Physiological relationships between microbiological status and dietary copper levels in the pig

Ten germ-free pigs and 10 conventionally reared pigs were fed one of two nutritionally balanced diets containing either 16 ppm Cu (basal) or 283 ppm Cu (high-Cu) to evaluate the physiological relationships between Cu and microbiological environment. Germ-free pigs tended to have higher ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than conventionally reared pigs. Feeding the high-Cu diet tended to reduce ADG and ADFI in germ-free pigs but it increased ADG and ADFI in conventionally reared pigs. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were higher in germ-free pigs than in conventionally reared pigs (P less than .001), and hematocrit (P less than .01) and erythrocyte count (P less than .06) were reduced by feeding the high-Cu diet. Germ-free pigs had lower total leukocyte count (P less than .01) and the relative percentages of differentiated leukocytes were altered compared with conventionally reared pigs. Feeding the high-Cu diet increased the percentage of band neutrophils and monocytes in germ-free pigs but reduced the percentage of these cells in conventionally reared pigs (P less than .04). Germ-free pigs had higher concentrations of Cu and Zn in liver and plasma (P less than .001) and greater plasma ceruloplasmin oxidase activity (P less than .001) than conventionally reared pigs did. The high-Cu diet increased liver Cu and Zn (P less than .001) and plasma Cu (P less than .001) and reduced liver and plasma Fe (P less than .05). Organ weights (g/kg BW) differed between germ-free and conventionally reared pigs, and feeding the high-Cu diet reduced thymus weights (P less than .002). Intestinal weight and thickness were reduced in germ-free pigs, and feeding the high-Cu diet generally reduced villus height and width and crypt depth in germ-free pigs, whereas it increased these measurements in conventionally reared pigs.     

Stimulation by colostrum or mature milk of gastrointestinal tissue development in newborn pigs

Porcine colostrum and milk were orally administered to newborn pigs to evaluate their gastrointestinal growth-promoting activity. Five piglets per treatment group were gavage-fed 5% lactose (L), defatted colostrum (C) or defatted mature milk (d 16 of lactation) (M) at 3-h intervals over a 24-h period. Colostrum and milk were administered on equivalent dry matter basis and all piglets received 1 mCi of [3H]thymidine per kg BW at the onset of feeding. Small intestines of C- and M-fed pigs were 1.6-and 1.3-fold, respectively, the weight of small intestines of those fed L (P less than .01). Total DNA content of intact small intestines were not different among groups; however, cpm [3H]thymidine/mg intestinal DNA of C and M piglets exceeded (P less than .05) that for L piglets. DNA content and cpm [3H]thymidine of intestinal mucosa did not differ among groups. Total protein in the intestines and intestinal mucosa of C pigs exceeded (P less than .01) that for L and M pigs. Total RNA in the small intestine and intestinal mucosa were similar for C and M groups but less (P less than .01) for L piglets. Stomach and pancreas weights among all pigs were similar, although C and M pigs exceeded L pigs in stomach (P less than .01) and pancreas (P less than .01) RNA content. In contrast, no differences in stomach DNA, protein and cpm [3H]thymidine or in pancreatic DNA, protein and cpm [3H]thymidine were detected. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to identify qualitative and quantitative differences in the protein compositions of porcine colostrum and mature milk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influences of dietary protein level,amino acid supplementation and environmental temperature on performance,body composition,organ weights and total heat production of growing pigs

The study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding a 16% CP diet, a 12% CP diet, or a 12% CP diet supplemented with crystalline Lys, Trp, and Thr (12% CP + AA diet) in a thermal-neutral (23 degrees C) or heat-stressed (33 degrees C) environment on various body and physiological measurements in growing pigs. Heat-stressed pigs were given a 15% lower daily feed allowance than thermal-neutral pigs to remove the confounding effect of feed intake caused by high temperature. No diet x temperature interaction was observed for any variables (P > 0.09) except for pig activity and pancreas weight. At 33 degrees C, pig activity and pancreas weight did not differ among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). In contrast, at 23 degrees C, pigs fed the 12% CP diet had greater activity than those fed the 16% CP diet or the 12% CP + AA diet (P < 0.05). Pancreas weight was greater for pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet than those fed the 12% CP diet (P < 0.05) when maintained at 23 degrees C. Compared with 23 degrees C, the 33 degrees C temperature decreased pig activity, heat production, daily gain, feed efficiency, and affected the concentration and accretion of empty body protein and ash, as well as weights of heart, pancreas, stomach, and large intestine (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet attained similar levels of performance and rates of empty body water, protein, lipid, and ash deposition as pigs fed the 16% CP diet (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the 12% CP + AA diet had lower serum urea plus ammonia nitrogen concentrations (P < 0.01) and total heat production (P < 0.05) compared with those fed the 16% CP diet or the 12% CP diet. These results confirm that, with crystalline AA supplementation, growing pigs fed a 12% CP diet will perform similar to pigs fed a 16% CP diet. The data further indicate that lowering dietary CP and supplementing crystalline AA will decrease total heat production in growing pigs whether they are housed in a thermal-neutral or heat-stressed environment.     

The Expression Characteristics of MYNN Gene in Different Tissues and Muscles of Pig

This study was aimed to investigate the expression characteristics of myoneurin (MYNN) gene in different tissues and its developmental expression in muscles (longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris and psoas major), cerebellum, liver, pancreas, kidney, stomach, spleen and lung tissues of pigs. The expression characteristics of MYNN mRNA in 11 different tissues including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, cerebellum, small intestine, pancreas, stomach, biceps femoris and fat of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs at the age of 90 days and the developmental expression patterns in muscle, cerebellum, liver, pancreas, kidney, stomach, spleen at three strages (1, 90, 180 days) of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs were studied by Real-time PCR. The results showed that MYNN was widely expressed in various tissues of pigs, and there was significant difference among the tissues(P < 0.05; P < 0.01); The expression of MYNN in muscle, liver, pancreas, cerebellum, kidney, stomach, spleen, lung tissues were significant difference at three development stages of Large White pigs and Mashen pigs(P < 0.05; P < 0.01), and also had a specific rule, which indicated that it may play an important role in these pig tissues. The expression of MYNN gene could related to the tissue, age and the genetic background of breeds. The results of this study provided a better understanding of the biological functions of pig MYNN. Further studies are required to determine its molecular mechanisms, especially in the regulation of skeletal muscle development.     

MYNN基因在猪不同组织及肌肉中的表达规律

试验旨在研究myoneurin（MYNN）基因在猪不同组织中的表达特征及其在肌肉（背最长肌、股二头肌和腰大肌）、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的发育性表达规律。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术研究猪MYNN mRNA在90日龄大白猪和马身猪的心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、小脑、小肠、胰脏、胃、股二头肌及脂肪共11个组织中的表达谱,以及在大白猪和马身猪1、90、180日龄3个发育阶段的肌肉、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的发育性表达规律。结果表明,MYNN在猪的各种组织中广泛表达,且各组织间表达差异显著或极显著（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）;MYNN在大白猪和马身猪的肌肉、小脑、肝脏、胰脏、肾脏、胃、脾脏、肺脏组织中的不同发育阶段表达差异显著或极显著（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）,并具有特定规律,由此推测其可能在猪的这几种组织中发挥重要作用。MYNN基因的表达与组织、日龄及品种的遗传背景有关。本试验为研究猪MYNN基因的生物学功能提供了依据,但还需要深入的研究来探索其作用的具体机制,尤其是在骨骼肌发育中的调节机制。     

Microbial diversity in the large intestine of pigs born and reared in different environments

Pigs born outdoors and reared on deep litter (straw) have been reported to experience less of a growth check after weaning and have a higher dressing percentage than counterparts born and reared under conventional (indoor) systems. The reason(s) for this difference is/are presently unknown, but differences in the gut environment might contribute to these observations. PCR-DGGE techniques were used in this study to examine microbial diversity and banding patterns in the large intestine of piglets that were reared under different rearing conditions. Six piglets per treatment were euthanised at weaning (21 days) and at 7 days and 21 days after weaning from two extreme treatments [indoor-born: conventionally-raised after weaning (‘Indoor’) or outdoor-born, deep-litter raised after weaning (‘Outdoor’)]. The Shannon diversity index was calculated, and multivariate analysis of banding patterns was performed. Indoor pigs had a more diverse bacterial population at weaning and 21 days after weaning than Outdoor pigs. However at the end of the first week after weaning, outdoor-born and deep-litter pigs had a more diverse microbiota. The Shannon diversity index continued to increase with time after weaning in Outdoor pigs, which did not occur in Indoor pigs. Multivariate analysis of banding patterns showed there was a trend (P = 0.109) for a difference in microbial structure depending on housing type. There was also a significant (P < 0.001) effect of sampling time after weaning and a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between housing and time after weaning.     

Effect of colostrum intake on hepatic gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in the neonatal pig

A total of 24 newborn pigs were used to determine 1) the relationship between the quantity of colostrum consumed and the capacity for gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation and 2) whether fatty acid oxidation limits gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes. Neonatal pigs were obtained prior to nursing and allotted to one of three treatment groups; fed (ad libitum), limit-fed (25% of fed group), or fasted. Hepatocytes were isolated when pigs were 24 h old. Colostrum intake altered the metabolic status of neonates such that the capacity for glucose synthesis and oxidation of octanoate increased with intake. Glucose synthesis with lactate as the substrate was greater (P less than .01) for fed pigs (10.79 mumol glucose.h-1.mg DNA-1) than for either limit-fed (6.56) or fasted counterparts (4.78), which were similar (P greater than .10). Colostrum intake failed to stimulate synthesis from alanine. The oxidation rate for octanoate was similar for fed and limit-fed pigs (.62 and .61 nmol CO2.h-1.mg DNA-1, respectively) but greater (P less than .05) than that observed for fasted counterparts (.36). Oxidation of octanoate (2 mM) was approximately 30-fold greater than for oleate (1 mM); oxidation of the latter was not affected by either colostrum intake or the addition of carnitine (1 mM). The increase in octanoate oxidation, however, did not elicit an increase in glucose synthesis by fasting pigs with either lactate or alanine as precursors. Thus, we conclude that gluconeogenesis is a function of colostrum intake and that reducing equivalents and(or) ATP may not be primary factors limiting glucose synthesis in pigs fasted from birth.     

Coarse structured feed stimulates members of the genera Lactobacillus and Mitsuokella as well as propionate and butyrate producers in the pig stomach

Pigs in four groups were fed fine non-pelleted (F-NP), fine pelleted (F-P), coarse non-pelleted (C-NP) or coarse pelleted (C-P) diets. DNA fingerprints, T-RFLP, revealed a strong dietary effect on bacterial community structure in the stomachs. Pigs fed the C-NP diet had the highest microbial diversity in stomach and the T-RFLP fingerprints suggested that bacteria tentatively identified as Lactobacillus delbrueckii, L. mucosae, L. reuteri, L. amylovorus/L. sobrius, Mitsuokella multiacida and Megasphera elsdenii were specifically stimulated. Lactobacilli may be responsible for the previously reported increase in stomach lactate levels of pigs fed the C-NP diet [Mikkelsen, L.L., Naughton, P.J., Hedemann, M.S., Jensen, B.B., 2004. Effects of physical properties of feed on microbial ecology and survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in the pig gastrointestinal tract. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70, 3485–3492.]. Moreover, earlier observations of butyrate and propionate accumulation in the stomach of pigs fed C-NP diets could be due to stimulation of M. elsdenii and S. ruminantium according to the T-RFLP fingerprints.     

Effects of pregelatinized vs. native potato starch on intestinal weight and stomach lesions of pigs housed in barren pens or on straw bedding

In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 16 groups of 12 pigs (approximately 25 kg) were assigned to either barren or straw housing and to native or pregelatinized potato starch included in the diet (35%) to investigate effects on intestinal weight and gastric lesions. Pigs were fed restrictedly (2.5 × MEm) for 5 weeks. At slaughter, weights of empty small intestine and stomach were determined. Stomachs were inspected for incidence of lesions in the pars oesophagea. No starch type × housing interactions were found. In pigs fed pregelatinized starch, weight of the small intestine (26.8 ± 0.4 g/kg BW) and stomach (7.6 ± 0.1 g/kg BW) were higher than in pigs fed native starch (24.9 ± 0.4; 7.1 ± 0.1 g/kg BW, respectively; P < 0.01). Straw bedding increased empty stomach weight (7.9 ± 0.1 vs. 6.8 ± 0.1 g/kg BW; P < 0.001), but not small intestine weight. Starch type did not affect stomach scores, but straw bedding reduced the incidence of gastric lesions to a very low level (scores 0.5 and 3.0 for straw and barren housing, P < 0.001). In conclusion, straw bedding reduced gastric lesions, reflecting either reduced environmental stress or a positive effect of physical stimulation. Pregelatinization of starch increased the empty weight of the proximal GI tract, possibly reflecting increased nutrient uptake.     

Effect of ractopamine on growth, carcass traits, and fasting heat production of U.S. contemporary crossbred and Chinese Meishan pure- and crossbred pigs.

Twenty-four U.S. crossbred (Duroc x White composite; D x Wc; 83.9 kg), 24 purebred Meishan (M; 59.4 kg), and 24 Meishan x White composite crossbred (M x Wc; 83.4 kg) barrows were allotted within genotype to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal diet or this basal diet + 20 ppm of ractopamine and allowed ad libitum access to feed for 52 d. No genotype x ractopamine interactions were detected (P greater than .05) in pigs for growth, lean cuts, ham and loin characteristics, leaf fat and visceral organ weights, fasting whole-animal heat production, and carcass traits except longissimus muscle area (LMA). The LMA was increased by ractopamine in D x Wc and M x Wc pigs (P less than .05) but not in M pigs. Compared with D x Wc and M x Wc pigs, M pigs had lower ADG, ADFI, and gain to feed ratio (G/F), shorter carcasses, and lower dressing percentage, LMA, predicted amount of muscle, weights of trimmed picnic, loin, and ham cuts, percentage of ham lean, and CP in ham lean, but heavier liver, kidneys, pancreas, and entire gastrointestinal tract with greater percentage of ham fat and ham bone (P less than .05). The M x Wc pigs had lower ADG, G/F, dressing percentage, LMA, amount of muscle, weights of trimmed cuts, and percentage of ham lean but heavier lungs, pancreas, stomach, and large intestine than did D x Wc pigs (P less than .05). Supplemental ractopamine increased ADG, G/F, dressing percentage, amount of muscle, trimmed loin weight, percentage of ham lean, and CP in ham lean and decreased weights of heart, lungs, kidneys, and pancreas in pigs (P less than .05). Neither genotype nor ractopamine had any effect on 4- to 24-h postprandial whole-animal heat production of pigs (P greater than .05). These results indicate that ractopamine will improve growth performance and carcass leanness in pure- and crossbred Meishan pigs.     

Oral ingestion of colostrum alters intestinal transforming growth factor-beta receptor intensity in newborn pigs

Mammary gland secretion contains numerous bioactive compounds including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). The concentrations of such bioactive compounds are usually much higher in colostrum compared with those in mature milk. To investigate possible effects of colostrum-borne TGF-β on the suckling animal, newborn piglets were naturally suckled or bottle-fed with porcine colostrum, bovine colostrum, porcine milk, infant formula or water for 24 h and intestinal TGF-β receptor intensity was assessed using an immunohistochemical staining technique in combination with computerized image analysis. The intestinal structure was also analyzed by morphometric analysis technique. It was observed that newborn pigs naturally suckled or bottle-fed with porcine or bovine colostrum had significantly greater intestinal villous height and crypt depth when compared with those fed with porcine milk, infant formula or water (p < 0.05). The immunostaining intensity for TGF-β receptors in the intestinal epithelium, particularly on the apical membrane of the villous epithelium, was significantly lower in naturally suckled or colostrum fed piglets compared with that in piglets fed with milk, infant formula or water (p < 0.05). Such decline in receptor intensity is likely the result of receptor internalization and degradation following exposure to colostrum-borne TGF-β. These findings suggest that colostrum-borne TGF-β can modulate intestinal TGF-β signalling pathways and may play a role in postnatal adaptation of the gut in newborn pigs.     

Effect of dietary fiber on young adult genetically lean, obese and contemporary pigs: body weight, carcass measurements, organ weights and digesta content

Twenty-one genetically lean, obese or contemporary barrows (6 mo old; seven of each genotype) were assigned to individual tether stalls and fed a control diet (low-fiber) or a diet containing 80% alfalfa meal (high-fiber) at 1.50% of initial body weight for 71 d (1.75% for d 1 to 4). Backfat thickness was recorded ultrasonically at 2-wk intervals, and body weight was recorded at the beginning and end of the 10-wk experiment. Pigs were slaughtered after a 24-h fast, and carcass weight, length and backfat thickness and cross-sectional area of the longissimus muscle were measured. Weights of cecum, heart, liver and kidney and of full and empty stomach and colon and empty small intestine were recorded. Volume and weight of colon and cecum contents were determined. Restriction of digestible energy reduced weight gain to zero or below in pigs fed alfalfa meal compared with 220 g daily in pigs fed the low-fiber diet. Restriction of energy reduced backfat in all three genotypes. Liver, kidney and empty segments of the gastrointestinal tract as a percentage of body weight were increased by high fiber. Obese pigs had smaller longissimus muscle area, more backfat and smaller liver, heart, empty stomach and colon than lean or contemporary pigs, but there were no diet X genotype interactions for any of these traits. Obese pigs consistently had smaller digesta volumes and dry matter weights than the other genotypes. The increased relative organ weights and the associated disproportionate contribution of these organs to body energy expenditure have important implications for effects on basal metabolic rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles alone or in combination with a multienzyme supplement

The effects of adding a multienzyme complex to a diet containing distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from a 1:1 mixture of corn and wheat on visceral organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption (FWBOC) were investigated in growing pigs in a 28-d trial. Twenty-four pigs (BW = 19.9 ± 0.5 kg) were individually housed in floor pens and randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets (8 pigs per diet). The diets contained corn and soybean meal with 0% (control) or 30% DDGS (DDGS diet); the third diet was supplemented with a multienzyme complex in addition to the 30% DDGS (DDGS + enzyme diet). All diets had similar nutrient concentrations and met the 1998 NRC nutrient requirements for growing pigs. Pigs were fed at 4% of their BW once daily. On d 15, 4 pigs from each dietary treatment were randomly selected for measurement of FWBOC during the 24- to 30-h postprandial period using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter. At the end of the study, pigs were killed to determine visceral organ weights, ileal and cecal digesta viscosity, and intestinal morphology. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on final BW, WBFOC, or digesta viscosity. Empty BW of pigs fed the control diet was heavier (P = 0.02) than that of pigs fed the DDGS diet, but the empty BW of pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet was not different (P > 0.05) from that of pigs fed the control or DDGS diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in empty BW of liver, spleen, pancreas, heart, stomach, small intestine, and cecum among dietary treatments on a per kilogram basis. However, pigs fed the DDGS diet had heavier (P < 0.05) colon plus rectum and portal-drained viscera (PDV) than pigs fed the control diet, but weights of colon plus rectum and PDV in pigs fed the DDGS + enzyme diet were not different (P > 0.05) from those of pigs fed the control diet. Although morphological data showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon segments among dietary treatments, the DDGS diet tended to decrease (P < 0.10) villous height and villous height to crypt depth in the ileum. The results of this experiment indicated that pigs fed a diet containing 30% DDGS have reduced dressing percentage and increased visceral organ mass compared with pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet. However, the addition of a multienzyme complex to the DDGS diet resulted in pigs having a dressing percentage and visceral organ mass that are not different from those of pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet.     

Prolonged feeding of high dietary levels of organic and inorganic selenium to gilts from 25 kg body weight through one parity

An experiment evaluated the selenosis effects from feeding high dietary Se levels of organic or inorganic Se sources to growing gilts with the dietary treatments continued through a reproductive cycle. A total of 88 gilts were allotted at 25 kg BW to two replicates in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Inorganic Se (sodium selenite) or organic (Se-enriched yeast) Se were added to diets at 0.3, 3, 7, or 10 ppm Se. At 105 kg BW, four gilts per treatment were killed and livers collected for Se analysis. At 8 mo of age, three gilts from each treatment group were bred and fed their treatment diet, with subsequent reproductive performance and selenosis effects evaluated. Serum collected at various intervals in gilts, sows, and progeny measured glutathione peroxidase activity and Se concentrations. Sow colostrum and milk was analyzed for their Se concentrations. Three pigs per treatment were killed before colostrum consumption and at weaning (14 d) and tissue collected for Se analysis. Gilt gains (P < 0.01) and feed intakes (P < 0.05) declined during the grower period as dietary Se level increased for both Se sources. Serum and liver Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and was higher when organic Se was fed (P < 0.01). Sows fed dietary Se levels at > 7 ppm had lower gestation weights (P < 0.05) and lower lactation feed intakes (P < 0.05). As Se level increased, sows fed organic Se had a lower number of live pigs born (P < 0.05) and weaned fewer pigs (P < 0.05) with lower litter gains (P < 0.05) than did sows fed inorganic Se. Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increased as dietary Se levels increased particularly when organic Se was fed (P < 0.01). Neonatal and weanling pig tissue Se and serum Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and when organic Se was fed, resulting in interaction responses (P < 0.01). Pigs nursing sows fed > 7 ppm inorganic Se had hoof separation and alopecia, with the severity being greater when sows were fed the inorganic Se source. These results suggest that both the organic and inorganic Se sources were toxic when fed at 7 to 10 ppm for a prolonged period, but organic Se seemed to express the selenotic effects more on reproductive performance, whereas inorganic Se was more detrimental during lactation.     

Effects of age and diet on the development of the pancreas and the synthesis and secretion of pancreatic enzymes in the young pig

Effects of age and diet composition on amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in the pancreas and intestinal contents, pancreas weights and body weights were determined from birth to 56 d. A total of 120 pigs, five to seven pigs/litter from 18 litters, were slaughtered at birth, 14, 27, 29, 31, 42 and 56 d. Litters were allotted to dietary treatments (corn-soy, A; corn-soy + 20% dried whey, B; corn-soy + 5% lard, C) and offered these diets as creep feed at 14 d. All pigs were weaned at 28 d, placed in elevated nursery pens and fed their respective diets. Total activities of amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin in the pancreas and small intestine increased (P less than .05) with age. Both trypsin and amylase activities, measured per kilogram body weight or gram pancreas weight, were low at 29 d in the intestine and increased to 56 d. Pigs on diet B had the highest level of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the intestinal contents (P less than .05). Trypsin activity in the pancreas (units/kg body weight) was lowest (P less than .05) for pigs on diet B and highest (P less than .05) for those on diet C (units/g pancreas and units/kg body weight). Amylase activity (units/kg body weight) was lower (P less than .05) in the pancreas for pigs on diet B than for those on diets A and C. Pigs on diet A had lower (P less than .01) intestinal amylase activities than those on diets B and C. Enzyme activities in the intestinal contents and pancreas were low following weaning. In the pancreas, activities decreased at 31 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diverse birth and rearing environment effects on pig growth and meat quality

Birth and rearing conditions were evaluated for their effects on pig growth, body composition, and pork quality using 48 barrows during the spring and summer months. Pigs were either farrowed in indoor crates or outdoor huts. At weaning, indoor-born and outdoor-born pigs were randomly allotted to indoor or outdoor treatments for growing/finishing. Body weight data were collected. Pigs were transported 5 h to a commercial processing plant, allowed 2 h of rest, and then processed as a group under commercial conditions. Boneless loins were collected from the left side of each carcass and aged for 14 d. Objective and subjective color measurements were taken on the longissimus muscle at the 10th rib on d 14 postmortem. Loin chops were evaluated for sensory attributes, shear force, and retail display features. Pigs born outdoors were heavier and had greater ADG at all growth intervals after weaning (d 28, 56, 112, and final weight, P < 0. 05) than pigs born indoors. Outdoor-born pigs had heavier carcass weights (91.2 vs 81.3+/-3.4 kg, P < 0.001), larger loineye areas (54.6 vs 49.7+/-0.2 cm , P < 0.05), and higher pork flavor intensity scores (6.5 vs 6.1+/-0.10, P < 0.01) than indoor-born pigs. Birth x rearing environment interactions were not significant for most measures. Backfat measurements at the last rib were greater (3.2 vs 2.8+/-0.05 cm, P < 0.05) for the pigs reared outdoors than for the pigs reared indoors. Pigs finished outdoors had more reddish pink color scores, lower shear force values, and lower L* values, indicating darker-colored pork, compared with pigs finished indoors (P < 0.05). Pig birth environment played a significant role in improving growth rates of outdoor-born pigs and increasing pork flavor intensity scores of loin chops from pigs born outdoors. Finishing pigs outdoors may improve pork color and tenderness but also may increase backfat thickness when they are fed conventional diets.     

Effect of intestinal microflora on digestible energy and fiber digestion in chickens fed a high-fiber diet.

The effect of intestinal microflora on digestible energy (DE) value and fiber digestion was studied in single-comb White Leghorn chickens fed a low-fiber diet (experiment 1) or a high-fiber diet with low or adequate metabolizable energy (ME) value (experiment 2). Fecal energy excretion was calculated from the difference between total energy excretion in urinary and fecal droppings and urinary energy excretion, which was estimated from the energy values for individual urinary nitrogenous compounds extracted with Li2CO3. When the birds were fed the low-fiber diet, no differences in growth, DE, or ME were observed between germ-free and conventional environments. Of birds fed the high-fiber diet, growth of those in the conventional environment was similar to that of the birds in the germ-free environment at the adequate ME value, whereas birds in the conventional environment grew faster than the birds in the germ-free environment at the low ME value. Changes in observed dietary ME values of the high-fiber diets, being higher in birds in the conventional environment than in birds in the germ-free environment (experiment 2), were almost entirely accounted for by those in dietary DE values, most of which was contributed by crude fiber digestion. It was concluded, therefore, that by means of fiber digestion, the intestinal microflora may benefit the host bird by supplying extra energy, which would result in growth promotion, particularly when the bird is deficient in energy.     

Comparative effects of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium transfer from sows to nursing pigs

To investigate the effects of supplemental Se on the transfer of Se to nursing pigs when sows are fed diets containing a Se level above the NRC recommendation (0.15 ppm), sows were fed diets containing no supplemental Se or supplemental (0.3 ppm) Se from sodium selenite or Se yeast. A nonSe-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet with a high endogenous Se content served as the negative control (0.20 to 0.23 ppm Se). Fifty-two sows were fed diets from 60 d prepartum until 14 d of lactation. Six sows per treatment were bled at 60 and 30 d prepartum, at farrowing, and at 14 d postpartum to measure serum Se concentrations. Colostrum was collected within 12 h postpartum, and milk was collected at 14 d of lactation. Blood was obtained from 3 pigs each from 12 litters per treatment at birth and at weaning (d 14), and pooled serum was analyzed for Se and immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity. Regardless of treatment, serum Se in sows declined throughout gestation and gradually increased during lactation. Sows fed Se yeast tended (P < 0.06) to have greater serum Se at farrowing than sows fed unsupplemented diets. Colostrum and milk (d 14) Se concentrations increased (P < 0.01) when sows were fed Se from yeast but not from sodium selenite. At birth, serum Se was increased (P < 0.01) for pigs whose dams were fed Se yeast compared with pigs from sows fed the basal diet. At 14 d of age, there was no difference in serum Se concentration of pigs from dams fed any of the treatments. Pig serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase-1 activity were unaffected by dietary Se source. Supplementation of gestating and lactating sow diets with Se (0.3 ppm) from an organic or inorganic source reduced the number of stillbirths per litter. However, only pigs born to sows fed organic Se (Se yeast) had greater serum Se at birth. Organic Se increased Se concentration of colostrum and 14-d milk to a greater degree than inorganic Se.     

Contribution of AIDA-I to the pathogenicity of a porcine diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and to intestinal colonization through biofilm formation in pigs

In order to evaluate the role of the AIDA-I of porcine diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strain PD20 serogroup O143 (AIDA-I⁺, STb⁺), a mutant strain PD20M (AIDA-I⁻, STb⁺) was generated from strain PD20 by an allelic exchange procedure. In addition, the full-length aidA gene was reintroduced into strain PD20M to generate the complemented strain PD20C (pTaidA, AIDA-I⁺, STb⁺). A non-pathogenic E. coli strain PD71 was used as negative control. Each strain was inoculated to newborn pigs via stomach tube. Severity of diarrhea was evaluated clinically and intestinal colonization was assessed by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) including immunogold electron microscopy (IGEM). The adhesion pattern to HeLa cells, bacterial auto-aggregation and biofilm formation were evaluated in vitro. Pigs infected with strains PD20 or PD20C developed diarrhea 16 and 28 h after inoculation, respectively, in contrast to pigs infected with strains PD20M or PD71. Histology, IHC, TEM and IGEM examinations showed heavy bacterial colonization with biofilm formation in the large intestine, and marked in vivo expression of AIDA-I protein in pigs infected with strains PD20 or PD20C in contrast to pigs infected with strains PD20M or PD71. The in vitro assays showed marked diffuse adherence to HeLa cells, enhanced bacterial auto-aggregation and significant biofilm formation (p < 0.05) by the AIDA-I⁺ strains, when compared to AIDA-I⁻ strains. These results demonstrate that expression of AIDA-I is essential for intestinal colonization and in vitro bacterial autoaggregation and biofilm formation. Thus, AIDA-I may be considered a significant virulence determinant in development of diarrhea caused by porcine diarrheagenic AIDA-I⁺ E. coli PD20 in piglets.