Growth Performance Of Weaned Pigs Research Articles

188 A combination of green tea and butyric acid as a potential alternative for zinc oxide improves gut microbiota composition and growth performance in weaning pigs

Abstract Antibiotic growth promotor (AGP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) has been shown to inhibit bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, resulting in improved animal growth performance and reduced post-weaning diarrhea but, their usage should be minimized at pig farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of green tea and butyric acid (hereafter called Gutluk) as alternative BSH inhibitors on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, blood profile, and gut microbiota of weaning pigs. A total of 192 weaned pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc)] were divided into six groups. Dietary treatments were NC, Basal diet; PC1, Basal diet + 0.2% antibiotics (colistin); PC2, Basal diet + 2,000ppm ZnO; TRT1, Basal diet + 0.05% Gutluk; TRT2, Basal diet + 0.10% Gutluk; TRT3, Basal diet + 0.20% Gutluk. After 4 wk of the trial, fresh fecal samples were collected from the rectum for microbiome analysis. TRT3 improved average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) at wk 3 and 4. The digestibility, white blood cell, red blood cell, lymphocyte percentage, blood urea nitrogen, fecal score and diarrhea score of weaned pigs were not affected by the addition of Gutluk. The treatment groups showed decreased TNF-α and IL-6 (P < 0.05) while immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG) increased (P < 0.05). GutLuk significantly enriched Bifidobacterium (P < 0.01). Conversely, GutLuk reduced the abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 6, Marvinbryantia, and Clostridia vadinBB60 group, and marginally reducing Muribaculaceae, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus. The correlation analysis also revealed that the abundance of secondary bile acid biosynthesis had a strong positive correlation with Marvinbryantia, Enterococcus, Clostridium sensu stricto 6, Lactobacillus, and Clostridia vadinBB60 (P < 0.001). The ADG of the pigs also exhibited a slight negative correlation with secondary bile acid biosynthesis. These results indicated that the supplementation of GutLuk had an inhibitory effect on the BSH activity of certain gut microbiota. Consequently, A combination of green tea and butyric acid can be effective alternatives of AGP and ZnO in early weaning pig diet to improve growth performance, immune response, oxidative stress, diarrhea score and gut microbiota.

Inclusion of dietary Quillaja saponin and seaweed on growth efficiency, noxious gas emissions, and fecal score in weaning pigs

This study aimed to investigate the dietary effects of Quillaja saponin (QS) and seaweed (SW) on growth performance, fecal score, and gas emissions in weaning pigs. A total of 120, 21-day old crossbred ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) weaning pigs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. These dietary treatments consisted of (1) TRT1: CON (basal diet), (2) TRT2: CON + 200 mg/kg QS, and (3) TRT3: CON + 500 mg/kg SW. Pigs were raised in 10 replicate pens per treatment (two males per pen and two females per pen) for 5 weeks based on body weight and sex. The inclusion of QS significantly ( p < 0.05) increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the overall period compared to the control diet. Moreover, the tendency to increase ADG was found at weeks 1 and 5, whereas ADFI showed a tendency to increase at week 1 with the supplementation of QS compared to the CON diet. However, the feed conversion ratio, fecal score, and gas emission failed to show significant effects throughout the experiment. In summary, QS has a beneficial effect on the growth performance of weaning pigs without any negative effect on gas emission and fecal score.

Effects of different levels of dietary crude protein on growth performance, blood profiles, diarrhea incidence, nutrient digestibility, and odor emission in weaning pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on growth performance, blood profiles, diarrhea incidence, nutrient digestibility, and odor emission in weaning pigs. A total of 240 weaning ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) pigs (8.25±0.050 kg body weight [BW]) were assigned to six treatments based on sex and initial BW, with five replicates of eight pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets with different crude protein levels for early and late weaning phases were as follows: i) CP16, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 16%/15% CP; ii) CP17, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 17%/16% CP; iii) CP18, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 18%/17% CP; iv) CP19, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 19%/18% CP; v) CP20, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 20%/19% CP; and vi) CP21, corn‒soybean-based diet containing 21%/20% CP. In the early weaning period, average daily feed intake increased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.05). During the entire experimental period, average daily gain and the gain to feed ratio decreased when the dietary CP level increased (linear, p< 0.01). Additionally, a decrease in dietary CP level resulted in a linear increase in final BW (linear, p<0.05). In the early and late weaning periods, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.01). There were no significant differences in creatinine, glucose, total protein, triglyceride or insulin-like factor-1 levels over the experimental period. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG were not significantly affected by dietary CP levels during the experimental period. In the early weaning period, fecal and urine N decreased when the dietary CP level decreased (linear, p<0.01). No differences in nutrient digestibility among the treatments during the early weaning period were found. Throughout the whole experimental period, when the dietary CP level decreased in the weaning pig diet, the diarrhea incidence decreased linearly (linear, p<0.01). Throughout the whole experimental period, when the dietary CP level decreased in the weaning pig diet, ammonia, amines and hydrogen sulfide decreased linearly (linear, p<0.01). Reducing dietary CP could decrease diarrhea incidence, the concentration of BUN in serum and odor emission in manure. Furthermore, it could improve N excretion in feces and urine and growth performance in weaning pigs.

Effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, fecal microbiota, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, fecal microbiota, fecal score, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs. A total of 200 weaning pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 7.64±0.741 kg were allotted to five treatment groups and were divided based on sex and initial BW in four replicates with ten pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn‒soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 6 weeks. A total of 15 barrows were used to evaluate the nutrient digestibility by the total collection method. The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase, and fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. The addition of β-glucan with vitamin E to weaning pig feed increased BW, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake. A significant decrease in yeast and mold and Proteobacteria and a tendency for Lactobacillus to increase compared to the control was shown when 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E were added. The fecal score in weaning pigs was lower in the treatments supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E compared to the control. In addition, vitamin E was better supplied to weaning pigs by increasing the concentration of α-tocopherol in the blood of weaning pigs when 0.02% vitamin E was supplemented. However, there was no significant difference in either the immune response or nutrient digestibility. Inclusion of 0.1% β-Glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in a weaning pig's diet were beneficial to the growth performance of weaning pigs by improving intestinal microbiota and reducing the incidence of diarrhea.

Effect of iron-binding polypeptides and non-starch polysaccharides supplementation on growth performance and fecal scores of weaning pigs

Background: Weaning is the most stressful event in pig’s life, resulting in postweaning diarrhea and growth retardation. The supplementation of Advanced Digestion Enhancing Protein Plus Technology (ADEPPTTM), which contains iron-binding polypeptides and non-starch polysaccharides, to nursery diets may reduce the occurrence of diarrhea and enhance growth performance of weaning pigs. Objective: To evaluate the effect of ADEPPTTM supplementation on growth performance and fecal score in weaning pigs. Methods: At weaning, a total of 54 weaning pigs (initial body weight: 7.42 ± 0.52 kg) were assigned to 3 treatments in 3 replicates with 6 pigs per pen based on sex, breed, and body weight for a 28-d feeding trial. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0% of the ADEPPTTM product in 2 phases (d 0-14 and d 15-28 postweaning, respectively). In the first week (d 3-5 postweaning) of the trial, a pig was removed from each pen when diarrhea was observed, housed in a separate pen within treatment, and then treated for 3 days with a 100-ml solution of electrolytes and ADEPPTTM by drenching. Growth performance and fecal score (1=normal to 4=watery diarrhea) were measured. Results: In the feeding trial, there were no significant differences in body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake throughout the overall period. However, a quadratic trend was observed in gain to feed ratio (p=0.09) for d 0-7 postweaning and overall period with increasing ADEPPTTM supplementation levels in which the greatest value was observed in the 0.5% ADEPPTTM level. The fecal score tended to decrease linearly with increasing ADEPPTTM levels during d 0-7 (p=0.11) and 0-14 (p=0.12) postweaning. There was no significant difference on fecal score of diarrheic pigs and average daily gain tended to increase linearly in d 21-28 postweaning (p=0.08) with increasing ADEPPTTM levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that 0.5% ADEPPTTM supplementation has a potential to enhance growth performance of weaning pigs and might be effective to prevent and control postweaning diarrhea.

Effects of Lysine Cell Mass Supplementation as a Substitute for L-Lysine·HCl on Growth Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, and Blood Profiles in Weaning Pigs.

Simple SummaryLysine cell mass (LCM) is a potential protein and lysine source for pigs. However, the potential value of LCM as a lysine source for the swine diet has not been investigated. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of LCM as an alternative lysine source in diets for weaning pigs. In the first experiment, an increase in dietary LCM from 0 to 1% did not affect the growth performance and diarrhea incidence of weaning pigs. However, in the second experiment, increasing the level of LCM supplementation for replacing L-lysine·HCl from 0% to 100% quadratically decreased the growth performance of weaning pigs such that replacing 0 to 80% of L-lysine·HCl with LCM had no difference in the growth performance, whereas LCM supplementation with 100% replacement of L-lysine·HCl decreased the average daily gain and gain to feed ratio of weaning pigs. We concluded that LCM could be included in the diet for weaning pigs as a substitute of L-lysine·HCl up to 2.8% and 1.76% for phase 1 and phase 2, respectively, without negative impacts on the performance of weaning pigs.This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lysine cell mass (LCM) as an alternative lysine source in diets for weaning pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and blood profiles. In experiment 1, a total of 200 weaning pigs, with an average body weight (BW) of 6.89 ± 1.04 kg, were allotted into one of five treatments with four replicates of 10 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The dietary treatments were composed of LCM supplementation (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0%) with partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl (0 to 0.8% for phase 1 diets and 0 to 0.07% for phase 2 diets). The BW and feed intake were recorded at the end of each phase (d 0 to 14 for phase 1, d 14 to 35 for phase 2), and diarrhea incidence was checked daily throughout the experimental period. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of pigs at 2 weeks and 5 weeks to determine the blood profiles of weaning pigs. In experiment 2, a total of 144 weaning pigs with an average BW of 6.44 ± 1.19 kg were allotted into one of six treatments with six replicates of four pigs per pen in RCBD. The dietary treatments were composed of LCM supplementation (0 to 3.5% for phase 1 diets and 0 to 2.2% for phase 2 diets) with replacement of L-lysine·HCl from 0 to 100%. In experiment 1, partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl with 0 to 1% LCM did not affect growth performance and diarrhea incidence of pigs. An increase in the LCM supplementation from 0 to 1% with partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl had no influence on the blood urea nitrogen concentrations, whereas it resulted in a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in the serum IgG concentrations for 5 weeks. In experiment 2, increasing the dietary level of LCM with replacement of L-lysine·HCl quadratically decreased (p < 0.05) ADG and G–F ratio for phase 2 and G–F ratio for the overall period such that 100% replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM decreased ADG and G–F ratio of weaning pigs. An increase in the LCM supplementation with replacement of L-lysine·HCl tended to decrease linearly (p < 0.10) the diarrhea incidence of weaning pigs for the overall period and linearly decrease (p < 0.05) the serum IgG concentrations for 2 weeks. In conclusion, partial replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM from 0 to 1% had no negative impacts on the growth performance, but 100% replacement of L-lysine·HCl with LCM decreased the growth performance of weaning pigs. Therefore, LCM could be included in the diets for weaning pigs up to 2.8% and 1.76% for phase 1 and phase 2, respectively, as a substitute for L-lysine·HCl without detrimental effects on the performance of weaning pigs.

Dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger-expressed glucose oxidase ameliorates weaning stress and improves growth performance in weaning pigs.

Weaning is one of the most stressful events in the pig's life, which disrupts physiological balance and leads to oxidative stress. It is reported that glucose oxidase supplementation could alleviate oxidative stress in animals by increasing the concentration of antioxidant enzymes in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger-expressed glucose oxidase (AN-GOX) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbiota, faecal gas emission and serum antioxidant enzyme parameters in weaning pigs. A total of 120 21-day-old weaning pigs [(Yorkshire ×Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 6.54±0.55kg were used in a 21-day experiment (phase 1, days 1-7; phase 2, days 8-21) with a completely randomized block design. Pigs were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 5 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts). Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.03 or 0.05% AN-GOX (1000unit/g). The results of this study showed that average daily gain during days 1-7 and 1-21 and the concentrations of serum glutathione peroxidase and glutathione increased linearly at graduated doses of AN-GOX increased in the diet. However, dietary supplementation of AN-GOX had no effects on the apparent nutrient digestibility, faecal microbiota and faecal gas emission. In conclusion, supplementing AN-GOX to the diet of weaning pigs ameliorated weaning stress, which manifested as the increase in serum antioxidant enzyme levels, thus improving growth performance. The suitable dosage of AN-GOX used in the diet of weaning pigs was 0.05%.

PSV-18 Effect of Feeding Fermented Soybean Meal with Coconut Oil (Cocosoya) on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Score, Gas Emission and Blood Profile in Weaning Pigs

Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) with coconut oil on growth performance in weaning pigs. A total of 80 crossbred weanling pigs [42 days old] with average body weight (BW) of 6.52 ± 0.59 kg were used in a 6-week experiment trial. Pigs were blocked based on BW and sex and randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments [5 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts); 4 pens per treatment]. Treatments consisted of pigs fed: 1) CON, a basal diet with 2% coconut powder; 2) basal diet with a 3% cocosoya 3) basal diet with a 6% cocosoya 4) basal diet with 9% cocosoya. The supplementation of increasing levels of cocosoya to diet weaning pigs linearly increased (P = 0.05) the BW at week 1, 3 and 6 compared with the pigs fed the control diet. The average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed (G:F) ratio was linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) during day 1to7. The ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI) and G: F was linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) during day 8 to 21 were observed with the increase in the supplemental of cocosoya. The ADG and ADFI linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) during day 22 to 42. The overall ADG, ADFI and G:F was linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pigs fed increasing levels of cocosoya during overall experimental period. The creatinine was linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration were trend to increase (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pigs fed increasing levels of cocosoya during day 22. Thus, the supplementation of FSMB has beneficial effects on the growth performance and immunity and it may help to overcome the stress faced by the weaning piglets during the transition of liquid to solid feed intake.

Weaning Induced Gut Dysfunction and Nutritional Interventions in Nursery Pigs: A Partial Review.

Simple SummaryThe beneficial and functional roles of the gut microbiota in maintaining host health are becoming clearer. In general, the swine intestinal bacterial population is predominated by two phyla, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Spirochaetes, among others. This general profile is relatively stable, although variations exhibit below the phylum level when the gut microbiota experiences dysbiosis. At weaning, dietary and environmental changes often result in gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is frequently associated with post-weaning diarrhea and enteric infections. A healthy gut microbiota possesses specific capacities involving nutrient metabolism, immunomodulation, controlling inflammation, and maintaining intestinal barrier function and structure. Manipulating the gut microbiota through diet is a useful strategy to attenuate weaning stress and restore microbiota homeostasis. Understanding the interaction between feed additives and gut microbiota would facilitate the development of effective feeding strategies to improve the gut health, growth performance, and well-being of nursery pigs. This review summarizes certain feed additives, which are used to modulate gut microbiota with some success.Weaning is one of the most stressful events in the life of a pig. Unsuccessful weaning often leads to intestinal and immune system dysfunctions, resulting in poor growth performance as well as increased morbidity and mortality. The gut microbiota community is a complex ecosystem and is considered an “organ,” producing various metabolites with many beneficial functions. In this review, we briefly introduce weaning-associated gut microbiota dysbiosis. Then, we explain the importance of maintaining a balanced gut microbiota. Finally, we discuss dietary supplements and their abilities to restore intestinal balance and improve the growth performance of weaning pigs.

Dietary Organic Acids Modulate Gut Microbiota and Improve Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs.

Feed additives have been suggested to improve animal growth performance through modulating the gut microbiota. The hypothesis of this study was that the combination of two organic acids would exert synergistic effects on the growth performance and gut microbiota of weaning pigs. To test this hypothesis, we followed 398 weaning pigs from two university experiment stations (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and University of Arkansas (UA)) to determine the effects of increasing levels (0%, 0.035%, 0.070%, and 0.105%) of sodium butyrate combined with 0.5% benzoic acid on the growth performance of nursery pigs. At the UA, an additional negative control diet was included and the gut microbiota analysis was carried out. At both universities, increasing levels of sodium butyrate in a diet containing 0.5% benzoic acid improved growth performance, which reached a plateau in the pigs fed 0.035% (SBA0.035) or 0.070% (SBA0.070) butyrate. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that pigs fed the SBA0.035 diet had more diverse microbiota and contained more potentially beneficial bacteria such as Oscillospira, Blautia, and Turicibacter and reduced levels of Veillonella and Sarcina. Results of the present study indicated that the inclusion of sodium butyrate at moderate levels in a diet containing 0.5% benzoic acid improved growth performance of weaning pigs and established potential health benefits on gut microbiota.

Comparison of growth performance of weaned pigs based on ideal protein of Korea swine feeding standard and US nutrient requirements of swine

Comparison of growth performance of weaned pigs based on ideal protein of Korea swine feeding standard and US nutrient requirements of swine

PSI-13 The effect of Advanced Digestive Enhancing Protein Plus Technology on growth performance and fecal score in weaning pigs

Abstract The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ADEPPTTM on growth performance and fecal score in weaning pigs. At weaning, a total of 54 pigs, 7.47 ± 0.79 kg of initial body weight (BW), were assigned to 3 treatments in 3 replicates with 6 pigs per pen based on sex, breed, and BW for a 28-d feeding trial. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0% of ADEPPTTM (Proprietary product of Vets Plus, Inc., Menomonie, WI) in 2 phases (d 0-14 and d 15-28 postweaning, respectively). In the first week (d 3-5 postweaning) of the trial, a diarrhea pig was removed from each pen when diarrhea was observed, housed in the separate pens within treatment (n=3 pigs per treatment) and then treated with a 100-ml solution of electrolytes and ADEPPTTM by drenching for 3 days. Growth performance and fecal score (1=normal to 4=watery diarrhea) were measured. All data were analyzed by ANOVA using GLM procedure of SAS for linear and quadratic effects of increasing ADEPPTTM levels. There were no significant differences in BW, ADG, and ADFI throughout the entire period whereas a quadratic trend was observed in G:F for overall period with increasing ADEPPTTM levels (P&amp;lt; 0.10; 0.583, 0.621, and 0.586 for 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0% of ADEPPTTM levels, respectively) with the greatest value in the 0.5% ADEPPTTM treatment. Fecal score tended to decrease linearly with increasing ADEPPTTM levels during d 0-7 postweaning (P=0.11; 1.88, 1.81, and 1.57, respectively). There was no significant difference on fecal score of diarrhea pigs while ADG tended to increase linearly in d 21-28 postweaning (P=0.08; 533.6, 700.2, and 853.9 g/d, respectively) with increasing ADEPPTTM levels. This result indicated that ADEPPTTM could have a potential to enhance growth performance of weaning pigs at 0.5% level and might be effective on postweaning diarrhea pigs.

Effect of exposure to gaseous hydrogen sulphide on cecal microbial diversity of weaning pigs

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different concentrations of gaseous hydrogen sulphide on cecal microbial diversity in weaning pigs. A total of 24 weaning pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire × Duroc; average body weight=8.55±0.68kg；weaning at 28days) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (six replicates in each group). The piglets were exposed to hydrogen sulphide exposure 0, 5, 10 and 15mg/m3 ) during the experiment period, which lasted 28days in four controlled environmental chambers. The cecal chyme was taken and the microbial community structure was analysed by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that exposure to hydrogen sulphide reduced the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and increased the diarrhoea rate of piglets. Hydrogen sulphide could increase the number of operational taxon units (OTUs) and the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota. The abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria increased and the abundance of Bacteroides decreased in the treatment groups. Five biomarkers, such as Eubacterium_1 coprostanoligenes, Clostridiales, Phascolarctobacterium, Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_002 were selected by Lefse analysis. The most positively correlated bacteria were Terrisporobacter and Oscillospiraceae (r=0.70) and the highly negative correlation was found between Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group and [Ruminococcus]_gauvreauii_group (r=0.64). Thus, hydrogen sulphide destroyed the microbial balance and increased the abundance of harmful bacteria. Our results reveal that hydrogen sulphide can damage the growth performance of weaning pigs and intestine microbial balance. The concentrations of hydrogen sulphide should be controlled below 5mg/m3 .

Impacts of dietary microalgae (Schizochytrium JB5) on growth performance, blood profiles, apparent total tract digestibility, and ileal nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.

Microalgae can serve as an alternative to animal feed additives or supplements in the diet of weaning pigs, to increase their potential and performance. Two experiments were conducted with three dietary treatments: CON (basal diet), MA1 (basal diet + 0.5% microalgae), and MA2 (basal diet + 1.0% microalgae). In Experiment 1, 150 crossbred weaning pigs were used in a 5-week experiment. In Experiment 2, 15 cannulated barrows were used. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Schizochytrium microalgae on growth performance, blood profiles, apparent total tract digestibility, and ileal nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs. In Experiment 1, pigs fed with MA2 had higher growth (P < 0.05) than pigs fed with MA1 from day 8 to day 21 but the experimental result showed no significant effects (P > 0.05) on growth performance, white blood cell, total cholesterol, and triglyceride among the treatments. However, lymphocytes (%) of pigs fed with MA1 and MA2 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of pigs fed with a CON diet at day 35. In Experiment 2, the apparent total tract digestibility and ileal nutrient digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with MA1 and MA2 than in those fed with a CON diet. Dietary microalgae supplementation had more dramatic and beneficial effects on nutrient digestibility than a CON diet. It also increased lymphocyte concentration but had no significant effect on growth performance in weaning pigs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Various levels of rapeseed meal in weaning pig diets from weaning to finishing periods.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation in weaning pig diet on growth performance, blood profile, carcass characteristics and economic analysis on weaning to finishing pigs.MethodsA total of 120 cross bred ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) weaning pigs were allotted to 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 4 replications with 6 pigs per pen. Five different levels of RSM (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) were used as dietary treatments.ResultsOverall, no treatment showed significant differences in growth performance with increased dietary RSM levels. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased as dietary RSM levels increased in 6 weeks (linear response, p<0.01). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine showed no significant differences, neither were there any significant differences in the immune response (IgG and IgA). As the dietary RSM levels of weaning pig diet were increased, no differences were found among dietary treatments upon performing proximate analyses of the pork after finishing. The influence of RSM supplementation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention were not affected by dietary RSM levels either. With increased dietary RSM levels in the weaning pig diet, no differences among dietary treatments were found after performing proximate analyses of the pork’s physiochemical properties. In addition, there were no significant differences observed in pork colors, pH levels, and economic benefits.ConclusionConsequently, this experiment demonstrated that weaning pig’s diet containing RSM influenced BUN concentration, but there were no detrimental effects on the growth performance of weaning pigs with up to 8% RSM in the diet.

Effects of Low-Protein Diet Supplemented with Tryptophan, Pyridoxine and Niacin on Feed Intake and Growth Performance of Weaning Piglets

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary tryptophan (Trp), pyridoxine and niacin supplementation on feed intake and growth performance of weaning pigs fed low-protein diet. A total of 42 day-old crossbred (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) of weaned female pigs were reared under seven dietary treatments. Treatments were 1) corn-soybean meal diet, 2) pyridoxine + niacin, 3) pyridoxine, 4) niacin, 5) 0.30% synthetic Trp + pyridoxine + niacin, 6) 0.30% synthetic Trp + pyridoxine and 7) 0.30% synthetic Trp + niacin. The experimental results indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) in feed intake for pigs fed the experimental diets. However, pigs fed the synthetic Trp + pyridoxine diet tended to have better feed intake among dietary treatments, followed by synthetic Trp + niacin diet. Overall (wk 1 to 8), pigs consuming supplemental Trp diets had better weight gain and feed efficiency than without Trp supplemental pigs (p<0.01). In conclusion, supplementation of Trp in combination with pyridoxine or niacin in weaning pigs diets greatly improve growth performance than only supplementing Trp alone in low crude protein diet.

Influence of extrusion of corn and broken rice on energy content and growth performance of weaning pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of extrusion on the energy content of corn and broken rice and on growth performance of weaning pigs. In experiment 1, 24 barrows (28 days old, 7.28 ± 0.90 kg body weight (BW)) were used to compare the effects of extrusion of corn and broken rice on the values of digestible energy (DE) in weaned pigs. The DE content in extruded corn (17.45 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) by 5.54% compared with that in corn (16.48 MJ/kg DM), while no significant difference in DE content was observed between extruded broken rice (17.66 MJ/kg DM) and broken rice (17.76 MJ/kg DM). In experiment 2, 120 weanling pigs (21 days old, 5.76 ± 0.07 kg BW) were used to evaluate the influence of substitution corn and extruded corn by different proportions of raw and extruded broken rice on growth performance of pigs. The inclusion of broken rice in the diets improved (P < 0.05) growth performance of pigs during the first week and the 2 weeks post-weaning but not thereafter. However, there was no significant difference in growth performance between treatments in other periods. Overall, this study indicates that feeding weaning pigs with broken rice has beneficial results.

δ-Aminolevulinic acid, and lactulose supplements in weaned piglets diet: Effects on performance, fecal microbiota, and in-vitro noxious gas emissions

δ -Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a non-protein amino acid that plays a rate limiting role in the process of heme biosynthesis. Lactulose (LAC) is a kind of non-digestible oligosaccharides which has been shown to improve growth performance in weaning pigs through prebiotic actions. This study evaluated the efficacy of ALA, and LAC in weaned piglets. The study was conducted with one hundred seventy five [(Yorkshire×Landrace)×Duroc] weaned piglets in a 33 d feeding trial, and one of five diets: 1) CON (basal diet, no antibiotic); 2) ALA05 (CON+0.5g ALA/kg of diet); 3) ALA10 (CON+1g ALA/kg of diet); 4) LAC05 (CON+0.5g LAC/kg of diet); 5) LAC10 (CON+1g LAC/kg of diet). All data were statistically analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Orthogonal contrasts were used to the effects of treatments. Weaning pigs fed diets with the ALA, and LAC had higher body weight (BW) compared with pigs fed the CON diet on d 19 (P=0.028, and 0.011), and d 33 (P=0.031, and 0.015), respectively. In addition, LAC supplementation had higher BW than ALA supplementation (P=0.046) on d 19. Piglets fed diets with ALA, and LAC had higher average daily growth (ADG), and feed efficiency (G:F) compared with piglets fed CON diet during phase 2 (d 6–19), and overall (d 1–33), respectively (P<0.05). Besides, LAC diets improved ADG (P=0.037), and G:F (P=0.024) compared with ALA diets during phase 2. Weaned piglets fed LAC increased dry matter (DM; d 19, and 33, respectively), nitrogen (d 33), and energy (d 19) digestibility compared with those fed CON diet (P<0.05). ALA supplementation increased DM digestibility compared with CON diet (P=0.041) on d 33. Piglets fed with the ALA diet increased serum total iron-binding capacity, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and blood red blood cell compared with those fed the CON diet (P<0.05). Piglets fed with the LAC diet increased fecal Lactobacillus, and reduced E. coli counts (P<0.05) when compared with those fed the CON on d 19, and 33, respectively. Moreover, piglets fed with the LAC diets had higher fecal Lactobacillus (d 19, and 33), and lowered E. coli (d 33) than pigs those fed the ALA diets (P<0.05). The fecal moisture, and diarrhea score were not affected by dietary supplementation with ALA or LAC during the whole experiment. Piglets fed the LAC diets had reduced ammonia gas emissions compared with the CON diet on d 33 (P<0.001). In conclusion, results indicated that dietary supplementation of ALA, and/or LAC improved performance, and reduced noxious gas emissions in weaned piglets.

Effect of phytogenics on growth performance, fecal score, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Phytogenic feed additives have become attractive alternatives for use in animal diets. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic-based feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, and intestinal morphology of weaning pigs after dietary challenge with E. coli K88. A total of 120 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire×Landrace)×Duroc)] with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.09±0.96 kg (21 d of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments. Each pen housed 5 pigs, and there were 6 pens/treatment. Treatments included: T1, negative control (without antibiotics); T2, T1+antibiotic; T3, T1+0.05% phytogenics; and T4, T1+0.2% commercial mix of organic acids. Overall, the average daily gain (ADG) with the T3 treatment was higher (P<0.05). At wk 1, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) was increased (P<0.05) with T4 treatment. The ATTD of ash with T3 and T4 treatments was greater (P<0.05). At wk 3, pigs fed with the T4 diet had a significantly higher (P<0.05) ATTD of DM. The ATTD of ash and calcium (Ca) was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T4 treatment. Pigs fed with the T3 diet had a higher (P<0.05) ATTD of phosphorus (P). At wk 6, the ATTD of ash was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T1 and T3 treatments. The data indicate that phytogenics positively affect growth performance of weaning pigs, indicating that their use as an alternative in the diets of weaning pigs can significantly improve ADG, under challenge with E.coli K88.

The effects of probiotic supplementation on growth performance of weaning pigs in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

The effects of probiotic supplementation on growth performance of weaning pigs in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam