The Effects of Red Meat or Sugar Supplementation during Gestation and Lactation on Maternal Reproduction, Maternal and Offspring Blood Parameters, and Offspring Body Composition

Abstract

Using swine as a model for humans, this study was conducted to examine whether maternal consumption of added protein (red meat) or free sugar (glucose) throughout gestation and lactation was associated with maternal reproduction, maternal and offspring blood parameters, and offspring mature body composition. Maternal breed of sows of at least one year of age at breeding were utilized. At D-40 of gestation, sows were randomly assigned to one of four dietary supplementation treatments 1) Control (CON): corn-soy gestation diet; 2) Beef (GB): 4 oz cooked beef patty; 3) Sugar (SUG): sugar on a caloric equivalent to the beef patty; 4) Half sugar and half beef (SB): a supplementation of a beef and sugar mixture. Fewest piglets farrowed per litter was seen in the CON sows when compared to GB, SUG or SB treatments (P<0.04), with no difference in total number farrowed between GB, SUG, and SB sows (P>0.6). Although GB sows had piglets with a lower average birth weight than CON sows (P=0.02) and no difference in average piglet growth during lactation (P=0.17) or in weaning weight (P=0.08). There were no (P>0.05) differences in traits measured in the sow (subcutaneous backfat depth, body weight, and energy balance). No treatment effect was seen in low-density lipoprotein (LDLch) (P=0.31); however, serum LDLch continued to decrease for SUG sows from early to late gestation. There were differences for high-density-lipoproteins (HDLch) with GB sows having the greatest HDLch levels when compared to CON and SUG during mid gestation (P=0.05 and 0.004, respectively). There were treatment differences seen during mid- and late gestation with GB sows having higher total cholesterol (TOTch) than SUG and CON sows (P<0.05). During mid gestation, TOTch was higher for GB than SB (P=0.006), resulting in lower TOTch for SB during late gestation (P=0.08). It can be concluded that the supplement provided during gestation and lactation, had a minimal effect on overall maternal reproduction, maternal and offspring blood parameters, and on mature body composition of offspring. Positive outcomes for offspring and mothers cannot be expected if the supplementation is not needed.