Average Daily Gain Of Pigs Research Articles

Evaluation of the effects of black pepper extract on the growth performance of grower pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of black pepper (BP) extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, counts of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli (E. Coli), back fat thickness, lean meat percentage (LMP), and fecal gas emission in grower pigs. A total of 160 crossbred grower pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 25.31 ± 1.29 kg were used in a 42-day feeding trial. Pigs were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments. The basal diet was composed of soybeans and corn to meet or exceed the NRC (2012) recommendations. The dietary treatments included: basic diet, basic diet + 0.025 %, 0.05 %, and 0.1 % BP extract. There were eight replicates per treatment, each comprising five pigs (three gilts and two barrows). All data were subjected to statistical analysis using general linear model procedures (SAS 2001, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA), with the pen serving as the experimental unit. The results indicated a linear improvement in BW and average daily gain of pigs during days 1–28, 28–42, and the overall period with increasing levels of BP extract in the diet. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and lean meat percentage (LMP) increased linearly with BP treatment at the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). In addition, total protein, BUN, and creatinine levels were not affected by the BP extract (p > 0.05). Some fecal microbes, such as Lactobacillus and E. coli, did not change considerably when pigs were fed BP extract (p > 0.05). No apparent response to faecal gas emission of NH3, total mercaptans, or H2S was observed in relation to the BP extract in the pig diet (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 0.1 % BP extract improved growth performance by increasing the ATTD of CP and improving LMP without adverse effects in grower pigs.

PSIV-20 Evaluation of pectinase on nursery pig performance

Abstract Non-starch polysaccharidases have been widely employed in swine production to enhance fiber digestion and nutrient utilization, yielding mixed results. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of an exogenous pectinase on performance of early nursery pigs. The study utilized 320 mixed sex freshly weaned pigs, 19-21 d of age [5.4 ± 1.1 kg body weight (BW), Camborough (1050) x 337, (PIC, Hendersonville, TN)], sourced from a commercial sow farm. Upon arrival, pigs were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (10 pens/treatment, 6 gilts and 2 barrows/pen). All diets were fed in two phases consisting of 7 and 14 d over a 21-d study period. Phase 1 basal diets consisted of 40% soybean meal, 1.45% SID Lys, and 3,396 kcal/kg ME. Phase 2 basal diets consisted of 40% soybean meal, 1.375% SID Lys, and 3,396 kcal/kg ME. In both phases, exogenous pectinase was included at 0, 8, 40, and 80 (g/MT). Pen bodyweights and feed disappearance were collected at the start and end of each phase to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Fecal consistency was scored for diarrhea presence daily. In all analyses, pens served as the experimental units. Growth performance and mortality/removals data were analyzed within phase and overall with the fixed effect of pectinase level, including the linear and quadratic effects of varying pectinase levels across the diets. No discernible health impacts were identified based on observations of mortality/removals and fecal consistency scores (P &amp;gt; 0.10). There were no notable main, linear, or quadratic effects observed on pig bodyweights during the trial. Overall, the diet had a significant impact on ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.05), showing a positive trend associated with pectinase inclusion (linear P = 0.08). This trend was supported by a 14% increase in the ADG of pigs that consumed the diet with 80 g/MT of pectinase, in contrast to pigs fed the control diet. Phase 1 did not exhibit any notable effects on performance in terms of main, linear, or quadratic trends. In contrast, during phase 2, the diet significantly affected the ADG of pigs, with all pectinase-containing diets promoting greater body weight gain compared with control-fed pigs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Additionally, there was a tendency for a diet effect on GF in phase 2 (P = 0.09). Pigs that were fed the diet with 80 g/MT of pectinase observed a 14-22% improvement in feed efficiency compared with all the other dietary groups. In conclusion, the addition of pectinase to early nursery pig diets had the capacity to enhance pig performance without any adverse effects on pig health when feeding high soybean meal.

186 Evaluation of the effects of a Lactobacillus postbiotic product (LumensaM) in medicated and non-medicated nursery pig diets

Abstract Two studies in weanling pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of a Lactobacillus postbiotic product (LFP; Lumensa, Verdesian Life Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT) in medicated and non-medicated nursery pig diets on performance, daily fecal scores and some fecal microbiome measures. A 2 X 3 factorial factorial design with main effects of in-feed medication (0 vs 55 ppm of Carbadox) and LFP inclusion rate (0, 0.075, or 0.15%) was used in each study. In study 1, LFP in liquid form was added to the treatment diets, and in study 2 LFP in dry form was used in the treatment diets. Each study used 36 pens containing 10 weanling pigs (PIC 800 x 1050; 21 d of age) per pen, and there were 6 pens for each treatment group. A pelleted three-phase commercial nursery feeding program was used. Dry LFP product increased final body weight (BW) linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and tended to improve gain to feed ratio (G:F; P = 0.07) in study 2. Final BW was increased (P = 0.006) in nursery pigs fed medicated diets in study 2 but not in study 1. Feeding the dry LFP in study 2 improved growth performance (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in nursery pigs when they were fed non-medicated diets. In study 1, it was found that feeding LFP tended (P = 0.10) to decrease final BW variability (pen BW CV) on d 42. Daily fecal scores were recorded during both studies, and no treatment effects were observed. During study 2, fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen on d 21 and d 42 for microbial analysis. The Shannon Index was found to be moderately correlated (P &amp;lt; 0.05) to BW results on d 21 and 42 (Study 1, r = -0.31 and 0.19; Study 2, r= -0.49 and 0.27, d 21 and d 42, respectively). It was found that feeding LFP decreased the proportion of Gammaproteobacteria, which includes several Gram-negative pathogens, on d 21 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, feeding LFP to nursery pigs as dry product may increase average daily gain in pigs fed non-medicated diets and decrease BW variability (pen BW CV) when pigs are fed nursery diets containing carbadox. Also, feeding LFP may lead to changes in the fecal microbiome.

146 Comparing feeding strategies during heat stress in finishing pigs using a stochastic swine model

Abstract Nutritionists may feed standard diets or increase dietary net energy (NE) and/or standardized ileal digestible lysine (SIDLys) to counter reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) due to heat stress in the late finishing phase. The objective of this work was to develop a set of statistical tools to analyze different grow-finish feeding strategies using the simulations from a proprietary stochastic swine model (Watson) when heat stress occurs during the last 2 wk of the finishing phase. Financial considerations were excluded from the study. Nutrient recommendations for maximum feed efficiency were derived from Watson and used to formulate a grower diet for 25 to 60 kg body weight (BW), and four finisher diets for 60 to 135 kg BW: a) thermoneutral (10 MJ NE/kg, 7.9 g/kg SIDLys), b) high AA (10 NE/kg, 9.2 g/kg SIDLys), c) high NE (10.5 MJ/kg NE, 7.9 g/kg SIDLys), and d) high NE and high AA (10.5 MJ NE/kg, 8.3 g/kg SIDLys). The grow-finish period was simulated by feeding the grower diet followed by the finisher diets in 5 different scenarios: 1) thermoneutral, diet a; 2) heat stress, diet a; 3) heat stress, diet a, and b during last 2 wk; 4) heat stress, diet a, and c during last 2 wk; 5) heat stress, diet a, and d during last 2 wk. Performance results were obtained by running each scenario 100 times, generating a new population per simulation. Results from scenarios 1) and 2 showed that heat stress in the last 2 wk reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADFI and average daily gain of pigs fed diet a by 790 g/d and 310 g/d, respectively. This resulted in a decrease of 4.79 kg in final BW, an increase of 0.64% lean yield, and a decrease of 0.80 mm back-fat at slaughter (P &amp;lt; 0.05). An increased dietary SIDLys (3), NE (4), or both (5) during heat stress did not affect BW compared with scenario 2 (P &amp;gt; 0.05). An increased NE (4) or NE and SIDLys (5) did not affect lean yield and back fat compared with scenario 2 (P &amp;gt; 0.1). But increased SIDLys during heat stress (3), increased lean yield (P = 0.04) and a trend in less back fat (P = 0.07) compared with scenario 2. In conclusion, pig performance was reduced with heat stress in the late finishing period. With the developed statistical tools, we determined from the simulations that none of the proposed strategies significantly increased final BW compared with the baseline (2). But feeding greater SIDLys will likely result in significantly greater lean yield and less back fat. When formulating diets with greater nutrient density attention to ingredient cost and pig prices should be considered.

Including dietary valine and tryptophan, but not isoleucine, above the requirement for growing pigs may partly ameliorate negative effects of excess leucine from corn protein on nitrogen balance and growth performance

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that increasing concentrations of dietary L-valine, L-isoleucine, or L-tryptophan in diets containing excess leucine (Leu) from corn protein will alleviate negative effects of excess dietary Leu on N balance and growth performance of growing pigs. In Exp. 1, 72 barrows (body weight: 33.9 ± 2.6 kg) were housed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to 8 dietary treatments in a 12-day experiment. A basal diet based on corn and a high-protein corn product was formulated (16.9 mega joule/kg gross energy and 12.7 g/kg lysine). Two levels of crystalline L-isoleucine (0 or 1.0 g/kg), two levels of crystalline L-valine (0 or 1.0 g/kg), and two levels of crystalline L-tryptophan (0 or 0.5 g/kg) were added to the basal diet for a total of 8 diets that were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial. Results indicated that fecal N output increased if isoleucine (Ile) was added to diets without adding valine (Val), but that was not the case if Val was added (interaction, P < 0.05). Isoleucine addition to diets reduced N retention, but N retention increased with tryptophan (Trp) addition to diets without valine addition, but not if Trp was added to diets with added Val (interaction, P < 0.05). The biological value of protein increased if Trp was added to diets without addition of Ile, but if Ile was added, Trp addition did not increase the biological value of protein (interaction, P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, a total of 288 growing pigs (body weight: 28.6 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 9 dietary treatments in a 28-day growth performance experiment. There were 2 barrows and 2 gilts per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. A control diet based on corn and soybean meal (16.5 mega joule/kg gross energy and 11.1 g/kg lysine) was used in Exp. 2 in addition to the 8 diets used in Exp. 1. Results indicated that final body weight and average daily gain of pigs fed the control diet were greater (P < 0.001) than for pigs fed all other diets, except pigs fed the diet with addition of both L-valine and L-tryptophan. Pigs fed the control diet also had greater (P < 0.001) plasma concentrations of Trp and Val than pigs fed the basal diet or diets not containing L-tryptophan or L-valine, respectively. In conclusion, adding Ile alone reduced N retention, but adding Trp alone or in combination with Ile or Val increased N retention. The combination of Val and Trp supplementation may be beneficial for preventing detrimental effects of excess Leu on growth performance of pigs.

PSXIII-2 Effects of Probiotic Lactobacillus Rhamnosus on Growth Performance, Diarrhea Frequency, and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Weaned Pigs

Abstract Probiotics are microorganisms which have positive effects on human and animal gut health, and generally recognized as safe ingredients. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) on growth performance, diarrhea frequency, and blood biochemical parameters of weaned pigs. A total of 100 weaned pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 7.99 ± 0.85 kg of initial body weight (BW); 28 days old] were used in a 28-day trial. All pigs were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (block: initial BW) and there were 10 replication pens in each treatment with 5 pigs/pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: 1) a commercial weaner diet based on corn-soybean meal (CON), and 2) CON + 0.02% probiotic LR IDCC 3201 (PRO). All pigs were housed in an environmental controlled room and had free access to feed and water throughout the experimental period. Probiotic LR was obtained from commercial company (ILDONG Bioscience Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea). Pigs BW was individually measured on day 1, 7, 14, and 28, and feed consumption was recorded on a pen basis on the same day to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Diarrhea frequency was recorded by visual observation for 2 weeks after weaning and calculated as a percentage. Blood samples for biochemical parameters were collected from randomly selected one pig per pen on day 28 and analyzed by specific kit and clinical auto analyzer. Analysis items were total protein, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, albumin, and creatinine. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS. Experimental unit was a pen. Statistical model for every measurement included dietary treatment as a main effect and initial BW as a covariate. The Chi-square test was used for diarrhea frequency. During day 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 1 to 14 and overall experiment date, ADG of pigs that fed PRO was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those fed CON. Pigs fed PRO had increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) G:F during day 1 to 7 and 1 to 14 compared with those fed CON. Pigs fed PRO tended to have less (P &amp;lt; 0.10) diarrhea frequency during the first week of experiment than those fed CON. On blood biochemical parameters, pigs that fed PRO had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) concentrations of Ca (mg/dL) on day 28 than those fed CON. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of probiotic LR in weaner diet improved growth performance, reduced diarrhea frequency, and modulated blood biochemical parameters.

Effects of supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on performance, systemic immunity, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic enterotoxigenic E. coli F18.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus (B.) amyloliquefaciens on growth performance, diarrhea, systemic immunity, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs experimentally infected with F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). A total of 50 weaned pigs (7.41 ± 1.35 kg BW) were individually housed and randomly allotted to one of the following five treatments: sham control (CON-), sham B. amyloliquefaciens (BAM-), challenged control (CON+), challenged B. amyloliquefaciens (BAM+), and challenged carbadox (AGP+). The experiment lasted 28 days, with 7 days of adaptation and 21 days after the first ETEC inoculation. ETEC challenge reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of pigs. Compared with CON+, AGP+ enhanced (P < 0.05) ADG, while B. amyloliquefaciens supplementation tended (P < 0.10) to increase ADG in pigs from days 0 to 21 post-inoculation (PI). The ETEC challenge increased (P < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) count on days 7 and 21 PI, while BAM+ pigs tended (P < 0.10) to have low WBC on day 7 PI and had lower (P < 0.05) WBC on day 21 PI compared with CON+. In comparison to AGP+ fecal microbiota, BAM+ had a lower (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae on day 0 and Clostridiaceae on day 21 PI, but a higher (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Enterobacyeriaceae on day 0. In ileal digesta, the Shannon index was higher (P < 0.05) in BAM+ than in AGP+. Bray-Curtis PCoA displayed a difference in bacterial community composition in ileal digesta collected from sham pigs vs. ETEC-infected pigs on day 21 PI. Pigs in BAM+ had a greater (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Firmicutes, but a lower (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Actinomycetota and Bacteroidota in ileal digesta than pigs in AGP+. Ileal digesta from AGP+ had a greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 but lower (P < 0.05) Bifidobacterium than pigs in BAM+. In conclusion, supplementation of B. amyloliquefaciens tended to increase ADG and had limited effects on the diarrhea of ETEC-infected pigs. However, pigs fed with B. amyloliquefaciens exhibit milder systemic inflammation than controls. B. amyloliquefaciens differently modified the intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs compared with carbadox.

Postpartum meloxicam administration to sows but not split-suckling increases piglet growth and reduces clinical incidence of disease in suckling piglets.

Each suckling pig should receive ≥200 g of colostrum within the first 24 h of life, but with increased litter size this is now difficult to achieve. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of split-suckling and postpartum meloxicam provision to sows as a means of ensuring adequate colostrum intake, on growth and health in pigs pre- and postweaning. One hundred and four sows (Large White × Landrace) and their litters, averaging 16.3 piglets born alive, were assigned to one of four treatments in a two-by-two factorial arrangement. Factors were provision of meloxicam (yes/no; Mel/N-Mel) and split-suckling (yes/no; Split/N-Split). Meloxicam was administered intramuscularly at 0.4 mg/kg body weight to sows on release of the placenta (~2 h postpartum). Split-suckling commenced 4 h after birth of the first piglet, with the six heaviest piglets removed from the sow for 1 h to allow the lightest piglets to suckle. This was repeated after 1.5 h. Pigs were weighed at birth and at days 1, 6, 14, and 27 after birth and at days 6, 14, 21, 28, 47, and 129 postweaning. Carcass data were collected at slaughter. Medication usage was recorded from birth to slaughter. There was a split-suckling by meloxicam interaction effect at days 1 to 6 (P < 0.001) and days 6 to 14 (P < 0.001) after birth. Meloxicam administration had no effect on average daily gain (ADG) when split-suckling was applied; however, when split-suckling was not applied, postpartum meloxicam administration increased ADG. There was a meloxicam × split-suckling interaction for ADG from weaning to day 6 postweaning (P = 0.03). Meloxicam increased ADG when split-suckling was applied but not in its absence. Carcass weight was increased by meloxicam (P = 0.01) but was not affected by split-suckling (P > 0.05). Meloxicam use in sows reduced the number of clinical cases of disease (P = 0.04) in suckling pigs which tended to reduce the volume of antibiotics (P = 0.08) and anti-inflammatories (P = 0.08) administered. Split-suckling had no effect on medication usage in sows and piglets during lactation but increased their use from weaning to slaughter. In conclusion, postpartum administration of meloxicam to sows is an easily implemented strategy. It reduced clinical cases of disease, increased ADG in pigs during the first two weeks of life and early postweaning and increased carcass weight at slaughter. However, no split-suckling benefit was observed.

Weanling pigs consume more feed if hybrid rye replaces corn in diets, but average daily gain and fecal scores are not impacted by hybrid rye.

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that growth performance and health status of pigs will not be reduced if hybrid rye is included in diets at the expense of corn during the initial 5 wk post-weaning. A total of 128 weanling pigs (5.6 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly allotted to 32 pens and 4 dietary treatments. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 35 d in three phases with days 1 to 7 being phase 1, days 8 to 21 being phase 2, and days 22 to 35 being phase 3. Within each phase, a control diet primarily based on corn and soybean meal was formulated, and three additional diets were formulated by including 8.0, 16.0, or 24.0% (phase 1), 16.0, 32.0, or 48.0% (phase 2), and 20.0, 40.0, or 60.3% (phase 3) hybrid rye in the diet at the expense of corn. Pig weights were recorded at the start and conclusion of each phase, fecal scores were visually assessed every other day on a pen basis, and blood samples were obtained from 1 pig per pen on days 21 and 35. Results indicated that average daily gain (ADG) in phase 1 increased (linear, P < 0.05) as the inclusion of hybrid rye increased, but no other differences in ADG were observed. Average daily feed intake linearly increased in phase 1, phase 3, and overall (P < 0.05) as hybrid rye inclusion increased in the diets, and gain:feed was negatively impacted by the inclusion of hybrid rye in the diet (phase 1, linear, P < 0.05; phases 2, 3, and overall, quadratic, P < 0.05). No differences in average fecal scores or diarrhea incidence were observed. On days 21 and 35, blood urea N increased (linear, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye increased in the diets; and on day 21, serum total protein also increased (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing hybrid rye inclusion in the diet. Mean blood hemoglobin concentration on day 35 increased and then decreased as hybrid rye inclusion increased (quadratic, P < 0.05). On day 21, interleukin (IL) 2 and IL 10 decreased and then increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye inclusion increased. On day 35, IL 8 and IL 12 increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) and interferon-gamma decreased and then increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) as hybrid rye inclusion increased. In conclusion, the ADG of pigs was not different among treatments, but at the highest hybrid rye inclusion level, pigs consumed more feed than if corn was fed and gain:feed was reduced with increasing hybrid rye in diets. Differences in blood serum cytokines indicate the immune system was affected differently when hybrid rye instead of corn was fed.

Growth performance of weanling pigs fed diets containing spray-dried bovine plasma or hydrolyzed spray-dried bovine plasma

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary inclusion of enzymatically hydrolyzed spray-dried bovine plasma (H-SDBP) is as effective as non-hydrolyzed spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP) for increasing growth performance of weanling pigs housed in uncleaned pens. A control diet based on corn, soybean meal, and 90 g/kg soy protein concentrate (SPC) was formulated. Four diets containing either SDBP (i.e., 25 or 50 g/kg) or H-SDBP (i.e., 28 or 56 g/kg) that partially or fully replaced SPC were also formulated. A randomized complete block design with 240 weanling pigs (6.52 ± 0.98 kg), five diets, four pigs per pen, and 12 replicate pens per diet was used. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 14 days post-weaning, whereas a common phase 2 diet was fed to pigs from day 15–42 post-weaning. Results indicated that from day 1–14, fully replacing SPC with SDBP or H-SDBP increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), and ending body weight of pigs. During this period, linear (P < 0.01) increases in ADG, G:F, and body weight of pigs were also observed as dietary concentrations of SDBP increased. When pigs were fed the common diet from day 15–42, final body weight of pigs increased (linear, P < 0.05) for pigs fed SDBP or H-SDBP in phase 1. For the overall experimental period, ADG of pigs linearly increased (P < 0.05) as dietary concentration of both plasma sources increased in phase 1 diets. From day 8–14, and from day 1–14, fecal scores of pigs were reduced (linear, P < 0.05) as the concentration of SDBP increased in the diet. Partially replacing SPC with H-SDBP also reduced (P < 0.05) fecal scores of pigs from day 8–14. In conclusion, both plasma sources were effective for increasing pig growth performance and reducing diarrhea in the post-weaning period.

Effects of Tetrabasic Zinc Chloride on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Fecal Microbial Community in Weaned Piglets.

The study was conducted to explore the effects of tetrabasic zinc chloride (TBZC), as an alternative to zinc oxide (ZnO), on growth performance, serum indexes, and fecal microbiota of weaned piglets. A total of 108 weaned piglets (average initial body weight of 7.84 ± 0.97 kg) were randomly allocated into one of three dietary treatments with six replicate pens and six piglets per pen. The dietary treatments included a control diet (CON, negative control), a ZnO diet (CON + 1,600 mg Zn/kg from ZnO, positive control), and a TBZC diet (CON + 1,000 mg Zn/kg from TBZC). The average daily gain of pigs in the TBZC group was greater (P < 0.05) than those in CON and ZnO groups during the whole period. Piglets fed the ZnO and TBZC diets showed lower (P < 0.05) diarrhea incidence than those fed the CON diet during d 1-14 and the whole period. Piglets fed the TBZC diet had higher (P < 0.05) digestibility of crude protein and gross energy than those fed the CON diet. Serum concentrations of IGF-I and GH, as well as ALP activity, were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in the TBZC treatment group compared to the CON group on d 14. Piglets fed the ZnO diet had greater (P < 0.05) acetate and total short-chain fatty acids concentrations, while the TBZC diet had greater (P < 0.05) fecal acetate and propionate concentrations on d 28. Moreover, TBZC supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) microbial α-diversity compared with the CON group. The fecal microbiota of piglets in ZnO and TBZC treatment groups tended (P = 0.08) to have greater relative abundance of Prevotellaceae compared with the CON piglets. In conclusion, TBZC acted as a suitable alternative to ZnO to reduce zinc excretion, and improve growth performance of weaned piglets.

Dietary Aronia melanocarpa Pomace Supplementation Enhances the Expression of ZO-1 and Occludin and Promotes Intestinal Development in Pigs.

A fruit juice production byproduct, Aronia melanocarpa pomace (AMP) is rich in natural polyphenol antioxidant components. The objectives of this study were to study the effects of dietary AMP supplementation on the feeding outcome and intestinal barrier function of pigs. In total, 27 growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, ~60 days, average weight of 27.77 ± 2.87 kg, males and females included at random) were randomly allotted to 3 treatment groups, with 3 repetitions per group and 3 pigs per repetition. At the experiment completion, 2 pigs (close to the average body weight of all experimental pigs) per replicate were slaughtered. The control group (CON group) was fed a basic diet, and the experimental groups were fed 4% (4% AMP group) and 8% (8% AMP group) AMP in the basic diet. These pigs were prefed for 3 days, and the formal experiments were performed for 7 weeks. The results showed that compared with the CON diet, the 4% AMP supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain of pigs (P < 0.05). Regarding intestinal development, 4% AMP significantly increased the jejunal villus height/crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05), and different AMP levels had no significant effect on the pig cecum morphology. Different AMP levels significantly decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria (P < 0.05). Regarding other microbial genera, 4% AMP supplementation significantly increased the levels of Lachnospira, Solobacterium, Romboutsia and other beneficial microorganisms (P < 0.05). Different AMP levels significantly decreased the relative abundances of the opportunistic pathogens Escherichia-Shigella and Pseudoscardovia (P < 0.05) and increased the contents of acetic acid and butyric acid in the pig cecal contents (P < 0.05). Compared with the CON treatment, 4% AMP supplementation significantly downregulated the jejunal gene expression of porcine proinflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) and significantly upregulated the jejunal gene expression of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, 4% AMP supplementation in feed is beneficial to overall pig health and growth.

PSII-14 Effect of Hydrolyzed Spray-Dried Bovine Plasma and Spray-Dried Bovine Plasma Sources on Growth Performance of Weanling Pigs

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that hydrolyzed spray-dried plasma (H-SDBP) perform similar to spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP) in diets for weanling pigs with respect to growth performance of pigs housed in unsanitary pens. A control diet based on corn, soybean meal, and 9% soy protein concentrate (SPC) was formulated. Four diets containing either SDBP (i.e., 2.5 or 5.0%) or H-SDBP (i.e., 2.8 or 5.6%) that partially or fully replaced SPC were also formulated. A randomized complete block design with 240 weanling pigs (6.52 ± 0.98 kg), 5 diets, 4 pigs per pen, and 12 replicate pens per diet was used. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for the first 14 d, whereas a common phase 2 diet was fed to pigs from d 15 to 42. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure of SAS with diet as the fixed effect and weaning group as the random effect. Linear effects of SDBP and H-SDBP on growth performance were also determined using contrast statements. From d 1 to 14, fully replacing SPC with SDBP or H-SDBP increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), gain:feed, and body weight of pigs (Table 1). During this period, linear (P &amp;lt; 0.01) increases in ADG, gain:feed, and body weight of pigs were also observed as dietary concentrations of SDBP increased. When pigs were fed the common diet from d 15 to 42, final body weight of pigs was increased (linear, P &amp;lt; 0.05) as concentration of SDBP or H-SDBP increased in the diet. Overall, ADG of pigs linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) as dietary concentration of both plasma sources increased. In conclusion, both plasma sources are effective in increasing pig growth performance.

Effect of ambient temperature on average daily gain of pigs evaluated using public weather data and a plateau-linear regression model.

We performed a plateau-linear regression model analysis of the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs on daily average temperature at the end of performance testing (T). Records for performance testing between 30 kg and 105 kg of 2268 purebred Duroc pigs raised at the National Livestock Breeding Center Miyazaki Station were used. Off-farm ambient temperatures were measured at the nearest Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System station at Kobayashi, Miyazaki (Kobayashi station). A plateau-linear regression equation was obtained in which ADG decreased by 12.6g for every 1°C when T > 21.1°C. We calculated the expected age in day at the end of testing (D105) using the regression equation obtained and T observed at the Kobayashi station in 2020. The number of days that D105 was prolonged due to higher T was 125 days, corresponding to approximately one third of the year. These results could contribute to planning and management of stable pork production in response to heat in Japan.

A time-series effect of phytase supplementation on phosphorus utilization in growing and finishing pigs fed a low-phosphorus diet.

Two experiments were carried out to determine a time-series effect of phytase on phosphorus (P) utilization in growing and finishing pigs using growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, P excretion, and plasma concentrations of minerals as the response criteria for evaluation. In both experiments, treatments were arranged as a 3 × 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design with 3 corn-soybean meal-based diets including a P-adequate positive control (PC), a low-P negative control (NC; no inorganic P), and NC supplemented with phytase at 1,000 FYT/kg (NC + 1,000); and 4 sampling time points at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 in experiment 1, and days 14, 26, 42, and 55 in experiment 2. In both trials, 96 growing pigs with average body weight (BW) of 19.8 ± 1.16 and 49.8 ± 3.21 kg, respectively, were allocated to the 3 diets with 8 replicates pens (4 barrows and 4 gilts) and 4 pigs per pen. In experiment 1, pigs fed the PC had higher (P < 0.01) BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) when compared with pigs fed the NC. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between time and diet on the BW and ADG of pigs while a linear and quadratic increase (P < 0.01) was observed with the ADFI and G:F, respectively, over time. Phytase supplementation improved (P < 0.01) all growth performance responses. Pigs fed the PC had greater (P < 0.01) ATTD of P and Ca than pigs fed the NC. There was no interaction effect on the ATTD of nutrients. Phytase addition improved the ATTD of P and Ca over pigs fed the NC. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between diet and time on the total and water-soluble P (WSP) excreted. There was a quadratic decrease (P < 0.01) in plasma concentration of Ca in pigs over time. In experiment 2, there was a quadratic increase (P < 0.01) in BW, ADG, and G:F of pigs over time. Similarly, the inclusion of phytase improved (P < 0.05) all growth performance parameters except ADFI. A linear increase (P < 0.05) in the ATTD of DM, P, and Ca occurred over time. Phytase inclusion improved (P < 0.01) the ATTD of P and Ca. Plasma concentrations of P were improved by phytase addition. Phytase supplementation of the NC reduced WSP excretion by 45%, 32%, and 35% over the growing, finishing, and entire grow-finish period, respectively. In conclusion, phytase improves the utilization of P in growing and finishing pigs; however, the magnitude of effect on responses may vary over time.

PSXVI-1 Effect of dietary poppy seed meal supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and blood profile in growing-finishing pigs

Abstract Yeast products are extensively used as additives in livestock feed to improve their growth performance and intestinal health. A total of 90 crossbred finishing pigs were allocated to one of three treatments according to their BW and sex (2 barrows and 2 gilts) with 6 replicates per treatment and 5 pigs per pen for eight weeks. The dietary treatments were CON -basal diet, CON + 0.05% yeast hydrolysate (YH), CON + 0.1% YH. The yeast hydrolysate supplement used in this study was commercially prepared in the name of CALMORIN. The active ingredients of YH were 40% of crude protein, 3.5% of nucleotides, 23% of β-glucans,4.9% glutamic acid, and 15% of mannan-oligosaccharides. Data were subjected to the statistical analysis as a complete randomized design using the GLM procedures of SAS and the pen was used as the experimental unit. Linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts were performed to determine the effects yeast in the diet with P &amp;lt; 0.05 indicating significance. Dietary inclusion of YH supplement linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) body weight and average daily gain of pigs at wk 4,8, and overall trail period (respectively). Moreover, apparent total digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy showed linear (P &amp;lt; 0.05) improvement in pigs fed graded level of YH supplementation. Also, the inclusion of YH supplementation linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the fecal microbial lactobacillus population. Furthermore, during the end of the trial, pigs fed YH tended to linearly increase (P &amp;lt; 0.05) backfat thickness and lean meat percentage and linearly reduce drip loss (P &amp;gt; 0.05) from meat sample on day 3 and 5 of storage. In conclusion the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, lactobacillus count, and meat quality of finishing pigs were positively enhanced by yeast hydrolysate supplement in the diet.

Modulation of jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in relation to intestinal health and nutrient digestibility in pigs by supplementation of β-glucanase to corn-soybean meal-based diets with xylanase.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of β-glucanase on the modulation of jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in relation to nutrient digestibility and intestinal health of pigs fed diets with 30% corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles and xylanase. Forty pigs at 12.4 ± 0.5 kg body weight (BW) were allotted in a randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet with xylanase (1,500 endo-pentosanase units [EPU]/kg) and increasing levels of β-glucanase (0, 200, 400, and 600 U/kg) meeting nutrient requirements and fed to pigs for 21 d. Blood samples were collected on day 19. On day 21, all pigs were euthanized to collect intestinal tissues and digesta. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and malondialdehyde were measured in the plasma and mid-jejunal mucosa. Viscosity was determined using digesta from the distal jejunum. Ileal and rectal digesta were evaluated to determine apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients. Mucosa samples from the mid-jejunum were utilized for microbiota sequencing. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure on SAS 9.4. Overall, increasing dietary β-glucanase tended to increase (linear; P = 0.077) the average daily gain of pigs. Increasing dietary β-glucanase affected (quadratic; P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, reduced (linear; P < 0.05) Helicobacter rappini, and increased (linear, P < 0.05) Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. β-Glucanase supplementation (0 vs. others) tended to increase (P = 0.096) the AID of crude protein in the diet, whereas increasing dietary β-glucanase tended to increase (linear; P = 0.097) the ATTD of gross energy in the diet and increased (linear; P < 0.05) the concentration of IL-6 in the plasma of pigs. In conclusion, increasing β-glucanase up to 600 U/kg feed in a diet containing xylanase (1,500 EPU/kg) modulated mucosa-associated microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing potentially harmful bacteria. Furthermore, increasing β-glucanase up to 600 U/kg feed in a diet containing xylanase (1,500 EPU/kg feed) enhanced the status of the intestinal environment and nutrient utilization, as well as reduced systemic inflammation of pigs, collectively resulting in moderate improvement of growth performance. Supplementing β-glucanase at a range of 312 to 410 U/kg with xylanase at 1,500 EPU/kg feed showed the most benefit on jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota and reduced systemic inflammation of pigs.

Effects of Achyranthes japonica extract on the performance of finishing pigs fed diets containing palm kernel meal and rapeseed meal as a partial alternative to soybean meal.

A total of 120 finishing pigs with an average initial body weight of 49.72±0.08kg (mean±SD) were used in a 10weeks trial. Pigs were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments (6 replicate pen/treatment, 5 pigs/pen). The nutritional dietary treatments were corn, soy bean meal, palm- kernel meal, and rapeseed meal based basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20% of Achyranthes japonica extract (AJE). Dietary inclusion of AJE supplementation had trend to increase the body weight and average daily gain of pigs at week 10 and the overall experimental period, respectively. The graded level of AJE supplement had increase the total track digestibility dry matter (p=0.067) only at week5 while nitrogen and energy digestibility (p<0.05) was linearly increased at both weeks 5 and 10. During week 10, pigs fed with an increased level of AJE supplementation had linearly increase (p < 0.05) fecal Lactobacillus counts. In addition, AJE supplementation in the diet of finishing pigs had linearly decreased (p > 0.05) NH3 emission of gas and trend to decrease total mercaptans during week 10. Dietary inclusion of AJE supplement resulted in a linear increase in the blood protein concentration level. Moreover, drip loss was linearly reduced on day 5 and day 7 (p > 0.05) post slaughter in finishing pigs fed with gradually increased levels of AJE supplementation. During weeks 5 and 10, pigs fed with graded levels of AJE supplementation had linearly increase (p<0.05) the backfat thickness and lean meat percentage. Therefore we conclude that dietary inclusion of AJE with palm kernel meal and rapeseed meal could be benificial to enhance the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, blood prolife, meat quality and reduced fecal gas emission in finishing pigs.

Effects of graded levels of xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs) supplementation on growth performance, serum parameters, small intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal integrity, and immune function in weaned piglets. A total of 240 weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 8.82 ± 0.05 kg (28 d of age) were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments in a 28-d trial, including a control (CON) diet and three diets with XOS supplementation at the concentration of 100 (XOS100), 500 (XOS500), and 1,000 (XOS1000) mg/kg. There were four replicates per treatment with 15 pigs per pen. From day 1 to 14, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio (G:F) during the different treatments. The different doses of XOSs showed a quadratic effect on BW on day 28, ADG, and G:F on day 1 to 28 of piglets (P < 0.05). From day 15 to 28, ADG of pigs fed the XOS500 diet was higher (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the CON diet. During the overall period (day 1 to 28), pigs fed the XOS500 diet had a higher BW, ADG, and G:F than pigs fed the CON diet (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the CON group, the XOS500 group had significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity, total superoxide dismutase and catalase levels, and lower malondialdehyde levels on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in the XOS500 group was also significantly higher compared with the CON group on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). However, serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M were not affected by the dietary treatments. Supplementation of XOS500 to the feed significantly increased the villus height (VH) and VH to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum in comparison with the CON and XOS1000 groups. Moreover, the XOS500 group significantly elevated the expression levels of occludin and zonula occludens protein-1 in the ileum compared with the CON group. The ileal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression levels in the XOS100 and XOS500 groups were markedly lower than in the CON group. In contrast, the ileal IL-10 mRNA expression levels were remarkably higher in the XOS500 than in the CON group. In conclusion, XOSs have a beneficial effect on growth performance by improving serum antioxidant defense system, serum IgG, small intestinal structure, and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets.

МОРФО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СТАТУС МОЛОДНЯКА СВИНЕЙ НА ОТКОРМЕ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ В ИХ РАЦИОНАХ КОРМОВЫХ ДОБАВОК «ПОЛИСОЛ ОМЕГА-3» И «ОМЕГА-3 АКТИВ»

The article describes results of application of «Polysol Omega-3» and «Omega-3 Active» feed additives in rations of young pigs during fattening period and their influence on hematological and biochemical parameters of animals‘ blood. The research was carried out at the pig breeding complex SPK named after N.K. Krupskaya of Melekesskyi district of Ulyanovsk region. The basis of «Omega-3 Active» supplement is flaxseed oil, which contains 60% of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the prevailing proportion of Omega-3. The feed mixture «Polysol Omega-3» includes fatty acids in combination with a complex of biologically active and mineral substances. In addition to studying the productivity and quality of pig production, the study of the effect of these additives on morpho- biochemical status of blood and, in particular, lipid metabolism is of scientific interest. The results of the analysis showed that in case of application of these feed additives in the rations of young pigs, the concentration of erythrocytes in their blood was higher in comparison with control analogs by 1.13 ... 3.56 %, hemoglobin by 7.97 ... 14.15 % (P &lt;0.01), the total protein content by 6 , 75 ... 7.88 %. This is confirmed by improvement of redox processes and metabolism in their bodies. The ration enrichment with the analyzed additives contributed to better usage of fats in feed, which is confirmed by the studied parametres of lipid metabolism (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides). The activation of biosynthetic processes had a positive effect on average daily gain of pigs, as a result of which the early maturity of animals increased by 9 ... 23 days