Nutrient Digestibility In Pigs Research Articles

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Quillaja Saponin or Phytase on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Faecal Gas Emissions, and Carcass Grade in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of low doses of Quillaja saponin (QS) or phytase (PHY) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal gas emissions, and carcass grade in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 72 pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc), each weighing 25.82 ± 1.68 kg, were selected and randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Each group had six replicates, with four pigs per pen, and the allocation was based on the four initial body weight and sex of the pigs. They were randomly divided into the following three diet groups: the basal diet as a control (CON) group, the basal diet + 0.02% PHY; and the basal diet + 0.01% QS. The experiment period lasted for 110 days. The results of adding 0.01% QS to the basal diet of pigs show that it can significantly increase the body weight (BW) of growing-finishing pigs on the 110th day (p < 0.05). QS can significantly increase the average daily weight gain (ADG) on Days 80-110 of the experiment (p < 0.05). QS can significantly increase the total average daily weight gain (TADG) of growing-finishing pigs during the entire experimental period (p < 0.05) and has a tendency to improve the average daily feed intake and feed conversion rate during the entire experimental period. However, QS has no significant effect on pig nutrient digestibility and carcass grade. In addition, we also found that QS has a tendency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, adding 0.02% PHY to the basal diet of growing-finishing pigs can only increase the TADG during the entire experimental period. Throughout the experiment, adding PHY to the diet had no significant impact on the nutrient digestibility, faecal gas emissions, and carcass grade of growing-finishing pigs. In summary, adding QS to feed can significantly improve the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, and has a tendency to improve faecal gas emissions. PHY can only improve the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs.

Effects of a Bentonite Clay Product and a Preservative Blend on Ileal and Fecal Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs Fed Wheat Naturally Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol.

The objectives were to determine the effects of dietary deoxynivalenol (DON) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and to evaluate the efficacy of a bentonite (BEN) and a preservative blend (PB) product for alleviating DON effects on the nutrient digestibility of pigs. Twelve crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of 69.4 kg (standard deviation = 3.5) equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted a triplicated 4 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with four dietary treatments and two periods. Dietary treatments were (1) an uncontaminated diet, (2) a contaminated diet (CD) mainly based on contaminated wheat with 1.6 mg/kg DON, (3) CD + 0.25% PB consisting of preservation components as major sources, antioxidants, microorganisms, and amino acids (AA), and (4) CD + 0.25% BEN. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, most minerals, and most AA were not affected by DON contamination. Dietary DON decreased the AID and ATTD of sodium (p < 0.05) but were restored by supplementing the PB product (p < 0.05). The AID of zinc was increased (p < 0.05) by dietary DON, but supplementing BEN decreased zinc digestibility (p < 0.05). The AID of Arg, Ile, Thr, and Asp was decreased (p < 0.05) by BEN addition. In conclusion, dietary DON affected the digestibility of some minerals but not AA in pigs. Supplemental BEN can negatively affect the nutrient digestibility of some minerals and AA in pigs. The addition of a PB product in pig diets can restore digestibility of sodium but not of other nutrients. Based on these observations, feed additives for alleviating DON effects on nutrient digestibility of pigs can be carefully selected by swine diet formulators.

Effects of Dietary Wheat Bran on Ileal and Hindgut Digestibility of Nutrient in Pigs and Influences of Ileal Digesta Collection on Proceeding Fecal Nutrient Digestibility

The objectives were to determine the effects of graded inclusion rates of wheat bran (WB) on apparent ileal (AID), apparent total tract (ATTD), and hindgut digestibility of nutrients and tested the influence of ileal digesta collection on proceeding fecal nutrient digestibility in pigs. Six barrows with an initial mean body weight of 70.7 ± 5.7 kg fitted with an ileal T-cannula were used. The animals were assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three diets and three periods. A basal diet was based mainly on wheat, soybean meal, and cornstarch. Two additional diets were formulated to contain 20 or 40% of WB at the expense of cornstarch. Each experimental period consisted of a seven-day adaptation period and a four-day collection period. After the adaptation period, fecal samples were collected on day 8, and ileal digesta were collected on days 9 and 10. Another set of fecal samples was collected on day 11 to determine the influence of ileal digesta collection on proceeding total tract nutrient digestibility. The AID of energy, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein, and phosphorus linearly decreased (p < 0.05) with an increasing inclusion rate of WB from 0 to 40%. The ATTD of energy, DM, OM, crude protein, ether extract, and phosphorus linearly decreased (p < 0.01) as the inclusion rate of WB increased. Hindgut digestibility of DM, OM, and ether extract linearly increased (p < 0.05) with an increasing inclusion rate of WB. The ATTD of GE and most nutrients did not differ between the two fecal collection periods of before and after ileal digesta collection. Taken together, the inclusion of a fiber-rich ingredient reduced ileal and fecal digestibility of nutrients but increased hindgut digestibility of some nutrients, and total tract digestibility of nutrients did not differ whether the fecal samples were collected before or after two days of ileal digesta collection in pigs.

Sorghum tannin extract impedes in vitro digestibility and fermentability of nutrients in the simulated porcine gastrointestinal tract.

The site and extent of digestion of sorghum nutrients affected by tannins in the intestine are not clarified. Porcine small intestine digestion and large intestine fermentation were simulated in vitro to determine the effects of sorghum tannin extract on the digestion and fermentation characteristics of nutrients in the mimicked porcine gastrointestinal tract. In experiment 1, low-tannin sorghum grain without or with 30 mg/g sorghum tannin extract were digested by porcine pepsin and pancreatin to measure in vitro digestibility of nutrients. In experiment 2, the lyophilized porcine ileal digesta from 3 barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 27.75 ± 1.46 kg) fed the low-tannin sorghum grain without or with 30 mg/g sorghum tannin extract and the undigested residues from experiment 1 were, individually, incubated with fresh pig cecal digesta as inoculums for 48 h to simulate the porcine hindgut fermentation. The results revealed that sorghum tannin extract decreased in vitro digestibility of nutrients both by pepsin hydrolysis or pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis (P < 0.05). Although enzymatically unhydrolyzed residues provided more energy (P = 0.09) and nitrogen (P < 0.05) as fermentation substrates, the microbial degradation of nutrients from unhydrolyzed residues and porcine ileal digesta were both decreased by sorghum tannin extract (P < 0.05). Regardless of unhydrolyzed residues or ileal digesta as fermentation substrates, microbial metabolites including the accumulative gas production excluding the first 6 h, total short-chain fatty acid and microbial protein content in the fermented solutions were decreased (P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae AC2044 and NK4A136 and Ruminococcus_1 was decreased by sorghum tannin extract (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sorghum tannin extract not only directly decreased the chemical enzymatic digestion of nutrients in the simulated anterior intestine, but also directly inhibited the microbial fermentation including microbial diversities and metabolites in the simulated posterior intestine of pigs. The experiment implies that the decreased abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae by tannins in the hindgut may weaken the fermentation capacity of microflora and thus impair the nutrient digestion in the hindgut, and ultimately reduce the total tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs fed high tannin sorghum.

Homeopathic Products as a Complementary Dietary Additive for Pigs in their Growing and Finishing Phases.

Homeopathic products (HP) have been proposed for the prevention of disease and as a complementary dietary additive in pig farming, with resulting improved performance and quality of life of the animals and with benefits for food safety. The aim of this study was to assess the addition of HP to pig feed and its effects on growth performance, dietary protein utilization, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and economic feasibility. A total of 80 male pigs, body weight 32.8±2.3kg, were allocated in a randomized design, with two treatments of 10 replications and four animals per experimental unit. Treatments were composed of a control diet (CD) or CD+HP (Finalvitaplus+Figotonus, 1.1kg/ton feed of each product). The outcome measures used were growth performance (body weight gain) and feed efficiency (body weight gain per unit of feed consumed), efficiency of dietary protein utilization (blood urea nitrogen), nutrient digestibility (apparent digestibility coefficient and apparent nutrient digestibility), meat quality (including pH, temperature, color, liquid loss by cooking and thawing, intramuscular fat and meat tenderness), and economic feasibility (cost of the diets). There was no effect (p >0.05) of treatments on growth performance of the pigs, though the group that received HP showed an 8.93% greater feed efficiency than the control group (p=0.077). The animals in the control group had a 14.37% higher blood urea nitrogen concentration in the finishing I phase (70-100kg body weight) compared with those fed HP (p=0.028), indicating lower protein utilization in the controls. There was comparative improvement in digestibility coefficient and in nutrient digestibility in pigs fed HP in the growing-finishing phase (p <0.05). There was no differential effect of treatments on meat quality or economic feasibility (p >0.05). The addition of HP to the diet of growing-finishing pigs produced some improvement in their dietary protein utilization, nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency, though it did not affect their growth performance, meat quality or economic feasibility.

Compromised Hindgut Microbial Digestion, Rather Than Chemical Digestion in the Foregut, Leads to Decreased Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs Fed Low-Protein Diets.

Background: Reduced nutrient digestibility due to low-protein (LP) diets occurring in the foregut or hindgut of pigs remains unclear. Methods: Growing barrows (21.7 ± 1.7 kg) were allotted into LP and high-protein (HP) diet treatments. Ileal digesta and feces were collected for in vitro cross-fermentation and microbial sequencing, and cross-feeding assessed nutrient digestibility. Results: No difference in foregut digesta flora and nutrient digestibility between treatments was observed. LP diet caused decreased total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared with the HP diet (p < 0.05). The fermentation broth from LP diet-fed pigs induced less full fermentation digestion of DM, OM, crude protein, and GE than HP broth (p < 0.05). Additionally, LP broth fermentation presented lower fermentation gas and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) generation than HP group (p < 0.05). This situation above may be related to decreased abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Eubacterium_eligens_group, Roseburia, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-009, which can efficiently ferment nutrients to produce SCFA. Conclusions: Change in the flora caused compromise in hindgut microbial fermentation digestion leads to decreased total tract nutrient digestibility in pigs fed an LP diet.

The Influence of feeding of polyacrylamide and mineral-vitamin supplements on growth indices and digestivity of nutrients of young food in young

The effect of feeding polyacrylamide (PA) and mineral-vitamin supplements (MVD) on the average daily gain, hematological parameters, nutrient digestibility in pigs, metabolism of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and manganese at the age of 4.5 and 7 months. Polyacrylamide and mineral-vitamin supplements were introduced into the diets of pigs of experimental (2–4) groups, taking into account the actual presence of mineral elements and vitamins in feed and the needs of animals in them.Young animals of the 2nd group were fed polyacrylamide at the rate of 0.5 g per 1 kg of live weight; 3rd group - mineral and vitamin supplements g per ton of feed in the following quantities (mg): iron sulfate - 117, copper carbon dioxide - 36, zinc - 203, cobalt - 8, manganese chloride - 133, potassium iodide (stabilized) - 0.4 , vitamins A - 917 million IU, D - 133 million. IO, E - 972 million. IO B1 - 270, B2 - 6, C - 2250; Group 4 - polyacrylamide and mineral and vitamin supplements in the above quantities. Studies on young pigs were conducted in 2 stages: the equalization period (25 days) - the diets of piglets in the control and experimental groups are the same; main period (150 days) - animals of the control group were fed standard feed, and the experimental was given additional PA and MIA. For use in the diets of young pigs, the above additives, there was an increase in animal immunity due to increased gamma globulin in blood proteins, an increase in average daily live weight gain by 21.4 - 23.3% during the period of growing and fattening pigs, better use of animal feed , a positive effect on slaughter products. Key words: young animals, polyacrylamide, mineral elements, vitamins, albumins, globulins, live weight, rearing, fattening, feed consumption metabolism, slaughter yield.

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.

PSII-17 Comparison of corn ethanol co-products from Brazil and USA apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, EE, NDF, ADF, and CP, the metabolizability of energy, of two high protein (HP) corn distillers dried grain (DDG) and of two corn DDG with solubles (DDGS), from Brazil and USA, and their respective digestible and metabolizable energy content in growing pigs. Fifty crossbred barrows (32.4±6.9kg) were distributed in a randomized block design, with 10 replicates, and received a 96.7 % corn basal diet (BD) or four diets with 40% of each test ingredient: Brazilian HP DDG (BHP); USA HP DDG (UHP); Brazilian DDGS (BDG) and USA DDGS (UDG), substituting for corn. Animals were fed at 2.8 x maintenance (110 kcal of DE per kg of BW0.75) for 7 d adaptation and 4 d of total feces and urine collection. The ATTD of nutrients and energy were calculated by difference and the results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P&amp;lt; 0.05). The BHP and UHP samples contained (as is basis) 92.3 – 89.6% DM, 2.8 – 3.5% ash, 42.9 – 34.9% CP, 10.3 – 7.3% EE, 32.7 – 47.5% NDF, 13.3 – 17.5% ADF, 5.30 – 4.90 Mcal/kg, respectively. The BDG and UDG samples contained (as is basis) 86.1 – 86.1% DM, 4.8 – 4.9% ash, 13.9 – 25.8% CP, 9.0 – 6.4% EE, 40.8 – 40.2% NDF, 13.3 – 14.3% ADF, 4.51 – 4.53 Mcal/kg, respectively. The ATTD of DM and GE and the digestible and metabolizable energy contents of BHP were greater (P&amp;lt; 0.05) than those verified in UHP. The ATTD of DM, GE, NDF, ADF, digestible and metabolizable energy values of BDG were lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than those verified in UDG. In conclusion, the BHP presented higher digestible values to almost all parameters evaluated, however, all ingredients presented acceptable digestible contents, indicating they may be used in pigs feeding.

Effects of a novel E. coli phytase expressed in Pseudomonas fluorescens on growth, bone mineralization, and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets.

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of a novel Escherichia coli phytase expressed in Pseudomonas fluorescens on growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets. In experiment 1, 160 nursery pigs (9.79 ± 1.22 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four treatments with 10 pens per treatment and four pigs per pen. Phase I and phase II diets were provided from d 0 to d 14 and d 14 to d 28, respectively. Treatments included: positive control (PC) with all nutrients meeting requirements; negative control (NC) with standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P reduced by 0.15% and 0.14% compared with PC in phase I and phase II, respectively; and NC diets containing 250 or 500 units of phytase (FTU) per kilogram. Results demonstrated that pigs fed PC had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and G:F for the overall experimental period, and greater (P < 0.01) bone ash and P concentrations, compared with pigs fed NC or diets with phytase supplementation. Pigs fed diets containing phytase had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and G:F for the overall experimental period compared with pigs fed the NC diet without phytase, and bone ash and P weights were increased (P < 0.01) as well. In experiment 2, 63 growing barrows (56.25 ± 2.54 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to one of seven treatments with nine pens per treatment and one pig per pen. A basal corn–soybean meal diet was formulated to meet nutrient requirements for growing pigs with the exception that STTD P was reduced by 0.18% compared with the requirement, and Ca was included to achieve a Ca:STTD P ratio of 2.15. Six additional diets were formulated by adding 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 FTU/kg of phytase to the basal diet. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 12 d with 7 d of adaptation and 5 d of fecal sample collection. Results indicated that there was a linear (P < 0.01) increase in apparent total tract digestibility of ash and ether extract, and STTD of Ca and P also increased (linear, P < 0.05) in response to increasing doses of phytase. Increasing phytase levels in the diets resulted in increase (quadratic, P < 0.05) in apparent ileal digestibility of Arg, His, Ile, Lys, Trp, Asp, and Glu. In conclusion, the novel E. coli phytase was effective in increasing growth performance, bone mineralization, and Ca and P digestibility in pigs fed corn–soybean meal-based diets. Results also indicated that this phytase had the potential to enhance the digestibility of fat and certain AA.

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 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.

Assessment of fecal near-infrared spectroscopy to predict feces chemical composition and apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs.

Apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients could be an alternative measure of feed efficiency (FE) when breeding for robust animals that are fed fiber-rich diets. Apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients requires measuring individual feed intake of a large number of animals which is expensive and complex. Alternatively, ATTD of nutrients and feces chemical composition can be predicted using fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FNIRS). The objective of this study was to assess if the feces chemical composition and ATTD of nutrients can be predicted using FNIRS that originate from various pig-experimental datasets. Fecal samples together with detailed information on the feces chemical composition and ATTD of nutrients were obtained from four different pig experiments. Feces near-infrared spectroscopy was analyzed from fecal samples of a complete dataset. The model was calibrated using the FNIRS and reference samples of feces chemical composition and ATTD of nutrients. The robustness and predictability of the model were evaluated by the r2 and the closeness between SE of calibration (SEC) and SE of cross-validation (SECV). Prediction of the feces chemical components and ATTD of nutrients were successful as SEC and SECV were equivalent. Calibration model was developed to estimate the ATTD of nutrients and fecal chemical composition from the FNIRS and worked well for OM (r2 = 0.94; SEC = 48.5; SECV = 56.6), CP (r2 = 0.89; SEC = 18.1; SECV = 18.8), GE (r2 = 0.92; SEC = 1.2; SECV = 1.4), NDF (r2 = 0.94; SEC = 55; SECV = 60.2), OM digestibility (r2 = 0.94; SEC = 5.5; SECV = 6.7), GE digestibility (r2 = 0.88; SEC = 2.3; SECV = 2.6), and fat digestibility (r2 = 0.79; SEC = 6, SECV = 6.8). However, the SE of prediction was slightly higher than what has been reported in another study. The prediction of feces chemical composition for fat (r2 = 0.69; SEC = 11.7, SECV = 12.3), CP digestibility (r2 = 0.63; SEC = 2.3; SECV = 2.7), and NDF digestibility (r2 = 0.64, SEC = 7.7, SECV = 8.8) was moderate. We conclude that the FNIRS accurately predicts the chemical composition of feces and ATTD of nutrients for OM, CP, and GE. The approach of FNIRS is a cost-effective method for measuring digestibility and FE in a large-scale pig-breeding programs.

237 Umami Sensory Stimulation Improves Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs.

237 Umami Sensory Stimulation Improves Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs.

166 Effect of Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Sodium Metabisulfite, an Antimycotoxin Additive, on Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs.

166 Effect of Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Sodium Metabisulfite, an Antimycotoxin Additive, on Nutrient Digestibility in Pigs.

Use of protected zinc oxide in lower doses in weaned pigs in substitution for the conventional high dose zinc oxide

This study tested the hypothesis that protected zinc oxide (ZnO) in lower doses can substitute the high dose conventional ZnO in weaned pigs for improved growth performance and alleviation of digestive disorders. A total of 150 crossbred weaning pigs (28 days old) with an average body weight (BW) of 6.48 ± 1.58 kg were blocked and stratified based on sex and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments [5 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts); 5 pens per treatment] for a 6-wk trial in two phases. Treatments consisted of basal diet (NC); Basal diet without Zn in mineral premix with either 2500 ppm unprotected ZnO (PC) or 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm protected ZnO (PZ1, PZ2, PZ3 and PZ4 respectively). As a result of this experiment, the growth performance in pigs fed protected ZnO diets was comparable with PC diet during phase 1 and 2, except for G/F ratio in phase 1. There were cubic effects (P < 0.05) of protected ZnO dose on average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during phase 2. The coefficient of apparent total tract (CAATD) nutrient digestibility in pigs fed protected ZnO diets was comparable with PC diet. The concentration of Zn in the serum of pigs fed PC diet was higher (P < 0.05) than protected ZnO diets during wk 1, 3 and 6. The faecal Zn concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed PC diets compared to NC and PZ diets during wk 1, 3 and 6. A linear response of protected ZnO dose was observed on faecal Zn concentration. The E.coli and Clostridium spp counts were lower (P < 0.05) in the digesta from colon of pigs fed PC diet than protected ZnO diets during wk 3. Quadratic and cubic effects (P < 0.05) of protected ZnO dose were observed on E.coli counts in the digesta of ileum and colon of pigs. Linear effects (P < 0.05) of protected ZnO dose were observed on Lactobacillus and Clostridium counts on the digesta of ileum and colon respectively. The faecal E.coli counts were greater in protected ZnO than in conventional ZnO during wk 1 and 3. The faecal Lactobacillus counts were greater (P < 0.05) and Salmonella counts were lower (P < 0.05) in PZ1 and PZ2 diets than PC diets during wk 6. Linear and quadratic effects (P < 0.05) of protected ZnO dose on E.coli counts during wk 3 and linear effects on Lactobacillus and Salmonella counts during wk 6 were observed.In conclusion, a lower dose of protected ZnO could replace the higher dose of conventional ZnO because it has comparable or better effects than conventional ZnO in a higher dose.

Do olive polyphenols negatively affect nutrient digestibility in pigs?

It is widely accepted that olive (Olea europaea L.) polyphenols (OP) have many favourable properties (e.g. antioxidative, antimicrobial, antifungal). OP can improve the growth and nutrient digestibility of animals via affecting digestion and health, even though they could negatively affect the mineral absorption by forming insoluble complexes with minerals in the intestine. In the present study, the effects of a dietary olive leaves extract (OLE) on nutrient digestibility in pigs were studied. Twenty-four weaned castrated male piglets were fed a no supplemented (C) or a supplemented diet with three different levels of OLE (O1, O2 and O3: 3.84 mg, 38.4 mg, 96 mg hydroxytyrosol equivalents/day, respectively). Retention and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), organic matter (OM), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash, neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fibres (ADF), gross energy (GE), Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, K and Na were measured. Results showed that OLE lowered the retention of Fe and K, and revealed a numerical tendency to lower the retention of Cu and ATTD of Fe and Cu. In conclusion, a low dietary supplementation of OLE has no effect on the digestibility and retention of major nutrients, although some minor negative effects on mineral digestibility can be present.

The effects of xylanase on grower pig performance, concentrations of volatile fatty acids and peptide YY in portal and peripheral blood

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) present in wheat and barley can act as anti-nutrients leading to an increase in digesta viscosity and a reduction in nutrient digestibility. Xylanase, an NSP-degrading enzyme, has been shown to increase nutrient digestibility in pigs. The objectives of this study were: (1) to identify the optimum inclusion level of xylanase in grower pig diets by measuring the effect of increasing enzyme levels on growth performance, the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and peptide YY concentration in portal and peripheral blood of grower pigs and (2) to increase our understanding of the interrelationships between xylanase inclusion, VFA production and peptide YY secretion. A total of 512 grower pigs ((Large White×Landrace)×MAXGRO) were allocated to pens creating 32 replicates of four pigs per pen per treatment. Pigs were allocated to trial weighing 14.2±0.31 kg and remained on trial until ~41.5±3.31 kg. The experiment was a dose response design with four inclusion levels (0, 8000, 16 000 or 32 000 BXU/kg) of xylanase (Econase XT). Diets were cereal-based wheat, barley mix formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements of grower pigs. Body weight and feed intake were recorded to calculate growth performance. Pen faecal samples were collected to estimate DM, organic matter (OM) and crude fibre (CF) apparent total-tract digestibility. At the end of the trial 16 pigs per treatment were euthanised by schedule 1 procedures. Peripheral and portal blood samples were collected for peptide YY and VFA analysis. The addition of xylanase to the diet had no effect on growth performance, DM, OM or CF total-tract digestibility; however, xylanase tended to have a quadratic effect on ileum pH with higher pH values recorded for pigs fed a diet supplemented with 8000 and 16 000 BXU/kg xylanase (P<0.1). Xylanase had no effect on peptide YY levels or VFA concentration. Total VFA concentration was higher in portal compared with peripheral blood (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of xylanase had no effect on grower pig performance, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration or peptide YY concentration when fed up to 32 000 BXU/kg over a 35-day period. Pig performance was good for all treatments throughout the trial suggesting that diet quality was sufficient thus there were no beneficial effects of adding xylanase.

The repeatability of individual nutrient digestibility in pigs

Abstract Digestibility of nutrients in pig diets is an important component of overall feed efficiency. Targeted improvement of digestibility is currently mainly achieved by optimization of pig diets, based on information generated from digestibility trials that aim to establish fecal digestibility coefficients of different nutrients across a variety of ingredients. Genetic selection for nutrient digestibility is hampered by shortage of data on individual digestibility, but might help to further improve efficiency of pork production. The present study aimed to estimate the repeatability of fecal digestibility in pigs, as a first step to judge the perspectives for a breeding approach of nutrient digestibility. To achieve this, data was accumulated across nine digestibility trials, containing 1150 digestibility records of 416 growing pigs, measured across the trials. The data was analyzed with a model estimating variances for trial, diet, common litter, and individual animal effect for digestibility of Dry Matter, Ash, Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Crude fat and Non-Starch Polysaccharides. The factors diet and trial together explained the majority of the phenotypic variance, due to the design of the trials. Within diet and trial, common litter and individual animal effect contributed 0–10% of the phenotypic variance. The repeatability estimates ranged from 7% for Ash to 16% for Crude Protein, which suggests there may be genetic variation between pigs in digestibility. In conclusion, the repeatability estimates indicate it is worthwhile to collect phenotypic data that enable the estimation of genetic parameters for digestibility, if these data can be obtained at reasonable cost.

Dietary supplemented antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 improves the growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs.

Microcin J25 (MccJ25) is an antimicrobial peptide produced by a fecal strain of Escherichia coli containing 21 AA. This study was performed primarily to evaluate the effects of MccJ25 as a potential substitute for antibiotics (AB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. In the present study, 180 weaned pigs (7.98 ± 0.29 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments, including a basal diet (CON) and CON supplemented with AB (20 mg/kg colistin sulfate; ABD) or 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25. On d 0 to 14, dietary supplementation with MccJ25 and ABD had positive effects on ADG, ADFI, diarrhea incidence, and G:F ( < 0.05). Pigs fed the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet had greater ADG ( < 0.05) and marginally greater G:F ( < 0.10) compared with pigs fed the ABD diet. Compared with the CON diet, the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet sharply improved ( < 0.05) ADG and G:F and decreased ( < 0.05) diarrhea incidence (d 15 to 28 and d 0 to 28). Apparent digestibility of nutrients in pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 was improved ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON and ABD. The serum cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in pigs fed MccJ25 were greater than in pigs fed CON ( < 0.05). Additionally, the IL-10 concentration in pigs fed MccJ25 was sharply increased ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON. Pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diets had remarkably decreased lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin concentrations and fecal numbers ( < 0.05) and improved fecal and numbers ( < 0.05). Compared with the ABD diet, the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 did not increase lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin (d 14) concentrations ( < 0.05) or decrease the and (d 28) numbers ( < 0.05). The diets containing 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 and ABD (d 28) improved lactate concentration and short-chain fatty acid concentrations, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, in feces ( < 0.05). Moreover, the pigs fed 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 had greater lactate, butyrate (d 14), and propionate concentrations than the pigs fed the ABD diet ( < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplemented MccJ25 effectively improved performance, attenuated diarrhea and systematic inflammation, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and improved fecal microbiota composition of weaned pigs. Therefore, MccJ25 could be a potential effective alternative to AB for weaned pigs.