371 Effects of dietary supplementation with lauric acid and AviPlusS on growth performance and gut health of newly weaned pigs

Abstract

Abstract This study was to determine the supplemental effects of lauric acid and a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and botanicals (AviPlusS, Vetagro, Chicago, IL) on growth performance and gut health in newly weaned pigs. Ninety-six pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts, 21 d-of-age, 6.5 ± 0.4 kg BW) were randomly allotted (3 pigs/ pen) to 4 treatments in RCBD arranged by 2 factors: lauric acid (0 or 0.1%) and AviPlusS (0 or 0.3%). Initial BW and sex were blocks. Diets met the NRC (2012) requirements, medicated, included ZnO, and prepared in 3 phases (phase 1 for 7 d; phase 2 for 11 d; and phase 3 for 14 d). At the end of each phase, ADG, ADFI, and G:F was measured. On d 32, 1 pig representing the median BW of each pen was euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa to analyze immune and oxidative stress status and microbiome. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Two factors were fixed effects and blocks were random effects. Overall performance was not affected by 2 factors. Combinational use of lauric acid and AviPlusS tended to increase (P = 0.053) the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae (18.11 vs. 9.59 and 10.26%). Lauric acid tended to reduce (P = 0.081) the relative abundance of Methylobacteriaceae (10.34 to 6.30%). Lauric acid tended to increase (P = 0.083) the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae (2.05 to 9.28%) which tended to be reduced (P = 0.078) when combined with AviPlusS. Combinational use of lauric acid and AviPlusS increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (23.34 vs. 13.21 and 17.56%) compared with the use of lauric acid or AviPlusS alone. Collectively, lauric acid can modulate the microbiome to enhance gut health, which can be further enhanced when combined with AviPlusS.