L-arginine - Rethinking productivity and piglet survival
The increased attention to animal welfare and demands for a higher degree of survival for sows and pigs require new thinking in both management and nutrition. The genetic development has led to more pigs, but often with a lower litter weight and less uniformity as a result.
The amino acid L-arginine has recently received increased attention and has become popular as a supplement for gestating sows. Nutritionally, L-arginine plays the role of being a building block in muscles and also has several important physiological functions, e.g. for reproduction, immune function and growth and survival in piglets. In gestating sows, L-arginine has the function of being involved in the synthesis of a number of molecules which have functions for the development of the uterus and regulation of blood vessels and the blood supply. In this way, there will potentially be a greater supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetuses, with the result that pigs will have a higher average birth weight and fewer cases of IUGR pigs (a steep dolphin-like forehead and if they had one or more of the following characteristics: 2) bulging eyes, 3) wrinkles around the mouth, and 4) hair growth with no direction).
L-arginine is found naturally in cereals and other raw materials included in the feed ration. However, studies have shown that a higher supply of the sow is necessary to achieve larger newborn pigs and increased vitality. Preliminary feedback from the sow breeders who have started to use L-arginine is that they see positive effects on growth and survival of piglets.