0.5 or 1.0% SP1 had greater ADG (P=0.04) compared to the pigs not fed SP1. However, there were no differences in ADG during weeks 4 to 6 or overall. ADFI was greater (P=0.04) in Phase 2 when Phase 1 diets contained 1% SP1 and ADFI of pigs fed 0.5% SP1 in Phase 1 was also numerically greater compared to diets without SP1. The feed-to-gain ratio in Phase 2 was improved (P=0.03) when pigs were previously fed 0.5% SP1 compared to pigs previously fed 1.0% SP1 (1.31 vs. 1.40); the feed-to-gain ratio when pigs were fed diets without SP1 and was intermediate (P>0.05; 1.38). Diets including 0.5% SP1 for 7 d immediately after weaning improved the performance of pigs from d 7 to 21, but not overall, compared to pigs weaned onto a complex nursery diet.

SP1 inclusion	0%	0.5%	1.0%	SEM	p-value
ADG (d 7 to 21), g/d	227b	259a	253a	5.5	0.04
ADG (d 21 to 42), g/d	566	582	581	13.1	0.79
ADG (overall), g/d	372	389	388	8.0	0.53
ADFI (d 7 to 21), g/d	312b	340ab	349a	6.9	0.04
ADFI (d 21 to 42), g/d	786	805	809	16.8	0.78
ADFI (overall), g/d	515	533	539	10.6	0.53

Keywords: swine, docosahexaenoic acid, algae