Thesis Defense Announcement

The School of Health Studies announces the Final Thesis of

Taisiya Yakimkova

for the Degree of Master of Science

March 30, 2018 at 9:30 AM in 166, Field House

Advisor: Dr. Marie van der Merwe

A Multi-Ingredient Dietary Supplement to improve Growth and Development of Small for Gestational Age Infants: Concept-Testing Using Newborn Pigs

ABSTRACT:  Approximately 10% of all neonates are born small for gestational age (SGA) and current feeding approaches increase adiposity and the risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. Due to ethical considerations interventions in human neonates are very difficult, therefore we used newborn piglet model. This study determined if supplementing formula with a combination of leucine, medium chain triglyceride oil, and krill oil would promote gain of lean body mass and improve body composition. Newborn term pigs were randomly assigned to experimental and placebo groups and fed formula with and without the supplement for 20 days. Placebo pigs tended to have greater body weight (p<0.0734) due to significantly higher fat mass (p<0.02) and percent fat (p<0.05), and larger livers. The present findings validates the concept an experimental supplement can improve body composition of SGA term pigs and may decrease the risk of SGA neonates developing obesity and metabolic abnormalities.