Effects of dietary cinnamaldehyde supplementation in the perinatal period on reproductive performance, milk composition, redox status and gut microbiota of sows

Improving sow health during the perinatal period is crucial for reproductive performance. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), a naturally occurring compound, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary CA supplementation during the perinatal period on reproductive performance, milk composition, redox status, and gut microbiota of sows. Forty DanBred sows were randomly divided into two groups and fed either a basal (CON) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg CA from day 107 of gestation to day 7 of lactation. The results showed that dietary CA supplementation decreased farrowing duration (-78 min, <i>P</i> = 0.031) and tended to increase the concentrations of crude fat (<i>P</i> = 0.070) and dry matter (<i>P</i> = 0.078) in colostrum. Additionally, CA increased plasma glucose (<i>P</i> = 0.012) and decreased non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations (<i>P</i> < 0.05) at farrowing. CA also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (<i>P</i> = 0.048) and tended to increase plasma total superoxide dismutase activity (<i>P</i> = 0.084) at farrowing. Furthermore, CA supplementation increased the average daily gain (ADG) of piglets during days 15 to 21 of lactation (<i>P</i> = 0.040) and tended to increase the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows during days 8 to 14 of lactation (<i>P</i> = 0.059). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CA increased the relative abundances of <i>g_Roseburia</i>, <i>s_Ruminococcus_flavefaciens</i>, <i>g_UCG_012</i>, f_p_251_o5, and o_Lachnospirales at farrowing, along with increased fecal propionate (<i>P</i> = 0.027) and butyrate contents (<i>P</i> = 0.057). Correlation analysis indicated that the relative abundances of <i>g_Roseburia</i> and o_Lachnospiraceae were positively correlated with plasma glucose, while the relative abundances of <i>s_Ruminococcus_flavefaciens</i> and <i>g_UCG_012</i> were negatively correlated with plasma TG concentration, and o_Lachnospirales abundance was negatively correlated with plasma NEFA concentration at farrowing. Additionally, plasma MDA concentration was positively correlated with mean birth interval, and glutathione peroxidase activity was positively correlated with ADFI. In conclusion, dietary CA supplementation during the perinatal period can shorten farrowing duration, improve colostrum composition, and enhance the growth rate of suckling piglets in late lactation, likely due to its positive effects on energy metabolism, redox status, and gut microbiota around parturition.