Determining the Effect of Pancreatic-like Enzymes (PLEMs) Added to the Feed of Pregnant Sows on Fetal Size of Piglets to Minimize IUGR Syndrome Caused by Fetal Malnutrition

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of enzymes of microbiological origin with pancreatic profiles added to the feed of pregnant sows on fetal size in order to minimize IUGR caused by fetal malnutrition. IUGR, understood as impaired growth and development of mammalian feti or their organs during pregnancy, is a serious problem in pig production. Restriction of fetal growth reduces the piglet survival rate, inhibits postnatal development, permanently weakens health, and also reduces pig production performance, negatively affecting meat quality. The research hypothesis was that the administration of PLEMs to sows would increase the uptake of nutrients by the feti, contributing to an increase in the piglets’ birth weight and survival rate, ensuring the proper growth and development of pigs. The development of effective strategies to reduce the incidence of IUGR and its effects will therefore improve the profitability of pig production. In conclusion, we can conclude that the use of fungal enzymes with pancreatic profiles has beneficial effects on piglets’ rearing rates, the development of their digestive tracts, and the activity of brush edge enzymes. It can be further concluded that the IUGR syndrome can be induced in pigs via the mother’s diet during pregnancy. ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to develop a feeding strategy for pregnant sows that involved the prenatal administration of a mixture of pancreatic-like fungal enzymes, such as lipase, amylase, and protease, at (1) 1–115 days of gestation (group D1) and (2) 80–115 days of gestation (group D2) and to carry out a comparison with groups of sows that were not receiving such supplementation (negative control (NC) and positive control (PC)). It was found that the administration of the enzyme supplement resulted in a significant shortening of gestation (p ≤ 0.01). The pancreatic enzymes administered to sows had a significant effect on the number of liveborn piglets and weaned piglets, which was higher compared with the control groups that did not receive supplementation: D1—12.1 ± 1.1 and 11.12 ± 1.1 and D2—12.8 ± 1.3 and 11.75 ± 0.07 vs. the control groups KN—10.7 ± 1.0 and 9.62 ± 0.95 and KP—10.9 ± 1.2 and 10.15 ± 1.0 (p < 0.006), respectively. Significant changes in piglet growth were observed after weaning up to 70 days of age. During this period, the most favorable growth parameters were observed in groups D2 (420 ± 91 g) and PC (407 ± 103 g), in which piglets obtained a mixture of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease) at 3 weeks of age, and significantly higher weight gain and feed intake were observed compared with groups NC (378 ± 114 g) and D1 (381 ± 96 g) (p ≤ 0.007). In contrast, insulin levels were significantly lower in groups D1 and D2, with values of 6.8 IU/mL and 6.7 IU/mL, respectively, compared with groups NC (14.6 IU/mL) and PC (16.6 IU/mL) (p ≤ 0.01). Piglets in group D2 had a significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.604 ± 0.10 compared with the other dietary groups: KN—1.986 ± 0.14; KP—1.704 ± 0.11; and D1—1.932 ± 0.15 (p ≤ 0.03). Histological imaging confirmed a significantly thicker intestinal epithelium and intestinal mesenteron in animals from groups D2 and PC (p ≤ 0.03). Animals from the groups KP, D1, and D2 receiving enzymes showed a highly significant increase in the surface area of pancreatic follicles and pancreatic surface area compared with the group without KN supplementation (p < 0.01). Furthermore, significantly higher activity of the brush border enzyme lactase was observed in groups D1, D2, and PC, with values of 32.90 ± 3.99, 30.00 ± 6.83, and 29.60 ± 29.60, respectively, compared with group NC, with a value of 21.80 ± 3.27 (p ≤ 0.01).