Nano-Selenium and Macleaya cordata Extracts Improved Immune Functions of Intrauterine Growth Retardation Piglets under Maternal Oxidation Stress

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is the main death cause of newborn piglets in large-scale farms. To investigate the effects of maternal nano-selenium (nano-Se) and Macleaya cordata extracts (MCE) on immune functions of IUGR piglets in large scale farms, a 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted in this test, and two factors were nano-Se (0, 0.50 mg/kg) and MCE (0, 500 mg/kg). A total of 32 ternary hybrid sows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, parity 2) were used in this 25-day trial from day 90 of pregnancy to delivery. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) CON group, basic diet (0.0 mg/kg Se); (2) Nano-Se group, basic diet + 0.50 mg/kg added Se (nano-Se); (3) MCE group, basic diet + 500 mg/kg added MCE; (4) Combined group, basic diet + 0.50 mg/kg added nano-Se and 500 mg/kg added MCE. Maternal nano-Se or combination of nano-Se and MCE diets extremely increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (GSH-Px) contents in the serum and liver of IUGR offspring (P < 0.05), and MCE supplementation in sow diets remarkably increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (GSH-Px) contents of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Adding nano-Se, MCE, or nano-Se and MCE to sow diets decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum and liver of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). The supplementation of nano-Se and combined diets extremely increased the activities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum and liver of IUGR offspring (P < 0.05). Maternal nano-Se, MCE, and combined diets greatly decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the serum and liver of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Together, the application of nano-Se and/or MCE to sow diets improved antioxidant capacities and immune functions of IUGR offspring, and alleviated oxidative stress.