Determining the Effect of Pancreatic-like Enzymes (PLEMs) Added to the Feed of Pregnant Sows on Fetal Size of Piglets to Minimize IUGR Syndrome Caused by Fetal Malnutrition

The present study aimed to develop a feeding strategy for pregnant sows that involved the prenatal administration of a mixture of pancreatic-like fungal enzymes, such as lipase, amylase, and protease, at (1) 1-115 days of gestation (group D1) and (2) 80-115 days of gestation (group D2) and to carry out a comparison with groups of sows that were not receiving such supplementation (negative control (NC) and positive control (PC)). It was found that the administration of the enzyme supplement resulted in a significant shortening of gestation (p <= 0.01). The pancreatic enzymes administered to sows had a significant effect on the number of liveborn piglets and weaned piglets, which was higher compared with the control groups that did not receive supplementation: D1-12.1 +/- 1.1 and 11.12 +/- 1.1 and D2-12.8 +/- 1.3 and 11.75 +/- 0.07 vs. the control groups KN-10.7 +/- 1.0 and 9.62 +/- 0.95 and KP-10.9 +/- 1.2 and 10.15 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.006), respectively. Significant changes in piglet growth were observed after weaning up to 70 days of age. During this period, the most favorable growth parameters were observed in groups D2 (420 +/- 91 g) and PC (407 +/- 103 g), in which piglets obtained a mixture of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease) at 3 weeks of age, and significantly higher weight gain and feed intake were observed compared with groups NC (378 +/- 114 g) and D1 (381 +/- 96 g) (p <= 0.007). In contrast, insulin levels were significantly lower in groups D1 and D2, with values of 6.8 IU/mL and 6.7 IU/mL, respectively, compared with groups NC (14.6 IU/mL) and PC (16.6 IU/mL) (p <= 0.01). Piglets in group D2 had a significantly better feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.604 +/- 0.10 compared with the other dietary groups: KN-1.986 +/- 0.14; KP-1.704 +/- 0.11; and D1-1.932 +/- 0.15 (p <= 0.03). Histological imaging confirmed a significantly thicker intestinal epithelium and intestinal mesenteron in animals from groups D2 and PC (p <= 0.03). Animals from the groups KP, D1, and D2 receiving enzymes showed a highly significant increase in the surface area of pancreatic follicles and pancreatic surface area compared with the group without KN supplementation (p < 0.01). Furthermore, significantly higher activity of the brush border enzyme lactase was observed in groups D1, D2, and PC, with values of 32.90 +/- 3.99, 30.00 +/- 6.83, and 29.60 +/- 29.60, respectively, compared with group NC, with a value of 21.80 +/- 3.27 (p <= 0.01).