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 vitamin 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 parturition and on day 14 of lactation. The piglets were weighed at birth, on 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 parturition the contents of EPA, DPA and DHA were significantly higher in the group given cod liver oil supplement. After 2 weeks of lactation only 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 growth rate faster than the average for Norwegian pigs.