酵母抽提物替代血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究酵母抽提物部分或全部替代血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响。试验共选160头体重([6.20±0.10)kg]和日龄([26±2)d]相近的PIC断奶仔猪,分为4个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复8头仔猪。对照组(处理1)饲喂基础日粮,处理2饲喂含4%血浆蛋白粉(SDPP)日粮,处理3饲喂含2%SDPP+2%酵母抽提物的日粮,处理4饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮。试验期为28 d,所有仔猪自由采食和饮水。结果表明,与对照组相比,饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮能促进仔猪生长,试验全期仔猪日增重提高15%(P<0.05),饲料增重比降低7%(P<0.05);与含4%或2%SDPP日粮组相比,饲喂含4%酵母抽提物日粮并没有显著影响仔猪平均日采食量和日增重,但饲料增重比在试验前3周和试验全期均得到显著改善(降低7%～10%,P<0.05)。因此,酵母抽提物能促进断奶仔猪生长,部分或全部替代SDPP不影响仔猪增重,且能改善饲料转化率。     

Short-chain fatty acid administration via water acidifier improves feed efficiency and modulates fecal microbiota in weaned piglets

This study examined the effect of a water acidifier containing free and buffered short-chain fatty acids (SCFA-WA) on growth performance and microbiota of weaned piglets. In total, 192 male piglets, approximately 4 wk of age, were allocated to 24 pens (12 per treatment) with 8 piglets per pen. The piglets received either regular drinking water (negative control) or drinking water with the acidifier supplied at 2 L/1,000 L. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly on pen level. During the first 2 wk, daily visual assessment and scoring of the feces was conducted. Fecal samples of three piglets per pen were collected on days 14 and 42 for high-throughput sequencing analysis of the microbiota. Piglets offered SCFA-WA had significantly improved feed efficiency in the third week (P = 0.025) and over the whole study period (days 0 to 42, P = 0.042) compared with piglets in the negative control group, with a strong tendency observed during the first feeding phase (days 0 to 21, P = 0.055). Furthermore, the water acidifier group had a higher water intake than piglets provided with control water during the second feeding phase (days 21 to 42, P = 0.028) and over the whole study period (days 0 to 42, P = 0.043). There was no significant difference in body weight, average daily gain, or average daily feed intake (days 0 to 21, 21 to 42, 0 to 42). Furthermore, there was no overall significant difference in fecal scoring between the treatments. In terms of the fecal microbiota response, piglets offered the water acidifier showed a significantly higher relative abundance (RA) of genus Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and a lower RA of genus Streptococcus compared to the control. Furthermore, the redundancy analysis showed a positive association between improved feed efficiency and daily weight gain and RA of Butyricicoccus and Faecalibacterium. In conclusion, consumption of the water acidifier containing free and buffered SCFA modulated the microbiota and improved feed efficiency in piglets.     

Differential responses of weaned piglets to supplemental porcine or chicken plasma in diets without inclusion of antibiotics and zinc oxide

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma protein (SDPP) or spray-dried chicken plasma protein (SDCP) supplementation in diets without the inclusion of antibiotics and zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, fecal score, and fecal microbiota in early-weaned piglets. A total of 192 healthy weaning piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 21 d old) were blocked by BW (6.53 ± 0.60 kg) and randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments: negative control (NC, basal diet), positive control (PC), basal diet + ZnO at 2 g/kg and antibiotics at 0.8 g/kg), SDPP (containing 5% SDPP), and SDCP (containing 5% SDCP). The experiment lasted 14 d. The SDPP group had higher (P < 0.05) final BW, average daily gain and average daily feed intake than the NC and SDCP groups. The percentage of piglets with fecal scores at 2 or ≥2 was higher (P < 0.05) in the NC and SDCP groups than in the PC group. A decreased (P < 0.05) bacterial alpha diversity and Bacteroidetes abundance, but increased (P < 0.05) Firmicutes abundance were observed in the PC and SDPP groups when compared to the NC group. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus was higher (P < 0.05) in the SDPP than in the SDCP group, and that of Streptococcus was higher (P < 0.01) in the PC and SDPP groups than in the NC group. The PC group also had higher (P < 0.01) Faecalibacterium abundance than the NC and SDCP groups. Additionally, the SDCP group had higher (P < 0.05) serum urea nitrogen than those fed other diets, and lower (P < 0.10) short-chain fatty acids to branched-chain fatty acids ratio than the PC and SDPP groups. Overall, SDPP was a promising animal protein for piglets in increasing feed intake, modifying gut microbiota profile, reducing gut protein fermentation and alleviating diarrhea frequency, thus promoting growth performance, under the conditions with limited in-feed utilization of antibiotics and ZnO.     

Comparison of spray‐dried egg and albumen powder with conventional animal protein sources as feed ingredients in diets fed to weaned pigs

We evaluated the apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in spray‐dried egg (SPE) and albumen powder (AP) compared with spray‐dried porcine plasma (SDPP), dried porcine solubles (DPS) and fish meal (FM). Additionally, the effects of these egg byproducts as a replacement for conventional animal proteins on the performance and nutrient digestibility of piglets were studied. In Exp. 1, six barrows fitted with ileal T‐cannulas were allotted to a 6 × 6 Latin Square design and fed six diets. The AID and SID of AA were generally higher in AP and FM (P < 0.01) than in the other protein sources. In Exp. 2, 150 piglets weaned at 21 days, were fed diets containing the five protein sources for 3 weeks. Weight gain of piglets fed SDPP was the highest among the treatments. Dry matter and protein digestibility for pigs offered SDPP were higher (P < 0.01) than those offered FM and DPS. AP decreased (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli counts in the cecum. DPS decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase compared with SPE. In conclusion, AP and SPE are competitive with traditional animal protein sources and can be successfully fed to piglets without compromising performance.     

混菌发酵袋装全价饲料对断奶仔猪生产性能的影响

为了研究发酵饲料能否替代抗生素在断奶仔猪生产性能上的作用,选用90头28日龄断奶杜长大仔猪,随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复10头。试验分为对照组Ⅰ(不含抗生素)、对照组Ⅱ(含抗生素)、试验组(发酵全价料,且不含抗生素)。试验结果表明:试验组日增重比对照组Ⅰ和Ⅱ分别增重24.1%(P0.01)、12.5%(P0.01),差异极显著;料肉比分别比对照组Ⅰ和Ⅱ降低4.9(P0.05)、2.8(P0.05),试验组和对照组Ⅰ差异显著,但和对照组Ⅱ差异不显著;腹泻率分别比对照组I和Ⅱ降低77.8%(P0.05)和63.6%(P0.05)。由此可见:发酵全价料能明显提高断奶仔猪的生产性能,提高饲料的利用率,降低腹泻率;发酵饲料可取代抗生素在饲料中的添加。     

Dietary L‐arginine supplement alleviates hepatic heat stress and improves feed conversion ratio of Pekin ducks exposed to high environmental temperature

The current intensive indoor production system of commercial Pekin ducks never allows adequate water for swimming or wetting. Therefore, heat stress is a key factor affecting health and growth of ducks in the hot regions and season. Experiment 1 was conducted to study whether heat stress was deleterious to certain organs of ducks. Forty‐one‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to four electrically heated battery brooders comprised of 10 ducks each. Ducks were suddenly exposed to 37 °C ambient temperature for 3 h and then slaughtered, in one brooder at 21 days and in another brooder at 49 days of age. The results showed that body weight and weight of immune organs, particularly liver markedly decreased in acute heat stress ducks compared with the control. Experiment 2 was carried out to investigate the influences of dietary L‐arginine (Arg) supplement on weight and compositions of certain lymphoid organs, and growth performance in Pekin ducks, under daily cyclic hot temperature environment. A total of 151‐day‐old mixed‐sex Pekin ducks were randomly divided into one negative control and two treatment groups, fed experimental diets supplemented with 0, 5, and 10 g L‐Arginine (L‐Arg)/kg to the basal diet respectively. Ducks were exposed to cyclic high temperature simulating natural summer season. The results showed that the addition of L‐Arg improves feed conversion ratio (FCR) during a period of 7‐week trial, as well as increases hepatic weight relative to body weight at 21 days, while decreases the hepatic water content at 49 days of age. This study indicated that the liver was more sensitive to acute heat stress, and the hepatic relative weight and chemical composition could be regulated by dietary L‐Arg supplementation in Pekin ducks being reared at high ambient temperature. These beneficial effects of Arg on liver might be a cause of improved FCR.     

饲粮加工对仔猪断奶早期生产性能的影响

本试验分别选择3周龄断奶的长白仔猪3窝和长×太仔猪4窝,每窝仔猪按配对试验分为2组并在仔猪断奶后第一周分别饲喂加工和未加工的饲粮,重点考察仔猪饲粮加工对两个不同品种仔猪生产性能的影响。在仔猪断奶后第二周,各组仔猪均饲喂同一饲粮以考察前期饲粮加工处理对仔猪生产性能的后续效应。根据加工饲粮的尿素酶活性、胰蛋白酶抑制活性、蛋白质溶解度、蛋白质分散指数及淀粉糊化度等指标,综合确定饲粮的适宜加工条件为料水比1∶2,经121￣126℃(0.10￣0.15MPa)处理3min。试验结果表明,不同品种仔猪断奶早期的生产性能存在较大差异,饲粮加工可以较大程度地提高仔猪断奶早期尤其是断奶后第一周的生产性能,且长白仔猪生产性能的提高程度大于长×太仔猪。     

氯化胆碱中三甲胺超标对断奶仔猪采食量的影响

在断奶仔猪日粮中添加三甲胺盐酸盐,探讨氯化胆碱中三甲胺超标对断奶仔猪采食量的影响。试验分为两组,对照日粮和试验日粮的氯化胆碱中三甲胺含量分别为220 mg/kg和22 g/kg,同时进行组内比较和组间比较2个试验。组间比较试验采用断奶后5～9 d的杜×(大.长)三元杂交仔猪90头,随机分为对照组及试验组,每组5个重复,每重复9头猪,每栏一个料槽,饲喂对照日粮或试验日粮,试验期8 d。试验结果表明,试验组平均日采食量明显低于对照组(291 g/头vs 382 g/头),其中第0～3天的日采食量差异显著(213 g/头vs 313 g/头,P<0.05)。组内比较试验采用断奶后4～13 d的杜×(大.长)三元杂交仔猪24头,随机分为6组,每组4头猪,每栏设两个料槽,同时饲喂对照日粮和试验日粮,试验期10 d。试验结果表明,仔猪对高三甲胺日粮的采食量明显低于对照日粮,在试验第5～10天和整个试验期日采食量均存在显著差异(202 g/头vs 305 g/头;179 g/头vs 287 g/头,P<0.05)。说明氯化胆碱中三甲胺严重超标对仔猪的采食量会产生不良影响。     

白头翁提取物对断奶仔猪生长性能和抗热应激的影响

为探讨白头翁提取物对断奶生长性能和抗热应激的影响,本研究将40只断奶仔猪随机分为白头翁提取物高、中、低剂量组和空白组,每组10只,共计4组。白头翁提取物高、中、低剂量组分别按照添加饲料重量的2.0%、1.0%、0.5%添加,空白组正常饲喂。试验期间观察断奶仔猪的临床表现,试验前、试验结束时对试验动物进行称重,每天记录饲料的消耗量,计算日增重、日均采食量及增重比。试验结束时,前腔静脉采血,分离血清,ELSIA法检测血液中的三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4),精氨酸加压素(AVP)。研究结果表明,试验期间热应激状态下,仔猪精神状态不良,采食量减少,部分仔猪出现腹泻。饲喂添加白头翁提取物组仔猪临床表现正常。白头翁提取物低剂量组末重增重明显,与空白组相比,差异显著(P<0.05);白头翁提取物组日均增重增高,与空白组相比,差异极显著(P<0.01),白头翁提取物中、低剂量组三碘甲状腺原氨酸含量降低,与空白组相比,差异显著(P<0.05);白头翁提取物组甲状腺素降低,与空白组相比,差异显著(P<0.05);白头翁提取物组精氨酸加压素含量升高,与空白组相比,差异显著(P<0.05)。白头翁提取物可提高热应激仔猪的生长性能,有一定的抗热应激作用。     

发酵豆粕在断奶仔猪浓缩料中的应用研究

试验选择（35±2）日龄断奶仔猪120头,随机分为3个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复8头猪,进行为期21 d的饲养试验,研究两种发酵豆粕在断奶仔猪浓缩料中应用效果。结果表明,在断奶仔猪浓缩料中添加发酵豆粕能改善仔猪的生长性能,且不同的发酵豆粕应用效果不同。从试验全期来看,发酵豆粕试验组的日增重、日采食量、料重比均好于43豆粕对照组,但均差异不显著（P〉0.05）。试验Ⅱ组仔猪的生长性能表现最好。从试验结果来看,试验Ⅱ组效果最好,试验Ⅰ组次之,试验Ⅱ组仔猪日增重较试验Ⅰ组、对照组分别高8.26%、8.92%;试验Ⅱ组日采食量较试验Ⅰ组、对照组分别高4.32%、5.16%;试验Ⅱ组料重比较试验Ⅰ组、对照组低3.92%、4.32%。     

抗菌肽制剂替代血浆蛋白粉对断奶仔猪生长性能及健康状况的影响

本试验选用体重相近(约6.5 kg)断奶前5 d的哺乳仔猪(杜×长×大三元杂)60头,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组3个重复,研究应用抗菌肽制剂替代教槽料中血浆蛋白粉对仔猪生长性能以及健康程度的影响。结果表明:与添加血浆蛋白粉的教槽料相比,添加2%抗菌肽制剂组断奶仔猪日增重提高8.06%(P>0.05),饲料转化率改善4.38%,同时腹泻减少47.78%,眼角分泌物减少15.18%。这说明抗菌肽制剂能有效缓解断奶仔猪的早期应激综合症问题,是血浆蛋白粉良好的替代品。     

氧化应激对断奶仔猪生产性能和养分利用率的影响

试验选用24头断奶仔猪随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪,将过氧化物值(POV)为11.78meqO2/kg的新鲜鱼油(FFO)和POV分别为399.81、701.62、1065.74meqO2/kg的氧化鱼油(OFO)以3%的比例加入到断奶仔猪日粮中,饲喂4周,旨在建立以氧化油脂为氧化应激源的氧化应激动物模型,初探氧化应激对断奶仔猪生产性能和养分利用率的影响。结果表明,氧化应激降低试验猪只生产性能和养分利用率。与FFO组相比,以POV为1065.74meqO2/kg的氧化鱼油作用效果最明显。该过氧化程度的氧化鱼油可使平均日增重降低8.16%,饲料增重比提高9.22%(P<0.05);氮表观消化率和表观利用率分别下降21.91%(P<0.001)和30.55%(P<0.001);干物质和粗脂肪表观消化率分别降低13.05%(P<0.05)和35.18%(P<0.05)。结论:在断奶仔猪日粮中添加3%的POV为1065.74meqO2/kg的氧化鱼油可诱导氧化应激,引起生产性能和养分利用率的下降。     

The immediate effects of weaning stress on the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal alteration of newly weaned piglets

This study was conducted to examine the effects of weaning stress on gene expression of specific markers in hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and neuronal activity in the newly weaned piglets. Twelve 28‐days‐old, newly weaned crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) male piglets from 6 l (2 piglets/l) were randomly categorized into two groups: (a) weaning stress: piglets were separated from their dams, relocated and mixed with the unacquainted domestic piglets for 2 hr (stress, n = 6); (b) no‐stress: piglets stayed with their dams in the farrowing house (NS; n = 6). After weaning stress, all piglets were electrically euthanized and the blood samples/HPA tissues were collected for subsequent analysis, including plasma cortisol and mRNA expression of c‐fos, c‐jun, corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH), CRH receptor 1 (CRHR‐1) and adrenocorticotropin hormone receptor (MC2R). Results: Weaning stress significantly (p < 0.05) increased the plasma cortisol level and suppressed the expression of c‐fos and CRH in hypothalamus. In addition, weaning stress enhanced the mRNA abundance of c‐jun and CRHR‐1 in the pituitary gland. No significant differences in the gene expression of MC2R and CRHR‐1 were observed in the adrenal gland between treatment groups. Taken together, HPA involved in weaning stress and CRHR‐1 and c‐jun could be potential markers to evaluate the activation of HPA axis.     

Beta‐glucan from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 improves growth performance and intestinal function in weaned piglets

Beta‐glucan is currently under consideration as an alternative to in‐feed antibiotics. The aim of the study was to investigate Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 beta‐glucan on intestinal morphology, cytokine concentration, mucin expression and microbial populations of weaning piglets. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg beta‐glucan. Data showed an increase in ADG at the 100 mg/kg group (p = .03). A significant increase in villus height and reduction in crypt depth were fund in ileal tissue at the 100 mg/kg inclusion level (p < .05). Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan enhanced IL‐10 concentration (p = .04) and gene expression of MUC1 and MUC2 (p < .05) in the jejunum. Dietary supplementation of 100 mg/kg beta‐glucan provoked the up‐regulation of Lactobacillus counts and down‐regulation of Escherichia coli counts in the caecum (p = .05). Data suggested that improved growth performance in response to beta‐glucan supplementation at 100 mg/kg in weaned piglets may be explained by the improved intestinal function.     

Dietary administration of probiotics to sows and/or their neonates improves the reproductive performance,incidence of post‐weaning diarrhea and histopathological parameters in the intestine of weaned piglets

Probiotics have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on livestock performance and health. The most significant effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the host animals take place when they are included in diets during particularly stressful periods such as weaning and/or at the beginning of the lactation period. The probiotics Bacillus mesentericus strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/g, Clostridium butyricum strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g and Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110 at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g were used. Litter weight at delivery and ratio of return to estrous improved significantly (17% and 24% improvement, respectively) by probiotic administration to sows (0.2% (w/w)). Furthermore, the feed intake of the probiotics‐administered sows was greater than that of the control sows during the late lactation period. Post‐weaning diarrheal incidence and growth performance was improved by probiotics administration to neonates (0.02% (w/w)), while the combined use of probiotics in sows and their neonates induced the enlargement of villous height and prevented muscle layer thinning in the small intestine of weaning piglets. The administration of probiotics of three species of live bacteria improved the porcine reproductive performance around stressful periods of sows (farrowing) and piglets (weaning). [Corrections added on 26 April 2016, after first online publication: ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐100’ has been corrected to ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110’ in the above paragraph and in the ‘Probiotics’ section under the Materials and Methods heading.]     

复合益生菌乳膏剂的制备和对断奶仔猪生长性能的影响

益生菌已经在畜禽养殖中广泛应用于动物保健。当前益生菌制剂仍存在需低温保存且有效期短的问题。此研究开发了一种由干酪乳杆菌、屎肠球菌和约氏乳杆菌组合而成的新型复合益生菌乳膏剂,在室温下贮存56 d后仍可维持较高活菌数(>108 cfu/g)。在断奶仔猪日粮中添加该复合益生菌乳膏剂可提高断奶仔猪平均日增重和末均重(P<0.05)、降低饲料增重比,而不影响平均日采食量。研究结果表明,所制备和优化的复合益生菌乳膏剂具有良好室温保存稳定性,在断奶仔猪中使用可有效促进饲料营养吸收,从而提高生长性能。     

Efficacy of sucrose and milk chocolate product or dried porcine solubles to increase feed intake and improve performance of lactating sows

Two experiments were conducted to determine the voluntary feed intake and performance of lactating sows fed diets containing a sucrose/milk chocolate product (MCP) blend (Exp. 1) or dried porcine solubles (DPS; Exp. 2). Dried porcine solubles is a coproduct of heparin extraction from porcine small intestines. In Exp. 1, mixed-parity sows (n = 108) at two research centers were assigned to a corn-soybean-meal-based diet formulated to contain 0.9% total lysine or a similar diet that contained 4% sucrose and 2% MCP on an as-fed basis. Sows were allowed ad libitum access to dietary treatments from the day of farrowing until pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d postpartum. Diet had no significant effect on voluntary feed intake of sows during lactation, backfat depth, or postweaning interval to estrus, but it had variable effects on body weight changes. Inclusion of the sucrose/MCP blend in diets elicited a 2% improvement in litter weaning weight at one research center and a 6% depression in litter weaning weight at the other center (diet x research center, P < 0.05). Litter size throughout lactation was unaffected by dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, mixed-parity sows (n = 119) at two research centers were assigned to corn-soybean meal-based diets formulated to contain 0.9% total lysine with 0, 1.5, or 3.0% added DPS. Sows were assigned to dietary treatments within research center, farrowing group, and parity at parturition. Dried porcine solubles tended to increase (P < 0.10) total feed consumed in the first 9 d of lactation and average daily feed intake over the entire lactation (6.03, 6.53, and 6.30 kg) for sows fed 0, 1.5, and 3.0% DPS, respectively. Litter size and weight on d 18 of lactation were not affected by concentration of DPS in the diet. Days from weaning to estrus and percentage of sows displaying estrus were not influenced by diet. We conclude that inclusion of the sucrose/MCP blend in the diet for lactating sows had no consistent effect on voluntary feed intake of sows and weight gain of nursing pigs. Inclusion of DPS at 1.5 or 3.0% tended to improve feed intake of lactating sows but had no significant influence on litter performance.     

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine improves the intestinal development and nutrient absorption of weaned piglets via regulating the activity of intestinal stem cells

Early weaning in piglets can cause a series of negative effects.This causes serious losses to the livestock industry.N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine(D-GlcNAc)plays an important role in regulating the homeostasis of the intestine.This study aimed to investigate the effects of D-GlcNAc on the growth performance and intestinal function of weaned piglets.Twenty-four weaned piglets([Yorkshire×Landrace]
Duroc,6.58±0.15 kg,n=8)at 21 d old were fed 3 diets supplemented with 0(control),1 and 3 g/kg D-GlcNAc.The intestinal organoid model was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of D-GlcNAc on intestinal epithelial cells.On the whole,supplementation of D-GlcNAc in the piglet diet has no significant effect on the growth performance and diarrhoea of weaned piglets(P>0.05).The apparent digestibility of nutrients and mRNA abundance of nutrient transporters in the 1 g/kg D-GlcNAc group were increased significantly(P<0.05).D-GlcNAc did not affect villus height(VH)and crypt depth(CD)but resulted in a numerically shorter VH and shallower CD,which lead to an increase in ileal VH:CD ratio(P<0.05).Cell shedding rates in the ileum villi increased(P<0.05).The relative length and weight of the small intestine of weaned piglets increased(P<0.05).In vitro studies found that the budding rates of organoids treated with 0.1 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on the d 3 and 5(P<0.05).The average budding numbers per budding organoid treated with 0.1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on d 3(P<0.05).D-GlcNAc upregulated leucine rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5(Lgr5⁺)and Chromogranin A mRNA abundance in organoids(P<0.05).Mucin 2(Muc2)expression increased when treated with 1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc(P<0.05).In conclusion,dietary D-GlcNAc cannot improve the growth performance of weaned piglets.However,it can promote the growth and development of the intestinal tract and improve the digestion and absorption capacity of the intestine,which is achieved by affecting the activity of intestinal stem cells.     

Medium‐chain triglyceride as an alternative of in‐feed colistin sulfate to improve growth performance and intestinal microbial environment in newly weaned pigs

Five hundred and twenty‐eight newly weaned pigs were given four treatments, with eight replicates per treatment. Sixteen to 18 pigs were assigned per replicate and were fed diets supplemented with 0 or 3% medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) and 0 or 40 ppm colistin sulfate (CS) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 2 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with MCT improved the gain‐to‐feed ratio during days 3‐7 and in the overall period (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MCT decreased coliforms counts (C) in colon and rectum content (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with CS decreased C and lactic acid bacteria plus C counts (L + C) in cecum (P < 0.05), and C, L + C (P < 0.01) and ratio of L and C (P < 0.05) in colon and rectum contents. The lack of interactions between MCT and CS indicates different modes of action and additive effects between the two supplementations. In conclusion, supplementation with MCT in diet with or without CS could improve the intestinal microbial environment and the feed utilization efficiency of newly weaned pigs.     

Oral administration of synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 improves growth performance and cecal microbial flora and down‐regulates the expression of intestinal toll‐like receptor‐4 and inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Synthetic porcine beta‐defensin‐2 (pBD‐2) was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth‐promoters in pig production. Thirty 21‐day weaned piglets were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and orally dosed with either sterile water (CON), pBD‐2 (BD) or neomycin sulphate (NS) twice daily for 21 days. pBD‐2 and NS led to higher growth performance, jejunum villus height and increased expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Hemolytic E. coli scores from rectal swabs, and copy numbers of E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis and Streptococcus in the cecal digesta of the BD‐ or NS‐treated piglets were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Messenger RNA levels of toll‐like receptor 4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐8 in the jejunum mucosa of the BD and NS groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Copy numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in the cecal digesta of the BD group were higher than those of the CON and NS groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, pBD‐2 has antimicrobial activity in piglets, and it can improve growth performance, reduce inflammatory cytokine expression and affect intestinal morphological indices in the same way as probiotics. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science