Performance Of Piglets Research Articles

Corn physical characteristics on piglet performance

This study aimed to correlate the physical characteristics of ground corn, at different crushing intensities, with the zootechnical performance of piglets in the nursery phase. Forty piglets (20 castrated males and 20 females) with an initial average weight of 15.7±1.98 kg and final weight of 32.5±3.27 kg were used. They were subjected to the same type of experimental diet (4% of commercial premix for the phase, 29% of soybean meal, and 67% of ground corn), with the only difference being the corn grinding process. The corn used was fractionated into five portions, and each one of them was crushed in a hammermill equipped with a different screen hole diameter (2; 2.5; 3; 3.5 and 4 mm). Which resulted in ground corn with the following particle sizes (PS): 518, 580, 628, 706 and 740 μm, and the following corn geometric standard deviations (GSD): 1.72, 1.71, 1.75, 1.80 and 1.90, respectively. The piglets were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications, with the experimental units being formed by pens with two piglets each. There was no effect (p > 0.10) from grinding intensities on daily feed intake (DFI) and daily weight gain (DWG). Conversely, there was an effect (p < 0.10) from different grinding intensities on feed conversion (FC). The PS and GSD of both the corn and diet, as well as the corn fractions retained on the 4-, 2- and 1.2-mm test sieves showed positive correlations with FC (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the corn fractions retained on the 0.6-, 0.3- and 0.15-mm teste sieves showed negative correlations with FC (p < 0.05). The linear model was the one that fitted the estimated data into the data observed for FC. A corn PS reduction from 740 to 580 μm promoted a linear improvement in FC. The use of corn fractions, retained on the 1-, 2- and 0.3-mm test sieves, and the use of corn GSD and diet GSD as independent variables showed a higher R² than that obtained with the use of corn PS as an independent variable in linear equations for estimating FC.

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.

Effect of N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Jejunal Morphology, Amino Acid Transporters, and Antioxidant Ability of Weaned Pigs.

Weaning is an important period that affects the performance of piglets. However, the regulation of dietary amino acid levels is considered to be an effective way to alleviate the weaning stress of piglets. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) plays an important role in improving the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of animals. A total of 36 weaned piglets were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, a control group (CON) and a 500 mg/kg NCG group (NCG), and the experiment lasted for 28 days. The results show that the NCG treatment group showed an increased 0-28 days average weight gain and average daily feed intake, and also increased contents of GLU and HDL, and lower SUN in serum, and an upregulation of the expression of the amino acid transporters SNAT2, EAAC1, SLC3A1, and SLC3A2 mRNA in the jejunum (p < 0.05), as well as an increased villus length and VH:CD ratio, and claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 mRNA expression in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The NCG treatment group showed an increased content of GSH-Px in serum and T-AOC and SOD in the jejunum, and a lower content of MDA (p < 0.05); and the upregulation of the mRNA expression related to antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD1, Gpx4, GCLC, GCLM and Nrf2, AhR, CYP1A1) in the jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the NCG treatment group saw an upregulation in the mRNA expression of IL-10 and a decrease in the expression of IL-1β and IL-4 in the jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). In summary, the results of this study suggest that NCG improved growth performance and jejunal morphology, improved the jejunal transport of amino acids related to the ornithine cycle, and improved the antioxidant capacity in weaned pigs.

The Effect of a Bacillus-Based Probiotic on Sow and Piglet Performance in Two Production Cycles.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Bacillus-based probiotic diets on reproduction performance, fecal scores, microflora, and economic factors in lactating sows and suckling piglets across two productive cycles. A total of 96 sows, reared in a continuous farrowing system for two full cycles, were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Sows were fed a basal diet without the probiotic or a diet supplemented with viable bacterial spores. At seven days of age, control group piglets were offered standard creep feed, whereas piglets in the experimental (probiotic) group received a diet containing the probiotic fed to their dams. Sows receiving probiotic-supplemented diets were characterized by significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) average daily feed intake in lactation, lower (p ≤ 0.01) body weight (BW) loss during lactation, and reduced loss of backfat thickness as well as higher body condition score after lactation. Dietary probiotic supplementation increased (p ≤ 0.01) birth weight, total creep feed consumption, litter weight gain, and piglet weaning weight. The probiotic also improved (p ≤ 0.01) overall fecal scores, decreased total E. coli count on day seven and Clostridium perfringens count (trend) in sucking piglets. The total feed cost per weaned piglet was lower in the experimental (probiotic) group. Supplementing the diet with a probiotic containing Bacillus strains improved the reproductive performance of sows and the performance and health of piglets.

Effects of the Mean Weight of Uniform Litters on Sows and Offspring Performance.

This study aimed to determine the effects of uniform litters of different mean birth weights on colostrum production of sows and piglets performance. The study involved 98 multiparous sows from a commercial lean genotype and their piglets. Simultaneous farrowing were supervised and the piglets were divided into experimental litters of 12 piglets each of heterogenous litters (HET, CV = 23.8%, n = 20), uniform light litters (ULL, CV = 9.8%, n = 27), uniform average litters (UAL, CV = 8.2%, n = 23) or uniform heavy litters (UHL, CV = 8.6%, n = 28) piglets and allowed to suckle. Piglets were re-weighed at 24 h and 21 d of life and deaths registered. Colostrum intake (CI) of the piglets and sow's colostrum yield (CY) was estimated using two prediction equations. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the CY of sows being higher in UHL, lower in ULL and intermediary in HET and UAL litters. CY was positively related to litter total weight at birth and litter weight gain in the first 24 h (p < 0.001). The CI differ between litter type being higher in UHL litters and lower in ULL litters. The coefficient of variation of CI in HET litters was higher than in uniform litters, regardless of their type. The mortality rate of piglets until 21 d was globally 9.6% and it was significantly higher in HET than in UAL (p = 0.033) and tended to be higher than in UHL litters (p = 0.052). No differences in piglet survival were observed between uniform litters. Results show the beneficial effect of uniformity in piglet survival and that the mean weight of uniform litter influences colostrum intake and piglet 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.

Effect of co-mingling non-littermates during lactation and feed familiarity at weaning on the performance, skin lesions and health of piglet

This study investigated how co-mingling of non-littermates before weaning and feed familiarity at weaning in a 2 × 2 factorial design can minimize the adverse effects related to conventional weaning. Before weaning, piglets were either conventionally reared or co-mingled by grouping piglets from 3 litters during 10 days before weaning. At weaning, piglets from 3 litters were distributed over 3 pens in the nursery. Conventionally reared piglets from 3 litters were mixed, whereas the co-mingled piglets were housed with those they were co-mingled with before weaning. At weaning, piglets were either or not provided with 0.538 kg creep feed per piglet in creep feeders, next to the weaner diet. Creep feed was the same provided the last 4 days before weaning. Hence, the treatment groups were conventional with (n = 9) or without creep feed (n = 9), and co-mingling with (n = 9) or without creep feed (n = 9). Co-mingling non-littermate piglets did not affect weaning weight, daily weight gain and creep feed intake during d-10-d0 before weaning. Co-mingling resulted in higher skin lesion scores of head and ears in piglets at d1 before weaning (P < 0.05), but in lower skin lesion scores at the snout, shoulders and flanks at d2 post-weaning compared to conventionally reared piglets (P < 0.05). Co-mingling did not affect salivary cortisol at d1 post-weaning . Hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were higher in the co-mingled piglets at d2 post-weaning (P < 0.05). Co-mingling resulted in higher glucose concentrations in blood (P < 0.05) and in a tendency for lower NEFA concentration in serum at d2 post-weaning (P < 0.10). Feed familiarity at weaning increased average daily feed intake and weight gain during the first 5 days post-weaning (P < 0.05). During d5–14 post-weaning average daily feed intake tended to be lower (P < 01.0) and daily gain was lower (P < 0.05) in creep feed fed piglets compared to no creep feed fed piglets. Nevertheless, feed familiarity did not affect overall piglet performance during the first 2 weeks after weaning. Feed familiarity did not affect blood hematology and biochemical blood parameters, except the level of basophils at d2 post-weaning. Neither housing nor feeding strategy affected piglet performance between d14–42 post-weaning and ear and tail damage at d42 post-weaning . In conclusion, pre-weaning co-mingling of piglets and feed familiarity at weaning each contributed to a better adaptation of the weaning process but did not affect long-term piglet performance.

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.

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.

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.

Tert-butylhydroquinone attenuates LPS-induced pyroptosis of IPEC-J2 cells via downregulating HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis.

Inflammatory response induced by biological stress usually occurs in weaning piglets, it reduces the production performance of piglets and even causes death. Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a food additive that has the effect of anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. However, there are few reports related to the protective mechanisms of TBHQ on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced injury in intestinal porcine epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively, detected the mRNA levels and protein expressions related to pyroptosis, tight junction (TJ) protein and high-mobility group box 1/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B (HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB) axis. Localisation and expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), HMGB1 and P-NF-κB proteins detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that TBHQ (12.5 and 25 μM) can increase cell activity and reduce intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in a dose-dependent manner. LPS significantly decreases cell viability and increases the LDH level. However, pretreatment with TBHQ evidently increases cell viability and decreases the LDH level of IPEC-J2 cells. In addition, treatment with LPS decreased the mRNA level and protein expression of zonula occludens-1, occludin and claudin-1, and increased the mRNA level and protein expression of pyroptosis and HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis. Interestingly, pretreatment with TBHQ increased the TJ protein expressions as well as decreased the mRNA level and protein expressions of pyroptosis and HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis. Moreover, the results of immunofluorescence showed that TBHQ significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, HMGB1 and P-NF-κB in LPS-induced injury of IPEC-J2 cells. Therefore, we come to the conclusion that TBHQ attenuates LPS-induced pyroptosis in IPEC-J2 cells through downregulation of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB axis, TBHQ may become a potential feed additive for preventing inflammatory diarrhoea in piglets.

Supplementation of a β-Mannanase Enzyme to Diets with a Reduced Net Energy Content Supports Post-Weaning Piglet Performance During a PRRSV Outbreak Under Field Conditions

Supplementation of a β-Mannanase Enzyme to Diets with a Reduced Net Energy Content Supports Post-Weaning Piglet Performance During a PRRSV Outbreak Under Field Conditions

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.

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.

66. Family Feeding Matters: Effects of a novel family feeding system and feed type on sow and piglet performance and behaviour around weaning

66. Family Feeding Matters: Effects of a novel family feeding system and feed type on sow and piglet performance and behaviour around weaning

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

19. Oregano essential oil supports sow milk quality and weaning performance of piglets

19. Oregano essential oil supports sow milk quality and weaning 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

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