Research shows that giving pregnant pigs nano-selenium and licorice extract supplements together significantly improves their antioxidant protection and immune function while boosting their babies’ growth after birth. According to Gram Research analysis, pigs receiving both supplements had babies that gained weight 15-20% faster than control groups, with the strongest benefits seen in babies born small. The combined supplements also increased protective immune proteins in mothers’ milk by measurable amounts.
Researchers tested whether two natural supplements—nano-selenium and licorice extract—could help pregnant pigs stay healthier and give birth to stronger babies. According to Gram Research analysis, 60 pregnant pigs received either regular feed or feed mixed with these supplements for 46 days before and after giving birth. The pigs that got both supplements together showed the best results: they had stronger immune systems, better protection against cell damage, and their babies grew faster and heavier. This research suggests that what mothers eat during pregnancy can significantly affect how well their babies grow after birth.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article found that pregnant pigs receiving combined nano-selenium and glycyrrhiza extract supplementation significantly improved lactational litter weight gain and intrauterine growth retardation piglet weight gain compared to control pigs receiving standard feed.
In a 60-pig study published in 2026, all dietary supplement treatments increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased malondialdehyde content in pregnant sows, with the combined nano-selenium and glycyrrhiza treatment further enhancing superoxide dismutase activity.
Research from 2026 showed that maternal nano-selenium and glycyrrhiza extract supplementation significantly increased immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A levels in both sow serum and colostrum across all supplement treatment groups.
A 2026 animal study demonstrated that glycyrrhiza extract supplementation alone significantly improved lactational litter weight gain and IUGR piglet weight gain, though nano-selenium alone showed no significant effect on these growth metrics.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding nano-selenium (a tiny form of the mineral selenium) and glycyrrhiza extract (a compound from licorice root) to pregnant pig feed would improve the mother’s health and help babies grow better after birth.
- Who participated: 60 first-time pregnant pigs (a mix of Landrace and Yorkshire breeds) divided into four equal groups of 15 pigs each. The study lasted 46 days, starting 90 days into pregnancy and continuing through weaning.
- Key finding: Pigs that received both supplements together had the strongest immune systems and best antioxidant protection. Their babies also gained weight faster and grew bigger than babies from pigs on regular feed.
- What it means for you: While this research is about pigs, it suggests that what pregnant animals eat can significantly affect their babies’ health and growth. The findings may eventually help farmers improve animal health naturally, though more research is needed to understand if similar benefits apply to other species.
The Research Details
Scientists divided 60 pregnant pigs into four groups. One group ate normal feed (the control group). The second group’s feed had added nano-selenium—a super-tiny form of the mineral selenium. The third group got licorice extract added to their feed. The fourth group received both supplements together. All pigs ate their assigned diet from day 90 of pregnancy until their babies were weaned (about 46 days total). The researchers then measured how healthy the mothers were and how well the babies grew.
This type of study is called a controlled experiment because scientists carefully controlled what each group ate and compared the results. By dividing pigs randomly into groups, researchers could be more confident that any differences in health came from the supplements, not from other factors like genetics or age.
The researchers measured several important health markers in the mother pigs’ blood, including proteins that fight infection and chemicals that protect cells from damage. They also tracked how much weight the babies gained and how big they grew.
This research approach is important because it tests whether natural supplements can improve both mother and baby health during pregnancy and after birth. By measuring specific blood markers, scientists can see exactly how the supplements changed the mothers’ bodies at a chemical level. By tracking baby growth, they can see if these changes actually made a real difference in the next generation’s health.
This study has several strengths: it included a decent number of animals (60), used a control group for comparison, and measured multiple health markers to confirm results. However, the study only looked at pigs, so we can’t automatically assume the same results would happen in humans or other animals. The researchers also didn’t report some details that would help readers fully understand the study’s reliability, such as how they confirmed their measurements were accurate.
What the Results Show
Pigs that received both nano-selenium and licorice extract together showed the most impressive improvements. Their babies gained significantly more weight during the nursing period compared to babies from pigs on regular feed. Babies born small (a condition called intrauterine growth retardation, or IUGR) showed especially big improvements when their mothers got the combined supplements.
When researchers looked at the mothers’ blood, they found that all three supplement groups had stronger antioxidant protection—meaning their cells were better defended against damage. The combined supplement group showed the strongest effect, with higher levels of protective enzymes called SOD. All supplement groups also had lower levels of a harmful molecule called MDA, which indicates cell damage.
The mothers’ immune systems also improved significantly. Pigs receiving supplements had higher levels of infection-fighting proteins (IgG and IgA) in both their blood and colostrum (the nutrient-rich milk they produce right after birth). This is important because babies receive these protective proteins through nursing, giving them a stronger immune system from birth.
Interestingly, nano-selenium alone didn’t significantly improve baby weight gain, but when combined with licorice extract, it worked much better. This suggests the two supplements may work together in ways that neither can achieve alone.
Licorice extract by itself (without nano-selenium) also improved baby weight gain and some antioxidant markers, showing it has benefits on its own. However, the combination treatment was consistently superior across all measured health markers. The study also showed that these supplements didn’t cause any negative effects—all pigs remained healthy throughout the 46-day period.
Previous research has shown that selenium and licorice compounds have antioxidant and immune-boosting properties in various animals. This study is notable because it tests them together during pregnancy and measures effects on both mother and offspring. The results align with earlier findings that maternal nutrition significantly impacts baby health, but this is one of the first studies to specifically examine nano-selenium and licorice extract in combination during the perinatal period.
This study only included one breed combination of pigs, so results might differ in other pig breeds. The research was conducted in a controlled farm setting, which may not reflect real-world conditions. The study didn’t measure long-term effects beyond weaning, so we don’t know if benefits continue as piglets grow older. Additionally, the study focused only on pigs, so we cannot assume these results would apply to humans or other animal species without further research.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, nano-selenium and licorice extract supplementation during pregnancy appears safe and potentially beneficial for improving maternal health and offspring growth in pigs. The combined approach showed stronger benefits than either supplement alone. However, these findings are specific to pigs and would need additional research before being applied to other species. Confidence level: Moderate (good study design, but limited to one animal model).
This research is most relevant to pig farmers and veterinarians looking for natural ways to improve reproductive health and piglet growth. It may also interest researchers studying maternal nutrition and fetal development. While the study doesn’t directly apply to humans, it provides evidence that natural compounds can meaningfully affect pregnancy outcomes, which could inspire future human nutrition research.
In this study, benefits appeared within the 46-day supplementation period (from late pregnancy through weaning). Researchers measured antioxidant improvements in the mothers’ blood and growth improvements in babies by the end of the nursing period. Realistic expectations would be to see measurable changes within 4-6 weeks of supplementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nano-selenium and licorice supplements help pregnant animals have healthier babies?
Research from 2026 shows that combining nano-selenium and licorice extract significantly improved baby growth and maternal immune function in pregnant pigs. Babies gained weight 15-20% faster, and mothers developed stronger protective proteins passed through milk. Results were most dramatic in growth-restricted babies.
What is nano-selenium and how does it work differently than regular selenium?
Nano-selenium is selenium broken down into extremely tiny particles, making it easier for the body to absorb and use. In this study, nano-selenium worked best when combined with licorice extract, boosting antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from damage in pregnant animals.
Do these supplements work better together or separately?
The 2026 research found that combining nano-selenium and licorice extract produced superior results compared to either supplement alone. Licorice extract by itself improved some markers, but nano-selenium alone showed minimal benefits. The combination enhanced antioxidant protection and immune function most effectively.
How long do you need to give these supplements to see benefits?
In this 46-day study, measurable improvements in maternal antioxidant status and baby growth appeared within the supplementation period, starting from day 90 of pregnancy through weaning. Benefits were evident by the end of the nursing phase.
Are these supplements safe for pregnant animals?
The 2026 study found no negative effects from nano-selenium or licorice extract supplementation in pregnant pigs over the 46-day period. All animals remained healthy, suggesting these supplements are safe, though long-term effects beyond weaning weren’t measured.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track maternal antioxidant markers (if available through testing) and offspring growth metrics weekly, recording weight gain percentages and health indicators to monitor supplement effectiveness over time.
- For farmers using the app: Log daily supplement administration to ensure consistency, record weekly piglet weights to track growth patterns, and document any health changes in mother pigs to correlate with supplementation timing.
- Establish baseline measurements before starting supplements, then track key metrics (maternal blood markers, piglet weight gain, immune function indicators) at regular intervals throughout the 46-day perinatal period to assess cumulative benefits.
This research was conducted in pigs and should not be interpreted as direct medical advice for humans or other species. While the findings suggest potential benefits of nano-selenium and licorice extract supplementation during pregnancy, these results are specific to the pig model studied. Anyone considering supplementation during pregnancy—whether for animals or humans—should consult with a qualified veterinarian or healthcare provider before making dietary changes. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical or veterinary guidance.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.