Obesity of Sows at Late Pregnancy Aggravates Metabolic Disorder of Perinatal Sows and Affects Performance and Intestinal Health of Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Our novel findings suggest that excessive backfat thickness of sows at days 109 of gestation exacerbates the metabolic disorder of perinatal sows, reduces the number and litter weight of piglets born alive, and adversely affects the intestinal health of sows and their offspring piglets. Moreover, the current study also provides an important theoretical reference for strengthening the control of body condition in sows during reproductive cycle. ABSTRACT: This study explored the effect of obesity of sows in late pregnancy on metabolic status of perinatal sows and performance, intestinal health, and immune system of offspring piglets. Sixty multiparous Landrance × Large White sows were selected in this study. Sows were divided into two groups according to backfat thickness (normal backfat thickness group, =17 mm; excessive backfat thickness group, ≥21 mm) at days 109 of gestation. The excessive backfat thickness of sows during late pregnancy decreased the total number and litter weight of piglets born alive. Compared with normal backfat thickness sows, the excessive backfat thickness sows had increased levels of plasma glucose, IL-6, and TNF-α and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance values. The excessive backfat thickness also reduced total superoxide dismutase but increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in plasma of perinatal sows. Additionally, the fecal levels of TNF-α were increased but those of IL-10 were decreased in piglets from excessive backfat thickness sow. These findings indicate that the obesity of sows during late pregnancy aggravates the metabolic disorder of perinatal sows, reduces the number of piglets born alive, and adversely affects the intestinal health of sows and their offspring piglets.