Organic acids in diets for entire male pigs: Effect on skatole level, microbiota in digesta, and growth performance

The effect of different organic acids in diets of entire male pigs on the concentration of skatole in colon, plasma, and adipose tissue and on the composition of the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated. Entire male pigs (n = 60) of sows inseminated with boars disposition for high skatole levels (31.7 and 113.2 kg initial and final body weight, respectively) were fed either control, 1.0% formic acid, 0.85 % benzoic acid, 0.85% sorbic acid, 1.2% fat coated Ca-butyrate, or 1.5% fat and inulin coated Ca-butyrate diets. All levels of organic acids corresponded to 0.85% of pure acid. Digesta samples from colon descendens were analyzed for skatole, indole, and organic acids. Digesta samples for microbiological examinations were taken from proximal jejunum, colon descendens, and rectum. There were no differences in levels of skatole, indole, or organic acid levels in colon descendens among pigs fed organic acid supplemented diets and control diet. Plasma skatole levels were significantly reduced in pigs fed diets containing formic acid or benzoic acid compared with the control, but supplementing diets with organic acids did not affect skatole levels in adipose tissue. Pigs fed organic acids had significantly lower levels of coliforms, enterococci, and lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) in all sampling sites of the gastro-intestinal tract. Pigs fed 1.5% fat and inulin coated Ca-butyrate had less reduction in the number of coliforms and LAB in the small intestine compared with pigs fed formic, benzoic and sorbic acid. Formic acid had a stronger antibacterial effect on coliforms than benzoic or sorbic acids in the small intestine. Pigs fed diets containing formic acid, benzoic acid, or sorbic acid had significantly higher average daily gain and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control pigs during the grower phase, and tended to improve FCR during the overall period. The inclusion of fat coated Ca-butyrate or fat and inulin coated Ca-butyrate had no effect on growth performance of the pigs. In conclusion, supplementing diets with different organic acids reduced number of coliforms, enterococci, and LAB in the gastrointestinal tract, but did not affect skatole levels in colon or adipose tissue of entire male pigs.     

Organic acids in diets for entire male pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of organic acids in diets for entire male pigs on growth performance, composition of microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), on concentration of skatole and indole in digesta, plasma and adipose tissue, and concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in digesta. Restrictively-fed pigs (n = 60) (28 and 113 kg initial and final BW, respectively) were used. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet and the basal diet added either 1.0% formic acid, 0.85% benzoic acid, 0.85% sorbic acid, 1.2% fat coated Ca-butyrate or 1.5% fat and inulin coated Ca-butyrate. All levels of organic acids corresponded to 0.85% of pure acid. Digesta samples for microbiological examinations were taken from the proximal jejunum, colon descendens, and rectum. Digesta samples for skatole, indole and VFA analyses were taken from colon descendens. The results showed that the addition of organic acids to diets had no effect on daily weight gain or feed intake, but formic, benzoic and sorbic acid tended to improve FCR of pigs compared with the control pigs. Organic acid supplementation did not affect levels of skatole, indole, or VFA in the digesta or levels of skatole or indole in adipose tissue compared with the control. Plasma skatole levels were reduced in pigs fed diets containing formic and benzoic acid compared with the control pigs. Pigs fed organic acids had lower levels of coliforms, enterococci and lactic acid producing bacteria in all three sampling sites of the GIT. Supplementing diets with organic acids did not affect levels of skatole in digesta or adipose tissue of entire male pigs.     

Effect of single-sex or mixed rearing and live weight on performance,technological meat quality and sexual maturity in entire male and female pigs fed raw potato starch

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of rearing system (mixed or single-sex) on performance and carcass quality of entire male and female pigs slaughtered at around 90 or 115 kg live weight. We also studied the combined effect of live weight and dietary supplement of raw potato starch (RPS) on technological meat quality for both sexes, and boar taint compounds in entire male pigs. Furthermore, we investigated pre-slaughter routines (pen-wise or mixing with unfamiliar pigs) and sexual maturity. A total of 408 growing/finishing pigs were included in this two-year study. Performance did not differ significantly between entire male and female pigs irrespective of rearing system, except for daily weight gain in the interval from 90 kg to slaughter. Mixed pigs had significantly higher daily weight gain in this interval than single-sex pigs. Entire male pigs had higher carcass lean meat content than female pigs (1.6 percentage units). Technological meat quality differed only slightly between the sexes. Females reared in mixed pens were sexually more mature than female pigs reared in single-sex pens, and mature females had higher growth rate but lower meat content in carcasses than immature females. In contrast, female contact did not influence sexual maturity of entire male pigs. Mixing entire male pigs with unfamiliar pigs at the abattoir resulted in more damaged skin compared with pen-wise keeping whereas female pigs had almost no visible skin damage. We therefore recommend that entire male pigs are not mixed with unfamiliar pigs during transport and at the abattoir, because of fighting and subsequent skin damage. The levels of skatole in fat were significantly lower in high-weight entire male pigs fed RPS compared to high-weight pigs without RPS. Androstenone levels in fat were high in all groups.     

The effect of removing animals for slaughter on the behaviour of the remaining male and female pigs in the pen

The study was performed to investigate changes in the behaviour of male and female pigs when one or more pigs were removed from the pen and sent to slaughter. Twelve pens were included, half of them housed six female pigs each, while the other half housed six male pigs each. Skin lesions and behaviour were recorded on two occasions, four days before and two days after one or more animals per pen were sent to slaughter. On the first occasion the male pigs fought on average about twice as often as the females (2.6 vs. 1.0 per animal per hour) and had twice as many skin lesions (6.7 vs. 3.2). On the second occasion, the frequency of fighting among both males (6.8) and females (1.8) had increased, however, more in males than in females. The number of skin lesions was not significantly higher on the second occasion. In the male group there was also a tendency towards increased mounting on the second occasion (from 2.3 to 3.3 per animal per hour). The study shows that the very common practice of slaughtering pigs from one pen over more than one occasion results in an increase in unwanted behaviour. The effect is more pronounced in groups of entire male pigs than in groups of females.     

Effects of dietary resistant starch content on metabolic status,milk composition,and microbial profiling in lactating sows and on offspring performance

In the present study, the effects of dietary resistant starch (RS) content on serum metabolite and hormone concentrations, milk composition, and faecal microbial profiling in lactating sows, as well as on offspring performance was investigated. Sixteen sows were randomly allotted at breeding to two treatments containing low‐ and high‐RS contents from normal and high‐amylose corn varieties, respectively, and each treatment had eight replicates (sows). Individual piglet body weight (BW) and litter size were recorded at birth and weaning. Milk samples were obtained on day 10 after farrowing for composition analysis. On day 2 before weaning, blood and faecal samples were collected to determine serum metabolite and hormone concentrations and faecal microbial populations, respectively. Litter size at birth and weaning were not influenced (p > 0.05) by the sow dietary treatments. Although feeding the RS‐rich diet to sows reduced (p = 0.004) offspring birth BW, there was no difference in piglet BW at weaning (p > 0.05). High‐RS diet increased (p < 0.05) serum triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations and milk total solid content, and tended (p = 0.09) to increase milk fat content in lactating sows. Feeding the RS‐rich diet to sows increased (p < 0.01) faecal bacterial population diversity. These results indicate that high‐RS diets induce fatty acid mobilization and a greater intestinal bacterial richness in lactating sows, as well as a greater nutrient density in maternal milk, without affecting offspring performance at weaning.     

Gene expression of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in relation to androstenone, testosterone, and estrone sulphate in gonadally intact male and castrated pigs

Androstenone is one of the main compounds responsible for boar taint, and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) might be involved in its metabolism. In this study, the gene expression of 3betaHSD and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD) were determined by real-time PCR analysis and related to the concentrations of androstenone, testosterone, and estrone sulphate (E1S). The experiments were performed on gonadally intact male pigs classified based on high or low fat androstenone concentrations, as predetermined by HPLC, as well as on immunocastrated and surgically castrated male pigs. The male pigs with high androstenone concentrations in fat had low 3betaHSD gene expression in liver and testis. Moreover, the 17betaHSD gene expression in liver, but not in testis, varied negatively with fat androstenone concentrations. Immunocastrated and surgically castrated male pigs had nondetectable concentrations of fat androstenone and plasma testosterone and E1S, and the castration procedure induced a significant increase of 3betaHSD and 17betaHSD gene expression. The mRNA expression was generally much greater from the 3betaHSD than from the 17betaHSD gene. Furthermore, fat androstenone was negatively correlated with liver 3betaHSD gene expression (Pearson correlation, r = -0.69; P < 0.05), and the 17betaHSD gene expression in liver was negatively correlated with plasma E1S (r = -0.95; P < 0.001), indicating an important role of liver 17betaHSD in the estrogen metabolism of gonadally intact male pigs. Another strong correlation was found between 3betaHSD and 17betaHSD gene expression in liver of the gonadally intact male pigs (r = 0.86; P < 0.01), possibly reflecting similar regulation mechanisms of these genes.     

高铜日粮对生长猪胃底腺Ghrelin分泌的影响

选用军牧1号断乳仔猪45头,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复3头,采用完全随机化设计进行生长试验,研究了不同来源(硫酸铜和蛋氨酸铜)和不同添加水平(5、125 mg/kg)的高铜日粮对猪胃底腺Ghrelin分泌的影响。结果表明:与对照组相比,日粮中添加125 mg/kg硫酸铜和125 mg/kg蛋氨酸铜组平均日增重、绝对增重、平均采食量均显著提高(P<0.05),而不同铜源间差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组胃底腺Ghrelin mRNA水平显著提高(P<0.05);血液胃泌素含量显著增加(P<0.01),并且Ghrelin mRNA水平与血液胃泌素含量呈显著正相关关系。提示高铜可促进生长猪胃底腺Ghrelin的分泌,胃泌素的分泌与胃底腺区Ghrelin的基因表达有关。     

The effects of pharmacological levels of zinc,diet acidification,and dietary crude protein on growth performance in nursery pigs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate potential replacements for pharmacological levels of Zn (provided by Zn oxide), such as diet acidification (sodium diformate) and low dietary crude protein (CP: 21 vs 18%) on nursery pig performance and fecal dry matter (DM). A total of 360 weaned pigs (Line 200 × 400, DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 5.90 ± 0.014 kg) were used in a 42-d growth study. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d of age and randomly assigned to pens (five pigs per pen). Pens were then allotted to one of eight dietary treatments with nine pens per treatment. Experimental diets were fed in two phases: phase 1 from weaning to day 7 and phase 2 from days 7 to 21, with all pigs fed the same common diet from days 21 to 42. The eight treatment diets were arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of Zn (110 mg/kg from days 0 to 21 or 3,000 mg/kg from days 0 to 7, and 2,000 mg/kg from days 7 to 21), diet acidification, (without or with 1.2% sodium diformate), and dietary CP (21% or 18%, 1.40% and 1.35% in phases 1 and 2 vs. 1.20% standardized ileal digestible Lys, respectively). Fecal samples were collected weekly from the same three pigs per pen to determine DM content. No 2- or 3-way interactions (P > 0.05) were observed throughout the 42-d study for growth performance; however, there was a Zn × acidifier × CP interaction (P < 0.05) for fecal DM on day 7 and for the overall average of the six collection periods. Reducing CP without acidification or pharmacological levels of Zn increased fecal DM, but CP had little effect when ZnO was present in the diet. From days 0 to 21, significant (P < 0.05) main effects were observed where average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G:F) increased for pigs fed pharmacological levels of Zn, sodium diformate, or 21% CP (P < 0.065). In the subsequent period (days 21 to 42) after the experimental diets were fed, there was no evidence of difference in growth performance among treatments. Overall (days 0 to 42), main effect tendencies were observed (P < 0.066) for pigs fed added Zn or sodium diformate from days 0 to 21, whereas pigs fed 21% CP had greater G:F than those fed 18% CP. Pig weight on day 42 was increased by adding Zn (P < 0.05) or acidifier (P < 0.06) but not CP. In summary, none of the feed additives had a major influence on fecal DM, but dietary addition of pharmacological levels of Zn or sodium diformate independently improved nursery pig performance.     

Effect of active immunization against GnRH on androstenone concentration, growth performance and carcass quality in intact male pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of active immunization against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in male pigs and to compare it with surgical castration. Piglets were randomly assigned to two groups, one of 263 animals for surgical castration (SC) and one of 270 animals for immunocastration (IC). Surgery was done at 14 days of age and vaccination (Improvac®, CSL, Australia) performed twice at an interval of 4-5 weeks with the second injection given 4-7 weeks before slaughter. At slaughter, testes were weighed and fat samples collected for androstenone analysis. Androstenone was tested olfactorially by heating salivary glands in a microwave oven. Daily growth rate and meat quality were assessed in all animals. Regarding mean androstenone concentrations in backfat, no significant difference was found between SC and IC (0.042 (0.041; 0.044) μg/g vs. 0.058 (0.044; 0.071) μg/g; mean (95% confidence interval)). Testes weight was significantly (P<0.001) smaller in immunized (230.8 g (218.23; 243.52)) as compared to normal boars (761.8 g (722.77; 801.01)) of the same age, as a reference. In this study, androstenone production was suppressed in all vaccinated animals and the carcasses given free for consumption. Mean daily growth gain was not significantly different between SC (0.817 kg (0.804; 0.830)) and IC (0.827 kg (0.814; 0.840)), although there was a trend for better performance in the latter group. The yield of lean meat was significantly (P<0.001) improved in IC (54.50% (54.26; 54.73)) when compared to SC (53.76% (53.53; 54.00)). From our results, we conclude that vaccination against GnRH is a practical and effective method to suppress androstenone synthesis. Pain and stress associated with surgical castration can thus be avoided.     

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 different types of dietary non-digestible carbohydrates on the physico-chemical properties and microbiota of proximal colon digesta of growing pigs

The effect of different types of fibre on the intestinal digesta and microbial diversity was evaluated in growing pigs. The animals were fed during forty-two days with one of four experimental diets including a control group, a diet enriched with resistant starch type I, by coarse ground corn, and other two diets containing sugar beet pulp (8%) and wheat bran (10%) (as sources of soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharides respectively). Body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were assessed at day 7, 21 and 42. Luminal samples of digesta from proximal colon were collected to analyse water retention capacity (WRC), concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and the microbial diversity. Overall, animals fed with higher amounts of non-digestible carbohydrates had lower ADFI and BW. Sugar beet pulp provoked an increase of WRC, a higher concentration of SCFA, and a more stable microbial diversity throughout the experimental period. On the other hand, animals fed with wheat bran presented a lower bacterial diversity.     

Effect of testosterone, estrone sulphate and androstenone on 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase protein expression in primary cultured hepatocytes

Androstenone (5-androst-16-en-3-one) is a steroid pheromone, excessive accumulation of which in pig adipose tissue contributes to the phenomenon of “boar taint”. The incidence of boar taint increases with age and weight of entire male pigs. One of the reasons for the excessive accumulation of androstenone in adipose tissue of some pigs is a low rate of androstenone degradation in pig liver, which is related to defective expression of the androstenone-metabolising enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD). The mechanism regulating 3β-HSD expression in pig liver remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of the sex steroids testosterone, estrone sulphate and androstenone on the expression of 3β-HSD protein using primary cultured hepatocytes as a model system. The study was performed on hepatocytes from pigs of two weight/age groups: “lighter weight” (average carcass weight 70 kg, age 21 weeks) and “heavier weight” (average carcass weight 92 kg, age 26 weeks). Testosterone at the range of concentrations from 5 to 100 nM induced 3β-HSD expression in “lighter weight” pigs but not in “heavier weight” animals. In contrast, estrone sulphate (5 to 100 nM) and androstenone (5 to 500 nM) induced 3β-HSD expression only in “heavier weight” but not “lighter weight” pigs. Induction of 3β-HSD expression by the sex steroids was protein-synthesis-dependent. Overall this study demonstrates for the first time that sex steroids are involved in regulation of 3β-HSD protein expression in primary cultured pig hepatocytes and that the effect of sex steroids depends on age and weight of animals. The results of this work might contribute to understanding the mechanism controlling androstenone deposition in pigs.     

替米考星预混剂对仔猪增重及预防人工感染传染性胸膜肺炎的效果观察

试验将替米考星以高、中、低(400 mg/kg、200 mg/kg1、00 mg/kg饲料)三个剂量和土霉素以600 mg/kg拌入饲料中饲喂仔猪15 d,称重结果,替米考星高、中、低三个剂量组及土霉素组与对照组相比均有明显的增重效果(P<0.01),尤其是替米考星高剂量组的增重效果显著高于替米考星中、低剂量组及土霉素组(P<0.01),增重效果与替米考星在饲料中的添加剂量成正比。人工感染试验结果:替米考星及土霉素拌料给药对预防猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌病均有明显的效果,可降低发病率和死亡率,提高成活率,减少病理损害,降低人工感染对增重的影响,尤其以替米考星高、中剂量组预防效果最佳,效果明显优于土霉素组(P<0.01)。用于预防感染,临床推荐剂量为200mg/kg饲料拌料,连续饲喂15 d左右。     

不同能量水平日粮对深县猪生长性能、养分消化率和血液生化指标的影响

为了研究不同消化能水平日粮对深县猪生长性能、养分消化率和血液生化指标的影响,选用体重(15. 54±2. 25) kg的健康深县猪48头,随机分成3组,每组4个重复,每个重复4头猪,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组饲粮消化能水平分别为11. 20、11. 70、12. 20 MJ/kg,预试期7 d,正式期28 d。结果显示:试验Ⅲ组的平均日增重显著高于试验Ⅰ组15. 56%(P<0. 05),试验Ⅲ组的料重比(F/G)显著低于试验Ⅰ组(P<0. 05);试验Ⅲ组粗蛋白、总能与粗脂肪表观消化率均显著高于试验Ⅰ组9. 89%、7. 29%、7. 21%(P<0. 05)。综合各项指标,在本试验条件下,生长期深县猪适宜的消化能水平为12. 20 MJ/kg。     

Effect of dietary crude protein level on growth performance,blood characteristics,and indicators of intestinal health in weanling pigs

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that reducing crude protein (CP) in starter diets for pigs reduces post-weaning diarrhea and improves intestinal health. In total, 180 weanling pigs were allotted to 3 diets containing 22, 19, or 16% CP. Fecal scores were visually assessed every other day. Blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen on days 1, 6, 13, 20, and 27, and 1 pig per pen was euthanized on day 12. Results indicated that reducing dietary CP reduced (P < 0.01) overall average daily gain, gain to feed ratio, final body weight, and fecal scores of pigs. Pigs fed the 16% CP diet had reduced (P < 0.01) serum albumin compared with pigs fed other diets. Blood urea nitrogen, haptoglobin, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 concentrations in serum were greatest (P < 0.01) on day 13, whereas tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 concentrations were greatest (P < 0.01) on day 6. Villus height in the jejunum increased (P < 0.05) and crypt depth in the ileum was reduced (P < 0.01) if the 19% CP diet was fed to pigs compared with the 22% CP diet. A reduction (P < 0.05) in mRNA abundance of interferon-γ, chemokine ligand 10, occludin, trefoil factor-2, trefoil factor-3, and mucin 2 was observed when pigs were fed diets with 16% CP. In conclusion, reducing CP in diets for weanling pigs reduces fecal score and expression of genes associated with inflammation.     

虫草真菌发酵中草药培养基对生长肥育猪生产性能和胴体品质的影响

随机选择65日龄、均重25.0kg的杜长大生长猪160头,随机分为4组,研究虫草真菌液体发酵中草药培养基对生长肥育猪生产性能和胴体品质的影响。结果表明,日粮中添加100mg/kg、200mg/kg和300mg/kg虫草真菌液体发酵中草药培养基后,与对照组相比,生长肥育猪的日增重分别提高了7.64%、9.23%和11.19%(P≤0.05或P≤0.01),采食量分别提高了2.72%、1.37%和2.10%(P≥0.05),料肉比分别降低了4.58%、7.19%和8.17%(P≤0.05或P≤0.01),屠宰率分别提高了2.95%、5.66%和8.53%(P≤0.05或P≥0.05),瘦肉率分别提高了0.60%、2.67%和6.64%(P≥0.05),背膘厚分别降低了4.29%、5.71%和8.29%(P≤0.05或P≥0.05)。结论:虫草真菌液体发酵中草药培养基可明显提高生长猪生产性能,改善育肥猪胴体品质。     

Effect of dietary supplemental medium chain fatty acids instead of antibiotics on the growth performance,digestibility and blood profiles in growing pigs

Antibiotics have great functions in farm animal. However, the harm of antibiotics can't be ignored. The effects of medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) supplementation to basal diet instead of antibiotics (CSP, Chlortetracycline, sulphonamide dimethazine and procaine penicillin, 1:1:1) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile in growing pigs were studied. A total of 140 growing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average body weight of 27.84 ± 0.42 kg were allotted to four treatments of seven replicates/treatment and five pigs/replicate. The four experimental diets included: CON (basal diet, non‐antibiotic, negative control); CSP (CON + CSP 0.1%, positive control); M1 (CON + MCFA 0.15%) and M2 (CON + MCFA 0.3%). After 5 weeks, the fresh faecal and blood samples were collected from rectum and jugular vein respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was significantly improved for pigs fed 0.3% MCFAs in relation to basal diet. Meanwhile, CSP supplementation had comparable effect on ADG. The lymphocyte percentage and IgG concentration were higher in blood of pigs‐fed MCFAs in relation to that of CON and CSP treatment while white blood cell and red blood cell were not affected. In relation to basal diet and CSP treatment, the digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy (E) were unaffected with MCFAs supplementation. In conclusion, MCFAs improved growth performance on body weight gain and immune profile. Addition 0.3% MCFAs into the diet indicated that its partial positive effect as an alternative to antibiotic.     

Effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the body temperature of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions

Feed intake and diet composition appear to affect the body temperature of pigs. Two trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the intestinal temperature (IT) of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions. Ten pigs (64.1 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight) fitted with an ileal cannula were used. A thermometer set to register the IT at 5‐min intervals was implanted into the ileum through the cannula. In both trials, the ambient temperature ranged from 19.1 to 21.6°C and the pigs were fed at 07:00 and 19:00 hr (same amount each time). In trial 1, the pigs were fed daily 1.2 or 1.8 kg of a wheat–soybean meal diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along a 24‐hr period regardless the feed intake level. The IT rapidly increased up to 0.61 and 0.74°C after the morning meal and up to 0.53 and 0.47°C after the evening meal in pigs fed 1.2 and 1.8 kg/d respectively. The postprandial IT was higher in pigs fed 1.8 kg after each meal (p < .05). In trial 2, pigs were fed daily 1.8 kg of a low (11%) or a high (22%) crude protein diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along the 24‐hr period regardless the dietary protein level. The postprandial IT did not differ between pigs fed the low protein or the high protein (p > .10). The IT rapidly increased up to 0.66 and 0.62°C after the morning meal in pigs fed the high‐ and low‐protein diet (p < .05), but there was no change after the evening meal (p > .10). In conclusion, the feed intake level affected the IT of pigs housed under TN conditions, but the dietary protein content had no effect.     

甜菜碱对育肥猪生长性能和PRKAG3基因相对表达量的影响

为了研究甜菜碱对育肥猪生长性能和PRKAG3基因表达量的影响,试验采用单因子试验设计,选用80 kg左右的健康杜长大三元杂交猪60头,随机分成4组,每组3个重复,每个重复5头猪,在日粮中添加甜菜碱0,500,1 000,1 500 mg/kg,试验期为41 d,试验结束后随机选择(每组随机选择3头)12头猪进行屠宰测定。结果表明:与对照组相比,日粮中添加甜菜碱对育肥猪的日增重、日采食量、料重比均有明显影响,可以不同程度地提高日增重和采食量,降低料重比,其中以添加1 500 mg/kg甜菜碱(4组)的效果最为明显;日粮中添加甜菜碱可以不同程度地提高育肥猪PRKAG3基因的表达量,其中以1 500 mg/kg甜菜碱(4组)的效果最为明显。说明甜菜碱可以提供甲基供体,节约蛋氨酸和胆碱,从而提高育肥猪的生长性能。     

那西肽对生长肥育猪的作用效果及其在产品中的残留

选择32头30kg左右健康的二元杂交生长猪, 随机分为4组, 每组8头, 个体饲喂, 4组均喂相同的基础饲粮, 但添加不同饲用抗生素,分别是低、高剂量那西肽(10mg/kg、50mg/kg)、盐霉素(30mg/kg) 和对照。猪体重达90kg时, 分别按0、3和7d停药后屠宰, 检测那西肽在样品各器官中的残留量。结果表明: 那西肽可显著提高生长肥育猪的采食量和日增重(P<0 05), 但是对料重比的改善作用不明显; 当检测灵敏度为0 01mg/kg时, 在低、高剂量那西肽组猪的心脏、肝脏、肾脏和背最长肌中, 均未检出那西肽。