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

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

Effects of exogenous emulsifiers and fat sources on nutrient digestibility, serum lipids, and growth performance in weanling pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether emulsifiers improve utilization of fat from diets for early-weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 weanling pigs (17 d old) were used in metabolism cages, with main effects of fat source (soybean oil, tallow, lard, and coconut oil) and emulsifier treatment (no emulsifier, lecithin, and lysolecithin as 10% of the added fat). Soybean oil and coconut oil were more digestible than tallow and lard (P < .001). Tallow was more digestible when lecithin and lysolecithin were added (P < .007), and pigs fed lecithin had lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol than pigs fed lysolecithin (P < .03). In Exp. 2, 270 weanling pigs (21 d old) were used in a growth assay. Treatments were 1) control diet; 2) Diet 1 with soybean oil; 3) Diet 1 with tallow; 4, 5, and 6) Diet 3 with lecithin replacing 5, 10, and 30% of the tallow, respectively; and 7, 8, and 9) Diet 3 with lysolecithin replacing 5, 10, and 30% of the tallow, respectively. At d 14 of the experiment, digestibility of tallow was improved more by lecithin than lysolecithin (P < .008). For the total experiment (d 0 to 35), the control pigs had poorer gain:feed ratio than did the pigs fed the fat sources (P < .002). In Exp. 3, 420 weanling pigs (21 d old) were used. Treatments were 1) control diet with soybean oil; 2) Diet 1 with tallow; and 3, 4, and 5) Diet 2 with 10% of the added fat as soybean oil, lecithin, or monoglyceride, respectively. Adding soybean oil, lecithin, and monoglyceride to tallow increased digestibility of total fat (P < .07). From d 0 to 14, pigs fed soybean oil gained weight faster than pigs fed the other treatments (P < .06), and pigs fed tallow without emulsifiers had the lowest ADG. Considering all experiments, addition of emulsifiers increased digestibility of nutrients but had minimal effect on growth performance.     

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

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

Effect of medium-chain triglycerides on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,plasma metabolites and antioxidant capacity in weanling pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of medium-chain triglycerides(MCTs) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites and antioxidant capacity in weanling pigs. A total of 160 weanling(Duroc × Landrace x Yorkshire) pigs(age: 21 ± 1 d; body weight: 7.50 ± 0.28 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments, receiving the following diets for 28 d: control diet [containing 3.5%soybean oil(SO)], MCT1 diet(containing 0.7% MCTs and 2.8% SO), MCT2 diet(containing 1.4% MCTs and2.1% SO) and MCT3 diet(containing 2.1% MCTs and 1.4% SO). Dietary inclusion of MCTs improved the average daily gain and feed efficiency(FE) of pigs compared with the control during the first 2 weeks post-weaning(P 0.05). A similar positive effect was also observed for the overall FE in MCT2 group(P 0.05). Compared with the control, apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD) of ether extract was improved by MCT2 and MCT3 treatment from day 12-14 post-weaning(P 0.05). In addition, MCT2 treatment also exerted a beneficial effect on the ATTD of dry matter(P 0.05). The increased total protein concentration and decreased urea nitrogen and malondialdehyde levels of plasma were observed in both MCT2 and MCT3 groups on day 14 post-weaning(P 0.05). In conclusion, MCTs could improve growth performance, nutrients utilization, and antioxidant ability of weanling piglets.     

Effects of rancidity and free fatty acids in choice white grease on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of rancidity and FFA in choice white grease (CWG) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs. In Exp. 1,150 crossbred pigs (average initial BW of 6.8 kg and average initial age of 21 d) were used. Treatments (as-fed basis) were a corn-soybean meal-based control with no added fat, 6% CWG, and 6% CWG heated at 80 degrees C, with oxygen gas bubbled through it at 849 mL/min for 5, 7, 9, or 11 d. Peroxide value for the CWG increased as oxidative exposure was increased from 0 to 7 d (i.e., peroxide values of 1, 40, and 105 mEq/kg for d 0, 5, and 7, respectively), but decreased to 1 mEq/kg as the hydroperoxides decomposed after 9 and 11 d of oxidation. Pigs fed the control diet (no added fat) had the same (P = 0.91) overall ADG (d 0 to 35) but lower G:F (P < 0.04) than pigs fed diets with added fat. As for the effects of fat quality, ADG (linear effect, P < 0.01) and ADFI (linear effect, P < 0.001) decreased as the fat was made more rancid. However, there were no changes in digestibility of fatty acids as the rancidity of the fat was increased (P = 0.16), suggesting that the negative effects of rancidity were from decreased food intake and not decreased nutrient utilization. In Exp. 2, 125 crossbred pigs (average initial BW of 6.2 kg and average initial age of 21 d) were used to determine the effects of FFA in CWG on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs. Treatments (as-fed basis) were a corn-soybean meal-based control with no added fat, 6% CWG, and 6% CWG that had been treated with 872, 1,752 or 2,248 lipase units/g of fat. The FFA concentrations in the CWG were increased from 2% with no lipase added to 18, 35, and 53% as lipase additions were increased. Pigs fed the control diet (no added fat) had the same (P = 0.30) overall ADG (d 0 to 33) but lower G:F (P < 0.01) than pigs fed diets with added fat. There were no effects of FFA concentration on ADG (P = 0.18), and ADFI increased (linear effect, P < 0.04) as FFA concentration in the CWG increased. Fatty acid digestibility was not affected (P = 0.17) by FFA in the diet. In conclusion, our data suggest that as fat is oxidized (especially to peroxide values greater than 40 mEq/kg), ADG and ADFI in nursery pigs will decrease; however, FFA concentrations of at least 53% do not adversely affect utilization of CWG in nursery pigs.     

Effects of beta-mannanase addition to corn-soybean meal diets on growth performance,carcass traits,and nutrient digestibility of weanling and growing-finishing pigs

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adding a beta-mannanase preparation (Hemicell, ChemGen, Gaithersburg, MD) to corn-soybean meal-based diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weanling and growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 156 weanling pigs (20 d, 6.27 kg BW) were allotted to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of diet complexity (complex vs simple) and addition of 3-mannanase preparation (0 vs 0.05%). Pigs were fed in three dietary phases (Phase 1, d 0 to 14; Phase 2, d 14 to 28; and Phase 3, d 28 to 42). Pigs fed complex diets gained faster and were more efficient (P < 0.05) during Phase 1 compared with pigs fed simple diets. Overall, gain:feed ratio (G:F) tended to be improved (P < 0.10) for pigs fed complex diets and it was improved (P < 0.01) for those fed diets with beta-mannanase. In Exp. 2, 117 pigs (44 d, 13.62 kg BW) were allotted randomly to three dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were 1) a corn-soybean meal-based control, 2) the control diet with soybean oil added to increase metabolizable energy (ME) by 100 kcal/kg, and 3) the control diet with 0.05% beta-mannanase preparation. Beta-mannanase or soybean oil improved (P < 0.05) G:F compared with pigs fed the control diet. In Exp. 3, 60 pigs (22.5 kg BW) were allotted randomly to the three dietary treatments used in Exp. 2. Dietary treatments were fed in three phases (23 to 53 kg, 53 to 82 kg, and 82 to 109 kg with 0.95, 0.80, and 0.65% lysine, respectively). Overall, the addition of soybean oil tended to improve G:F (P < 0.10) compared with that of pigs fed the control diet, and G:F was similar (P > 0.54) for pigs fed diets with soybean oil or beta-mannanase. Also, addition of beta-mannanase increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed the control or soybean oil diets. There were no differences (P > or = 0.10) in longissimus muscle area or backfat; however, on a fat-free basis, pigs fed the diet with beta-mannanase had greater (P < 0.05) lean gain than pigs fed the control or soybean oil diets. In Exp. 4, 12 barrows (93 kg BW) were allotted randomly to one of the three dietary treatments used in Exp. 3. Addition of 3-mannanase had no effect (P > 0.10) on energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, or dry matter digestibility. These results suggest that beta-mannanase may improve growth performance in weanling and growing-finishing pigs but has minimal effects on nutrient digestibility.     

Growth performance,nutrient digestibility,and fecal microflora in weanling pigs fed live yeast

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of live yeast supplementation on nursery pig performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microflora and to determine whether live yeast could replace antibiotics and growth-promoting concentrations of Zn and Cu in nursery pigs. In Exp. 1, 156 pigs were weaned at 17 d of age (BW = 5.9 kg) and allotted to a 2 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design (six or seven pigs per pen with six pens per treatment). Factors consisted of 1) dietary supplementation with oat products (oat flour and steam-rolled oats; 0 or 27.7%) and 2) yeast supplementation at 0 or 1.6 x 10(7) cfu of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC47/g of feed. In Exp. 2, 96 pigs were weaned at 17 d of age and allotted to a 2 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design (four pigs per pen with six pens per treatment) with factors of 1) diet type (positive control containing growth-promoting concentrations of Zn, Cu, and antibiotics or negative control) and 2) live yeast supplementation (0 or 2.4 x 10(7) cfu of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC47/g of feed). The inclusion of oat products in Exp. 1 decreased (P < 0.10) overall ADG and final BW. Yeast supplementation did not affect growth performance of pigs in Exp. 1 (P = 0.65); however, ADG in Exp. 2 was 10.6% greater (P < 0.01) and ADFI was increased by 9.4% (P < 0.10) in pigs supplemented with yeast in the positive control diet. Addition of Zn, Cu, and antibiotics to the diet improved gain:feed ratio during the prestarter period (P < 0.02) and overall (P = 0.10). In Exp. 1, inclusion of oat products increased (P < 0.01) total bacteria in feces when measured on d 10. Fecal lactobacilli measured on d 28 were reduced (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets with oat products and yeast (interaction, P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, yeast supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) total bacteria and lactobacilli. Dietary yeast resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) yeast count in feces of pigs during the starter phase of Exp. 1. Yeast decreased (P < 0.10) the digestibility of DM, fat, and GE in the prestarter phase and DM, fat, P, and GE in the starter phase, whereas oat products increased the digestibility of DM, CP, fat, and GE (P < 0.05) in the prestarter phase. Results indicate that live yeast supplementation had a positive effect on nursery pig performance when diets contained growth-promoting antimicrobials. Nonetheless, the response was variable, and the conditions under which a response might be expected need to be further defined.     

含胆囊收缩素抗体卯黄粉对断奶仔猪生产性能及养分消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究含胆囊收缩素(CCK)抗体卵黄粉对断奶仔猪生产性能、日粮养分消化率及血清CCK浓度的影响.90头(30±2)日龄断奶约克仔猪[平均体重(7.05±0.20)kg]随机分为5个处理,分别饲喂基础日粮和基础日粮中添加100、200、300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg含CCK抗体卵黄粉的试验日粮,每个处理6个重复,每个重复3头仔猪.试验期28 d.结果表明,与基础日粮组相比,添加含CCK抗体卵黄粉可提高仔猪全期平均日增重(ADG)和平均日采食量(ADFI),降低料内比(F/G),其中200 mg/kg组ADG提高12.14%(P＞0.05),ADFI提高6.92%(P＞0.05),F/G降低4.62%(P＞0.05).同时,日粮粗蛋白质消化率随含CCK抗体卵黄粉添加量的增加呈二次曲线变化(P=0.044).添加含CCK抗体卵黄粉后,仔猪血清CCK浓度下降,200 mg/kg组降低35.6%(P＞0.05).综合来看,添加200 mg/kg 含CCK抗体卵黄粉组效果最好.     

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.     

Dietary supplementation with cellooligosaccharide improves growth performance in weanling pigs

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

Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented garlic powder on growth performance,apparent total tract digestibility,blood characteristics and faecal microbial concentration in weanling pigs

A total of 144 weanling pigs (5.5 ± 0.42 kg) were used in a 5‐week trial to evaluate the effect of fermented garlic powder (FGP) supplementation in weaning pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to the following four dietary treatments: (i) control (CON; basal diet), (ii) FGP0.5 (CON + 0.5 g/kg FGP), (iii) FGP1 (CON + 1 g/kg FGP), (iv) FGP2 (CON + 2 g/kg FGP). There were six replications with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. Pigs fed FGP0.5 treatments increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during 3–5 and 0–5 week. No difference was observed on gain/ feed (G/F) ratio in this study. The inclusion of FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased DM (p < 0.05) digestibility compared with the CON treatment throughout the experiment. The apparent total tract digestibility of N was (p < 0.05) increased by the dietary FGP throughout the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased the lymphocyte concentration (p < 0.05) and RBC concentration compared with the CON group. Dietary FGP decreased the blood total cholesterol (p < 0.05) in comparison with the CON group. The triglyceride (p < 0.05) concentration was decreased in FGP1 and FGP2 treatments compared with those in the CON treatment at the end of the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments had a lower number of Escherichia coli in faeces on 21 (p < 0.05) and 35 days (p = 0.05) than those in the CON treatment. In conclusion, dietary fermented garlic powder (0.5 g/kg) can improve ADG and ADFI in weanling pigs, but not at higher levels (1 and 2 g/kg). Dietary fermented garlic powder can also increase the nutrient digestibility, lymphocytes and RBC concentrations, but decrease the faecal E. coli concentration in weaning pigs.     

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

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

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,antioxidant capacity,intestinal morphology,and microbiota of weaning pigs

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including the use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn–soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21 d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P < 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008, respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039, respectively) and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005, respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.     

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

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

Effects of emulsification, fat encapsulation, and pelleting on weanling pig performance and nutrient digestibility

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of lysolecithin on performance and nutrient digestibility of nursery pigs and to determine the effects of fat encapsulation by spray drying in diets fed in either meal or pelleted form. In Exp. 1, 108 pigs (21 d of age; 5.96 +/- 0.16 kg BW) were allotted to one of four dietary treatments (as-fed basis): 1) control with no added lard, 2) control with 5% added lard, 3) treatment 2 with 0.02% lysolecithin, and 4) treatment 2 with 0.1% lysolecithin in a 35-d experiment. Added lard decreased ADG (P = 0.02) and ADFI (P < 0.06) during d 15 to 35 and overall. Lysolecithin improved ADG linearly (P = 0.04) during d 15 to 35 and overall, but did not affect ADFI or G:F. Addition of lard decreased the digestibility of DM (P = 0.10) and CP (P = 0.05) and increased (P = 0.001) fat digestibility when measured on d 10. Lysolecithin at 0.02%, but not 0.10%, tended to improve the digestibility of fat (P = 0.10). On d 28, digestibilities of DM, fat, CP, P, (P = 0.001), and GE (P = 0.03) were increased with the addition of lard, and lysolecithin supplementation linearly decreased digestibilities of DM (P = 0.003), GE (P = 0.007), CP, and P (P = 0.001). In Exp. 2, 144 pigs (21 d of age, 6.04 +/- 0.16 kg BW) were allotted to one of six treatments in a 3 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design. Factors included 1) level (as-fed basis) and source of fat (control diet with 1% lard; control diet with 5% additional lard; and control diet with 5% additional lard from encapsulated, spray-dried fat) and 2) diet form (pelleted or meal). Addition of lard decreased feed intake during d 0 to 14 (P = 0.04), d 15 to 35 (P = 0.01), and overall (P = 0.008), and improved G:F for d 15 to 35 (P = 0.04) and overall (P = 0.07). Encapsulated, spray-dried lard increased ADG (P = 0.004) and G:F (P = 0.003) during d 15 to 28 compared with the equivalent amount of fat as unprocessed lard. Pelleting increased ADG (P = 0.006) during d 0 to 14, decreased feed intake during d 15 to 35 (P = 0.01), and overall (P = 0.07), and increased G:F during all periods (P < 0.02). Fat digestibility was increased (P = 0.001) with supplementation of lard, and this effect was greater when diets were fed in meal form (interaction, P = 0.004). Pelleting increased the digestibility of DM, OM, and fat (P < 0.002). Results indicate that growth performance may be improved by lysolecithin supplementation to diets with added lard and by encapsulation of lard through spray drying.     

Effects of chito-oligosaccharide supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus in weaning pigs

A total of 50 weaning pigs (16 d of age; 4.72 +/- 0.23 kg of BW) were selected to investigate the effect of dietary chito-oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on growth performance, fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus, apparent digestibility, and small intestinal morphology. Pigs housed in individual metabolic cages were assigned randomly to 5 treatments (n = 10), including 1 basal diet (control), 3 diets with COS supplementation (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and 1 diet with chlortetracycline (CTC) supplementation (80 mg/kg). Fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate shedding of E. coli and Lactobacillus on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 postweaning. Fresh fecal samples collected from each cage from d 19 to 21 were stored frozen for determination of apparent total tract digestibility. On d 21, all pigs were killed to collect the middle sections of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum for determination of mucosa morphology. Supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC improved (P < 0.05) overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F in comparison with the control. Supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg as well as supplementation of CTC increased (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, CP, crude fat, Ca, and P, whereas COS at 100 mg/kg increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of DM, Ca, and P in comparison with the control diet. Pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS or CTC had a decreased (P < 0.05) incidence of diarrhea and decreased diarrhea scores compared with control pigs. Fecal samples from pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS had greater (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus counts than those from control pigs and pigs receiving diets supplemented with CTC on d 14 and 21. However, supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli counts in the feces on d 21 compared with the control diet. Dietary supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and of CTC increased (P < 0.05) the villus height and villus:crypt ratio at the ileum and jejunum, and COS at 100 mg/kg also increased (P < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum compared with the control diet. The current results indicated that dietary supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg enhanced growth performance by increasing apparent digestibility, decreasing the incidence of diarrhea, and improving small intestinal morphology.     

L-精氨酸对肥育猪生长性能、营养物质消化率、气体排放和肉质的影响

本研究旨在探讨饲粮中添加不同水平的L-精氨酸对育肥猪生长性能、营养物质消化率、有害气体排放和肉品质的影响。本试验选择240头平均初始体重为(53.80±1.85)kg的三元杂交猪(杜长大),根据体重随机分为3组,每组8个重复,每个重复10头猪。试验有3种饲料,对照组饲喂玉米-小麦-豆粕型饲料(精氨酸水平为0.94%),另外两组饲料分别在基础日粮中添加0.05%和0.1%L-精氨酸。结果显示,L-精氨酸对育肥猪生长性能、养分消化率和有害气体排放均无显著影响(P> 0.05)。而随着饲粮中L-精氨酸添加量的增加,肌肉大理石纹评分呈显著线性增加(P <0.05),蒸煮损失和肌肉滴水损失呈显著线性下降(P <0.05)。总的来说,目前研究结果表明,日粮添加1.0 g/kg L-精氨酸有利于提高肥育猪的肉品质。     

Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,diarrhoea scores,blood profiles,faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42‐day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0–14 days) and phase 2 (14–42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0–14. From days 14–42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0–42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.     

Effects of soybean raffinose on growth performance,digestibility,humoral immunity and intestinal morphology of growing pigs

There are appreciable does of raffinose in soybean, but the impacts of raffinose on pigs are poorly investigated. We used 2 experiments to investigate the influence of soybean raffinose on growth performance, digestibility, humoral immunity and intestinal morphology of growing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 30 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows (21.93 ± 0.43 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups, and were fed with the control diet, the control diets supplemented with 0.2% and 0.5% raffinose, respectively, for 21 d. Results showed that the addition of 0.2% or 0.5% raffinose reduced (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and nutrient digestibility, and dietary 0.5% raffinose increased the ratio of feed to gain (P < 0.05). For serum indexes, dietary 0.5% raffinose decreased growth hormone and increased glucagon-like peptide-2, immunoglobulin G, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 concentration (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, a total of 24 crossbred barrows (38.41 ± 0.45 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups, and were fed with the control diet (ad libitum), the raffinose diet (0.5% raffinose, ad libitum), and the control diet in the same amount as the raffinose group (feed-pair group) for 14 d, respectively. Compared with the control diet, dietary 0.5% raffinose decreased ADFI (P < 0.05). Intriguingly, the raffinose group had lower ADG than the feed-pair group, lower nutrient digestibility, lower amylase activity in duodenum, lower amylase, lipase and trypsin activities in jejunum and higher TNF-α concentration in serum compared with the other 2 groups, and a higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth compared with the control group (P < 0.05). These results showed that soybean raffinose could reduce feed voluntary intake and body gain while improving intestinal morphology without a significant negative influence on immunity. Taken together, dietary raffinose could decrease growth performance by reducing both feed intake and nutrient digestibility while inducing humoral immune response of growing pigs.     

Effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation to corn- and soybean meal-based or complex diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites in growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of exogenous enzymes on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients, blood metabolites, fecal VFA, and fecal ammonia-N in growing pigs (Sus scrofa) fed a corn (Zea mays L.)- and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal (SBM)-based diet. In Exp. 1, 240 growing barrows (initial BW: 55.6 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted to 5 treatments on the basis of BW. There were 4 replicates in each treatment with 12 pigs per replicate. The 5 treatments consisted of a corn-SBM-based control diet and 4 additional diets were similar to the control diet, with the exception that 0.05% β-mannanase (M), α-amylase + β-mannanase (AM), β-mannanase + protease (MPr), or α-amylase + β-mannanase + protease (AMP) was added to the diets, which were fed for 28 d. Pigs fed the AM, MPr, or AMP diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the AMP diet also had greater (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the M, AM, or MPr diet. Pigs fed the AMP diet had greater (P < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the control diet. The G:F of the pigs fed the M, AM, or MPr diet were not different (P > 0.05) from the G:F in pigs fed the AMP or control diet. The ADFI, ATTD of nutrients, blood metabolites, and fecal VFA and ammonia-N concentrations were not different among treatments. In Exp. 2, 192 growing barrows (initial BW: 56.9 ± 1.0 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments. There were 4 replicates in each treatment with 12 pigs per replicate. Pigs were fed a corn-SBM-based diet (CSD) or a complex diet (CD) that contained corn, SBM, 3% rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) meal, 3% copra (Cocos nucifera L.) meal, and 3% palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) kernel meal. Each diet was prepared without exogenous enzymes or with 0.05% AMP and all diets were fed for 28 d. The ADG and G:F of pigs fed the CSD were greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the CD. However, the type of diet had no effect on the ATTD of nutrients, blood metabolites, or fecal VFA and ammonia-N, and there was no diet × enzyme interaction for any of the measured variables. Supplementation of diets with exogenous enzymes resulted in greater (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, ATTD of DM, GE, and CP, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. These results indicate that supplementation of 0.05% of AMP enzymes to a corn-SBM diet or a complex diet may improve the performance of growing pigs.