Digestibility In Pigs Research Articles

Phytate degradation cascade in pigs as affected by phytase supplementation and rapeseed cake inclusion in corn-soybean meal-based diets.

Two experiments (Exp.) with ileally cannulated growing barrows were conducted. The concentrations of positional inositol phosphate (InsP) isomers in ileal digesta and feces were determined, as well as the prececal and total tract phytate (InsP6) hydrolysis, and digestibility of dry matter, P, Ca, nitrogen, and gross energy. Prececal amino acid (AA) digestibility and digestive enzyme activities in ileal digesta were also studied. In both Exp., pigs had an initial body weight (BW) of 28 kg and were completely randomized to a Double Latin Square Design with eight pigs, four diets, and three periods of 12 d each. Feces and ileal digesta were collected for 5 d and 2 d, respectively. Pigs were housed individually in stainless steel metabolic units. Water was available ad libitum and feed was provided two times daily at an amount of 4% of mean BW. In Exp. 1, pigs received a corn–soybean meal (SBM)-based diet that was supplemented with 0, 750, 1,500, or 3,000 FTU of a microbial phytase/kg diet. In Exp. 2, pigs were allotted to a 2 × 2 arrangement of diets based on corn and SBM or an SBM-rapeseed cake (RSC) mix and phytase supplementation at 0 or 1,500 FTU/kg of diet. In ileal digesta of pigs fed without the phytase supplement, the dominating InsP isomers beside InsP6 were InsP5 isomers. The InsP pattern in ileal digesta changed with the inclusion of microbial phytase in both Exp., as there was a remarkable increase in Ins(1,2,5,6)P4 concentration (P < 0.001). In both Exp., the myo-inositol concentration in ileal digesta was greater upon phytase addition (P < 0.001). Without phytase supplementation, prececal and total tract P digestibility were low, whereas hardly any InsP6 was excreted in feces. There was no difference between prececal and total tract P digestibility values. For most AA studied in Exp. 2, prececal digestibility was lower (P < 0.01) when the diet contained RSC. However, phytase supplementation did not significantly affect prececal AA digestibility in both Exp. The present study showed that InsP6 disappearance by the end of the ileum can be increased up to around 90% in SBM- and SBM–RSC-based diets when microbial phytase is supplemented, but prececal P digestibility hardly exceeded 60%. The study confirms that pigs cannot benefit from a remarkable InsP6 degradation in the hindgut.

Effect of cereal soaking and carbohydrase supplementation on growth, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microbiota in liquid-fed grow-finishing pigs

Soaking the cereal fraction of a liquid diet prior to feeding (Csoak), and/or carbohydrase enzyme supplementation (ENZ) are likely to modulate both feed and intestinal microbial populations and improve feed efficiency (FE) in pigs. To test this hypothesis, a total of 392 grow-finisher pigs (~33.4 kg, 7 pigs/pen) were randomly allocated to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 70 days as follows: (1) fresh liquid feed (Fresh); (2) Cereal soaked liquid feed (Soak); (3) Fresh + ENZ and (4) Soak + ENZ. An interaction between ENZ and Csoak was found for average daily gain (ADG) during the growing phase (day 0 to 21; P < 0.05) where pigs fed the Soak + ENZ diet had higher ADG than pigs fed the Fresh + ENZ diet. No treatment effect was found for ADG thereafter. Enzyme supplementation increased total tract nutrient digestibility (P < 0.05) and reduced caecal VFA concentrations (P < 0.05) but did not improve pig growth or FE. Both Csoak and ENZ modulated intestinal microbiota composition; increasing abundance of bacterial taxa that were negatively correlated with pig growth and reducing abundance of taxa positively correlated with pig growth and caecal butyrate concentration. In conclusion, both strategies (Csoak and ENZ) improved nutrient digestibility in pigs and modulated intestinal microbiota composition.

Effects of different energy levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs reared in different seasons in Korea

Effects of different energy levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs reared in different seasons in Korea

Nutrient digestibility and physiological implication of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in growing pigs under tropical environment

A study was conducted to evaluate nutrient digestibility and physiological impact of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in pigs reared in tropics. Unsexed, 8 weeks old mixed breed pigs (54) with mean body weight of 5.5±0.2 kg were arranged in a 3×3 factorial layout. The pigs were grouped on weight equalization into 9 treatments of 3 replicates with 2 pigs per replicate. Vital signs data were obtained on weekly basis. Three pigs from each treatment group were selected at tenth week and arranged in clean disinfected metabolic cages for a 7 day adaptation and a 5 day quantification of feed intake and faecal output. Faeces collected were dried in a forced air cabinet and analysed for proximate composition. About 5 ml blood sample was collected, 2.5 ml each was placed in EDTA and sterile bottles for haematological and biochemical indices evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance. The feed withdrawal period had no impact on nutrient digestibility. Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly influenced excreted faeces, faecal dry matter output, dry matter and ash digestibility. Neutrophils increased with increasing period of feed withdrawal while lymphocytes decreased significantly with increasing period of feed withdrawal. Feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation had no influence on serum biochemical parameters. It can be concluded that feed withdrawal periods influenced neutrophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio whereas ascorbic acid enhanced nutrient digestibility of pigs but had no impact on vital signs and blood indices.

PSIV-13 Supplemental phytase increases phosphorus digestibility in pigs regardless of phytase source or feed pelleting

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of phytase source and feed pelleting on digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein, organic matter (OM), and phosphorus (P) with different doses of phytase in pigs. In Exp. 1, ten barrows (31.4 ± 3.5 kg of BW) were individually housed in metabolic crates and allotted to a replicated 5 × 6 Latin square design with 5 diets and 6 periods. In Exp. 2, ten barrows (28.2 ± 3.2 kg of BW) were individually housed in metabolic crates and allotted to a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design with 5 diets and 5 periods. Each period lasted 10 d consisted of a 5-d adaptation and a 5-d collection periods and the marker to marker method was used for fecal collection. In both experiments, a basal diet was prepared based on corn and soybean meal without phytase or inorganic P. Four additional diets were prepared in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with 2 phytase sources (Buttiauxella spp. or Escherichia coli) and 2 feed forms (mash or pellet). Both experiments employed the same treatments but had different supplemental phytase doses (500 and 1,500 FTU/kg in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). In Exp. 1, supplemental phytase increased standardized total tract digestibility of P (66.1 vs. 51.7%; P &amp;lt; 0.001) with no effects of phytase source or feed pelleting. Feed pelleting increased digestibility of DM, crude protein, and OM (P &amp;lt; 0.001). In Exp. 2, supplemental phytase increased standardized total tract digestibility of P (72.8 vs. 44.8%; P &amp;lt; 0.001) with no effects of phytase source or feed pelleting. Feed pelleting increased digestibility of DM and OM (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Taken together, supplemental phytase at 500 and 1,500 FTU/kg increases P digestibility regardless of phytase source or feed pelleting.

87 Xylanase effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, and short chain fatty acid concentration in colon digesta of weaned pigs fed wheat and canola meal-based diets

Abstract This study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, digesta pH and concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) of weaned pigs fed wheat-canola meal-based diets over a 35-d period. A total of 144 piglets (6.2 ± 0.7 kg) received one of 8 diets based on a randomized complete block design. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency(G:F). Treatments consisted of a control wheat-SBM-based diet and wheat-regular (RCM), dehulled (DCM) or coarse (CCM) canola meal. All diets contained 500 phytase units (FTUs/kg; Quantum Blue-5G), and titanium-dioxide (0.3%), and were fed without and with 16,000 Birch-Xylan Units of xylanase (BXU/kg; Econase-XT). Apparent total tract digestibilities (ATTD) of NDF, CP, P, Ca, DM, and diet were determined. On d 35, one pig per pen was euthanized to evaluate the effect of treatment on organ weight, digesta pH, and digesta concentration of SCFA. Treatment did not affect growth performance. Xylanase supplementation improved nutrient digestibilities, without affecting growth performance. The ATTD of NDF was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05; 48%) in the wheat-SBM+xylanase, wheat-SBM without xylanase (46%), and DCM+xylanase (45%) diets. The ATTD of CP was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05; 78%) in wheat-SBM+xylanase, and wheat-DCM+xylanase (75%), diets. Xylanase supplementation increased ATTD of P and Ca by 9 and 19%; whereas ileum and colon digesta pH increased by 6 and 3%. Supplementing xylanase to DCM increased butyric acid by 10%, whereas the concentration of acetic acid increased by 24% in colon-digesta of pigs fed CCM+xylanase. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase increased nutrient digestibilities, digesta pH without affecting growth performance of weaned pigs fed wheat and canola meal-based diets. Additionally, supplemental xylanase increased butyric acid concentration in colon digesta of pigs fed wheat-DCM diets.

PSVII-34 Digestibility and growth performance of growing pigs, fed corn or wheat diets supplemented with xylanase

Abstract Corn and wheat contribute variable amounts of arabinoxylans (AX) to swine rations. Xylanase hydrolyzes AX into smaller oligosaccharides, potentially improving nutrient digestibility or fermentation. This experiment was designed to determine the response of growing pigs to exogenous xylanase supplementation in either a corn or wheat based diet. Two hundred pigs (7.99±2.8kg), 5 pigs/pen, 40 pens in 2 blocks (n = 10) were assigned to one of four treatments for 140±7d. Treatments, arranged in a 2x2 factorial, included grain (corn/wheat based) and xylanase (±0.01%,16 000 BXU/kg) as main effects. Pigs were on a five-phase feeding program; diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic within each phase. Growth and feed intake were determined weekly. Fecal samples were collected in phases two, four, and five. Growth, feed intake and feed efficiency were unaffected by xylanase (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Except for phase one, pigs receiving corn had improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG and ADFI relative to wheat; while G:F was improved only in the second phase (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Gross energy digestibility was higher in corn (88.2%) than wheat (87.2%) diets in the nursery phase (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the finisher phase, xylanase improved energy digestibility of wheat diets (grain*xylanase, P &amp;lt; 0.05). During the nursery phase, percent fecal acetic acid was decreased with xylanase in corn; but increased in wheat diets (grain*xylanase, P &amp;lt; 0.05). Conversely, fecal isobutyric, butyric and isovaleric acid were decreased with xylanase in wheat diets only (grain*xylanase, P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the grower phase, fecal acetic acid was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in wheat than corn diets, while isovaleric, valeric and caproic acid were reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the finisher phase, fecal propionic acid was lower in wheat diets (P &amp;lt; 0.05). During the finisher phase of growth, xylanase improved energy digestibility of pigs receiving wheat based diets, however this effect was not observed when pigs received corn based diets.

Effect of microbial phytase supplementation on P digestibility in pigs: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this meta-analysis were to determine to which extent phosphorus (P) digestibility and digestible P concentration in pig diets were increased by phytase supplementation and to quantify factors that potentially influence effects of phytase supplementation. A data set with a total of 547 data lines was compiled from 88 experiments published in 74 peer-reviewed papers between 2007 and April 2019. An exponential model was determined as more suitable to describe the response of P digestibility to phytase supplementation than a polynomial model. Phytase supplementation increased P digestibility by 25.6 percentage points (standard error (SE) = 1.54) to a plateau at 64.9% (SE = 1.82). The digestible P concentration was increased by phytase supplementation in the order of 1.01 g/kg (SE = 0.102) to a plateau at 2.62 g/kg (SE = 0.122). Goodness-of-fit criteria were R2 = 0.780 and root mean square error = 7.55% for P digestibility, and R2 = 0.691 and root mean square error = 0.48 g/kg for digestible P concentration. Consideration of further factors such as mineral P supplementation (yes or no), ad libitum vs. restrictive feeding, mixed diets vs. single feed ingredients, sex and age of pigs did not increase the accuracy of prediction in this data set. Some of these traits exhibited responses, but they likely are artefacts generated through the imbalanced structure of the data set. Effects of dietary total P, phytate (InsP6), InsP6-P to total P ratio, and Ca on the effect of supplemented phytase were not quantifiable. The present meta-analysis showed that responses to phytase supplementation can be well predicted although variation in P digestibility and digestible P concentration in the data set was high. Overall, predicted effects of phytase on P digestibility well corresponded to predictions made 25 years ago.

Effect of Fermented Corn-Soybean Meal on Serum Immunity, the Expression of Genes Related to Gut Immunity, Gut Microbiota, and Bacterial Metabolites in Grower-Finisher Pigs.

Fermented corn-soybean meal (fermented feed, FF) is commonly used in swine production, but the effects of FF on gut health remain unclear. In this study, serum immunity, mRNA abundances of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and Toll-like receptors (TLR1-9), bacterial abundance in the duodenum and colon, and colonic metabolic phenotypes were determined in crossbred barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) fed FF or normal feed (unfermented feed, UF) (n = 6). When compared to the UF group, the results showed that serum levels of IgG and IgM were significantly increased in FF group pigs (P < 0.05). FF significantly decreased the abundances of Bacteroides and Verrucomicrobia in the duodenum and decreased the abundances of Bacteroides, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia in the colon while it significantly increased the abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that serum immunity and the expression of genes related to gut immunity were associated with bacterial strains at the family level. Moreover, differentially abundant colonic microbiota were associated with colonic metabolites. LC-MS data analyses identified a total of 1,351 metabolites that markedly differed between the UF and FF groups. C5-Branched dibasic acid metabolism was significantly upregulated whereas the purine metabolism was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05) in the colonic digesta of pigs in the FF meal group compared to the UF meal group. Collectively, these results indicated that FF meal could influence serum immunity and the expression of genes related to gut immunity, correlating with the gut microbiota and bacterial metabolites in grower-finisher pigs. This study may provide an alternative strategy for improving the intestinal health of grower-finisher pigs.

A processive endoglucanase with multi-substrate specificity is characterized from porcine gut microbiota

Cellulases play important roles in the dietary fibre digestion in pigs, and have multiple industrial applications. The porcine intestinal microbiota display a unique feature in rapid cellulose digestion. Herein, we have expressed a cellulase gene, p4818Cel5_2A, which singly encoded a catalytic domain belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 5 subfamily 2, and was previously identified from a metagenomic expression library constructed from porcine gut microbiome after feeding grower pigs with a cellulose-supplemented diet. The activity of purified p4818Cel5_2A was maximal at pH 6.0 and 50 °C and displayed resistance to trypsin digestion. This enzyme exhibited activities towards a wide variety of plant polysaccharides, including cellulosic substrates of avicel and solka-Floc®, and the hemicelluloses of β-(1 → 4)/(1 → 3)-glucans, xyloglucan, glucomannan and galactomannan. Viscosity, reducing sugar distribution and hydrolysis product analyses further revealed that this enzyme was a processive endo-β-(1 → 4)-glucanase capable of hydrolyzing cellulose into cellobiose and cellotriose as the primary end products. These catalytic features of p4818Cel5_2A were further explored in the context of a three-dimensional homology model. Altogether, results of this study report a microbial processive endoglucanase identified from the porcine gut microbiome, and it may be tailored as an efficient biocatalyst candidate for potential industrial applications.

Whole digesta properties as influenced by feed processing explain variation in gastrointestinal transit times in pigs.

Physicochemical properties of diets are believed to play a major role in the regulation of digesta transit in the gastrointestinal tract. Starch, being the dominant nutrient in pig diets, strongly influences these properties. We studied transport of digesta solids and liquids through the upper gastrointestinal tract of ninety pigs in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments varied in starch source (barley, maize and high-amylose maize) and form (isolated starch, ground cereal and extruded cereal). Mean retention times (MRT) of digesta solids ranged 129-225 min for the stomach and 86-124 min for the small intestine (SI). The MRT of solids consistently exceeded that of liquids in the stomach, but not in the SI. Solid digesta of pigs fed extruded cereals remained 29-75 min shorter in the stomach compared with pigs fed ground cereals (P < 0·001). Shear stress of whole digesta positively correlated with solid digesta MRT in the stomach (r 0·33, P < 0·001), but not in the SI. The saturation ratio (SR), the actual amount of water in stomach digesta as a fraction of the theoretical maximum held by the digesta matrix, explained more variation in digesta MRT than shear stress. The predictability of SR was hampered by the accumulation of large particles in the stomach. In addition, the water-holding capacity of gelatinised starch leads to a decreased SR of diets, but not of stomach digesta, which was caused by gastric hydrolysis of starch. Both of these phenomena hinder the predictability of gastric retention times based on feed properties.

Characterization of the in vitro digestion of starch and fermentation kinetics of dry sorghum grains soaked or rehydrated and ensiled to be used in pig nutrition

The effect of soaking and rehydration plus ensiling of different dry sorghum grains on indicators of pig digestion was evaluated using in vitro approaches. Five commercial paddocks of sorghum grains were harvested dry and subjected to different treatment conditions: dry ground (Dry, control), grain soaked for 24 h (SG), and rehydrated and ensiled for 21 days as whole grain (EWG) or ground grain (EGG). The level of tannins was lower in the treated sorghums than in the Dry sorghums (P < 0.01), and in the ensiled grains the level of starch decreased (P < 0.001). The treatments caused an increase in the potential digestion of starch, and the EGG treatment was the one with the highest value for this variable (P < 0.001). The predicted glycemic index (pGI) and hydrolysis index (HI) values were higher in the EGG treatment and intermediate in EWG treatment with respect to Dry and SG (P < 0.001). In vitro digestion of DM was greater in the EGG treatment (P = 0.005), and EGG had the highest in vitro gas production rate (P = 0.022). Treatments produced changes in chemical composition and in characteristics of the starch, but the combination of the grinding, rehydration and ensiling was the one with the highest levels of digestibility.

Effects of deoxynivalenol and sodium meta-bisulphite on nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

ABSTRACTDeoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin synthesised by the Fusarium, is known to affect the growth of pigs. This effect can be attenuated with sodium meta-bisulphite (SBS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SBS with antioxidant blend on nutrient digestibility in pigs fed a diet contaminated naturally with DON. Six crossbred castrated pigs fitted surgically with single-T cannulas in the distal ileum received one of four barley-corn-soybean diets with or without SBS. After 8 d of feeding, faeces and ileal digesta were collected for 2 d. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of the dry matter (DM), energy, nutrients and DON, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), energy and DON were evaluated. The AID of phosphorus, calcium and some amino acids was increased (p < 0.05) in the DON diets whereas the ATTD of DM and energy tended to decrease (p = 0.064 and p = 0.071). SBS reduced the AID of DM, energy, ADF, ether extract, phosphorus and DON (p < 0.05) but had no effect on the ATTD of DM, energy, fibre or DON. These results show that DON improved the AID of some nutrients but tended to reduce the ATTD of energy, which could explain, although anorexia is the main effect of DON on live weight gain, the reported negative effect of DON on pig growth. Finally, SBS with antioxidant blend had reduced AID of some nutrients and intestinal absorption of DON.

Lactobacillus-based fermentation product and lactose level in the feed for weanling pigs: Effects on intestinal morphology, microbiota, gas emission, and targeted intestinal coliforms

A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used to investigate the interactions between lactose levels (100 g/kg versus 200 g/kg) and Lactobacillus-based fermentation product (FP; 0 and 1 × 1011 CFU Lactobacillus casei/kg) on weanling piglet performance and nutrient digestibility. Two hundred and forty weaned piglets (24 days old, 7.05 kg live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and assigned to one of four dietary treatments with six replicates and 10 piglets per replicate in two phases (phase 1, from d 1 to 14; phase 2, from d 14 to 28). Volatile fatty acid concentrations and bacterial counts were performed in ileal, cecal, and colonic contents. In phase Ⅰ, ADG was increased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed FP. The digestibility of DM and GE were greater (P < 0.01) in pigs offered high lactose level. The interactions between lactose level and FP were significant for the concentration of ileal acetate (P < 0.05) and propionate (P < 0.01). The concentration of propionate in the cecum and colon, as well as butyrate in the ileum, were greater (P < 0.05) in high lactose treatment. Dietary supplementation of FP decreased acetate level in the cecum. The emission of total organic carbon and ammonia in pigs feces were decreased (P < 0.01) in both high lactose and FP-supplemented diets. The interactions between lactose and FP were significant (P < 0.05) for the population of Salmonella spp. in the ileum. The pH of colon digesta was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs offered high lactose level. The abundance of Lactobacillus spp. was increased (P < 0.05) only in the cecum digesta in pigs offered high lactose diet. In phase Ⅱ, there was a significant improvement in the feed:gain in pigs fed the diet with high lactose content. The overall result showed that ADG and ADFI were increased in pigs in FP treatment. The greater digestibility of DM was observed in pigs offered FP. The concentration of butyric acid in the colon was increased in pigs fed FP. The supplementation of FP decreased ileal and cecal Escherichia coli. This study demonstrates that dietary FP improved the growth performance and DM digestibility of weanling pigs. When the dietary FP, and the lactose level were combined there was no evidence of an interaction on growth performance. However, both lactose and FP decreased the emissions of total organic carbon and ammonium.

Starch digestion kinetics and mechanisms of hydrolysing enzymes in growing pigs fed processed and native cereal-based diets.

This study aimed to examine in vivo starch digestion kinetics and to unravel the mechanisms of starch hydrolysing enzymes. Ninety pigs (23 (sd 2·1) kg body weight) were assigned to one of nine treatments in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with starch source (barley, maize, high-amylose (HA) maize) and form (isolated, within cereal matrix, extruded) as factors. We determined starch digestion coefficients (DC), starch breakdown products and digesta retention times in four small-intestinal segments (SI1-4). Starch digestion in SI2 of pigs fed barley and maize, exceeded starch digestion of pigs fed HA maize by 0·20-0·33 DC units (P&lt;0·01). In SI3-4, barley starch were completely digested, whereas the cereal matrix of maize hampered digestion and generated 16 % resistant starch in the small intestine (P&lt;0·001). Extrusion increased the DC of maize and HA maize starch throughout the small intestine but not that of barley (P&lt;0·05). Up to 25 % of starch residuals in the proximal small intestine of pigs was present as glucose and soluble α(1-4) maltodextrins. The high abundance of glucose, maltose and maltotriose in the proximal small intestine indicates activity of brush-border enzymes in the intestinal lumen, which is exceeded by α-amylase activity. Furthermore, we found that in vivo starch digestion exceeded our in vitro predictions for rapidly digested starch, which indicates that the role of the stomach on starch digestion is currently underestimated. Consequently, in vivo glucose release of slowly digestible starch is less gradual than expected, which challenges the prediction quality of the in vitro assay.

Effects of varying levels of dietary protein and net energy on growth performance, nitrogen balance and faecal characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and net energy (NE) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and faecal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs. Eighteen crossed barrows were randomly allocated into one of three dietary treatments: high protein + high NE diet, low protein + high NE diet, and low protein + low NE diet. The whole experiment lasted 90 days and was divided into three phases (phase I: 25-50 kg; phase II: 50-75 kg; phase III: 75-105 kg). All pigs were individually housed in a metabolism cage and subjected to four-day total faeces and urine collection period at the end of each phase. There was no significant difference in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum total protein, and albumin concentrations of pigs among the dietary treatments. Compared with the high protein + high NE diet, pigs fed low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets had lower N intake, urine N, and total N excretion in each phase. At the end of the experiment, pigs fed the low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets had lower blood urea nitrogen, serum NH3-N concentrations, faecal pH value, faecal NH3-N concentration, and faecal Escherichia coli count than those fed the high protein + high NE diet. However, there was no significant difference in all of the above indexes between low protein + high NE and low protein + low NE diets. Decreasing the dietary protein content by 3.5 percentage units has no adverse effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs while significantly reduces N excretion and faecal Escherichia coli count. Moreover, further decreasing dietary NE level in the low-protein diet by 0.35-0.5 MJ/kg does not affect growth performance, nutrient digestibility, N excretion, blood profiles, and faecal Escherichia coli count of pigs.

Exogenous xylanase or protease for pigs fed barley cultivars with high or low enzyme inhibitors

Xylanase and protease inhibitors in cereals may be a reason for the varying efficacy of exogenous xylanase and protease in pig diets. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of xylanase and protease on the digestibility in pigs fed three barley varieties selected to be high and low in inhibitors. The cv. Invictus (spring barley) was selected to be low in xylanase inhibitors and cv. Hejmdal (winter barley) to be low in protease inhibitors, while SJ115158 (winter barley) was high in both xylanase and protease inhibitors. Growing pigs (34 ± 3 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the terminal ileum and allotted to a 7 × 6 Youden square design, where 7 animals were fed with 7 diets for 6 weeks. Ileal samples were collected for 8 h on day 5 and 7 of each experimental week and fecal samples were collected from the first feces excreted on the same collection days. Titanium dioxide was added to all diets as an indigestible solid phase marker for the calculation of apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). There was no consistent effect of variety or enzymes on the viscosity of ileal digesta. The ATTD of dry matter and organic matter was higher (P < 0.05) for Invictus than SJ115158, which was higher (P < 0.05) than Hejmdal. For Hejmdal, the AID of dry matter and organic matter was also lower (P < 0.05) compared to SJ115158. Supplementation of exogenous xylanase increased AID of dry matter, whereas the other evaluated components were unaffected. The ATTD of crude protein was lower (P = 0.027) for Hejmdal than for SJ115158 and exogenous protease increased (P = 0.004) ATTD of crude protein in both SJ115158 and Hejmdal. In conclusion, this study shows differences in nutrient digestibility among barley varieties and low efficacies of the selected exogenous enzymes independent of barley variety.

Effects of Addition of Hydrolyzing Enzymes during Fermentation on Characteristics of Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles

AbstractVarious hydrolyzing enzymes are used in dry‐grind corn ethanol processes, mainly during liquefaction and saccharification steps, to improve yields of ethanol and/or distillers’ corn oil. However, the effects of enzyme addition on characteristics of distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are not thoroughly understood. In this study, the effects of using acid‐stable protease, pectinase, and cellulase enzymes during fermentation on chemical and physical characteristics of DDGS were evaluated, including in vitro digestibility using a pig digestion model. The use of a protease resulted in DDGS with a greater fiber content than the control (36% vs. 22%), as well as reduced protein digestibility (64% vs. 69%). The use of pectinase and cellulase (PC) also increased the fiber content of DDGS (29%) and significantly improved the protein content (27%) and protein digestibility (73%) compared with the other treatments. DDGS treated with hydrolyzing enzymes tended to have a darker color and lower water‐holding capacity, but better amino‐acid digestibility. Treatments with hydrolyzing enzymes significantly altered the composition and characteristics of DDGS, which strongly indicated that PC mix utilized is an effective combination to add during fermentation to produce high‐quality DDGS without undesirable effects on ethanol production. The enzyme‐treated DDGS can be an inexpensive and nutrient‐rich diet supply to the porcine diets; however, effects on cattle and dairy cow diets were beyond the scope of the study.

Supplementing Oregano Essential Oil in a Reduced-Protein Diet Improves Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility by Modulating Intestinal Bacteria, Intestinal Morphology, and Antioxidative Capacity of Growing-Finishing Pigs.

Simple SummarySerious nitrogen pollution and shortage of protein feed resources have constrained the rapid development of the pig industry. Thus, the strategy of using a reduced-protein diet supplemented with amino acids in pig production has been widely accepted. Additionally, antibiotic growth promoters have been widely used in pig production for many years. However, their enormous and uncontrolled use has promoted bacterial resistance, leading to less effective treatment for animal diseases. Accordingly, this study investigated the effects of inclusion of oregano essential oil in a reduced-protein, amino acid-supplemented diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs as an alternative to antibiotics. Our results suggested that adding oregano essential oil to a reduced-protein diet improved the growth performance and carcass lean percentage of pigs. In addition, long-term supplementation of oregano essential oil to a reduced-protein diet improved the intestinal bacteria, intestinal morphology, and antioxidative capacity of pigs. This study provides theoretical guidance for application of low-protein diet to guide the production of antibiotic-free feed for growing–finishing pigs.This study investigated the effects of supplementing oregano essential oil (OEO) to a reduced-protein diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal bacteria, intestinal morphology, and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs. Forty-eight barrows were randomly allotted to four treatments including normal-protein diet (NPD), reduced-protein, amino acid-supplemented diet (RPD), the same RPD supplemented with chlortetracycline (RPA), and RPD supplemented with OEO (RPO). The data showed that dietary OEO supplementation increased the average daily gain of pigs compared with NPD and RPD. The gain:feed in RPO- and NPD-fed pigs was higher than those in RPD- and RPA-fed pigs. Increased average daily feed intake and 10th-rib backfat thickness were detected in RPA-fed pigs. Pigs fed the RPO had higher apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein than those fed the other diets. The RPD and RPA treatments showed reduced counts of Lactobacillus spp. in ileal digesta of pigs. The RPA and RPO treatments also showed lower Escherichia coli counts in ileal digesta than the NPD and RPD treatments. Dietary OEO supplementation increased villous height of the jejunum and the ileal and plasma total antioxidative capacity of pigs. In conclusion, dietary OEO supplementation could improve the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pigs by modulating intestinal bacteria, intestinal morphology, and antioxidative capacity.

Effects of adaptation time and inclusion level of sugar beet pulp on nutrient digestibility and evaluation of ileal amino acid digestibility in pigs

ObjectiveTwo experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adaptation time and inclusion level of sugar beet pulp (SBP) on nutrient digestibility and to evaluate the ileal amino acid digestibility of SBP fed to pigs.MethodsIn Exp. 1, thirty-six crossbred barrows (85.0±2.1 kg) were allotted to 6 diets in a completely randomized design with six replicates per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal diet and 5 test diets containing 14.6%, 24.4%, 34.2%, 43.9%, or 53.7% SBP, respectively. The adaptation time consisted 7, 14, 21, or 28 d consecutively for each pig followed by 5 d for fecal collection. Feces were collected from d 8 to 13, d 15 to 20, d 22 to 27, and d 29 to 34, respectively. In Exp. 2, six pigs (35.1±1.7 kg) with T-cannulas at the terminal ileum were fed to 3 diets in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods and 2 replicate pigs per diet. Each period consisted 5 d for diet adaptation followed by 2 d for digesta collection.ResultsThe digestible energy (DE) value and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, and organic matter in diets linearly decreased (p< 0.05) as the adaptation time increased or as the dietary SBP increased, while the ATTD of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in diets linearly increased (p<0.01) as the dietary SBP increased. The DE value and the ATTD of GE and crude protein (CP) in SBP linearly increased (p<0.05) as the adaptation time increased, while the ATTD of CP in SBP linearly decreased (p<0.01) as the inclusion level increased. The standardized ileal digestibility of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp in SBP was 37.03%, 51.62%, 40.68%, and 46.22%, respectively.ConclusionThe results of this study indicated that the ATTD of energy and nutrients were decreased as inclusion rate of SBP increased.