Abstract
BackgroundWeaning is one of the most critical transition stages of the swine production cycle, as the piglet gut physiology and microbiome need to rapidly adapt to changes in diet and environmental conditions. Based on their potential for producing a vast array of bioactive molecules, peptide formulations represent a largely untapped source of compounds that could be developed into feed additives to benefit animal health and nutrition. In this context, a commercial-scale nursery trial was performed to evaluate the impact of low inclusion of a peptide-based feed additive (Peptiva, Vitech Bio-Chem Corporation) on the performance and fecal microbiome of weaned pigs.ResultsWhile no significant differences in body weight, daily gain, daily feed intake nor gain:feed were observed between control and treatment animals (P > 0.05), an effect of Peptiva on the fecal bacterial composition of weaned pigs was observed. The first main observation was that the fecal bacterial profiles from pigs fed Control-Phase II and Control Phase III diets were found to be very distinct, suggesting that a transition or succession stage had occurred between the two phases. Lactobacilli, represented by four main OTUs (Ssd-00002, Ssd-00019, Ssd-00025, and Ssd-00053), were more abundant at the end of Phase II (P < 0.05), while Streptococci, mostly represented by OTUs Ssd-00039 and Ssd-00048, were in higher abundance at the end of Phase III (P < 0.05). Secondly, the fecal bacterial composition from pigs fed Peptiva Phase II diets showed similarities to both Control-Phase II and Control Phase III samples, while there was no difference in fecal bacterial composition between Control-Phase III and Peptiva Phase III samples. For instance, OTUs Ssd-00019,and Ssd-00053 were in lower abundance in Peptiva Phase II samples compared to Control Phase II (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the abundance of these two OTUs when comparing Peptiva Phase II to Control Phase III (P > 0.05).ConclusionsTogether, these results suggest that Peptiva can modulate the composition of the swine microbiome during a specific window of the nursery stage, potentially by accelerating its maturation.
Highlights
Weaning is one of the most critical transition stages of the swine production cycle, as the piglet gut physiology and microbiome need to rapidly adapt to changes in diet and environmental conditions
Peptiva supplementation did not result in improved weight gains or feed efficiency of weaned pigs under the conditions tested, but it was found to affect the fecal microbiome composition of animals during the first few weeks after weaning
Effect of low inclusion of Peptiva on swine performance during the nursery phase To test the ability of Peptiva to improve the availability of dietary amino acids in swine nursery phase diets, animals fed a Peptiva-supplemented diet that included only 90% of the recommended amino acids requirements for nursery phase diets (PEP10) were compared to animals fed the control diet (CON)
Summary
Weaning is one of the most critical transition stages of the swine production cycle, as the piglet gut physiology and microbiome need to rapidly adapt to changes in diet and environmental conditions Based on their potential for producing a vast array of bioactive molecules, peptide formulations represent a largely untapped source of compounds that could be developed into feed additives to benefit animal health and nutrition. Implementation of stricter regulations on the prophylactic use of medically important antimicrobials, as well as higher costs of traditionally used protein sources such as fish meal, have created a need for effective substitutes and the development of innovative strategies Products such as essential oils and antimicrobial peptides are becoming more widely used as alternative antimicrobials, while modified plant ingredients with reduced levels of anti-nutritional factors (e.g. enzymatically or microbially modified soybean meal) are being included as lower cost protein-rich sources in dietary formulations [13,14,15]. In addition to these substitutes, feed additives are developed to target other functions, such as enhancing the immune response of weaned pigs (e.g. immunoglobulin or omega-3 fatty acids), stimulating digestive functions (e.g. butyrate, glutamate, threonine or cysteine), or promoting the establishment of beneficial gut microorganisms (probiotics, prebiotics) [16,17,18]
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