Researchers tested whether adding a natural supplement called chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) to pig feed could help mother pigs have healthier babies and better milk. They gave some pregnant pigs this supplement and others didn’t, then tracked what happened to the mothers and their piglets. The pigs that got the supplement had better reproductive success, made better milk, and their babies had stronger immune systems and healthier digestive systems. This suggests the supplement could be a simple way to improve pig health on farms.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding a natural substance called chitosan oligosaccharide to mother pig feed would improve their health, milk quality, and their babies’ digestive and immune system development
  • Who participated: 40 pregnant pigs (average of 4 previous pregnancies each) divided into two equal groups, plus their piglets that were tracked from birth through weaning
  • Key finding: Mother pigs given the supplement had shorter recovery times after weaning, better milk quality, and their babies showed stronger immune responses and healthier gut development compared to piglets from mothers without the supplement
  • What it means for you: While this research is about pigs, it suggests that natural supplements may help improve reproductive health and immune function in mammals. However, this is animal research and would need human studies before any application to people.

The Research Details

Scientists divided 40 pregnant pigs into two groups at day 90 of pregnancy. One group ate regular feed (control group) while the other group ate the same feed with 100 mg of chitosan oligosaccharide added per kilogram of feed. This continued through pregnancy and nursing. Then, when piglets were 24 days old, they created four different groups by combining mother pig diets with piglet diets—some piglets got the supplement too, and some didn’t. This allowed researchers to see if the supplement helped when given to mothers, babies, or both.

Researchers measured many things: how quickly mother pigs returned to normal after weaning, the quality of their milk, and in the piglets they measured immune system markers, digestive system development, and the types of bacteria living in their guts. They collected samples at different ages to track changes over time.

This approach is called a factorial design, which means researchers can test multiple factors at once and see how they work together. It’s an efficient way to understand complex biological systems.

Understanding how nutrition affects reproductive health and immune development is important for agriculture and potentially for understanding similar processes in other mammals. By testing the supplement at different life stages (pregnancy, nursing, and after weaning), researchers could identify the best timing for maximum benefit. This type of controlled study helps separate what actually works from what just seems to work.

This study was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered a strong research design. The researchers randomly assigned pigs to groups, which reduces bias. They measured multiple outcomes using established scientific methods. However, the sample size of 40 pigs is moderate—larger studies would provide more confidence in the results. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. The research was conducted in a controlled farm environment, which is realistic but may not capture all real-world variations.

What the Results Show

Mother pigs that received the chitosan oligosaccharide supplement showed improved reproductive performance. Specifically, they returned to normal reproductive cycles faster after weaning their piglets compared to mothers without the supplement. Their milk also had better nutritional composition, which could help piglets grow stronger.

Newborn piglets from supplemented mothers showed stronger immune responses at just 2 days old. Their intestines had higher levels of protective immune molecules (IL-10 and IFN-γ) and showed better development of intestinal barrier proteins. This suggests the supplement helped prepare their immune systems early in life.

When piglets were weaned at 24 days old, those whose mothers received the supplement had healthier gut bacteria populations—specifically more beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria and fewer potentially harmful E. coli. They also had higher levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (butyrate and propionate) in their digestive systems, which are important for gut health.

The most impressive results came when both mother and piglet received the supplement. These piglets showed the best intestinal growth and development, suggesting that timing the supplement at multiple life stages provides the most benefit.

Additional measurements showed that piglets receiving the supplement had better expression of genes related to intestinal health and nutrient absorption. The supplement appeared to strengthen the intestinal barrier, which helps prevent harmful bacteria from entering the bloodstream. Immune markers in the intestinal tissue showed beneficial changes, indicating a more balanced immune response. The supplement also appeared to support better nutrient metabolism in the piglets’ developing digestive systems.

This research builds on previous studies showing that chitosan and similar compounds can support gut health and immune function. The findings align with earlier research suggesting that maternal nutrition affects offspring immune development. However, this study is notable for testing the supplement at multiple life stages and measuring both mother and baby outcomes, which provides a more complete picture than many previous studies. The results support the growing body of evidence that natural compounds can influence gut bacteria composition and immune development.

The study was conducted only in pigs, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans. The sample size of 40 pigs is relatively small—larger studies would provide stronger evidence. The study measured outcomes only up to weaning; longer-term effects beyond this point are unknown. The supplement was tested at only one dose level (100 mg/kg), so optimal dosing remains unclear. The study was conducted in a controlled farm environment, which may not reflect all real-world farming conditions. Finally, while the results are promising, the mechanisms explaining exactly how the supplement works aren’t fully understood.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, chitosan oligosaccharide supplementation appears promising for improving reproductive performance in breeding animals and supporting immune and digestive development in offspring. The evidence is moderate strength—the study was well-designed but involved a relatively small number of animals. For farmers considering this supplement, the most effective approach appears to be supplementing both mother animals during pregnancy and nursing, and offspring after weaning. However, consultation with a veterinarian is recommended before implementation.

This research is most relevant to pig farmers and veterinarians managing breeding herds. It may also interest researchers studying maternal nutrition, immune development, and gut health in other species. While the findings are interesting from a biological perspective, they don’t currently apply to human nutrition without further research. People interested in natural supplements for immune and digestive health may find this research encouraging, but human studies would be needed before drawing conclusions.

In the pigs studied, benefits appeared relatively quickly—immune markers changed within 2 days of birth, and digestive improvements were measurable by 24 days of age. If applied to farming, farmers might expect to see improvements in reproductive cycles within one breeding season and in offspring health within the first few weeks of life. However, long-term effects beyond the study period are unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If tracking supplement use for animals, users could monitor: (1) Time from weaning to return of normal reproductive cycles (measured in days), (2) Offspring health markers like growth rate and disease incidence, and (3) Digestive health indicators such as stool consistency and feed conversion efficiency
  • For farmers using a nutrition tracking app: Log daily supplement administration to mother animals during pregnancy and nursing periods, record offspring birth outcomes and early growth metrics, and track any changes in reproductive performance metrics. This creates a data record to evaluate whether the supplement is delivering expected benefits in their specific operation.
  • Establish baseline measurements before starting supplementation (reproductive cycle length, offspring growth rates, health incidents), continue detailed daily logs during supplementation, and compare results after one complete breeding cycle. Track multiple indicators rather than relying on a single measure, as benefits appear across multiple systems (reproduction, immunity, digestion). Regular review of data trends helps determine if the supplement is worth continuing.

This research was conducted in pigs and does not directly apply to human health or nutrition without further research. While the findings are scientifically interesting, chitosan oligosaccharide supplementation in humans has not been established as safe or effective for the outcomes studied here. Anyone considering supplements for reproductive health, immune function, or digestive health should consult with a healthcare provider. This summary is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Farmers considering implementing these findings should consult with a veterinarian to ensure appropriateness for their specific operation and animals.