Maternal Supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii during Late-Gestation through Lactation Differentially Modulated Immune Status and Stress Responsiveness of the Progeny to Farrowing and Weaning Stressors

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The present study offers insights into the prenatal and postnatal maternal effects of feeding probiotics to pregnant sows from late-gestation through lactation on progeny immune status and stress responsiveness at birth, suckling, and through 14 days post-weaning. These results provide evidence that the neonate’s immune system and stress responsiveness can be modulated in utero by feeding sows probiotics during gestation. Some immune parameters are also affected through the suckling period. Moreover, the progeny’s immune status and cortisol profiles were differentially affected by weaning stress, and these effects were apparent up to 14-days post-weaning. These results suggest that it is plausible to affect the progeny’s immune status and stress responsiveness in response via feeding the sow probiotics for 60 days. ABSTRACT: The study aimed to investigate and characterize the maternal effects of feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boularddii (Scb) to sows from late-gestation through lactation on progeny cortisol, immune status, and stress responsiveness from birth to 14 days post-weaning. Eighty-four piglets were born to sows fed control (CON) or probiotic (PRO) boluses twice daily for 59 days. Blood samples were obtained at birth and 24 h later to assess prenatal effects; 7, 14, and 21 day-of-age to assess potential developmental effects; and at 24 h, 7, and 14 days post-weaning to assess the effects of weaning stress on immune and cortisol responses. Pigs born to PRO sows had less robust cortisol response and enhanced immune parameters at birth and 24 h later, indicating less stress. In response to weaning, pigs born to and nursed by PRO sows displayed unique cortisol and immune profiles than CON pigs. These results indicate that feeding sows Scb probiotics during late gestation reduces stress responsiveness to farrowing stress while increasing immune cell populations. Pigs nursed by PRO sows had a more robust initial cortisol response and enhanced neutrophil function and B-cell lymphocyte proliferation in response to weaning stress. These data imply it may be possible to maternally alter immune and stress responses in utero and during suckling in the short-term and up to 14 days post-weaning. However, more research is needed to optimize this strategy.