Treatment of lactating sows with clofibrate as a synthetic agonist of PPARα does not influence milk fat content and gains of litters

Background In rats, it has been observed that treatment with activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) disturbs metabolic adaptations during lactation, which in turn lead to a reduction of milk fat content and gains of litters during the suckling period. It has not yet been investigated whether agonists of PPARα are impairing milk production of lactating sows in a similar manner as in rats. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of treatment with clofibrate, a strong synthetic agonist of PPARα, on milk composition and litter gains in lactating sows.