The effect of polyphenols on the performance and antioxidant status of sows and piglets

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of polyphenols in pigs. The experiment was performed on 52 sows divided into 4 groups. Untreated control sows (group 1) were not administered vitamin E in the premixes. The diets of the experimental animals were supplemented with vitamin E in the amount of 50 mg (group 2) or 100 mg/kg diets (group 3) (gestation diets) and 75 mg (group 2) or 150 mg/kg diets (group 3) (lactation diets). The diets of group four sows were supplemented with vitamin E (50/75 mg/kg, gestation/lactation) and Proviox (polyphenols) (50/75 mg/kg, gestation/lactation). The influence of different dietary inclusion levels of vitamin E and vitamin E/polyphenols on the performance, vitamin E concentrations, and antioxidant status of sows and piglets was analysed. The sows whose diets were supplemented with vitamin E and polyphenols (50:50) were characterised by similar fertility, mating success, and litter performance as the group whose diets were supplemented with vitamin E only. The results of this study indicate that sows receiving vitamin E and polyphenols and their progeny were characterised by similar or improved vitamin E status and improved antioxidant status compared with the animals whose diets were supplemented with 100 mg/150 mg of vitamin E/kg diet. It can be concluded that the replacement of 50% of dietary vitamin E with polyphenols did not compromise the growth performance of sows or piglets and improved their antioxidant status