Piglet Diets Research Articles

Incorporation of Malvaceae into weaned piglet diets has sex dependant faecal microbiome effects

Incorporation of Malvaceae into weaned piglet diets has sex dependant faecal microbiome effects

Effects of Dietary Amino Acid Additives to Weaned Piglet Diets on pH and Volatile Fatty Acids of Pig Slurry

Effects of Dietary Amino Acid Additives to Weaned Piglet Diets on pH and Volatile Fatty Acids of Pig Slurry

Feed particle size and amylase supplementation in diets for nursery piglets: Digestibility and growth performance

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet particle size, amylase supplementation, and their possible interaction on nutrient digestibility and performance of nursery pigs. A total of 352 whole male piglets (28-d-old) were distributed in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial scheme: 2 feed particle sizes; with or without inclusion of 80 kg-novo units (KNU) of amylase/kg. Initial weight was the blocking factor. The diets were pelleted, based on corn and soybean meal, and divided into pre-starter (28 to 42 d) and starter (43 to 63 d). The tested particle sizes were 339/588 µm and 696/920 µm for pre-starter and starter phases, respectively, and were obtained through grinding of the corn. Diets were fed ad libitum. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE), as well as digestible energy (DE) were additionally evaluated in the starter phase. No interaction between factors was observed throughout the experiment. In the pre-starter phase, piglets fed finer diets (339 µm) had lower FCR (P < 0.05), although ADFI and ADWG were not affected. In the starter phase, the use of a coarser diet (920 µm) led to greater ADFI and ADWG (P < 0.05), but with no effect on FCR, similarly to what was observed in the total period (28 to 63 days). Reducing the particle size increased EE digestibility (P < 0.05) but had no influence on DM and CP digestibility nor DE. Amylase supplementation increased ADFI and ADWG and reduced FCR in the pre-starter phase and total period (P < 0.05), and led to greater digestibility of DM, CP, and EE, as well as DE (P < 0.05). As a conclusion, fine grinding of diets can be applied to reduce FCR and increase fat digestibility in younger nursery pigs (up to 42-d-old), but coarser diets should be used at an older age (post-42-d) to prevent losses in ADFI and ADWG. Supplementation of 80 KNU/kg of exogenous amylase is recommended through the nursery phase (28 to 63 d) to improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and DE, regardless of diet particle size.

The Effect of Dietary Humic Substances on Cellular Immunity and Blood Characteristics in Piglets

This study’s objective was to determine the impact of dietary humic substances on immune response and blood profiles in piglets. A total of 24 crossbred piglets (Slovakian White × Landrace; 35 days old; average body weight of 11.67 kg) were allotted to two dietary groups with (experimental; 5 g·kg−1) or without (control; 0 g·kg−1) natural humic substances supplementation. In this study, we observed a significant increase of the proportion of CD4+CD8- lymphocytes (p &lt; 0.001) in the experimental group. The results also showed a tendency for an increase of the phagocytic activity and the engulfing capacity of phagocytes and the numbers of the other monitored lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD21+, CD4-D8+, CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD25+) in piglets in the experimental group compared to the control group. Supplementation of humic substances increased serum alkaline phosphatase compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). Other monitored blood parameters were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. It concluded that inclusion of humic substances in the diet of piglets could have a stimulating effect on cellular immunity, without a negative effect on haematological and biochemical parameters.

Supplementing oat hulls to the diet of suckling piglets altered their intestinal tract and colonic microbiota development.

Current study evaluated the effect of a fine and coarsely ground insoluble dietary fibre source on the gastrointestinal development of suckling pigs. Oat hulls (OH) were selected as a model feedstuff, rich in cellulose, lignin, and insoluble dietary fibre. Three experimental supplemental diets were formulated: a finely ground, low fibre and nutrient dense diet served as control (CON). For the 2 high fibre diets, 15% heat-treated starch in CON was exchanged with OH, either finely (OH-f) or coarsely ground (OH-c). Litters of 10 primi- and multiparous sows (mean litter size 14.6±0.84) were used. Within a litter, experimental diets were allotted to triplets of 4 piglets. From approximately 12d of age, piglets' individual feed intakes were recorded 2 times per day when separated from their dam for 70min. Piglets could suckle with their dam for the remainder of the day. On d 24 and 25, from the total pool of 120 piglets, seven healthy well-eating piglets per treatment were selected for post-mortem evaluation, resulting in 14 replicates per treatment. Consumption of OH-c and OH-f did not impede clinical health and production performance of piglets. The full stomach weights tended to be greater for OH-c compared to OH-f whereas CON was intermediate (P=0.083). Supplementing OH significantly increased ileal villus height and caecal dry matter concentration (P<0.05). For the colon, OH increased its length, contents weight, short-chain fatty acid concentration and reduced total bacterial count as well as γ-proteobacteria count and proportion (P<0.05). The OH-c treatment specifically increased full gastrointestinal tract weight and caecum contents weight compared to piglets fed CON and OH-f. Furthermore, OH-c reduced colonic crypt depth when compared to OH-f (P=0.018). In conclusion, supplementing OH to a diet for suckling piglets exerted subtle developmental effects on gastrointestinal morphology and colonic microbial community. These effects were largely independent from the particle size of the OH.

Fatty Acid Profiles and Nutritional Indices/Ratios of Colostrum and Transient Milk from Landrace, Large White, and Landrace × Large White Crossbred Sows

Fatty acid (FA) profiles are needed to assess the nutritional quality of sow colostrum and transient milk that may be used in developing milk replacer diets for piglets and their possible use as a functional food or nutraceutical. This study analyzed the FA profiles and compared the FA-based nutritional indices/ratios of colostrum and transient milk from Landrace, Large White, and Landrace × Large White crossbred sows in a swine nucleus breeding farm in the Philippines. Colostrum and transient milk samples were collected by hand within 24 h after parturition and 36–72 h after farrowing, respectively; immediately frozen at –20 °C until analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography. Among the major FAs with the highest proportions, palmitic acid (C16:0) and linoleic acid LA (C18:2 n-6) were higher in colostrum (20.7% and 25.0%, respectively) than in transient milk (18.7% and 18.8%, respectively). Oleic acid (C18:1 n9c) was higher in transient milk (34.9%) than in colostrum (32.2%). The polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) to saturated FA (SFA) ratio was higher in sow colostrum (0.81:1) than transient milk (0.65:1). However, transient milk had better linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid C18:3 n-3 (LA/ALA) ratio, more balanced omega-6 to omega-3 (n-6/n-3) ratio, slightly lower atherogenicity index (IA= 0.43 vs 0.46) and thrombogenicity index (IT= 0.81 vs 0.85), higher health-promoting index (HPI= 2.33 vs 2.16), and higher hypocholesterolemic/ hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H= 2.66:1 vs 2.55:1) than colostrum. Both colostrum and transient milk from Large White sows had lower IA and IT values and higher PUFA/SFA ratio, HPI, and h/H ratio compared to Landrace sows. Crossbred sows had colostrum and transient milk with lower average IT than purebred sows. The PUFA/SFA ratio, HPI, and h/H ratio in colostrum were also higher for crossbred sows than for purebred sows. In conclusion, colostrum from crossbred sows may be used in the preparation of milk replacer formulations for piglets, while transient milk, especially from Large White sows, may be considered in the development of sow milk - based supplements in the human diet.

Monitoring of Performance-Based Environmental Impacts of Substituting Soybean Meal with Rapeseed Meal in the Rye-Based Diet of Weaned Pigs

Due to its favorable properties, soybean meal (SBM) is used especially in young growing animals. In terms of sustainability, there are various efforts to reduce the amounts of SBM in compound feeds and to increase the use of regional protein sources. This paper focuses on the effects of a partial to total substitution of SBM by regionally produced rapeseed meal (RSM) in different piglet diets regarding 10 important factors having an impact on the environment. Four diets, characterized by different shares (%) of both protein-rich ingredients (SBM/RSM: 18.1/0; 13.6/6.70; 8.10/16.1; 0/28.0), were fed to four groups of 10 piglets each in two runs. The impact was calculated related to feed (per t) and was performance-based for every piglet (impact·kg weight gain−1) for each factor using methods according to life-cycle-analyses (LCA). Although feed intake and weight gains were not affected negatively, higher feed conversion ratios occurred, with high amounts of rapeseed inclusion. Nevertheless, the performance-based negative influence on climate change (kg CO2 eq·kg weight gain−1) was nearly halved when SBM was replaced by RSM. Since performance was not negatively affected, the use of RSM instead of SBM in piglet diets could be a viable tool for markedly reducing the negative impact on climate change.

Colina herbal como alternativa ao cloreto de colina em dieta de leitões na creche

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the replacement of choline chloride supplementation by herbal choline in the diet of nursery piglets. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks (initial weight and sex) with 80 piglets, in five treatments, with eight replicates. The treatments consisted of: negative control, basal diet supplemented with 300 mg kg-1 choline via choline chloride, basal diet supplemented with 600 mg kg-1 choline via choline chloride, basal diet supplemented with 100 mg kg-1 herbal choline, and basal diet supplemented with 200 mg kg-1 herbal choline. Zootechnical performance data, blood parameters, and economic viability were analyzed. Herbal choline supplementation increases the body weight and daily feed intake of nursery piglets. The supplementation with 100 mg kg-1 herbal choline presents the highest return on investment. Herbal choline can be used as a source of choline supplementation in the diet of nursery piglets to replace choline chloride.

Abordagens meta-analíticas para avaliar o uso do ácido cítrico e ascórbico em leitões em creche

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated different meta-analytical approaches tousing citric and ascorbic acids in the performance of nursery piglets. The study included 24 publications between 1985 and 2018 (mode 1998), totaling 4215 nursery piglets. The Higgins index indicated high heterogeneity (98.5%) among the studies concerning citric acid (96.9%) and ascorbic acid (91.4%). In variances and forest plot analysis, using citric and ascorbic acids and their analogs was no significant effect (P &gt; 0.05) on piglet weight gain. In the meta-analysis approach proposed by LOVATTO et al. (2007) and SAUVANT et al. (2008), there was no significant effect (P &gt; 0.05) of the addition of citric and ascorbic acids on piglet performance. Numerically, was observed an increased ADG (Δ &gt; 0) related to acids (supplemented over control treatments) in 59.7% (ascorbic acid) and 46.6% (citric acid) of the ADG comparisons. The effect of ascorbic supplementation on the respective control treatment of the overall nursery period was on average 0.98%, 1.07%, and -1.3% for ADFI, ADG, and FCR, respectively. Citric acid supplementation to the respective control treatment of the overall nursery period was on average 1.67%, 4.40%, and -2.29% for ADFI, ADG, and FCR. Adding citric and ascorbic acids in diets for nursery piglets does not alter performance regardless of the meta-analysis method used.

Повышение мясных качеств свиней после дегельминтизации против аскаридоза на фоне применения глицирризиновой кислоты

The present paper describes the use of glycyrrhizic acid contained in licorice roots on the quality of pork produced. Modern research methods are used in the work, such as ion exchange chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, as well as drying of an average sample of muscle and pressing method. The production part of the experiments was carried out on twenty-one piglets of a large white breed, weighing 14 kilograms. By analogy, piglets are divided into 3 groups. By the method of coprology, ascariasis was detected in piglets of two months of age. After which, all piglets were dewormed with a drug – fenbendazole. The control group had a diet without additional additives. Glycyrrhizic acid was included in the diet of pigs of 2 experimental groups. Studies on live weight gain were carried out for 6 months. Upon reaching 100 kg, pigs of all the studied groups were slaughtered. The inclusion of glycyrrhizic acid in the diet of piglets served as a beneficial effect on the biochemical processes in the piglets' body, as evidenced by the data obtained.

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in piglets at weaning using probiotics Bacillus coagylans and Bacillus megaterium

The aim of the study is to determine the preventive effect of the use of probiotics Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium in case of gastrointestinal diseases in piglets and as a potential strategy to reduce the misuse of antibiotics in monogastric animals by adding probiotics to the diet of pregnant sows and piglets in the period before and after weaning.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Three research groups were formed to study the preventive effect of probiotics of the genus Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium. The piglets of the first experimental group received probiotics at the rate of 0.4 kg per 1 ton of feed in the periods before and after weaning, and that is, the moment of the entire study, the second experimental group received probiotics in the period after weaning, before that they received milk from the sow. The third group was the control group, which received only milk from the sow, and fodder during the weaning period. The effectiveness of the prevention result was determined by the absence/presence of clinical signs of morbidity and % survival of animals during the study period.&#x0D; The results. It was established that the preservation of livestock in the 1st experimental group was 90 %, and in the 2nd group – 70 %, and control – 50 %.&#x0D; Conclusions. Research results show that probiotics of the genus Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus megaterium, the components of which provide a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, are a reliable preventive measure for gastrointestinal diseases in piglets.

Influence of different dosages of feed additive "AktivSorbent" in the diets of piglets on the morphological and biochemical status of blood

The article presents data from experimental studies on the effect of new feed additives of mycotoxin adsorbents "AktivSorbent" in the diets of growing piglets on hematological parameters. It has been established that the use of feed additives "AktivSorbent" in the feeding of young pigs on rearing at a dose of 1.750 kg / t of compound feed improves the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood.

Effects of combined feed additives in diets to support growth performance and intestinal health profile in nursery piglets

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of feed additive blends in nursery piglets diets on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy, and intestinal health. In Exp. I, 144 male piglets (6.9 ± 0.04 kg) were allotted randomly into 4 treatments: 1) negative control (NC, no feed additive or antibiotic), 2) positive control (PC, amoxicilin + norfloxacin), 3) simple blend (SB) containing sodium butyrate + dried hydrolyzed yeast + zinc proteinate, and 4) complex blend (CB) containing SB + dried brewery yeast + yeast cell wall, with 12 replicates and 3 animals/pen. Diarrhea occurrence (DO) was monitored daily. On d 44, 9 animals/treatment were slaughtered to collect intestinal samples. Dietary treatments had no effect on growth performance, but piglets fed SB and CB diets showed lower DO than those fed PC diet. Lower DO was observed in starter piglets fed CB and PC diets. Pre-starter piglets fed NC diet showed greater plasma urea concentration than piglets fed PC diet. Starter piglets fed CB diet showed lower eosinophils concentration than those fed NC diet. Piglets on CB diet showed greater stomach pH. Piglets fed the NC diet had greater small intestine weight and lower spleen weight compared to piglets fed the PC and SB diets, respectively. Piglets fed CB diet showed greater jejunum villi than animals on PC and SB diets. Furthermore, greater ileum crypt depth and lower VH:CD ratio was observed in piglets fed SB diet than in CB diet. Piglets fed CB diet showed lower jejunal Enterobacteriaceae count compared to piglets fed PC diet. Goblet cells were more abundant in the jejunum of piglets fed CB diet compared to those in NC diet. Lower tissue necrosis was observed in piglets fed SB and CB diets compared to NC and PC diets. In Exp. II, 24 male piglets (20.3 ± 0.05 kg) were allotted randomly in metabolic cages with the same treatment groups as Exp. I and 6 replicates/treatment. Piglets fed PC and SB diets showed greater ATTD compared to those in CB diet. However, piglets fed SB diet had greater digestible protein and lower digestible OM was observed in piglets fed CB diet. In conclusion, SB did not improve growth performance despite favorable effects on ATTD, but CB was the most promising combination on development of the structure and function of the intestinal epithelium, no detrimental effect on growth performance in nursery piglets.

Acidifiers and prebiotics in the diets of nursery-stage piglets as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of nursery-phase piglets (22 to 64 days of age) fed a diet supplemented with organic acids and prebiotics or a diet supplemented with colistin. One hundred fifty weaned piglets 22 days old and with an initial weight of 5.56 kg were allotted to pens based on BW in a completely randomized block design to one of three treatment diets: T1, negative control; T2, colistin (10 mg/kg); and T3, mannan oligosaccharides + beta-glucans + ammonium formate, formic acid, ammonium propionate and acetic acid (1 kg/ton). The daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion, diarrhea score, cecal Lactobacillus, E. coli and fecal coliform content, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were evaluated. The performance results considering the whole nursery phase showed a better (P &lt; 0.05) feed conversion for T3 (1.593) and T2 (1.602) compared with T1 (1.679). The diarrhea score of T2 was lower than that of T1 (P &lt; 0.05) and similar to that of T3 (P ≥ 0.05). The piglets that received T3 presented a greater concentration of proinflammatory cytokines at 36 days of age than T1, similar to T2 (p &lt; 0.05), with the exception of TNFa, where T3 was superior to all groups, whereas at 57 days of age the piglets that received T2 presented a greater concentration of inflammatory cytokines. The piglets fed diets supplemented with a combination of mannan oligosaccharides, beta-glucans and acidifiers, representing an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics, performed similarly to those fed colistin-supplemented diets.

"King of the forage"-Alfalfa supplementation improves growth, reproductive performance, health condition and meat quality of pigs.

As one kind of high-quality feed with rich nutrients, including high quality protein and amino acids, dietary fiber, enriched vitamins and mineral elements and bioactive molecules, alfalfa has been widely used in the production of ruminant livestock. As the understanding of alfalfa becomes more and more comprehensive, it is found that the high-quality nutrients in alfalfa could have positive effects on pigs. An increasing number of researches have shown that supplementing dietary alfalfa to the diet of gestating sows reduced constipation, alleviated abnormal behavior, improved satiety and reproductive performance; supplementing dietary alfalfa to the diet of piglets improved growth performance and intestinal barrier function, reduced intestinal inflammatory response and diarrhea; supplementing dietary alfalfa to the diet of growing-fattening pigs improved production performance and pork quality. Moreover, the mechanisms by which various nutrients of alfalfa exert their beneficial effects on pigs mainly including dietary fiber stimulating intestinal peristalsis, enhancing the activity of digestive enzymes, and promoting the colonization of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract through fermentation in the intestine, producing short-chain fatty acids and thus improving intestinal health; high quality protein and amino acids are beneficial to improve animal health condition; rich vitamins and mineral elements play an important role in various physiological functions and growth and development of the body; and bioactive molecules can improve the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory level. Therefore, alfalfa could be used as pig feed ingredient to alleviate various problems in the pig industry and to improve pig production performance. In this review, we detail the current application of alfalfa in pigs and discuss the potential mechanisms involved in how alfalfa improves growth and reproductive performance, pork quality, and intestinal health of the animals, thus laying the foundation for the increased application of high-quality forage in pig production.

Effect of Fermented Rapeseed Meal in Diets for Piglets on Blood Biochemical Parameters and the Microbial Composition of the Feed and Faeces.

The study assessed the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) fermented using Bacillus subtilis 87Y on the feed microbiota, intestinal microbiota, blood biochemical parameters, and content of minerals in the blood plasma and faeces of piglets. Modulation of the microbial composition of feed containing fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) and of the faeces of pigs consuming it was observed. There was a significant increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a decrease in the total number of coliforms and Clostridium perfringens in the faeces of animals from the experimental groups. FRSM in the diet of piglets was shown to improve the mineral balance by increasing the levels of P, Ca, and Mg in the blood plasma and reducing their amount in the faeces. A beneficial effect on parameters of protein and lipid metabolism was also noted, resulting in an increase in the levels of total protein (TP) and albumins (ALB) and a reduction in triacylglycerols (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood plasma of the piglets. The research results indicate that the presence of FRSM in the diet of weaners can be a preventive factor in intestinal dysbiosis and support the maintenance of homeostasis.

Tannic acid-chelated zinc supplementation alleviates intestinal injury in piglets challenged by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has become a challenging problem in pig industry all over the world, causing significant profit losses. Tannins and organic zinc have been shown to exert protective effects on the intestinal dysfunction caused by endotoxins. However, there is little information on tannic acid-chelated zinc (TAZ) supplementation in the diet of newborn piglets. This study was conducted to determine the effects of TAZ on the intestinal function of piglets infected with PEDV. Thirty-two 7-day-old piglets were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design consisting of 2 diets (0 or 50 mg/kg BW TAZ) and challenge (saline or PEDV). On day 9 of the trial, 8 pigs per treatment received either sterile saline or PEDV solution at 106 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose) per pig. Pigs infected with PEDV had greater diarrhea rate and lower average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05). PEDV infection decreased plasma D-xylose concentration, most antioxidative enzyme activities in plasma and intestine, as well as the small intestinal villus height (P < 0.05). Plasma diamine oxidase and blood parameters were also affected by PEDV infection. Dietary supplementation with TAZ could ameliorate the PEDV-induced changes in all measured variables (P < 0.05). Moreover, TAZ decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde in plasma, duodenum, jejunum, and colon (P < 0.05). Collectively, our results indicated that dietary TAZ could alleviate PEDV induced damage on intestinal mucosa and antioxidative capacity, and improve the absorptive function and growth in piglets. Therefore, our novel findings also suggest that TAZ, as a new feed additive for neonatal and weaning piglets, has the potential to be an alternative to ZnO.

Eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil in sow and piglet diets modifies blood oxylipins and immune indicators in both, sows and suckling piglets

Over the last decades, genetic selection has increased sows’ litter size. Consequently, there is a high proportion of piglets born with low weight which are vulnerable. Their viability may potentially be enhanced through early nutrition. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether including a fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diets of the sow and piglets was able to increase concentrations of anti-inflammatory molecules in their blood. Thirty-six sows, in four consecutive batches, were randomly assigned to either a control diet with animal fat (15 g/kg in gestation and 30 g/kg in lactation) or an n-3 long-chain fatty acid (n-3 LCFA) diet from insemination until the end of lactation. From day 11 of lactation, piglets were also offered a diet containing 30 g/kg of animal fat or n-3 LCFA. To prepare the n-3 LCFA diet, 15 g/kg or 30 g/kg of animal fat in the control diet were replaced by an equivalent amount of solid fish oil for sows and piglets, respectively. All the sows were sampled for serum and plasma at day 108 of gestation and at weaning. Additionally, only for the first batch of sows, blood samples were also obtained at weaning from the two lightest (>800 g) and the two heaviest birth weight piglets in each litter. Serum fatty acids (FAs) were quantified by gas chromatography, plasma oxylipins by ultra-HPLC-MS and plasma immunoglobulins (Ig) and cytokines by ELISA. The n-3 LCFA diet increased the concentrations of n-3 FAs in gestating and lactating sows and in piglets (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively), particularly EPA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and DHA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and also their oxygenated derivatives. In addition, fish oil increased plasma IgM in gestating and lactating sows (P = 0.014 and P = 0.008, respectively), interleukin (IL) 6 in sows at weaning (P = 0.012), and IL1β in piglets (P = 0.018). Birth BW of piglets, regardless of diet, slightly influenced some of the n-6-derived oxylipins. In conclusion, fish oil addition in diets increased the blood concentrations of n-3 FAs and their oxygenated derivatives, some of which have anti-inflammatory activity, in gestating and lactating sows and piglets, IgM in gestating and lactating sows, IL6 in lactating sows and IL1β in piglets.

Proteomic changes associated with maternal dietary low ω6:ω3 ratio in piglets supplemented with seaweed. Part I: Serum proteomes

This study examines whether maternal low ω6:ω3 ratio diet and offspring SW supplementation can improve offspring immunity and performance by elucidating the effects on piglet serum proteome. A total of 16 sows were given either a standard (CR, 13:1) or low ω6:ω3 ratio diet (LR, 4:1) during pregnancy and lactation and their male weaned piglets were supplemented with SW powder (4 g/kg, SW) or not (CT) in a 21-day post-weaning (PW) diet. Four PW piglet groups were then identified based on dam and piglet treatment, namely CRCT, CRSW, LRCT, and LRSW (n = 10 each). Piglet serum collected at weaning and d21 PW were analysed (n = 5 each) using TMT-based quantitative proteomics and validated by appropriate assays. The differentially abundant proteins (n = 122) displayed positive effects of maternal LR diet on anti-inflammatory properties and innate immune stimulation. Progeny SW diet activated the innate immunity and enhance the host defence during inflammation. These data demonstrate the value of decreasing ω6:ω3 ratio in maternal diet and SW supplementation in PW piglet's diet to boost their immunity and anti-inflammation properties. SignificanceThis novel proteomic study in post-weaned piglets addresses the interplay between maternal and offspring nutritional interventions in a context of rapid and dynamic alterations in piglet metabolic status around weaning. Decreasing ω6:ω3 ratio in maternal diet and SW supplementation in PW piglet's diet can boost their immunity and anti-inflammation properties. This study also provides new insights into piglet serum proteome regulation during post-weaning, a critical development period in swine.

Review on Preventive Measures to Reduce Post-Weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets.

Simple SummaryPost-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a major challenge in pig production, which results in the high use of ZnO for its prevention and the utilisation of antibiotics for its treatment. There is a global agenda to decrease the use of antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); moreover, from June 2022, administering medical levels of ZnO has been banned in many countries due to its negative impact on the environment and AMR. Many feeding strategies and feed additives have been found to be tools to reduce PWD risk, which affect the gut microbiota and the host through different modes of action. Many feeding strategies and additives show positive but variable effects on PWD. A combination of such interventions tailored according to the specific conditions is most probably the best strategy.In many countries, medical levels of zinc (typically as zinc oxide) are added to piglet diets in the first two weeks post-weaning to prevent the development of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). However, high levels of zinc constitute an environmental polluting agent, and may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria. Consequently, the EU banned administering medical levels of zinc in pig diets as of June 2022. However, this may result in an increased use of antibiotic therapeutics to combat PWD and thereby an increased risk of further AMR development. The search for alternative measures against PWD with a minimum use of antibiotics and in the absence of medical levels of zinc has therefore been intensified over recent years, and feed-related measures, including feed ingredients, feed additives, and feeding strategies, are being intensively investigated. Furthermore, management strategies have been developed and are undoubtedly relevant; however, these will not be addressed in this review. Here, feed measures (and vaccines) are addressed, these being probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, proteobiotics, plants and plant extracts (in particular essential oils and tannins), macroalgae (particularly macroalgae-derived polysaccharides), dietary fibre, antimicrobial peptides, specific amino acids, dietary fatty acids, milk replacers, milk components, creep feed, vaccines, bacteriophages, and single-domain antibodies (nanobodies). The list covers measures with a rather long history and others that require significant development before their eventual use can be extended. To assess the potential of feed-related measures in combating PWD, the literature reviewed here has focused on studies reporting parameters of PWD (i.e., faeces score and/or faeces dry matter content during the first two weeks post-weaning). Although the impact on PWD (or related parameters) of the investigated measures may often be inconsistent, many studies do report positive effects. However, several studies have shown that control pigs do not suffer from diarrhoea, making it difficult to evaluate the biological and practical relevance of these improvements. From the reviewed literature, it is not possible to rank the efficacy of the various measures, and the efficacy most probably depends on a range of factors related to animal genetics and health status, additive doses used, composition of the feed, etc. We conclude that a combination of various measures is probably most recommendable in most situations. However, in this respect, it should be considered that combining strategies may lead to additive (e.g., synbiotics), synergistic (e.g., plant materials), or antagonistic (e.g., algae compounds) effects, requiring detailed knowledge on the modes of action in order to design effective strategies.