Oregano improves reproductive performance of sows

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.06.010

Theriogenology

Volume 63, Issue 3, February 2005, Pages 716-721

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.06.010 Get rights and content

Abstract

Natural herbs are being explored as alternatives to antimicrobials. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of strategic addition of oregano to prefarrowing and lactation diets of sows under field conditions. Alternate farrowing groups were given diets containing 1000 ppm oregano (dried leaf and flower of Origanum vulgare, enriched with 500 g/kg of cold-pressed essential oils of O. vulgare) in prefarrowing and lactation diets. Overall, 801 oregano-treated sows, including 601 primiparous and 1200 multiparous (parity 2.99 ± 0.43, mean ± S.E.) and 1809 untreated control sows (705 primiparous and 1104 multiparous; parity 3.04 ± 0.38), were used. Sows fed oregano had lower annual sow mortality rate (4.02 ± 0.4% versus 6.92 ± 1.11%, mean ± S.E.; P = 0.003), lower sow culling rate during lactation (8.01 ± 1.11% versus 14.02 ± 1.33%, P = 0.02), increased farrowing rate (77.02 ± 2.31% versus 69.91 ± 2.32%, P = 0.01), increased number of liveborn piglets per litter (10.49 ± 1.5 versus 9.95 ± 1.22, P < 0.05), and decreased stillbirth rate (0.909 ± 0.01 versus 0.807 ± 0.01, P = 0.05). In addition, multiparous sows fed oregano had higher (P = 0.04) daily voluntary feed intake compared to non-treated sows (7.7 ± 0.32 kg versus 7.0 ± 0.42 kg, P = 0.04). Additional studies are needed to elucidate the effects of oregano on the gastrointestinal, immune and urogenital system in swine and to determine if it has any adverse effects.

Introduction

Non-specific immunostimulators, synthetic peptides, natural herbs and fermentative microorganisms are currently being studied for their use in animal nutrition [1]. Probiotics, vitamins, amino acids and minerals are well established in animal nutrition for enhancement of immunity, altering microbial flora and reducing the incidence of disease [1]. Sow mortality markedly influences the economics of pig breeding units [1]. Although antimicrobial feed additives reduced infectious sow mortality [1], [2], European restrictions on use of antimicrobial feed additives were associated with increased sow mortality because of urogenital infections [1]. Furthermore, periparturient bacterial diseases significantly increased sow mortality [3].

Antimicrobial feed additives benefit production by increasing profitability [4], [5], reducing the discharge of animal wastes into the environment [6], and diminishing the number of pathogens [7]. Natural, safe and inexpensive feed additives that do not endanger the environment with residues in wastes would be of considerable benefit. It is noteworthy that there is a revival of phytogenic feed additives (especially oregano) in Eastern Europe [8], as a successful alternative to the prophylactic use of antibiotics against swine dysentery [9]. Oregano feed supplementation positively influenced daily feed intake, daily weight gains, and feed utilization in growing pigs [10], [11], [12] and improved farrowing rate in sows [8]. Khajarern and Khajarern [13] stated that origanum essential oils act not only as alternative antibacterial performance promoters, digestion aids, and appetite enhancers in sows, but also as natural feed additives, enhancing growth and reproductive performance in sows.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of strategic addition of oregano to prefarrowing and lactation diets of sows under field conditions. The hypothesis was that the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and appetite-enhancing ability of essential oils in oregano [8] would enhance voluntary daily feed intake and farrowing rate, reduce mortality and culling rates, improve liveborn litter size, and decrease stillbirth rate.

Section snippets

Management

This trial was performed in Alföld, Hungary from 1999–2003. A large indoor herd of 2100 sows of similar genetics, typical for this geographic area (F1 and F2 Large White X Landrace females mated to Duroc boars) was used. Replacement gilts (140–151 days of age) were introduced from the nucleus herd at an annual replacement rate of 39.1–48.2%. The animals were bred when standing estrus was first observed. Sows were artificially inseminated (AI) at first postweaning estrus; after positive

Results and discussion

Average voluntary daily feed intake was similar for oregano-supplemented and control primiparous sows (5.6 ± 0.71 kg versus 5.5 ± 0.80 kg, P > 0.05), but was higher in oregano-supplemented versus control multiparous sows (7.7 ± 0.32 kg versus 7.0 ± 0.42 kg, P = 0.04). Oregano treatment reduced annual sow mortality rate (4.02 ± 0.4% versus 6.92 ± 1.11%, P = 0.003) and reduced the rate of sow culling during lactation (8.01 ± 1.11% versus 14.02 ± 1.33%, P = 0.02). Furthermore, oregano treatment

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Retrospektive Untersuchung des Kombinationseffektes hoher Vitamin E- und pflanzlicher Oregano-Futterzusätze auf die Entwicklung von verzögert wachsenden Mastschweinen

Biol Tiermed

(2001)

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Oregano improves reproductive performance of sows

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Management

Results and discussion

Food Chem Toxicol

Pharm Acta Helv

Bericht über den peripartalen Krankheitskomplex der Muttersau in der industriellen Schweinezucht. 3. Mitteilung: Schlachtbefunde von Altsauen mit der Anamnese von peripartalen Erkrankungen

Berl Münch Tierärztl Wschr

Effect of dietary chlortetracycline during breeding and (or) farrowing and lactation on reproductive performance of sows: a cooperative study

J Anim Sci

Production related culling strategy in a large pig production unit

Pig J

Efficacy of the antimicrobial compound U-82,127 as a growth promoter for growing-finishing pigs

J Anim Sci

Survey of mortality in pig breeding herds

Proceedings of the 15th IPVS Congress Birmingham

Influence of avilamycin and tylosin on retention and excretion of nitrogen in finishing pigs

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr

Effect of salinomycin in the control of Clostridium perfringens type C infection in suckling pigs

Vet Rec

Herd health strategy for improving the reproductive performance of pigs. Proceedings of the Eighth “In-between” Symposium of the International Society for Animal Hygiene

Hung Vet J

Retrospektive Untersuchung des Kombinationseffektes hoher Vitamin E- und pflanzlicher Oregano-Futterzusätze auf die Entwicklung von verzögert wachsenden Mastschweinen

Biol Tiermed