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).     

Effects of the Administration of Lactobacilli,Maltodextrins and Fructooligosaccharides upon the Adhesion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> O8:K88 to the Intestinal Mucosa and Organic Acid Levels in the Gut Contents of Piglets

The influence of the administration of Lactobacillus plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX fructooligosaccharides on the inhibition of adhesion of E. coli O8:K88 to the mucosa of the jejunum, ileum and colon as well as on the organic acid levels was investigated in 33 conventional piglets. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the jejunal mucosa were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX groups. The counts of E. coli K88 adhering to the colonic mucosa of Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 animals. The acetic acid levels in the ileum and colon of the Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 + Raftifeed IPX group and Lact. plantarum + Raftifeed IPX group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the Lact. plantarum and Lact. plantarum + Maldex 150 group. The combination of Lact. plantarum, maltodextrin Maldex 150 and Raftifeed IPX proved to be the most effective one to inhibit the counts of E. coli O8:K88 adhering to the intestinal mucosa of the jejunum and colon of conventional piglets.     

槲皮素对PEDV感染幼龄仔猪肠道形态、抗氧化功能及空肠脂质代谢基因表达的影响

【目的】 通过研究槲皮素对猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV）感染仔猪肠道形态、肠道抗氧化功能及空肠脂质代谢相关基因相对表达量的影响,旨在探讨槲皮素对PEDV感染仔猪肠道的保护作用。【方法】 选取18头健康的7日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为3组：对照组、PEDV组和槲皮素＋PEDV组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期8 d,于试验第0~7天,对槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪每天口腔灌服10 mg/kg BW的槲皮素,其余组灌服等体积的人工奶。于试验第5天晚上给PEDV组和槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪口腔灌服10^4.5TCID₅₀的PEDV,对照组仔猪灌服相同体积的PBS溶液。于试验第8天早上屠宰,取仔猪十二指肠、空肠、回肠及结肠组织样品进行检测。【结果】 与对照组相比,PEDV组仔猪空肠和回肠的绒毛高度以及绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值极显著降低（P<0.01）,空肠、回肠和结肠中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和总超氧化物歧化酶（T-SOD）的活力显著降低（P<0.05）,十二指肠、空肠、回肠和结肠中过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活力显著降低（P<0.05）,回肠和结肠中丙二醛（MDA）的含量显著升高（P<0.05）,空肠中载脂蛋白A1（APOA1）、载脂蛋白B （APOB）、载脂蛋白C2（APOC2）、脂肪酸结合蛋白2（FABP2）、酰基辅酶A合成酶长链家族成员3（ACSL-3）和脂肪酸合酶（FASN）基因的相对表达量极显著下调（P<0.01）。与PEDV组相比,槲皮素＋PEDV组仔猪空肠和回肠的绒毛高度以及绒毛高度与隐窝深度比值极显著提高（P<0.01）,空肠、回肠和结肠中GSH-Px和T-SOD的活力显著提高（P<0.05）,十二指肠、空肠和结肠中CAT的活力显著提高（P<0.05）,回肠和结肠中MDA的含量显著降低（P<0.05）,空肠中APOB、FABP2和FASN基因的相对表达量极显著上调（P<0.01）。【结论】 添加槲皮素可有效缓解PEDV感染导致的仔猪肠道损伤,提高仔猪肠道抗氧化能力以及空肠脂质代谢的能力。     

Dietary amylose and amylopectin ratio and resistant starch content affects plasma glucose,lactic acid,hormone levels and protein synthesis in splanchnic tissues

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding different starch sources on piglets. Four diets were formulated with maize, brown rice, sticky rice and Hi‐Maize 1043 as starch sources, with resistant starch (RS) contents of 2.3%, 0.9%, 0.0%, 20.6%, and amylose and amylopectin ratio of 0.23%, 0.21%, 0.18%, 0.06% respectively. Fifty‐six pigs weaned at 28 days of age were randomly assigned to one of the four diets. In Exp. 1, six piglets in each group were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter. After 25 days of feeding trial, venous blood samples were obtained at time zero and every 1 h for 4 h. In Exp. 2, the remaining piglets were used to determine the effects of different starch sources on the fractional synthesis rate (FSR). The results indicated that feeding the Hi‐Maize 1043 diet decreased (p < 0.05) plasma contents of glucose, insulin, lactic acid and T₃, while sticky rice increased plasma contents of glucose and insulin. The insulin contents in piglets fed the sticky rice diet was 69.2 μIU/ml at 1 h post‐feeding which was highest among the starch diets. The FSR in the pancreas, spleen, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon in the corn group were much higher (p < 0.05) than that in the sticky rice group. These results suggest that RS is potentially beneficial for improving insulin sensitivity in young pigs and that the ratio of amylose and amylopectin have significantly effects on the FSR in splanchnic tissues in weaned piglets. Another finding of this study indicated maize with a ratio of amylose and amylopectin of 0.23 has the best starch sources for pig production.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophages against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 on clinical symptoms of post‐weaning pigs challenged with the ETEC pathogen

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophages (phages) against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 as a therapy against the ETEC infection in post‐weaning pigs. Two groups of post‐weaning pigs aged 35 days, eight animals per group, were challenged with 3.0 × 10¹⁰ colony forming units of ETEC K88, a third group given the vehicle. The unchallenged group and one challenged group were fed a basal nursery diet for 14 days while the remaining challenged group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.0 × 10⁷ plaque forming units of the phage per kg. Average daily gain (ADG), goblet cell density and villous height:crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio in the intestine were less in the challenged group than in the unchallenged group within the animals fed the basal diet (p < 0.05); the reverse was true for rectal temperature, faecal consistency score (FCS), E. coli adhesion score (EAS) in the intestine, serum interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) concentrations and digesta pH in the stomach, caecum and colon. The ETEC infection symptom within the challenged animals was alleviated by the dietary phage supplementation (p < 0.05) in ADG, FCS, EAS in the jejunum, serum TNF‐α concentration, digesta pH in the colon, goblet cell density in the ileum and colon and VH:CD ratio in the ileum. Moreover, the infection symptom tended to be alleviated (p < 0.10) by the phage supplementation in rectal temperature, EAS in the ileum and caecum, and VH:CD ratio in the duodenum and jejunum. However, EAS in the colon, digesta pH in the stomach and caecum, and goblet cell density in the jejunum did not change due to the dietary phage. Overall, results indicate that the phage therapy is effective for alleviation of acute ETEC K88 infection in post‐weaning pigs.     

益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道pH、黏膜形态结构和挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响

本试验旨在研究益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道pH、黏膜形态结构和挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响.选用48头平均体重为(6.39±0.42)kg的(21±2)日龄“杜×长×大”三元杂交断奶仔猪,按性别、体重和窝源基本一致原则随机分为2个组,每个组4个重复,每个重复6头猪.试验1组为对照组,采用基础饲粮;试验2组为益生菌组,每千克基础饲粮中添加1×109 CFU活菌.试验期为21d.结果表明:1)28日龄时,益生菌组回肠内容物pH显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).2)和对照组相比,添加益生菌制剂,28日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度和上皮内淋巴细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著提高回肠杯状细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低回肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05);35日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度(P＜0.05),显著提高空肠上皮内淋巴细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低空肠、回肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05);42日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度,显著提高空肠上皮内淋巴细胞和杯状细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低空肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05).3)28日龄时,益生菌组盲肠内容物中丁酸和乳酸含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);35日龄和42日龄时,益生菌组盲肠内容物中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和乳酸含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).由结果可知,添加益生菌制剂能改善断奶应激对绒毛高度和隐窝深度的影响,提高肠道淋巴细胞数量和挥发性脂肪酸含量,降低肠道pH,从而缓解断奶应激对肠道环境的影响.     

Gut ecology, feed digestion and performance in weaned piglets fed liquid diets

Gut environment and microflora, digestibility, and performance were studied in weaned piglets in Central Vietnam fed a dry control diet (CO), a naturally fermented liquid diet (FE), and a liquid diet with inclusion of rice distiller's residue (RDR). Digesta samples were collected at the start (day 0) and at the end of experiment (day 42). Diet FE had a lower pH than diet RDR, contained more organic acids, had the lowest counts of E. coli and total coliforms (P < 0.05), and the highest counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (P < 0.05). Piglets fed diets FE and RDR had lower pH (P < 0.05), and higher concentrations of organic acids in the stomach, ileum and mid-colon (P < 0.05) than piglets fed diet CO. Counts of LAB in stomach and ileum were higher in animals fed diets FE and RDR than CO (P < 0.05), while the number of E. coli and total coliforms along the gastrointestinal tract was reduced. The ileal digestibility of crude protein and organic matter was improved in piglets fed diet RDR (P < 0.05) compared with piglets fed diet CO. Piglets fed diet RDR had a higher weight gain (P < 0.05) and a better feed utilization (P < 0.05) than piglets fed the other diets. The present findings support the contention that fermented diets and/or fermented feedstuffs can be used for dietary manipulation to improve gut health and animal performance.     

The effect of dietary high energy density and carbohydrate energy ratio on digestive enzymes activity,nutrient digestibility,amino acid utilization and intestinal morphology of weaned piglets

This study evaluated the effect of high or low digestible energy ratio of carbohydrate in a high or normal dietary energy density on performance, amino acid utilization and intestinal functions of weaned piglets. A total of 32 healthy weaners (9.60 ± 0.13 kg) were allocated to two dietary energy densities (3,400 and 3,800 kcal/kg) and two digestible energy ratio of carbohydrate to fat (9:1 and 3:1) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. There were eight piglets per treatment. The feed intake of piglets was significantly increased by dietary high carbohydrate ratio (9:1) (p < 0.01); however, this did not result in improved body weight gain (p > 0.05). The piglets fed high carbohydrate energy ratio had a reduced villus height/crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio in the duodenum (p < 0.05), and dietary high energy density further decreased the VH/CD ratio in the ileum (p < 0.01). In the duodenum, the lymphocyte count was increased by dietary high energy density (p < 0.05), while dietary energy density and carbohydrate energy ratio interacted to increase lymphocyte count in the ileum (p < 0.05). The serum cholesterol, triglyceride and low‐density lipoprotein were not significantly affected (p > 0.05), but dietary energy density interacted with dietary energy ratio to increase high‐density lipoprotein concentration (p < 0.05) in piglets fed reduced carbohydrate energy ratio. Dietary high energy density reduced energy digestibility (p < 0.05), whereas high carbohydrate energy ratio increased crude protein digestibility in the piglets (p < 0.05). The intestinal sucrase, lactase activities and serum concentrations of histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, alanine, glycine, tyrosine and citrulline were higher in the piglets fed dietary increased carbohydrate energy ratio. Oxidative stress markers and volatile fatty acids concentrations were altered by the dietary treatments. It was concluded that dietary high energy density could be detrimental to piglets intestinal functions and that increased carbohydrate energy ratio could affect amino acid utilization and body weight gain in weaner pigs.     

肠膜蛋白粉和发酵豆粕替代鱼粉对断奶仔猪免疫功能和消化道发育的影响

本试验旨在研究肠膜蛋白粉和发酵豆粕替代鱼粉对断奶仔猪免疫功能和消化道发育的影响。选用28日龄平均体重为(8.0±0.5)kg的杜×长×大断奶仔猪180头,公、母各半,随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复10头猪。对照组饲喂17.0%豆粕+6.0%鱼粉的日粮,进口肠膜组饲喂16.6%豆粕+4.0%发酵豆粕+4.0%进口肠膜蛋白粉的日粮,国产肠膜组饲喂16.6%豆粕+4.0%发酵豆粕+4.0%国产肠膜蛋白粉的日粮。预试期3 d,正试期14 d。结果表明,与对照组相比,进口肠膜组脾脏指数、下颌淋巴结指数和血清白蛋白(ALB)含量分别显著提高43.53%、49.18%和16.20%(P<0.05),国产肠膜组脾脏指数显著提高41.77%、血清补体C3含量显著降低16.22%(P<0.05);各组间胸腺指数、腹股沟淋巴结指数、髂下淋巴结指数、腘淋巴结指数、颈浅淋巴结指数及血清总蛋白(TP)、尿素氮(BUN)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)和一氧化氮(NO)含量均无显著差异(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,进口肠膜组胃重量和十二指肠重量无显著差异(P>0.05),而国产肠膜组分别显著降低19.68%和48.55%(P<0.05);进口肠膜组十二指肠长度显著升高(P<0.05),而国产肠膜组显著降低(P<0.05);进口肠膜组和国产肠膜组空肠长度和回肠重量显著降低(P<0.05),且国产肠膜组回肠绒毛高度显著降低(P<0.05);各组间肝脏重量、空肠重量、回肠长度、十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度和隐窝深度均无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上所述,断奶仔猪日粮中使用进口或国产肠膜蛋白粉和发酵豆粕等氮替代鱼粉,对主要免疫器官指数、血清免疫指标和小肠形态无显著影响,但国产肠膜组胃重量和十二指肠重量显著降低。     

The effects of dietary supplementation with porous zinc oxide on growth performance,intestinal microbiota,morphology, and permeability in weaned piglets

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with porous zinc oxide (HiZox) on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, morphology, and permeability in weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of (6.55 ± 0.25 kg; 21 d of age) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: (1) a corn‐soybean basal diet; (2) basal diet + 3,000 mg/kg conventional ZnO; (3) basal diet + 200 mg/kg HiZox; (4) basal diet + 500 mg/kg HiZox. The experiments lasted for 28 days. Incremental HiZox in the diet increased ADG (linear p = 0.015; quadratic p = 0.043) and ADFI (linear p = 0.027; quadratic p = 0.038), and the diarrhea index decreased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01) as HiZox supplemented increased. Furthermore, supplementation with HiZox increased the amounts of Lactobacillus spp. (p < 0.05) in the ileum and cecum in comparison with that of control treatment or 3,000 mg/kg ZnO treatment, while decreased the populations of Escherichia coli, Clostridium coccoides, and Clostridium. leptum subgroup (p < 0.05) in the ileum and cecum relative to those in control treatment. The addition of HiZox increased the villus height and villus‐to‐crypt ratio (VC) of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05), while decreased the crypt depth of jejunum (p < 0.05) and tended to reduce the crypt depth of duodenum (p < 0.10) compared with the control treatment. Piglets fed with 500 mg/kg HiZox had lower serum D‐lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) than those fed with basal control diet or 3,000 mg/kg ZnO diet (p < 0.01). The results suggested that supplementation with HiZox modulated intestinal microbial composition and improved intestinal morphology, which may exert protective effects on the integrity of the mucosal barrier function of weaned piglets, was as efficacious as pharmaceutical doses of ZnO in enhancing growth performance, indicating that the HiZox may be a promising alternative to pharmaceutical doses of ZnO.     

日粮中添加复合微生态制剂对蛋种鸡肠道pH及微生物的影响

研究日粮中添加复合微生态制剂对蛋种鸡小肠肠道长度、pH及盲肠微生物的影响,试验选用1日龄海兰褐蛋种鸡320只,随机分为4个组,进行16周的试验。试验组日粮是在对照组日粮基础上分别添加50、100、200 g/t的复合微生态制剂组成。试验结果表明:① 与对照组相比, 21日龄时,添加复合微生态制剂组显著降低了蛋种鸡十二指肠、空肠、回肠的相对长度(P<0.05);42日龄时,试验2组的回肠相对长度显著低于对照组(P<0.05); 112日龄时, 试验1组空肠和回肠的相对长度显著低于对照组 (P<0.05),试验3组十二指肠的相对长度显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。②试验1、2组蛋种鸡21日龄空肠和回肠的pH显著低于对照组(P<0.05),试验3组蛋种鸡21、42、112日龄十二指肠、42日龄空肠的pH也显著降低 (P<0.05) 。③添加复合微生态制剂可显著提高蛋种鸡21日龄盲肠乳酸菌的数量(P<0.05),其中试验2组乳酸菌的数量最多,与对照组相比,提高了11.76%,其次是试验3组和试验1组;添加复合微生态制剂对于42和112日龄蛋种鸡的盲肠微生物无显著影响。结果提示,日粮中添加复合微生态制剂能缩短蛋种鸡小肠肠道相对长度,同时降低肠道pH并能改善肠道菌群,对雏鸡的健康生长有促进作用。本试验中添加100 g/t的复合微生态制剂为适宜添加量。     

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on the intestinal morphology,intestinal barrier function and microbiota composition of suckling piglets

This study investigated the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum strain 299v on gut health in suckling piglets. Sixty newborn piglets were assigned to control and probiotic treatments, with three litters per treatment (ten piglets/litter). From days 1 to 20 of life, piglets were orally administered a placebo of 0.1% peptone or 1.0 ×  10¹⁰ CFU L. plantarum 299v daily. Six piglets per treatment were sacrificed on day 20, and intestinal tissues (including duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) and the intestinal contents from colon segments were collected. The results demonstrated that piglets treated with L. plantarum 299v had a lower diarrhoea incidence than the controls. L. plantarum 299v administration significantly increased the ratio of the villus height to the crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum, as well as the mRNA expression of jejunal occludin and ileal zonula occludens 1 (ZO‐1). The L. plantarum treatment also increased the mRNA abundance of porcine β‐defensin 2 (pBD2) and pBD3 in the jejunum and ileum and of toll‐like receptors (TLRs), such as TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and TLR9 in the ileum, and significantly upregulated the mRNA abundances of ileal pBD1 and colonic TLR4. Additionally, the L. plantarum 299v treatment significantly changed the structure of the colonic microbiota, as evidenced by the obvious increases in the relative abundances of the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and of the genus Lactobacillus. Our findings indicate that L. plantarum 299v facilitates the gut health of suckling piglets, probably by improving the intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier function and by modifying the structure of the gut microbiota.     

菊粉对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分表观消化率及抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加不同水平菊粉对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分表观消化率及抗氧化能力的影响.选取32头平均体重为(7.10±0.20)kg的杜长大(DLY)断奶仔猪,随机分为4组,每组8个重复,每个重复1头猪.对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加2.5、5.0和10.0 g/kg的菊粉(等量替代基础饲粮中的玉米)...     

Glutamate effects on sucking piglet intestinal morphology and luminal metabolites

This study was conducted to measure the effects of orally administered glutamate (Glu) on suckling piglet (SP) intestinal morphology and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Forty‐eight newborn piglets with similar initial weights (1.55 ± 0.20 kg) were selected from six sows (eight piglets/sow) and randomly assigned into four groups. There was daily administration of the following: 0.18 g/kg body weight (BW) of sodium chloride (CN group); 0.06 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (LMG group); 0.50 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (MMG group); and 1.00 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (HMG group). Four piglets (one/group) were randomly selected from each sow for tissue sampling at days 7 and 21. MMG group jejunal villus height and crypt depth significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the CN group as of days 7 and 21. HMG group jejunal villus height and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) compared to the MMG group. LMG group jejunum goblet cell count was greater (p < 0.05) than that of the MMG or HMG groups. MMG and HMG group ileal villus height was greater (p < 0.05) than either CN or LMG groups as of day 7. HMG ileal crypt depth decreased (p < 0.05) compared to LMG and MMG groups. The MMG group had greater (p < 0.05) acetic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid and pentanoic acid contents in their caecum than the other groups as of day 21. It also had greater acetic acid, propanoic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid and isopentanoic acid contents in the colon than the other groups on day 21. No significant VFA content differences in the caecum or the colon were observed among groups on day 7. These results indicated that oral administration with monosodium glutamate (MSG) at 0.50 g/kg BW/day improved SP intestinal morphology and increased caecal and colonal VFA contents.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of selenium‐enriched probiotics on production performance and intestinal microbiota of weanling piglets raised under high ambient temperature

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium‐enriched probiotics (SeP) on production performance and intestinal microbiota of piglets raised under high ambient temperature. Forty‐eight cross‐bred weanling piglets (28 days old), randomly allotted into 12 pens (four piglets/pen) and four dietary treatments (three pens/treatment group), were fed ad libitum for 42 days a basal diet (Con) or the basal diet supplemented with probiotics (Pro), sodium selenite (ISe) or a SeP preparation. Blood and faecal samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 post‐treatment. The SeP group had higher final BW (p < 0.05), greater ADG (p < 0.05) and lower FCR (p < 0.01) than the Pro, ISe or Con group. The diarrhoea incidence rate of either SeP or Pro group was lower (p < 0.01) than the ISe or Con group. Blood Se concentration and GSH‐Px activity were both higher (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the Pro, ISe or Con group. On days 28 and 42, the serum concentrations of T3 were higher (p < 0.01) and T4 lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the ISe group, and the T3 and T4 concentrations in the ISe group, in turn, were higher (p < 0.05) and lower (p < 0.01), respectively, than in the Pro or Con group. Also on days 28 and 42, the faecal counts of lactobacillus bacteria were higher (p < 0.01) while Escherichia coli lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP or Pro group as compared to the ISe or Con group. The results of RFLP showed that the faecal microbial flora in the SeP group changed the most (numerically) as compared to the Pro or ISe group. These results suggest that the SeP product may serve as a better alternative to antibiotics than the solo probiotics for using as a growth promoter for weanling piglets.     

Oral administration of synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 improves growth performance and cecal microbial flora and down‐regulates the expression of intestinal toll‐like receptor‐4 and inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 (pBD‐2) was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth‐promoters in pig production. Thirty 21‐day weaned piglets were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and orally dosed with either sterile water (CON), pBD‐2 (BD) or neomycin sulphate (NS) twice daily for 21 days. pBD‐2 and NS led to higher growth performance, jejunum villus height and increased expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Hemolytic E. coli scores from rectal swabs, and copy numbers of E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus in the cecal digesta of the BD‐ or NS‐treated piglets were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Messenger RNA levels of toll‐like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐8 in the jejunum mucosa of the BD and NS groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Copy numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecal digesta of the BD group were higher than those of the CON and NS groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, pBD‐2 has antimicrobial activity in piglets, and it can improve growth performance, reduce inflammatory cytokine expression and affect intestinal morphological indices in the same way as probiotics. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Evaluation of the chicory inulin efficacy on ameliorating the intestinal morphology and modulating the intestinal electrophysiological properties in broiler chickens

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) belongs to plants of the Compositae family accumulating energy in the form of inulin fructan. Chicory, a prebiotic, is a fermentable oligosaccharide and oligofructose that may affect the intestinal mucosal architecture and the electrophysiological parameters. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of adding chicory fructans in feed on the intestinal morphology and electrogenic transport of glucose in broilers. Four hundred, 1 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups (200 bird per group) for 5 weeks. The dietary treatments were (i) control, (ii) basal diets supplemented with the dried, grinded ground chicory pulp containing inulin (1 kg of chicory/ton of the starter and grower diets). In duodenum, dietary chicory increased the villus height and villus width and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05), but the duodenal crypt depth remained unaffected (p > 0.05). However, in jejunum, the villus height, crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio were decreased by dietary chicory compared with control birds (p < 0.05). In ileum, the villus height and villus crypt depth was decreased by dietary chicory supplementation compared with control (p < 0.05), but, the villus height to crypt depth ratio was increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary chicory relatively affected the electrophysiological parameters of the intestine but did not reach significance. The amount of ΔIsc after d ‐glucose addition to the jejunal mucosa was numerically higher for chicory fed birds (19 μA/cm²) than control birds (10 μA/cm²). The percentage of increase in the Isc after d ‐glucose addition (ΔIsc %) was higher for chicory group upto (90%) of the control group. In colon, the actual Isc value and Isc after d ‐glucose addition was numerically higher for chicory fed birds than control birds (p > 0.05). Moreover, the conductance of jejunal and colonic tissues after d ‐glucose addition remained unaffected by the dietary chicory. In conclusion, addition of chicory to broilers diet increased the duodenal villus height, villus width and villus height to crypt depth ratio and decreased the villus height and crypt depth in both jejenum and ileum. Furthermore, dietary chicory relatively modified the small intestinal electrogenic transport of glucose in broilers.     

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.     

Supplemental methionine sources have a neutral impact on oxidative status in broiler chickens

To determine the effect of different dietary Met sources on oxidative status, male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were fed from day of hatch to 26 days of age (d26) a diet deficient in sulfur amino acids (control) or a diet containing 0.22% DL‐Met, 0.22% L‐Met or 0.31% Met precursor, DL‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (DL‐HMTBA) to meet the Met + Cys requirements. Liver, breast muscle, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected at day 10 (d10) and d26 to assay markers of oxidative stress, including total glutathione (TGSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (rGSH), protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). In breast muscle, TGSH and rGSH were greater in L‐Met and DL‐HMTBA groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). An interaction of treatment and age was observed for TGSH in ileum (p = 0.01) and jejunum (p = 0.01), for GSSG in jejunum (p < 0.001), and for rGSH in ileum (p = 0.02). The ratios of rGSH to GSSG and GSSG to TGSH, which define oxidative status, were not affected by Met source. Protein carbonyls varied among groups in jejunum (p = 0.05) and breast muscle (p < 0.001), but were in the normal physiological range. No difference among treatment groups was observed for TBARS and FRAP in different tissues. Age effects were observed in all tissues for multiple oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, consuming different sources of supplementary Met did not alter the oxidative status in several tissues of broilers. Met + Cys deficiency did not compromise antioxidant capacity of chickens although growth was retarded.     

Study on Relationship between Intestinal Epithelium Tight Junction Proteins mRNA Expression and Piglets Weaning Diarrhea

The experiment was carried out to compare diarrhea status between Min pig and Landrace pig in a week after weaning, detect two varieties piglets jejunum, ileum and colon tight proteins Zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and Occludin mRNA expression before and after weaning. The intention was to discuss the relationship between tight proteins expression and piglets weaning diarrhea. The results showed that Min piglets diarrhea rate, diarrhea frequency were very significantly lower than Landrace pig within one week after weaning (P<0.01), diarrhea days was significantly lower than Landrace pig within one week after weaning (P<0.05);Min piglets not weaning group ileum and colon ZO-1 and Occludin mRNA expression was very significantly higher than Landrace pig not weaning group (P<0.01);Min piglets weaning diarrhea group ileum and colon ZO-1 and Occludin mRNA expression was significantly higher than weaning health group (P<0.05). The results indicated that Min piglets intestinal tight junction proteins mRNA high expression before weaning might be had relation with guarantee piglets intestinal health and decrease occurrence diarrhea;Min pig fast recover intestinal mucosa function and rehabilitation by increased tight junction proteins mRNA expression after weaning. So tight junction proteins mRNA high expression before and after weaning had an important significance for piglets to resist weaning diarrhea.