Effect on hepatonephric organs, serum metabolites and oxidative stress in post-weaning piglets fed purified zearalenone-contaminated diets with or without Calibrin-Z

The objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicity of zearalenone (ZEA) on hepatonephric organs, serum metabolites and oxidative stress of piglets and to evaluate the efficacy of Calibrin‐Z (CAZ) in preventing ZEA‐induced adverse effects. The experiment was conducted for 22 days using 36 piglets weaned at 21 days of age (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, 18 females and 18 males; 8.84 ± 0.21 kg average body weight). Piglets of each gender were randomly allocated to the following six dietary treatments: (i) Control (basal diet only); (ii) Control + 1 g/kg CAZ; (iii) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA; (iv) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 1 g/kg CAZ; (v) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 2 g/kg CAZ; (vi) Control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 4 g/kg CAZ. Piglets were housed and fed individually for the entire experimental period. Blood samples were taken, and piglets were killed at the end of the experiment to obtain organs for physiological assessment. Results showed that piglets fed the ZEA‐contaminated diet had increased (p < 0.05) activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase and cholinesterase, concentrations of urea, and creatinine in serum, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and liver. Pigs fed the ZEA‐only diet also showed reductions in serum (p < 0.05) globulin, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), and reductions in total superoxide dismutase (TSOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in both serum and liver. Supplementation of CAZ at the dosages of 1–4 g/kg to the diet containing 1.05 mg/kg ZEA linearly increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of triglycerides and HDL in serum, activity of TSOD and GSHPx in serum and liver, but linearly reduced (p < 0.05) all tested serum enzymes and lowered (p < 0.05) the elevated concentrations of urea, and creatinine in serum, and MDA in serum and liver caused by dietary ZEA. Piglets fed the ZEA‐contaminated diet showed increased (p < 0.05) relative weight of liver and kidney compared with the control, whereas only numerical improvement on relative weight of liver and kidney was observed with simultaneous addition of CAZ at 4 g/kg diet and ZEA. However, feeding the diet with CAZ alone at 1 g/kg had no impact on any of the measured parameters when compared to the control. It is suggested that feeding ZEA at 1.05 mg/kg exerted a deleterious effect on piglets, which was totally or partly ameliorated by dietary supplementation of CAZ at concentrations between 1 and 4 g/kg diet.     

Interaction of zearalenone and soybean isoflavone in diets on the growth performance, organ development and serum parameters in prepubertal gilts

The aim of the present research was to determine the interactive effect of zearalenone (ZEA) and soybean isoflavone (ISO) on the growth performance, development of organs and serum parameters in prepubertal gilts. Ninety 75-day-old female pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 26.5 ± 0.60 kg) were randomly allocated to nine diet treatments during the 21-day study. The experiment employed a 3 × 3 factorial design using a non-soybean meal diet with the addition of 0, 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg ZEA and 0, 300 or 600 mg/kg ISO. The results indicated that simultaneous addition of ZEA and ISO had no significant influence on the growth performance in prepubertal gilts. Zearalenone with 2 mg/kg increased (p < 0.05) the relative weight of the reproductive organs (including uterus and vagina) but had no obvious effects (p > 0.05) on the relative weight of the heart, liver, lung, kidney and spleen. Isoflavone at 600 mg/kg could offset the increased weight of the reproductive organs induced by ZEA. Simultaneous addition of ZEA and ISO to prepubertal gilts increased the level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum (p < 0.05) at day 14 but their levels decreased (p < 0.05) over time. Zearalenone increased the level of malondialdehyde and decreased the concentrations of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05) in the serum. The results suggested that ISO added to diets at 600 mg/kg could reduce the increase in the relative weight of reproductive organs and relieve the oxidative stress induced by ZEA added at 2 mg/kg during the growth phase in prepubertal gilts.     

镰刀菌毒素对断奶仔猪血清酶、肝脏抗氧化功能及组织病理学的影响

试验旨在研究镰刀菌毒素污染日粮对断奶仔猪血清酶、肝脏抗氧化功能及组织病理学的影响。选择35日龄体重为(8.45±0.94) kg的健康三元杂交(杜×长×大)断奶雌性仔猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂用霉变玉米和霉变玉米蛋白粉替代基础日粮中50%的玉米和玉米蛋白粉配制而成的镰刀菌毒素污染日粮(玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEN) 0.90 mg/kg,呕吐毒素(DON) 1.43 mg/kg,烟曲霉毒素(FUM) 5.85 mg/kg)。仔猪单栏饲喂,预试期7 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:①与对照组相比,试验组断奶仔猪血清中谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性均显著升高(P<0.05),肝脏相对重显著降低(P<0.05);②与对照组相比,试验组断奶仔猪血清和肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性均显著降低(P<0.05),而丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高(P<0.05);③病理组织学观察发现,试验组断奶仔猪肝脏出现一定程度的组织损伤,部分肝小叶边缘发生明显的炎性细胞浸润,肝细胞发生局部空泡变性。由此可知,镰刀菌毒素污染日粮(0.90 mg/kg ZEN,1.43 mg/kg DON,5.85 mg/kg FUM)饲喂断奶仔猪可引起仔猪血清酶活性改变,肝脏抗氧化功能降低,肝脏组织出现一定程度的病理损伤,从而影响肝脏功能的发挥。     

玉米赤霉烯酮对断奶小母猪生产性能、血清抗氧化功能和免疫功能的影响

为了研究不同水平玉米赤霉烯酮(zearalenone,ZEA)污染饲粮对断奶小母猪生产性能、血清抗氧化功能、血清抗体水平及外周血淋巴细胞增殖率的影响。将40头健康三元杂交(杜×长×大)断奶小母猪按日龄[(35±1)日龄]和平均体重[(14.01±0.86)kg]分为4组,对照组饲喂基础饲粮(ZEA水平的测定值为0 mg/kg),试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加0.5、1.0及1.5 mg/kg ZEA[ZEA水平的测定值分别为(0.52±0.07)mg/kg、(1.04±0.03)mg/kg和(1.51±0.13)mg/kg]。预试期10 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:饲粮ZEA对断奶小母猪平均日采食量、平均日增重和料重比没有显著影响(P0.05)。与对照组相比,ZEA显著降低了血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px,0.5、1.0和1.5 mg/kg ZEA)活性、猪瘟(1.0和1.5 mg/kg ZEA)和伪狂犬病病毒抗体水平(1.5 mg/kg ZEA)以及外周血淋巴细胞增殖率(1.0和1.5 mg/kg ZEA)(P0.05),而显著升高了血清丙二醛(MDA,0.5、1.0和1.5 mg/kg ZEA)含量(P0.05)。随着饲粮中ZEA水平的升高,断奶小母猪的料重比呈一次线性降低趋势(P=0.075),血清GSH-Px、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,血清病毒(猪瘟、伪狂犬病和高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒)抗体水平和外周血淋巴细胞增殖率均呈一次线性降低(P0.05),而血清MDA含量则呈一次线性升高(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中0.5 mg/kg的ZEA足以诱导小母猪的氧化应激反应,1.0 mg/kg的ZEA能够显著降低断奶小母猪的特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫功能。     

Effects of Fusarium Toxins on Serum Enzymes Activity,Liver Antioxidant Function and Histopathology of Weaned Gilts

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of Fusarium toxins contaminated diet on serum enzymes, liver antioxidant function and histopathology of weaned gilts.Forty healthy weaned gilts (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) aged 35 d with body weight of (8.45±0.94) kg were randomly allocated into 2 groups with 20 replicates per group and 1 pigs per replicate.Gilts in the control group were fed with basal diet, and those in the experiment group were fed with Fusarium toxins contaminated diet made by replacing 50% of corn and corn gluten meal in the basal diet with the naturally contaminated corn and corn gluten meal (0.90 mg/kg ZEN, 1.43 mg/kg DON, 5.85 mg/kg FUM).Gilts were fed individually in a metabolic cage for 35 d after 7 d adaptation.The results showed as follows:① Compared with control group, the serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP in experimental group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the liver index of experiment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05).②Compared with control group, the activities of GSH-Px and T-SOD in serum and liver of experimental group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the MDA content in serum and liver were significantly increased (P<0.05).③ Histological examination of liver in experiment group revealed a certain degree of damage, with obvious inflammatory cell infiltration partly at the margin of hepatic lobule and vacuoles degeneration of local hepatic cells.The results indicated that Fusarium toxins contaminated diets (0.90 mg/kg ZEN, 1.43 mg/kg DON, 5.85 mg/kg FUM) could change serum enzymes activity and impair liver antioxidant function, with a certain degree of pathological injury of liver in the present study, which had a negative impact on the normal liver function in weaned gilts.     

Behavior, reproduction, and immunity of crated pregnant gilts: effects of high dietary fiber and rearing environment.

The objective of this study was to examine effects of increased gut fill and diverse developing environments on pregnant gilts' behavior and physiology. Gilts were cross-fostered at 1 d of age and transferred to either an indoor or outdoor production unit. Littermate gilts remained in their different environments during development and were moved into individual gestation crates in an indoor gestation unit. Of the 42 gilts, 19 were fed a control diet of fortified sorghum-soybean meal and 23 were fed the same diet with 25% beet pulp (high fiber). Control sows ate 2.0 kg/d and high-fiber sows ate 2.67 kg/d in a large pellet (thus resulting in approximately equal energy intake and differing total dietary intakes). Pregnant gilts had behavior and immune measures sampled at 30, 60, and 90 d of gestation. The day x diet interaction was significant (P = 0.01) for duration of standing: sows fed high-fiber diets stood less on d 30, but on d 60 and 90 they and the control sows stood for a similar duration. Sham chewing duration and frequency showed significant (P < 0.05) effects of gestation stage x diet x environment. Gilts reared outdoors and fed high fiber increased sham chewing over gestation, whereas all other treatment groups decreased this behavior over time. Outdoor-reared gilts had greater (P < 0.05) frequency and duration of drinking behavior than indoor-reared gilts. White blood cell numbers were higher (P < 0.05) for gilts fed high-fiber diets than for gilts fed the control diet. Immune (humoral and cellular systems) and reproductive measures (farrowing rate and litter size) and plasma cortisol concentrations were generally not influenced (P > 0.10) by diets and rearing environments, suggesting that in spite of significant changes in behavior and feed intake gilts' immune systems were not suppressed or enhanced. Behavioral data alone suggested that indoor-reared gilts showed fewer behavioral adaptations to the crates than outdoor-reared gilts. However, immune measures did not indicate that any treatments resulted in physiological effects indicative of stress.     

Carcass, meat quality, and sensory characteristics of heavy body weight pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride (Paylean)

Carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, and sensory attributes were evaluated in late-finishing barrows and gilts, weighing between 100 to 130 kg of BW, fed 0, 5, or 7.4 mg/kg of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) for the final 21 to 28 d before slaughter. Carcass data were collected from carcasses from barrows and gilts (n = 168), and all primal cuts from the right sides of these carcasses were fabricated to calculate primal yields as a percentage of the HCW. Subjective (National Pork Producers Council and Japanese) color, firmness, and marbling scores were determined on the LM of each loin and the semimembranosus muscle (SM) of the ham, whereas the moisture, extractable lipid, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and trained sensory evaluations (juiciness, tenderness, and pork flavor) were measured on the LM samples only. Gilts produced heavier (P < 0.05) HCW than barrows, whereas feeding RAC increased (P < 0.05) HCW over pigs fed diets devoid of RAC. Carcasses from gilts also had greater (P < 0.02) primal cut and lean cut (P < 0.01) yields than barrows, and dietary inclusion of 5 mg/kg of RAC increased (P < 0.05) total boneless cut and lean cut yields when compared with carcass from pigs fed 0 or 7.4 mg/kg of RAC. Warner-Bratzler shear forces values were greater (P < 0.05) in the LM of gilts than barrows, but only juiciness scores were greater (P < 0.03) in LM chops from barrows than gilts. The LM from barrows had greater intramuscular lipid (P < 0.001) than the LM from gilts, and even though the LM from pigs fed 5 mg/kg of RAC had greater (P < 0.04) WBSF values than the LM from pigs fed 0 or 7.4 mg/kg of RAC, including RAC in the late-finishing diets for 21 or 28 d did not affect sensory panel rating or percentages of moisture and intramuscular lipid. In summary, addition of RAC in the late-finishing diet improved carcass and primal cut yields when it was fed at 5 and 7.4 mg/kg without altering pork quality traits regardless of whether RAC was fed for 21 or 28 d.     

玉米赤霉烯酮对断奶小母猪卵巢指数及孕激素受体分布和表达的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)污染饲粮对断奶小母猪卵巢指数及孕激素受体的阳性分布和mRNA相对表达量的影响。选择40头35~38日龄健康三元杂交(杜×长×大)断奶小母猪,按平均体重[(14.01±0.86)kg]随机分为4个组,采用单笼饲养。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加0.5、1.0和1.5 mg/kg的ZEA,4个组ZEA的测定值分别为0、(0.52±0.07)mg/kg、(1.04±0.03)mg/kg和(1.51±0.13)mg/kg。试验期35 d。结果表明:随着饲粮ZEA水平的升高,断奶小母猪卵巢指数呈一次线性升高(P0.01);1.0 mg/kg ZEA组的卵巢指数显著高于1.5 mg/kg ZEA组(P0.05),1.5 mg/kg ZEA组的卵巢指数显著高于0.5 mg/kg ZEA组和对照组(P0.05)。随着饲粮ZEA水平的升高,断奶小母猪卵巢孕激素受体累积光密度(IOD)和mRNA相对表达量均呈一次线性升高(P0.01);1.5 mg/kg ZEA组的孕激素受体IOD和mRNA相对表达量显著高于1.0 mg/kg ZEA组(P0.05),1.0 mg/kg ZEA组又显著高于0.5 mg/kg ZEA组和对照组(P0.05)。免疫组化结果显示断奶小母猪卵巢中孕激素受体免疫阳性物质主要分布于原始卵泡和生长卵泡的卵母细胞及颗粒细胞、卵泡膜细胞及血管壁细胞。随着饲粮ZEA水平的升高和卵泡闭锁程度的增加,免疫阳性反应明显增强,但卵巢内孕激素受体免疫阳性物质的分布位置没有因ZEA的水平发生明显改变。由此可见,ZEA(1.0~1.5 mg/kg)可以通过调控断奶小母猪卵巢中孕激素受体的高水平表达,使孕激素受体的水平超出正向调节卵泡生长的限值,从而促使卵泡闭锁,降低卵巢指数,改变卵巢发育,进而影响断奶小母猪生殖系统的健康。     

Riboflavin requirement of lactating swine

Twenty-five crossbred gilts and 25 crossbred sows were used in an experiment to estimate the riboflavin requirement of lactating swine. During gestation the females were fed a 12% crude protein, corn-soybean meal diet that was marginal in riboflavin content, i.e., 2.3 mg/kg. After farrowing, litter size was equalized across lactation diets within each parity category. The basal, 14% crude-protein corn-soybean meal lactation diet was supplemented to provide five levels of dietary riboflavin: 1.25, 2.25, 3.25, 4.25 and 5.25 mg/kg. Five gilts and five sows were fed each dietary treatment. Each dam was provided her assigned diet ad libitum during the 24-d lactation; piglets were not provided supplemental feed. The erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC), an indicator of riboflavin status, was measured on blood samples obtained from the dams and their piglets on d 1 and d 24 postpartum. On d 1, the mean EGRAC of gilts was slightly higher than that of sows, while piglet EGRAC was similar regardless of maternal age. On d 24 gilts and their piglets had higher average EGRAC (P less than .01) than did sows and their piglets. Thus, there was a treatment x dam age interaction (P less than .05). Lactation performance criteria gave further evidence of similar treatment x age group interactions. Gilts fed the diet containing 1.25 ppm riboflavin had higher piglet mortality, consumed less feed and lost more weight (P less than .05) for each criterion than did sows fed the same diet. Despite these observations, the broken-line estimates of the riboflavin requirement, based on EGRAC, for gilts and sows were 16.3 and 16.2 mg/d, respectively. The EGRAC values for piglets closely paralleled those of their dams regardless of treatment, suggesting that there is no mechanism to protect the nursing piglets from a maternal dietary deficiency of riboflavin.     

Effect of gilt development diet on the reproductive performance of primiparous sows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of development diet on first-parity reproductive performance across different genetic types of females. Gilts (n = 708) 8 to 15 d of age from five genetic lines were assembled using a segregated early weaning protocol. Genetic types represented industry variation for reproductive capacity and lean growth potential. Sampling procedures were not designed to evaluate performance differences among the genetic lines. When the gilts weighed approximately 20 kg, they were moved from the nursery facilities to a slotted-floor, environmentally controlled facility, and seven to eight animals within a genetic type were penned together. When the gilts weighed approximately 40 kg, they were moved to a modified open-front facility. Nineteen gilts were allotted to each pen (.92 m2 per pig). Gilts were assigned to one of three development diets at 120 d of age. Diet 1 (high energy, 18% CP) and Diet 2 (high energy, 13% CP) were provided for ad libitum consumption to the assigned gilts until they weighed approximately 113 kg. Gilts receiving Diet 3 (23% CP) were fed 1.8 kg/d from 82 kg until they reached 180 d of age (approximately 100 kg). Gilts were fed 2 kg daily of a gestation diet from 180 d to 200 d of age and 2.7 kg daily from 200 d until mating. To stimulate the estrus cycle, gilts were commingled and exposed to vasectomized boars beginning at 180 d of age. Gilts that were in estrus and 210 d of age or older were artificially inseminated with commercial semen. Gilts not detected in estrus within the first 50 d of observation were injected with PG600 and estrus detection continued for 30 additional days. Of the 657 gilts entering breeding pens, 422 farrowed. Bred gilts were distributed to 10 cooperator facilities before farrowing. Mixed model procedures were used to analyze the data. Significant (P < .05) genetic type x gilt development diet interactions were found for number of pigs born, number of pigs born alive, total litter birth weight, and litter birth weight of pigs born alive. Significant interactions consistently involved one genetic line and gilt development Diets 1 and 2. Gilts from this genetic line-diet subclass had poorer farrowing performance (P < .05) than gilts from the same line fed development Diet 3. Only two other significant genetic line x gilt development diet interactions were found. Gilt development diet had little influence on first-parity reproductive performance.     

Changes in weight and composition in various tissues of pregnant gilts and their nutritional implications

The objectives of this study were to characterize the quantitative changes in various body tissues of high-lean type gilts during gestation and to determine the protein needs of pregnant gilts based on changes in tissue contents. Thirty-five gilts (158.2 +/- 8.3 kg) were housed in individual gestation crates with six unbred gilts randomly selected and slaughtered to provide data for d 0 of gestation. The remaining gilts were bred and assigned randomly to one of six slaughter groups: d 45, 60, 75, 90, 102, and 112. Gilts were fed 2 kg (as-fed basis) of gestation diet daily (3.1 Mcal/kg of ME and 0.56% lysine). Carcass soft tissue, bone, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, kidney, liver, uterus, fetus, mammary gland, and the remaining viscera were separated and weighed. Carcass soft tissue, liver, remaining viscera, uterus, and gastrointestinal tract were ground, freeze-dried, and analyzed for composition. Body weights of the gilts increased quadratically (P < 0.001) during gestation. Weights of carcass soft tissue and uterus, including placenta, increased linearly (P < 0.001) during gestation. Weights of individual fetuses, fetal litters, individual mammary glands, and the entire mammary glands increased cubically (P < 0.001) during gestation. Crude protein in carcass soft tissue increased cubically (P < 0.01), whereas DM and ether extract (EE) in carcass soft tissue increased linearly (P < 0.01). The DM, CP, and EE in the entire mammary glands increased quadratically (P < 0.001) during gestation. The DM, CP, and EE in fetal litter increased cubically (P < 0.01) as gestation progressed. The accretion rates of the conceptus, fetal litter, individual fetus, individual mammary gland, and CP in fetal litter differed (P < 0.05) before and after d 70 of gestation. The CP daily gain from all maternal and fetal tissues was 40 and 103 g/d before and after d 70 of gestation, respectively, suggesting that pregnant gilts may require different quantities of dietary protein during gestation. Based on the maintenance requirement, maternal tissue gain, and conceptus gain, pregnant gilts require 6.8 and 15.3 g/d of true ileal-digestible lysine (or 147 and 330 g/d of true ileal-digestible protein) before and after d 70 of gestation, respectively, to support their true biological needs.     

玉米赤霉烯酮对青年母猪子宫发育、生长激素分泌及其受体分布与表达的影响

本试验旨在研究玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)对青年母猪子宫发育、生长激素(GH)分泌及其受体(GHR)分布与表达的影响.选择胎次和体重[(23.20±0.68)kg]相近的长×大二元青年母猪48头,将其随机分为4组,每组12个重复,每个重复1头.对照组(CON组)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组(T1、T2、T3组)饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添...     

Effect of mannan oligosaccharides and fructan on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and diarrhea score in weanling pigs

A total of 150 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average BW of 7.22 ± 0.80 kg (21 d of age) were used in a 28-d trial to determine the effects of dietary fructan and mannan oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and diarrhea score in weanling pigs. Pigs were allotted randomly to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: 1) negative control (NC), basal diet; 2) positive control (PC), NC + 0.01% apramycin (165 mg/kg); 3) NC + 0.1% fructan (FC); 4) NC + 0.1% mannan oligosaccharide source (MO); and 5) NC + 0.05% fructan + 0.05% mannan oligosaccharide source (FM). There were 3 replications per treatment with 10 pigs per pen (5 barrows and 5 gilts). From d 0 to 14, ADG and ADFI of pigs fed the PC, MO, and FM diets were greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the NC diet. From d 15 to 28, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, and G:F. During the overall period (d 0 to 28), pigs fed the MO diet had a greater ADG than pigs fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the PC and MO diets increased ADFI (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the NC diet. However, no differences were detected among dietary treatments in G:F during the overall experimental period. On d 14, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM and N in pigs fed the PC, MO, and FM diets was greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the NC diet. The ATTD of DM increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the MO and FM diets compared with pigs fed the FC diet. However, at the end of the experiment, pigs fed the FM diet had a greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM compared with pigs fed the NC diet. Additionally, there were no differences in IgG, red blood cells, white blood cells, and lymphocyte counts among dietary treatments on d 0, 14, or 28. The diarrhea score in pigs fed the MO diet was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the NC diet. In conclusion, mannan oligosaccharides have a beneficial effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs. Furthermore, mannan oligosaccharides can decrease diarrhea score in weanling pigs.     

Long-term effects of boron supplementation on reproductive characteristics and bone mechanical properties in gilts

An experiment was conducted to determine long-term effects of dietary boron (B) on reproductive and bone characteristics in gilts. Weanling gilts (n = 50) were allotted to 10 pens based on weaning weight and litter origin. Pens were randomly assigned to receive one of two dietary treatments that consisted of a basal diet low in B (control) and the basal diet supplemented with 5 mg of B/kg diet as sodium borate. Gilts remained on their respective experimental diets throughout the nursery phase, growing-finishing phase, sexual maturity, breeding, gestation, and lactation. The day of first observed standing estrus was defined as puberty, and each pubertal gilt was bred via AI at the second observed standing estrus. Eight randomly selected gilts per treatment were slaughtered at d 35 of gestation for the assessment of embryonic and reproductive characteristics, bone characteristics, and tissue B concentrations. The remaining pregnant gilts (control, n = 11; 5 mg supplemental B/kg diet, n = 10) farrowed, and litter characteristics at farrowing and weaning were determined. Age at puberty was not affected (P = 0.72) by B, and neither were the number of corpora lutea on the ovaries (P = 0.44) or the total number of embryos (P = 0.95) at d 35 of gestation. Boron supplementation increased (P = 0.05) pig weaning weight and tended (P = 0.11) to increase pig birth weight; however, no other litter characteristics were affected (P > 0.12) by B. Extrinsic and intrinsic strength measures of bone were increased (P < 0.09) by B. Fat-free bone ash percentage and bone mineral concentrations were not affected (P > or = 0.19) by dietary B. Supplemental B increased (P < or = 0.06) the B concentrations of the muscle, liver, and reproductive tissues. Serum osteocalcin concentrations tended (P = 0.13) to be increased by dietary B, which may be related to increased bone turnover in B-supplemented gilts. Results indicate that B may have beneficial effects upon reproductive and bone characteristics.     

Inflammatory response, growth, and thyroid hormone concentrations are affected by long-term boron supplementation in gilts.

An experiment was conducted to determine the long-term effects of dietary boron (B) on growth performance, immune function, and plasma and serum characteristics in gilts. Fifty weanling gilts were allotted to 10 pens based on weaning weight and litter origin. Pens were randomly assigned to receive one of two dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of a basal diet low in B (control) and the basal diet supplemented with 5 mg B/kg diet as sodium borate. Gilts remained on their respective experimental diets and with their penmates throughout the nursery, growing, and finishing phases. The B concentration of the basal diet was 0.98, 2.1, and 2.2 mg/kg diet during the nursery, growing, and finishing phases, respectively. At the end of each production phase, animals were weighed and feed consumption was determined to assess growth performance variables. In addition, blood samples were obtained from three randomly selected gilts per pen at the completion of each phase. Boron had no affect (P > 0.58) on growth performance during the nursery phase, but gilts receiving supplemental B had increased (P < 0.05) ADG at the end of the finishing phase and over the entire growing-finishing period. Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) tended (P < 0.07) to be reduced by dietary B at the end of the nursery phase, but serum thyroxine (T4) was not affected (P = 0.46) by B. At the completion of the growing phase, supplemental B decreased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of T3 and T4 in the serum. In addition, serum concentrations of total cholesterol and the activity of alkaline phosphatase were increased (P < 0.05) by dietary B at the end of the growing phase. Serum concentrations of urea N tended (P < 0.09) to be increased by B at the end of the growing phase. Beginning at d 95 of the experimental period, measures of immune function were assessed in randomly selected gilts. Boron decreased (P < 0.05) the inflammatory response to an intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin. Boron did not affect (P > 0.30) the blastogenic response of isolated lymphocytes to mitogen stimulation or the humoral immune response against a sheep red blood cell suspension. Results indicate that B may affect serum thyroid hormone concentrations, the inflammatory response, and growth in pigs.     

镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮导致的断奶仔猪肝脏损伤与自然修复研究

本试验旨在研究阶段性饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮对仔猪血清和肝脏生化指标、抗氧化指标以及肝脏炎性细胞因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)mRNA相对表达量的影响。选用体重为(8.45±0.94)kg的35日龄"杜×长×大"雌性仔猪30头,随机分为3组,每组10个重复,每个重复1头猪。对照组持续饲喂基础饲粮,镰刀菌毒素组持续饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮(玉米赤霉烯酮0.90 mg/kg,呕吐毒素1.43 mg/kg,烟曲霉毒素5.85 mg/kg),自然恢复组在饲喂镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮35 d后,改饲喂基础饲粮。预试期7 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,镰刀菌毒素组仔猪肝脏相对重量显著升高(P0.05),血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著升高(P0.05),血清总蛋白(TP)和球蛋白(GLB)含量显著降低(P0.05),血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、血清和肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性显著下降(P0.05),血清和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高(P0.05);肝脏炎性细胞因子IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA相对表达量显著升高(P0.05)。2)经21 d自然恢复后,与镰刀菌毒素组相比,自然恢复组仔猪肝脏相对重量有所降低(P0.05),血清AST、ALT和ALP活性显著降低(P0.05),血清TP和GLB含量显著升高(P0.05),血清T-SOD活性显著升高(P0.05),血清和肝脏GSH-Px、肝脏T-SOD活性有所升高(P0.05),血清和肝脏M DA含量显著降低(P0.05),肝脏炎性细胞因子IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA相对表达量显著降低(P0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,长期饲喂镰刀菌毒素能够造成仔猪肝脏损伤,影响肝脏的抗氧化、蛋白质合成和免疫功能,而经过21 d恢复期,仔猪肝脏抗氧化和免疫功能得到了一定程度的改善。     

Effects of dietary iron level on growth performance,hematological status,and intestinal function in growing-finishing pigs

This study investigated the different addition levels of iron (Fe) in growing-finishing pigs and the effect of different Fe levels on growth performance, hematological status, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal digestion. A total of 1,200 barrows and gilts ([Large White × Landrace] × Duroc) with average initial body weight (BW; 27.74 ± 0.28 kg) were housed in 40 pens of 30 pigs per pen (gilts and barrows in half), blocked by BW and gender, and fed five experimental diets (eight replicate pens per diet). The five experimental diets were control diet (basal diet with no FeSO₄ supplementation), and the basal diet being supplemented with 150, 300, 450, or 600 mg/kg Fe as FeSO₄ diets. The trial lasted for 100 d and was divided into the growing phase (27 to 60 kg of BW) for the first 50 d and the finishing phase (61 to 100 kg of BW) for the last 50 d. The basal diet was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix and contained 203.36 mg/kg total dietary Fe in the growing phase and 216.71 mg/kg in the finishing phase based on ingredient contributions. And at the end of the experiment, eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) were randomly selected from each treatment (selected one pig per pen) for digesta, blood, and intestinal samples collection. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (P = 0.025), average daily gain (P = 0.020), and BW (P = 0.019) increased linearly in the finishing phase of pigs fed with the diets containing Fe. On the other hand, supplementation with different Fe levels in the diet significantly increased serum iron and transferrin saturation concentrations (P < 0.05), goblet cell numbers of duodenal villous (P < 0.001), and MUC4 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) for pigs in the 450 and 600 mg/kg Fe groups was greater (P < 0.05) than for pigs in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 450 to 600 mg/kg Fe improved the growth performance of pigs by changing hematological status and by enhancing intestinal goblet cell differentiation and AID of AA.     

不同水平玉米赤霉烯酮对断奶母仔猪血清酶、代谢产物和肠道形态的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)对断奶母仔猪血清酶、代谢产物和肠道形态的影响。选取28日龄平均体重为(14.01±0.86)kg、健康的三元杂交(杜×长×大)雌性断奶仔猪40头,随机分为4组,每组10头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验1组、试验2组和试验3组在基础饲粮中分别添加0.5、1.0和1.5 mg/kg ZEA。预试期10 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,各试验组的谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶和乳酸脱氢酶活性显著升高(P0.05);试验2组的血清总胆固醇含量显著升高(P0.05);试验3组血清尿素氮和高密度脂蛋白(HDL)含量显著升高(P0.05),血清总蛋白含量则显著降低(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,试验组十二指肠和空肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度都显著增大(P0.05)。试验1组和试验2组十二指肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值显著提高(P0.05),空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值显著降低(P0.05),回肠绒毛高度和绒毛高度/隐窝深度值都显著升高(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,试验组十二指肠绒毛高度明显增大且排列疏松无序,小肠腺数量减少,黏膜厚度变薄。4)与对照组相比,试验组空肠绒毛高度增大,小肠腺数量减少,并且试验2组和试验3组空肠上皮脱落固有层裸露。5)与对照组相比,试验1组和试验2组回肠绒毛高度增大且黏膜下层内弥散淋巴细胞增多。由此可见,饲粮中添加ZEA(0.5~1.5 mg/kg)改变了断奶母仔猪的肝脏代谢和肠道的形态结构,进而影响断奶母仔猪的健康生长。     

沙葱总黄酮对肉羊抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究基础饲粮中添加沙葱总黄酮对肉羊体内总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力以及丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响,以阐明沙葱总黄酮对肉羊的抗氧化作用,并确定沙葱总黄酮在肉羊饲粮中的最适添加量。试验选用60只6月龄左右、体重(39.9±3.2)kg的小尾寒羊为试验动物,按照出生月龄和体重相近的原则,随机分为4组,每组15只羊。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,3个试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加11、22、33 mg/kg的沙葱总黄酮。预试期为15 d,正试期为60 d,试验期第0、15、30、45、60天时空腹颈静脉采血,分离血清,试验期结束后每组分别随机选取3只羊,进行屠宰,取肝脏和脾脏样品,分别测定血清及组织抗氧化指标。结果发现:1)饲粮添加11~33 mg/kg沙葱总黄酮可显著提高血清(第45天开始)及肝脏T-AOC(P0.05),而对脾脏T-AOC无显著影响(P0.05)。2)饲粮添加11~33 mg/kg沙葱总黄酮对血清、肝脏及脾脏T-SOD活力,血清CAT活力,血清、脾脏GSH-PX活力有一定的提高,其中33 mg/kg沙葱总黄酮的作用最强,血清中第30天后效果明显;而对肝脏、脾脏CAT活力,肝脏GSH-PX活力均无显著影响(P0.05)。3)饲粮添加11~33 mg/kg沙葱总黄酮可降低血清、肝脏MDA含量,血清MDA含量第15天后效果明显,对脾脏MDA含量无显著影响(P0.05)。结果提示,饲粮添加11~33 mg/kg沙葱总黄酮可显著提高肉羊体内抗氧化指标,并其效果具有时间和剂量依赖性,饲喂30 d后沙葱总黄酮开始发挥其体内抗氧化能力。     

Effect of level of protein and supplemental choline on reproductive performance of gilts fed sorghum diets

A total of 214 gilts was used (two trials) to determine the effect of protein level and choline supplementation during gestation on weight gain, conception rate and subsequent reproductive performance. The gilts were fed either a 12 or 16% crude protein sorghum-soybean meal diet containing either a high supplemental choline level or no supplemental choline in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Conception rate was not influenced by either protein or choline level. Choline supplementation increased pig weight at 42 d of age (P less than .14) and litter weight at 21 (P less than .12) and 42 d (P less than .1). Gilts fed the 16% protein diet produced larger pigs at 42 d (P less than .13) and heavier litters at birth, (P less than .1) 21 d (P less than .14) and 42 d (P less than .05) than gilts fed the 12% protein diet. A larger choline effect on litter size and pig and litter weight was observed for gilts fed the 12% protein diet than for those fed the 16% gestation diet, although the protein-choline interaction was not significant for any traits measured. The incidence of spraddle leg condition was low and was not affected by level of dietary protein or supplemental choline.