Corn-soybean Meal Research Articles

PSXIII-8 Effects of Dietary Lactobacillus Reuteri on Immune Responses, Blood Profiles, Intestinal Morphology, and Ileal Gene Expression of Weaned Pigs

Abstract Weaning period is critical for gut health and immunity of pigs due to negative effect of weaning stress. Probiotics can be a potential alternative to antibiotics. However, there is limited information on potential mechanism of gut health and immunity of dietary Lactobacillus reuteri. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Lactobacillus reuteri on immune responses, blood profiles, intestinal morphology, and ileal gene expression of weaned pigs. A total of 48 weaned pigs [average initial body weight (BW) = 6.51 ± 0.87 kg; 21 days old] were allotted to 2 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (block: initial BW and sex). Dietary treatments had 6 replicate pens with 4 pigs per pen and fed for 4 weeks. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal weaner diet based on corn-soybean meal (CON) and CON supplemented with 0.02% Lactobacillus reuteri IDCC 3701 (LR). The LR was obtained from a commercial company (ILDONG Bioscience Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea). Blood samples were collected from randomly selected one pig per pen on day 1, 7, 14, and 28. Serum was obtained from the blood sample to measure immune responses. On the last day of the experiment, the pigs were euthanized to collect small intestinal segments for intestinal morphology. Ileal mucosa were collected from ileal tissue for gene expression analysis. Measurements were serum cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using ELISA kits, blood profiles using an automated hematology analyzer, intestinal morphology using hematoxylin and eosin method, and ileal gene expression of tight junction proteins and inflammatory cytokines using qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed by using PROC GLM of SAS. Experimental unit was a pen. Statistical model for immune responses, blood profiles, and intestinal morphology included dietary treatments as a main effect and initial BW as a covariate. The t-test was used for the comparison of ileal gene expression. Pigs fed LR had drecreased (P < 0.05) serum TNF-α and IL-6 on day 7 and serum TGF-β1 on day 14 than those fed CON. In addition, pigs fed LR had greater (P < 0.05) hemoglobin concentration on day 7 than those fed CON, but had reduced (P < 0.05) hematocrit on day 14. Pigs fed LR had greater (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum than those fed CON. The LR upregulated (P < 0.05) claudin-1 gene compared with CON, but downregulated (P < 0.05) interleukin-8 and TNF-α genes. In conclusion, addition of dietary Lactobacillus reuteri in weaner diets improved intestinal morphology, modulated blood profiles and immune responses, and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines.

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 < 0.05) than those fed CON. Pigs fed PRO had increased (P < 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 < 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 < 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 different levels of organic chromium and selenomethionine cocktails in broilers.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in physiological processes by regulating the antioxidant defense system and enhancing immunity. Chromium is an essential mineral involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and also plays a role in maintaining normal insulin function. Based on these advantages, we hypothesized that the addition of selenomethionine (SeMet) and organic chromium (OC) to broiler diets would increase Se deposition, antioxidant capacity and immune response in meat. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of OC and SeMet on growh performance, nutrients digestibility, blood profiles, intestinal morphology, meat quality characteristics, and taxonomic analysis of broilers. A total of 168 one-day-old broiler chicken (Arbor Acres) were randomly allotted to 3 groups based on the initial body weight of 37.33 ± 0.24 g with 7 replicate per 8 birds (mixed sex). The experiments period was 28 days. Dietary treatments were folloewd: Basal diets based on corn-soybean meal (CON), basal diet supplemented with 0.2 ppm OC and 0.2 ppm SeMet (CS4), and basal diet supplemented with 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet (CS8). Supplementation of OC and SeMet did not affect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility. However, CS8 supplementation increased in duodenum villus height and villus height : crypt depth, and increased in breast meat Se deposition. In addition, CS8 group showed higher uric acid and total antioxidant status than CON group. Taxonomic analysis at phylum level revealed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes of CS4 and CS8 were lower than CON group. In genus level, the relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Enterococcus of CS4 and CS8 groups were higher than CON group. In short, 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet supplementation to broiler diet supporitng positive gut microbiome change, also enhancing antioxidant capacity, and Se deposition in breast meat.

PSIII-19 Effect of Dietary Clay Mineral and Organic Selenium Supplementation on Broilers

Abstract Selenium is an essential trace element that has several important biological roles in humans, including regulation of the antioxidant defense system, improving immunity, and maintaining body homeostasis. However, in countries with densely populated populations around the world, selenium intake is less than the recommended daily intake due to a lack of selenium in the soil. So, we hypothesized that the addition of organic selenium and clay minerals to broiler feed would increase selenium concentration in the meat as well as antioxidant capacity and immune response. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of clay minerals and organotaselenium on growth performance, digestibility, intestinal morphology, blood characteristics, fecal microbiome, foot-pad dermatitis and meat quality characteristics of broilers. A total of 168 1-d old broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were randomly assigned to 3 groups based on the initial body weight (37.33 ± 0.24 g) with 7 replicate per 8 birds (mixed sex). The experiments period was 28 d. Dietary treatments were: basal diets based on corn-soybean meal (Control group), basal diet supplemented with 1000 ppm zeolite and 0.2 ppm seleno-methionine (Treatment 1), and basal diet supplemented with 1000 ppm zeolite and 0.4 ppm seleno-methionine (Treatment 2). Supplementation of zeolite and seleno-methionine did not affect (P > 0.05) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, foot-pad dermatitis. However, increasing level of seleno-metionine showed linear increase (P < 0.05) in villus height/crypt depth ratio of duodenum and selenium concentration in breast meat. Also, increasing level of seleno-methionine showed linear decrease (P < 0.05) in blood uric acid. Total genomic DNA was used to assess the fecal microbiota diversity and composition using the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. There were differences in alpha diversity and beta diversity in fecal microbiomes among treatments (P < 0.05). Taxonomic analysis at phylum level revealed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes of Treatment 1 and Treatment 2 were significantly less than control group. In genus level, the relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Enterococcus of Treatment groups were greater than control group. In short, 1000 ppm zeolite and 0.4 ppm seleno-methionine supplementation to broiler diet supported positive gut microbime change, and enhanced antioxidant capacity, and concentration of selenium in muscle.

132 The Effects of Increasing Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Levels on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of 11- to 133-kg Late-Nursery-to-Finish Pigs Sired by PIC 800 Boars

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) levels on growth performance and carcass characteristics of late-nursery-to-finish pigs sired by PIC 800 boars. Barrows and gilts [n = 1,00; PIC800×Camborough, initial body weight (BW) = 10.9 ± 0.39 kg] were used in a 142-d growth trial with 40 mixed sex pens, 10 pens per treatment, and 25 pigs per pen. At the beginning of the trial, pens were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to one of four treatments (overall dietary SID Lys level as 87, 95, 102, or 110% of PIC SID Lys recommendations) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based, and treatments were achieved through the inclusion of SBM with adjustments of corn and choice white grease. Diets were fed in 7 phases (11-17, 17-34, 34-44, 44-57, 57-77, 77-95, and 95-133 kg) and formulated to be iso-caloric across treatments for each phase. Within each phase, only the diets of the least and greatest SID Lys levels were manufactured, and the diets of intermediate SID Lys levels were blended by the automatic feeding system in the research facility. Growth performance data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (Version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) and considered pen as the experimental unit. The statistical model considered fixed effects of SID Lys levels and random effects of the block. Mortality and removals were also analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure and specified a binomial distribution. All data are reported as least square means and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05 and marginally significant at P < 0.10. Increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels reduced overall average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.045) and increased overall gain-to-feed ratio (linear, P = 0.002), but there was no evidence for a difference across treatments for overall average daily gain (P > 0.10) or overall removal and mortality rate (Table 1; P >0.10). Pigs fed overall SID Lys level as 102% of PIC recommendation had significantly greater carcass yield compared with those fed 95 or 110% (P < 0.05), with the pigs fed 87% being intermediate. Increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels reduced backfat depth (linear, P< 0.001) and increased lean yield (linear, P = 0.012), but there was no evidence for a difference among treatments for loin depth (P > 0.10). In conclusion, increasing overall dietary SID Lys level beyond PIC recommendations through increasing SBM levels resulted in improved feed efficiency, backfat depth, and lean yield of 11 to 133 kg pigs sired by PIC 800 boars.

133 The Effects of Increasing Dietary Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Levels on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of 24- to 130-kg Grow-Finish Pigs Sired by PIC 800 Boars

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of increasing overall standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) levels on growth performance and carcass characteristics of grow-finish pigs sired by PIC 800 boars. A total of 1,715 barrows and gilts (PIC800×Camborough, initially 23.7±0.58 kg) were used in a 117-d growth trial with 70 mixed sex pens in two rooms (35 pens per room), 14 pens per treatment, and 23 to 25 pigs per pen. At the beginning of the trial, pens within each room were blocked by body weight and randomly allotted to one of five treatments (overall dietary SID Lys level as 80, 88, 94, 100, or 110% of PIC SID Lys recommendations) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based, and treatments were achieved through the inclusion of SBM with adjustments of corn and choice white grease inclusion rates. Diets were fed in 6 phases (24-47, 47-63, 63-75, 75-95, 95-113, and 113-130 kg) and formulated to be iso-caloric across treatment for each phase. Within each phase, only the diets of the lowest and highest SID Lys levels were manufactured, and the diets of intermediate SID Lys levels were blended by the automatic feeding system in the research facility. Growth performance data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (Version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) and considered pen as the experimental unit. The statistical model considered fixed effects of SID Lys levels and random effects of the block. Mortality and removals were also analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure and specified a binomial distribution. All data are reported as least square means and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05 and marginally significant at P < 0.10. Increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels marginally reduced average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.108) and increased gain-to-feed ratio (linear, P < 0.001), but there was no evidence for difference among treatments for average daily gain (P >0.10) or removal and mortality rate (Table 1; P > 0.10). There was no evidence for increasing overall dietary SID Lys levels affect hot carcass weight, carcass yield, backfat depth, loin depth, or lean yield. In conclusion, increasing overall dietary SID Lys level over PIC recommendations through increasing SBM levels resulted in improved feed efficiency of 24 to 130 kg pigs sired with PIC 800 boars, but there was no evidence for difference in the carcass characteristics.

303 Interactive Effects of Pelleting and Particle Size Reduction of Corn on Ileal Digestibility of Starch and Amino Acids in Corn-Soybean Meal Diets Fed to Pigs

Abstract The objective was to determine the interactive effects of particle size reduction and pelleting on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of starch and the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in corn-soybean meal diets fed to pigs. Six corn-soybean meal based diets were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial with 3 particle sizes of corn (i.e., 700, 500, or 300 μm) and 2 diet forms (i.e., meal or pelleted). An N-free diet was also used and there were, therefore, a total of 7 diets. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Pigs (n = 7; initial body weight = 59.30 kg; SD = 2.77) that were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to the 7 diets using a 7 × 7 Latin square design with 7 periods. Ileal digesta were collected for 2 days after 5 days of adaptation. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and pig and period as random effects. Contrast coefficients were used to determine effects of diet form, linear effects of particle size, and the interaction. Results indicated that the AID of starch was linearly increased (P = 0.001) with reduced particle size of corn and pelleted diets had greater (P = 0.029) AID of starch than meal diets (Table 1). The SID of Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, and Val linearly increased with reducing particle size, but the increase was greater in pelleted diets than in meal diets (interaction, P < 0.05). The SID of Arg, His, Ile, and Val also linearly increased (P < 0.05) as the particle size of corn was reduced, and the SID of all indispensable AA except Trp was greater (P < 0.05) in pelleted diets than in meal diets. In conclusion, reducing the particle size of corn from 700 to 300 μm increased the AID of starch and the SID of AA, but the AID of starch and the SID of most indispensable AA was greater in pelleted diets than in meal diets. If there were interactions, the effects of reducing particle size were greater when corn particle size was reduced from 500 to 300 μm in meal diets and from 700 to 500 μm in pelleted diets.

305 Dietary Carbohydrase Mixture Supplementation and Fiber Levels on Ileal Digestibility of Nutrients in Diets for Gestating Sows

Abstract Supplementation of multi-carbohydrase enzyme cocktails can increase nutrient digestibility of fibrous diets in grower pigs, particularly acting on dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Although NSP degrading enzymes are extensively used in sow diets, there is little data characterizing the NSP enzyme effects. Our previous work demonstrated a 10% increase in nutrient digestibility in diets fed to gestating sows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a carbohydrase mixture (CM) and dietary fiber level on standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of protein and amino acids (AA) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of NSP in gestation diets fed to pregnant sows. Ileal cannulas were placed in 12 gestating sows (Parity 0 to 2) who were allowed to recover for 1 week, then assigned to either a high (HF; 17.5% NDF) or low fiber (LF; 10% NDF) diet with one of 3 levels of CM supplementation (‘0’, ‘0.08’, and ‘0.10’%) or a nitrogen-free diet to determine ileal endogenous AA losses. Diets were corn-soybean meal based with soyhulls and corn DDGS as fiber sources and formulated to reflect industry-relevant diets. Thus, oil was included at 3% in HF to maintain similar formulated metabolizable energy content. Sows were fed once daily at 2.2 kg/d. Ileal digesta samples were collected for 12 h on 2 successive days following a 7-day adaptation period. At the end of digesta collection, sows were assigned a different diet in a new adaptation/digesta collection period. There were 5 collection periods for a total of 8 observations/diet. Digesta was analyzed for crude protein, amino acids, NSP, and titanium as the indigestible marker to determine AID and SID. There was no interaction between diet fiber level and CM supplementation. Carbohydrase mixture supplementation to gestating sow diets did not impact SID of crude protein and AA regardless of dietary fiber level. The SID of His, Ile, Lys, Phe, Thr, Trp, and Val were 3 to 6% lower (P < 0.09) in HF than LF independent of CM. There was no impact of fiber level on the average SID of amino acids in gestating sow diets which was 83.5%. Supplementation of CM did not impact AID of NSP components, but sows fed HF had greater AID of arabinose (LF: 26.5% vs HF: 40.6%), xylose (LF: 3.5% vs HF: 40.9%), and total NSP (LF: 25.9% vs HF: 40.0%) compared with sows fed LF (P < 0.05). Inclusion of CM in high fibrous gestating sow diets did not increase the SID of AA or AID of NSP, but a high fiber gestation diet reduced SID of AA. As such, differences in SID of AA should be considered when formulating high fibrous diets for gestating sows.

203 Effects of Feeding Varying Levels of Mycotoxin-Containing Corn Fines on Diet Choice and Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Abstract Mycotoxins in feed are known to negatively affect growth and other physiological processes in pigs. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding diets with varying levels of mycotoxins and boron (a nutrient reported to mitigate some aspects of mycotoxicosis). Screenings from the 2020 crop year corn contained mycotoxin levels of 23,038 ppb total fumonisin, 1,446 ppb zearalenone, and 5,032 ppb total deoxynivalenol (DON)l. The corn fines were added into a corn-soybean meal diet formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) nutrient requirements as a replacement for corn at 0, 10, and 20% for Diets 1-3. Diets 4-6 were Diets 1-3, respectively, plus 40 ppm boron from sodium tetraborate decahydrate (11.34% B). Diets 3 and 6 were formulated to approximate the cautionary levels of fumonisin and DON stated by the FDA. Exp. 1 used crossbred pigs (n = 144; mean initial BW = 10.20 ± 0.23 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to dietary treatments for a total of 6 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day growth performance trial. On day 21, serum was collected from the heaviest and lightest pig in each pen for clinical chemistry assessment. Exp. 2 used crossbred pigs (n = 48; mean initial BW = 9.18 kg ± 0.12 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment comparisons including: Comparison 1) Diet 1 vs. Diet 2; Comparison 2) Diet 1 vs. Diet 3; and Comparison 3) Diet 2 vs. Diet 3. There were a total of 4 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day preference trial. Performance and clinical chemistry data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Preference data were evaluated via t-test. Increasing mycotoxin levels in Exp. 1 had no effect on overall ADG, ADFI, and GF (Table 1; P = 0.16, 0.53, and 0.92, respectively). The increasing mycotoxin levels did effect glucose and cholesterol (P = 0.03, and P < 0.01, respectively). There was no effect of boron on the same performance measures (P = 0.81, 0.59, and 0.76, respectively) although it did decreaser serum glucose (P = 0.02). Exp. 2 demonstrated the barrows ability to discern between diets in Comparisons 2 and 3 (P < 0.01) for each week while gilts only started to exhibit that ability during Week 3 for Comparison 2 (P = 0.06). In conclusion, pigs can differentiate and choose between diets containing these mixed mycotoxins but when not given a choice, the pigs do not have different growth performance using the particular mycotoxins and within the framework of this assessment.

PSI-17 Interactive Effects of Folic Acid and Zinc Oxide on Nursery Pig Growth Performance

Abstract A total of 360 barrows (600×241, DNA; initially 5.5±0.029 kg) were used in a 38-d growth study to evaluate the effects of including increasing levels of folic acid (Rovimix Folic Acid, DSM, Parsippany, NJ) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn provided by zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance and fecal characteristics of nursery pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 19-d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. A total of 72 pens were used with 5 pigs/pen and 12 replications/treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 3×2 factorial with main effects of folic acid (0, 20, or 40 mg/kg) and ZnO (3,000 mg/kg of Zn in phase 1 and 2,000 mg/kg in phase 2, or no added Zn other than 110 mg/kg from the trace mineral premix). Diets were corn-soybean meal based and fed in 2 phases. A common phase 3 diet with no folic acid and 110mg/kg of Zn was fed to all pigs. No significant (P > 0.10) folic acid×ZnO interactions were observed. For the experimental period (d 0 to 24), pigs fed diets with pharmacological levels of Zn had improved (P ≤ 0.030; Table 1) d 24 BW, ADG, and ADFI. There was a quadratic (P < 0.05) response for d 24 BW, ADG, and ADFI where pigs were fed 20 mg/kg folic acid had poorer performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg. For the common period (d 24 to 38), pigs previously fed diets without pharmacological Zn had improved (P = 0.028) feed efficiency compared with pigs previously fed pharmacological levels of Zn. Additionally, a quadratic (P= 0.008) response was observed in ADG and ADFI when pigs were previously fed folic acid with pigs fed 20 mg/kg having poorer performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg. Overall (d 0 to 38), there was a quadratic (P ≤ 0.003) response in final BW, ADG, and ADFI when pigs were fed folic acid with pigs fed 20 mg/kg having reduced performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg; however, no overall differences (P > 0.10) were observed when pigs were fed diets with or without pharmacological levels of Zn in phase 1 and 2 diets. No statistical differences (P > 0.10) in mortality were observed when pigs were fed diets with or without pharmacological levels of Zn although pigs fed no supplemental folic acid had numerically the lowest mortality. Fecal DM percentage was greater (P = 0.007) on d 24 compared with d 9, with pigs fed diets with added Zn having reduced (P< 0.001) frequency of diarrhea presence. In conclusion, the addition of 40 mg/kg folic acid did not influence nursery pig performance, but a negative response was observed at 20 mg/kg, regardless of Zn inclusion in the diet.

199 Effects of an Additional Injection of Iron Administered to Piglets on Hemoglobin Concentration, Growth Performance, and Carcass Characteristics Through Market Weight

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of an additional injection of iron dextran (Uniferon, Pharmacosmos Inc.) administered at d 6 to 8 of age. Crossbred pigs [n = 144; equal barrows and gilts; initial body weight (BW) = 2.86 ± 0.01 kg] from 21 litters were assigned to either the control (CON) or an added-injection treatment (+Fe). Pigs were paired by sex and BW within a litter and randomly assigned to the iron treatment within each pair. All pigs had received a 200 mg Fe intramuscular (IM) injection < 24 h after birth. All pigs were weaned at 22 to 24 days, housed 6 pigs/pen for a total of 12 pens/treatment, and received a common corn-soybean meal diet formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (2012) requirement estimates relative to BW until slaughter. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded at least biweekly to determine average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (ADFI). Hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were measured at birth, initiation of experiment (d 6 to 8), weaning, and at the end of the nursery and finisher periods. At the time of slaughter, 1 pig/pen (n = 12 pigs/treatment) was selected and slaughtered for carcass characteristic measures. Data were subjected to ANOVA by the GLM procedure of SAS; the individual pig served as the experimental unit for BW, Hb, ADG, and carcass characteristics whereas pen served as the experimental unit for ADFI, and gain/feed ratio data. The statistical model included sex, treatment, sex × treatment, and allotment pair for Hb and ADG. There were expected sex effects for ADG but no sex × treatment interactions for any response measures. The +Fe pigs had a greater Hb at weaning (13.1 vs. 10.7 g/dL, P < 0.0001) and end of the nursery (12.1 vs. 11.7 g/dL, P = 0.01) compared with CON pigs (Table 1). During the finisher period, +Fe pigs had a greater ADG (P = 0.05) compared with CON pigs. Overall, pigs receiving the added iron injection had an ~ 4% increase in ADG (P = 0.04) from weaning to slaughter. The cumulative improvement in ADG from weaning to slaughter observed for +Fe group resulted in +Fe pigs having a heavier BW at the end of the experiment (115.77 vs. 112.79 kg; P = 0.04). Following slaughter, +Fe pigs had ~ 2.5% heavier cold carcass weight (82.99 vs. 80.93 kg; P = 0.34) and trimmed loin (10.67 vs. 9.95 kg; P = 0.04) compared with the CON pigs. In conclusion, administering an additional iron injection resulted in greater Hb at weaning and the end of the nursery as well as improved growth performance from weaning to slaughter weight and increased carcass measures at slaughter.

PSV-19 Evaluation of Dietary Fiber Inclusion on Body Weight, Body Condition, Fecal Score, and Metabolic Indicators in Mature AI Boars

Abstract This experiment was conducted at the Purdue University swine research and education center. The objective of this study was to determine if the inclusion of fiber (8.48% vs 14.85% NDF) in the diet influenced boar body weight, backfat depth, loin depth, Knauer sow caliper measurement, flank to flank distance, and visual body condition score (BCS). Twenty-seven boars from two age groups (7 months and 18 months) and two genetic lines (maternal and terminal) were utilized over a 12-week period with 1 week before the study data serving as baseline for statistical analysis. Fecal samples were also taken and scored using the Bristol stool scoring system. Timepoints for sample collection were on weeks -1,3,7, and 11. Boars were blocked by age and breed and randomly allotted to receive 2.72 kg/d of corn-soybean meal diet (CON, n = 13) formulated to meet NRC (2012) requirements or an isocaloric (estimated ME = 3,285 Kcal/kg) corn-soybean meal diet with 14.3% soyhulls and supplemental choice white grease (4.65%) inclusions (FIBER, n = 14). Data were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS 9.4 (Cary, North Carolina) with boar serving as the experimental unit. Weeks were analyzed individually and changes in body weight, backfat depth, loin depth, caliper measurements, flank to flank distance, and BCS were evaluated from week -1 to week 12. Significance was determined at P < 0.05 and a trend was observed at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. FIBER boars gained 8.4 kg more than CON boars during the 12-week study (P = 0.0221). On weeks 3 and 11, FIBER boars tended to have increased backfat depth compared with CON boars (P < 0.0950), resulting in FIBER boars gaining 2.9 mm more backfat compared with CON (P = 0.0053) over the 12-week study. No difference in loin muscle depth was observed between treatments. On weeks 7 (3.7 vs 3.4, P = 0.0923) and 11(3.9 vs 3.5, P = 0.0615) FIBER boars tended to have greater BCS score compared with Con boars. FIBER boars on week 11 tended to have larger tape measurements (105.9 cm vs 103.9 cm, P = 0.0945) and larger caliper score (19.4 vs 17.6, P = 0.0029) than CON boars, but no difference in overall 12 week change for both measurements. FIBER boars tended to have softer stools during week 3 of the trial compared with CON boars (P = 0.0535), but the fecal scores were not different at any other week. Overall, boars fed a high fiber diet had increased body weight, backfat depth and BCS indicating an underestimation of the net energy value of soyhulls in limit fed boars. Future research is needed with varying levels and types of fiber inclusion in the diet to understand how to correctly implement fiber into the boar diet and to refine the net energy values of fibrous feedstuffs like soyhulls for boars.

105 Awardee Talk: Timing of Dietary Zinc Supplementation During Gestation did not Affect Trace Element Concentrations in Sows and Their Piglets

Abstract Gestating sows (n = 267) were used to determine if timing of high dietary zinc supplementation in a commercial setting would reduce pre-weaning mortality of pigs and influence maternal and piglet copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentrations. Sows from three consecutive weekly farrowing groups were assigned randomly within parity to one of three dietary treatments consisting of: 1) Control: a corn-soybean meal diet containing 125 ppm supplemental Zn supplied by zinc hydroxychloride; 2) Breed-to-Farrow (B-to-F): as Control + 141 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (266 ppm total supplemental Zn) fed from 5 days after breeding to farrowing; and 3) Day 110-to-Farrow (D110-to-F): as the Control diet fed from breeding to farrowing + 2,715 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (2,840 ppm total supplemental Zn) starting on day 110 of gestation until farrowing. A subset of ten sows per treatment (n = 30; average parity = 3) were selected to assess Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations of serum, colostrum, and milk. Sera were isolated from blood collections at allotment and the day before respective farrowing date of each sow. Colostrum was collected the day of farrowing and milk on day 2 of lactation. At farrowing, two average and two low birth weight pigs from each sow (n = 122) were selected for collections of serum and tail samples at days 1 and 2 of age, respectively. The statistical model included fixed effects of treatment, farrowing group, and the random effect of their interaction. The piglet model was similar but included the random term of pig nested within sow. There were no differences in concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn in sow serum, milk, or colostrum attributable to dietary treatment. Piglet serum concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn were unaffected by feeding gestating sows high levels of supplemental zinc at any time (Table). Low birth weight pigs born to sows fed the Control diet tended (P = 0.082) to have increased concentrations of Cu in tails compared with pigs born to sows fed high zinc. In conclusion, timing of dietary zinc supplementation to gestating sows had minimal influence on concentrations of important trace elements in sows and their offspring.

PSV-20 Evaluation of Dietary Fiber Inclusion on Semen Production and Semen Characteristics in Mature AI Boars

Abstract This experiment was conducted at Purdue University swine research and education center. The objective of this study was to determine if the inclusion of fiber (8.48% vs 14.85% NDF) in the diet of boars influenced semen characteristics, concentration, motility, and morphology. Twenty-seven boars from two age groups (7 months and 18 months) and two genetic lines (maternal and terminal) were utilized in this study over a 12-week period with one week before the study data serving as a baseline for statistical analysis. Boars were blocked by age and breed and randomly allotted to receive 2.72 kg/d of corn-soybean meal diet (CON, n=13) formulated to meet NRC (2012) requirements or an isocaloric (estimated ME = 3,285 Kcal/kg) corn-soybean meal diet with 14.3% soyhulls and supplemental choice white grease (4.65%) inclusions (FIBER, n = 14). Semen was collected once per week per boar using the gloved hand method. While at the farm 3 mL of semen was mixed with 27 mL of extender (Androhep Plus, Minitube) to make a 1:10 dilution. The semen was then driven approximately 19 km to Purdue University where concentration (Nucleocounter SP-100), motility (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, CASA, CEROS II), and sperm cell morphology were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC), with the main effects of diet, age, and breed with week as a repeated measure. Significance was determined at P < 0.05 and a trend was observed at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Fiber in the diet did not affect any semen characteristics throughout the study. However, the percent morphologically normal sperm was greater in young boars compared with the older boars (80.6% vs 74.1%, P = 0.0143) resulting from fewer head/tail abnormalities (1.8% vs 2.4%, P = 0.0249) and distal droplets (7.2% vs 9.6%, P = 0.0508). Maternal boars had fewer proximal droplets (6.9% vs 9.9%, P = 0.0325) and tended to have fewer head/tail abnormalities (1.8% vs 2.3%, P = 0.0800). Terminal boars tended to have fewer distal midpiece reflex abnormalities than maternal boars (3.3% vs 4.8%, P = 0.0948). Overall feeding boars a high fiber diet had no effect on semen characteristics; however there were effects of age and breed of boar on semen characteristics. Future research is needed with varying levels and types of fiber inclusion in the diet along with differing ages and breeds of boars to better understand how fiber may impact semen characteristics.

302 Interactive Effects of Pelleting and Particle Size Reduction of Corn on net Energy and Digestibility of Nutrients in Corn-Soybean Meal Diets Fed to Group-Housed Pigs

Abstract The objective was to determine the interactive effects of reducing particle size of corn and pelleting on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), fiber, fat, calcium, and phosphorus, N balance, and net energy (NE) in corn-soybean meal diets fed to pigs. Six corn-soybean meal-based diets were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial with 3 particle sizes of corn (i.e., 700, 500, or 300 μm) and 2 diet forms (i.e., meal or pelleted). Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Pigs (n = 24; initial body weight = 29.52 kg; SD = 1.40) were housed in indirect calorimetry chambers and allotted to the 6 diets using a 6 × 6 Latin square design with 6 chambers (i.e., 4 pigs/chamber) and six 15-day periods. Fecal and urine samples were quantitatively collected during a 6-day period following 7 days of adaptation and O2 consumption and CO2 and CH4 productions were measured during fed and fasting states. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and chamber and period as random effects. Contrast coefficients were used to determine effects of diet form, linear effects of particle size, and the interaction. Results indicated that reducing the particle size of corn increased the ATTD of GE and of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) in meal diets, but not in pelleted diets (interaction, P < 0.001; Table 1). The ATTD of Ca was reduced in diets containing 500 μm corn by pelleting to a greater extent than in diets containing 300 or 700 μm corn by pelleting (interaction, P = 0.004), but regardless of corn particle size, the ATTD of P was less (P = 0.037) in pelleted diets compared with meal diets. The ATTD of N increased to a greater extent in meal diets than in pelleted diets as particle size was reduced (interaction, P = 0.021). The NE of diets increased as particle size of corn was reduced from 500 to 300 μm in meal diets and from 700 to 500 μm in pelleted diets (interaction, P = 0.004). The ATTD of GE, N, and AEE, and the NE of diet were greater (P < 0.05) in pelleted than in meal diets, but the ATTD of Ca and P was greater (P < 0.05) in meal diets than in pelleted diets. The ATTD of total dietary fiber and N retention were not affected by diet form or particle size of corn. In conclusion, reducing the particle size of corn from 700 to 300 μm increases the NE of a corn-soybean meal diet due to increased ATTD of GE, N, and AEE, but the increment in NE or the ATTD of nutrients depends on diet forms.

113 Effect of Birth Weight on Tissue Copper, Iron, and Zinc Concentrations in Piglets

Abstract Pigs (n = 3,990) were used in a previous study to determine if supplemental zinc fed to sows at various timepoints during gestation would reduce pre-weaning mortality. Additionally, data were analyzed to evaluate the effect of birth weight on tissue concentrations and distribution of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in piglets. Mixed parity sows were fed 1 of 3 diets: a control corn-soybean meal diet containing 125 ppm supplemental Zn supplied by zinc hydroxychloride, a diet consisting of the control + 141 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (266 ppm total supplemental Zn) fed from 5 days after breeding to farrowing, or the control diet fed from breeding to farrowing + 2,715 ppm of supplemental Zn from ZnSO4 (2,840 ppm total supplemental Zn) starting on day 110 of gestation until farrowing. Two low and 2 average birth weight pigs (n = 122) were selected from 10 sows per treatment group to assess Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations of serum and tails. Serum was collected from each pig at day 1 of age and tails were collected on day 2 of age. Liver tissue was collected from a subset of pigs (n = 65) that died naturally or were euthanized within 2 days of age. The statistical model included fixed effects of treatment and farrowing group, the random effect of their interaction, and the random effect of pig nested within sow. Serum concentrations of each trace element did not differ by birth weight (Table). Low birth weight piglets had greater concentrations of Fe (P = 0.018) and Cu (P = 0.031) in their tails than average birth weight pigs. No differences were observed in tail Zn concentration by birth weight. Notably, pigs that died naturally weighed less at birth than euthanized pigs (P < 0.001). Moreover, pigs that died naturally had greater hepatic Fe concentrations (P < 0.001) and tended to have greater liver Cu concentrations (P = 0.098) compared with euthanized pigs. The associations between tissue iron and copper concentrations and birth weight of piglets may have nutritional and pathophysiological implications and thus warrant further investigation.

An investigation of the assumed efficacy of methionine hydroxy analogue compared to DL-methionine by measuring growth performance, carcass traits, and GHR and IGF-I expression in broilers

This experiment was conducted to investigate the assumed efficacy of 65% on the product basis of methionine hydroxy analog (OH-Met, 88% aqueous solution of DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid) relative to DL-methionine (DL-Met) in broiler chickens. A total of 792-day-old male chickens were randomly allotted to 7 dietary treatments consisting of a methionine deficient-basal diet based on corn-soybean meal and 6 different diets obtained by supplying the basal diet with methionine at 3 levels (25, 100 and 125%; levels of addition relative to the required amount of additional Met to meet SID Met + Cys requirements) from either DL-Met or OH-Met at a ratio of 65:100 (DL-Met to OH-Met on a product basis) in the corresponding treatments. Regardless of the source, methionine supplementation enhanced (p < .05) growth performance, carcase and breast meat yield. Supplemental level and the source of Met had no significant effect on the proximate chemical composition of breast meat (p > .05). Comparison of effects of OH-Met and DL-Met supplemented at 100–65% weight ratio revealed no differences at any Met + Cys level and for performance criterion confirming the applied concept. Expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) mRNA, which showed a positive correlation with body weight gain, carcase yield and breast percentage, in broiler liver significantly increased with 100% and 125% relative addition of DL-Met, while only 100% of OH-Met addition did (p < .05) when compared to the basal diet. The expression of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene was not significantly affected by either Met source or supplementation level. In conclusion, our data indicated that DL-Met can be substituted with a 1.54 times higher amount of OH-Met in corn-soybean meal based broiler diets.

Research Note: Effect of dietary xylo-oligosaccharide on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and specific cecal bacteria in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the prebiotic effect of xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) supplemented in a corn-soybean meal (SBM) based conventional diet on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and quantification of specific bacteria in the ceca of broilers. A total of 240 d of hatch Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments (corn-SBM-based control diet) containing 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% XOS. The broilers were raised for 21 d in 6 replicate cages, each containing 10 birds. Growth performance parameters were obtained weekly. Additionally, small intestinal tissues were collected to evaluate histomorphometry and whole ceca were collected to quantify bacterial populations on D21. The results showed that inclusion of XOS has similar body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as the control group during the 21-day study. The results further indicate a tendency for the jejunum villus to crypt ratio (VH:CD) to increase in birds given 0.05 and 0.2% XOS (P=0.08). Cecal bacteria quantification showed a linear increase in Bifidobacterium with increasing XOS levels (P < 0.0001) and a decrease Clostridium perfringens levels compared to birds fed the control diet (P < 0.0001). However, there were no differences in the total counts of Lactobacillus and E. coli. Together these results showed that while there were no differences in growth parameters up to 21 d, the histomorphology findings and the increase in Bifidobacterium, along with the reduction in C. perfringens observed in the XOS groups, suggest a beneficial impact of XOS inclusion on gut health. Further research with longer feeding periods and higher XOS levels should be conducted to explore potential positive effects on both growth and gut health parameters.

Effect of Enrichment of Laying Quail Diets with Organic Selenium on Performance and Fresh and Stored Egg Quality

Selenium, which is a good antioxidant, is an essential trace mineral and its organic forms are more available than inorganic forms. Dietary deficiency or excess of this trace mineral causes health problems in poultry, and therefore the amount of selenium in the diet is controversial. The current research was carried out to determine the effect of diets enriched with organic selenium on the performance, egg quality, and stored egg properties in laying quails. In the study, 120 laying quails were allocated to six treatment groups with 20 quails in each, with five subgroups. Quails were fed for 70 days with experimental diet containing 0.12 mg/kg selenium based on corn-soybean meal enriched with the addition of organic selenium (Sel-Plex) at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, or 1.0 mg/kg. Body weight change decreased linearly with the addition of 0.6 mg/kg and further levels of organic selenium (P&lt;0.05). Feed intake quadratically increased with the supplementation of organic selenium up to 0.8 mg/kg, but it was minimum at 1.0 mg/kg (P&lt;0.05). The eggshell quality parameters were not affected by the administration of organic selenium to the diet (P&gt;0.05). Albumen pH linearly decreased with organic selenium supplementation up to the level of 0.60 mg/kg, but increased with the addition of higher levels of organic selenium (P&lt;0.05). With the addition of organic selenium to the diet, yolk L* and b* values quadratically and linearly decreased respectively, while a* value increased linearly (P&lt;0.01). Albumen pH value of stored eggs was linearly decreased by treatments (P&lt;0.01), but other parameters did not affect (P&gt;0.05). As a result, it was determined that laying quails can be fed with diets enriched with organic selenium up to 0.4 mg/kg and the eggs could maintain the freshness for a longer time in during storage.

Interactive effects of a stimbiotic supplementation and wheat bran inclusion in corn- or wheat-based diets on growth performance, ileal digestibility, and expression of nutrient transporters of broilers chickens

A 42-day experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of a stimbiotic (STB) and wheat bran (WB) in broiler chickens receiving diets (DT) based on corn or wheat. A total of 960 Cobb 500 male broiler chicks at zero-day old were allocated to 64 pens with 8 treatments, 8 replicates per treatment, and 15 birds per replicate. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 2×2×2 factorial, with the factors as diet (corn-soybean meal or wheat-soybean meal), STB (with or without), and WB (0 or 50 g/kg). Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and mortality-corrected FCR data were collected for the starter (d 0-10), grower (d 10-28), and finisher (d 28-42) phases. Ileal digesta and jejunal tissue were collected on d 18 and 42. Data were analyzed as a 2×2×2 factorial using a mixed model of JMP. There was no significant 3-way interaction for growth performance and expression of nutrient transporters. There was a significant SB×WB for FCR (P < 0.05) in the grower phase. Stimbiotic supplementation and WB inclusion individually improved (P < 0.05) FCR regardless of cereal type, but this effect was not observed when the two were combined. In the overall phase (d 0-42), birds receiving corn-based diets had higher (P < 0.05) FI and BWG than those receiving wheat-based diets. There was a significant 3-way interaction for ileal digestible energy (IDE) (P < 0.05) and N digestibility (ND) on d 18 and 42 (P < 0.05). There was no effect of STB or WB in corn-based diets, whereas WB inclusion decreased IDE in wheat-based diets, but STB supplementation increased IDE with or without WB. In corn-based diets, WB inclusion increased ND, whereas ND was decreased in wheat-based diets. Supplementation with STB had no effect on ND, but STB increased ND in wheat-based diets with and without WB. Ileal DE was greater (P < 0.05) for wheat- than corn-based diets on d 42. Wheat bran inclusion increased ND in corn-based diets whereas, with STB supplementation, there was no difference in ND with or without WB. There was no difference in ND with or without STB or WB in wheat-based diets. There was a significant STB×DT on the expression of GLUT-1 (P < 0.05). In corn-based diets, STB produced an upward expression of GLUT-1, whereas in wheat-based diets, STB supplementation had no effect. On d 42, stimbiotic supplementation produced upward (P < 0.05) expression of SGLT-1. In conclusion, STB supplementation in wheat- or corn-based diets and with WB inclusion improved energy digestibility. On the other hand, WB inclusion in wheat-based diets decreased nutrient digestibility especially on d 18, thus making room for a positive response to STB supplementation in wheat-based diets compared to the marginal response to STB supplementation observed in corn-based diets.