Abstract
BackgroundFeeding polyphenol-rich plant products has been shown to increase the gain:feed ratio in growing pigs. The reason for this finding has not yet been elucidated. In order to find the reasons for an increase of the gain:feed ratio, this study investigated the effect of two polyphenol-rich dietary supplements, grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME) or spent hops (SH), on gut morphology, apparent digestibility of nutrients, microbial composition in faeces and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in the intestine of pigs.ResultsPigs fed GSGME or SH showed an improved gain:feed ratio in comparison to the control group (P < 0.10 for GSGME, P < 0.05 for SH). Villus height:crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum as well as apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients were unchanged in the groups receiving GSGME or SH in comparison to the control group. However, the groups receiving GSGME or SH revealed an increased faecal pH value, lower levels of volatile fatty acids and lower counts of Streptococcus spp. and Clostridium Cluster XIVa in the faecal microbiota (P < 0.05). Moreover, both treatment groups had a lower expression of various pro-inflammatory genes in duodenum, ileum and colon than the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe present study suggests that dietary plant products rich in polyphenols are able to improve the gain:feed ratio in growing pigs. It is assumed that an alteration in the microbial composition and anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol-rich plant products in the intestine might contribute to this effect.
Highlights
Feeding polyphenol-rich plant products has been shown to increase the gain:feed ratio in growing pigs
The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that feeding plant products rich in polyphenols influences the expression of proinflammatory genes and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in the intestine of pigs but might influences the microbial composition and the expression of nutrient transporters in the intestine and the digestibility of nutrients
The finding of a decreased apparent digestibility of protein is in agreement with a recent study in broilers which found a decreased apparent ileal digestibility of protein after feeding grape seed extracts [6]. These findings indicate that the improved gain:feed ratio by feeding either grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME) or spent hops (SH) was not due to alterations in gut morphology or an increased digestibility of nutrients from the diet
Summary
Feeding polyphenol-rich plant products has been shown to increase the gain:feed ratio in growing pigs. In order to find the reasons for an increase of the gain:feed ratio, this study investigated the effect of two polyphenol-rich dietary supplements, grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME) or spent hops (SH), on gut morphology, apparent digestibility of nutrients, microbial composition in faeces and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in the intestine of pigs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that feeding plant products rich in polyphenols influences the expression of proinflammatory genes and the villus height:crypt depth ratio in the intestine of pigs but might influences the microbial composition and the expression of nutrient transporters in the intestine and the digestibility of nutrients.
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