Effects of Soybean Isoflavone and Astragalus Polysaccharide Mixture on Colostrum Components, Serum Antioxidant, Immune and Hormone Levels of Lactating Sows

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The reproductive performance of sows plays an important role in the development of the pig industry. The health status during gestation and lactation capacity of sows determines the healthy development and later growth status of piglets. This study aimed to investigate the effects of soybean isoflavone and astragalus polysaccharide mixture on the colostrum components, and serum antioxidant activities, immune function, and hormone levels of lactating sows. Results showed that the soybean isoflavone and astragalus polysaccharide mixture increased the total lactation yield in the lactating phase, and improved the antioxidant, immune and hormone levels in the serum of lactating sows. In conclusion, the soybean isoflavone and astragalus polysaccharide mixture can improve the average daily feed intake, lactation yield, serum antioxidant activity, immune function, and the hormone levels of lactating sows, and the optimum dosage in this study was 200 mg/kg. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of the soybean isoflavone and astragalus polysaccharide mixture application in the production of lactating sows and a reference basis for the development of green feed additives. ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of soybean isoflavone (SI) and astragalus polysaccharide (APS) mixture on the colostrum components, serum antioxidant, immune and hormone levels of lactating sows. A total of 72 healthy Yorkshire × Landrace lactating sows, were randomly divided into four treatments with six replicates and three lactating sows for each replicate. The control group was fed the basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed the basal diet with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg SI and APS mixture in the form of powder, respectively. Compared with the control group, (a) the total lactation yield of the 200 mg/kg group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at 21 days, (b) there was no significant difference in colostrum composition, (c) TG, CHO and MDA content in each treatment group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), (d) IgA, GH, IGF-1, TNF-α and SOD contents in the 200 mg/kg group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The SI and APS mixture could improve the average daily feed intake, lactation yield, serum antioxidant activities, immune function, and hormone levels of lactating sows, and the optimum dosage in this study was 200 mg/kg.