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Review
. 2021 Nov 3:9:60-73.
doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2021.10.006. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Nutritional strategies to alleviate oxidative stress in sows

Qihui Li  1 , Siwang Yang  1 , Fang Chen  1   2   3 , Wutai Guan  1   2   3 , Shihai Zhang  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional strategies to alleviate oxidative stress in sows

Qihui Li et al. Anim Nutr. .

Abstract

The performance of high-yielding sows is directly related to the productivity of pig farming. Fetal development mainly occurs during the last month of pregnancy, and the aggressive metabolic burden of sows during this stage eventually leads to systemic oxidative stress. When affected by oxidative stress, sows exhibit adverse symptoms such as reduced feed intake, hindered fetal development, and even abortion. In addition, milk synthesis during the lactation period causes a severe metabolic burden. The biological response to oxidative stress during this period is associated with a decrease in milk production, which further affects the growth of piglets. Understanding the nutritional strategies to alleviate oxidative stress in sows is crucial to maintain their reproduction and lactation performance. Recently, advances have been made in the field of nutrition to relieve oxidative stress in sows during late pregnancy and lactation. This review highlights the nutritional strategies to relieve oxidative stress in sows reported within the last 20 years.

Keywords: Nutritional strategy; Oxidative stress; Plant extract; Selenium; Sow; Vitamin E.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the content of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Main production process of ROS/RNS. Complex Ⅲ is the main source of mitochondrial ROS production. The electrons are transferred to coenzyme Q. Unstable coenzyme Q intermediates will directly transfer electrons to O2 to generate ∙O2, which in turn will generate lots of ROS and RNS. Excessive ROS/RNS will have a variety of damage to the cells. SOD = superoxide dismutase; ROS = reactive oxygen species; RNS = reactive nitrogen species.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Causes of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of ROS/RNS in cells and the ability of a biological system to detoxify these reactive products. Oxidative stress is reported to be involved in a variety of pregnancy complications, such as preterm labor, infertility fetal growth restriction and miscarriage. CAT = catalase; SOD = superoxide dismutase; GSH-Px = glutathione peroxidase; ROS = reactive oxygen species; RNS = reactive nitrogen species.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Metabolic pathways of ROS/RNS. ROS = reactive oxygen species; RNS = reactive nitrogen species.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The crude fiber is beneficial to health of sows. The fee rich in crude fiber can improve that body condition of the sow, improve the reproductive performance of the sow, and effectively solve the problem of constipation of pregnant sows and less lactation after delivery. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the main metabolites produced by the microbiota in the large intestine through the anaerobic fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch, which help maintain that integrity of the intestinal barrier mucus production, prevent inflammation, etc.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Nutrition function of selenium. The selenium in the feed is absorbed by the sows and metabolized to produce small molecular weight seleno-compounds and some others participate in the synthesis of selenoprotein, thereby improving the antioxidant performance of the sows, regulating the energy metabolism of the sows, and reducing cell DNA damage.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Glutathione and its role in cellular functions. GSH = glutathione; GSSG = glutathione oxidized.
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