SUPPLEMENTS OF COD-LIVER OIL TO LACTATING SOWS - INFLUENCE ON MILK FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION AND GROWTH-PERFORMANCE OF PIGLETS

Twelve sows received a supplement of 50 ml cod liver oil, without vita min A and D, daily from day 107 of gestation until weaning. Eight sows served as control. A milk sample was obtained from each sow at partur ition and on day 14 of lactation. The piglets were weighed at birth, o n days 7, 14 and on the day of weaning. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, n -3) (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid; (22:5, n-3) (DPA) were found in milk fat from all sows. At part urition the contents of EPA, DPA and DHA were significantly higher in the group given cod liver oil supplement. After 2 weeks of lactation o nly EPA and DHA were elevated compared with the non-supplemented group . No effect on weight gain or on the overall morbidity of the piglets was found. The animal health in this farm was very good, and the growt h rate faster than the average for Norwegian pigs.