AUTHOR=Luo Zhenfu , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zeng Liming , Yin Jie , Zeng Qinghua , Li Xilong , He Jianhua , Wang Jing , Tan Bi'e 

TITLE=Effects of Fermented Radix puerariae Residue on Nutrient Digestibility and Reproductive Performance of Sows

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.715713

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2021.715713

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented Radix puerariae residue (FRPR) on reproductive performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents of sows. A total of 36 Landrace× Large White multiparous sows were randomly arranged into three treatments, representing supplementation with 0, 2%, and 4% FRPR to a corn-soybean meal and wheat bran-based diet during the whole gestation period. The results showed that dietary FRPR had no effects on litter size and the number of total alive piglets (P > 0.05). But the number of weaned piglets and weaning weight of litter were increased in sows of 4% FRPR treatment compared with control treatment (P < 0.05). Dietary 4% FRPR significantly decreased constipation rate, improved the ATTD of dry matter and organics, and the fecal contents of acetate, propionate, and total SCFAs (P < 0.05). In the offspring piglets, serum concentrations of total protein, alkaline phosphatase, IgG, IL-10, and TGF-β were increased but blood urea nitrogen content was decreased in 4% FRPR treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in all determined index except for fecal acetic acid and total SCFAs between control and 2% FRPR treatment (P > 0.05). These findings indicated that FRPR was used in the sow’s diets to show the positive effects on the fecal characteristics, utilization of nutrients, and reproductive performance. Maternal supplementation with 4% FRPR was recommended for improving immune responses, weaning litter size and litter weight of offspring piglets, which provides useful information for the application of residues of Radix puerariae.