PSI-12 The Effects on Maternal Supplementation of Medium Chain Fatty Acids on Offpsring Performance

A total of 39 mixed parity sows were used from d 28 of gestation until weaning to determine the effect of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in sow and weaned pig diets on sow and offspring growth performance. On d 28 of gestation, sows were blocked by parity and body weight, and allotted to either a control diet (UNSUP) or control plus 0.3% inclusion of MCFA blend in gestation and lactation (SUP). At weaning, piglets were allocated in a 2x2 factorial based on maternal diet (UNSUP or SUP) and post-weaning diet (UNSUPnurs or SUPnurs) in a 3-phase nursery pig feeding program lasting 42 d. Individual piglets were weighed at birth, d 7, weaning and every 2 weeks in the nursery period. There was no difference among maternal diet for birth weight (P = 0.56); however, SUP piglets tended to be lighter at d 7 (P = 0.10) and weaning (P = 0.07) than UNSUP piglets (P = 0.10). There was no interaction between maternal diet and post-weaning diet on offspring performance. Throughout the nursery period, there was no difference in body weight, daily gain, feed intake, or gain:feed by maternal treatment or post-weaning diet. In conclusion, supplementation of MCFA throughout gestation, lactation, and in the nursery period had minimal impact on offspring growth.