Suplementação de β-caroteno para porcas em lactação: concentração de β-caroteno no colostro, leite e sangue

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the supplementation of β-carotene for female swine, on the concentration of this compound in colostrum, milk and blood of sows and piglets. Thirty-six sows of the Topigs Norsvin do Brasil® TN70 strain were used, from third to fifth birth order, distributed in a randomized block design, with three levels of β-carotene supplementation: B0 - diet without β-carotene supplementation; B200 - diet supplemented with 200 mg of β-carotene per animal per day and B400 - diet supplemented with 400 mg of β-carotene per animal per day. Colostrum, milk and blood samples from sows and piglets were collected to determine β-carotene concentration by spectrophotometry. There was no effect of β-carotene supplementation on the concentration of β-carotene in colostrum and sow milk. There was also no effect of β-carotene supplementation on the serum level of β-carotene in sows and piglets at 14 days of age. It is concluded that β-carotene supplementation for lactating sows does not increase the concentration of β-carotene in colostrum, milk and blood of sows and piglets. Keywords: pig farming, antioxidant, provitamin