Influence of phytase and xylanase supplementation of a wheat-based diet on ileal and total tract digestibility in growing pigs

The effect of phytase and xylanase supplementation of a wheat-based pig diet on the ileal and total tract apparent digestibility of dietary components and minerals were studied in eight growing pigs fitted with a PVTC cannula in a randomized block design experiment. The diets (A and B) were similar in major ingredient composition and in nutrient content. In diet A, part of the limestone was replaced with di-calcium phosphate to increase the content of available phosphorus (P). Diet B was fed without or with supplementation with phytase (500 FTU/kg; diet BP), xylanase (4000 XU/kg; diet BX) and phytase + xylanase (500 FTU and 4000 XU/kg; diet BPX). There were no differences (P > 0.05) between diets in the ileal or total tract digestibility of organic matter (OM), NDF and crude protein (CP). The ileal and total tract digestibility for P and Ca differed (P < 0.05) between diets, while there were no treatment effects for Zn. The ileal and total tract digestibility for P and Ca was higher (P < 0.05) on diets BP and BPX than on the other diets. In conclusion, phytase improved the utilization of dietary P and Ca in a wheat-based diet, while xylanase had no additional benefits in terms of OM and CP digestibility or mineral utilization. Phytase had no effect on the digestibility of OM, CP or NDF.     

Pig preference for cereal based diets, relationship with their digestibility and physical properties

One of the most important challenges in pig farming is to overcome the initial anorexia of the pig at weaning. Since the use of palatable ingredients should facilitate the initiation of feeding at weaning, we have previously conducted a series of trials to measure the preference of pigs for different cereals. Preference is driven by odour and taste, but the physical and post-ingestive properties of the cereals could also have an effect. The present trial aims to study the relationship between the preferences for diets with 60% of rice, barley, sorghum or oats and their digestibility and physical properties. We measured the ileal and faecal digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein, and the proximal GIT emptying (from the flow of digesta through the ileal cannula) for 12 h after feeding. Particle size profile, viscosity, swelling and water retention capacity and texture (hardness, fragility, chewing effort and stickiness) of the four diets, were also measured. Pearson's correlation coefficients with feed preference were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for particle size profile and texture of the feeds. They tended to be significant (P < 0.1) for ileal digesta viscosity, faecal dry matter digestibility and proximal GIT emptying rate. Additional studies of palatability for cereals should consider these parameters in order to confirm this.     

Phosphorus availability in feed phosphates determined by regression

Due to environmental concern a lot of effort has been dedicated to improve the utilisation of phytate phosphorus (P) in cereals and seeds. Consequently, microbial phytases are added to pig diets at the expense of feed phosphates. However, there is still a need for inclusion of feed phosphate, especially in diets for young piglets and lactating sows in order to meet their P requirement. This creates a demand for feed phosphates with a high P availability. Fourteen feed phosphates, including two newly developed monocalcium phosphates (MCP), were tested in this experiment. For each source, a series of 5 diets was prepared by inclusion of increasing amounts of either MCP or MSP. These diets were offered to pigs kept in metabolism crates (6 pigs on each of the 5 diets). After 5 days adaptation, total collection of faeces and urine was performed for 7 days. P availability in each source was determined by regression of the net absorption of P on P-intake. The experiment revealed that MSP had the highest availability (79%) and the availability of all the tested phosphates varied between 50 and 79%. The new MCPs proved to be 71 and 75% available.     

Reduced diet crude protein level, benzoic acid and inulin reduced ammonia, but failed to influence odour emission from finishing pigs

Intensified pig production is associated with odour and ammonia emissions causing nuisance and environmental concerns. The aim of four experiments was to investigate the effect of different dietary interventions on odour and ammonia emissions from finishing pigs. In exp. 1, diet crude protein levels of 16% and 14% were compared. In exps. 2 and 3, the effect of adding 1% and 3% benzoic acid, respectively, to the diets was studied. In exp. 4, inclusion of 15% inulin in the diet was investigated. All experiments were carried out in two identical climate chambers with three pens. There were 12 pigs per pen in total 36 pigs per chamber. Each dietary treatment was repeated two times. The temperature, ventilation rate and concentrations of NH₃ in the exhaust air were measured every hour. Odour concentration was measured in samples of the exhaust air by olfactometry. Reduced diet crude protein, the addition of 3% benzoic acid and inclusion of 15% inulin reduced ammonia emission by 30%, 57% and 34%, respectively. It was not possible to influence odour emission in any of the experiments.     

Probiotics in pigs — modulation of their intestinal distribution and of their impact on health and performance

Two probiotics of different ecological origin, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 and Bacillus cereus var. toyoi, were chosen as model organisms. Feed for sows during gestation/lactation and for piglets pre-/postweaning was supplemented with either of these probiotics. To evaluate the effect of different starting points of E. faecium NCIMB 10415 initiations the probiotic was administered to piglets of sows, which have not received the probiotic, from birth onwards or just postweaning. Here we report the impact of these variants on probiotic distribution in the gut, on the gut microbiota, on diarrhea and on performance. Both probiotic strains were detected immediately after the start of the supplementation in feces of sows and piglets. The vertical transfer of both probiotic strains with sow feces to piglets could be demonstrated already before suckling piglets had access to the supplemented diets. Both probiotics were recovered from all intestinal segments of piglets. The dominant autochthonous colonic microbiota of young piglets as revealed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was more similar within than between treatment groups (control vs. probiotic). Both probiotics reduced the incidence of postweaning diarrhea (p < 0.05). For the E. faecium probiotic the relative magnitude of this effect was largely independent of dietary probiotic concentration or starting time of supplementation. Significant overall influence on piglet performance was observed only with the B. cereus probiotic.     

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and plasma concentrations of urea N and protein, while increasing backfat thickness linearly (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 13.6% CP diet exhibited the poorest growth performance. On d 53, dietary CP affected plasma IGF-I (quadratic, P < 0.01) and leptin (linear, P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma leptin levels were correlated positively with backfat thickness (r = 0.76, P < 0.05) and negatively with LMA (r = − 0.64, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ADG and plasma IGF-I concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that adequate provision of nonessential AA and all EAA is required for achieving maximum growth performance and reducing fat accretion in growing pigs fed low-CP diets.     

黑麦草替代部分精料对肥育猪生长的影响

选24头33kg左右的“杜洛克×长白×太湖”三元杂交猪，分成4组，每组6头。研究了黑麦草替代10％（T1）、15％（T2）、20％（T3）的精料对生长肥育猪的生长性能的影响，结果表明：试验组T1、T2、T3猪的日增重分别比对照组（C）提高17．57％（P〈0．01）、13．03％（P〈0．01）和11．74％（P〈0．01），试验组T1、T2、T3猪的日增重组间差异不显著（P〉0．05）。用黑麦草替代10％-20％精料与饲喂精料相比，净增重可降低饲料成本在0．73-0．86元/kg之间，降幅在12．28％-14．50％。     

阿莫西林钠在猪体内的生物利用度及药动学研究

1 4头健康杂种猪 ,随机平均分为两组 ,按随机交叉试验设计 ,进行静注及内服阿莫西林钠 (1 0mg/kg)的药动学研究 ,以及肌注阿莫西林钠及阿莫西林钠长效制剂 (1 0mg/kg)的药动学比较。高效液相色谱法测定猪血浆中阿莫西林的浓度 ,MCPKP计算机程序处理血浆药物浓度 时间数据。健康猪静注给药的药时数据适合二室开放模型 ,主要药物动力学参数为 :t1 /2α0 31± 0 1 6h;t1 /2 β2 2 9± 0 94h ;V1 0 2 2± 0 1 2L/kg ;Vd(area) 1 0 6± 0 45L/kg ;ClB0 33±0 0 7L·kg- 1 ·h- 1 ;AUC31 67± 7 0 9mg·L- 1 ·h。健康猪内服给药的药时数据适合一级吸收二室模型 ,主要药物动力学参数为 :t1 /2ka0 74± 0 36h ;t1 /2 β5 96± 3 41h ;tmax1 52± 0 43h ;Cmax5 33± 2 0 7μg/mL ;AUC2 3 89± 9 40mg·L- 1 ·h ;F79 64 %± 38 47%。健康猪肌注阿莫西林钠和阿莫西林钠长效制剂的药时数据均适合一级吸收二室模型 ,主要药物动力学参数为 :t1 /2ka0 1 1± 0 0 5h和 0 0 9± 0 0 5h ;t1 /2 β3 2 8± 1 89h和 7 32± 3 55h ;tmax0 33± 0 1 4h和 0 36±0 1 6h ;Cmax1 6 51± 4 41 μg/mL和 1 8 98± 2 70 μg/mL ;AUC30 61± 8 2 7mg·L- 1 ·h和 49 44± 1 1 31mg·L- 1 ·h ;F96 65     

Comparative Utilization of Different Fibre Feedstuffs by Weaning/Growing Pigs in the Tropics

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding different fibre feedstuffs on the performance, nutrient utilization and economics of production of weaning/growing pigs. Five fibre feedstuffs--palm kernel cake （PKC）, wheat offal （WO）, corn bran （CB）, rice bran （RB） and brewers＇ dried grain （BDG） were used at 25% in each of the five experimental diets that were formulated in this study. Twenty weaner pigs （12.75 ± 0.6 kg） were used for the growth study while 15 pigs （14.95 ± 0.57 kg） were used for the digestibility study. The design of the experiment was completely randomized. The results of the study showed that the performance of the experimental animals were significantly influenced （P 〈 0.05） by the dietary treatments. The apparent digestibility of the crude protein, crude fiber and ether extract showed significant differences （P 〈 0.05） while there was no significant difference （P 〉 0.05） in the apparent digestibility of their dry matter, ash and nitrogen free extract. The diet that contained WO had the best growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility. Results of economics of production also showed that diet with WO gave the best （P 〈 0.05） value in feed cost/＇kg gain and net profit/animal. It can be concluded from this study that although all the animals fed the different fibre feedstuffs performed satisfactorily on all the parameters monitored, but for optimum growth, apparent nutrients digestibility and economics of production. WO should be used as a fibre feedstuff in the diets of weaning/growing pigs in the tropics.     

Exposure variability of fosfomycin administered to pigs in food or water: Impact of social rank

The objective of this study was to document the effect of social ranking on the internal exposure of pigs to an antibiotic (fosfomycin) administered either in food or in drinking water. Signs of aggression were recorded at the feeder and drinker. The interindividual variability explained by the social rank was even greater when the test antibiotic was given in food despite the fact that the water consumption was less variable than the food intake. The range of plasma concentrations after administration of fosfomycin either in food or drinking water leads to a number of pigs in the treated group being exposed to rather low and highly variable concentrations of fosfomycin and not able to maintain adequate plasma concentrations above the typical minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Social rank clearly influences the level of exposure of pigs to fosfomycin both in food and drinking. However, its administration in drinking water is likely to be the best option to optimize antibiotic efficacy.