Effect of dietary betaine supplementation on production and reproductive performance, milk composition and serum antioxidant profile in gestating sows

Present study was conducted to study the effect of betaine supplementation on production and reproductive performance, milk composition and serum antioxidant profile in gestating sows. For the study, 18 artificially inseminated crossbred (Landrace × Desi) sows were randomly distributed into three groups containing 6 sow each in completely randomized design (CRD). T0 (control) group was supplemented with basal diet, whereas, T1 and T2 groups were fed basal diet supplemented with betaine @ 3 g/kg DM during late gestation (-76 days to farrowing) and throughout the length of gestation, respectively. Litter size at weaning was significantly increased in T2 group as compared to control. Litter weight at weaning (kg) was significantly increased and weaning to estrus interval (days) was significantly decreased in T1 and T2 groups as compared to control. Serum superoxide dismutase level (ng/ml) was unaffected following betaine supplementation. Whereas, serum catalase level (ng/ml) and total antioxidant activity (Mmol/l) was significantly improved while malondialdehyde level (Mmol/l) was significantly reduced in betaine supplemented groups compared to control group. Thus, it can be concluded that, dietary betaine supplementation @ 3 g/kg throughout the length of gestation was helpful in improving reproduction performance, anti-oxidant defense as well as welfare of the pregnant sows.