Objectives

Evaluate different sources and levels of selenium in sow diets with the goal of optimizing piglets  health during lactation and preventing post-weaning intestinal disorders that lead to diarrhea.

More specifically:
 

• Determine the best selenium source (inorganic vs organic) and the optimal level (0.3 vs 1.0 ppm) for pregnant and lactating sows to significantly improve selenium status and antioxidant levels in sows, enhance piglets vitality and survival during lactation, and increase the immunoglobulin and selenium content in colostrum;

 

• Evaluate the impact of such supplementation on selenium blood levels, antioxidant and immune status of piglet during lactation and weaning, as well as cellular ATP synthesis, piglet intestinal development (metabolic mechanisms and morphology), growth performance and the prevalence of diarrhea in weaning piglets.