National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Z. Bi
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Y.H. Hu
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
F.Q. Wang
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
X.X. Wang
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Y.Z. Wang
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Z.Q. Lu
National Engineering Laboratory for Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Controlling, National Development and Reform Commission; Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.; Corresponding author.
Vitamin A is easily degraded by environmental factors. Therefore, it is very important to add antioxidants during Vitamin A production. In the past, ethoxyquin (EQ) was widely used, but recent studies have found that it has potential toxicity. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the antioxidant activities of 4 antioxidants in vitro: EQ, butylated hydroxytoluene, α-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid sodium salt (Vitamin C sodium). In vitro experiments showed that Vitamin C sodium had better antioxidant capacity. Then, we explored the effects of different antioxidant types of Vitamin A on the growth performance, immune function and antioxidant capacity of weaned pigs. In total, 288 weaned piglets with an initial mean BW of 8.34 ± 0.02 kg at 30 days old were randomly divided into three groups with four replicates and 24 piglets per replicate for 35 days of feeding. The experimental diets were as follows: i) basal diet without external Vitamin A (NC); ii) basal diet supplemented with 12000 IU/kg EQ Vitamin A and iii) basal diet supplemented with 12000 IU/kg Vitamin C sodium Vitamin A. On day 36, two pigs from each replicate were selected to collect serum samples. The in vivo results showed that pigs in the EQ Vitamin A and Vitamin C sodium Vitamin A groups had significantly higher final weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05). During the trial, the levels of IgG and glutathione peroxidase in the EQ Vitamin A and Vitamin C sodium Vitamin A groups were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P < 0.05), and the malondialdehyde content was significantly lower (P < 0.05). On the 36th day, the levels of IgA and total antioxidant capacity in the Vitamin C sodium Vitamin A group were significantly higher than those in the EQ Vitamin A and NC (P < 0.05) groups. Thus, Vitamin C sodium Vitamin A can significantly improve the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function of weaned pigs. Meanwhile, Vitamin C sodium may replace EQ as an antioxidant additive for Vitamin A.
