Impairment of the Peripheral Lymphoid Compartment in Iron‐deficient Piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neonatal iron deficiency on immune functions in young piglets. While control piglets were not given any iron preparation until the age of 21 days, another group of piglets was given 200 mg of Fe³⁺‐dextran i.m. on day 3. Red blood cell parameters in the former, iron‐deficient group were characteristic of hypochromic anaemia. In addition, the total leucocyte count (P < 0.01), relative and absolute neutrophil count (P < 0.01) and absolute lymphocyte count (P < 0.05) in peripheral blood were found significantly lower in iron‐deficient piglets than in their iron‐supplemented counterparts. Lymphocyte activity as measured by in vitro lymphocyte transformation test was impaired in iron‐deficient piglets. A statistically significant decrease in circulating B‐lymphocyte numbers was found in non‐supplemented animals. Iron deficiency apparently negatively influenced the immunocompetence in piglets.     

液态饲料对断奶仔猪的饲喂效果试验

旨在探讨饲喂液体饲料对断奶仔猪生长性能及养殖效益的影响。将3 180只断奶仔猪随机分为试验组（n=1690）和对照组（n=1490）。试验组仔猪断乳后不同时间饲喂不同配比的液态饲料,对照组按常规方法饲喂仔猪专用颗粒料。观察、记录并比较试验组和对照组仔猪断奶后不同时间的日平均采食量、周平均净增重、试验期间的耗料量、料肉比、成活率,并比较2组的养殖效益。结果表明,断奶第1周至第5周,试验组仔猪的日平均采食量比对照组提高10.45%~20.05%,试验组仔猪的周平均净增重比对照组提高7.75%~13.61%;试验组仔猪的成活率较对照组提高0.81%,料肉比较对照组降低0.10;试验组仔猪的每千克增重成本较对照组降低0.57元（6.74%）。综上提示,饲喂液态饲料能够减少断奶仔猪的应激反应、增加采食量、提高生长速度和成活率、降低养殖成本,具有一定的推广应用潜力。     

The effect of the selenium status of goats on the resistance of erythrocytes to oxidative damage

The effect of selenium status on the development of Heinz body anaemia was studied in 16 three months old Saanen goats which received a diet with a low selenium content. The control group (Se-, n = 8) received no supplementary selenium while the treated group (Se+, n = 8) received selenium by injection. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase concentration was significantly higher in the Se+ group than in the control group (105 vs 36 U/g Hgb). The animals were drenched once per day with 30 mg of dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) per kg of body weight for 14 days and with 50 mg per kg during the following 11 days. Erythrocytes with Heinz bodies appeared within one week after increasing the DMDS dose to 50 mg/kg/day and reached a peak one week later (30% and 37% of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies in group Se+ and Se- respectively). Within the next three weeks haemoglobin levels dropped from 135 g/l to 123 g/l and 114 g/l in the Se+ and the Se- group respectively. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant for the percentage of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies and for haemoglobin values (p less than 0.05). The data support the hypothesis that selenium status influences the resistance of ruminants to brassica-induced Heinz body anaemia.     

补铁对高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪的影响

选用高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪25窝261头,随机按窝分为两组。试验组13窝139头仔猪2日龄,采用深部肌肉注射的方法,头均补给右旋糖苷铁1ml（含铁100mg）,对照组12窝122头不注射,在相同条件下哺乳至35日龄断奶。结果表明,试验组窝均成活8．6头,比对照组（7．8头）多0．8头,差异显著（P〈0．05）;断奶个体重分别为7．2kg和7．0kg差异不显著（P〉0．05）;窝均收入试验组比对照组提高13．3％,效益明显。     

Intramuscular Selenium Administration in Selenium-Deficient Cattle

Nine recently weaned Hereford heifers were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 3) or a treatment group (n = 6). The animals were selenium (Se) deficient (mean ± SD blood Se concentration = 0.024 ± 0.012 μg/mL). They were maintained on a selenium-deficient diet, and on day 0 of the study the treatment group was given 0.05 mg Se/kg body weight intramuscularly, while the control group received a placebo. The Se concentration of blood, serum, and urine as well as the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of blood and serum was measured over an 84-day period. Peak blood Se and serum Se concentrations (mean ± SD) in the treatment group occurred at 5 hours postinjection and were 0.131 ± 0.028 μg/mL and 0.154 ± 0.027 μg/mL, respectively. The mean blood Se concentration of the treatment group was greater (P < .05) than that of the control group for the first 28 days after injection. The mean serum Se concentration of the treatment group was greater (P < .05) than that of the control group for all times after injection, except for day 56. The mean (±SD) blood GSH-Px activity of the treatment group (12.0 ± 2.3 mU/min/mg hemoglobin) was increased (P < .05) over the control group (2.0 ± 1.4 mU/min/ mg hemoglobin) by day 28 and continued to be greater (P < .05) throughout the 84 day postinjection period. The blood GSH-Px activity and the blood Se concentrations in the treatment group heifers did not reach concentrations considered indicative of Se adequacy (30 mU/min/mg hemoglobin and 0.10 μg/mL, respectively) except briefly, at 5 hours postinjection when the blood Se concentration of the treatment group was 0.131 ± 0.028 μg/mL. The mean serum GSH-Px activity of the treatment group did not differ at any time from that of the control group (P≥ .17). The mean (±SD) fractional excretion (FE) of Se, as an estimate of Se excretion, was greater (P < .05) in the treatment group heifers (n = 5; 6.2 ± 2.5%) than in the control heifers (n = 3; 1.3 ± 0.6%) at 24 hours postinjection. The mean (±SD) weight gain, from day 0 to day 84, for the treatment group heifers was 63.0 ± 18.1 kg and the mean weight gain for the control group heifers was 53.1 ± 7.3 kg at 84 days postinjection and there was no difference between the groups (P < .39). Conclusions drawn from this study include: 1) the increase in blood GSH-Px activity occurs approximately 28 days after Se injection given to Se-deficient heifers, 2) a single label dose of injectable Se does not result in blood Se concentrations or blood GSH-Px activity normally considered to be adequate, 3) the label dose of injectable Se, although therapeutically beneficial for nutritional myodegeneration (NMD), does not seem to be a desired method for long-term Se supplementation of cattle consuming a Se-deficient diet, and 4) blood Se is a better predictor of Se status than serum Se. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1993; 7:342–348. Copyright © 1993 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)     

Socializing piglets before weaning: effects on behavior of lactating sows, pre- and postweaning behavior, and performance of piglets

This study evaluated how socializing piglets before weaning affects behavior of lactating sows and the pre- and postweaning behavior and performance of piglets. Two farrowing rooms, each with 6 pens, and 1 nursery with 4 pens were used. In total, data were obtained from 24 sows and their litters. In each farrowing room, the solid barriers between 3 farrowing pens were removed on d 12 after farrowing, and the sows remained confined in their crates (experimental group). In the other 3 farrowing pens of each farrowing room, sows and their litters were kept under conventional conditions until weaning (control group). All piglets were weaned 28 d after birth. After weaning, piglets from each group remained together in 1 pen of the nursery. The behavior of sows (lying, standing, sitting, nursing) and piglets (lying, active, suckling) in the farrowing rooms was observed for 24 h before and for 48 h after removal of the barriers between the pens. In addition, behavior (active, lying, feeding, agonistic behavior) of piglets was observed in the nursery during the initial 48-h period after weaning. Each piglet was weighed on d 5, 12, and 28 after birth and thereafter weekly until the fifth week of rearing. In the farrowing room, mixing of litters did not influence behavior of piglets and sows. Preweaning weight gain of the piglets did not differ (P = 0.60) between the treatments. In the initial 48 h after weaning, less agonistic behavior (P < 0.001) was observed in piglets belonging to the experimental group. During 5 wk of rearing, piglets in the experimental group gained more weight compared with the control group (P = 0.05). The advantage shown by the experimental group became especially conspicuous in the first week after weaning (P = 0.05). By socializing unfamiliar piglets before weaning, stress due to mixing could at least be distanced in time from the other burdens of weaning, thereby improving performance.     

Effects of inorganic or organic selenium on immunoglobulins in swine

A study was conducted to determine if Se source fed during gestation and lactation affects passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Sixty days prior to breeding （d -60）, gilts were randomly assigned to one of three treatments prior to breeding and throughout gestation： control （Control, no supplemental Se; n = 8）, inorganic Se （Inorganic Se, 0.3 ppm; n = 4） and organic Se （Organic Se, 0.3 ppm; n = 4）. Blood was collected on d -60, 57 and 113 of gestation and on d 21 of lactation and milk was collected at d 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation. Blood was collected from piglets at d 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 of age. Gilts fed organic Se had greater （P 〈 0.05） circulating concentrations of Se than Inorganic and Control gilts. Regardless of treatment, circulating concentrations of Se were greatest （P 〈 0.05） at d -60 compared to all other days. Serum concentrations of IgG were greatest （P 〈 0.05） in gilts at d 57 of gestation compared to d 113. Serum concentrations of IgA were greatest （P 〈 0.05） on d 113 of gestation and d 21 of lactation compared to d -60 and 57. Serum concentrations of IgM were greater （P 〈 0.05） at d 57 compared to d -60. Inorganic gilts had greater （P 〈 0.05） colostral and milk concentrations of IgG and IgM than Organic or Control gilts. Circulating concentrations of Se in piglets were greatest （P 〈 0.05） at d 14 and 21 of age compared to all other days. Piglets from gilts supplemented with organic Se had greater （P 〈 0.05） circulating concentrations of Se on d 1 versus piglets from gilts supplemented with no additional Se. The immunoglobulin concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM were lowest （P 〈 0.05） on d 0 and then different sources of Se did not affect the immunoglobulin ncreased when compared to d 1. The addition of concentrations in the gilt or piglet.     

酪蛋白酶解产物对仔猪肠道黏膜IGF-I及其受体基因mRNA水平的影响

研究了酪蛋白酶解产物对新生仔猪肠道黏膜胰岛素样生长因子I（IGF-I）及其受体基因mRNA水平的影响。从五窝仔猪中选出10头仔猪，每窝选2头，分别分至酪蛋白饲喂组（对照组）和酶解酪蛋白饲喂组（试验组）。两组仔猪均以牛乳为基础日粮，并分别加入1．59，6的酪蛋白和酪蛋白酶解液取代10％体积的牛乳，人工饲喂3d后屠宰取样。试验结果表明，试验组仔猪空肠黏膜IGFI受体基因和IGFI基因mRNA水平分别显著（P〈0．05）和极显著（P〈0．01）高于对照组仔猪。说明酪蛋白酶解产物促进肠道发育可能与提高IGFI及其受体基因的mRNA水平有关。     

Effect of Supplementary Feeding Milk Replacer on Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,Serum Biochemistry Indexes in Piglets during Lactation

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementary feeding milk replacer on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,serum biochemistry indexes in piglets during lactation,and explore the feasibility of shorten the weaning age of piglets by feeding milk replacer. One hundred and twenty (twelve litters) 5 days old piglets with average body weight of (3.12±0.63)kg were assigned into two groups with sixty piglets per group (six litters)and one litter of piglets per replicate. The piglets in control group received supplementary creep feed and were weaned on 28 days old,whereas the piglets in experimental group received supplementary creep feed and milk replacer (creep feed:milk replacer=1:1) and were weaned on 21 days old. The piglets in experimental group were continued feeding with creep feed and milk replacer until 28 days old. All piglets were fed with same diets from 28 to 70 days old. The results showed as follows:① Comparing with control group,the body weight of piglets in experimental group were not significantly changed at 5,21,28 and 70 days old (P>0.05),ADFI and F/G were extremely significantly or significantly increased during 5 to 21 days old,22 to 28 days old and 5 to 28 days old (P < 0.01;P < 0.05),while ADG was extremely significantly decreased during 22 to 28 days old compared with control group (P<0.01).② The digestibility of GE,DM,OM and EE of experimental group were significant higher than control group (P<0.05).③ All serum biochemistry indexes between the two groups had no significant differences (P>0.05). In conclusion,supplementary milk replacer feeding could increase the feed intake and dietary digestibility of weaned piglets. The age of wean could be forward to 21 days old according to the final body weight of weaned piglets when fed milk replacer supplementation.     

Pathogenicity of Actinobacillus minor, Actinobacillus indolicus and Actinobacillus porcinus strains for gnotobiotic piglets

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of Actinobacillus minor, Actinobacillus porcinus and Actinobacillus indolicus strains in gnotobiotic piglets. Twenty-two 6-h-old Caesarean-delivered and colostrum-deprived piglets were intranasally and orally inoculated with 2 x 10(6) colony-forming units of an A. minor (group 2; n = 9), A. indolicus (group 3; n = 5), or A. porcinus (group 4; n = 8) strain. Six other piglets were inoculated in the same way with phosphate-buffered saline solution and used as controls (group 1). All pigs were observed for clinical signs and rectal temperatures were taken until euthanasia 7 days after inoculation. At necropsy, conchae, tonsils, lungs, brains, liver, spleen and kidneys were macroscopically examined for lesions and samples were taken for bacteriology. None of the pigs developed fever. Mild ataxia was observed in one pig from group 3 for 2 days. Clinical signs were not observed in the other animals. In none of the animals were macroscopic lesions detected at necropsy. NAD-dependent Pasteurellaceae were not isolated from control animals (group 1). The A. minor, A. indolicus and A. porcinus strains were isolated from the tonsils of one, two and one pigs, respectively. Actinobacillus porcinus was isolated from the brains of the pig with central nervous symptoms and from the conchae of another pig. The inoculation strains were not demonstrated in the other samples. It was concluded that, using these inoculation routes and dose, the A. minor, A. indolicus and A. porcinus strains had low capacity to colonize the upper respiratory tract of gnotobiotic piglets and demonstrated low or no pathogenicity in such animals.     

哺乳期补饲代乳品对仔猪生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究哺乳期补饲代乳品对仔猪生长性能、营养物质消化率及血清生化指标的影响,并探讨代乳品对缩短仔猪断奶日龄的可行性。选用120头（12窝）5日龄、平均体重（3.12±0.63）kg的仔猪,随机分为两组,每组60头（6窝,每窝为1个重复）。对照组补饲教槽料至28日龄断奶;试验组补饲代乳品和教槽料（代乳品：教槽料=1：1）至21日龄断奶,断奶后继续饲喂代乳品和教槽料至28日龄;28日龄后试验组和对照组饲喂相同日粮至70日龄。结果显示：①整个试验期,两组仔猪在5、21、28和70日龄时体重差异均不显著（P>0.05）;在5~21、22~28和5~28日龄阶段,试验组仔猪平均日采食量（ADFI）和料重比（F/G）均极显著或显著高于对照组（P < 0.01;P < 0.05）;而在22~28日龄阶段,试验组平均日增重（ADG）极显著低于对照组（P<0.01）。②试验组仔猪保育期的日粮总能（GE）、干物质（DM）、有机物（OM）和粗脂肪（EE）的消化率均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。③在70日龄时,两组仔猪各项血清生化指标均无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,补饲代乳品可显著增加哺乳期仔猪的采食量,同时促进保育期仔猪对日粮中营养物质的消化吸收。从保育期末体重来看,哺乳期补饲代乳品的仔猪提前至21日龄断奶是可行的。     

Performance, diarrhea incidence, and occurrence of Escherichia coli virulence genes during long-term administration of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain to sows and piglets

As part of an interdisciplinary research project, the performance response of sows and their litters to the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415, as well as some health characteristics of the piglets, were studied. Gestating sows (n = 26) were randomly allotted into 2 groups. The probiotic was administered by dietary supplementation to 1 group of sows and their respective litters (probiotic group), whereas the second group (control group) received no probiotic supplementation. The duration of the treatment was nearly 17 wk for sows (d 90 ante partum until d 28 postpartum) and 6 wk for piglets (d 15 to 56). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly. The frequency of 4 toxin and 5 adhesion genes of putative pathogenic Escherichia coli was monitored weekly (d 7 to 35) by multiplex PCR assays, and fecal consistency of weaned piglets was studied daily. Probiotic treatment of lactating sows led to an overall pre-weaning mortality of 16.2% compared with 22.3% in the control group (P = 0.44). Animal losses during the first 3 d of the suckling period were decreased in the probiotic group (P = 0.09). For piglets (n = 153), which were weaned at 28 d, there were no overall treatment differences in BW gain, feed intake, or feed efficiency. Probiotic supplementation, however, led to nearly a 40% reduction (P = 0.012). The actual percentage of piglets with postweaning diarrhea in the probiotic group was 21% compared with 38% in the control group (P = 0.05). The study on virulence factors of dominant fecal E. coli isolates revealed a high diversity with varying frequency and distribution of each single pathogenicity gene. The 440 isolates carried 29 different pathogenicity gene combinations as well as each of the 9 pathogenicity genes alone. Altogether, isolates with more than 2 pathogenicity genes were quite rare (< or = 10%), and up until d 28 isolates without any pathogenicity gene occurred most frequently. Depending on the time of sampling, one-third or more of all isolates contained est2 or est1b as single gene or in combination with other pathogenicity genes.     

液态复合添加剂对断奶1周内仔猪生长性能、养分消化率及血液指标的影响

本试验旨在研究仔猪断奶1周内补饲液态复合饲料添加剂对其生长性能、养分消化率、消化道p H及血液指标的影响。挑选20日龄仔猪105头,断奶前屠宰5头,其他100头在21日龄断奶后分为对照组和试验组,每组5个重复,每个重复10头猪。对照组仔猪饲喂教槽料,试验组仔猪在每次饲喂教槽料后补喂液态复合饲料添加剂(主要成分为酸化剂、中药提取物、壳寡糖、复合离子调节剂)。试验从断奶当天至断奶后第8天,共计7 d。结果表明:试验组的平均日增重高于对照组(P0.05),腹泻率显著低于对照组(P0.05);试验组粗蛋白和钙的表观消化率较对照组显著增加(P0.05);试验组仔猪断奶后第2天和第8天胃部p H、断奶后第8天十二指肠p H、断奶后第4天回肠p H均显著低于对照组(P0.05),断奶后第4天氯离子含量、断奶后第2天和第8天球蛋白、断奶后第4天和第8天血清Ig G和Ig A含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),而断奶后第2天血清尿素氮显著低于对照组(P0.05)。由此表明,断奶1周内给仔猪补饲液态复合饲料添加剂,可降低消化道p H,提高养分消化率,并改善机体免疫功能,从而提高仔猪断奶1周内的生长性能,降低仔猪腹泻率。     

Effect of selenium supplementation on semen characteristics of Brazil's ram

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of oral supplementation with selenium (Se) upon ram sperm parameters. Thirty rams managed in stall under intensive system were used and divided into five groups (six animals per group) as follows: control group (G1) mineral mixture supplementation without Se, group 2 (G2) mineral mixture supplemented with 5 mg/kg Se, group 3 (G3) supplemented with 10 mg/kg Se, group 4 (G4) supplemented with 15 mg/kg Se and group 5 (G5) supplemented with 20 mg/kg Se. For each group, there was an adjustment period of 14 days. The experimental period was 350 days. Every 56 days, the animals were weighed and semen samples were collected by electroejaculation. Semen analysis included volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration and morphology. For plasmatic and acrosomal membrane integrity evaluation and mitochondrial membrane potential were used a combination of fluorescent probes. Differences between means values obtained by analysis of variance were verified by Tukey test with 5% probability. There was no statistical difference between treatment groups in relation to volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity (p > .05). Sperm morphology was different between treatment groups, the G1 (0 mg of selenium) had the highest percentage of major defects (11.11 ± 1.11^a; p < .05). It was concluded that selenium decrease the percentage of sperm defects and did not directly influence on ram sperm volume, mass moviment, total motility, vigour, concentration and membrane integrity.     

EVALUATION OF ORAL IRON GALACTAN AS A METHOD OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION FOR INTENSIVELY HOUSED SUCKING PIGLETS

SUMMARY Iron supplementation of piglets with oral galactan given as a single dose within 24 hours of birth was evaluated in a series of on farm trials. The growth rate of piglets receiving this treatment was faster than that of piglets receiving single injections of iron dextran or iron galactan at 3 days of age, or ferrous sulphate crystals orally at weekly intervals. Mean values for red cell parameters of oral iron galactan supplemented piglets at 2 to 4 weeks of age were lower than those of injected piglets but there was no clinical evidence of anaemia in any of the piglets.     

Effect of selenate as a feed supplement to dairy cows in comparison to selenite and selenium yeast

The main aim of this trial was to define the possible differences between selenite and selenate in their ability to increase the selenium (Se) concentration of milk, in comparison with organic Se. Dairy cows (n = 42) were fed a basal diet containing .10 to .12 mg Se/kg DM for 5 mo and were then divided into four groups of 10 or 11, as similar as possible in age and stage of lactation. During the next 84 d, the cows in three of the groups were supplemented with 3 mg of Se daily, whereas the cows in one control group remained unsupplemented. The Se supplement was given as sodium selenite, sodium selenate, or a Se yeast product. The total Se concentration of the diets varied with the cows' stage of lactation and was for the supplemented groups .24 to .31 mg/kg DM, but remained between .10 and .12 mg/kg in the control group. At the end of the trial, the mean whole blood Se concentrations in the selenite, selenate, yeast, and control groups were 138, 141, 165, and 104 microg/L, respectively. The Se concentration in plasma apparently reached a plateau level within 4 wk, at approximately 75 microg/L in the selenite group, 80 microg/L in the selenate group, and 90 microg/L in the yeast group. In the control group the mean concentration in plasma remained at approximately 50 microg/L. The increase of the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the erythrocytes was significantly higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group. The mean concentrations of Se in milk in the selenite, selenate, and yeast groups were 16.4, 16.4, and 31.2 microg/L, respectively, whereas the concentration remained at approximately 14 microg/L in the control group. The milk Se concentration reached a plateau within 1 wk after the start of Se supplementation. Dietary supplementation with selenite and selenate, thus, had only a limited effect on the Se concentration in milk, and there was no significant difference between the two inorganic compounds in any variable measured. Organic Se was much more effective than inorganic Se in increasing the concentration of Se in milk.     

Effect of maternal organic selenium supplementation during pregnancy on sow reproductive performance and long-term effect on their progeny

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals and exists in nature in both inorganic and organic forms. Although organic Se is more bioavailable than inorganic Se, there are inconsistent reports on the effect of organic Se on the reproductive performance of sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal organic Se (2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic [HMSeBA]) supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant capacity of sows, and the long-term effect on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of their offspring with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design; 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to receive one of the following three diets during gestation: control diet (Control, basal diet, n = 15), sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)-supplemented diet (Na₂SeO₃, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg Na₂SeO₃, n = 15), and HMSeBA-supplemented diet (HMSeBA, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg HMSeBA, n = 15). On day 21 of age, male offspring from each group were injected with LPS or saline (n = 6). As compared with the control group, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, while decreased birth weight (P < 0.05). In the first week of lactation, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased litter weight gain compared with the Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05) and increased the average daily gain of piglets compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, maternal HMSeBA supplementation decreased piglet birth interval as compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was higher in the HMSeBA group on farrowing 0 min and 90 min, while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was lower on farrowing 0, 90, and 135 min than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the concentration of selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in colostrum compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Further study revealed that the LPS-challenged HMSeBA group had higher GSH-Px and total antioxidant capacity and lower MDA in weaning piglets compared with the LPS-challenged control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, shortened the duration of farrowing, improved the antioxidant capacities of sows and their offspring, and improved the growth performance of suckling pigs at the first week of lactation. Thus, HMSeBA supplementation during gestation has the potentiality to produce more kilogram of meat.     

Effects of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain supplemented from birth to weaning on diarrhoea patterns and performance of piglets

This placebo-controlled double-blind study was conducted to evaluate effects of Enterococcus faecium DSM 10663 NCIMB 10415 (EcF) orally given from birth to weaning on diarrhoea and performance of piglets. At the first 3 days postnatum (p.n.), piglets from 54 [verum group (VG)] and 60 [placebo group (PG)] sows got 1 g of a gel directly per mouth by a dosing device. Gel for the VG contained 2.8 x 10(9) colony forming units (CFU) EcF/g. From day 4 p.n. until weaning (24 +/- 3.2 days p.n.) a liquid additive was given that administered twice a day 1.26 x 10(9) CFU EcF to each VG piglet. In case of diarrhoea, an electrolyte solution was used which provided daily 2.9 and 5.8 (week 1 and >or= 2, respectively) x 10(8) CFU EcF per VG piglet. Diarrhoea scores were defined as follows: (i) no diarrhoea; (ii) piglets developed diarrhoea, but were vital and (iii) piglets suffered from diarrhoea and additionally looked pale, developed rough coat, showed slackening of the flank and lethargy. Counts of viable born, stillborn and weaned piglets were normal and not different between groups (p > 0.05). Placebo group vs. VG piglets suffered more frequently from diarrhoea (40.0 vs. 14.8%, p < 0.05). Duration of diarrhoea was not affected by feeding EcF (2.2 +/- 0.81 days, p > 0.05). Diarrhoea score was lower in VG vs. PG (1.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.54, p < 0.05) and the daily weight gain (DWG) was higher by 17 g/day (p < 0.05). Results suggest that the daily oral supplementation of EcF from birth to weaning reduces the portion of piglets suffering from diarrhoea. This may improve performance, as the higher DWG indicates. In contrast, no obvious benefit seems to result from an additional supply of EcF via electrolyte solution when diarrhoea is always present.     

Influence of tooth resection in piglets on welfare and performance

In six commercial pig farms, we compared the effects of two methods of tooth resection (tooth clipping with pliers and tooth grinding with a rotating grindstone) on teeth themselves, on skin lesions of piglets and of sow udders as well as on litter growth and survival. An intact group was included for control. Treatments were balanced within herds with sows assigned to one of the three experimental treatments. Observations were from 107 sows and their litters (n = 35 or 36 litters/group) at farrowing (day 0) and approximately 8, 15 and 27 days later. Tooth resection was done within 24 h of birth after cross-fostering. Data concerning sows' lesions were analyzed on a farm basis and those concerning piglets' mortality, growth and skin lesions were analyzed on a litter basis. Frequency and severity of udder lesions differed between treatments at farrowing and on day 8; differences depended on the location of the teats (front, median or rear). Litter size and liveweight of piglets on day 0 (11.9+/-0.1 pigs, 1.51+/-0.03 kg) and on day 27 (10.8+/-0.1 pigs, 8.08+/-0.10 kg) were similar in the three groups (mean+/-S.E.M., n = 107). Skin lesions on piglets were more frequent and/or severe in intact than in clipped piglets on days 8 and 27, whereas ground piglets had intermediate results. Because the length of the teeth was similar after clipping and grinding (P > 0.1), tooth shortening itself does not explain the differences between treatments. Overall, tooth resection had very little effect on sow mammary injuries and litter performance. It might reduce skin damage to piglets (especially, when it is performed by clipping) but teeth are severely injured.     

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on antioxidative ability and performance of sows and nursing piglets

The current study was carried out to determine the effects of alpha‐lipoic acid (LA) supplementation during late‐gestation and lactation on antioxidative ability and performance of sows and their nursing piglets. A total of 160 multiparous sows were randomly allocated to four treatments with 40 replicates per treatment according to parity number and backfat (BF) thickness. Sows were fed 1 of 4 diets from day 85 of gestation to day 21 of lactation. Diets were control without LA; 400 ppm LA supplementation; 600 ppm LA supplementation; and 800 ppm LA supplementation. BF thickness of sows was determined on day 85 and 110 of gestation and days 1 and 21 of lactation. Piglet bodyweight was measured at birth, days 7, 14 and 21. Blood samples were obtained from the sows, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the sows during lactation was recorded. There were no differences in BF thickness or ADFI among treatment groups. Dietary LA supplementation resulted in a decrease in blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.01) concentration at days 110 of gestation. Dietary 800 ppm LA increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity (p < 0.05) and reduced maleic dialdehyde levels (p < 0.01) of sows compared with the control diet at days 21 of lactation. Alpha‐lipoic acid supplementation increased the birthweight and weaning weight of piglets (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. Weight gains of piglets from sows fed the 800 ppm LA diets were greater (p < 0.01) between days 7 and 14 compared with piglets from control sows. Weight gains of piglets from sows fed the LA‐supplemented diets were greater between days 14 and 21 (p < 0.05) and between days 1 and 21 (p < 0.01) compared with piglets from control‐fed sows. In conclusion, the results indicate that antioxidant LA was effective in enhancing antioxidant enzymes activity and improving the performance of sows and their nursing piglets.