Growth Performance Of Piglets Research Articles

279 Maternal Programming of the Piglet Microbiome Through Supplementation with a Yeast Feed Additive

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate effects of live yeast supplementation of sow diets during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance and piglet microbiome development. Three dietary treatments were imposed on mixed-parity sows (n = 92) from three contemporary farrowing groups during late gestation and lactation. Dietary treatments were based upon the inclusion level (%) of Actisaf Sc47 in corn/soybean meal-based diets: Control (C, 0%), Low (L, 0.1%), and High (H, 0.5%). Sows were fed their assigned gestation diet (1.8 kg ∙animal-1∙day-1/) from days 85 to 110 of gestation. On day 111 of gestation, sows were fed their assigned lactation diet (3.6 kg/head/day) until parturition. Sows were allowed ad libitum access to their assigned lactation diet beginning day one postpartum until piglets were weaned. Fecal and vaginal swabs were collected from all sows on day 85 of gestation (T1-S) and the day before parturition (T2-S). Colostrum and milk samples were collected from 30 focal sows (10/treatment group), and fecal swabs were collected from 6 piglets per focal sow (n = 180) at 24 to 36 hours after birth (T1-P) and weaning (T2-P, ~19 days old). Extracted DNA from swab samples was sequenced on the MiSeq platform targeting the V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, and sequence data were analyzed using DADA2 plus various packages within the R statistical software. Generalized linear mixed models were built for sow performance data using the R lme4 package, with treatment as a fixed effect, and farrowing group, parity, and sire as random effects. Piglet performance models also included sex as a fixed effect and maternal origin instead of sire as a random effect. No significant differences were observed among dietary treatment groups for gestation or lactation length, lactation feed intake, sow body weights, sow backfat depth, litter size at birth or weaning, pre-weaning piglet mortalities, or piglet growth performance. Although alpha and beta diversity did not differ among maternal dietary treatment groups in sow colostrum, milk, fecal, or vaginal samples (T1-S or T2-S), several taxa were significantly enriched or less abundant in sow samples based upon dietary yeast inclusion levels. Diversity of piglet fecal microbiomes was not different across maternal dietary treatment groups, but community composition was different at both time-points (T1-P: PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.13, P=0.02; T2-P: PERMANOVA, R2 = 0.01, P=0.048). These results indicate that yeast supplementation in sow diets in late gestation and lactation may influence development and composition of piglet gut microbiomes in early life.

144 Effect of Protein Source on Piglet Performance and Dietary Protein Digestibility in Regular Nursery and Escherichia Coli Challenged Conditions

Abstract Compared with conventional soybean meal (SBM), processed soy protein has been demonstrated to have greater nutrient digestibility, leading to better animal growth performance and gut health. The aim of the present study was to test hypothesis that Provisoy, a SBM product produced via hydrothermal mechanical treatment could improve weaning piglet growth performance via greater crude protein (CP) digestibility compared with SBM, and this benefit would be greater in pigs under Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenged conditions. A total of 268 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 6.82 ± 0.85 kg] were allotted to a split plot design and pigs were housed in either a regular nursery condition (5 pigs/pen, 10-11 pens/treatment) or an ETEC challenged condition (3 pigs/pen, 12 pens/treatment, 1 pig per pen was orally gavaged with 10 mL O149K91K88 on d 5 post-weaning). All pigs were fed one of the following diets: SBM, Provisoy or HP300. A standard wheat-barley-SBM based nursery diet was used and test soy products were added to replace SBM in the treatment diets. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and had similar standardized ileal digestible lysine level in a three-phase (38 days) nursery program. One pig per pen was euthanized for ileal digesta and fecal samples were collected on post-weaning day 13 and 14. Data were analyzed by general linear model in R. In summary, there was no interaction between challenge condition and dietary protein source on intake and gain throughout all three phases. A significant interaction in G:F between d 0-7 post-weaning (P < 0.05) was observed. As expected, pigs performed better in regular conditions compared with challenged conditions (P < 0.05). Dietary protein source significantly affected ADG (P < 0.05) and BW (P < 0.01) on post-weaning d 7 regardless of challenge condition, with pigs fed Provisoy exhibiting increased ADG and d 7 BW versus the control but not different than HP300. Similar improvements in growth performance were observed during d 7-12 post-weaning. However, the effect of protein source on piglet growth was no longer evident during the last phase of nursery. There was no interaction observed between challenge condition and protein source on CP apparent ileal digestibility (AID) or apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Dietary protein source affected CP ATTD (P < 0.01), with Provisoy treatment having the greatest value compared with other treatments. Challenge conditions tended to decrease CP AID (P = 0.109). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of Provisoy could improve piglet growth performance during the early nursery phase regardless of challenge condition and this benefit was likely partially due to better CP digestibility.

PSIII-7 Evaluation of Agolin-Pig on Sow and Piglet Performance During Lactation

Abstract Essential oils are being introduced in swine diets as an alternative to antibiotic usage. The objectives of this preliminary study were to determine the effects of Agolin-Pig, a combination of micro-encapsulated essential oils, on sow feed intake, sow health and body condition, piglet growth performance, and future evaluation of microbiota structure. The experimental design consisted of 26 sows randomly allotted to either control (n = 13) or treatment groups (n = 13). Both groups consumed diets that met NRC standards (NRC, 2012), with the treatment group receiving 200 ppm of Agolin-Pig in a premix made in-house for 2 weeks pre-farrowing, and throughout farrowing and lactation. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) and piglet average daily gain (ADG) were recorded and calculated to monitor effects of Agolin-Pig. Sow body weights, body condition scores (BCS), and Knauer Sow Caliper measurements were collected at the start of the trial, 1-week post-farrowing, and at weaning to determine the change in sow body condition during lactation. All data were analyzed using PROC Mixed procedure in SAS 9.4 (Cary, North Carolina) with treatment, week, and parity (P1 vs P≥2) as main effects, repeated measures of sows and piglets, and number nursed used as a covariate where appropriate. All sows significantly increased ADFI (P = 0.0001) between weeks 1, 2, and 3 as expected during lactation, regardless of treatment. There was no significant impact of Agolin-Pig treatment on sow ADFI and piglet ADG. Piglets significantly increased ADG each week for 3 weeks (P ± 0.0001). During lactation, Agolin-Pig significantly reduced the loss of body condition as measured by the caliper (P = 0.028). Calipers are proven to detect changes in body condition more accurately than visual, subjective BCS, indicating that the caliper identifies a reduction in body condition that may have been missed by BCS or weight change altered by lactation. The gilts in the control group tended to show a reduction in BCS compared with sows in the control group (P = 0.074). In comparison, there was no significant difference in BCS between gilts and sows in the Agolin-Pig treated group suggesting that Agolin-Pig is effective at reducing the loss of BCS in gilts during lactation. Current analysis of fecal microbiota and milk composition may give greater insight on the effects of Agolin-Pig on sows. Overall, Agolin-Pig was effective at reducing the loss of body condition during lactation, as measured by the caliper. Additionally, Agolin-Pig tended to reduce the difference in loss of body condition of gilts compared with the control group. The findings of this pilot study warrant future studies with greater sample size to determine the efficacy of Agolin-Pig on reducing body condition loss and impacting other performance measures during lactation in sows.

106 Using Postbiotic Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast in Gestation and Lactation Diets of Gilts to Improve Immunoglobulin Transfer and Offspring Growth Pre-Weaning

Abstract Gilts [n = 50; initial body weight (BW) 190.7 ± 4.2 kg] were used to determine the optional inclusion level of postbiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae in late gestation and lactation diets to improve immunoglobulin transfer and piglet growth performance during the suckling period. Gilts were assigned to one of five (n = 10) diets: standard gestation and lactation diets (Y0) or diets with postbiotic yeast included at either 0.25% (Y0.25), 0.5% (Y0.5), 1.0% (Y1), or 1.2% (Y1.2). Diets were fed from d 85 of gestation until weaning (d 21 after farrowing). During gestation gilts were fed 2.6kg/d and feed was offered ad libitum during lactation. Gilt BW was recorded on d 85 and 110 of gestation, and gilt and piglet BW were recorded on d 1 and 21 of lactation. Twenty-four hours after farrowing, plasma was collected from each gilt and two median BW piglets per litter via orbital sinus. Additionally, 50 mL of colostrum was collected in equal parts from all functional teats on the right side. On d 21, plasma samples were collected from each gilt and two median BW piglets per litter. Concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, G, and M were quantified in plasma and colostrum. Data were analyzed in SAS with treatment as the main effect. Linear, quadratic, and yeast vs. no yeast contrast statements were used to assess responses to dietary inclusion of yeast. Time (minutes) between farrowing (defined as birth of the first piglet, confirmed by video recording) and sampling was used as a covariate for d 1 Ig concentrations. There were no differences in number of piglets born alive (12.5 ± 0.9), birth weight (1.40 ± 0.45kg), or gilt BW change during lactation (-7.98 ± 6.68kg). Lactation average daily feed intake tended to be 14.6% greater for gilts provided yeast versus no yeast (5.11 vs. 4.46 ± 0.31kg, respectively; P = 0.069). At weaning, offspring from Y0.25 fed gilts had greater BW than piglets from Y0- or Y1.2-fed gilts (6.48 vs. 5.66 and 5.82 kg ± 0.16, respectively; P < 0.001), with all other treatments intermediate. On d 1, colostrum and gilt plasma Ig concentrations were unaffected by diets. However, yeast increased piglet plasma concentrations of IgM (linear; P = 0.034) and tended to increase IgA (linear; P=0.093), and total Ig (linear; P = 0.074). On d 21, gilts fed yeast-containing diets tended to have greater plasma IgA (yeast vs. no yeast and quadratic; P = 0.063 and P = 0.076, respectively), but IgM was greater for gilts fed Y0 (yeast vs. no yeast; P < 0.05). On d 21, piglet plasma IgA tended to be greater when gilts were provided yeast-containing diets (yeast vs. no yeast; P = 0.069). Therefore, postbiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae was effective in improving maternal transfer, with piglet IgA and IgM concentrations increasing linearly with increasing yeast inclusion, while Y0.25 also improved piglet growth performance during the suckling phase.

Effects of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Challenge on Jejunal Morphology and Microbial Community Profiles in Weaned Crossbred Piglets.

Pathogenic enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of bacterial diarrhea in weaning piglets, which are vulnerable to changes in environment and feed. This study aimed to determine the effects of the ETEC challenge on piglet growth performance, diarrhea rate, jejunal microbial profile, jejunal morphology and goblet cell distribution. A total of 13 piglets from one litter were selected on postnatal day 21 and assigned to treatments with or without ETEC challenge at 1 × 108 CFUs, as ETEC group or control group, respectively. On postnatal day 28, samples were collected, followed by the detection of serum biochemical indexes and inflammatory indicators, HE staining, PAS staining and 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results showed that the growth performance decreased, while the diarrhea rate increased for the ETEC group. The jejunum is the main segment of the injured intestine during the ETEC challenge. Compared with the control, the ETEC group displayed fewer goblet cells in the jejunum, where goblet cells are more distributed at the crypt and less distributed at the villus. In addition, ETEC piglets possessed higher abundances of the genus Desulfovibrio, genus Oxalobacter and genus Peptococus and lower abundances of the genus Prevotella 2, genus Flavonifractor and genus Blautra. In terms of alpha diversity, Chao 1 and observed features indexes were both increased for the ETEC group. Our study provides insights into jejunal histopathological impairment and microbial variation in response to ETEC infection for weaned piglets and is a valuable reference for researchers engaged in animal health research to select stress models.

Are Growth Performance and Fecal Score in Weaning Pigs Affected by the Inclusion Level of Potato Protein Concentrate and the Enclosed Glycoalkaloids in Iso-Nitrogenous Diets?

Glycoalkaloids (GA) are anti-nutritional factors in standard potato protein concentrate (PPC) fed to piglets. Increasing levels of standard PPC was expected to affect growth performance and fecal score negatively. Seven-hundred-and-twenty pigs (7-30 kg) were fed one of the following four diets within three feeding phases (days 0-13, 13-24, and 24-45): control (CTRL), PPC standard inclusion (PPC-S; 4%, 2%, and 0%), high PPC inclusion (PPC-H; 8%, 3.5%, and 2%), and extremely high PPC inclusion (PPC-EH; 12%, 5%, and 3.5%). During days 0-13, CTRL displayed no difference in growth performance compared with the three experimental groups (PPC-S, PPC-H, and PPC-EH). During days 13-24, PPC-H achieved greater (p < 0.001) average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to CTRL. During days 24-45, no differences between groups were observed. For the overall experimental period (0-45 days), PPC-H displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.010) and ADFI (p = 0.024) compared to CTRL. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unaffected between the groups for all experimental periods. Increasing levels of PPC and hence GA did not affect the probability of diarrhea. In conclusion, increased standard PPC and hence increased levels of GA in isonitrogenous diets did not negatively affect growth performance nor fecal score in piglets (7-30 kg).

Multi-enzymatic complex on growth performance, blood parameters, and economic viability in piglets

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary effect of an enzymatic complex on the growth performance variables, blood parameters, and economic viability of piglets. To achieve this, we used 80 piglets (40 castrated males and 40 females) in a 2 × 2 factorial design following a randomized block experimental distribution, with two levels of metabolizable energy (adequate: 3206.09 and low: 3005.45 kcal kg-1) and two enzyme levels (0 and 50 g ton-1). The results showed no significant difference between treatments in the growth performance variables or blood parameters of piglets. The economic viability, economic efficiency index, and cost index were improved when we used a diet with a low energy supplemented with the enzyme complex as compared to other experimental diets. Thus, we concluded that enzyme complex supplementation can maintain growth performance and blood parameters in piglets even when they are fed low energy diets. Moreover, this could reduce production costs.

Effect of Feeding Milk Replacer on Growth Performance and Stress Physiology of Ghoongroo Piglets in Tropical Climate

Background: The pig is the most efficient feed-converting animal among all livestock and plays a crucial role in improving the socioeconomic status of rural masses. of India. The present study was to develop a best-suited milk replacer for piglets and its effect on growth performance and stress physiology of Ghoongroo piglets. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 20 Ghoongroo piglets divided into four groups, each containing 5 piglets, i.e., 3 treatment groups and 1 control group maintained at Livestock Farm ERS-IVRI, Kalyani. Control group (T0) piglets kept with sows and looked after under standard management practices. Whereas, three treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) piglets were fortified with 3 different kinds of milk replacers and piglets were fed through bottle feeding for 28 days, thereafter, creep feed was started and gradually, milk replacer was stopped. Result: Significant difference (P less than 0.05) was observed in average body weight (kg) and daily body weight gain (g/day) on 56 days of age between the treatment and control groups. It was also found that feeding milk replacers had no stress on piglets. So, it can be concluded that feeding milk replacers showed improved economic return along with a higher growth rate till weaning without any stress on the piglets.

The effects of using multi-species probiotics in late-pregnant and lactating sows on milk quality and quantity, fecal microflora, and performance of their offspring.

The dietary probiotics in sows during gestation to lactation period have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on sows and their piglets' performance and health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of using probiotics in late-pregnant and lactating sows on milk quality, quantity, fecal microflora of sows, and growth performance of their offspring until weaning. Thirty-four sows were equally divided into two groups (control and treatment). Only those in the treatment group were fed 5 g of probiotics at 12 weeks of pregnancy, once daily for 7 weeks, until their piglets were weaned. Colostrum samples were collected at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after farrowing and measured for immunoglobulin concentration. Percentages of fat, protein, and lactose in colostrum, colostrum production, total intake of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), fat, protein, and lactose, the change of fecal microflora of sows, and average daily gain of piglets were measured. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM in colostrum and the percentages of fat, protein, lactose, solid-not-fat, and total solid in colostrum between the groups; however, the colostrum production at 24 h in the treatment group (6,075.29 mL) was higher than in the control group (4,809.54 mL). Higher total intakes of IgA and IgG as well as total intake of fat, protein, and lactose, particularly at 3 h after farrowing, were found in the treatment group. Probiotic supplementation remarkably altered the microbiota community at the phylum level. We found that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the dominant phyla, present in the gut of more than 90% of pregnant and lactating sows. Changes in microbial proportions were observed due to the changes of pig production stage. The weaning weight of the treatment group was higher than in the control group (6.34 ± 1.71 vs. 4.84 ± 1.29 kg, respectively). Feeding of multi-species probiotic BACTOSAC-P™ during late pregnancy and lactation in sows positively influenced colostrum production. In this experiment, the use of BACTOSAC-P™ improved the yield of colostrum production. The high immunoglobulin concentration and high yield of the colostrum of sows with a diet supplemented with BACTOSAC-P™ significantly reduced piglet mortality during the suckling period. Furthermore, the probiotic diet induced changes in the fecal microbial population in sows by increasing the number of microorganisms from the Firmicutes phylum, which had positive effects on sow health and their piglets, leading to better piglet growth performance.

Plant-derived squalene supplementation improves growth performance and alleviates acute oxidative stress-induced growth retardation and intestinal damage in piglets

Piglets are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, which causes inferior growth performance and intestinal damage. Squalene (SQ), a natural bioactive substance enriched in shark liver oil, shows excellent antioxidant properties and can currently be obtained at a low cost from deodorizer distillate during the production of plant oil. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plant-derived SQ supplementation on the growth performance of piglets and explore the beneficial roles of SQ against oxidative stress and intestinal injury in diquat-challenged piglets. Forty piglets were randomly divided into five groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with SQ at 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg for 5 weeks. Acute oxidative stress was induced in the piglets with diquat (10 mg/kg BW) at the fourth week of the experiment, followed by a 7-d recovery period. Results showed that before the diquat challenge, SQ supplementation significantly improved growth performance (average daily gain and feed conversion ratio) and serum antioxidant status, and after the diquat challenge, SQ supplementation significantly mitigated diquat-induced growth arrest, intestinal villous atrophy, intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, intestinal hyperpermeability, and deficiency of intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-3). Under oxidative stress induced by diquat, SQ supplementation consistently improved the antioxidant status of the small intestine, liver, and muscle. In vitro, SQ was shown to alleviate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced increase of the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptosis of porcine intestinal epithelial cells. Taken together, SQ supplementation improves growth performance and effectively alleviates acute oxidative stress-induced growth retardation and intestinal injury via improving antioxidant capacity in piglets. Our findings may provide an efficient strategy for alleviating oxidative stress-induced inferior growth performance and intestinal damage in piglets.

Effects of Maternal Dietary Enteromorpha prolifera Polysaccharide Iron Supplement on Mineral Elements and Iron Level of Neonatal Piglets.

Iron plays a key role in maternal health during pregnancy and fetal growth. Enteromorpha polysaccharide-iron (EP-Fe) as an organic iron chelate may improve the iron transmission of mother and offspring, ameliorate the poor pregnancy outcomes of sows, and alleviate the growth restriction of piglets caused by iron deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary supplementation with EP-Fe on reproductive performance and placental iron transmission of sows, as well as growth performance of piglets. Sixty pregnant sows at the 95th day of gestation were randomly divided into control group and EP-Fe group (EP-Fe, 139 mg kg-1). Blood samples of sows and neonatal piglets, colostrum, and tissue samples were collected on the day of delivery. The animal experiment ended at the 21st day of post-delivery. Results showed that maternal dietary EP-Fe increased colostrum iron (P < 0.05) of sows, as well as final litter weight (P < 0.05) and average daily weight of piglets (P < 0.05) during days 1-21 of lactation, as well as iron and manganese content in umbilical cord blood (P < 0.05) and hepatic iron of neonatal piglets (P < 0.01), and decreased fecal iron (P < 0.001), serum calcium (P < 0.05), phosphorus (P < 0.05), and zinc (P < 0.01) in the parturient sow. RT-qPCR results showed that Fpn1 and Zip14 in placenta, as well as TfR1 and Zip14 in duodenum of neonatal piglets, were activated by maternal EP-Fe supplement. These findings suggest that maternal dietary EP-Fe could increase iron storage of neonatal piglets via improving placental iron transport and iron secretion in colostrum, thus enhancing the growth performance of sucking piglets.

Maternal consumption of l-malic acid enriched diets improves antioxidant capacity and glucose metabolism in offspring by regulating the gut microbiota

Maternal diets during pregnancy and lactation are key determinants that regulate the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in offspring. l-malic acid (MA) was previously reported to improve antioxidant capacity and aerobic metabolism. However, the effects of maternal MA consumption on the metabolic features of offspring remain largely unexplored. Herein, through pig models consuming MA-enriched diets during late pregnancy and lactation, we found that maternal MA consumption potentiated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of sows, thereby improving their reproductive performance and the growth performance of piglets. Maternal MA consumption also induced a transition of slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers in the early life of offspring. Along with muscle growth and fiber-type transition, insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, including aerobic metabolism and glycolysis, were improved in the skeletal muscle of offspring. An untargeted metabolomic analysis further revealed the contribution of modified amino acid metabolism to the improved aerobic metabolism. Mechanistically, maternal MA consumption remodeled colonic microbiota of their offspring. Briefly, the abundance of Colidextribacter, Romboutsia, and Family_XIII_AD3011_group increased, which were positively associated with the antioxidant capacity and glucose metabolism of skeletal muscles. A decreased abundance of Prevotella, Blautia, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Collinsella was also detected, which were involved in less insulin sensitivity. Notably, milk metabolites, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and granisetron (GS), were found as key effectors regulating the gut microbiota composition of piglets. The properties of AA and GS in alleviating insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress were further verified through mice treated with high-fat diets. Overall, this study revealed that maternal MA consumption could modulate the inflammatory response, antioxidant capacity, and glucose metabolism by regulating the gut microbiota of offspring through the vertical transmission of milk metabolites. These findings suggest the potential of MA in the prevention and treatment of MetS in early life.

Piglet growth performance improved by dietary supplementation of porous or nano particles of zinc oxide may be related to the gut microbiota

Previous studies on porous or nano particles zinc oxide (ZnO) in the piglets have mainly focused on growth performance and intestinal inflammation, but have scarcely explored the efficacy on gut microbiota. In addition, the efficacy of nano particles ZnO, which is related to its product quality, remains undefined. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of dietary 500 mg/kg porous or nano particles ZnO on the growth performance and gut microbiota of the weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets were randomly assigned to the dietary groups: NC (basal diet), PC (basal diet + 3,000 mg/kg conventional ZnO), 500HiZ (basal diet + 500 mg/kg porous particles ZnO), and 500ZNP (basal diet + 500 mg/kg nano particles ZnO). Compared with the NC diet group, both 500HiZ and 500ZNP increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (1 to 28 d) and average daily gain (1 to 28 d), and the 500ZNP tended to decrease feed to gain ratio (F:G ratio, 1 to 28 d) (P = 0.09). Both 500HiZ and 500ZNP decreased crypt depth of the ileum and increased claudin-2 in the duodenum and zonula occludens-1 in the ileum (P < 0.05). Moreover, both 500HiZ and 500ZNP decreased IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the jejunum and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 in the ileum (P < 0.05). Both 500HiZ and 500ZNP increased microbial β-diversity index in the ileum and microbial α-diversity indices in the colon of piglets (P < 0.05). The probiotic genera Coprococcus (500ZNP) and Blautia (500HiZ) were positively correlated with the F:G ratio (1 to 28 d) in colon of piglets (P < 0.05). In addition, 500HiZ promoted mitochondrial fusion protein 1 (MFN1) and zinc transporter-1 (ZnT-1) in the jejunum (P < 0.05), whilst 500ZNP decreased MFN1 in the jejunum and ZnT-1 in the ileum (P < 0.05). In summary, both 500HiZ and 500ZNP improved the growth performance of piglets, which is likely via the genera Blautia and Coprococcus, respectively. Both 500HiZ and 500ZNP improved barrier function and inflammation of the intestine, and 500HiZ achieved better efficacy than 500ZNP on intestine mitochondrial functions.

Partial Replacement of Synthetic Vitamin E by Polyphenols in Post-Weaning Piglets.

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient usually recommended in post-weaning piglets, when a decline in the serum vitamin E concentration is observed. Selected polyphenols have the potential to partially replace vitamin E in animal feed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the dietary inclusion of some commercial polyphenol products (PPs) on the growth performance, antioxidant status and immunity of post-weaning piglets. A total of 300 piglets (BW 7.18 kg ± 1.18) were randomly assigned to six dietary groups: CON- (40 mg/kg vitamin E); CON+(175.8 mg/kg vitamin E); and PP1, PP2, PP3 and PP4, in which 50% vitamin E of CON+ was replaced with PP with equivalent vitamin E activity. The PP1 group exhibited lower performance (p < 0.05) than the other dietary groups, but a similar performance to that commonly registered in pig farms. Dietary polyphenols did not influence the IgG concentration or the IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokine concentrations. A lower IL-8 level was found in the PP4 group than in the other groups. The diets that affected the vitamin A content showed the highest value (p < 0.05) in the PP1 group, and a trend was noted for vitamin E with a higher content in PP4 and CON+. The polyphenols-enriched diets, especially the PP3 diet, maintained an antioxidant capacity (whole blood KRL) similar to the CON+ diet. In conclusion, the replacement of vitamin E with all PPs enables partial vitamin E substitution in post-weaning piglets.

ឥទ្ធិពលនៃចំណីត្រាវផ្អាប់លាយកាកបាយស្រាដោយមានកន្ទក់ជាចំណីគ្រឹះ និងចំណីប្រពៃណីរបស់កសិករ លើការបន្តពូជរបស់មេជ្រូក នៅភូមិគោលដៅក្នុងខេត្តស្វាយរៀង

This experiment was carried out in five target villages in Svay Rieng province, Cambodia, from April 01, 2022 to August 15, 2022. The experiments have three objectives: (1) to compare the feed intake of sows during the pregnancy and lactation stages; (2) to compare the growth performance of piglets from birth to weaning; and (3) to compare the production cycle of sows after weaning. The experiment involved 15 sows using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experimental design with three treatments and five replications. The treatments (T) were T1 (Control): Commercial feed 14% + Rice bran 43% + Broken rice 43%; T2 (RWB20): Ensiled Taro 16% + Rice wine by-product 20% + Concentrate feed 10% + Rice bran 53.5% + Premix plus salt 0.5%; and T3 (Traditional feed): Concentrate feed 5% + Kitchen residues 50% + Rice bran 40% + Broken rice 5%. The results of the experiment showed that the total feed intake in Dry Matter (DM) during the pregnancy period was significantly higher for T2 = 1,821 g/day, if compared to T1 = 1,344 g/day and T3 = 1,306 g/day. It was also found that the total feed intake in DM at the lactation period of T2 =2,238 g/day was significantly higher if compared with T1 = 1,681 g/day and T3 = 1,577 g/day. The number of piglets at the weaning stage of T2 = 10.7 heads/litter was significantly higher compared with T1 = 8.66 heads/litter size and T3 = 8 heads/litter size. The mean weight of piglets at the weaning day of T2 = 55.6 kg/litter size was significantly higher compared to T1 = 39.8 kg/litter size and T3 = 36.2 kg/litter size. For piglet mortality at the weaning of T1, T2, and T3 was not significantly different (p&gt;0.05). The length of the reproduction cycle of sows after weaning of T2 = 174 days and T1 = 177 days was shorter, with a significant difference if compared to T3 = 181 days. In conclusion, the composition of feed containing Ensiled taro of 16%, Rice wine by-product of 20%, Concentrate feed of 10%, Rice bran of 53.5% and Premix plus salt of 0.5% could increase the feed intake of sows during the pregnancy and lactation stages, provide better growth of piglets at the weaning stage, and make the sows have a shorter reproduction cycle.

Effects of dietary supplementation with benzoic acid and chelated copper, zinc and manganese sources on production performance in piglets

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of benzoic acid and chelates in which copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) were bound to methionine hydroxy analogue on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota and digesta pH value of post-weaning piglets at 28 days of age. The experiment was conducted on 96 piglets randomly assigned to one of four treatments (6 replicate pens of 4 piglets each): 1) control (C) – microminerals were provided as sulfates of Cu, Zn and Mn at 130 (80 at second phase), 100, 120 mg/kg in the first phase, respectively; 2) chelates (CTM), microelements were provided as chelates of Cu, Zn and Mn at 130 (80 in second phase), 60, 60 mg/kg in the first phase, respectively; 3) benzoic acid (BA), with the addition of 2500 mg/kg during both periods; 4) chelates + benzoic acid (CTM + BA), microelements were provided as chelates of Cu, Zn and Mn at 130 (80 in second phase), 60, 60 mg/kg in the first phase, respectively, and 2500 mg/kg of benzoic acid during both periods. Results showed that chelates and benzoic acid supplementation not only improved the final body weight (p&lt;0.05), average daily gain (p&lt;0.05) and feed conversion ratio (p&lt;0.05), but also increased the morphology performance and decreased the number of E. coli in the jejunum and ileum in the treated groups (p&lt;0.05). This study provides the evidence that dietary supplementation has beneficial effects on the intestinal morphology and microflora of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of the piglets was improved.

Endogenous chitinase might lead to differences in growth performance and intestinal health of piglets fed different levels of black soldier fly larva meal.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of black soldier fly (BSF) replacing soybean meal (SBM) in diets on the performance and health condition of piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were allocated into 5 treatments: BSF0 (corn-soybean meal basal diet), BSF25 (BSF replacing 25% SBM), BSF50 (BSF replacing 50% SBM), BSF75 (BSF replacing 75% SBM) and BSF100 (BSF replacing 100% SBM). During the whole period, in comparison with BSF0, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake increased in the BSF25 and BSF50 groups, whereas ADG decreased in the BSF75 and BSF100 groups (P<0.05). The result of quadratic fitting curve showed that piglets exhibited the highest ADG when BSF replaced around 20% SBM. Compared with BSF0, organic matter and dry matter digestibility improved in the BSF25 group, whereas ether extract digestibility decreased in the BSF100 group (P<0.05). In comparison with BSF0, piglets from the BSF25 group showed a higher duodenal ratio of villus height to crypt depth, increased jejunal sucrase activity, serum neuropeptide Y and ghrelin levels, elevated ileal immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG and IgM contents and a lower leptin level, and piglets from the BSF100 group exhibited an increased relative weight of kidney (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the expression level of tight junction proteins and chitin-degrading enzyme. Additionally, compared with BSF0, the abundance of short chain fatty acid producing bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium and Butyricicoccus increased, and potential pathogenic bacteria decreased in piglets from the BSF25 group, whereas piglets from the BSF100 group had a greater abundance of harmful bacteria. In conclusion, BSF replacing 25% SBM in diets could improve digestive parameters, immune function and intestinal microbiota, and thus improved growth performance of piglets. However, BSF replacing 100% SBM showed an adverse effect on piglet performance, and the reason might be related to the limited amount of chitin-degrading enzyme.

16 (P1-12). Effects of dietary supplementation with microbe-derived antioxidants in sows and their offspring on litter performance, milk composition, redox status of sows and growth performance of piglets

16 (P1-12). Effects of dietary supplementation with microbe-derived antioxidants in sows and their offspring on litter performance, milk composition, redox status of sows and growth performance of piglets

79 (P7-11). Effect evaluation of two sources of zinc on growth performance and gut health of piglets with a low or normal birth weight

79 (P7-11). Effect evaluation of two sources of zinc on growth performance and gut health of piglets with a low or normal birth weight

Fermentation characteristics of different sources of dietary fiber in vitro and impacts on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood para-meters of piglets

This study aimed to assess the effect of various source of high-fiber ingredients on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, and blood para- meters of piglets by investigating their in vitro fermentation characteristics. A total of 300 healthy crossbred piglets were randomly allocated to one of five diets including corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON), sugar beet pulp (SBP), soybean hull (SBH), fermented distillers’ grains (FDG), and kelp powder (KP). In vitro fermentation analysis revealed that the predominant short-chain fatty acids produced were acetate and valerate. Sugar beet pulp and kelp powder exhibited rapid fermentation rates, in contrast to SBH, oat bran, and FDG. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (P < 0.05), gross energy (P < 0.05), and crude protein were decreased (P < 0.001) in different fiber diets than the CON diet. The serum concentration of threonine was increased by feeding fibers diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet containing 3% SBP (with a soluble-to-insoluble dietary fiber ratio of 17.04%) showed the best effects on increasing nutrients digestibility and serum amino acid concentrations. These findings may inform future applications of SBP in piglet nutrition.