ICDSUPL4-A020

Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: A020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A020

Published online: 9 April 2025

ICDSUPL, 4, A020 (2025)

The effect of Clitoria ternatea L. supplementation on reproductive performance of Puławska breed sows

Magdalena Moczulska¹*, Marek Babicz¹, Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev²

¹ Sub-Department of Pig Breeding and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Breeding and Agricultural Consulting, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

²Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromathology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: magdalena.moczulska@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

Phytobiotics, preparations of plant origin containing biologically active substances of secondary metabolism, are increasingly used in farm animal nutrition. An example can be Clitoria ternatea – a perennial herbaceous plant from the legume family. Numerous scientific studies indicate its’ phytobiotic properties. Clitoria ternatea contains bioactive substances, including alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, resins, steroids, saponins, flavonoids and phenols. Although it is described as a factor modelling health and influencing the reproductive biology of experimental animals, i.e. rats and mice, there are no reports in the current literature on the use of this plant as an additive affecting the reproductive value of sows. The study aimed to determine the safety and effect of using Clitoria ternatea as a feed supplement in the diet of Puławska breed sows’ on their reproductive performance indicators. The experiment was conducted on 10 sows of the Puławska breed at the Experimental Farm of the ULSL in Czesławice, Poland. Pigs were fed a standard feed mixture. Two groups were created: control (no additive) and experimental one, receiving an additive in the form of an aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea flowers at a dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight. The experimental additive was introduced 14 days prior to parturition and was supplemented till the 14th day after parturition. The evaluated reproductive performance indicators were: the number of live-born piglets in a litter, the number of stillborn piglets in a litter, the number of piglets on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day of life and the day of weaning, the body weight of piglets on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st day of life and the day of weaning, and daily weight gain of piglets in the period from the 1st to the 7th day of lactation, from the 7th to the 14th day of lactation, from the 14th to the 21st day of lactation. No statistically significant differences were found between the control and experimental groups. This provides a basis for stating that Clitoria ternatea has no negative effect on the reproductive performance indicators of sows and can be safely used in the nutrition of pregnant and lactating sows.

Keywords: Clitoria ternatea L., animal nutrition, pigs, reproductive performance

How to cite

M. Moczulska, M. Babicz, E. Kowalczuk-Vasilev, 2025. The effect of Clitoria ternatea L. supplementation on reproductive performance of Puławska breed sows. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A020