Effects of essential oil supplementation of a low‐energy diet on performance,intestinal morphology and microflora,immune properties and antioxidant activities in weaned pigs

A total of 144 weaned piglets were used to evaluate the effects of essential oil (EO) supplementation of a low‐energy diet on performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, small intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora, immune properties and antioxidant activities in weaned pigs. Pigs received a low‐energy diet (negative control, NC, digestible energy = 3250 kcal/kg), NC plus 0.025% EO or a positive control diet (PC, digestible energy = 3400 kcal/kg) for 28 days. Growth performance was similar between the EO group and PC group. However, EO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and energy compared with pigs fed the NC diet. Greater (P < 0.05) villus height and lower (P < 0.05) counts of Escherichia coli and total anaerobes in the rectum in the EO group were observed compared with NC or PC groups. Pigs fed EO diet had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of albumin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and total antioxidant capacity and lower fecal score than pigs fed the PC and NC diets. Above all, this study indicates that supplementation of EO to a low‐energy pig diet has beneficial results and obtains similar performance compared with normal energy (PC) diet.     

Changes in diarrhea,nutrients apparent digestibility,digestive enzyme activities of weaned piglets in response to chitosan‐zinc chelate

A total of 120 weanling barrows weighing 6.11 ± 0.20 kg were randomly allotted to four treatments with three replications (i.e. pen) of ten piglets per replicate. Pigs were received corn‐soybean basal diet (control) or the same basal diet supplemented with the following sources of zinc: (i) 100 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO₄; (ii) 100 mg/kg of Zn as chitosan‐Zn chelate (CS‐Zn); and (iii) 100 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO₄ mixed with chitosan (CS + ZnSO₄). The results showed that CS‐Zn could highly improve average daily gain and average daily feed intake than those of ZnSO₄ or CS+ ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The pigs fed dietary CS‐Zn had lower diarrhea incidence and higher apparent digestibility of crude protein than those of the pigs fed dietary ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The protease activities in duodenal content of the pigs receiving CS‐Zn diets was higher than that of the pigs fed dietary ZnSO₄ or CS + ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The amylase activity in duodenal content of the pigs fed dietary CS‐Zn was higher than that of the pigs receiving ZnSO₄ diets or basal diets (P < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary CS‐Zn showed different bioactivities from ZnSO₄ or CS + ZnSO₄ in reducing the incidence of diarrhea, improving activities of digestive enzymes and growth performance of weaned pigs.     

Effects of xylanase supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood parameters,fecal microbiota,fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn‐soybean meal‐based diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood parameters, fecal microflora shedding, fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn‐soybean meal based diet. A total of 150 weaning pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 7.85 ± 0.93 kg were randomly allocated to three treatments based on BW and sex (10 replicate pens with five pigs, two gilts and three barrows) were used in this 42‐day trial. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) X1, basal diet +0.005% xylanase; (2) X2, basal diet +0.01% xylanase. The xylanase supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), and gain : feed ratio (G:F) from days 29 to 42 and the in overall period, dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibility, and fecal Lactobacilli counts, and linearly decreased (P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, fecal NH₃ and H₂S emission. Additionally, at weeks 5 and 6, there was a linear decrease in fecal score with xylanase supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, shifted microbiota by increasing fecal Lactobacillus counts, decreased BUN concentration, fecal score, and fecal NH₃ and H₂S emission in weaning pigs.     

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.     

Beta‐glucan from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 improves growth performance and intestinal function in weaned piglets

Beta‐glucan is currently under consideration as an alternative to in‐feed antibiotics. The aim of the study was to investigate Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 beta‐glucan on intestinal morphology, cytokine concentration, mucin expression and microbial populations of weaning piglets. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg beta‐glucan. Data showed an increase in ADG at the 100 mg/kg group (p = .03). A significant increase in villus height and reduction in crypt depth were fund in ileal tissue at the 100 mg/kg inclusion level (p < .05). Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan enhanced IL‐10 concentration (p = .04) and gene expression of MUC1 and MUC2 (p < .05) in the jejunum. Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan provoked the up‐regulation of Lactobacillus counts and down‐regulation of Escherichia coli counts in the caecum (p = .05). Data suggested that improved growth performance in response to beta‐glucan supplementation at 100 mg/kg in weaned piglets may be explained by the improved intestinal function.     

Benzoic acid beneficially affects growth performance of weaned pigs which was associated with changes in gut bacterial populations,morphology indices and growth factor gene expression

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of benzoic acid (BA) on growth performance, intestinal development and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. Ninety weaned pigs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1) and 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). At the end of days 14 and 42, six pigs per treatment were randomly selected to collect plasma and intestinal samples. Results showed that BA supplementation not only improved final body weight, daily growth and feed conversion ratio from days 15 to 42 and days 1 to 42, but also decreased the activity of plasma diamine oxidase (day 42) and the pH values of jejunal contents (day 14) (p < 0.05). Ileal Bacillus populations (day 14) were increased by BA, while Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and caecum (day 42) were decreased (p < 0.05). Higher Lactobacillus counts occurred in the ileum (day 14, 42) of BA1‐fed piglets as compared to CON and BA2‐fed piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, BA supplementation increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (day 14, 42) and decreased the crypt depth (day 14) (p < 0.05). Growth‐stimulating factors (insulin‐like growth factor‐1, day 42; insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor, day 14, 42) and tight junction protein (occludin, day 14, 42; zonula occludens‐1, day 42)‐related gene mRNA levels were upregulated in the jejunum of piglets fed BA diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BA has beneficial effects on intestinal development and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of pigs was improved by dietary BA supplementation.     

Aspergillus awamori‐fermented mung bean seed coats enhance the antioxidant and immune responses of weaned pigs

The potential benefits of Aspergillus‐fermented mung bean seed coats (FMSC) for weaned pigs remain unexplored. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments were employed to evaluate the potential of FMSC supplement on the growth, antioxidant and immune responses of weaned pigs. The total polyphenols and DPPH scavenging capability of ethanol extract of FMSC exhibited a greater (p < 0.01) increase than those of pre‐fermentation. With the addition of the polyphenol of FMSC extract, an increase in phagocytosis by neutrophils and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were found. However, these observations were significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) in those activated cells. Next, 96 weaned pigs were allotted with a randomized complete block design into four dietary treatments, including 0 (control), 600, 1200 or 1800 mg/kg FMSC in a corn–soya bean meal basal diet for a 35‐day trial. The pigs were injected with swine enzootic pneumonia (SEP) vaccines at day 3 and day 21 respectively. The results showed that dietary treatment failed to affect growth performance or serum SEP titre. The diet supplemented with 600–1800 mg/kg FMSC decreased faecal lactoferrin on day 21 and increased plasma trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and erythrocytes catalase activity, as well as decreased (p < 0.01) plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on day 35. Diet supplementation of 1800 mg/kg FMSC increased phagocytosis by neutrophils and PBMC proliferation induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM). However, the polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN)‐positive respiratory burst cells were decreased in the supplementation of 1200 or 1800 mg/kg FMSC respectively. In addition, the serum haptoglobin concentration was decreased in the supplementation with 1200 mg/kg FMSC. Taken together, FMSC enriches polyphenols with antioxidative and immune modulated properties. After feeding FMSC, an improvement in antioxidative capability and immunocompetence was found, implying that FMSC could provide as a feed additive at optimal level 1200 mg/kg for weaned pigs.     

Effect of administration of acid‐ and bile‐tolerant lactobacilli on pigs intestinal microbial population

The effects of the administration of four Lactobacillus strains as probiotics on the constitution of microbial populations in the intestine of pigs were investigated by using a litter of pigs. The experimental group was fed a diet blended with the freeze‐dried powder containing lactobacilli at a concentration of 0.2% (W/W). After 4 weeks of probiotics administration, the total viable count of anaerobes in the feces was not significantly different between the pigs fed a diet supplemented with probiotics and the pigs given the non‐supplemented diet. However, viable counts of eubacteria were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the feces of pigs fed a diet supplemented with probiotics than in the pigs given the non‐supplemented diet. Conversely, viable counts of clostridia were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the feces of pigs fed a diet supplemented with probiotics than the pigs given the non‐supplemented diet. The total volatile fatty acid concentrations in the feces of pigs that were given a diet supplemented with probiotics were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those given the non‐supplemented diet. Further, the molar proportion of n‐butyric acids in the feces of pigs that were given a diet supplemented with probiotics, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those given the non‐supplemented diet.     

Effects of fermented mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) by‐product diets on growth performance and carcass traits in growing‐fattening Berkshire pigs

This study was conducted to investigate effects of fermented mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) by‐product diets on the growth performance and carcass traits in growing‐fattening Berkshire pigs. The fermented diets mainly contained 40.0% mushroom by‐product, 20.0% formula feed, 26.0% rice bran and supplemental 0.1% probiotics. The mixed ingredients were fermented for 5 days at room temperature. Berkshire pigs (n = 225) were divided into five groups and three replications. The basal diets (C) were substituted by 10% (T1), 30% (T2), 50% (T3) and 70% (T4) fermented mushroom by‐product diets. Crude protein concentration and total calorie in fermented diets were significantly increased (P < 0.05) at the end of fermentation days compared with initial fermentation day. Body weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass weight were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the T2, T3 and T4 groups than in the control group. Carcass grade was significantly better (P < 0.05) in the pigs fed fermented diets than in the pigs fed control diet and the ratio of high grade (1 plus 2 grades) was higher in the fermented diet groups compared with the control group. Therefore, although a diet of fermented mushroom by‐product decreased growth performance and feed efficiency, it improved the carcass grade in Berkshire pigs.     

Gaseous emissions,growth performance and pork quality of pigs housed in deep‐litter system compared to concrete‐floor system

This study measured gaseous emissions, growth performance and pork quality in a deep‐litter system and concrete‐floor system. Three hundred and twenty weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 6.0 ± 0.3 kg were assigned randomly into three treatments. Treatments 1 and 2 included four pens with 20 pigs for each pen respectively in the deep‐litter system, and the ratio of sawdust to chaff was 5:5 and 3:7 for treatments 1 and 2 respectively, the probiotics inoculated into the fermentation bedding for both treatments were composed of Saccharomycetes, Bacillus subtilis and Actinomycetes; treatment 3 was the conventional concrete‐floor system including eight pens with 20 pigs for each pen. The concentration of NH₃ and CO₂ in the deep‐litter system was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that in the concrete‐floor system. The ratio of feed to gain for pigs raised in the deep‐litter system was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that for pigs housed in the concrete‐floor system. The carcass weight and length, color score and rate of cooking meat for pork from the deep‐litter system were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those from the concrete‐floor system. Results indicate that pigs raised in the deep‐litter system had some animal welfare improvements and an odor nuisance reduction; in the meantime, pork quality also improved from the deep‐litter system compared to the pigs housed in the concrete‐floor system.     

Performance and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles‐containing diets supplemented with phytase and multi‐carbohydrase

Effect of supplementing wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS)‐containing diet with enzymes on nutrient utilization by growing pigs was evaluated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 60 pigs weighing ~30 kg were fed five diets that included a corn‐based diet (Control), Control with 10% wheat DDGS (DDGS‐PC), DDGS‐PC without inorganic P source (DDGS‐NC), and DDGS‐NC plus phytase alone or with multi‐carbohydrase for 4 weeks to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F). In Experiment 2, 30 barrows weighing 22 kg were fed five diets fed in Experiment 1 to determine nutrient digestibility and retention. Pigs fed DDGS‐PC and Control diets had similar ADG and G:F. The ADG and G:F for DDGS‐PC diet were higher (P < 0.05) than those for DDGS‐NC diet. Phytase improved (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, total tract P digestibility and P retention by 6.6, 8.7, 86.0 and 85.5%, respectively. Addition of multi‐carbohydrase to phytase‐supplemented diet did not affected growth performance, but reduced (P < 0.05) P retention. In conclusion, inclusion of 10% wheat DDGS in growing pig diet may not affect growth performance of growing pigs. Phytase supplementation to wheat DDGS‐containing diet can eliminate the need for inorganic P supplement in pig diets.     

Effects of adding liquid dl‐methionine hydroxy analogue‐free acid to drinking water on growth performance and small intestinal morphology of nursery pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding liquid dl ‐methionine hydroxy analogue free acid (LMA) to drinking water on growth performance, small intestinal morphology and volatile fatty acids in the caecum of nursery pigs. Twenty‐four crossbred pigs (Large White × Landrace, BW ～18 kg) were divided into three groups with four replications of two piglets each. The piglets received drinking water without (control), with 0.05 or 0.10% LMA. The results indicated that adding LMA at 0.10% to drinking water significantly increased their weight gain, average daily feed intake (p < 0.05) and tended to improve the feed conversion ratio. Adding LMA to drinking water significantly increased their water intake and significantly reduced the pH of drinking water (p < 0.01), thus total plate count (p < 0.01) and Escherichia coli in drinking water was reduced (p < 0.05), while the total number of bacteria in the caecum was not significantly affected. Liquid dl ‐methionine hydroxy analogue free acid supplementation in drinking water tended to decrease pH in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, colon and rectum. Furthermore, adding LMA at 0.10% significantly increased villous height in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), and the villous height:crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.01) was higher, whereas acetic acid concentration in the caecum was significantly lower than in the control group. It could be concluded that adding LMA to drinking water improved growth performance of the nursery pigs because of high water quality and high nutrient utilization caused by an improvement of small intestinal morphology (not from nutritional effect of methionine source).     

Effect of dietary kapok oil supplementation on growth performance,carcass traits,meat quality and sensory traits of pork in finishing‐pigs

Kapok seed and oil from the tropical zone are widely used as pig feed to harden porcine fat in Japan. This study evaluated the effect of dietary kapok oil supplementation on pork quality and sensory traits. Five Duroc pigs each were assigned to an experimental group supplemented with kapok oil and a control group. Dietary kapok oil supplementation had no effect on growth performance and intramuscular fat content in the Longissimus dorsi muscle (LM). Supplemental kapok oil increased saturated fatty acid contents in subcutaneous and intramuscular fat and decreased monounsaturated fatty acid levels (P < 0.05). Off‐flavor detection by a trained panel was higher in the experimental than the control group (P < 0.05), but tenderness, juiciness, texture and flavor intensity of LM chops were similar in both groups. The overall palatability of pork as judged by a consumer panel decreased with kapok oil supplementation (P < 0.01). These results indicate that while growth performance, intramuscular fat contents and carcass characteristics were unchanged, while dietary kapok oil supplementation makes firm fat to prevent inferior soft fat in pork, it can lower the palatability of pork due to a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids.     

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus,Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,faecal microbial shedding,immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs

A 12‐week trial with 120 [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs (45.65 ± 1.93 kg) was conducted to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture (HM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments with 0, 0.025% (HM1) and 0.05% (HM2) HM supplementation in a randomized complete block design according to sex and BW. Each treatment contained 10 replications with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Dietary HM resulted in a higher G:F (p < 0.05) than CON group during weeks 7 to 12 and the overall periods. Pigs fed HM2 diet had higher ADG than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed HM2 supplementation diet led to a higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) than pigs fed CON diet at week 6, while the supplementation of HM led to a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than pigs fed CON diet at week 12. The faecal E. coli counts were reduced, and Lactobacillus counts were increased by increasing HM supplementation (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HM1 diet had higher (p < 0.05) WBC concentration than those fed CON and HM2 diets at week 6. Pigs fed HM‐supplemented diet had higher (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA concentrations than those fed CON diet at week 12. Pigs fed HM diet noted better (p < 0.05) meat colour and redness value than pigs fed CON diet. Pig fed HM2 reduced (p < 0.05) the lightness value compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary HM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial balance (increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), immune response and meat quality.     

Effect of Forsythia suspensa extract and chito‐oligosaccharide alone or in combination on performance,intestinal barrier function,antioxidant capacity and immune characteristics of weaned piglets

We investigated the effects of Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) and chito‐oligosaccharide (COS), alone or together, on performance and health status of weaned piglets. The treatments included a basal diet and three diets with 160 mg/kg COS, 100 mg/kg FSE, or 100 mg/kg FSE and 160 mg/kg COS. Supplementation with COS or FSE alone improved (P < 0.01) average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared with the basal diet in the first 2 weeks. On day 14, COS or FSE supplementation separately produced stronger (P < 0.01) serum total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activities and lower serum endotoxin (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.01) concentrations, generated higher (P < 0.01) serum complement 4 concentration, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and serum‐specific ovalbumin antibody level than the basal diet. No differences in oxidative injury and immunity indices were detected on day 28. The combined FSE and COS produced similar results compared with FSE or COS when given alone. These data indicate FSE or COS can increase performance by modulating intestinal permeability, antioxidant status and immune function in younger pigs. There appears to be similar advantage in feeding the additives in combination over those obtained from feeding them separately.     

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 pre‐slaughter stressor and feeding preventative Chinese medicinal herbs on glycolysis and oxidative stability in pigs

A total of 64 5‐month‐old Pietrain pigs were randomly allocated to four treatments with four replicates per treatment according to body weight. The pigs were fed either a standard corn‐soybean meal based control diet (treatments 1 and 2), the standard diet with 1% Lycium barbarum (LB) (treatment 3), or the standard diet with 1% Polygala tenuifolia Willd (PT) (treatment 4). Serum lactic acid and glucose concentrations were increased in stressed pigs (P < 0.05). Addition of the herbs in the diet had no effect on the serum lactic acid concentration, but 1% LB decreased (P < 0.05) serum glucose concentration in the stressed pigs. Pre‐slaughter stress also decreased (P < 0.01) liver glycogen concentration and the decrease could be inhibited by addition of 1% LB in the diet (P > 0.05). Pre‐slaughter stress increased the concentration of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity in serum, while dietary 1% LB increased (P < 0.05) the activity of GSH‐Px and decreased the concentration of MDA in the serum. In conclusion, pre‐slaughter stress induces oxidative stress in pigs and dietary supplementation with 1% LB improves antioxidant capacity in stressed pigs before slaughtering.     

Effect of weaning age and postweaning feeding programme on the growth performance of pigs to 10 weeks of age

This study aimed to determine the effects of weaning age and postweaning feeding programme on pig performance and health. In experiment 1, 96 same gender pairs of pigs weaned at 3, 4 and 5 weeks of age were used in a 3 (weaning age)×4 (dietary programme) factorial design experiment. Pigs received different amounts of a phase 1 diet (16.2 MJ/kg digestible energy (DE) and 16.2 g/kg lysine) and phase 2 diet (15.3 MJ/kg DE and 15.0 g/kg lysine): (A) very low (VL, 1 kg phase 1 and 3 kg phase 2 diet per pig); (B) low (L, 2 kg phase 1 and 6 kg phase 2 diet per pig); (C) medium (M, 3 kg phase 1 and 9 kg phase 2 diet per pig) or (D) high (H, 4 kg phase 1 and 12 kg phase 2 diet per pig), followed by a cereal based phase 3 diet (15.0 MJ/kg DE and 13.8 g/kg lysine) to 10 weeks of age. In experiment 2, faecal samples from 60 pigs weaned at 3, 4 and 5 weeks of age were collected at 10 days postweaning and analysed for Escherichia coli and lactic acid bacteria counts. In experiment 1, there were no interaction effects of age×dietary programme on growth performance. Dietary programme did not affect growth performance from weaning to 10 weeks of age. From weaning to 10 weeks of age, increasing weaning age increased average daily gain (ADG; 363, 402, and 476 g for 3, 4 and 5 weeks respectively; s.e. 17.6; P<0.001), average daily feed intake (ADFI; 560, 620, and 680 g; s.e. 26.1; P<0.001), and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.57, 1.55, and 1.43; s.e. 0.045; P<0.05). However, weaning age had no effect (P>0.05) on pig weight at 10 weeks of age. In experiment 2, 3 week weaned pigs had higher faecal counts of E. coli (P<0.05) than 4 week weaned pigs and higher faecal counts of lactic acid bacteria (P>0.01) than 5 week weaned pigs at 10 days postweaning. In conclusion, feeding higher amounts of phases 1 and 2 diets did not affect performance at any of the weaning ages tested. Increasing weaning age increased growth performance between weaning and 10 weeks of age, but had no effect on the resulting body weight. Pigs weaned at 3 weeks of age had increased counts of selected faecal bacteria compared to those weaned later.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented Ginkgo biloba L. residues on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,serum biochemical parameters and immune function in weaned piglets

This study evaluated the effects of fermented Ginkgo biloba L. residues (FGBLR) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in weaned piglets. Pigs were allotted to five dietary treatments, including negative control (NC: antibiotic free basal diet), positive control (PC) (NC + 30 mg apramycin/kg) and FGBLR‐50, 100, 150 (NC + 50, 100, 150 g FGBLR/kg). Pigs in FGBLR‐100 and PC treatments showed increased final body weight, average daily gain, gain:feed and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, N and gross energy (P < 0.05) compared with NC, FGBLR‐50 and FGBLR‐150 treatments, In addition, pigs fed with FGBLR‐100 diet showed higher serum total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, hemoglobin, total iron, total iron binding capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione superoxide dismutase levels, and lower serum blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase, glutamic‐oxalacetic transaminase, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels than those fed with PC and NC diets (P < 0.05). Moreover, feeding FGBLR‐100 could increase levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA and IgM, as well as lymphocyte transformation rates, ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cells and proportions of CD2+, CD4+, B, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐I and MHC‐II cells, and can decrease proportion of CD8+ cells in blood of piglets compared with PC and NC groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate that dietary supplementation with 10% of FGBLR showed greatest beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in weaned piglets, which were superior to antibiotic supplemental diets.     

Effects of Piper sarmentosum extract on the growth performance,antioxidant capability and immune response in weaned piglets

The biological properties of Piper sarmentosum render it a potential substitute for antibiotics in livestock feed. This study evaluated the effects of P. sarmentosum extract (PSE) on the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response of weaned piglets. Eighty 21‐d‐old weaned piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with five replicates of four pigs each. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0 (T0), 50 (T50), 100 (T100) or 200 (T200) mg/kg PSE. The feeding trial lasted 4 weeks. The results revealed that the T50 group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the feeding trial (p < 0.05). Additionally, the T50 group had higher (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH‐Px) and lower (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than the T0 group at 4 weeks post‐weaning (p < 0.05). Serum levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) decreased, while serum levels of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) increased by PSE supplementation at 4 weeks post‐weaning (p < 0.05). PSE supplementation upregulated the mRNA expression of IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β and downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the ileal mucosal layer of piglets (p < 0.05). In summary, our study findings revealed that PSE supplementation improved the antioxidant capability, and reduced inflammation, which may be beneficial to weaned piglet health.