Interacción entre microbiota, metabolismo y reproducción en cerdas: impacto de los aditivos funcionales sobre la fisiología reproductiva y la longevidad productiva — Una revisión

Reproductive efficiency and productive longevity of the modern sow depend on a complex interaction between energy metabolism, reproductive physiology, and gut microbiota. High prolificacy imposes greater demands during gestation and lactation, which may compromise maternal homeostasis if digestion, absorption, and immunometabolic regulation are not optimized. In this context, the gut microbiota is recognized as a metabolic organ capable of modulating the gut–brain–ovary axis, influencing redox and inflammatory status, and contributing to the metabolic programming of the offspring. Functional additives—including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, yeasts, polyphenols, essential oils, and organic trace minerals—have been shown to improve microbial composition and diversity, strengthen intestinal integrity, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulate gene and epigenetic expression in key tissues such as the ovary, liver, and placenta. These effects are reflected in reproductive improvements such as a higher number of live-born piglets, increased birth and weaning weights, reduced neonatal mortality, as well as improved colostrum and milk quality (IgA, IgG, lactoferrin, antioxidants). Multi-omics approaches (metagenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics) offer new opportunities to map the microbiota–metabolism–reproduction interaction network and to identify predictive biomarkers of fertility and maternal efficiency. From a General Systems Theory perspective, this review integrates the available evidence and proposes conceptual frameworks that allow visualization of critical regulatory nodes and guide the application of precision nutrition strategies. In conclusion, supplementation with functional additives emerges as a strategic tool to optimize intestinal health, metabolic resilience, and reproductive efficiency in sows, with transgenerational effects that enhance the viability and productivity of the progeny. Its application constitutes a fundamental pillar to advance towards more sustainable and competitive swine production systems.