Post-weaning Diet Research Articles

MO099REPROGRAMMING HYPERTENSION PROGRAMMED BY HIGH-FAT DIET: THE ROLE OF GARLIC OIL

Abstract Background and Aims Perinatal high-fat (HF) diet programs high blood pressure (BP) in adult offspring. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has shown benefits in hypertension by restoration of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and alterations of gut microbiota. Garlic, a naturally dietary source of H2S donors, supplementation has shown benefits in hypertension. We aimed to examine whether maternal garlic oil supplementation can prevent hypertension programmed by maternal and post-weaning high-fat diet in adult offspring and whether its protective effects are related to mediation of H2S-genetaing system, alterations of gut microbiota composition, and microbiota metabolite short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Method Pregnant rats received either a normal diet (ND) or HF diet (D12331, Research Diets, Inc.) Garlic oil (GO) or vesicle was administered daily by oral gavage at 100 mg/kg/day during pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were weaned at 3 weeks of age, and onto either ND or HF diet to 16 weeks of age. Male offspring were assigned to four groups (n=8/group): ND, HF, ND+GO, and HF+GO. Garlic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation protected against programmed hypertension in adult male offspring fed with HF diet. All offspring were killed at 16 weeks of age. NO-related parameters were analyzed by HPLC. Plasma levels of SCFA were determined using GC-MS method. Fecal microbial community was analyzed using a combination of 16S rRNA gene and fecal metagenome sequence analysis. Results Garlic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation protected against programmed hypertension in adult male offspring fed with HF diet. Garlic oil supplementation caused a significant increase in plasma levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. NO bioavailability was augmented by garlic oil supplementation, represented by decreases of plasma levels of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA) levels, and increased plasma L-arginine-to-ADMA ratio (AAR). HF intake associated with decreased α-diversity was quantified by Shannon diversity index. The Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) demonstrated the difference in the gut microbiota among the four groups existed (All p < 0.05), indicating that four groups had distinct enterotypes. Additionally, garlic oil supplementation increased abundance of genus Lactobacillus, but decreased genera Turicibacter and Staphylococcus. Moreover, the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) algorithm analysis identified several microbial markers including genera Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Turicibacter. Conclusion The beneficial effects of garlic oil were associated with increased renal mRNA expression and activity of H2S-generating enzymes, increased NO bioavailability, increased plasma SCFA levels, and alterations of gut microbiota composition. Our data revealed associations between H2S-generating pathway in the gut and kidneys, NO system, gut microbiota, and microbiota-derived metabolites in hypertension programmed by HF intake and provided insight to garlic oil as a hypertension reprogramming strategy for further translational research.

PSVI-11 The Effects of Medium Chain Fatty Acid Supplementation on Sow and Piglet Performance

Abstract A total of 38 mixed parity sows were used from 28-d of gestation until weaning to determine the effects of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in sow and nursery pig diets on litter characteristics and growth performance. On 28-d of gestation, sows were blocked by parity and body weight (BW), and allotted to either a control diet (UNSUP) or a control diet plus 0.3% inclusion of DaaFit Plus (MCFA) fed during gestation and lactation. At weaning, piglets (n=432) were allocated in a 2x2 factorial based on maternal diet (UNSUP or MCFA) and post-weaning diet (UNSUPnurs or MCFAnurs) in a 3-phase nursery pig feeding program lasting 42 days. Individual piglets were weighed at birth, 7-d, at weaning and every 2 weeks post-weaning. A flu outbreak occurred during the latter part of gestation leading to high overall stillborn rate (11%). There was no impact of MCFA supplementation on sow performance (P>0.14). During the suckling period, MCFA fed to sows had no impact on piglet weights or ADG (P>0.82). In the nursey period, overall gain (0.112±0.02 kg) was low in the first two weeks possibly due to health challenges. Supplementation of MCFA to sows or nursery pigs had no impact on body weights during the nursery period (P>0.32); however, absolute differences between groups increased with week [wean, 0.10kg; wk 2, 0.14kg; wk 4, 0.71kg; wk 6, 0.83kg) to the advantage of MCFA fed pigs. Pigs from MCFA fed sows had greater feed intake (P< 0.02) from 14 to 28-d and decreased gain:feed (P < 0.04) from 28 to 42-d compared to pigs from UNSUP sows. Overall, sow and nurser-y pigs fed MCFA had numerically greater 42-d BW, ADG, and ADFI. In conclusion, despite health challenges, supplementation with MCFA in gestation, lactation or in the nursery period improved piglet performance.

PSIII-20 Inclusion of a Live Yeast to Mixed Cereal Diets Improves Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Abstract As an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, live yeast supplementation has proven useful in reducing weaning stress and improving health and performance of piglets. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a high concentrated live yeast product (20 billion CFU/g) supplemented in post-weaning piglet diets without antibiotics. A total of 144 pigs Pietrain × [LW×Landrace] (average initial BW = 8.55 ± 1.5 kg) weaned at 28 days of life were used for a 6-week growth study to determine post-weaning performance. Pigs were assigned to 2 treatments; 0 (Control group; CT) and 1 g of live yeast/kg (Yeast Supplemented group; YS) feed to 12 replicate pens of 6 pigs (3 barrows; 3 gilts). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in pre-starter (days 0–14), starter (days 14–42) and in the whole nursery (days 0–42) periods. Data were analysed with ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS according to the completely randomized design. The model included initial BW as a covariant. Differences were deemed statistically significant when P ≤ 0.050 using a one tailed t-test. Live yeast supplementation improved ADG in starter (5.8%; P = 0.034) and in the whole nursery periods (7.0%; P = 0.045) compared with the CT group. Consequently, final BW was also higher in supplemented animals than in the CT (4.5%; P = 0.034). Differences in ADG were associated with differences in ADFI, higher in YS than in the CT group, both in starter (6.4%; P = 0.023) and in the whole nursery period (6.5%; P = 0.030). No differences were observed for FCR, mortality rate, and health incidences between dietary treatment groups. Therefore, supplementation of a live yeast to post-weaned piglets improved growth performance, confirming this product as an alternative to reduce antibiotic usage in nursery piglets.

The Effect of the Dietary Inclusion of Crude Glycerin in Pre-Starter and Starter Diets for Piglets.

Simple SummaryThe surplus of crude glycerin and the rising cost of feedstuffs have encouraged the nutritional valorization of this by-product as an interesting alternative ingredient in pig feed. We tested the addition of 2.5 and 5% glycerin to pelleted piglet diets to assess the effects on growth performance and digestibility of weaned piglets and to determine the serum concentrations of hormones related to energy metabolism and feed intake. Crude glycerin was included as a replacement for sheep sweet whey and wheat in pre-starter and starter diets, respectively. Growth data and fecal samples were collected at the end of each feeding phase. At the end of the study, blood samples were taken to analyze insulin and ghrelin concentrations. Over the whole period, our results showed that the average daily gain and the feed conversion ratio were not affected negatively by the dietary glycerin inclusion. There were also no differences between dietary treatments in terms of blood metabolites measured while the digestibility coefficients of dry and organic matter improved as glycerin increased. Therefore, crude glycerin could be used as an energy source to replace sweet whey and wheat and be added to pre-starter and starter diets.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of crude glycerin in post-weaning diets for piglets on growth performance and digestibility. The study was carried out with a total of 360 piglets over a 39 day period. Animals were blocked by body weight (7.7 ± 0.86 kg) and allotted randomly to one of three dietary treatments containing 0, 2.5 or 5% glycerin (G0, G2.5 and G5, respectively). Considering the whole period, glycerin did not affect the average daily gain. However, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) tended to decrease or decreased linearly as the amount of glycerin increased, respectively (p = 0.060 and p = 0.039). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry and organic matter (DM, OM) increased linearly with increasing glycerin in both periods (p ≤ 0.05). At the end of the study, there were no differences between treatments for any of the hormones measured. In conclusion, the FCR and digestibility of DM and OM were improved although the ADFI tended to be lower when glycerin was included at 5%. Consequently, crude glycerin could be used as an alternative ingredient to partially replace sweet whey and wheat in post-weaning diets.

High Choline Intake during Pregnancy Reduces Characteristics of the Metabolic Syndrome in Male Wistar Rat Offspring Fed a High Fat But Not a Normal Fat Post-Weaning Diet.

Maternal choline intakes are below recommendations, potentially impairing the child’s later-life metabolic health. This study aims to elucidate the interaction between the choline content of the gestational diet (GD) and fat content of the post-weaning diet (PWD) on metabolic phenotype of male Wistar rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed a standard rodent diet (AIN-93G) with either recommended choline (RC, 1 g/kg diet choline bitartrate) or high choline (HC, 2.5-fold). Male pups were weaned to either a normal (16%) fat (NF) or a high (45%) fat (HF) diet for 17 weeks. Body weight, visceral adiposity, food intake, energy expenditure, plasma hormones, triglycerides, and hepatic fatty acids were measured. HC-HF offspring had 7% lower body weight but not food intake, and lower adiposity, plasma triglycerides, and insulin resistance compared to RC-HF. They also had increased hepatic n-3 fatty acids and a reduced n-6/n-3 and C 18:1 n-9/C18:0 ratios. In contrast, HC-NF offspring had 6–8% higher cumulative food intake and body weight, as well as increased leptin and elevated hepatic C16:1 n-7/C16:0 ratio compared to RC-NF. Therefore, gestational choline supplementation associated with improved long-term regulation of several biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome in male Wistar rat offspring fed a HF, but not a NF, PWD.

174 The effect of the removal of pharmacological doses of zinc oxide from the post-weaning diet of outdoor bred newly weaned pigs

174 The effect of the removal of pharmacological doses of zinc oxide from the post-weaning diet of outdoor bred newly weaned pigs

A Very Low CP Level Reduced Diarrhoea and Productivity in Weaner Pigs, but No Differences between Post-Weaning Diets Including Soybean Meal or Soy Protein Concentrate Were Found.

Simple SummaryDiarrhoea is a challenge after weaning in pigs, and medicinal zinc oxide has been used to decrease this problem. Additionally, soy protein concentrate improves protein digestion and thereby increases growth compared to soybean meal. The aim was to test the effect of different low-protein diets on diarrhoea and productivity. This study demonstrates that a diet with very low-protein levels supplemented with amino acids decreases diarrhoea similar to zinc oxide, but also limits growth performance. Moreover, the study found no effect of low-protein diets with different protein sources. Based on these results, there is potential in feeding extremely low-protein diets to weaned pigs as a tool to decrease diarrhoea and thereby antibiotics usage. Additionally, this study presents an opportunity to use both soy protein concentrate and soybean meal as the main protein source, without affecting pig health and productivity.Soy protein concentrate improves nutrient utilization and growth performance compared to soybean meal, and diets with a low crude protein (CP) level decreases diarrhoea. The objectives were to (1) test a low CP diet based on different soy products, and (2) to test a very-low CP diet (15.1%) with amino acids (AA) on diarrhoea and productivity. A total of 5,635 weaned pigs (~28 days), were assigned to five dietary treatments; PC (positive control): Standard CP levels (192, 189, 191 g/kg CP) with 2500 ppm ZnO; NC (negative control): Same as PC without ZnO; SP (Soy protein concentrate): Low CP levels (176, 174, 191 g/kg CP); SB (Soybean meal): Low CP levels (177, 176, 191 g/kg CP); and XLA (X-low CP + AA): Very low CP levels (154, 151, 191 g/kg CP) with AA. The PC and XLA diets reduced diarrhoea by 41 and 61%, respectively, compared to the NC group, while no difference between SB and SP were observed. The XLA diet reduced feed intake and daily gain compared with PC and NC, where SP, SB, and XLA had a poorer feed conversion compared with PC. Conclusively, the SP and SB low-protein diets did not reduce diarrhoea or growth performance, whereas the XLA diet decreased both diarrhoea and performance.

Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation in sperm is transmitted to the embryo and associated with diet-induced phenotypes in the offspring.

A father's lifestyle impacts offspring health; yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesized that a diet that changes methyl donor availability will alter the sperm and embryo epigenomes to impact embryonic gene expression and development. Here, we demonstrate that a folate-deficient (FD) dietalters histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in sperm at developmental genes and putative enhancers. A subset of H3K4me3 alterations in sperm are retained in the pre-implantation embryo and associated with deregulated embryonic gene expression. Using a genetic mouse model in which sires have pre-existing altered H3K4me2/3 in sperm, we show that a FD diet exacerbates alterations in sperm H3K4me3 and embryonic gene expression, leading to an increase in developmental defect severity. These findings imply that paternal H3K4me3 is transmitted to the embryo and influences gene expression and development. It further suggests that epigenetic errors can accumulate in sperm to worsen offspring developmental outcomes.

Repercussion of Maternal Diabetes and Post-Weaning High-Fat Diet Consumption in Laboratory Animals

Background: Epidemiological and animal studies show diabetes-induced fetal programming can lead to adverse complications in the late-life of offspring. Western society consumes more calorie-rich foods every day. Objective: In order to understand the association between the influence of a hyperglycemic intrauterine environment and the consumption of a high-fat diet after weaning, this study was carried out with laboratory animals to reproduce the conditions of our current society. Methods: Adult Sprague Dawley rats from mothers with mild diabetes were mated with healthy males to obtain offspring. The female pups (2/mother) were fed a standard (OD/SD, n=9 rats) or high-fat (OD/HFD, n=12 rats) diet from weaning up to adulthood. At four months old, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out before pregnancy and confirmed glucose intolerance status in both groups. Following, the rats were submitted to cesarean section to evaluate maternal reproductive and fetal development outcomes. P<0.05 was considered for statistically significant difference. Results: At the end of pregnancy, the OD/HFD rats presented a higher percentage of embryo losses, lower number of corpora lutea, alive fetuses, and implantation. The placental and fetal weights were reduced, and the newborns were classified as small for gestational age compared to OD/SD, contributing to the lower litter weight. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the consumption of a post-weaning high-fat diet in association to maternal diabetes influence cause a glucose intolerance at the adulthood of the female offspring and exacerbate impaired reproductive repercussions and fetal development to the next generation.

Feeding Limosilactobacillus fermentum K9-2 and Lacticaseibacillus casei K9-1, or Limosilactobacillus reuteri TMW1.656 Reduces Pathogen Load in Weanling Pigs.

Applying probiotics to improve gut health and growth performance of pigs is considered an effective approach to reduce use of antimicrobial growth promoters in swine production. Understanding the properties of these probiotics is a prerequisite for the selection of probiotic strains for pigs. Host-adapted probiotic strains were suggested to exert probiotic effects by different mechanisms when compared to free-living or nomadic probiotic strains. This study assessed the effect of probiotic intervention with Limosilactobacillus reuteri TMW1.656, a host-adapted species producing the antimicrobial compound reutericyclin, its isogenic and reutericyclin-negative L. reuteri TMW1.656ΔrtcN, and with Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lacticaseibacillus casei, two species with a nomadic lifestyle. Probiotic strains were supplemented to the post weaning diet in piglets by fermented feed or as freeze-dried cultures. The composition of fecal microbiota was determined by high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene sequence tags; Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens were quantified by qPCR targeting specific virulence factors. Inclusion of host-adapted L. reuteri effectively reduced ETEC abundance in swine intestine. In contrast, nomadic L. fermentum and L. casei did not show inhibitory effects on ETEC but reduced the abundance of Clostridium spp. In addition, the increasing abundance of Bacteriodetes after weaning was correlated to a reduction of ETEC abundance. Remarkably, the early colonization of piglets with ETEC was impacted by maternal-neonatal transmission; the pattern of virulence factors changed significantly over time after weaning. Probiotic intervention or the production of reutericyclin showed limited effect on the overall composition of commensal gut microbiota. In conclusion, the present study provided evidence that the lifestyle of lactobacilli is a relevant criterion for selection of probiotic cultures while the production of antimicrobial compounds has only minor effects.

Low protein diets without medicinal zinc oxide for weaned pigs reduced diarrhea treatments and average daily gain

The use of medicinal zinc oxide (ZnO) in post-weaning diets must be phased out in the European Union by 2022, resulting in urgent needs for alternative strategies to prevent diarrhea in pigs. The objective of this study was to test the effect of four different dietary protein strategies with different amino acid profiles on diarrhea frequency and pig performance as alternative diet plans when medicinal ZnO was will be excluded from the diet. A total of 6 800 Duroc x (Danish Landrace x Yorkshire) pigs, weaned around 28 days of age, were randomly assigned by sex and size to six dietary treatments. The treatments were; standard CP levels (191, 184, 184 g/kg CP) and allocated 2 500 ppm ZnO in phase 1 (PC = positive control), standard CP levels (191, 184, 184 g/kg CP) and no added ZnO in phase 1 (NC = negative control), CP levels of 166, 184, 184 g/kg (LSS = low-standard-standard), CP levels of 166, 162, 192 g/kg (LLH = low-low-high), CP levels of 140, 193, 192 g/kg (VHH = very low-high-high), and lastly 140, 174, 192 g/kg CP levels (VMH = very low-medium-high). The pigs entered the trial at ~7 kg BW and exited at ~30 kg BW. As expected, the PC treatment resulted in 42% fewer diarrhea pen treatments in the total trial period compared to the NC group (P < 0.05), whereas both PC and LLH had fewer diarrhea treatment days per pig compared to NC pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, at the point of treatment, the NC pens had 33% fecal floor samples positive for pathogens, compared to 80% samples positive for pathogens in the PC pens. This suggests that ZnO has a particular positive effect on non-infectious diarrhea without bacterial involvement. A reduction in dietary CP levels in phase 1 led to a reduced average daily gain (ADG) in LLH and VMH pigs and a poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR) in VHH pigs during the overall study period compared to the NC pigs (P < 0.05). Conclusively, a diet with low CP levels from weaning to about 15 kg BW had a reducing effect on diarrhea, but decreased ADG without affecting the FCR.

283 Performance and mineral fecal excretion of post weaned piglets are influenced by different sources of zinc oxide

Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the supplementation on post weaning diets of the conventional source of zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or a potentiated source of zinc oxide (PZnO) and different (P) levels on productive performance, incidence of diarrhea, (Zn) and (Cu) fecal excretion. Eighty-four pigs weaned at 21 days of age were allocated in a randomized block design with four dietary treatments [T1: no inclusion of ZnO and regular P levels (0.440%; 0.420%; 0.400%; 0.380%); T2: inclusion of ZnO and regular P levels (0.440%; 0.420%; 0.400%; 0.380%); T3: ZnO and PZnO and 10% low P levels (0.396%; 0.379%; 0.360%; 0.340%); T4: inclusion of the PZnO and 10% low P levels (0.396%; 0.379%; 0.360%; 0.340%)], with seven replications and three pigs/pen. The nutritional program was: (pre-starter 1: d 21 to 28; pre-starter II: d 28 to 35; starter I: d 35 to 49; and starter II: d 49 to 63). The Tukey test was adopted to compare the means (SAS, 9.3). From d 1 to 14, T2 improved ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and BW (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at d 14. From the period of d1 to d28, pigs fed with T2 diets showed higher ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.05), ADFI (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and, consequently, higher BW (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at d 28. From d 1 to 42, pigs fed with PZnO diet performed the highest ADFI (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Evaluating overall data of diarrhea, T2 reduced the incidence of diarrhea (P &amp;lt; 0.05). T4 reduced Zn and P fecal excretion during the period from d 7 to 28 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Therefore, the use of ZnO and PZnO provide the same performance results of piglets on the period from d 1 to 42 after weaning. Furthermore, the inclusion of PZnO reduces the Zn and P fecal excretion.

289 Effects of supranutritional levels of dietary zinc oxide on zinc, copper, and iron metabolism in post-weaned pigs

Abstract This study evaluated the impact of supranutritional levels of dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) on zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) homeostasis in post-weaned pigs. One hundred twenty piglets were selected at d14 of age (5.65 ± 0.68 kg). At weaning (d21), they were fed a basal post-weaning diet (without antibiotics) supplemented (n = 40/treatment) with 100 mg/kg (low; LZn), 1000 mg/kg (medium; MZn) or 3000 mg/kg (high; HZn) of ZnO until d42. Dietary levels of Cu (130 mg/kg) and Fe (260 mg/kg) remained constant throughout the experimental period. Piglets were sacrificed at d21, d23, d35, and d42 of age (n = 10/treatment/d) for samples collection. Serum concentrations and total liver content of Zn and Cu were not different among treatments on d21 and d23 (P ≥ 0.10). For Zn, treatment effects were detected at d35 and d42 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) on both serum concentration and total Zn content in liver. For both parameters, values were greatest for HZn, intermediary for MZn, and lowest for LZn irrespective of ages in the two periods. For Cu, treatment effects were detected at d35 and d42 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) on both serum concentration and total Cu content in liver. For both parameters, values were greatest for LZn and MZn and lowest for HZn irrespective of ages. For Fe, no treatment effect was detected either on whole blood Fe concentrations (P = 0.81) or hemoglobin levels (P = 0.76). However, for total Fe content in liver, treatment effects were detected (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Values were greatest for LZn and lowest for HZn at d35 and d42 whereas for MZn they were intermediary at d35 and similar to LZn at d42 (P ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, supranutritional levels of dietary ZnO fed to piglets during 3 weeks post-weaning significantly impacted Zn, Cu, and Fe homeostasis. These results emphasise the potential risk of Cu deficiency as well as impairment in building body Fe reserves under long-term supranutritional supplementation of ZnO.

Effects of Creep Feed Provision on Behavior and Performance of Piglets Around Weaning.

Creep feed provision may ease weaning, hence we determined the impact of providing fibrous creep feed before weaning and adding this feed to the post-weaning diet on piglet behavior and performance. Pre-weaning, litters with on average 12 piglets were given creep feed (CF, n = 12 litters) or not (NF, n = 10 litters). Post-weaning, piglets (n = 8 pens with 4 piglets/treatment) were given a weaner diet (CON) or weaner diet supplemented with creep feed (CS). Behaviors were scored in the home pen at d11, 16, 22 and 27 after birth and at wk 1 and 2 post-weaning. Feed intake, growth and fecal consistency were measured up to d14 post-weaning. A blood sample was taken at d2, 15 and 29 after birth and d2, 5 and 14 post-weaning. CF-piglets consumed on average 397 ± 71 g creep feed before weaning. CF-piglets grew faster in the last week before weaning than NF-piglets (249 ± 7 vs. 236 ± 11 g/d, F(1, 18) = 5.81, P = 0.03). However, CF- and NF-piglets did not differ in weaning weight, within-litter coefficient of variation in weaning weight, behaviors in the farrowing and weaner pen, and haptoglobin concentrations. Creep feed supplementation enhanced feed exploration at wk 2 post-weaning (0.29 ± 0.08 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03%, F(1, 27) = 5.27, P = 0.03), but did not affect other post-weaning behaviors. Pre-weaning creep feed provision and post-weaning creep feed supplementation did not affect overall feed intake, growth, feed efficiency and fecal consistency for the first 14 days post-weaning, neither body weight at d14 post-weaning. Nevertheless, CF-piglets had a lower within-pen coefficient of variation in body weight at d14 post-weaning than NF-piglets (13.6 ± 1.9 vs. 15.1 ± 1.5%, F(1, 26) = 6.89, P = 0.01). In conclusion, pre-weaning creep feed provision and post-weaning creep feed supplementation had no clear effects on piglet behavior and performance.

Bidirectional modulation of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity by post-weaning obesogenic diet intake in male rats: Influence of the duration of diet exposure.

Obesity is a chronic condition associated with adverse memory and emotional outcomes in humans and animal models. We have recently demonstrated that post-weaning (i.e., periadolescent) high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity has opposite effect on hippocampal and amygdala-dependent memory in rodents: while HFD consumption impairs spatial and relational memory, it enhances cue-dependent emotional memory. However, it is still not clear whether this bidirectional HFD effect on memory is related to bidirectional alterations of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity and if it is influenced by the duration of diet intake. In the current study, we compared in male rats the impact of 2-3 and 6-7 months of HFD intake starting at weaning, thus covering adolescence, on in vivo long-term potentiation (LTP) recorded simultaneously in the hippocampal area CA1 and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). As expected, 6-7 months of HFD intake abolished LTP in the CA1 and enhanced LTP in the BLA. However, 2-3 months of of HFD exposure enhanced LTP in both CA1 and BLA suggesting a transient compensatory mechanism in hippocampus. These results indicate that post-weaning HFD intake progressively leads to bidirectional modulation of hippocampal and amygdala synaptic plasticity, as we previously demonstrated for related memory processes, yet with a different temporal dynamic.

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: II. Effects on circulating leptin, luteinizing hormone, and age at puberty

The objectives were to investigate the effects of differing planes of pre- and postweaning nutrition on prepubertal serum leptin concentrations, LH profiles, and age at puberty in Holstein heifers. Thirty-six Holstein calves were randomly assigned to either a low (5 L) or high (10 L of whole milk/d) preweaning plane of nutrition from 1 to 7 wk of age, a transition diet (a dry total mixed ration with 85% of concentrate) from wk 8 to 10, and to either a low (70%) or high (85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) postweaning plane from 11 to 25 wk of age. Serum leptin concentrations were measured every 2 wk from 1 to 25 wk of age, and LH profiles were determined both at wk 15 and 25 based on sequential blood samples taken every 12 min over 10 h. Starting at 26 wk of age, ovaries were examined weekly by transrectal ultrasonography until first ovulation (puberty) was confirmed. Heifers that received the high preweaning plane diet had greater mean (± standard error; SE) leptin concentrations during the preweaning phase than those fed the low plane (2.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL). During the postweaning phase, mean circulating leptin was greater in heifers fed the high compared with the low postweaning diet [3.2 ng/mL (95% confidence interval; CI = 2.7 to 3.4) vs. 2.5 ng/mL (95% CI = 2.3 to 2.8)]. Mean (± SE) amplitude (2.1 ± 0.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 ng/mL), peak (2.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 ng/mL), and duration (35.6 ± 2.1 vs. 28.7 ± 2.0 min) of LH pulses assessed at wk 15 were greater in heifers offered the high than those offered the low preweaning plane, but no nutritional effects were observed on LH pulses at wk 25. Mean (± SE) age at puberty was 250 ± 9 d and was not influenced by planes of nutrition. However, the likelihood of attaining puberty by 30 wk of age was greater (hazard ratio = 3.8; 95% CI = 1.0 to 14.4) in heifers fed the high postweaning plane compared with the low plane. Heifers achieving puberty by 30 wk also had greater leptin concentrations from wk 1 to 25, whereas for every 1 ng/mL increase in circulating leptin at wk 15 and 25, days to puberty were estimated to decrease by 22 d (95% CI = 1 to 44) and 13 d (95% CI = 1 to 24), respectively. Increasing the preweaning plane from 5 to 10 L/d of whole milk increased serum leptin concentrations at wk 1, 3, and 5 and LH pulse amplitude, peak, and duration at wk 15. Increasing the postweaning plane from 70 to 85% of concentrate resulted in greater circulating leptin concentrations, which may be linked to an earlier onset of puberty.

Dietary Exposure to Excess Saturated Fat During Early Life Alters Hippocampal Gene Expression and Increases Risk for Behavioral Disorders in Adulthood.

PurposeMaternal and postnatal diets result in long-term changes in offspring brain and behavior; however, the key mediators of these developmental changes are not well-defined. In this study, we investigated the impact of maternal and post-weaning high-fat diets on gene expression of key components mediating hippocampal synaptic efficacy. In addition, we evaluated the risk for impaired stress-coping and anxiety-like behaviors in adult offspring exposed to obesogenic diets during early life.MethodsDams were fed a control (C) or high-fat (HF) diet prior to mating, pregnancy, and lactation. Male offspring from control chow and high-fat fed dams were weaned to control chow or HF diets. The forced swim test (FST) and the elevated-plus maze (EPM) were used to detect stress-coping and anxiety-like behavior, respectively. Real-time RT-PCR and ELISA were used to analyze hippocampal expression of genes mediating synaptic function.ResultsAnimals fed a HF diet post-weaning spent more time immobile in the FST. Swimming time was reduced in response to both maternal and post-weaning HF diets. Both maternal and post-weaning HF diets contributed to anxiety-like behavior in animals exposed to the EPM. Maternal and post-weaning HF diets were associated with a significant decrease in mRNA and protein expression for hippocampal GDNF, MAP2, SNAP25, and synaptophysin. Hippocampal mRNA expression of key serotonergic and glutamatergic receptors also exhibited differential responses to maternal and post-weaning HF diets. Hippocampal serotonergic receptor 5HT1A mRNA was reduced in response to both the maternal and post-weaning diet, whereas, 5HT2A receptor mRNA expression was increased in response to the maternal HF diet. The glutamate AMPA receptor subunit, GluA1, mRNA expression was significantly reduced in response to both diets, whereas no change was detected in GluA2 subunit mRNA expression.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that the expression of genes mediating synaptic function are differentially affected by maternal and post-weaning high-fat diets. The post-weaning high-fat diet clearly disturbs both behavior and gene expression. In addition, although the transition to control diet at weaning partially compensates for the adverse effects of the maternal HF diet, the negative consequence of the maternal HF diet is exacerbated by continuing the high-fat diet post-weaning. We present evidence to support the claim that these dietary influences increase the risk for anxiety and impaired stress-coping abilities in adulthood.

Effect of dietary supplementation with essential oils and a Bacillus probiotic on growth performance, diarrhoea and blood metabolites in weaned pigs

Context Dietary supplementation of essential oils or in combination with a Bacillus probiotic was investigated as an antibiotic growth promoter for weaned pigs. Aims To evaluate the effect of essential oils (i.e. thymol and carvacrol mixture) or in combination with a probiotic strain (i.e. Bacillus subtilis PB6) on the growth performance, diarrhoea incidence, ammonia emission and serological profiles of weaned pigs. Methods A total of 96 crossbred ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of six treatments based on sex and initial bodyweight. Each group was distributed into four replicates with four pigs each according to a randomised complete block design. The treatments were: (i) positive control, basal diet supplemented with colistin 150 g/tonne and amoxicillin 200 g/tonne; (ii) negative control, basal diet without supplementation; (iii) T3, basal diet supplemented with essential oils 300 g/tonne; (iv) T4, basal diet supplemented with essential oils 600 g/tonne; (v) T5, basal diet supplemented with essential oils 1000 g/tonne; and (vi) T6, basal diet supplemented with essential oils 300 g/tonne diet and Bacillus probiotics 1000 g/tonne. Key results The piglets fed with supplements had a significantly higher average daily gain and lower incidence of diarrhoea than the piglets in the negative control (P = 0.001). Feeding the essential oils alone or in combination with probiotics significantly reduced faecal ammonia emission (P = 0.027) and blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.039), while markedly increasing the serum immunoglobulin G concentration of weaned pigs compared with the negative control treatment (P = 0.014). The difference in time of blood collection had significant effects on blood urea nitrogen and immunoglobulins (P = 0.001). However, no significant differences emerged in average daily feed intake, gain: feed ratio, feed efficiency and antibody against swine fever among the treatments. Conclusions Diet supplementation with essential oils or in combination with probiotics improved growth performance and immunity, and lowered ammonia emissions and diarrhoea incidence of weaned pigs. Implications These findings provide a basis for the application of phytogenic compounds and probiotics as antibiotic growth promoter alternatives in post-weaning diets for pigs.

Differential Effects of Post-Weaning Diet and Maternal Obesity on Mouse Liver and Brain Metabolomes.

Nutritional changes during developmental windows are of particular concern in offspring metabolic disease. Questions are emerging concerning the role of maternal weight changes before conception, particularly for weight loss, in the development of diet-related disorders. Understanding the physiological pathways affected by the maternal trajectories in the offspring is therefore essential, but a broad overview is still lacking. We recently reported both metabolic and behavioral negative outcomes in offspring born to obese or weight-loss mothers and fed a control of high-fat diet, suggesting long-term modeling of metabolic pathways needing to be further characterized. Using non-targeted LC–HRMS, we investigated the impact of maternal and post-weaning metabolic status on the adult male offspring’s metabolome in three tissues involved in energy homeostasis: liver, hypothalamus and olfactory bulb. We showed that post-weaning diet interfered with the abundance of several metabolites, including 1,5-anhydroglucitol, saccharopine and β-hydroxybutyrate, differential in the three tissues. Moreover, maternal diet had a unique impact on the abundance of two metabolites in the liver. Particularly, anserine abundance, lowered by maternal obesity, was normalized by a preconceptional weight loss, whatever the post-weaning diet. This study is the first to identify a programming long-term effect of maternal preconception obesity on the offspring metabolome.

Effect of rearing diet and early post-weaning pasture quality on the life-time growth, meat quality, carcass traits and environmental impact of dairy-beef cattle

The effects of divergent calf rearing diets and post-weaning pasture quality on growth, carcass traits, economics and the environment were investigated. Beef x dairy heifer calves were allocated to one of two rearing treatments, followed by a low (L)- or high (H) quality post-weaning pasture diet from 3 to 7 months old, in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n=50 per treatment). The R1 rearing treatment received 4 L milk/day for 5 weeks, then 2 L/day for two weeks plus concentrate pellets ad libitum for 7 weeks in group pens. These calves then grazed pasture from 7 weeks, with pellet-weaning at 12 weeks. The R2 rearing treatment were fed 8 L milk/day for 9 weeks, then 4 L for 2 weeks, weaning at 12 weeks, with ad libitum pasture outdoors after the first week. Cattle were managed as two groups, balanced for treatments, on a pasture-based diet from 7 months until slaughter at 19 to 25 months old. Calves offered the R1 diet grew slower than R2 calves with a 7 kg liveweight difference at 12 weeks (P<0.001) and an 11 kg difference at 7 months (P<0.001). Calves fed H pastures grew twice as fast as L fed calves from 3 to 7 months (P<0.001), providing a 31 kg liveweight advantage at 7 months. Treatment differences in liveweight were supported by differences in frame size, with liveweight differences largely maintained until slaughter. Treatments had minor effects on carcass traits and meat quality. Modelling of treatments from 12 weeks to slaughter showed H, and to a lesser extent R2 diets, may reduce nitrate leaching and methane emissions on beef farms compared to L and R1 diets.