The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a plant extract mixture (XT) standardized in 5.4% carvacrol (oregano), 3.2% cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon), and 2.2% capsicum oleoresin (Mexican pepper) on the performance of piglets and sows when used as a supplement in the diet of sows. An experiment was performed on 40 sows, divided into two groups of 20 (control and experimental). From d 90 of pregnancy until weaning (day 28), the sows of the control group were fed a basal diet, while the sows in the experimental group (XT) received the basal diet supplemented with the plant extract mixture (100 mg/kg). Backfat thickness in the sows (at points P2 and P4) was measured on day 90 of pregnancy and at weaning. Milk samples were collected from each sow on d 15±2 of lactation. The sows that received diets with plant extracts had greater backfat thickness at weaning (at points P2 - P≤0.01; P4 - P≤0.05), lower (P≤0.01) losses of backfat during lactation, and higher (P≤0.01) milk lactose content than the control sows. Piglets of sows whose diet was supplemented with the plant extracts had higher (P≤0.05) average daily weight gain during the suckling period and higher (P≤0.05) body weight at weaning. Mortality of piglets from experimental sows during the suckling period was lower (P≤0.05) than for the control sows. The results showed that plant extracts used to supplement the diet of sows during lactation had a beneficial effect on the performance of the sows and their piglets.
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