PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF VITAMIN E FROM SOWS SUPPLEMENTED WITH VITAMIN E

摘要

Supplementation of sow diets with vitamin E increases sow serum alpha tocopherol (AT) content and enhances health status (1, 2, 3). However, there is conflicting evidence concerning the placental transfer of vitamin E. Some reports suggested that thelow rate transfer of vitamin E across the placenta is not influenced by dietary supplementation with vitamin E during pregnancy (4, 5). On the other hand, an increase in neonatal piglet AT levels in response to supplementation of sows has been reported (1). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation of sow diets on transfer of vitamin E to piglets via placental transfer.