Effect of Neonatal Interventions with Specific Micronutrients and Bovine Colostrum on Micronutrient and Oxidative Statuses and on Gut Microbiota in Piglets from Birth to Post-Weaning Period.

This study aimed to determine the impact of supplementations of copper, vitamins A and D (ADCU), and a bovine colostrum extract (BC) on the micronutrient status, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of piglets until the post-weaning period. Twenty-three sows were fed conventional gestation and lactation diets, and twenty-four sows were fed conventional diets supplemented with ADCU. For each litter, all piglets received one of four treatments during lactation: no supplementation; ADCU; BC; and ADCU + BC.

Different vitamin D supplementation strategies impact serum vitamin D concentrations and the mRNA expression of genes related to vitamin D metabolism, mitochondria respiration, redox balance, and immune system in weanling piglets.

This study compared the effects of different vitamin D supplementation strategies to pre- and post-weaning piglets on vitamin D metabolism and health-related parameters. Sixty Yorkshire-Landrace × Duroc suckling piglets were selected at the first day of age and randomly assigned to one of two vitamin D supplementation strategies (n = 30 pigs per treatment): CTR - oral saline at days 2, 8 and 21 of age and, from weaning (day 21), in-feed supplementation with 2000 IU of vitamin D as cholecalciferol; and VD - oral 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) solution at days 2, 8 and 21 of age plus 15-minute exposure to UVB light every second day from day 14 until day 21 and, from weaning, in-feed supplementation with 2000 IU of vitamin D as 25(OH)D3. Piglets were slaughtered (n = 10 pigs per treatment/day) at days 21 (before start in-feed experimental diets), 28 and 35 and blood and tissues samples (jejunum, liver and kidney) were collected.

Effects of sources and routes of administration of vitamins A, D and copper on postnatal status of these micronutrients in piglets.

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 ().

Effects of high levels of zinc oxide and dietary zinc/copper ratios on the metabolism of iron in weaned pigs.

The present study compares the use different levels of dietary zinc oxide and zinc/copper ratios on the metabolism of iron (Fe) in weaned pigs. Two experiments were conducted using 120 and 160 weanling piglets (7.96 ± 1.

Improving implementation of best practices in obesity management: Physician experiences in obesity care.

In this study, we sought to analyse experiences in weight management among physicians working in the area of obesity and contrast these experiences with best practices. By understanding experiences of physicians working in obesity management, we can better support implementation of best practices in their day-to-day practice. An online survey of Canadian primary care physicians, internists and endocrinologists recruited from a nationwide market research database was conducted.