The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI−1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow’s body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI−1, TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI−1, BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI−1, lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.

This study evaluated the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica L. supplementation on gilts during late gestation and lactation, particularly on their biochemical parameters and voluntary feed intake (VFI) at lactation. Thirty-two gilts were randomly distributed into two groups: control group (CG), gilts fed conventionally and experimental group (EG), gilts fed commercial feed plus O. ficus-indica. Glucose concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in the EG. Insulin concentration was higher in the gilts that consumed O. Ficus-indica. Triglyceride’s concentration was lower (P < 0.05) at gestation, farrowing and lactation in the EG. Total cholesterol was higher (P < 0.05) in gestation and lactation in the CG. HDL present higher concentration in lactation in the gilts that consumed O. Ficus-indica. LDL concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in gestation and lactation in the CG. Leptin concentration was higher (P < 0.05) at lactation in the CG. The gilts of the EG had higher VFI (22.6% more) and presented less body weight loss (3.7% less) at weaning (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that O. Ficus-indica favourably regulates the biochemical indicators involved in the development of insulin resistance, and this is reflected in the higher VFI and lesser body weight loss at weaning.

The regulation of sows’ metabolic state during the gestation-lactation transition is a requirement for a higher feed intake in lactation, an important aspect in improving animal welfare in current swine production systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of different cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) levels in the diet of gilts during late gestation and lactation on their biochemical parameters and voluntary feed intake during lactation. From day 85 of gestation until weaning, 40 gilts were divided into four groups: GNC (group with no cactus) with a basal diet (BD) only, G1C; group with 1% inclusion of cactus plus BD, G2C; group with 1.5% inclusion of cactus plus BD, and G3C; group with 2% inclusion of cactus plus BD. The dietary cactus supplementation increased the gilts’ feed intake (by 1.04 kg/day on average) during lactation and reduced their weight loss (4.3%) at weaning. The glucose concentrations were higher (range 73.0–83.9 mg/dL) in the GNC. The GNC had the highest triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations at day 100 of gestation. G3C had the highest osteocalcin concentration at day 100 of gestation. The highest feed intake and lowest glucose concentration were achieved with a cactus consumption of 1.04% in lactating gilts.

The effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) added to the diet of lactating (21 days of lactation) sows on voluntary feed intake, and its impact on the productive and reproductive post-weaning performance was evaluated. Data collected of 72 farrowings from 37 hybrid sows were analyzed during 12-month period. The sows were divided into two groups: (i) control group (CG; n = 18 sows), sows fed only with commercial feed, and (ii) experimental group (EG; n = 19 sows), sows fed with commercial feed plus cactus supplement. The variables evaluated were blood glucose (BG), daily feed intake (DFI) and total feed intake (TFI), loss of body weight (LBW), weaning-estrus interval (WEI), and subsequent litter size (SLS). Data analysis was carried out using fixed effects models. A nested effect was found for farrowing number (FN) into of group and an interaction group × season on the analyzed variables (P < 0.001). EG observed lower levels of BG with 47.0 ± 7.9 mg dL⁻¹ pre-prandial and 56.1 ± 5.9 mg dL⁻¹ post-prandial at the 10th day of lactation (P < 0.05). DFI and TFI were higher in the sows of the EG independently of the FN and season (P < 0.05). No differeces were observed on the nested effect of FN into group on the levels of BG (P < 0.05). Autumn showed the higher TFI: 121.4 kg⁻¹ sow⁻¹ (P < 0.05). Sows from CG 3rd farrowing and from EG 4th farrowing observed higher LBW (13.8 and 6.9%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Summer showed a higher LBW with 12.7% for CG and 8.2% for EG (P < 0.05). EG showed a lower WEI (5.5 days) and greater SLS up to 1.8 piglets more depending upon the season (P < 0.05). The lactating sow’s diet supplemented with cactus can counterbalance the negative effects of lactational hypophagia due to reduction on levels of BG during lactation and an increase on DFI and, therefore, improves performance of LBW, WEI, and SLS.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of strategic nutrient reduction in combination with exogenous enzymes (phytase, pectinase, and β-glucanase) on mineral and energy balance in growing pigs.Methods: Twenty-four barrows (age: 97±5 days) with an average initial body weight of 49.26±0.42 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates under controlled conditions. Diets were offered for 10 days, consisting of a 5-day adaptation period followed by a 5-day total-collection balance period. Pigs were assigned to four experimental treatments: a positive control diet (PC-100) with standard levels of metabolizable energy (ME), calcium, phosphorus, and mineral premix; a negative control diet (NC-100) with the same mineral premix but reduced by 100 kcal/kg ME, 0.05% calcium, and 0.10% phosphorus, supplemented with the enzyme blend; and two additional diets based on NC-100 with a 33% (NC-67) and 66% (NC-34) reduction in the mineral premix. Productive performance, apparent fecal digestibility (AFD), nutrient retention, and energy efficiency were measured.Results: Results showed that mineral reduction (33% and 66% vs. the recommended level) together with exogenous enzymes did not affect daily weight gain or feed efficiency (p>0.05). However, a significant decreased total nitrogen excretion (from 13.66 to 10.72 g/day; p<0.001), and increased proportion of retained nitrogen relative to absorbed nitrogen (from 73.46% in PC-100 to 81.69% in NC-34; p = 0.0025) were observed. AFD of phosphorus improved with enzyme supplementation (up to 74.89% in NC-100; p<0.01), and zinc digestibility increased significantly with mineral premix reduction (up to 50.01% in NC-34; p<0.01). ME remained stable among treatments (p = 0.06), with average values ranging from 3,593 to 3,642 kcal/kg.Conclusion: Strategic reduction of dietary minerals (33% and 66% vs. the recommended level), and energy, in combination with exogenous enzymes, improved nutrient utilization without negatively affecting short-term growth performance in growing pigs.