Plasma metabolomic profiles and immune responses of piglets after weaning and challenge with E. coli

Background

The processes of weaning and exposure to pathogenic bacteria induce stress responses, which may alter the metabolism. In this study, we investigated the changes in plasma metabolites and immune responses in piglets in response to the stress induced by weaning and Escherichia coli challenge.

Results

Fecal dry matter decreased (P = 0.003) and nearly half (44.4%) the piglets developed diarrhea on day 2 and 3 postweaning. The concentration of plasma immunoglobulin A was higher (P < 0.001) on day 11 postweaning than on day 0 or 4 postweaning. The levels of white blood cells increased continuously (P < 0.001) from day 0 to day 11 postweaning. Differences in the percentages of neutrophils (P = 0.029) and lymphocytes (P = 0.022) were seen, but the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio did not differ in the period after weaning. A clear separation of the metabolomic profile data for day 0 and day 4 postweaning was observed with a principal components analysis (PCA) scores plot, and the data for day 11 were located between those for day 0 and day 4 postweaning. The plasma levels of proline, taurine, and carnitine were higher, whereas those of betaine, creatine, L-arginine and acetylcarnitine were lower on day 4 postweaning than on day 0. Levels of lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine were either higher or lower after weaning, depending on the chain lengths or characters of these metabolites.

Conclusions

Our results show a clear separation in the plasma metabolomic profiles of piglets that corresponded to the fecal responses to stress on the piglets induced by weaning or exposure to a pathogen (E. coli). These plasma metabolite profiles suggest that the challenges induced proinflammatory responses in the piglets, resulting in postweaning diarrhea, which was associated with higher concentrations of IgA in the plasma.     

早期断奶应激对仔猪某些血清激素水平及细胞免疫功能的影响

2窝(每窝8头)21日龄健康仔猪16头，随机分成吮乳组和断奶组，每组8头(每窝各4头)。断奶组仔猪21日龄断奶后转栏，吮乳组仔猪留原栏继续哺乳。在断奶时(21日龄)和断奶后1、3d(22、24日龄)，仰卧前腔静脉采血，进行血清皮质醇、生长激素、胰岛素、T3、T4、FT3、FT4水平及全血PHAT-淋巴细胞转化率和白细胞吞噬率检测。结果表明，与断奶前相比，断奶组仔猪断奶后1、3d血清皮质醇水平极显著升高(P<0.01)；断奶后3d血清T3、FT3、生长激素、胰岛素水平显著降低(P<0.05)；断奶后PHAT-淋巴细胞转化率和白细胞吞噬率显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01)。与21日龄测定值相比，吮乳组仔猪在22、24日龄时的上述血清激素水平及细胞免疫功能无显著变化(P>0.05)。     

Intestinal growth and morphology is associated with the increase in heat shock protein 70 expression in weaning piglets through supplementation with glutamine

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of oral Gln supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 in weaning piglets. A total of 65 piglets after weaning at 21 d of age (d 0) were used in this experiment. Five piglets were randomly selected and euthanized initially at d 0 to determine baseline values for the expression of Hsp70 in the small intestine. The remaining piglets were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments and received 0 or 1 g of oral Gln/kg of BW every 12 h. After piglets were humanely killed at d 3, 7, and 14 postweaning, the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of piglets were sampled to evaluate intestinal morphology and the expression and localization of Hsp70. The results indicated that oral Gln supplementation increased plasma concentrations of Gln compared with those in control piglets (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and ADFI were greater in piglets orally supplemented with Gln than in control piglets during the whole period (P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea in piglets orally supplemented with Gln was 24% less than (P = 0.064) that in control piglets at 8 to 14 d after weaning. The weights of the jejunum and ileum were greater in piglets orally supplemented with Gln compared with those of control piglets relative to BW on d 14 postweaning (P < 0.05). The villus height and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and the ileum were greater in piglets receiving oral Gln on d 14 postweaning (P < 0.05) than in control piglets. These results indicate that Gln supplementation can influence the intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. The expression of hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 proteins in the duodenum and jejunum was greater in piglets supplemented with Gln than in control piglets (P < 0.05). However, Gln supplementation had no effect on the expression of hsp70 mRNA and Hsp70 proteins in the ileum. Moreover, the localization of Hsp70 in the cytoplasm indicated that Hsp70 has a cytoprotective role in epithelial cell function and structure. These results indicate that Gln supplementation may be beneficial for intestinal health and development and may thus mitigate diarrhea and improve growth performance. The protective mechanisms of Gln in the intestine may be associated with the increase in Hsp70 expression.     

超早期断奶应激对仔猪T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

试验用４头１４日龄杜×（大×长）三元杂交体重相似的公猪,随机分至断奶组和哺乳组,每组两个重复,每重复１头猪,研究超早期断奶应激对仔猪免疫机能的影响。试验结果表明,ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ８＋、ＣＤ４＋／ＣＤ８＋３项指标在断奶后第２天分别较对照组下降１９．５７％、１５．１５％和１３．３３％（ｐ＞０．０５）。在断奶后第４天,与哺乳组相比,ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ４＋／ＣＤ８＋分别下降７．３５％和２５％,ＣＤ８＋上升３１．４３％（ｐ＜０．０５）。在断奶后第６天,３项指标分别较哺乳组升高２４．１４％、１０．８７％和７．６９％（ｐ＞０．０５）。在断奶后第９天,与哺乳组相比,ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ４＋／ＣＤ８＋分别升高２０％、７５％,ＣＤ８＋下降３１．７５％。以上结果表明,在断奶后４天内,表现出断奶应激降低细胞免疫机能的趋势,但从第６天起,免疫功能开始恢复。     

Influence of supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate preweaning and vitamin C postweaning on alpha-tocopherol and immune responses of piglets

This study was designed to test whether dietary maternal supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate during lactation and dietary vitamin C supplementation after weaning could increase the alpha-tocopherol status pre- and postweaning and the immune responses of piglets postweaning. The experiment involved 12 crossbred sows that were fed increasing levels of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl (70, 150, and 250 IU/kg, as-fed basis) during lactation. After weaning (d 28 of age), litters were divided into two groups that were supplemented with or without vitamin C (500 mg/kg of feed, as-fed basis). Milk and blood samples were obtained from the sows during lactation. Pigs were bled at 4, 16, 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age. Liver, heart, muscle, and s.c. adipose tissues were collected (on 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age) and analyzed for alpha-tocopherol. On the same days, alveolar macrophages of the lungs were collected, and analyzed for the concentration of alpha-tocopherol and its stereoisomer composition, fatty acid composition, and release of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, and thromboxane B2. Increasing dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration increased the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in plasma (P = 0.02) and milk (P = 0.007) of sows, and the sow milk concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and vitamin A were greater on d 2 of lactation than later on during lactation. The plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in piglets decreased from d 4 to later on during suckling (P < 0.001) and again as the postweaning period progressed (P < 0.001). When lipid-standardized, plasma alpha-tocopherol was increased in piglets of sows fed 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate compared with other sow-groups (P = 0.005). At 28 d of age, alpha-tocopherol concentrations in tissues were increased with supplementation of the high dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate levels to the sows; however, after weaning, a decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration in most tissues (except liver) was observed, but the decrease tended to be less in the muscle (P = 0.099) and adipose tissue (P = 0.11) of piglets suckling sows fed 150 and 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Vitamin C supplementation after weaning increased liver alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.01) and serum immunoglobulin M concentration (P = 0.04), and vitamin C supplementation increased the proportion of the RRR-alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.03) at the expense of the RRS-stereoisomer form (P = 0.05) of alpha-tocopherol in alveolar macrophages of the piglets. In conclusion, this study on maternal all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and postweaning vitamin C supplementation suggests a nutritional strategy for increasing alpha-tocopherol status and immune responses of weaned piglets.     

Effects of crude red kidney bean lectin (phytohemagglutinin) exposure on performance, health, feeding behavior, and gut maturation of pigs at weaning

The aim of this study was to obtain information that could help to ease the weaning transition in commercial pig production. Before weaning, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the form of a crude preparation of red kidney bean lectin was fed by gavage to 24 crossbred [(Swedish Landrace x Yorkshire) x Hampshire] piglets, whereas 24 control piglets were fed alpha-lactalbumin by gavage, to study the effect on growth, occurrence of postweaning diarrhea, feeding behavior, and some anatomical and physiological traits of the gastrointestinal tract. Within the litter, piglets were randomly assigned to PHA treatment or control and remained in the same pen from the beginning (PHA exposure at 7 d before weaning) until the end of the experiment (14 d post-weaning). Weaning took place at the age of 31 to 34 d. Pigs treated with PHA grew faster (P = 0.013) during the first week postweaning and tended to have lower total diarrhea scores (P = 0.10) than did control pigs. On d 5 after weaning, piglets treated with PHA spent more time eating (P = 0.028) than control pigs. No immunostimulating effect of PHA, measured by plasma immunoglobulin G, could be detected. An increase in the intestinal barrier properties before weaning, as a response to PHA treatment, was demonstrated in intestinal absorption studies using Na-fluorescein and BSA as gavage-fed markers. Less uptake (measured as plasma concentrations) of the marker molecule Na-fluorescein occurred during a 24-h study period, and numerically lower levels of BSA were observed compared with studies in control pigs of the same age. A total of 12 pigs (6 control, 6 PHA-treated) were euthanized on the day of weaning for analyses of gastrointestinal properties. The PHA-treated pigs tended to have a longer total small intestinal length (P = 0.063) than that of the control pigs. The enzyme profile of the jejunal epithelium responded to PHA exposure with a decrease in lactase activity and an increase in maltase and sucrase activities, which is similar to changes normally observed after weaning. No differences were found in the size of the pancreas or in its contents of trypsin and amylase. In conclusion, exposing piglets to crude, red kidney bean lectin for 3 d during the week before weaning led to changes in performance and small intestinal functional properties that would be expected to contribute to a more successful weaning.     

Citrulline and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein: longitudinal markers of postweaning small intestinal function in pigs?

The objective of the current study was to investigate whether plasma citrulline or intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) concentrations might be used as longitudinal markers for small intestinal function in piglets after weaning. Plasma citrulline and I-FABP concentrations were measured longitudinally in weaned and unweaned piglets, and related to intestinal absorption values (i.e., plasma mannitol and 3-xylose concentrations in a sugar absorption test). Within each litter (n = 10), 2 piglets with a close-to-litter-average BW were selected. At 20.8 +/- 0.4 d of age, the selected piglets per litter were either weaned conventionally (CW) or remained with the sow (UNW). One day before, and 0.5, 2, 4, and 7 d after weaning of the CW piglets, the selected piglets of both groups were subjected to a sugar absorption test. After a 2-h fast, piglets were administered an oral dose of 2 mL/kg of sugar solution, containing 50 mg/kg of mannitol and 100 mg/kg of 3-xylose. One hour after administration, a blood sample was collected from a jugular vein for determination of plasma I-FABP, citrulline, mannitol, and 3-xylose concentrations. Plasma I-FABP concentration showed great variation within treatments, and no difference was observed in plasma I-FABP concentrations between the CW and UNW treatments (P = 0.63). The absorption of 3-xylose was not different between treatments (P = 0.83). Mannitol absorption, however, was less in the weaned CW piglets compared with the UNW piglets (P = 0.003), with the nadir on d 4 postweaning. Weaning also reduced plasma citrulline concentrations in the CW treatment compared with the UNW treatment (P < 0.001). On d 4 and 7 postweaning, plasma citrulline concentrations of CW piglets were less (P < 0.001 and P = 0.0013) than preweaning values. Furthermore, in the CW treatment, plasma citrulline concentrations correlated with plasma mannitol concentrations at d 4 postweaning (r = 0.89, P = 0.008) and overall (r = 0.76, P = 0.001). Based on these results, plasma citrulline concentration seems to be a possible marker for monitoring intestinal function in pigs after weaning.     

超早期断奶应激对仔猪血清生化指标的影响

为研究超早期断奶应激对仔猪血清一些生化指标的影响 ,试验从 2窝 1 4日龄杜× (大×长 )三元杂交商品猪中各选体重相似公猪 2头 ,其中一头分至断奶组 ,另一头留为哺乳组 ,每组 2个重复 (栏 ) ,每重复 1头猪 ,试验共用试猪 4头。分别于断奶当天 ( 1 4日龄 )及断奶后连续 9天早 8:0 0 ,对试猪前腔静脉采血 ,测定血清葡萄糖、总脂肪、球蛋白、球蛋白占总蛋白比率、Na+ 、K+ 、Cl- 浓度。试验结果表明 ,断奶仔猪血清葡萄糖、球蛋白、球蛋白占总蛋白比率在断奶后 9天内程度不同地低于哺乳仔猪。其中在断奶后第 1天 ,血清葡萄糖、球蛋白以及球蛋白占总蛋白比率均大幅度降低 ,分别较哺乳仔猪下降 4 4.77%(P >0 .0 5)、1 6.82 % (P <0 .0 1 )、6.82 % (P <0 .0 1 )。同时在断奶后第 6天仔猪发生腹泻时 ,球蛋白占总蛋白比率亦显著下降 (P <0 .0 5)。与哺乳仔猪相比 ,断奶仔猪血清总脂肪浓度在断奶后第 1天升高 ,从第 2天起转而下降。血清Na+ 、K+ 、Cl- 浓度在断奶后第 1天下降 ,此后转而升高。由本试验各指标结果提示 ,断奶应激使仔猪机体代谢水平和免疫机能下降。     

Temporal changes in carbohydrate digestive capacity and growth rate of piglets in response to glucocorticoid administration and weaning age

Two experiments were conducted that demonstrated that a single injection of hydrocortisone 21-acetate (HYD, 25 mg/kg BW) administered to 6-d-old nursing piglets resulted in a twofold elevation (P less than .02) of pancreatic amylase within 2 d; activity was unaffected by an injection of 15 IU adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)/kg BW (P greater than .20). Intestinal sucrase and maltase activity tended to be elevated (P less than .20) 2 and 4 d postinjection with HYD but returned to normal (uninjected) levels by 14 d of age. The normal decline of intestinal lactase activity was delayed by at least 4 d in response to both hormones (P less than .10). Organ weights were not affected by either hormone. In a separate experiment, postweaning mortality was reduced (12 vs 27%) and growth rate was substantially improved by administration of HYD to piglets 4 and 2 d prior to weaning at 14 d of age. Hydrocortisone resulted in a faster rate of gain the 1st wk postweaning for pigs weaned at 21 or 28 d. Subsequent gain by control and HYD piglets weaned on d 21 was similar, but HYD subsequently impaired growth rate of piglets weaned at 28 d of age. Growth rates of control and ACTH piglets were similar at each postweaning period regardless of weaning age (weaning age [lin.] x week postweaning [quad.] x treatment, P less than .07). This differential treatment response of daily gain may be due in part to effects on feed intake (weaning age [lin.] x week postweaning [lin.] x treatment, P less than .10). We conclude that a single injection of HYD to 6-d-old piglets precociously induces pancreatic amylase and that the sensitivity of piglets to HYD is age-dependent.     

Weaning causes a prolonged but transient change in immune gene expression in the intestine of piglets

Controlling gut inflammation is important in managing gut disorders in the piglet after weaning. Establishing patterns of inflammation markers in the time subsequent to weaning is important for future research to determine whether interventions are effective in controlling gut inflammation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intestinal inflammatory response during the postweaning period in piglets. A 45-d study included 108 piglets (weaned at 22 d, body weight 5.53 ± 1.19 kg), distributed in 12 pens with nine pigs per pen. Histomorphometry, gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the quantity of immunoglobulin (Ig) A producing cells were measured in jejunum, ileum, and colon on days 0, 15, 30, and 45 postweaning. Cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Ig quantities were analyzed in blood from piglets on days 0, 15, 30, and 45 postweaning. Histomorphometrical results showed a lower villus length directly after weaning. Results demonstrated a postweaning intestinal inflammation response for at least 15 d postweaning by upregulation of IgA producing cells and IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12α, and TGF-β in jejunum, ileum, and colon. IgM and IgA were upregulated at day 30 postweaning. IgG was downregulated at day 15 postweaning. The results indicate that weaning in piglets is associated with a prolonged and transient response in gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and IgA producing cells in the intestine.     

断奶应激对仔猪肠黏膜形态的影响

在仔猪断奶过渡期，胃肠结构受损是很普遍的，断奶后一段时间内，胃肠结构受损程度不同，本文研究了断奶后7d内（断奶后0-6d)，仔猪小肠黏膜形态的变化，试验仔猪28日龄断奶。试验分7组，每组6头仔猪。从断奶当天开始，每1d定时定点剖杀取小肠前段，小肠中部，小肠后段作组织切片，观察其绒毛高度，隐窝深度。结果表明，断奶后前4d，绒毛高度缩短，隐窝加深，断奶后第4d绒毛高度最短，断奶后第5d开始恢复。     

Effect of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weanling pigs

To assess the effects of creep feed consumption on individual feed intake characteristics and performance of group-housed weaned pigs, 16 litters (149 piglets) were fed a commercial creep feed (3,040 kcal NE/kg, 15.2 g lysine/kg) supplemented with 1% chromic oxide. Another five litters (48 piglets) were not given access to creep feed (no-feed). Piglets were weaned at 28 d after birth. On d 18, 22, and 27 of age, fecal samples from all the piglets were taken using fecal loops. A green color of the feces indicated that the piglet had eaten creep feed. Piglets that had green-colored feces three times were considered as eaters. Piglets that never showed green-colored feces were considered as non-eaters. At weaning 22 piglets of each type (no-feed, non-eaters, and eaters) were selected based on BW, litter origin, and sex. These 66 pigs were assigned to six pens equipped with computerized feeding stations. Eaters, non-eaters, and no-feed pigs were equally divided over all six pens. After weaning a prestarter (d 0 to 13) and a starter diet (d 14 to 34) were offered for ad libitum consumption. The individual feed intake characteristics of latency time (interval between weaning and first feed intake) and initial feed intake (intake during the first 24 h following first feed intake) and performance traits were determined for all piglets. The pigs that were designated as eaters needed less time between weaning and first feed intake than the pigs that were designated as non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P = 0.04 and P = 0.06, respectively). Initial feed intake was not affected (P > 0.1) by feed intake prior to weaning. However, during d 0 to 8 the eaters had more visits per day during which feed was consumed than both the non-eaters and no-feed pigs. Averaged over the first 8 d after weaning, the ADFI and ADG of the eaters were higher than that of the non-eaters and no-feed pigs (P < 0.05). Averaged over the total 34-d period the effect of creep feed intake on postweaning ADFI was much less pronounced (P = 0.20), whereas ADG of the eaters was the highest (P < 0.05). Creep feed intake during the sucking period stimulates early postweaning feed intake as well as postweaning performance.     

加味二术散对断奶仔猪血液流变学和腹泻率的影响

观察加味二术散对断奶仔猪血液流变学和腹泻率的影响,为防治断奶仔猪应激综合征提供理论依据。将75头断奶仔猪随机分为：加味二术散高（5‰剂量组）、中（3‰剂量组）、低（2‰剂量组）剂量组、对照组和抗生素组。观察1周内各组仔猪腹泻率。于试验第7天,采集各组仔猪的血液,并测定其血流变学指标。结果显示,与对照组相比低剂量加味二术散对仔猪的全血粘度、血浆粘度和红细胞变形指数改善作用不明显（P〉0.05）,纤维蛋白原的含量显著降低（P〈0.05）;高、中剂量加味二术散对断奶仔猪均具有不同程度改善以上指标的作用。各组红细胞压积差异不显著（P〉0.05）。抗生素组仔猪的红细胞聚集性指数与对照组相比显著增高（P〈0.05）,其他各组差异均不显著（P〉0.05）。各组仔猪的腹泻率与对照组相比都降低,加味二术散高、中剂量组和抗生素组的腹泻率显著降低（P〈0.01）。结论,二术加味改善血液流变学且可降低断奶仔猪的腹泻率。     

高锌日粮长期暴露对断奶仔猪生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

试验选用60头日龄相近(23±1)临床检查健康的“杜×长×大”三元杂交断奶仔猪,按体重和性别随机分成3组,每组20头,分别饲喂基础日粮、基础日粮+3000 mg/kg 氧化锌、基础日粮+500 mg/kg 蛋氨酸锌。在断奶后0、21、42、70 d,每组随机选取10头仔猪,前腔静脉采血,测定部分血清生化指标。结果表明,在断奶后0~42 d,添加高锌日粮组仔猪的体重和日增重显著（P<0.05)或极显著（P<0.01)高于对照组仔猪,而在断奶后42~70 d,对照组仔猪日增重显著高于添加高锌日粮组仔猪（P<0.05）;在断奶后42~70 d,添加高锌日粮组仔猪血清AST和ALT水平显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)高于对照组仔猪,而血清TP、ALB水平显著（P<0.05)或极显著（P<0.01)低于对照组仔猪;在断奶后21~70 d,添加高锌日粮组仔猪血清ALP水平极显著高于对照组仔猪（P<0.01）。因此,断奶仔猪早期饲喂高锌日粮能显著缓解仔猪断奶应激,而长期饲喂高锌日粮对断奶仔猪有毒副作用。     

Influence of porcine intestinal pH and gastric digestion on antigenicity of F4 fimbriae for oral immunisation

Newly weaned piglets can be orally immunised against F4+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection with F4 fimbriae. However, to efficiently develop a vaccine against ETEC induced postweaning diarrhoea, knowledge of the stability of the F4 fimbriae to different pH and gastric digestion is needed. The gastrointestinal pH in suckling and recently weaned piglets was measured and the stability of F4 fimbriae to different pH and to pepsin was assessed in vitro. In the stomach the lowest pH was found in the fundus gland region. Gastric pH values below 2.5 were not found in suckling piglets or at the day of weaning, in contrast to piglets 1 and 2 weeks postweaning. Along the first half of the small intestine and in the caecum, a negative correlation was found between pH and age. The F4 fimbriae were stable to pH 1.5 and 2 for 2 h, whereas longer incubation periods resulted in conversion of the multimeric forms into monomers. The F4 fimbriae were partially degraded by incubation for 15-30 min in simulated gastric fluid at pH 1.5 and 2, and completely digested from 3 h onwards. At pH 3, the fimbriae maintained their antigenicity for at least 4h. The results demonstrate that gastric digestion will only have a limited impact on oral immunisation since liquid passes through the stomach relatively quickly (50% within 2 h). However, we previously demonstrated that the transit times are prolonged shortly after weaning. Shortly after weaning it could be necessary to protect the F4 fimbriae against gastric digestion to obtain efficient oral immunisation of the piglets.     

Improvement of growth performance and sanitary status of weaned piglets fed a bovine colostrum-supplemented diet

The present study investigated the effect of 3 different durations of feeding a diet supplemented with defatted bovine colostrum (Col) on growth performance and sanitary status of the weaned piglet. At 28 d of age, piglets were weaned and fed 1 of the 2 following diets: a control (Ctrl) starter diet or a starter diet supplemented with Col. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 310 piglets (12 pens consisting of 10 piglets/pen and 10 pens consisting of 19 piglets/pen) were allocated to 1 of the 2 dietary treatments for 12 d. In Exp. 2, 522 piglets (18 pens consisting of 10 piglets/pen and 18 pens consisting of 19 piglets/pen) were allocated to 1 of the following 3 dietary treatments: fed the Ctrl diet from d 1 to 12 (Ctrl), Col diet from d 1 to 4 and then the Ctrl diet up to d 12 (Col-4d), or the Col diet from d 1 to 6 and then the Ctrl diet up to d 12 (Col-6d). For both experiments, a commercial second-phase diet was fed to piglets from d 12 to 46. Feed intake, growth performance, and cleanliness of floor and hindquarters of animals were investigated during the first 7 wk postweaning. In Exp. 1, from d 0 to 12, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were 16 (P = 0.004), 23 (P < 0.001), and 5% (P = 0.069) greater, respectively, in Col piglets compared with Ctrl piglets. Thereafter, ADFI and ADG were 7 (P < 0.001) and 9% (P < 0.001) greater, respectively, in Col piglets than Ctrl piglets (d 12 to 46). On d 12 after weaning, piglets fed the Col diet had more normal feces (+13%) and less soft or liquid feces (-9 and -4%, respectively) than piglets fed the Ctrl diet (P = 0.06). Compared with Ctrl piglets, feeding the Col diet led to more days with normal feces for the floor cleanliness (+22%; P < 0.001) from d 7 to 11. In Exp. 2, compared with Ctrl piglets, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were 8, 23, and 13% greater (P < 0.05) in Col-6d piglets from d 0 to 9, whereas values for Col-4d piglets were intermediate and did not differ from the values of the other dietary treatments. On d 9 after weaning, piglets fed the Col-4d or the Col-6d diet had more normal feces (+6 and +4%, respectively) and less liquid feces (-4 and -3%, respectively) than piglets fed the Ctrl diet (P = 0.08). No long lasting effects were observed thereafter. In conclusion, there was a reduction of weaning-induced growth check and diarrheal episodes in weaned piglets fed the Col diet. The beneficial effects of the bovine colostrum were observed beyond the period of treatment when the supplementation covered the first 6 d postweaning, which corresponded to the acute phase of postweaning digestive disturbances.     

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.     

Effect of exogenous thyroxine on the interval from weaning to estrus of the primiparous sow

A total of 159 primiparous sows were fed 0 (C) or 675 mg/d of thyroprotein (TP) from d -2 until d 14 postweaning. Sows received 8 (LE) or 14 (HE) Mcal of ME/d during a 28-d lactation period. Plasma levels of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,5,3',5'-tetraidothyronine (T4) were determined for d -4, -2, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 postweaning. Sows consuming LE lost more weight and backfat during lactation (P less than .01) than HE sows. Litters of sows consuming LE gained less weight than litters of sows consuming HE (P less than .01). Thyroprotein increased plasma levels of both T3 and T4 (P less than .01), whereas energy intake had no effect (P greater than .10) on either of the two hormones. The response to thyroid hormone was not consistent across days postweaning (TP x day, P less than .01). Feeding TP increased T4 (P less than .01) on all days, and T3 was increased (P less than .05) on d 0, 2 and 3 postweaning. Thyroid hormones rose markedly following weaning regardless of TP level. Percentage of sows in estrus by d 7 postweaning for LE-C, LE-TP, HE-C and HE-TP were 80, 78, 92 and 90, respectively. Energy restriction during lactation resulted in fewer sows returning to estrus by d 7 (P less than .03) than those fed HE. However, feeding TP postweaning had no effect on return to estrus, suggesting that the effect of dietary energy restriction during lactation on the interval from weaning to first estrus is not mediated through postweaning thyroid hormone concentrations.     

早期断奶转群对仔猪行为、生长性能和血液指标的影响

【目的】试验旨在研究早期断奶转群对仔猪行为、生长性能和血液指标的影响,探寻适宜的断奶转群模式,为改善仔猪福利水平提供参考。【方法】选择体况良好、体重相近(6.98 kg±0.63 kg)的21日龄杜×长×大三元杂交仔猪216头(公母各半),随机分为3组,每组6窝,每窝12头。Ⅰ组为对照组,仔猪不断奶不转群;Ⅱ组为断奶转群组,仔猪既断奶又转群;Ⅲ组为断奶非转群组,仔猪只断奶不转群。21日龄时实施早期断奶,试验期14 d。试验期间观察、统计仔猪行为表现、皮肤损伤、死亡率和腹泻率,采集仔猪血液,测定血清皮质醇和免疫指标。【结果】与对照组相比,Ⅱ和Ⅲ组仔猪采食、休息、玩耍行为极显著下降(P<0.01),探究、独处、哀叫、抱团、攻击和恐人行为极显著上升(P<0.01)。试验处理后第3～5天,Ⅱ组仔猪的皮肤损伤程度极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);Ⅱ组仔猪35日龄体重和平均日增重显著低于对照组(P<0.05),腹泻率极显著高于对照组和Ⅲ组(P<0.01)。各组仔猪死亡率由低到高的顺序为：Ⅰ组(0)<Ⅲ组(1.32%)<Ⅱ组(4%)。在试验处理当天,Ⅱ组仔猪...