Utilization of medium-chain triglycerides by neonatal piglets: I. Effects on milk consumption and body fuel utilization.

Two experiments were conducted utilizing neonatal piglets. In the first experiment, 18 piglets were used to determine the effect of an oral supplement of 0, 12 or 24 ml of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) product on subsequent milk consumption. Results from the weight-suckle-weight experiment showed that force-feeding 24 ml of the MCT decreased (P less than .05) milk intake but 12 ml did not. In the second experiment, two trials (each with 24 piglets) were used to investigate the effect of 12 ml of MCT or 12 ml of MCT plus .6 mmol of L-carnitine on the concentration of blood glucose, ammonium N and urea N at 0, 12 or 24 h and liver and biceps femoris glycogen at 24 h post-treatment. Blood urea N decreased (P less than .05) in piglets receiving the MCT. Blood ammonium N and glucose concentrations were not different (P greater than .10) among treatments. In Trial 1, the predicted loss of liver glycogen was less (P less than .05) in pigs given the MCT treatment, but this response was not repeated in the second trial. In general, supplemental carnitine provided no added benefit over the MCT treatment alone. The results from this study indicate that MCT is utilized as a fuel by the newborn piglet and that its use may spare critical fuels, glycogen and protein, that were stored in the piglet prior to birth.