Research of the application of a water-in-oil emulsion for the prevention of post-weaning diarrhoea and oedema disease in piglets

A stable water-in-oil emulsion was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) in piglets about 5 days before weaning to prevent post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) and oedema disease (OD). So far more than 200,000 piglets have been treated with this adjuvant on a number of farms. On these farms the mortality rate due to PWD and OD decreased, whereas the need for antibiotic treatment declined. Experiments involving alternate application of adjuvant and physiological saline, or adjuvant treatment and no treatment at all, showed a statistically significant positive effect of adjuvant application. The effect of i.p. adjuvant application on specific and non-specific defence mechanisms were examined in well defined rat- and mouse-models, to throw light upon the mechanisms behind the observed adjuvant effect in piglets.     

规模化猪场蓝耳病血清学调查

蓝耳病是影响规模化猪场繁殖性能的主要传染性疾病,笔者在江苏省6个年产万头商品猪的规模化猪场猪群中随机采集297头种猪及仔猪血清进行蓝耳病血清学调查,使用IDEXX酶联免疫吸附诊断试剂盒,检测蓝耳病病毒抗体。结果表明,2个未免疫接种老猪场猪群抗体阳性率52%,断奶仔猪群阳性率39.1%;2个免疫接种老猪场猪群抗体阳性率94%,断奶仔猪群阳性率89.8%。而较新猪场的种猪群阳性率28.6%,断奶仔猪群阳性率5%。     

The influence of polyphenol rich apple pomace or red-wine pomace diet on the gut morphology in weaning piglets

Alternative food ingredients, e.g. secondary plant compounds, are discussed to have beneficial effects and improve gut health. In this study, the effect of three different diets - normal piglets starter without additives, with apple pomace or with red-wine pomace - on the intestinal morphology was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 4 weeks post-weaning. At five time points, six piglets from each treatment group were slaughtered; at first time point only six animals from control group were slaughtered. Villus height, crypt depth and breadth of villi and crypts were determined in the jejunum, ileum and colon in 78 piglets. Additionally, the area of the Peyer's patches in the ileum was measured. In jejunum (p < 0.01) and ileum (p < 0.001) the villus length in the control group decreased after weaning but increased over the entire feeding experiment (p < 0.001). In the two-pomace groups, no decrease was measured after weaning. In jejunum, an increase in villi breadth occurred, 73% in the control group and approximately 10% in both treatment groups. A 35% increase was found in the ileum in all groups. Peyer's patches area increased approximately 21% in the control group over 26 days of treatment, whereas in other groups no significant differences were found. Different polyphenol rich pomaces have diverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract. Red-wine pomace has an inhibitory effect on the jejunum villi growth, whereas apple and red-wine pomace have stimulating effect on crypt size in piglet colon. Apple and red-wine pomace can reduce the GALT activation via the Peyer's patches in the ileum. In conclusion, the flavanoids rich feeding regimen showed positive effects on villi morphology, GALT activation and can improve pig health.     

不同酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长、免疫性能和微生物菌群的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、免疫性能和微生物菌群的影响.试验将384头平均初始体重为(6.16±0.23)kg的21?d断奶仔猪随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复16头,各组断奶仔猪分别饲喂基础日粮、基础日粮+45?mg/kg抗菌肽、基础日粮+4?kg/T柠檬酸及基础日粮+3?kg/T复合酸化剂...     

The performance of weaned piglets after a five week weaning period in relation to the weaning weight, the feed composition and the use of an effective ergotropic

In a three-factorial experiment with 216 piglets of the same age (33 +/- 4 days) but a different weight (weaning weight from 5.5 to 9 kg) a conventional piglet rearing feed containing 20% crude protein (standard), a high-energy diet and a low-protein diet (16% crude protein) were tested. In three weaning weight classes the three diets were fed without or with Bisergon [2-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-carbamoyl-3-methylquinoxaline-1.4-dioxide] over a period of 21 days. From the 22nd to the 71st day after weaning all the piglets received the standard diet without ergotropic. Among the factors studied the Bisergon supplement had the biggest effect. The additional weight gain varied from 9% in case of heavy piglets fed the high energy diet to 150% in case of light piglets fed the low protein diet. The ergotropic improved feed conversion by 22% and lowered the frequency of gastrointestinal diseases requiring treatment by 28%. At the end of the rearing period the weight of the piglets initially fed with Bisergon (means = 34.6 kg) was significantly higher than that of the control animals (means = 31.6 kg). The weaning weight and the diets influenced the final weight especially in the groups without ergotropic. In this case the piglets fed with the high-energy diet gained 30% more and those fed with the low-protein diet 40% less compared with the standard group. The average live weight gain of the light piglets (weaning weight 6.1 kg) was 30% lower than that of the heavier piglets (weaning weight 8.5 kg). The frequency of treatment against diarrhoea of the heavy piglets was by one third lower than that of the light animals. The piglets fed with the low-protein diet appeared to show a limitation of gastrointestinal diseases, but these animals also had the lowest feed intake. Independent of the Bisergon supplementation the weaning weight clearly influenced the live weight after the 10-week experiment. The initially better development of the animals started with the high-energy diet was compensated. In contrast to this, the piglets weighing 6.1 and 7.2 kg fed with the low-protein diet could not compensate the retarded development in comparison with the piglets fed with the standard or the high-energy diet. This experiment confirms the enormous improvement of the performance and of the health status of weaned piglets caused by the ergotropic Bisergon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

镰刀菌毒素对断奶仔猪的抗营养效应及葡配甘露聚糖吸附剂的保护作用

选择125头始重(8.04±0.64)kg去势约×荣仔猪,采用2×2+1因子设计,研究被镰刀菌毒素自然污染的玉米以25%和50%的比例等量替换基础饲粮中的正常玉米并在此基础上加或不加葡配甘露聚糖(EGM)霉菌毒素吸附剂霉可吸TM对断奶仔猪生产性能、养分利用率的影响。结果表明:饲喂被镰刀菌毒素污染的饲粮降低了仔猪的生产性能,随霉变玉米替代比例增加,采食量和日增重降低程度增加(P<0.05或P<0.01);显著或极显著降低仔猪饲粮中有机物质、蛋白质、钙、磷的表观消化率(P<0.05或P<0.01)和蛋白质生物学价值(P<0.05),25%污染玉米饲粮对钙的表观消化率无影响(P>0.05);在被镰刀菌毒素污染饲粮中添加0.2%EGM吸附剂可使上述不良效应得到改善,尤以在25%污染玉米饲粮中添加0.2%EGM吸附剂可获得显著的保护效应。     

Small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early-weaned piglets fed a diet containing spray-dried porcine plasma

The purpose of this study was to test whether dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in early-weaned piglets prevents small intestinal villus atrophy by trophic or protective activity. Fifty-four weaned, 18-day-old piglets were used to determine the effect of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth, enterocyt mitotic activity and brush border enzyme activities during the first week after weaning. The piglets were offered a diet containing either 8% SDPP or 8% casein. At 2 and 7 days after weaning, piglets were anaesthetized to provide samples of the small intestinal wall and killed immediately afterwards. There were no differences in daily gain and daily feed intake between the two dietary treatments. At day 2 after weaning, all piglets showed a marked reduction in villus height when compared with baseline values. In all piglets, small intestinal enterocyte mitotic activity had decreased by day 2 and was increased again on day 7. There were no significant effects of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth and enterocyt mitotic activity. This indicates that SDPP has no trophic effect on the small intestinal mucosa and that it does not protect against the damaging effect on the small intestinal villi that is associated with the process of weaning. There was no effect of SDPP on lactase-, sucrase- or maltase-specific activities that are a measure of the digestive function of the small intestine. It can be concluded that SDPP versus casein has no effect on small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early weaned piglets kept under low infection pressure.     

An exploratory study on the effects of a straw dispenser in farrowing crates

The effect of a straw dispenser in farrowing crates was investigated to determine the extent to which the provision of small quantities of straw has an influence on both sows and piglets. Sows and suckling piglets are often housed in barren environments with limited opportunities to show behavior they are highly motivated to perform. Enriching the environment might be a solution; for example, by providing materials that can be manipulated. In this study, 20 sows received a straw dispenser with chopped straw (treatment group) and 20 other sows did not receive any enrichment (control group). The treatment group was split up in 2: in treatment group A, the straw dispenser was placed in front of the sow, above the feed trough; and in treatment group B, the straw dispenser was placed next to the sow. Sows from the treatment groups received the straw dispenser from arrival in the farrowing crate until weaning. The total straw use within the treatment group was very variable but did not differ before and after farrowing. Sows took on average 53.0 g (±8.85) straw from the straw dispenser during the whole period in the farrowing crate. The frequency of undesirable and stereotypical behavior performed by the sows did not differ between treatment and control groups, and the same is seen with nest-building behavior before farrowing. By positioning the dispenser in front of the sow, the frequency of lateral lying increased, which means the udder was exposed more toward the piglets. This was reflected in the higher frequency of udder activity, performed by piglets from this treatment group. By positioning the dispenser next to the sow, sows showed more ventral lying behavior, because of disturbance of lying behavior by piglets. Piglets from this treatment group also showed less udder activity and possibly because of this, more pain-related behavior. These piglets performed more playing behavior in the third week of life compared with other groups, but it cannot be stated with certainty that this is a positive effect. A lower weight gain and weaning weight were seen in piglets within treatment group B. Possible explanations are the higher level of activity among these piglets as the straw dispenser was positioned within their reach or decreased milk consumption because of decreased udder activity and increased ventral lying by the sows. It can be concluded that the straw dispenser has positive effects on the behavior and welfare of sows and piglets, but positioning the straw dispenser in reach of both sow and piglets is not preferred as it is associated with undesirable effects on behavior such as ventral lying in sows and pain-related behaviors in piglets.     

Analysis of Possible Influence of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Growth Performance and Losses of Piglets

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the feed ration for lactating sows with the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the growth performance and losses of piglets from birth to weaning. The monitoring comprised 20 litters in control and 20 litters in experimental group of Czech Large White × Czech Landrace hybrid combination sows. The control group was given a standard feed mixture for lactating sows, and experimental group was fed with the feed mixture supplemented with 2% of CLA, from the day of farrowing to the weaning of piglets, that is for the time of 28 days. The results of the experiment indicate the significantly better parameters of the numbers of reared piglets in the experimental group and the related lower level of losses of piglets from birth to weaning (p < 0.01). However, the feed mixture for lactating sows enriched in conjugated linoleic acid had no significant effect on the growth performance of piglets from birth to weaning (p > 0.05). Sows in the experimental group showed earlier onset of post‐partal oestrus after weaning of piglets (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the supplementation of diet for lactating sows with CLA can improve survival of piglets from birth to weaning and shortening of weaning‐to‐oestrous interval in sows.     

Transmission of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae among weaned piglets on endemically infected farms

Clinical outbreaks due to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae occur recurrently, despite the wide-scale use of antimicrobials or vaccination. Therefore, new approaches for the prevention and control of these outbreaks are necessary. For the development of alternative measures, more insight into the transmission of the bacterium on farms is necessary. The aim of this cohort study was to quantify transmission of A. pleuropneumoniae amongst weaned piglets on farms. We investigated three possible transmission routes: (i) indirect transmission by infected piglets within the same compartment, (ii) transmission by infected pigs in adjacent pens and (iii) transmission by direct contact within pens. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of independent litter characteristics on the probability of infection. Two farms participated in our study. Serum and tonsil brush samples were collected from sows pre-farrowing. Serum was analysed for antibodies against Apx toxins and Omp. Subsequently, tonsil brush samples were collected from all piglets from these dams (N = 542) in three cohorts, 3 days before weaning and 6 weeks later. Tonsil samples were analysed by qPCR for the presence of the apxIVA gene of A. pleuropneumoniae. Before weaning, 25% of the piglets tested positive; 6 weeks later 47% tested positive. Regression and stochastic transmission models were used to assess the contribution of each of the three transmission routes and to estimate transmission rates. Transmission between piglets in adjacent pens did not differ significantly from that between non-adjacent pens. The transmission rate across pens was estimated to be 0.0058 day⁻¹ (95% CI: 0.0030–0.010), whereas the transmission rate within pens was ten times higher 0.059 day⁻¹ (95% CI: 0.048–0.072). Subsequently, the effects of parity and serological response of the dam and litter age at weaning on the probability of infection of pigs were evaluated by including these into the regression model. A higher dam ApxII antibody level was associated with a lower probability of infection of the pig after weaning; age at weaning was associated with a higher probability of infection of the pig after weaning. Finally, transmission rate estimates were used in a scenario study in which the litters within a compartment were mixed across pens at weaning instead of raising litter mates together in a pen. The results showed that the proportion of infected piglets increased to 69% if litters were mixed at weaning, indicating that farm management measures may affect spread of A. pleuropneumoniae.     

二次制粒工艺对断奶仔猪消化器官的影响

选用360头21日龄断奶仔猪,按饲喂试验日粮的制粒工艺、原料预处理不同,分成4个处理组,研究断奶仔猪采食二次制粒颗粒饲料对主要消化器官的影响。处理1组饲粮普通一次制粒并使用未膨化玉米及豆粕;处理2组饲粮一次制粒、使用膨化玉米及豆粕;处理3组采用二次制粒工艺、使用未膨化玉米及豆粕;处理4组二次制粒、使用膨化玉米及豆粕。主要消化器官统计结果(相对指标)显示:处理4组仔猪小肠重显著大于处理1和3组(P<0.05);小肠长度和空肠黏膜重指标,处理4组显著大于其他3个处理组。小肠形态测定结果显示:处理4组仔猪空肠绒毛高度显著大于其他3个处理组;空肠肠壁厚度指标,处理4组仔猪显著大于处理1组,而处理2组和3组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。以上结果表明,在选择膨化玉米与膨化豆粕原料的基础上,采用二次制粒工艺,先将鱼粉与膨化玉米、膨化豆粕进行第一次高温制粒所生产的饲料,饲喂断奶仔猪有效促进小肠器官发育,从而改善生长性能。     

黄芪多糖对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

为了分析黄芪多糖对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响,选择28日龄的杜大长三元杂交断奶仔猪108头,公母各半,体重接近。随机分为4组,每组27头,每组3圈,每圈9头。对照组饲喂基础日粮,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组为试验组,分别在基础饲粮中加入黄芪多糖200、500 mg/kg和1000 mg/kg,试验期28 d。结果表明:含黄芪多糖日粮对仔猪的日增重、营养物质消化率、料肉比及腹泻率均有所改善,添加组与对照组在腹泻率方面差异显著(P<0.05),其中以添加500mg/kg为宜。     

Correlation between villous height and the disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of piglets from nursing to growing

Early weaning induces villous atrophy in the small intestine. Reduction in villous height in the small intestine after weaning is associated with reductions in brush‐border enzyme activity. Body weight gain after weaning is, therefore, correlated with villous height. This evidence suggested that the maintenance of small intestinal structure and function after weaning is important for the growth of young pigs. On the other hand, the relationship between villous height and the activity of the digestive enzymes in the small intestine has not been studied with piglets from the suckling to the growing period. Five suckling piglets, four piglets in the proximal stage of weaning, four pigs in the distal stage of weaning and four growing pigs were used. The activities of lactase (LA), sucrase (SA) and maltase (MA) were determined. LA showed a positive correlation with villous height in weaning. SA and MA were positively correlated with villous height from suckling to growing. In a previous study, non‐infectious dyspeptic diarrhea was frequently observed in growing piglets on Japanese swine farms. The maintenance of villous height to retain disaccharidase activity may prevent dyspepsic diarrhea in this stage.     

Effects of toltrazuril on the growth of piglets in herds without clinical isosporosis

Isospora suis is a widely prevalent and economically important parasite. The antiprotozoal compound, toltrazuril, was given as a single treatment to piglets without clinical signs in 10 herds. The daily weight gain (DWG) and mortality between the treatment date and weaning was compared on each herd in 10 treated and 10 control litters. The faeces of control litters were examined for oocyst excretion. In six herds, no oocysts were detected and treatment had no effect on DWG or mortality. In four pig herds, oocysts were detected and toltrazuril treatment significantly improved DWG by 25 g (P=0.003). Mortality rate was not affected. The partial economic benefit of toltrazuril treatment in positive herds was 0.20 euros per piglet. A single toltrazuril treatment of piglets in herds without clinical signs of isosporosis but with oocysts detected significantly improved DWG and was considered economically justified on each farm.     

Investigation on the Production Performance of gE Antibody Positive Sows in Pig Farms Infected with Wild Type Pseudorabies Virus

Pseudorabies (PR) is caused by the Pseudorabies virus (PRV). It is an acute and hot highly contagious disease infecting livestock and a wide range of wild animals. In order to investigate the relationship between latent infection of Pseudorabies virus and sow production performance,this study collected production parameters of first-parity sows with wild virus gE positive and negtive in a Pseudorabies positive stable intensive farm, including total litter size, healthy litter size, weak litter size, stillbirths, mummified fetus, litter weight, number of weaning live, number of weaning qualified and weaning weight. And compared the production performance of PRV gE antibody negative and positive sows in the same intensive pig farm. The study showed that each PRV gE antibody negative sow could produce 11.96 live piglets per parity. Additionally, PRV gE antibody negative sow could provide more alive, weaning and weaning qualified piglets per parity than infection sows, which were 0.63, 0.18 and 0.28, respectively. Although the average birth weight and average weaning weight of piglets produced by PRV gE antibody positive sows were higher than those produced by negative sows, the weaning qualified rate of antibody negative sows was higher than that of antibody positive sows, indicating that the weaning live piglets produced by antibody negative sows had higher uniformity. In summary, the production performance of PRV gE antibody positive sows was lower than that of the negative sows. Eradication of PR can bring higher profit to the pig farm. Pig farm should actively eradicate the PR.     

伪狂犬病病毒野毒感染猪场的gE抗体阳性头胎母猪生产成绩调查

伪狂犬病（Pseudorabies，PR）是由伪狂犬病病毒（Pseudorabies virus，PRV）感染多种野生动物及家畜引起的急性、热性的高度接触性传染病。为掌握PRV隐性感染对头胎母猪生产成绩的影响，本研究跟踪调查某一PRV野毒阳性稳定万头母猪场中野毒gE抗体阴性和阳性的头胎母猪总产仔数、健仔数、弱仔数、死胎数、木乃伊胎数、仔猪初生窝重以及断奶活仔数、断奶合格仔数、仔猪断奶重等不同生产成绩指标，探索相同饲养条件下伪狂犬病对头胎母猪各生产指标的影响。结果发现，每头PRV野毒gE抗体阴性头胎母猪每窝平均可产11.96头活仔猪，比gE抗体阳性母猪每胎次多产活仔0.63头，以及每胎次可多提供0.18头断奶活仔，每胎次多提供0.28头断奶合格仔。虽然PRV野毒gE抗体阳性母猪所产仔猪初生均重及断奶均重均高于gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪，但gE抗体阴性母猪所产仔猪断奶合格率高于gE抗体阳性母猪，表明其断奶活仔整齐度更高。综上，PRV野毒gE抗体阳性的头胎母猪生产成绩低于gE抗体阴性母猪，伪狂犬病的净化可为猪场带来更高的经济效益，表明伪狂犬病的净化至关重要。     

有效微生物群对仔猪生产性能的影响初探

对产后母猪和断奶仔猪饲喂有效微生物菌群(EM),研究其对仔猪生产性能的影响。从产前7d开始给母猪基础饲料中添加5mL/kg的EM菌液,选产仔数不少于8头的3头母猪及其仔猪连续饲喂EM菌28d,仔猪进行断奶,统计母猪的增重、仔猪初生重、断奶重,仔猪成活率等,分析添加EM菌后对母猪生产性能的影响。在这24头断奶仔猪饲料中添加EM菌的饲料,饲喂至60日龄,统计仔猪的增重、采食量、料重比、发病数等,分析EM菌断奶仔猪生产性能的影响。另外选取3头同品种、同批次生产、产仔数相同的母猪及其仔猪饲料中不添加EM菌作为对照。结果表明,母猪产后日均采食量较对照组提高12.07%,仔猪的初生重较对照组提高15.90%,产活仔数提高了12.09%,断奶重增加9.09%,断奶头数增多20.99%,断奶成活率提高8.81%。断奶后仔猪试验组的平均采食量较对照组提高10.26%,料重比降低了7.14%,发病率下降了50.03%。说明EM菌对母猪和仔猪的生产性能均有提高作用,研究结果为EM菌在生猪养殖中的应用提供了基础资料。     

Spray-dried plasma in diets for weaned piglets: influence on growth and underlying mechanisms

Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) is a by-product of slaughter plants. The plasma obtained from slaughtered pigs or ruminants is spray-dried and used for the production of human foodstuffs and animal feeds. SDAP added to the diet of weaned piglets has considerable positive effects on the growth performance of piglets. In a meta-analysis, it was calculated from 68 comparisons between SDAP-containing diets and control diets that the SDAP-induced change in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the first 2 weeks after weaning was +26.8% and +24.5%, respectively. Two experiments demonstrated that dietary SDAP can reduce post-weaning diarrhoea. The aim of the research described in this thesis was to learn more about the mechanisms underlying the growth- and health-promoting properties of SDAP in the diet of weaned piglets. Results showed that dietary SDPP has positive effects on the post-weaning growth performance and health of piglets. These effects are more pronounced in piglets kept under suboptimal conditions and/or high infection pressure, and in piglets fed on diets lacking anti-microbial growth promoters. SDAP acts by influencing the gastrointestinal microflora: it appears to affect pathogenic bacteria rather than exert a general anti-bacterial effect leading to nutrient sparing, as has been described for anti-microbial growth promoters. SDAP has great potential as treatment for immuno-compromised mammals, such as neonates, and for animals in which antibiotic treatment is not possible, for instance when there is a ban against antibiotics or when multi-resistant bacteria are involved.     

不同断奶日龄仔猪血液中生长相关激素的检测

为探讨断奶日龄对仔猪血液生长相关激素指标的影响,试验从8窝"杜×长×大"仔猪中选取出生日龄相近、初生体重一致的健康仔猪24头,随机分为4个试验组,每个试验组设6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,4组仔猪分别于14、21、28、35日龄断奶。至42日龄时,所有仔猪宰杀采血,利用放射免疫分析法进行血浆生长激素(GH)、胰岛素(INS)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)含量检测。结果表明,不同日龄组断奶仔猪血浆GH、T3和T4水平无显著性差异(P0.05);35日龄组断奶仔猪血浆INS含量显著高于14日龄断奶组(P0.05)。结果提示,不同断奶日龄对仔猪生长相关激素无显著影响。