Digestive tract parameters, serum metabolites and growth performance of growing pigs

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the combined efficacy of feed additives on growing pigs, performance and digestive tract parameters. The experiment was conducted for 28 days with 48 male piglets allocated to six dietary treatments. Group 1 was offered a diet without eubiotic; 2 – a diet with acids mixture; 3 – phytobiotic, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and yeast; 4 – probiotic, MCFA, and yeast; 5 – phytobiotic, probiotic, acids mixture, and sodium butyrate; 6 – phytobiotic, probiotic, MCFA, and sodium butyrate. The average daily weight gains and feed intake were recorded. Blood samples, digesta samples, and ileal tissue samples were collected for studies. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in weight gain, feed intake, or FCR among the treatments as well as in the ileal and caecal pH value, microbial content, and total SCFA content in caecal digesta as the level of inclusion increases. However, there was a significant difference in treatment condition 2 to 4. Ammonia content in ileal digesta was significantly higher compared to other groups as caecal digesta was significantly higher in group 6 in comparison with groups 1 and 2. Villi height was significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 6 compared to the control. Villi height to crypt depth ratio was significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups 5 and 2, but the most promising effects seem to be from combinations 3 and 4. In comparison with control: in groups 2, 3 and 5 higher Alanine transaminase, glucose and triglyceride; in groups 3, 4 and 5 higher total protein and cholesterol; in group 4 higher albumin and in group 6 higher BUN, were found. Generally, it was concluded that; used eubiotic preparations have significant effect on the gut morphology, growth performance, microbiota and some blood parameters but in smaller ration. It was therefore recommended that eubiotic feeds should be included in pigs feed in smaller ration if the desirable effect is to be determined.