Gastrointestinal Tract Of Pigs Research Articles

Comparative exoproteome analyses of Lactobacillus spp. reveals species- and strain-specific proteins involved in their extracellular interaction and probiotic potential

Due to their health-promoting effects, the probiotic applications of lactobacilli have been investigated. Aside from their basic cellular functions, the extracellular activities of probiotic lactobacilli influence their establishment and interaction with the host. Many extracellular proteins play important roles in bacterial colonization and survival in their host's gastrointestinal environment. In this study, we compared the exoproteome of three lactobacillus strains isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs and chickens, namely, Lactobacillus mucosae LM1, L. johnsonii PF01, and L. johnsonii C1–10. Extracellular proteins collected in the mid-logarithmic growth phase were identified and quantified using a Q Exactive™ Orbitrap mass spectrometer (MS). Of 99 total extracellular proteins, 83% belonged to L. mucosae LM1; L. johnsonii PF01 strains had fewer extracellular proteins. Enolase, which is involved in the glycolysis pathway and has moonlighting functions in the adhesion of probiotic bacteria, was found in the core exoproteomes of the three strains. The most abundant proteins of each strain were phosphoketolase in L. mucosae LM1, aggregation-promoting factor in L. johnsonii PF01, and levansucrase in L. johnsonii C1–10. The observed differences between these three exoproteomes in terms of cellular and molecular function elucidate the extracellular activities of these isolates.

Bacteriocinogenic properties of Escherichia coli P2C isolated from pig gastrointestinal tract: purification and characterization of microcin V.

The aim of this study was to isolate and investigate the bacteriocinogenic and probiotic potential of new Gram-negative isolates. Of 22 bacterial isolates from pig intestine and chicken crops, ten isolates had demonstrated a good activity, and the most potent five strains were identified as four E. coli and one as Proteus sp. No virulence factors were detected for E. coli strains isolated from pig intestine. The semi-purified microcins proved to be resistant to temperature and pH variation, but sensitive to proteolytic enzymes. Of particular interest, strain E. coli P2C was the most potent, free of virulence genes and sensitive to tested antibiotics. Purification procedure revealed the presence of a single pure peak having a molecular mass of 8733.94Da and matching microcin V (MccV). The sequence obtained by LC-MS/MS confirmed the presence of MccV. Purified MccV showed a good activity against pathogenic coliforms, especially E. coli O1K1H7 involved in avian colibacillosis. The present study provides evidence that E. coli strains isolated from pig intestine produce microcin-like substances. E. coli P2C is a safe MccV producer that could be a good candidate for its application as novel probiotic strain to protect livestock and enhance growth performance.

Isolation and Selection of Potential Probiotic Bacteria from the Pig Gastrointestinal Tract

The present study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from the pig gastrointestinal tract that have antagonistic activity against potential pathogens and are able to produce antimicrobial compounds. That ability would be a first requirement for the strains' possible use as probiotics. Samples obtained from pig intestinal mucosa and contents were screened for the presence of antagonistic activity against pathogenic indicator strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria by means of the double-layer technique. Samples displaying the largest inhibitory halos were further studied for the production of inhibitory substances using the agar diffusion and microtitration methods. The three most promising isolates were identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and showed highest affiliation to Lactobacillus salivarius. Optimal growth conditions and bacteriocin production were recorded in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth under anaerobic conditions at 37°C. The antimicrobial substances were found to be sensitive to proteolytic enzymes but showed good stability at pH values below 6. Our findings suggest that these three intestinal strains are able to produce antimicrobial substances capable of inhibiting the growth of potential enteric pathogens and might have potential as probiotic feed additives for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Effect of ceftiofur and enrofloxacin on E. coli sub-population in pig gastrointestinal tract.

Antibiotic resistant sub-population of the gut microbiome in both human and animals may be enriched during antimicrobial treatment. This study investigated how the size and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of antibiotic resistant sub-population organisms in the animal gastrointestinal tract changed upon exposure to different levels of ceftiofur and enrofloxacin by plating fecal samples collected from piglets before and after antibiotic treatment onto MacConkey agar containing 0.5μg/ml cefotaxime and determination of the resistance rate. Genetic characteristics and relatedness of strains collected before and after treatment was tested to determine if resistant Escherichia coli strains that emerged after treatment was due to dissemination of resistance-encoding mobile elements or clonal expansion of specific strains. Antibiotic resistant organisms constituted a varied but significant proportion of the gut flora regardless of the degree of previous exposure to antibiotics; the proportion of sub-population resistant organisms in the gut flora decreased but remained detectable even 10 days after antibiotic selection pressure had been relieved, and increased again upon renewed exposure to antibiotic regardless of the approach of administration. The increased prevalence of cefotaxime resistant strains in the animal GI tract upon treatment with sub-therapeutic and therapeutic concentrations of ceftiofur/enrofloxacin was respectively attributed to transmission of blaCTX-M-borne plasmids and clonal expansion of pre-existing resistant strains. The gut flora of animals comprises a high baseline level of resistance, among which resistant organisms cannot be eradicated but instead being further enriched in successive episodes of antibiotic treatment.

Importance of feed structure (particle size) and feed form (mash vs. pellets) in pig nutrition – A review

Pigs are monogastric animals with simple, single-chambered stomach and require easily digestible, high quality feed. One of the most important factors that determine feed utilization by pigs is the particle size distribution. The reduction of particle size of feed improves pigs’ performance due to increased specific surface of feed particles allowing better contact with digestive enzymes. In this respect, fine grinding could be recommended in production of pig feed. Additionally, in modern pig production dry feed is predominantly used in pelleted form, which is mainly due to improved (i.e. decreased) feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs fed pelleted feed, but also due to other advantages of pelleted over mash feed.Size of feed particles is strongly reduced during pelleting process. Consequently, digestibility of nutrients in pig feed could be improved. On the other hand, presence of high quantities of fine particles in pig feed (both mash and pelleted) negatively affects the health of gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) leading to higher incidence of stomach ulceration and other negative alterations of gastric mucosa (keratization, erosions). Gastric ulcers are one of the most important causes of sudden death on farm that can result in large economic losses in pig production. Concerning that the animal therapy is expensive, labor-intensive, and mostly non-effective due to late recognition of ulceration, prophylactic recommendations are required. Thus, according to literature data, decreasing the quantity of fine particles in pig feed is strongly recommended.Particle size distribution of the pigs’ feed has a strong influence on presence of pathogen bacteria in GIT of pigs. Feeding pigs with coarse mash feed decreases pH value of stomach content compared to pigs fed finely ground mash feed and compared to pigs fed pelleted feed. This can be explained by slower passage rate, increased dry matter, and more dense consistency of stomach content in pigs fed coarse mash diets. Consequently, feed acidification in stomach is better, number of lactic acid bacteria and concentration of organic acids is higher, and pH of stomach content is lower. These conditions create additional “barrier” against pathogen bacteria.According to available data, optimal particle size of diets for pigs is in the range between 500 and 1600μm, while particles smaller than 400μm are considered as undesirable with high ulcerogenic capacity. Optimal particle size could be designed in the grinding process, and it was shown that the most convenient grinding method is to combine roller mill and hammer mill. Concerning that nowadays pigs are mainly fed pelleted feed, and that pelleting causes strong additional grinding of feed particles, particle size distribution (PSD) obtained within the grinding process would be dramatically changed during pelleting. The possibilities to decrease the intensity of grinding of particles during pelleting, by variation of parameters of pelleting process, are very limited. Modified extrusion process (i.e. processing using expander) followed by shaping element, is suggested in the literature as an alternative for pelleting in order to obtain agglomerated pig feed with preserved PSD, but this process is not extensively studied so far.

Roles of Probiotic Lactobacilli Inclusion in Helping Piglets Establish Healthy Intestinal Inter-environment for Pathogen Defense.

The gastrointestinal tract of pigs is densely populated with microorganisms that closely interact with the host and with ingested feed. Gut microbiota benefits the host by providing nutrients from dietary substrates and modulating the development and function of the digestive and immune systems. An optimized gastrointestinal microbiome is crucial for pigs' health, and establishment of the microbiome in piglets is especially important for growth and disease resistance. However, the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets is immature and easily influenced by the environment. Supplementing the microbiome of piglets with probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus could help create an optimized microbiome by improving the abundance and number of lactobacilli and other indigenous probiotic bacteria. Dominant indigenous probiotic bacteria could improve piglets' growth and immunity through certain cascade signal transduction pathways. The piglet body provides a permissive habitat and nutrients for bacterial colonization and growth. In return, probiotic bacteria produce prebiotics such as short-chain fatty acids and bacteriocins that benefit piglets by enhancing their growth and reducing their risk of enteric infection by pathogens. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions between piglets and members of their gut microbiota will help develop new dietary interventions that can enhance piglets' growth, protect piglets from enteric diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria, and maximize host feed utilization.

Prolonged energy harvesting for ingestible devices.

Ingestible electronics have revolutionized the standard of care for a variety of health conditions. Extending the capacity and safety of these devices, and reducing the costs of powering them, could enable broad deployment of prolonged monitoring systems for patients. Although prior biocompatible power harvesting systems for in vivo use have demonstrated short minute-long bursts of power from the stomach, not much is known about the capacity to power electronics in the longer term and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report the design and operation of an energy-harvesting galvanic cell for continuous in vivo temperature sensing and wireless communication. The device delivered an average power of 0.23 μW per mm2 of electrode area for an average of 6.1 days of temperature measurements in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. This power-harvesting cell has the capacity to provide power for prolonged periods of time to the next generation of ingestible electronic devices located in the gastrointestinal tract.

Composition and diversity of mucosa-associated microbiota along the entire length of the pig gastrointestinal tract; dietary influences.

Mucosa-associated microbial populations of the gastrointestinal tract are in intimate contact with the outer mucus layer. This proximity offers these populations a higher potential, than lumenal microbiota, in exerting effects on the host. Functional characteristics of the microbiota and influences of host-physiology shape the composition and activity of the mucosa-associated bacterial community. We have shown previously that inclusion of an artificial sweetener, SUCRAM, included in the diet of weaning piglets modulates the composition of lumenal-residing gut microbiota and reduces weaning-related gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, using Illumina sequencing we characterised the mucosa-associated microbiota along the length of the intestine of piglets, and determined the effect of SUCRAM supplementation on mucosa-associated populations. There were clear distinctions in the composition of mucosa-associated microbiota, between small and large intestine, concordant with differences in regional oxygen distribution and nutrient provision by the host. There were significant differences in the composition of mucosa-associated compared with lumenal microbiota in pig caecum. Dietary supplementation with SUCRAM affected mucosa-associated bacterial community structure along the length of the intestinal tract. Most notably, there was a substantial reduction in predominant Campylobacter populations proposing that SUCRAM supplementation of swine diet has potential for reducing meat contamination and promoting food safety.

Cooking Has Variable Effects on the Fermentability in the Large Intestine of the Fraction of Meats, Grain Legumes, and Insects That Is Resistant to Digestion in the Small Intestine in an in Vitro Model of the Pig's Gastrointestinal Tract.

This study aimed to evaluate the fermentation in the large intestine of indigestible dietary protein sources from animal, insect, and plant origin using an in vitro model of the pig's gastrointestinal tract. Protein sources were used raw and after a cooking treatment. Results showed that the category of the ingredient (meats, insects, or grain legumes) exerts a stronger impact on enzymatic digestibility, fermentation patterns, and bacterial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) than the cooking treatment. The digestibility and the fermentation characteristics of insects were more affected by the cooking procedure than the other categories. Per gram of consumed food, ingredients from animal origin, namely, meats and insects, were associated with fewer fermentation end-products (gas, H2S, SCFA) than ingredients from plant origin, which is related to their higher small intestinal digestibility.

Selective Pressure Promotes Tetracycline Resistance of Chlamydia Suis in Fattening Pigs.

In pigs, Chlamydia suis has been associated with respiratory disease, diarrhea and conjunctivitis, but there is a high rate of inapparent C. suis infection found in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Tetracycline resistance in C. suis has been described in the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Cyprus and Israel. Tetracyclines are commonly used in pig production due to their broad-spectrum activity and relatively low cost. The aim of this study was to isolate clinical C. suis samples in cell culture and to evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility in vitro under consideration of antibiotic treatment on herd level.Swab samples (n = 158) identified as C. suis originating from 24 farms were further processed for isolation, which was successful in 71% of attempts with a significantly higher success rate from fecal swabs compared to conjunctival swabs. The farms were divided into three treatment groups: A) farms without antibiotic treatment, B) farms with prophylactic oral antibiotic treatment of the whole herd consisting of trimethoprime, sulfadimidin and sulfathiazole (TSS), or C) farms giving herd treatment with chlortetracycline with or without tylosin and sulfadimidin (CTS). 59 isolates and their corresponding clinical samples were selected and tested for the presence or absence of the tetracycline resistance class C gene [tet(C)] by conventional PCR and isolates were further investigated for their antibiotic susceptibility in vitro. The phenotype of the investigated isolates was either classified as tetracycline sensitive (Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] < 2 μg/ml), intermediate (2 μg/ml ≤ MIC < 4 μg/ml) or resistant (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml). Results of groups and individual pigs were correlated with antibiotic treatment and time of sampling (beginning/end of the fattening period). We found clear evidence for selective pressure as absence of antibiotics led to isolation of only tetracycline sensitive or intermediate strains whereas tetracycline treatment resulted in a greater number of tetracycline resistant isolates.

Development of putative probiotics as feed additives: validation in a porcine-specific gastrointestinal tract model.

Enforced restrictions on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production have prompted investigations into alternative feed additives in recent decades. Probiotics are currently the main feed additive used in livestock. However, the selection of probiotic candidates relies on human-based methods and little is known about the verification criteria for host-specific selection. We investigated the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus salivarius strains isolated from fed pig feces for their use as porcine feed additives. Two methods were developed that simulated the pig gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the intestinal epithelium, and these were compared with human-based in vitro methods and used for selecting porcine probiotics. Lactobacillus salivarius strain LS6 was identified as a promising probiotic strain for potential use as a porcine feed additive. This strain prevented disruption of the epithelial integrity of pig small intestine (PSI) cells by inhibiting the adherence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88. It also showed high survival rates in the in vitro pig GI tract model and good adhesion to PSI cells. We propose that host target-specific screening and validation methods are important tools in the development of effective probiotic feed additives, and this approach may support future-oriented agriculture.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00253-016-7812-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Health and functions of the gastrointestinal tract in pigs: Effects of functional ingredients and feed and ingredient processing

This paper provides a review on the effects of functional ingredients and processing of ingredients and diets on the functions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and health of the GIT in pigs. There is increasing attention for these topics since the ban of in-feed growth promoting antibiotics in many parts of the world and due to the pressure on the use of antibiotics in animal production. A prime function of the GIT is to digest and absorb nutrients. In addition, it has a complex barrier function of which the intestinal microbiota and the residing local immune system are important components. The health of the GIT is related to the capacity of the GIT to exert these functions. Ingredient and nutrient composition of the diet affect the various functions of the GIT and, therefore, also influence GIT health. Feed and feed ingredient processing can affect the extent and site of enzymatic nutrient digestion within the small intestine but can also induce changes in the extent of fermentation of dietary constituents by intestinal microbiota and induce changes in microbiota composition in various segments of the GIT. Further understanding of the mechanisms involved in the complex interactions among the diet, intestinal microbiota, and intestinal tissue can assist in supporting functions of the GIT and health of the GIT via targeted modifications of the diet.

Characterization of porcine intestinal enteroid cultures under a lipopolysaccharide challenge1

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) located in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria are recognized by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). This interaction initiates a proinflammatory response that antagonizes pig performance and increases morbidity and mortality. Understanding this signaling cascade in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs has relied heavily on cell lines isolated several decades ago. Therefore, we produced and characterized a porcine intestinal enteriod model to study the impact a LPS challenge has on TLR4 localization. Modifying protocols used to isolate porcine, murine, and human intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESC), we were able to isolate porcine IESC. After 7 to 10 d of culturing the IESC, 3-dimensional intestinal enteroid structures were identified. These intestinal enteroids were characterized via immunofluorescent markers (villin, chromogranin A, and claudin 4) and were shown to contain enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells and form tight junctions. After 14 to 16 d of culture, porcine intestinal enteroids underwent a 24-h LPS challenge (10 μg/mL) to study the localization of TLR4. Control intestinal enteroids showed TLR4 disbursed throughout the cells, whereas localization was more punctate in LPS-treated intestinal enteroids. Co-staining with the early endosome marker early endosome antigen 1 showed increased internalization and colocalization of TLR4 with early endosome antigen 1 after LPS exposure (P = 0.03). In conclusion, porcine intestinal enteroids were responsive to a LPS challenge, which resulted in the internalization of TLR4 to the early endosome, and these enteroids cultures may be a viable model for understanding intestinal inflammation and receptor localization.

Regulation of taste signaling molecules by high protein diet in the pig gastrointestinal tract

Regulation of taste signaling molecules by high protein diet in the pig gastrointestinal tract

In vitro evaluation of fermentation characteristics of two types of insects as potential novel protein feeds for pigs1

Novel protein sources such as insects are suggested for pig nutrition. Protein availability might be impacted by the nature of the insect and by the thermal treatment applied to sanitize this ingredient. Their influence on protein availability and colonic fermentation is unknown. Plant proteins (beans, lentils, peas, and soybean, raw and vapor cooked) were compared to adult house crickets (Acheta domesticus) and mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) that had been autoclaved, oven cooked (150 and 200°C), or used raw. Ingredients were run in an in vitro model of the pig gastrointestinal tract combining enzymes to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine and subsequent fermentation by fecal microbes to simulate hindgut fermentation. In vitro crude protein disappearance (IVCPD) of insects decreased with oven cooking at 150°C or autoclaving (P < 0.05) while that of plants was unaffected (P > 0.05), except for soybean. IVCPD of raw mealworms (0.726) equaled that of the best plants (0.725 to 0.763) while crickets were less digestible (P < 0.01). Consequences on fermentation metabolites were lower propionate (P < 0.01) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA; P < 0.05) molar ratio in raw insects against oven-cooked or autoclaved insects. Both insect sources displayed greater BCFA (P < 0.01) and lower propionate (P < 0.01) than plants. Crickets produced 50% as much BCFA as mealworms (P < 0.01). In conclusion, feeding insect-sourced protein requires a careful choice of the species as well as the thermal treatment to avoid possible detrimental consequences on digestibility and intestinal health in pigs.

Free-living protozoa in the gastrointestinal tract and feces of pigs: Exploration of an unknown world and towards a protocol for the recovery of free-living protozoa

Associations with free-living protozoa (FLP) have been implicated in the persistence of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food-related environments. To date however no information is available on the presence of FLP in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pigs, which represents an important reservoir for zoonotic foodborne bacteria and hence a potential location for associations with FLP. This is at least partly due to the lack of adequate protocols to recover FLP from intestinal content and feces. In the present study different protocols to recover FLP from the porcine GIT and feces were tested. The most effective protocols were then applied to explore the presence of live FLP in the pig GIT and feces. A filtration based protocol was identified as the most suitable method to recover viable FLP from the porcine GIT and feces. Cultivable FLP were recovered from different parts of the GIT, suggesting at least a transient presence of FLP in this habitat. Free-living amoebae species (Acanthamoeba spp., Hyperamoeba sp., Vannella sp., Vermamoeba vermiformis, hartmannellids and vahlkampfiids) but also ciliates (Colpoda sp. and Tetrahymena/Glaucoma lookalike) and flagellates (cercomonads, bodonids and glissomonads) were recovered and cultured from pig intestinal content. Acanthamoeba hatchetti and Filamoeba sinensis were isolated for the first time from pig intestinal content. Despite high gastric acidity, non-cyst forming amoeba species were also detected which suggests survival of their trophozoites in the animal GIT.

An enzyme complex increases in vitro dry matter digestibility of corn and wheat in pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of enzyme complex on in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility for feed ingredients. The objective of experiment 1 was to screen feed ingredients that can be effective substrates for an enzyme complex, mainly consisted of β-pentosanase, β-glucanase and α-amylase, using in vitro digestibility methods. In experiment 1, the test ingredients were three grain sources (barley, corn and wheat) and six protein supplements (canola meal, copra expellers, cottonseed meal, distillers dried grains with solubles, palm kernel expellers and soybean meal). In vitro ileal and total tract digestibility (IVID and IVTTD, respectively) of DM for test ingredients were determined. In vitro digestibility methods consisted of two- or three-step procedure simulating in vivo digestion in the pig gastrointestinal tracts with or without enzyme complex. As the enzyme complex added, the IVID of DM for corn and wheat increased (p < 0.05) by 5.0 and 2.6 percentage unit, respectively. The IVTTD of DM for corn increased (p < 0.05) by 3.1 percentage unit with enzyme complex addition. As the effect of enzyme complex was the greatest in corn digestibility, corn grains were selected to determine the in vitro digestibility of the fractions (starch, germ, hull and gluten) that maximally respond to the enzyme complex in experiment 2. The IVID of DM for corn starch, germ and hull increased (p < 0.05) by 16.0, 2.8 and 1.2 percentage unit, respectively. The IVTTD of DM for corn starch and hull also increased (p < 0.05) by 8.6 and 0.9 percentage unit, respectively, with enzyme complex addition. In conclusion, the enzyme complex increases in vitro DM digestibility of corn and wheat, and the digestibility increments of corn are mainly attributed to the increased digestibility of corn starch.

Effects of pelleting diets without or with distillers' dried grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal weights of growing-finishing barrows and gilts.

Pigs (192 total) were blocked by age and stratified by initial BW (25.75 ± 2.29 kg) into pens (2 barrows and 2 gilts per pen). Within blocks, pens were randomly allotted to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 2 diet forms (meal vs. pellet) and 2 distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion levels (0 vs. 30%). Pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of each feeding phase (d 35, 70, and 91) and daily feed allotments were recorded. Pigs were slaughtered at the end of the 91-d experiment, and full gastrointestinal (GI) tract and GI tract component weights were recorded immediately following evisceration. Carcass characteristics and meat quality were determined after a 24-h chill. Overall ADG was increased ( < 0.01) 3.2% when pigs were fed pelleted diets rather than meal diets, but there was no effect ( = 0.46) of DDGS inclusion on overall ADG. Overall ADFI of meal-fed pigs fed 30% DDGS was 4.7% greater ( < 0.01) than that of pigs fed 0% DDGS in meal form, but overall ADFI did not differ ( ≥ 0.19) between DDGS inclusion level in pellet-fed pigs (diet form × DDGS inclusion, < 0.01). When fed meal diets, pigs fed 0% DDGS had 2.7% greater ( = 0.02) overall G:F than pigs fed 30% DDGS; however, there was no difference ( = 0.42) in overall G:F between DDGS inclusion levels in pigs fed pelleted diets (diet form × DDGS inclusion, < 0.03). Pigs fed pelleted diets had 2.9% heavier HCW ( = 0.01), 10.4% greater 10th-rib back fat ( = 0.01), and 1.8 percentage units less estimated lean percentage ( = 0.04) than meal-fed pigs. Full GI tracts of pigs fed pelleted diets were 0.33 percentage units less ( = 0.03) of the ending live weight than that of meal-fed pigs due to decreased ( < 0.01) GI tract contents. Inclusion of DDGS increased ( = 0.03) full GI tract weight, large intestine weight ( < 0.01), and GI tract contents ( = 0.02). Severity of parakeratosis of the pars esophagea was greater ( < 0.01) in pellet-fed pigs than in meal-fed pigs, but the magnitude of the difference was likely not great enough to negatively affect drop credit of stomachs. In conclusion, feeding pelleted diets improved growth performance and increased carcass weight and fatness without causing the development of gastric lesions that would reduce the value of the stomach to packers. Furthermore, inclusion of DDGS in diets reduced HCW and dressing percent and increased GI tract and GI tract contents weight but had no effect on gastric lesion development or LM quality.

Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic/butyric acid levels and on total load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs.

Feed characteristics may influence the bacterial community composition and metabolic activities in the pig gastrointestinal tract, known to be associated with positive effects on the gut. Use of mash feed is associated with reduced excretion, but little is known of its effect on the population or of the mechanism of action. Our objectives were to assess the effect of feed texture combined with feed particle size on VFA profiles and levels, total count, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogenic strains in the digestive tract along with their impact on pig performance of fattening pigs. Pigs ( = 840) on a commercial farm received mash or pellet diets of different particle sizes during the fattening period. Caecal and colon contents from 164 pigs were sampled at the slaughterhouse for enumeration of by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for VFA quantification by capillary gas chromatography. The gene was used to enumerate total . Improved pig performances associated with pellet texture and a 500-μm size were observed. Caecal ( = 0.02) and colon ( < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Similarly, caecal ( = 0.01) and colon ( < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were also lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed, as determined by capillary gas chromatography. Moreover, caecal ( = 0.03) and colon ( < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1,250-μm particle size rather than a 500-μm particle size. On the other hand, total caecal and colon levels were higher for pigs receiving pellet feed than for those receiving mash feed. For total enumeration, caecal ( < 0.01) and colon ( < 0.01) gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. No effect of particle size on fatty acid concentrations or on numbers was observed. Virulence gene quantification revealed no trend. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with lower growth performance but with favorable intestinal changes linked to VFA levels and reduction in the intestine.

Regulation of α-Transducin and α-Gustducin Expression by a High Protein Diet in the Pig Gastrointestinal Tract.

BackgroundThe expression of taste receptors (TASRs) and their signalling molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells, including enteroendocrine cells (EECs), suggests they participate in chemosensing mechanisms influencing GI physiology via the release of endocrine messengers. TASRs mediate gustatory signalling by interacting with different transducers, including α-gustducin (Gαgust) and α-transducin (Gαtran) G protein subunits. This study tested whether Gαtran and Gαgust immunoreactive (-IR) cells are affected by a short-term (3 days) and long-term (30 days) high protein (Hp) diet in the pig GI tract.ResultIn the stomach, Gαgust and Gαtran-IR cells contained serotonin (5-HT) and ghrelin (GHR), while in the small and large intestine, Gαgust and Gαtran-IR colocalized with 5-HT-, cholecystokinin (CCK)- and peptide YY (PYY)-IR. There was a significant increase in the density of Gαtran-IR cells in the pyloric mucosa in both short- and long-term Hp diet groups (Hp3 and Hp30) vs. the control group (Ctr) (P<0.05), while the increase of Gαgust-IR cells in the pyloric mucosa was significant in Hp30 group vs. Ctr and vs. Hp3 (P<0.05); these cells included Gαtran / 5HT-IR and Gαtran / GHR-IR cells (P<0.05 and P<0.001 vs. Ctr, respectively) as well as Gαgust /5-HT-IR or Gαgust / GHR-IR cells (P<0.05 and P<0.01 vs. Ctr, respectively). In the small intestine, we recorded a significant increase in Gαtran-IR cells in the duodenal crypts and a significant increase of Gαgust-IR cells in the jejunal crypts in Hp3 group compared to HP30 (P<0.05). With regard to the number of Gαtran-Gαgust IR cells colocalized with CCK or 5-HT, there was only a significant increase of Gαtran / CCK-IR cells in Hp3 group compared to Ctr (P = 0.01).ConclusionThis study showed an upregulation of selected subpopulations of Gαgust / Gαtran-IR cells in distinct regions of the pig GI tract by short- and long-term Hp diet lending support to TASR-mediated effects in metabolic homeostasis and satiety mechanisms.