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Impact of an extended light regimen imposed during nursery period on the performance and lipid metabolism of weanling pigs |
Guangfan Liu1 
, Fen Su1
, Xingyue Zou1
, Xingming Yang2
, Liang Tian1,*
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1College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
2College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China |
Correspondence:
Liang Tian, Tel: +86-25-84399068, Email: tianliang2013@njau.edu.cn
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Received: 25 April 2024 • Revised: 5 July 2024 • Accepted: 6 September 2024 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
This study aimed to assess the impact of a prolonged photoperiod on the growth performance and lipid metabolism of weaned piglets.
Methods
Twenty-four piglets weaned at 28 days of age were randomly dichotomized into two groups that were alternatively subjected to either long photoperiod (LP) group (16 L:8 D) or short photoperiod (SP) group (10 L:14 D) for 42days. Four replicates of three animals per replicates were used per experimental treatment.
Results
Our results demonstrated that prolonged photoperiod increased piglet body weight, average daily weight gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF), backfat index during the nursery period, and increased ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and decreased the F/G of piglets during the experiment days 29 to 42. Meanwhile, we observed LP piglets’ plasma melatonin, growth hormone and serotonin levels were decreased at 14 d and 42 d compared to SP piglets. Moreover, up-regulated mRNA or protein expression of PPARγ and CEBPα, and lower mRNA or protein expression of MTR1, ATGL, HSL, PPARα, and CPT1α, were observed in back subcutaneous fat of LP group compared with that of SP group. Significant increases were observed in the mRNA or protein contents of lipogenic genes, including C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACCα, and FAS, in the liver of LP piglets, whereas CPT1α and ACOX1 mRNA levels and PPARα and MTR1 protein expression were significantly downregulated in LP group compared to SP group. Extended photoperiod also increased lipid content in longissimus dorsi muscle that was associated with higher mRNA or protein levels of SREBP-1c, ACCα, FAS, Pref1, and LPL, decreased mRNA or protein contents of LeptinR, MTR1, HSL, and ACOX1.
Conclusion
Together, these findings suggest that there is an advantage, in terms of growth performance and fat deposition, in imposing a prolonged light program (16-h light/d) on nursery piglets to alleviate the negative aspects of weaning stress. |
| Keywords:
Fat deposition; Melatonin; Photoperiod; Pigs; Weaning |
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