Publications by authors named "G Litta"
Twenty-six nulliparous sows were fed conventional gestation and lactation diets supplemented ( = 13) or not ( = 13) with extra daily supplements of 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25-OH-D3; 4 ĸIU), β-carotene (24 ĸIU), and copper ()-proteinate (45 mg) from day 90 of gestation to 21 d of lactation (). In each litter, 10 piglets were divided into 5 pairs received, at 2 () and 8 d () of age, one of the five combinations of micronutrient sources and routes of administration ( = 260 piglets total). These neonatal treatments (= 26 pairs or 52 piglets each) consisted of oral vitamin D3, retinol acetate and CuSO (); oral 25-OH-D3, β-carotene, and Cu proteinate (); exposure to ultraviolet light (), oral retinol palmitate and Cu gluconate (); intramuscular vitamin D3 and retinyl propionate and oral Cu acetate (); oral saline ().
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe groundbreaking discovery of vitamin E by Evans and Bishop in 1922 was an important milestone in vitamin research, inspiring further investigation into its crucial role in both human and animal nutrition. Supplementing vitamin E has been proved to enhance multiple key physiological systems such as the reproductive, circulatory, nervous and muscular systems. As the main antioxidant in the blood and on a cellular level, vitamin E maintains the integrity of both cellular and vascular membranes and thus modulates the immune system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- This study explored how vitamin B2 supplementation affects the microbiome in broiler chicken caeca by using multi-omic analysis techniques to cluster features and analyze biological pathways.
- Researchers found significant differences in the microbiome composition and metabolic pathways of chickens fed with 50 and 100 mg/kg of vitamin B2 compared to control groups, particularly noted at 14, 28, and 42 days.
- Key findings showed that vitamin B2 supplementation led to beneficial taxonomic changes and increased production of important metabolites such as myo-inositol, formic acid, amino acids, and pyruvate in the caeca of the broilers.
Body lesions in pigs are a common welfare concern, particularly during the weaning period. These lesions can lead to pain, infection, and impaired mobility, resulting in reduced growth performance and increased mortality. Moreover, weaning stress can affect gut microbiota, immune response and increase the oxidative stress of piglets during this transition period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Immediately after weaning, piglets are at risk for gastrointestinal infections, potentially worsened by low vitamin D levels impacting immune function.
- The study investigated the effects of two forms of vitamin D supplementation (vitamin D and 25-OH-D) on the vitamin D status of genetically susceptible piglets and their immune development following exposure to E. coli.
- Piglets were grouped and fed specific milk formulas until weaning, with various blood and intestinal samples collected at different stages to analyze how vitamin D influences immune responses during and after E. coli infection.