Effects of fermented garlic powder supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood characteristics and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs

One hundred pigs (BW = 50.7 ± 1.89 kg) were used to investigate the effects of fermented garlic powder (FGP) in growing‐finishing pigs. Pigs were allotted to one of five treatments, included: (i) NC (basal diet); (ii) PC (NC + 44 mg/kg of Tylosin); (iii) FGP1 (NC + 1 g/kg FGP); (iv) FGP2 (NC + 2 g/kg FGP); and (v) FGP4 (NC + 4 g/kg FGP). Supplemental FGP increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio compared with those fed NC diet throughout the experiment (P < 0.05, linearly). Dietary PC treatment increased the ADG and average daily feed intake during the first 6 weeks (P < 0.05). The inclusion of FGP2 and FGP4 treatments had higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (P < 0.05) than those in the NC treatment. Dietary NC treatment exhibited lower (P < 0.05) lymphocyte count (6 and 12 weeks) and immunoglobulin G (12 weeks) than those in the other treatments. Marbling scores were higher (P < 0.05) in FGP treatment groups than the NC treatments. Pigs fed on FGP2 and FGP4 diets evidenced lower 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (P < 0.05) than those in the NC and PC treatments. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FGP at a level of 2 or 4 g/kg improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of modified zinc oxide on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,fecal microbial shedding and fecal score in weanling pigs

One hundred and forty piglets ((Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc, 21 day of age) with an initial weight of 6.50 ± 0.71 kg, were randomly allotted into four treatments to determine the effects of a modified form of zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial shedding and fecal score in weanling pigs. Dietary treatments were: (i) NC, negative control, basal diet containing zinc (Zn) from the premix; (ii) PC, positive control, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 3000 ppm ZnO; (iii) H1, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 3000 ppm ZnO (phase 1, days 1 to 14)/200 ppm modified ZnO (phase 2, days 15 to 42); (iv) H2, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 300 ppm modified ZnO (phase 1)/200 ppm modified ZnO (phase 2). During days 1 to 14, average daily gains (ADG) were higher (P = 0.04) in PC, H1 and H2 groups than that in NC group. Overall, H1 treatment increased the ADG compared with NC (P = 0.05). On day 14, the alkaline phosphatase and plasma Zn concentration were increased (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) in PC, H1 and H2 treatments compared with NC treatment. On days 14 and 42, the fecal Lactobacillus counts in NC group were lowest (P = 0.01, P = 0.04 respectively) among treatments. All supplemented groups showed lower (P = 0.03) fecal score than NC treatment on days 21 and 28. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with modified ZnO increased growth rates and reduced fecal scores in weanling pig. Modified ZnO could be used as a substitute to ZnO as a growth promoter and reduce Zn excretion to the environment because of the lower dosage. [Correction added on 3 February 2015, after first online publication: the initial weight of ‘6.50 ± 1.11 kg’ has been replaced with ‘6.50 ± 0.71 kg’ in the abstract.]     

Dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide improves growth performance in weanling pigs

Nondigestible oligosaccharides are not digested in the small intestine, but are fermented by bacteria colonizing in the large intestine. Physiological effects of non‐digestible oligosaccharides have been considered to be conferred by the fermentation of bacteria colonizing in the large intestine. Because cellooligosaccharide is a non‐digestible oligosaccharide, various physiological effects are expected. However, physiological functions of cellooligosaccharide are not well understood. This experiment was conducted to clarify the effect of dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide on the growth performance in weanling pigs. The result showed that average daily gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed a diet supplemented with cellooligosaccharide than in pigs without cellooligosaccharide. There was a tendency to increasing average daily feed intake in pigs with cellooligosaccharide, though the significant difference was not detected (P = 0.18). Feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility of feces and ileum were not changed by feeding cellooligosaccharide. In addition, blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the diet supplemented with cellooligosaccharide than in pigs without cellooligosaccharide. The concentrations of acetic and iso‐valeric acids in the cecum of pigs fed the diet with cellooligosaccharide tended to be higher (P < 0.10) than those without cellooligosaccharide. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide improves growth performance in weanling pigs.     

大蒜素对肉仔鸡生长性能、血液指标和屠体特性的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同水平大蒜素作为促生长剂对肉仔鸡生长性能、血液指标和胴体品质的影响。试验选择1日龄白羽肉鸡252只,随机分为3组,每组84只(每组4个重复,每个重复21只)。试验采用玉米-豆粕型日粮,各组日粮中分别添加0%、2%和4%大蒜素,试验共进行42d,分析肉鸡生长性能和血液指标。结果:日粮添加2%大蒜素显著提高肉鸡采食量、体增重、末重及饲料转化率(P<0.05)。各组日粮对肉鸡的屠宰率无显著影响(P>0.05)。2%大蒜素组胸肌重量最高(P<0.05),而4%大蒜素组胸肌重最低(P<0.05)。大蒜素组对肉鸡法氏囊和胸腺重量的影响无显著差异(P>0.05)。2%和4%大蒜素组较对照组显著降低了脾脏重量(P<0.05)。日粮大蒜素添加水平对肉鸡血液淋巴细胞、单核细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、嗜中性粒细胞占比、红细胞压积、红细胞数和白细胞数均无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论:肉鸡饲喂添加2%大蒜素日粮生长性能参数最好,而4%大蒜素组最低,因此,肉鸡日粮中大蒜素适宜添加水平为2%。     

日粮添加马铃薯粉对育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉品质的影响

本研究旨在评估非常规饲料资源马铃薯粉在育肥猪上的应用,研究其对猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉品质的影响.试验将450头体重一致的育肥猪随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复30只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,两个处理组分别饲喂马铃薯粉添加水平为10％和20％的日粮,试验为期56?d.结果:与对照组相比,10％马铃薯粉组29～56?d及...     

Effects of fermented garlic powder supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles and breast meat quality in broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with fermented garlic powder (FGP) on growth performance, blood profiles and breast meat quality in broilers. A total of 500 broilers were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 5 replications per treatment and 25 chicks per pen. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks and dietary treatments were as follows: 1) CON (basal diet); 2) FGP1 (basal diet + 1 g/kg fermented garlic powder); 3) FGP2 (basal diet + 2 g/kg fermented garlic powder); 4) FGP4 (basal diet + 4 g/kg fermented garlic powder). No effects were observed (P > 0.05) in body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) throughout the whole experiment. The white blood cell (WBC) counts, lymphocyte and immunoglobulin G (IgG) was increased (P < 0.05) in response to FGP treatments. Broilers had lower (P < 0.05) total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and cortisol concentrations in blood when they were provided with FGP2 and FGP4 diets. Compared with CON, FGP2 and FGP4 treatments decreased (P < 0.05) TBARS and pH in breast meat. In conclusion, FGP administration had no effect on growth performance but improved immunity and meat quality as well as decreased cholesterol and cortisol in blood.     

纳米氧化锌对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

选用63头断奶仔猪,分为处理1组(3000mg/kg普通饲料级氧化锌)、处理2组(250mg/kg纳米氧化锌)、处理3组(500mg/kg纳米氧化锌)三个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复7头仔猪,试验期20d。结果表明:纳米氧化锌(500mg/kg)能显著提高断奶仔猪的日增重(与处理1组相比,提高9.91%),改善肉料比,有较好的经济效益。     

Effects of Aspergillus niger fermented rapeseed meal on nutrient digestibility,growth performance and serum parameters in growing pigs

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influences of Aspergillus niger fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. A total of 72 growing pigs (body weight = 40.8 ± 2.1 kg) were used in feeding trials, lasting for up to 42 days, and were randomly allotted to one of three diets, including a corn‐soybean meal control diet as well as two experimental diets containing 10% unfermented rapeseed meal (RSM) or 10% FRSM. The results showed that average daily gain and feed conversion ratio of pigs fed FRSM were superior (P < 0.05) to that of pigs fed unfermented RSM and did not differ from the control. Pigs fed control diet had higher (P < 0.05) total tract apparent digestibility for dry matter, protein, calcium and phosphorus than pigs fed unfermented RSM diet and did not differ from the FRSM diet. Pigs fed FRSM had lower levels (P < 0.05) of serum aspartate transaminase compared to unfermented RSM. In conclusion, solid state fermentation using Aspergillus niger may improve the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of RSM for pigs and FRSM is a promising alternative protein for pig production.     

The effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake,nutrient digestibility,growth performance and blood parameters of growing calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood metabolites of growing calves. Forty Holstein calves (BW = 100 ± 11 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 10) in a complete randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted of the following: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet supplemented with 0.0003% of dietary dry matter (DM) sodium monensin, (iii) low level of garlic powder (Low‐GAR; 0.5% of dietary DM) and (iv) high level of garlic powder (High‐GAR; 1% of dietary DM). DM intake (DMI) and DM digestibility were (p < 0.05) decreased by High‐GAR. However, calves supplemented with Low‐GAR had a similar DMI to the control calves and similar DM digestibility to the control and monensin groups. The digestibility of other nutrients were not affected by the treatments. Although supplementing monensin relative to Low‐GAR increased the DMI (p < 0.05), average daily gain was similar between Low‐GAR and monensin supplemented calves, which were higher than the control and High‐GAR groups (p < 0.05). As a result, feed conversion ratio was improved in the Low‐GAR group versus other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Administrating garlic powder decreased the blood low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and non‐esterified fatty acids (p < 0.05) without affecting the blood triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein and beta‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations. In conclusion, the calves fed the Low‐GAR showed an improved FCR and blood metabolites without changing the DMI and nutrient digestibility. It suggests that garlic powder could be used as an alternative to monensin for growing calves under the current feeding conditions.     

Influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood characteristics,faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs

The present study investigated the influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs. A total of 120 weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 7.73 ± 0.75 kg (28 days of age)] were randomly allotted into three treatments according to their initial body weight (BW) and gender in a 6‐week experiment. There were 8 replication pens in each treatment, with five pigs/pen. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: (a) basal diet (CON), (b) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg (T1) and (c) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg (T2). Days 1 to 7, the BW and ADG with T2 treatment were higher (p < .05) than CON treatment, as well as F:G showed trends in linear reduction (p < .1). Days 8 to 21, the BW and ADG were improved (p < .05) in pigs offered T1 and T2 diets compared with CON diet. Days 22 to 42, BW and ADG were higher (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet than CON and T1 diets, and the pigs fed T1 diet had higher BW than CON treatment. Overall, the ADG with the T2 treatment was higher (p < .05) than that with the T1 and CON treatments, and pigs offered T1 treatment had higher (p < .05) ADG than CON treatment. Moreover, F:G ratio were significantly decreased (p < .05) by T2 treatment compared with CON treatment. The faecal Lactobacillus counts were improved, and E. coli counts were reduced (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet compared with CON at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB‐13‐001 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg has shown a beneficial effect in improving BW, increase ADG, decrease F:G ratio.     

饲料中添加不同水平的发酵豆渣对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益指标的影响

为研究饲料中添加不同水平的发酵豆渣对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益指标的影响,采用单因素随机设计试验,选择体重相近的健康育肥猪80头随机分成4组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头,1组饲喂基础日粮为对照组,试验2、3、4组分别在基础日粮中添加5％、10％、15％发酵豆渣,预试验7 d,试验期56 d.结果表明:(1)试...     

饲料中添加发酵豆粕对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益的影响

为研究饲粮中添加发酵豆粕对育肥猪生长性能、屠宰性能及经济效益的影响,试验选择体重相近、健康的三元杂交育肥猪80头随机分成4组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头,1组饲喂基础日粮为对照组,试验2、3、4组分别用发酵豆粕替代基础日粮中50％、75％、100％的豆粕,预试验7 d,试验期56 d.结果表明:(1)试验3、4组的平...     

功能性低聚糖对断奶仔猪腹泻的防治及生产性能的影响

在仔猪饲粮中分别添加低聚果糖(FOS)、异麦芽低聚糖(GOS)和甘露寡糖(MOS),用48头35日龄杜×长断奶仔猪进行了为期28 d的饲养试验,观察了功能性低聚糖对断奶仔猪腹泻的防治作用及生产性能的影响.将试验猪随机分为4组,即在基础日粮中分别添加FOS 3 g/kg、GOS 2 g/kg和MOS 3 g/kg的3个处理组和1个对照组,观察了仔猪的生长发育情况,记录了各组耗料量和体重,采集血清和全血以及粪样进行了分析测试.结果表明,FOS组仔猪腹泻频率降低了66%;GOS组降低了25%;MOS组降低了54%;FOS、GOS和MOS组的血清SOD、GSH-Px活性均较对照组显著提高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);3种低聚糖组仔猪的外周血T淋巴细胞数(CD3)、IgG水平均较对照组显著提高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);3种低聚糖组仔猪的日增重和饲料报酬均有明显的提高.     

牛至油对育肥猪生长性能和肉品质的影响

文章旨在研究不同浓度的牛至油对肥育猪生长性能和肉质特性的影响。试验选择32头阉割公猪和32头后备母猪随机分成4个组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分别在基础日粮中添加0.2、0.4和0.8mg/kg牛至油,试验共开展5周。试验结束后禁食12h,称重后屠宰。经过一夜的冷却,从屠体上取50cm的腰肌(每组8头,4头公猪、4头母猪)。日粮中添加牛至精油对生长猪末重、日增重、屠宰率均无显著差异(P>0.05),同时各组最长肌嫩度、屠宰后45min和24h后的pH、肉色及感官特性也无显著差异(P>0.05)。此外,脂质氧化试验结果显示,日粮添加牛至油对肌肉无明显的抗氧化作用(P>0.05)。综上所述,由于胴体和肉质属性均无显著变化,说明本试验中日粮添加不同水平牛至油对猪的肉质参数没有影响。     

Effects of multistrain probiotics on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,faecal microbial shedding,faecal score and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of multistrain probiotics in weaning pigs. A total of 125 28‐day‐old weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial average body weight (BW) of 7.26 ± 0.76 kg were randomly allotted into 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen for 42‐day experiment. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; PC1, CON + 0.01% multistrain probiotics; PC2, CON + 0.03% multistrain probiotics; PC3, CON + 0.06% multistrain probiotics; PC4, CON + 0.1% multistrain probiotics. On day 14, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. From days 1 to 14, pigs fed the PC2, PC3 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the CON diet. From day 15 to 42, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed the CON diet. In the overall period, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and pigs fed the PC2 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE), faecal Lactobacillus counts and lower (p < 0.05) E. coli counts and NH₃ emission than pigs fed the CON diet. Pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had lower (p < 0.05) H₂S and total mercaptans emissions than pigs fed the CON diet. Conclusions, dietary supplementation with 0.1% probiotics improved growth performance, nutrition digestibility and intestinal microflora balance and decreased faecal noxious gas emissions in weaning pigs.     

Effects of dietary supplemental phytoncide instead of zinc oxide on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,and faecal microflora in growing pigs

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of phytoncide (PTC) instead of zinc oxide on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility and faecal microflora in growing pigs. A total of 120 growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with initial body weight 24.48 ± 1.62 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for a 6 weeks feeding trials, the treatments as follow: CON (base diet),ZO (CON + 0.03% Zinc Oxide), PTC1 (CON + 0.5% PTC), PTC2 (CON + 1.0% PTC). Compared to basal diet, during weeks 1–3, 3–6, and overall experimental period, the ADG of growing pigs fed phytoncide diet trend to be increased, and fed ZO diet was significantly increased (p < 0.05). During weeks 3–6 and overall experiment period, pigs fed the ZO diet showed improvement in feed intake compared to pigs fed basal diet as a trend. Compared with basal diet, the pigs receiving phytoncide diet significantly increased the digestibility of DM and reduced the concentration of aspartate transaminase in pigs receiving 1.0% phytoncide diet. These results suggested that dietary supplement of phytoncide, Korean pine extract, could be used as an alternative to zinc oxide by decreasing detoxify to soil and plants without influencing the performance of growing pigs. Further study is needed to determine the systemic estimation of the dose of phytoncide.     

不同梯度发酵豆粕对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

选择32日龄断奶三元杂交仔猪120头,按窝别、性别、体重相近的原则分为4组,每组3个重复。发酵豆粕设4个梯度,即Ⅰ组5%,Ⅱ组10%,Ⅲ组15%,Ⅳ组20%,配制4种断奶仔猪日粮分别饲喂4组试验猪,共进行14d试验。结果表明:随着发酵豆粕在断奶仔猪日粮中用量的增加,断奶仔猪的日增重提高(P<0.05),饲料转化率也得到改善;试验猪的腹泻率降低;经济效益提高。     

纳米银对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道绒毛形态及微生物菌群的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同水平的纳米银对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道形态及微生物菌群的影响。本研究共进行3个试验,试验1收集8头断奶后7 d仔猪的回肠内容物,在体外37℃条件下分别添加0、20、40和80μg/kg纳米银,孵育4 h。结果显示,随着纳米银添加水平的升高,回肠内容物大肠杆菌和乳酸杆菌的含量显著线性降低(P<0.05),但对乳酸杆菌比例无显著影响(P>0.05)。试验2分为3个组,每组10头21 d断奶的仔猪,日粮中分别添加0、20和40 mg/kg纳米银,结果发现随着纳米银添加水平的升高,断奶后2周仔猪的日增重表现为显著线性升高(P<0.05),同时回肠大肠杆菌含量有显著线性降低的趋势(P=0.07),显著降低了细菌总量和奇异菌属含量(P<0.05)。20 mg/kg纳米银组产气荚膜杆菌与梭菌比例最低(P<0.05)。试验3分为3组,每组选择10头21 d断奶仔猪,日粮中分别添加0、20和40 mg/kg纳米银,结果发现,日粮纳米银添加水平对仔猪断奶后前两周绒毛形态无显著影响(P>0.05),而隐窝深度有降低趋势(P=0.08)。20 mg/kg纳米银组仔猪在断奶前两周表现为最高(P<0.05),之后随着纳米银添加水平的升高在3~4周显著降低(P<0.05),料比显著升高(P<0.05)。日粮添加低剂量的纳米银可以改善断奶仔猪的采食量和日增重,适宜添加水平为20~40 mg/kg。     

玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加膨润土对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分利用率及生殖器官发育的影响

文章旨在评估玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加膨润土对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分利用率、血清生化指标及生殖器官发育的影响。试验1选择28 d断奶仔猪[(10.00±0.85)kg]960头,随机分为8组,每组4个重复,每个重复30头。试验1日粮采用4(玉米赤霉烯酮水平:0、0.3、0.6和0.9 mg/kg)×2膨润土(0、2或0.5或1 g/kg),试验阶段28～56 d。试验2选择56 d仔猪[(27.00±1.40)kg]480头,分组同试验1。试验2日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平同试验1,膨润土水平为0或2 g/kg,试验阶段57～75 d。结果显示:随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高,日增重和饲料报酬显著线性降低(P <0.05)。日粮添加膨润土显著提高了28～56 d断奶仔猪饲料报酬(P <0.05)。日粮添加2 g/kg膨润土显著提高了57～75 d断奶仔猪的平均日增重(P <0.05)。日粮玉米赤霉烯酮显著降低了采食量和饲料报酬(P <0.05),但添加膨润土显著提高了饲料报酬(P <0.05)。随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高,干物质和氮表观消化系列表现为显著的线性降低(P <0.05)。28 d断奶仔猪阴户宽度、长度和面积随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高表现为显著的线性升高(P <0.05)。玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加2 g/kg膨润土显著降低了阴户长度和面积(P <0.05)。日粮添加膨润土显著提高了2和4周龄仔猪粪中乳酸杆菌含量(P <0.05),显著降低大肠杆菌含量(P <0.05)。结论 :断奶仔猪采食较低水平玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮会降低营养物质消化率,诱发氧化应激,使生长性能下降。添加膨润土后可以缓解采食玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮对仔猪的毒副作用。     

Effects of chitooligosaccharide supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and immune responses after lipopolysaccharide challenge in weanling pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with chitooligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and immune response in lipopolysaccharide-challenged weanling pigs. A total of 90 crossbred weanling pigs (5.44 ± 0.50 kg BW) were employed in Exp. 1. The three dietary treatments were basal diets supplemented with 0, 2.5, and 5 g COS/kg, and fed for 28 d. Each treatment had 6 replications with 5 pigs per pen. Increasing the level of supplemental COS tended to linearly (P < 0.10) improve ADG and ADFI during phase 2 and overall period, while there were no differences in G:F. The linear improvement in the apparent DM (P < 0.05) and N (P < 0.10) digestibility in pigs fed COS supplemented diets was noticed. The tested blood characteristics were not influenced under non-challenge conditions. In Exp. 2, a total of 20 pigs (5.22 ± 0.31 kg BW) were initially assigned to two dietary treatments and fed basal diets supplemented with 0 or 0.5 g COS/kg for 28 d. At the end of d 28, half of the pigs in each treatment (n = 5) were injected i.p. with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide at a concentration of 100 μg/kg of BW. The other half of the pigs in each treatment were injected with sterile saline solution at a concentration of 100 μg/kg of BW. This arrangement resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with diet and LPS challenge as the main effects. Blood sample and rectal temperature data were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 12 h post-challenge. Rectal temperatures increased as the result of LPS injection at 4 and 12 h post-challenge (P < 0.05). Serum cortisol, IGF-1, and TNF-α concentration were also increased as the result of LPS challenge (P < 0.05). The COS treatments resulted in lower cortisol concentrations at 2 h and higher IGF-1 concentrations at 4 h post-challenge (P < 0.05). COS and LPS interactions were also observed on cortisol and IGF-1 when the COS effects were presented (P < 0.05). Haptoglobin concentrations remained unaffected throughout the challenge period. White blood cell counts were increased in the LPS-treated pigs at 2 and 4 h post-challenge (P < 0.01). Lymphocyte count was elevated at 2 h and reduced at 12 h post-challenge as the result of LPS challenge (P < 0.05). However, there were no COS main effects observed on lymphocyte count throughout the challenge period. The comparison between two LPS challenged treatments also indicated that COS treatment has beneficial effects on rectal temperature, cortisol and IGF-1 concentrations. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with COS had little effect on nutrient digestibility and inflammatory stress markers in weanling pigs.