Maternal Flavour Imprinting: Stable Feed Intake Post-Weaning

Maternal flavour imprinting refers to the process by which flavour compounds from a sow’s diet are transferred to her offspring during gestation and lactation. These compounds reach the developing piglets through the amniotic fluid before birth and through milk after birth, creating early and repeated sensory exposure.

Research, including studies by Oostindjer et al. (2009, 2010, 2011) has shown that piglets can detect and remember these maternal dietary flavours. This early exposure leads to the formation of flavour memories, influencing piglets’ postnatal flavour preferences and feed acceptance.

When the same or similar flavours are included in the piglets’ post-weaning diet, they are more likely to recognize and accept the feed. This reduces neophobia (fear of new foods), increases voluntary feed intake, and supports a smoother transition during weaning. Consequently, piglets benefit from improved growth performance and feed efficiency in the critical post-weaning phase.

Understanding maternal flavour imprinting offers valuable insights for improving animal welfare and productivity in swine production.
  

Bigarol^® Extarom P combines intense forest honey notes with a subtle touch of vanilla. The flavour is highly potent and remains stable even under the high temperatures of pelleting processes, making it ideal for use in modern piglet diets.

In the study, the flavour was included in sow feed during both gestation and lactation phases and later continued in the post-weaning piglet diet.
   

The study was carried out at the well-known research facility Haus Düsse in Germany. A total of 250 piglets were assigned to five treatment groups (n = 50), housed in pens of 8 animals each. The trial lasted 29 days, beginning at an average body weight of 7.5 kg and ending at approximately 25 kg. All diets were pelleted after flavour inclusion to simulate real-world conditions.

The experimental treatments differed in flavour dosage and whether sows had been exposed to the flavour during gestation and lactation (maternal imprinting):

• A (Control): No flavour; sows fed unflavoured diets throughout gestation and lactation
• B: 200 g Bigarol^® Extarom P/t; sows fed unflavoured diets throughout gestation and lactation
• C: 200 g Bigarol^® Extarom P/t; sows fed flavoured diets (same flavour and dosage) throughout gestation and lactation (maternal imprinting).
• D: 400 g Bigarol^® Extarom P/t; sows fed unflavoured diets throughout gestation and lactation
• E: 400 g Bigarol^® Extarom P/t; sows fed flavoured diets (same flavour and dosage) throughout gestation and lactation (maternal imprinting)

The trial results clearly demonstrate the benefits of flavour application – especially when combined with maternal imprinting.
Piglets fed diets supplemented with the flavour Bigarol^® Extarom P showed improved performance compared to the control group, especially when maternal imprinting was applied.

• Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI):
  Average daily feed intake significantly increased in groups B, C, and E (330 g, 357 g, and 349 g) compared to the control (300 g; p < 0.05). The highest intake was observed in group C, which received 200 g/t flavour with maternal imprinting—indicating a strong familiarity and preference effect. (Figure 1)
• Average Daily Gain (ADG):
  Weight gain improved significantly in the same groups: B (247 g), C (285 g), and E (278 g), versus control (210 g). Again, group C performed best, supporting the role of early flavour exposure in enhancing growth. (Figure 2)
• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR):
  FCR was significantly better in groups B (1.34), C (1.25), and E (1.26) compared to control (1.43), with group C showing the highest efficiency. (Figure 3)

^{Figure 1: Effect of Bigarol Extarom P on ADF in weaning piglets using maternal imprinting}
  

^{Figure 2: Effect of Bigarol Extarom P on ADG in weaning piglets using maternal imprinting}
   

^{Figure 3: Effect of Bigarol Extarom P on FCR in weaning piglets using maternal imprinting}
  

Bigarol^® Extarom P proves that flavour is more than a feed additive – it’s a tool for continuity, familiarity, and performance. Maternal flavour imprinting not only eases the weaning transition but unlocks the full potential of young piglets right from the start.

Dr. Anne Winkler, Global Product Manager Flavours & Sweeteners, Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe GmbH
 

Oostindjer, M., Bolhuis, J.E., van den Brand, H. and B. Kemp: 2009: Prenatal Flavor Exposure Affects Flavor Recognition and Stress-Related Behavior of Piglets. Chemical Senses 34: 775-787.

Oostindjer, M., Bolhuis, J.E., van den Brand, H., Roura, E. and B. Kemp: 2010: Prenatal flavor exposure affects growth, health and behavior of newly weaned piglets. Physiology & Behavior 99: 579-586.

Oostindjer, M., Bolhuis, J.E., Simon, K., van den Brand, H. and B. Kemp: 2011: Perinatal Flavour Learning and Adaptation to Being Weaned: All the Pig Needs Is Smell. PLoS ONE 6(10):e25318.