207 Awardee Talk: The Impact of Disease on Nutrient and Energy Intake and Utilization to Support Lean Tissue Accretion in Growing Pigs

Abstract

Abstract Optimal lean tissue production can be severely compromised by health challenges in nursery-finisher pig production systems. Common pig immune challenges in the U.S. can come from pathogens such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus, Lawsonia intracellularis, Mycoplasma spp, Coccidia, pathogenic E. coli and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. The subsequent disease that can manifests in response to these pathogens can lead to mitochondrial damage, impaired capacity to generate sufficient ATP for homeostasis, limited energy availability (exacerbated by disease hypophagia) and compromised cell survival and organ function. Collectively, skeletal muscle hypertrophy is reduced in a trade off to support the energetic and protein synthesis needs of immune system response. In growing pigs, we have reported that sub-clinical and clinical enteric and respiratory disease can significantly impact intestinal function, feed intake, lean tissue accretion and feed efficiency. This has a major economic impact for pork producers, pig welfare and wellbeing. While significant advances in molecular and quantitative genetics, clinical diagnostics and virology have been made to enhance poor performance and heath, we are still unsure on how to best feed and manage poor-health pigs. By understanding the longitudinal impact pathogens on digestibility, metabolism, protein accretion and feed efficiency, insights into nutritional requirements and management strategies can be developed to improve poor-health pig production. This paper will discuss the molecular and physiological impact of sub-clinical and clinical disease on nutrient and energy intake and utilization to support lean tissue accretion in growing pigs.