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.     

Low-protein diets supplemented with glutamic acid or aspartic acid ameliorate intestinal damage in weaned piglets challenged with hydrogen peroxide

Glutamic acid (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp) are acidic amino acids with regulatory roles in nutrition, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low-protein diets supplemented with Glu and Asp on the intestinal barrier function and energy metabolism in weaned piglets challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Forty piglets were randomly divided into 5 groups: NC, PC, PGA, PG, and PA (n = 8 for each group). Pigs in the NC and PC groups were fed a low-protein diet, while pigs in the PGA, PG, or PA groups were fed the low-protein diet supplemented with 2.0% Glu +1.0% Asp, 2.0% Glu, or 1.0% Asp, respectively. On day 8 and 11, pigs in the NC group were intraperitoneally injected with saline (1 mL/kg BW), while pigs in the other groups were intraperitoneally administered 10% H₂O₂ (1 mL/kg BW). On day 14, all pigs were sacrificed to collect jejunum and ileum following the blood sample collection in the morning. Notably, low-protein diets supplemented with Glu or Asp ameliorated the intestinal oxidative stress response in H₂O₂-challenged piglets by decreasing intestinal expression of genes (P < 0.05) (e.g., manganese superoxide dismutase [MnSOD], glutathione peroxidase [Gpx]-1, and Gpx-4) encoding oxidative stress-associated proteins, reducing the serum concentration of diamine oxidase (P < 0.05), and inhibiting apoptosis of the intestinal epithelium. Glu and Asp supplementation attenuated the upregulated expression of energy metabolism-associated genes (such as hexokinase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1) and the H₂O₂-induced activation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) in the jejunum and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase–acetyl-ACC signaling in the ileum. Dietary Glu and Asp also ameliorated intestinal barrier damage as indicated by restored intestinal histology and morphology. In conclusion, low-protein diets supplemented with Glu and Asp protected against oxidative stress-induced intestinal dysfunction in piglets, suggesting that this approach could be used as a nutritional regulatory protectant against oxidative stress.     

Growth performance of 20- to 50-kilogram pigs fed low-crude-protein diets supplemented with histidine, cystine, glycine, glutamic acid, or arginine

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the growth performance of grower pigs fed low-CP, corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) AA-supplemented diets with that of pigs fed a positive control (PC) C-SBM diet with no supplemental Lys. Five experiments were conducted with Yorkshire crossbred pigs, blocked by BW (average initial and final BW were 21 and 41 kg, respectively) and assigned within block to treatment. Each treatment was replicated 4 to 6 times with 4 or 5 pigs per replicate pen. Each experiment lasted 28 d and plasma urea N was determined at the start and end of each experiment. All diets were formulated to contain 0.83% standardized ileal digestible Lys. All the experiments contained PC and negative control (NC) diets. The PC diet contained 18% CP and was supplemented with only DL-Met. The NC diet contained 13% CP and was supplemented with L-Lys, DL-Met, L-Thr, and L-Trp. The NC + Ile + Val diet was supplemented with 0.10% Val + 0.06% Ile. The NC + Ile + Val diet was supplemented with either His (Exp. 1), Cys (Exp. 2), Gly (Exp. 2, 3, and 4), Glu (Exp. 3), Arg (Exp. 4), or combinations of Gly + Arg (Exp. 4 and 5) or Gly + Glu (Exp. 5). Treatment differences were considered significant at P < 0.10. In 3 of the 4 experiments that had PC and NC diets, pigs fed the NC diet had decreased ADG and G:F compared with pigs fed the PC diet. The supplementation of Ile + Val to the NC diet restored ADG in 4 out of 5 experiments. However, G:F was less than in pigs fed the PC diet in 1 experiment and was intermediate between the NC and PC diets in 3 experiments. Pigs fed supplemental Ile + Val + His had decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed supplemental Cys to achieve 50:50 Met:Cys had decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed Ile + Val + 0.224% supplemental Gly had similar ADG, greater ADFI, and decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed Ile + Val + 0.52% supplemental Gly had ADG and G:F similar to that of pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed supplemental Glu had decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed Ile + Val + 0.48% supplemental Arg had decreased G:F compared with pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed the diet supplemented with Gly + Arg had ADG and G:F similar to pigs fed the PC. Pigs fed the low-CP diets had reduced plasma urea N compared with pigs fed PC. The results of these experiments indicate that supplementing Gly or Gly + Arg to a low-CP C-SBM diet with 0.34% Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Ile, and Val restores growth performance to be similar to that of pigs fed a PC diet with no Lys supplementation.     

Evaluation of xylanase and a fermentable xylo-oligosaccharide on performance and ileal digestibility of broiler chickens fed energy and amino acid deficient diets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a product consisting of a combination of xylanase and xylo-oligosaccharide (STBIO) on performance and ileal digestibility of broiler chickens fed energy and amino acid (AA) deficient diets. Day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 8 pens per treatment, with 25 chicks per pen. Treatments based on wheat-corn-soybean meal diets were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial design: a positive control that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations (PC), a negative control diet with a 50 kcal/kg apparent metabolizable energy (AME) reduction (NC1) and NC1 with a 3% reduction in AA content (NC2), each with or without supplementation of 100 g/t of the STBIO. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, feed conversion ratio corrected for mortality (FCR) and the European production efficiency factor (EPEF) were recorded from 0 to 42 d. On d 42, ileal samples were collected to determine dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, protein and energy digestibility. A significant interaction was observed for BWG and feed intake (P < 0.001). The energy and AA reduction reduced (P < 0.05) BWG when compared to the PC. The effect of STBIO on BWG was greater in NC1 (+451 g/bird) than in NC2 (+314 g/bird) or PC (+176 g/bird) diets (P < 0.05), and that in NC2 with STBIO was equal to that in PC without STBIO, and that in NC1 with STBIO was equal to that in PC with STBIO. No interactions were observed on the EPEF or FCR; however, STBIO improved EPEF (P < 0.001) and FCR (P < 0.001) irrespective of the energy reduction or AA density. The intake of digestible DM, OM, ash and energy for the finisher period was increased with STBIO supplementation (P < 0.01). A significant interaction was observed for the intake of digestible protein. NC1 and NC2 reduced the intake of digestible protein; however, when STBIO was supplemented, it was improved in both diets to similar levels to the PC. The stimbiotic supplementation improved performance of broiler chickens fed all diets, particularly those deficient in AME and AA.     

Improving performance of finishing pigs with added valine,isoleucine, and tryptophan: validating a meta-analysis model

Based on results of a recent meta-analysis, we hypothesized that increased dietary Val, Ile, or Trp could correct possible amino acid interactions because of excess Leu in diets containing high levels of corn protein, namely dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). A total of 1,200 pigs (PIC TR4 × (Fast LW × PIC L02); initially 33.6 ± 0.6 kg) were used in a 103-d study. The 6 dietary treatments were corn–soybean meal (SBM)-DDGS-based as follows: (1) high SBM and low level of l-Lys HCl (HSBM), (2) high l-Lys HCl and moderate Ile, Val, Trp (AA above NRC 2012 estimates; NC), (3) moderate l-Lys HCl and high Ile, Val, and Trp (PC), and PC with either increased (4) L-Val (PC+Val), (5) L-Ile (PC+Ile), or (6) L-Trp (PC+Trp). Pigs fed the NC diet were predicted to have the poorest average daily gain (ADG), the PC diet to be intermediate, and pigs fed the HSBM, PC+Val, PC+Ile, and PC+Trp have the same and highest predicted ADG. In the grower period (34 to 90 kg), ADG was greater (Ρ < 0.05) for the pigs fed HSBM and PC+Val diets than the NC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. Pigs fed HSBM were more (Ρ < 0.05) efficient (G:F) than the NC and PC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. In the finisher period (90 to 136 kg), ADG was greater (Ρ < 0.05) for pigs fed PC+Ile than that of the NC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. Pigs fed PC+Val had greater (Ρ < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) than the NC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. However, PC+Ile pigs were more (Ρ < 0.05) efficient than PC+Val with pigs fed other diets intermediate. Overall, ADG was greater (Ρ < 0.05) for pigs fed HSBM, PC+Val, and PC+Ile diets than the NC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. Pigs fed the PC+Val diet had greater (Ρ < 0.05) ADFI than the NC with pigs fed other diets intermediate. No differences were detected between treatments for overall G:F or other carcass characteristics. In conclusion, increasing Val or Ile in high l-Lys-HCl-DDGS-based diets improved growth performance compared with pigs fed diets containing high levels of l-Lys HCl without added Val and Ile. These results present evidence that the recently developed meta-analysis can predict the relative differences in overall ADG for pigs fed the NC, PC, PC+Val, and PC+Ile diets; however, the predicted G:F was less accurate. The data demonstrate that the negative effects of high Leu concentrations in corn-DDGS-based diets can be reversed by increasing the ratios of Val and Ile relative to Lys.     

Effect of potential multimicrobe probiotic product processed by high drying temperature and antibiotic on performance of weanling pigs

In this study, the effect of a potential multimicrobe probiotic subjected to high-temperature drying was investigated. Potential multimicrobe probiotics produced by solid substrate fermentation were dried at low (LT, 40°C for 72 h) or high (HT, 70°C for 36 h) temperature. In Exp. 1, 288 weaned pigs (BW, 6.43 ± 0.68 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments on the basis of BW (4 pens per treatment with 18 pigs in each pen). Dietary treatments were negative control (NC; basal diet without any antimicrobial), positive control (PC; basal diet + 0.1% chlortetracycline), basal diet with 0.3% probiotic LT, and basal diet with 0.3% probiotic HT. Diets were fed in 2 phases, phase I (d 0 to 14) and phase II (d 15 to 28); and growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD, d 28), and fecal microflora (d 14 and 28) were evaluated. Over the 28-d trial, pigs fed PC and probiotic diets had greater ADG (P < 0.001), ADFI (P < 0.05), and G:F (P < 0.01) than pigs fed NC diet. The ATTD of DM and GE was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed probiotic diets when compared with pigs fed the NC diet. At d 28, fewer Clostridia (P < 0.01) were identified in the feces of pigs fed PC and probiotic diets than pigs fed the NC diet. However, the performance, ATTD of DM and GE, and fecal Clostridia population were similar among pigs fed probiotic LT and HT diets. In Exp. 2, 288 weaned pigs (initial BW, 5.84 ± 0.18 kg) were allotted to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement on the basis of BW. The effects of 2 levels of probiotic HT (0.30 or 0.60%), each with or without antibiotic (chlortetracycline, 0 or 0.1%), on performance, ATTD, intestinal morphology, and fecal and intestinal microflora were investigated. Feeding of 0.60% probiotic HT diet improved (P < 0.05) overall ADG, ATTD of DM and GE, and Lactobacillus population in the feces and intestine, and reduced the population of Clostridium and coliforms in feces (d 14) and ileum. Inclusion of antibiotic improved (P < 0.05) the overall ADG, ADFI, and ATTD of DM at d 14 and reduced fecal Clostridium population at d 28. Increased (P < 0.05) villus height at jejunum and ileum, and villus height:crypt depth at the ileum was noticed in pigs fed 0.60% probiotic HT and antibiotic diets. In conclusion, high drying temperature had no effect on the efficacy of potential multimicrobe probiotic product. However, the probiotic product dried at high temperature was more effective at 0.60% inclusion, whereas inclusion of an antibiotic improved pig performance but did not show any interaction with probiotics.     

Effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant in grower pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diets formulated with a full nutrient matrix and no added inorganic phosphorus

The capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to entirely replace dietary inorganic phosphorus (Pi) source in grower pigs fed diets with reduction of calcium (Ca), net energy (NE), and digestible amino acids (AA) was evaluated, using growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients as outcome measures. A total of 352 mixed-sex pigs (initial BW 23.4 kg) were randomized to 4 treatments, 8 pigs/pen, and 11 pens/treatment. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based and formulated by phase (grower 1, 25 to 50 and grower 2, 50 to 75 kg BW). The positive control diet (PC) provided adequate nutrients and a negative control diet (NC) was formulated without Pi (1.2 g/kg ATTD P) and reduced in Ca (-0.12 to -0.13 percentage points), NE (-32 kcal/kg), and digestible essential AA (-0.004 to -0.026 percentage points) vs. PC. Two further treatments comprised the NC plus 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg of PhyG. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, mean contrasts and orthogonal polynomial regression. Nutrient reductions in the NC reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) during grower 1 and overall (73 to 136 d of age), increased (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) during grower 1 and overall and tended to reduce (P < 0.1) average daily feed intake (ADFI) during grower 2 and overall, vs. PC. Phytase supplementation improved (P < 0.05) FCR during grower 1, ADG during grower 2 and overall, ATTD of DM and P, and tended to improve DE (P = 0.053) in a linear dose-dependent manner. PhyG at 1,000 FTU/kg resulted in growth performance (all measures, all phases) equivalent to PC. The findings demonstrate that PhyG at 1,000 FTU/kg totally replaced Pi in complex grower pig diets containing industrial co-products, compensated a full nutrient matrix reduction and maintained performance.     

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.     

Manganese methionine hydroxy analog chelated affects growth performance,trace element deposition and expression of related transporters of broilers

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of manganese methionine hydroxyl analog chelated (Mn-MHAC) as a manganese (Mn) source on growth performance and trace element deposition in broilers. A total of 432 Arbor Acres commercial female broilers were fed a basal corn-soybean diet containing Mn at 25.64 mg/kg diet for 10 d. They were then randomly assigned to 6 groups, including a control group (the basal diet), a Mn sulfate group (the basal diet supplemented with Mn at 100 mg/kg diet), and 4 Mn-MHAC groups (the basal diet supplemented with Mn-MHAC at 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg Mn/kg diet, respectively). The results showed that compared with the control group, groups supplemented with Mn-MHAC had a positive effect on BW (quadratic, P = 0.017) and ADG (quadratic, P = 0.017). Moreover, the Mn-MHAC (50 mg Mn/kg diet) group had significantly greater BW and ADG (P < 0.05) compared with the other Mn-MHAC groups. Trace element deposition results also showed that tibial Mn increased (linear or quadratic, P = 0.002 and 0.009, respectively) in groups fed diets with increased levels of Mn-MHAC. In contrast, Fe deposition decreased both in the heart (linear, P = 0.020) and tibia (P < 0.05). In addition, the Mn-MHAC supplement noticeably lowered serum Mn-SOD activity (linear or quadratic, P = 0.048 and 0.019, respectively). The relative mRNA levels of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) (P = 0.024), ferroportin 1 (FPN1) (P = 0.049), and Cu transporter-1(CTR1) (P < 0.001) in the duodenum, as well as CTR1 in the jejunum and ileum (P = 0.040 and 0.011, respectively) were higher in the Mn-supplemented group than in the control group. Furthermore, the relative mRNA level of DMT1 in the jejunum and ileum of broilers in the Mn-MHAC group (50 mg Mn/kg diet) did not differ from those in the control group, but was lower than those in the Mn sulfate group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Mn-MHAC dietary supplementation improved the growth performance and trace element deposition in broilers. From this study, we recommend the optimum Mn-MHAC level to meet the Mn requirement of broilers is 50 to 75 mg Mn/kg diet.     

Source of fiber influences growth,immune responses,gut barrier function and microbiota in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets

This study examined the impacts of different fiber sources on growth, immune status and gut health in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets. Sixty piglets (BW = 8.18 ± 1.35 kg) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments based on BW and gender in a randomized complete block design (5 replicates/treatment and 4 piglets [2 barrows and 2 gilts]/replicate): (1) an antibiotic-free diet (control, CON); (2) CON + 6% wheat bran (WB); (3) CON + 4% sugar beet pulp (SBP). Dietary WB supplementation tended to increase ADG compared with CON from d 1 to 14 (P = 0.051) and from d 1 to 28 (P = 0.099). Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) G:F compared with CON and SBP from d 1 to 14 and from d 1 to 28. Compared with CON, the addition of WB reduced (P < 0.05) diarrhea rate from d 1 to 14 and tended (P = 0.054) to reduce diarrhea rate from d 1 to 28. The addition of WB decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity on d 14, and up-regulated (P < 0.05) ileal mRNA levels of occludin on d 28 when compared with CON. Piglets fed WB showed decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 levels compared to those fed SBP and decreased (P < 0.05) ileal interleukin-8 levels compared to those fed CON and SBP on d 28. Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM compared with SBP on d 14, and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum IgA and ileal sIgA compared with CON and SBP on d 28. Piglets fed WB showed an enhanced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed SBP, while piglets fed SBP showed reduced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed CON. Compared with CON, the addition of WB elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospira and cecal butyric acid level. Piglets fed WB also showed increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Lachnospira and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae compared with those fed SBP. Collectively, the supplementation of WB to antibiotic-free diets improved performance, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota compared with the CON and SBP fed piglets. Therefore, supplementing weaned piglets with WB was more effective than SBP.     

Inclusion of dicopper oxide instead of copper sulfate in diets for growing–finishing pigs results in greater final body weight and bone mineralization,but reduced accumulation of copper in the liver

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of Cu oxide (Cu₂O) in diets for growing–finishing pigs improves body weight (BW) and bone mineralization, and reduces accumulation of Cu in the liver compared with pigs fed diets containing Cu sulfate (CuSO₄). Two hundred growing pigs (initial BW: 11.5 ± 0.98 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 100 pigs, 5 dietary treatments, 5 pigs per pen, and a total of 8 pens per treatment. Treatments included the negative control (NC) diet that contained 20 mg Cu/kg, and 4 diets in which 125 or 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO₄ or Cu₂O were added to the NC diet. The experiment was divided into 4 phases and concluded when pigs reached market weight. Pig weights were recorded on day 1 and at the end of each phase and feed provisions were recorded throughout the experiment. On the last day of phases 1 and 4, 1 pig per pen was sacrificed to obtain samples of liver and spleen tissue, and the right metacarpal was collected. Results indicated that pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO₄ had greater BW at the end of phases 1 and 2 than pigs fed NC diets. Pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu₂O had greater (P < 0.05) BW at the end of phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 compared with pigs fed NC diets, and these pigs also had greater BW at the end of phases 3 and 4 than pigs fed all other diets. Pigs fed the diets with 250 mg Cu/kg tended to have greater (P < 0.10) feed intake than pigs fed the NC diet at the end of phase 2, and for the overall experimental period, pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu₂O had greater (P < 0.05) feed intake than pigs on all other treatments. However, no differences in gain:feed ratio were observed among treatments. Copper accumulation in liver and spleen increased with Cu dose, but at the end of phase 1, pigs fed 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO₄ had greater (P < 0.05) Cu concentration in liver and spleen than pigs fed 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu₂O. Pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu₂O had greater (P < 0.05) quantities of bone ash and greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of Ca, P, and Cu in bone ash than pigs fed NC diets or the 2 diets containing CuSO₄, but Zn concentration in bone ash was less (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu₂O. To conclude, supplementing diets for growing pigs with Cu₂O improves growth performance and bone mineralization with less Cu accumulation in liver compared with pigs fed diets containing CuSO₄.     

Performance and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles‐containing diets supplemented with phytase and multi‐carbohydrase

Effect of supplementing wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS)‐containing diet with enzymes on nutrient utilization by growing pigs was evaluated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 60 pigs weighing ~30 kg were fed five diets that included a corn‐based diet (Control), Control with 10% wheat DDGS (DDGS‐PC), DDGS‐PC without inorganic P source (DDGS‐NC), and DDGS‐NC plus phytase alone or with multi‐carbohydrase for 4 weeks to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F). In Experiment 2, 30 barrows weighing 22 kg were fed five diets fed in Experiment 1 to determine nutrient digestibility and retention. Pigs fed DDGS‐PC and Control diets had similar ADG and G:F. The ADG and G:F for DDGS‐PC diet were higher (P < 0.05) than those for DDGS‐NC diet. Phytase improved (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, total tract P digestibility and P retention by 6.6, 8.7, 86.0 and 85.5%, respectively. Addition of multi‐carbohydrase to phytase‐supplemented diet did not affected growth performance, but reduced (P < 0.05) P retention. In conclusion, inclusion of 10% wheat DDGS in growing pig diet may not affect growth performance of growing pigs. Phytase supplementation to wheat DDGS‐containing diet can eliminate the need for inorganic P supplement in pig diets.     

Dietary inclusion of multispecies probiotics to reduce the severity of post-weaning diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli F18+ in pigs

This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of multispecies probiotics in reducing the severity of post-weaning diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18⁺ on newly weaned pigs. Thirty-two pigs (16 barrows and 16 gilts, BW = 6.99 ± 0.33 kg) at 21 d of age were individually allotted in a randomized complete block design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pigs were selected from sows not infected previously and not vaccinated against ETEC. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 25 d based on 10 d phase 1 and 15 d phase 2. The factors were ETEC challenge (oral inoculation of saline solution or E. coli F18⁺ at 2 × 10⁹ CFU) and probiotics (none or multispecies probiotics 0.15% and 0.10% for phase 1 and 2, respectively). Body weight and feed intake were measured on d 5, 9, 13, 19, and 25. Fecal scores were measured daily. Blood samples were taken on d 19 and 24. On d 25, all pigs were euthanized to obtain samples of digesta, intestinal tissues, and spleen. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), malondialdehyde (MDA), peptide YY (PYY), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured in serum and intestinal tissue. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The fecal score of pigs was increased (P < 0.05) by ETEC challenge at the post–challenge period. The ETEC challenge decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and crypt depth, tended to increase (P = 0.056) jejunal TNFα, increased (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth, and decreased (P < 0.05) serum NPY. The probiotics decreased (P < 0.05) serum TNFα, tended to reduce (P = 0.064) jejunal MDA, tended to increase (P = 0.092) serum PYY, and increased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height, and especially villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in challenged pigs. Growth performance of pigs were not affected by ETEC challenge, whereas the probiotics increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and tended to increase (P = 0.069) G:F ratio. In conclusion, ETEC F18⁺ challenge caused diarrhea, intestinal inflammation and morphological damages without affecting the growth performance. The multispecies probiotics enhanced growth performance by reducing intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, morphological damages.     

Potential use of ground brown rice for weanling pigs

The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of substituting corn with ground brown rice on growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota in weanling pigs. Seventy-two weanling pigs (28 d old with 6.78 ± 0.94 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments with six pens and six pigs (three barrows and gilts) per pen within a randomized complete block design. The control pigs were fed a typical diet for weanling pigs based on corn and soybean meal diet (control diet: CON), and the other pigs were fed a formulated diet with 100% replacement of corn with ground brown rice for 35d (treatment diet: GBR). Growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota of weanling pigs were measured. The substitution of corn with GBR did not affect growth performance or diarrhea frequency. Additionally, there were no differences in white blood cell number, hematocrit, cortisol, C-reactive protein, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels between pigs fed CON or GBR for the first 2 wk after weaning. However, weanling pigs fed GBR had lower (P < 0.05) serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 level than those fed CON. Furthermore, weanling pigs fed GBR had increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes and genus Lactobacillus and Streptococcus and decreased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Clostridium and Prevotella in the gut microbiota compared with those fed CON. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in growth performance when corn was replaced with ground brown rice in diets for weanling pigs. Furthermore, the substitution of corn with ground brown rice in weaning diet modulated immune status and gut microbiota of pigs by increasing beneficial microbial communities and reducing harmful microbial communities. Overall, ground brown rice-based diet is a potential alternative to corn-based diet without negative effects on growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota changes of weanling pigs.     

Effects of multistrain probiotics on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,faecal microbial shedding,faecal score and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of multistrain probiotics in weaning pigs. A total of 125 28‐day‐old weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial average body weight (BW) of 7.26 ± 0.76 kg were randomly allotted into 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen for 42‐day experiment. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; PC1, CON + 0.01% multistrain probiotics; PC2, CON + 0.03% multistrain probiotics; PC3, CON + 0.06% multistrain probiotics; PC4, CON + 0.1% multistrain probiotics. On day 14, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. From days 1 to 14, pigs fed the PC2, PC3 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the CON diet. From day 15 to 42, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed the CON diet. In the overall period, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and pigs fed the PC2 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE), faecal Lactobacillus counts and lower (p < 0.05) E. coli counts and NH₃ emission than pigs fed the CON diet. Pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had lower (p < 0.05) H₂S and total mercaptans emissions than pigs fed the CON diet. Conclusions, dietary supplementation with 0.1% probiotics improved growth performance, nutrition digestibility and intestinal microflora balance and decreased faecal noxious gas emissions in weaning pigs.     

Evaluation of methods to reduce bacteria concentrations in spray-dried animal plasma and its effects on nursery pig performance

Four experiments with 1,040 weanling pigs (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were conducted to evaluate the effects of spray-dried animal plasma source, drying technique, and methods of bacterial reduction on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, 180 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.9 +/- 1.8 kg) were used to compare effects of animal plasma, animal plasma source, drying technique (spray-dried or freeze-dried), and plasma irradiation in nursery pig diets. From d 0 to 10, pigs fed diets containing irradiated spray-dried animal plasma had increased ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed diets containing nonirradiated spray-dried animal plasma. Pigs fed irradiated animal plasma Sources 1 and 2 were similar in ADG and ADFI, but pigs fed animal plasma Source 1 had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed animal plasma Source 2 and pigs not fed plasma. Pigs fed freeze-dried animal plasma had growth performance similar (P > 0.36) to pigs fed spray-dried animal plasma. Overall (d 0 to 24), pigs fed irradiated spray-dried animal plasma were heavier (P < 0.05) than pigs fed no animal plasma, whereas pigs fed nonirradiated spray-dried plasma were intermediate. In Exp. 2, 325 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.8 +/- 1.7 kg) were used to compare the effects of irradiation or formaldehyde treatment of animal plasma and formaldehyde treatment of the whole diet. Pigs fed diets containing irradiated animal plasma had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed nonirradiated plasma. Pigs fed formaldehyde-treated plasma had greater ADG and ADFI (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets with either nonirradiated plasma or whole diet treated with formaldehyde. In Exp. 3 (360 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.3 +/- 2.7 kg) and Exp. 4 (175 barrows and gilts; initial BW 6.1 +/- 1.7 kg), the irradiation of feed (high bacteria) and food-grade (low bacteria) animal plasma in nursery pig diets was examined. Pigs fed irradiated feed-grade plasma Product 2 had increased ADG (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed nonirradiated plasma Product 2 and pigs fed the control diet without plasma. In Exp. 3 and 4, pigs fed irradiated food-grade plasma had growth performance similar to pigs fed nonirradiated food-grade plasma (P > 0.12). These studies indicate that bacterial reduction of feed-grade, but not food-grade animal plasma, improves nursery pig performance.     

Prevotella-rich enterotype may benefit gut health in finishing pigs fed diet with a high amylose-to-amylopectin ratio

To investigate the influence of baseline enterotypes and dietary starch type on the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), numbers of butyrate producing bacteria and the expression of genes related to intestinal barrier and inflammatory response in the colon of finishing pigs, a 60-d in vivo trial was conducted. A 2-wk pre-trial with 102 crossbred (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]) finishing barrows (90 d old) was conducted to screen enterotypes. Then, a total of 32 pigs (87.40 ± 2.76 kg) with high (HPBR, ≥ 14) and low (LPBR, ≤ 2) Prevotella-to-Bacteroides ratios (PBR) in equal measure were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates per group and 1 pig per replicate. The trial was designed following a 2 (PBR) × 2 (amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, AMR) factorial arrangement. Pigs with different PBR were fed diets based on corn-soybean meal with high AMR (HAMR, 1.24) or low AMR (LAMR, 0.23), respectively. Results showed that neither PBR nor AMR influenced the growth performance of pigs. HPBR pigs fed HAMR diet had a higher number of colonic Clostridium cluster XIVa and higher gene expression of butyrate kinase compared to the LPBR pigs (P < 0.05). The HPBR pigs fed HAMR diets also had increased colonic concentrations of total SCFA and propionate compared to the LPBR pigs (P < 0.05). Comparing with other pigs, HPBR pigs fed HAMR diets showed a lower (P < 0.05) expression of histone deacetylases (HDAC) gene and higher (P < 0.05) expression of G protein-coupled receptor 43 gene (GPR 43) in the colonic mucosa. The interaction (P < 0.05) of HPBR and HAMR was also found to decrease the gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in colonic mucosa. These findings show that HAMR diet increased the abundance and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria and the concentration and absorption of SCFA, which may be associated with the decreased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa of pigs with Prevotella-rich enterotype. All these alterations are likely to have a positive effect on the intestinal health of finishing pigs.     

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 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.     

Production performance and plasma metabolite concentrations of broiler chickens fed low crude protein diets differing in Thr and Gly

The aim of the study was to test the interaction between Thr and Gly in low crude protein (CP) diets in 7 to 28 d broilers on production performance and plasma metabolites. A total of 2,040 broilers were allocated to 17 treatments. A positive control (PC) diet (20.5% CP) was formulated to be adequate in dietary Thr and Gly. A negative control (NC) diet (18.5% CP, deficient in Thr and Gly) was supplemented with crystalline l-Thr and Gly to obtain a 4 Thr × 4 Gly design. Dietary Thr was tested at an apparent faecal digestibility (AFD) Thr-to-Lys ratio, which was 55%, 58%, 61% or 64%, and dietary Gly was tested at an AFD (Gly + Ser)-to-Lys ratio, which was 135%, 142%, 149% or 156%. Plasma samples were collected at 28 d. The low CP diet, formulated at 64% Thr and 156% Gly, resulted in a higher body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.01) and similar feed conversion ratio (FCR) as the high CP treatment (PC). FCR was improved (P < 0.001) by l-Thr supplementation. Quadratic response to dietary Thr was significant for feed intake (FI), BWG and FCR (P < 0.01). A near-significant interaction for Thr × Gly was observed for FI and BWG (P_linear = 0.091 and P = 0.074, respectively). Gly did not affect production performance. An interaction between Thr × Gly on plasma free AA level was observed (P < 0.05). Free AA concentration in plasma linearly decreased with increase in AFD Thr-to-Lys ratio, and increased with increase in AFD (Gly + Ser)-to-Lys ratio. Plasma uric acid concentration was higher in PC than in all of the other diets, and plasma triglyceride concentration was decreased by l-Thr supplementation, but not by Gly. In conclusion, Gly was not limiting for growth at low dietary CP level unless Thr was deficient, showing that adequate amounts of Thr in broiler diets can overcome marginal supply of Gly and Ser and allow reduction of dietary CP from 20.5% to 18.5% for broilers from 7 to 28 d of age.