Abstract
A 2×3 factorial design experiment was conducted to examine the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) concentration and/or supplementation with zinc oxide (ZnO) or laminarin on faecal scores (FS) and the large intestinal microbiota post-weaning (PW). One hundred and forty-four pigs were assigned to (T1) 21% standard CP diet (SCP); (T2) SCP+ZnO (SCP ZnO); (T3) SCP+laminarin (SCP LAM); (T4) 18% low CP diet (LCP); (T5) LCP+ZnO (LCP ZnO); and (T6) LCP+laminarin (LCP LAM; n=8 replicates/treatment). The LCP diet had no effect on FS (p>.05), it increased two measures of alpha diversity, reduced Bacteroidetes and increased Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacteraceae in the colon relative to the SCP diet (p<.05). ZnO supplementation reduced FS and increased Ruminococcaceae compared with unsupplemented pigs (p<.05). ZnO supplementation increased the genera Frisingicoccus (p<.001), Lachnoclostridium (p<.05) and Peptoclostridium (p<.05) in the colon and reduced total caecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations compared with the unsupplemented and laminarin-supplemented pigs. Laminarin supplementation reduced FS compared with unsupplemented pigs but had no major effect on the microbiota compared with the unsupplemented pigs. There were CP concentration×additive interactions on both Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Firmicutes were increased in the LCP ZnO group compared with the LCP group, but there was no difference between the SCP groups. Proteobacteria were reduced in the LCP ZnO group compared with the LCP and LCP LAM groups (p<.05), but there was no difference between the SCP groups. In conclusion, reducing CP did not improve FS; it increased the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae; however, it also increased bacterial diversity. Supplementation with ZnO and laminarin improved FS, although all groups had scores within the healthy range. ZnO altered the large intestinal microbiota and VFA concentrations; however, laminarin did not enhance these parameters, suggesting these compounds have differing modes of action.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.