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Effect of capsaicin on the feed intake and immunoglobin concentration of sows, and performance of piglets

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Abstract

Capsaicin is a recognized alkaloid that can be used as a flavoring and palatability agent. These effects can increase feed intake in lactating sows during farrowing, especially under thermal stress conditions, and provide antioxidant and immunostimulant activities. The objective of this work was to find out the effects of a capsaicin-based product on the feed intake of sows, immunomodulation, and repercussions on litter performance and the control of piglet diarrhea conditions. A total of 132 pregnant sows and lactating sows and their respective litters were divided into 66 sows each and submitted to one of two possible treatments: a capsaicin-free diet (control group) or capsaicin per meal/day. Capsaicin was mixed with gestation and lactation diets in the proportion of 98.6 g of feed and 1.4 g of capsaicin/kg feed, with the dose administered “on top” of 100 g per treatment day on the first feeding. The sows were treated between 90 days of gestation and 21 days of lactation. Backfat thickness, feed intake during farrowing, colostrum production, IgG colostrum concentration, sow reproductive performance, piglet performance, and diarrhea were evaluated. Compared to the sows in the control group, those that received capsaicin had higher feed intake (+ 0.69 kg/day during lactation, P = 0.008), higher levels of IgG in colostrum (185.75 versus 153.80 mg/mL, P = 0.04), an 11.2% higher litter weight gain, with individual piglet weight gains greater than 5.24% (P = 0.045), and an effective reduction in the frequency of piglet diarrhea on the 10th and 17th days of age (P = 0.013 and P = 0.001, respectively). Capsaicin is an additive with potential effects on the sow’s performance, with positive influences on the health and growth of suckling piglets.

Highlights

  • Sows are challenged by higher prolificity and an increase in temperature.

  • Capsaicin can improve the maternity performance of piglets and increase sow feed intake.

  • Capsaicin can stimulate greater production of immunoglobulins and reduce diarrhea in litters.

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All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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Author notes

  1. C. A. Silva

    Present address: Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, UEL, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, UEL, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil

    D. C. A. Moraes, J. G. Nagi & A. Oba

  2. Animal Virology Laboratory, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, UEL, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil

    J. Fritzen

  3. Consultant Project, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    L. A. Vitagliano

  4. Project Coordinator, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    E. R. Oliveira

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  1. D. C. A. Moraes
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  4. L. A. Vitagliano
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  5. E. R. Oliveira
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Contributions

All authors contributed equally to this work, from design until final version. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

D. C. A. M., L. A. V., E. R. O., and C. A. S. conceived and designed the research.

D. C. A. M. conducted the experiment. J. G. N. and E. R. O. helped during the experiment.

J. F. performed the tests in the laboratory.

D. C. A. M., A. O., and C. A. S. analyzed the data.

D. C. A. M. wrote the manuscript. C. A. S. revised the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. C. A. Moraes.

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Moraes, D.C.A., Nagi, J.G., Fritzen, J. et al. Effect of capsaicin on the feed intake and immunoglobin concentration of sows, and performance of piglets. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 241 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03233-4

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