Feces Of Sows Research Articles

Steroids in a typical swine farm and their release into the environment

The occurrence and fate of fourteen androgens, four estrogens, five glucocorticoids and five progestagens were investigated by rapid resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS) in a typical swine farm with lagoon waste disposal systems, in south China. Nineteen, 22 and 8 of 28 steroids were detected at concentrations ranging from 2.2 ± 0.1 ng/g (androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione) to 14,400 ± 394 ng/g (progesterone) in the feces samples, from 6.1 ± 2.3 ng/L (17β-boldenone) to 10,800 ± 3190 ng/L (norgestrel) in the flush water samples, and from 5.0 ± 0.2 ng/g (progesterone) to 225 ± 79.4 ng/g (5α-dihydrotestosterone) in the suspended particles, respectively. By comparing the types and concentrations of steroids in different treatment stages of the lagoon systems, it demonstrated that the lagoon systems used in the farm were not effective method to reduce various steroids in wastewater. Among the thirteen synthetic steroids detected in the swine feces and flush water, only seven (methyl testosterone, 17α-trenbolone, 17β-trenbolone, 17α-ethynyl estradiol, dexamethasone, medroxyprogesterone, and norgestrel) were regarded as the parent/metabolite compounds of animal exogenous usage. According to the estimated masses of steroids from feces and flush water, the excretion of steroids for sows were mainly from feces, but for piglets or barrows, most excreted steroids were through flush water rather than feces. The total daily excreted masses of androgens, estrogens, glucocortcoids and progestagens in the sow feces were in the range of 90.7–6310 μg/d, which were up to a thousand fold of those in the feces of other growth stages indicating that the proportion of sow number in the swine farm directly influenced the total excretion mass of steroids. In addition, two natural steroids 4-androstene-3,17-dione and progesterone were worth notice due to their relatively high concentrations per sow excretion, 277 μg/d and 6380 μg/d, respectively, which are approximately equivalent to the daily excretion of 100 persons. Some steroids were also detected in the well water, vegetable field and receiving stream, and may pose potential high risks to some sensitive organisms in the receiving environment.

Possible pathogenic interplay between Chlamydia suis, Chlamydophila abortus and PCV-2 on a pig production farm

A concurrent outbreak of chlamydial disease in boars, sows and gilts and postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in weaned piglets was investigated on a large pig production farm in Estonia....

A regional evaluation of the effect of fiber type in gestation diets on sow reproductive performance1,2

A cooperative regional research study using 194 sows, from which data were collected from 381 litters, was conducted at 3 research stations to determine the effects of added psyllium (a concentrated fiber source) or soybean hulls to gestation diets on reproductive performance of sows and preweaning performance of their pigs. Primiparous and multiparous sows were allotted to the 3 treatments of control (corn and soybean meal-based), 0.30% psyllium, or 20% soybean hulls. Sows fed the control and 0.30% psyllium diets were provided 1.82 kg/d, and sows fed the 20% soybean hulls diet were provided 2.0 kg/d to equalize ME, Lys, Ca, P, and vitamin and trace mineral intake. Treatments 1 to 3 had 130, 130, and 121 litters per treatment from 64, 64, and 63 sows, respectively. Gestating sows fed psyllium had a greater (P < 0.01 to 0.10) d 110 gestation, farrowing, weaning, and 17 d postpartum BW and gestation ADG compared with sows fed soybean hulls. Sows fed psyllium also had a greater (P < 0.10 and 0.08) d 110 gestation BW and gestation ADG than the control sows. Sows fed soybean hulls had a reduced (P < 0.06) farrowing BW compared with the control sows. Sows fed psyllium weaned lighter (P < 0.09) pigs than sows fed the control diet. Litter size was not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. Sows fed psyllium had a reduced (P < 0.03) feed intake compared with sows fed soybean hulls for d 5 to 7 postpartum, and sows fed the control diet were intermediate. Fecal scores (1 to 5 with 1 = dry and 5 = watery) were greater (P < 0.001) and DM content was less (P < 0.001 to 0.01) in the feces of sows fed soybean hulls compared with sows fed psyllium or the control diet on d 112 of gestation and d 4 postpartum. Fecal scores were greater (P < 0.10) and fecal DM content was less (P < 0.02) in sows fed psyllium compared with sows fed the control diet only on d 4 postpartum. In summary, sows fed soybean hulls during gestation had reduced BW compared with sows fed the control diets. In contrast, sows fed psyllium had an increased BW.

Enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis in the caudal small intestine is influenced by the composition of colonizing commensal bacteria in the neonatal gnotobiotic pig

We previously reported marked differences in small intestinal morphology, including changes in crypt depth and villous height, after inoculation of germ-free pigs with different bacterial species. In an attempt to identify the mechanisms governing changes in villous morphology associated with bacterial colonization, 2 gnotobiotic experiments were performed. In each experiment, 16 piglets were allocated to 4 treatment groups including germ-free (GF), monoassociation with Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) or Escherichia coli (EC), or conventionalized with sow feces (SF). Piglets were reared under gnotobiotic conditions until 14 d of age, at which time whole intestinal tissue and enterocytes were collected for histological, gene expression, and protein analysis. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), Fas ligand (FasL), CD3epsilon, caspase 3 (casp3), and toll-like receptors (TLR)2, 4, and 9 expression were measured by quantitative PCR. Activated casp3 was measured by Western blot. Increased abundance of activated casp3 and transcripts encoding proliferating cell nuclear antigen, TNFalpha, CD3epsilon, and FasL was observed in SF and EC treatment groups compared with GF and LF. Expression of TLR2 was increased (P < 0.05) in the SF treatment and tended to be greater (P < 0.08) in EC relative to LF and GF. Results indicate that conventional bacteria and E. coli but not L. fermentum increase overall cell turnover by stimulating increased apoptosis through the expression of FasL and TNFalpha and by increasing cell proliferation. The differential regulation of TLR expression indicates that microbially induced changes may be mediated in part by these receptors. Induction of inflammatory responses and activation of apoptosis through death receptors appears to play a significant role in enterocyte turnover mediated by commensal bacteria.

Probiotics in pigs — modulation of their intestinal distribution and of their impact on health and performance

Abstract Two probiotics of different ecological origin, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 and Bacillus cereus var. toyoi, were chosen as model organisms. Feed for sows during gestation/lactation and for piglets pre-/postweaning was supplemented with either of these probiotics. To evaluate the effect of different starting points of E. faecium NCIMB 10415 initiations the probiotic was administered to piglets of sows, which have not received the probiotic, from birth onwards or just postweaning. Here we report the impact of these variants on probiotic distribution in the gut, on the gut microbiota, on diarrhea and on performance. Both probiotic strains were detected immediately after the start of the supplementation in feces of sows and piglets. The vertical transfer of both probiotic strains with sow feces to piglets could be demonstrated already before suckling piglets had access to the supplemented diets. Both probiotics were recovered from all intestinal segments of piglets. The dominant autochthonous colonic microbiota of young piglets as revealed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was more similar within than between treatment groups (control vs. probiotic). Both probiotics reduced the incidence of postweaning diarrhea (p

Contribution of additives Cu to its accumulation in pig feces: study in Beijing and Fuxin of China

Massive amounts of pig manure are produced by intensive pig farm in China, and the composition of pig manure has changed much due to the use of feed additives. However, little is known about the exact Cu (copper) feed as additives or present as contaminants in pig feed and the residues in feces. One hundred and thirty-seven feeds and one hundred and forty-two fecal samples from 48 pig farms were collected in Beijing and Fuxin cities in 1999 and 2005, respectively. The concentrations of Cu were in the range of 6.86-395.19 mg/kg in the feed samples, and the mean values were in the order of weaner>grower-finisher>sow's feeds. The high concentrations over EU recommendations implied that excessive levels of Cu are fed on many pig farms in Beijing and Fuxin. Cu was also present in high concentrations in feces, and concentrations were highly variable. Cu concentrations in the feces from grower-finisher and weaner pigs were significantly greater than feces of sows. The super-intensive and small-scale farms had higher levels of Cu in feces than the middle farms. Cu concentrations in pig feces were approximately 5-times greater than in pig feeds. Feed management in grower-finisher pigs on super-intensive and small-scale pig farms is needed to reduce high Cu concentrations in feces and risks to soil contamination while feces are land-applied.

The source of fermentable carbohydrates influences the in vitro protein synthesis by colonic bacteria isolated from pigs

Two in vitro experiments were carried out to quantify the incorporation of nitrogen (N) by pig colonic bacteria during the fermentation of dietary fibre, including non-starch polysaccharides and resistant starch. In the first experiment, five purified carbohydrates were used: starch (S), cellulose (C), inulin (I), pectin (P) and xylan (X). In the second experiment, three pepsin–pancreatin hydrolysed ingredients were investigated: potato, sugar-beet pulp and wheat bran. The substrates were incubated in an inoculum, prepared from fresh faeces of sows and a buffer solution providing 15N-labelled NH4Cl. Gas production was monitored. Bacterial N incorporation (BNI) was estimated by measuring the incorporation of 15N in the solid residue at half-time to asymptotic gas production (T/2). The remaining substrate was analysed for sugar content. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were determined in the liquid phase. In the first experiment, the fermentation kinetics differed between the substrates. P, S and I showed higher rates of degradation (P < 0.001), while X and C showed a longer lag time and T/2. The sugar disappearance reached 0.91, 0.90, 0.81, 0.56 and 0.46, respectively, for P, I, S, C and X. Among them, S and I fixed more N per gram substrate (P < 0.05) than C, X and P (22.9 and 23.2 mg fixed N per gram fermented substrate v. 11.3, 12.3 and 9.8, respectively). Production of SCFA was the highest for the substrates with low N fixation: 562 and 565 mg/g fermented substrate for X and C v. 290 to 451 for P, I and S (P < 0.01). In the second experiment, potato and sugar-beet pulp fermented more rapidly than wheat bran (P < 0.001). Substrate disappearance at T/2 varied from 0.17 to 0.50. BNI were 18.3, 17.0 and 10.2 fixed N per gram fermented substrate, for sugar-beet pulp, potato and wheat bran, respectively, but were not statistically different. SCFA productions were the highest with wheat bran (913 mg/g fermented substrate) followed by sugar-beet pulp (641) and potato (556) (P < 0.05). The differences in N uptake by intestinal bacteria are linked to the partitioning of the substrate energy content between bacterial growth and SCFA production. This partitioning varies according to the rate of fermentation and the chemical composition of the substrate, as shown by the regression equation linking BNI to T/2 and SCFA (r2 = 0.91, P < 0.01) and the correlation between BNI and insoluble dietary fibre (r = −0.77, P < 0.05) when pectin was discarded from the database.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Neonatal Foal

Journal of Veterinary Internal MedicineVolume 20, Issue 6 p. 1495-1498 Open Access Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Neonatal Foal Kelly A. Fleming, Kelly A. Fleming Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMichelle H. Barton, Michelle H. Barton Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.Search for more papers by this authorKenneth S. Latimer, Kenneth S. Latimer Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.Search for more papers by this author Kelly A. Fleming, Kelly A. Fleming Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMichelle H. Barton, Michelle H. Barton Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.Search for more papers by this authorKenneth S. Latimer, Kenneth S. Latimer Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.Search for more papers by this author First published: 05 February 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2006.tb00773.xCitations: 14 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL References 1 Harvey J., Asquith RL, McNulty PK, et al. Haematology of foals up to 1 year old. Equine Vet J 1984; 16: 347– 353. 2 Bauer J. Normal blood chemistry. In: AM Koterba, ed. Equine Clinical Neonatology. Philadelphia , PA : Lea and Febiger; 1990: 602– 614. 3 Madigan J. Manual Equine Neonatal Medicine, 3rd ed. Woodland , CA : Live Oak; 1997: 367. 4 Grace N., Pearce SG, Firth EC, et al. Concentrations of macro and micro-elements in the milk of pasture-fed thoroughbred mares. Aust Vet J 1999; 77: 177– 180. 5 Guyton A., Hall JE. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 10th ed. Philadelphia , PA : Saunders; 2000: 382– 391. 6 Hillman R., Finch CA. Red Cell Manual, 5th ed. Philadelphia , PA : Davis; 1985. 7 Carley A. Anemia: When is it iron deficiency Ped Nursing 2003; 29: 127– 133. 8 Smith B. Large Animal Internal Medicine, 3rd ed. St Louis , MO : Mosby; 2002: 1063– 1065. 9 Smith JE, Cipriano JE, DeBowes R., et al. Iron deficiency and pseudo-iron deficiency in hospitalized horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986; 188: 285– 287. 10 Brommer H., Van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. Iron deficiency in stabled Dutch warmblood foals. J Vet Intern Med 2001; 15: 482– 485. 11 Harvey J., Asquith RL, Sussman WA, et al. Serum ferritin, serum iron, and erythrocyte values in foals. Am J Vet Res 1987; 48: 1348– 1352. 12 Kohn C., Jacobs RM, Knight D., et al. Microcytosis, hypoferremia, hypoferritemia, and hypertransferrinemia in standardbred foals from birth to 4 months of age. Am J Vet Res 1990; 51: 1198– 1205. 13 Szabo P., Bilkei G. Iron deficiency in outdoor pig production. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2002; 49: 390– 391. 14 Geissler PW, Mwaniki DL, Thiong'o F., et al. Geophagy, iron status and anemia among primary school children in Western Kenya. Trop Med Int Health 1998; 3: 529– 536. 15 Gleed PT, Sanson BF. Ingestion of iron in sow's feces by piglets reared in farrowing crates with slotted floors. Br J Nutri 1982; 47: 113– 117. 16 Sharma V., Brannon MA, Carloss EA. Effect of omeprazole on oral iron replacement in patients with iron deficiency anemia. South Med J 2004; 97: 887– 889. 17 Smith J., DeBowes RM, Cipriano JE. Exogenous corticosteroids increase serum iron concentrations in mature horses and ponies. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986; 188: 1296– 1298. 18 Pearson E., Andreasen CB. Effect of oral administration of excessive iron in adult ponies. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001; 218: 285– 287. 19 Rooney D. Applied nutrition. In: SM Reed, ed. Equine Internal Medicine, 2nd ed. St Louis , MO : Saunders; 2004: 235– 272. 20 Lumsden H., Valli VE, McSherry BJ, et al. The kinetics of hematopoiesis in the light horse. Am J Vet Res III. The hematological response to hemolytic anemia. Can J Comp Med 1975; 39: 332– 339. Citing Literature Volume20, Issue6November 2006Pages 1495-1498 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Response of performance characteristics and fecal consistency to long-lasting dietary supplementation with the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var. toyoi to sows and piglets

As part of an interdisciplinary research project, we studied the performance response of sows and their litters to the probiotic strain Bacillus cereus var. toyoi as well as feces consistency of piglets. Gestating sows (n = 26) were randomly allotted into two groups. The probiotic B. cereus var. toyoi was administered by dietary supplementation to one group of sows and their respective litters (probiotic group) whereas the second group (control group) received no probiotic supplementation. The duration of the application was nearly 17 weeks for sows (day 90 ante partum until day 28 post partum) and six weeks for piglets (day 15–56). Piglets were weaned after 28 days. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly and fecal consistency of weaned piglets was studied daily. B. cereus var. toyoi was recovered from feces of sows and piglets as well as from digesta of piglets in the probiotic group, while being absent from all samples of control animals. In addition, the probiotic was detected in piglet feces and digesta before pre-starter feed was offered, indicating a second route of uptake besides diet. Sows of the probiotic group nursed numerically more piglets and supported a higher sum of total nursing days of all piglets within each litter than control sows (p = 0.04). In turn, body weight (BW) up to day 35 was greater for control piglets (p < 0.01), while average daily gain and gain to feed ratio (G:F) in weeks six and eight postweaning was higher in the probiotic group (p < 0.05). The overall G:F of the total postweaning period was 680 g/kg and 628 g/kg in the probiotic group and control group, respectively (p = 0.009). During the trial a high prevalence of liquid feces with its maximum in the second week after weaning was observed. Probiotic supplementation led to a reduction in the incidence of liquid feces and postweaning diarrhea by 38% and 59%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Effect of quinolone treatment on selection and persistence of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli in swine faecal flora

To study the effect of oral administration of a quinolone on emergence of resistance in an indicator bacterial species from faecal flora. Quinolone resistance was studied in Escherichia coli obtained from the faecal contents of pigs housed in nine commercial farrow-to-finish herds in France after administration of flumequine to sows. The percentage of quinolone-resistant E. coli increased in the faeces of sows after administration of flumequine (mean 21.78% at day 7 vs 6.42% before treatment for nalidixic acid) and then decreased (mean 12.6 and 10.4 at days 30 and 60, respectively for nalidixic acid), being not significantly different from initial values 1 month post-treatment. In young pigs, the proportion of resistant strains was lower and decreased over rearing period. Moreover, changes over time of both total E. coli and the proportion of resistant bacteria exhibited great inter-individual variability. Restoration of susceptible faecal flora occurred within 2 months after flumequine treatment. Effect of flumequine treatment of sows on the quinolone resistance of faecal E. coli of both sows and their progeny is noticeable but transitory.

Environmental Prevalence and Persistence ofSalmonellaspp. in Outdoor Swine Wallows

Swine can harbor Salmonella in their gastrointestinal tracts. It has been estimated that up to 48% of the U.S. swine herd may carry Salmonella. Housing sows in farrowing stalls has become controversial due to animal welfare-based criticisms. An alternative production system is to keep sows outdoors on pasture with access to individual farrowing huts. This study was designed to determine the effects of two production systems on indicator bacteria and Salmonella of sows housed indoors in farrowing stalls (n = 52) compared to sows housed outdoors (n = 52) in English style huts. Each farrowing radial contained one wallow, from which mud (n = 290) and water (n = 290) samples were collected weekly. All samples were analyzed for generic E. coli, coliforms and Salmonella. No differences (p > 0.05) were detected in Salmonella, generic E. coli and coliform populations between indoor farrowing stalls and outdoor farrowing huts. However, all 8 outdoor wallows contained Salmonella spp. at some point during the study (n = 49 Salmonella isolates). Salmonella genotypes persisted within some wallows for >5 months, and genetically indistinguishable Salmonella isolates were found in multiple wallows. Salmonella isolated from outdoor sow feces were genetically indistinguishable by PFGE from Salmonella isolated from wallows (n = 33) throughout the study, indicating that pathogenic bacteria were cycling between swine and their environment. In conclusion, the role of wallows in disseminating Salmonella within an outdoor swine herd appears to be significant.

Specific enumeration of the probiotic strain Enterococcus Faecium NCIMB 10415 in the intestinal tract and in faeces of piglets and sows

The intestinal bacterium Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 (E. faecium SF68) has been used for more than a decade as a probiotic strain in animal nutrition as well as in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea in humans. Beneficial effects have been shown in feeding and clinical trials. However, the strain has no selective growth markers and monitoring in the intestinal tract is impossible by cultivation. Using specific nucleotide sequences, in this study a probe for colony hybridization was constructed in order to quantify this probiotic strain in feed and intestinal and faecal samples from piglets and sows. The probiotic strain showed almost constant amounts in sow faeces (1.8·105 cfu/g wet weight), while contents in digesta and piglet faeces varied on a lower level depending on gut section and piglet age. The ratio of specific probiotic counts and total enterococci was much lower than in sow faeces however the strain could be detected reliably in faeces already on the 14th day of life. The application of the colony hybridization method enables for the first time the selective detection of the widely used probiotic E. faecium NCIMB 10415 strain among total Enterococcus spp. counts of digesta, faeces and feed. It is now possible to monitor the presence of the probiotic in the intestinal tract and faeces. Results of this study have implications for the proposed modes of action of probiotics in animal nutrition.

Prevalence of Eimeria spp. in sows at piglet-producing farms in Germany.

SummaryThe prevalence of Eimeria infections was investigated in an initial survey in 54 sow herds of small (five sows) to large (1600 sows) size by random sampling (n = 1204). All sows of four Eimeria‐positive medium‐sized farms (63 or 130 sows) were re‐examined 40–99 days after the first visit. A follow‐up survey over the whole reproductive cycle was subsequently performed in a positive herd of 130 animals where faecal samples of 43 sows were repeatedly collected on seven successive farm visits. In 44 farms (81.5%) parasite stages (eggs of strongylids, Trichuris, Ascaris, Strongyloides, oocysts of Eimeria and Isospora) were identified in sow faeces, strongylids being the most prevalent intestinal parasites (34 farms resembling 63%) followed by Eimeria spp. (28 farms resembling 52%). Of the 1204 random samples collected during the initial survey 8.6% contained Eimeria oocysts. Oocysts of E. polita and E. debliecki were present in each of 25 Eimeria‐positive samples selected for species differentiation. Eimeria suis was diagnosed in 84%, E. scabra in 60%, E. porci in 52%, E. perminuta in 49% and E. spinosa in 20% of these specimens. At the second visit the prevalence rates of Eimeria infections had either increased or decreased. In the follow‐up study Eimeria infections were found to be most frequent (82%) at the service station. At the quarantine unit and the gestation stable 50 and 48% of the 43 sows were Eimeria positive. The lowest prevalence of Eimeria infection was observed in the farrowing unit (14%). With respect to the reproductive state of the sows highest infection rates were seen 2 weeks after weaning (72%) continuously decreasing until 2 weeks after farrowing (14%). A periparturient rise of oocyst excretion was not observed. The infestation rate remained low until 1 week before weaning (16%). Low infection intensities clearly dominated. Clinical disease was not associated with Eimeria infection.

Effects of phytase on apparent digestibility of organic phosphorus and nutrients in maize–soya bean meal based diets for sows

Thirty crossbred sows (PIC-22) were used to investigate the effects of phytase on phosphorus utilization and the lactation performance of sows for two dietary inorganic phosphorus contents in maize–soya bean meal diets. The sows were allotted to treatments on day 100 of gestation. The treatment diet (Phytase) contained 5.4 g total phosphorus/kg with added phytase (Natuphos ®) at 500 Phytase Units (PU)/kg diet and the control diet (Control) contained 7.4 g total phosphorus/kg without added phytase. Chromic oxide (2.5 g/kg) was added to the diets as a marker to determine apparent digestibility of feed composition. Blood samples were collected from the anterior vena cava at farrowing and at weaning to determine serum inorganic phosphorus and urea nitrogen. The coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of total phosphorus, organic phosphorus, crude protein and organic matter in the phytase diet was, respectively, 0.73, 0.61, 0.73 and 0.83, which was significantly higher ( P<0.01) than 0.59, 0.28, 0.62 and 0.77 in the control diet. Total phosphorus content in the faeces of sows fed the phytase diet decreased by 27.2% compared to the faeces of sows fed the control diet ( P<0.01). The serum inorganic phosphorus concentrations (107 and 103 mg/l for control and phytase diets, respectively) at farrowing were higher ( P<0.01) than the serum inorganic phosphorus levels (90 and 91 mg/l for control and phytase diets) at weaning. The sow body weights and backfat changes, litter sizes, and litter weights at weaning were not influenced by a reduction in inorganic phosphorus and by a concomitant supplementation of phytase.

Effects of lactulose on the intestinal microflora of periparturient sows and their piglets.

The periparturient period of animals (and humans) is very stressful and influenced by the microecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Performance and productivity of animal husbandry depend on the health of animal mothers and their offspring. We investigated the influence of prebiotic amounts of lactulose in sows and their piglets. Two experimental trial sows received daily 30 ml lactulose, 71 field trial sows received daily 45 ml lactulose during their periparturient period (10 days before until 10 days after parturison). The weaners of trial sows received 15 ml lactulose per 1 kg baby food 10 days before and 10 days after weaning.The effect of lactulose was recorded by performance parameters like number of piglet born alive, losses until weaning, body mass of piglets, daily weight gain of weaners until 35 days after weaning. The effect of lactulose on GIT microflora was estimated by bacterial counts of faeces of sows (total aerobic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Clostridium (C.) perfringens). In order to show a previously unknown effect of lactulose we investigated the levels of antibodies to phospholipase C (PLC) of C. perfringens in plasma of experimental sows and in colostral and ripe milk of field sows. Lactulose influenced the performance parameters of sows in a non-significant way. In case of weaners we recorded significant daily weight gains. Lactulose significantly influenced total aerobic bacterial counts, C. perfringens counts in faeces of sows 20 days after parturison. Under experimental conditions it was shown that trial sows and their piglets had higher IgG-antibody levels to C. perfringens PLCs than the control animals. Similar results were found under field conditions. Trial sows had significant higher IgG-anti LPS (J5) antibodies in milk 10 days after birth.

The necrotizing enteritis by Clostridium perfringens type C in piglets: II. Molecular epidemiology study

Investigations were performed on shedding of C. perfringens in sows from four different pig farms. In two farms where no outbreaks of necrotizing enteritis had been observed, no strains of C. perfringens producing beta-toxin were detected in the faeces of sows. In contrast, C. perfringens strains producing beta-toxin were detected in sows on both farms suffering outbreaks of acute necrotizing enteritis. Strains of C. perfringens producing beta-toxin were invariably positive for the beta 2-toxin gene. However, strains carrying the beta 2-toxin gene only (i.e. negative for beta-toxin) were present in animals on all farms with roughly similar frequencies (mean 28.2% carriers). Some sows carried C. perfringens strains of both toxin genotypes simultaneously. Whereas these data further support the role of betatoxin as a cause of necrotizing enteritis, the role of beta 2-toxin in intestinal disease of piglets remains unclear. To establish the role of faecal shedding vs. environmental contamination as reservoirs of C. perfringens type C, strains were isolated from teats and feedlot trough swabs (toxin genotype beta/beta 2), as well as from fodder (genotype beta 2). However, sows carried this pathogen intermittently and in small numbers. This renders an individual, reliable diagnosis of carrier sows very difficult. Ribotyping of 34 C. perfringens isolates of different toxin genotypes showed five distinct profiles. Different toxin genotypes can belong to the same ribotype, and the same toxin genotype can be present in different ribotypes. Thus, even if a majority (79.4%) of strains investigated in a limited geographic region belonged to ribotype 1, ribotyping offered discrimination of strains beyond toxin typing.

The effect of season and level of concentrate on the voluntary intake and digestibility of herbage by outdoor sows

AbstractThe intake and the digestibility of herbage, and the effect of level of supplementary concentrate food, were measured in late spring and late summer in two studies, each with eight multiparous, pregnant sows. In the spring study sows were nose rung to prevent rooting but only four nose-rung sows were available for the summer study; the remaining four were unrung. In both cases, sows had access to a plentiful (&gt;2·5 t organic matter (OM) per ha) ryegrass/clover sward in a paddock of 1922 m2. After a week of adaptation to the herbage in the experimental paddock, sows were offered 1·5 or 3·0 kg/day concentrate for consecutive 2-week periods in a change-over experimental design with four sows on each treatment in each period. Samples of herbage were also taken to measure the sward density, chemical composition and n-alkane content. Herbage intake and digestibility estimates were calculated using the n-alkanes technique, with the marker dosed on small food pellets. In the spring study, the herbage intake ranged from 0·9 to 1·8 kg OM per day in the first period (herbage neutral-detergent fibre(NDF) content 439 (s.e.41·6) g/kg OM) and 0·2 to 1·4 kg in the second (475 (s.e.29·3) g NDF per kg OM). The intake was affected by the level of concentrate only in the second period. The results obtained during the summer study with the rung and unrung sows showed an intake between 0·9 and 2·4 kg OM per day in the first period (524 (s.e. 16·0) g NDF per kg OM) and between 1·3 and 4·8 kg in the second (526 (s.e. 21·8) g NDF per kg OM). A high intake estimation for certain unrung individuals appeared to reflect their frenzied feeding behaviour and possible loss of some marker pellets. There were no differences between level of concentrate treatments in either period. Digestibility of the diet was affected by the intake of herbage and the level of fibre consumed (P&lt; 0·01). These herbage intakes equated to proportionately 0·50 (s.e. 0·05) and 0·66 (s.e. 0·1) (or 0·49 (s.e. 0·07) excluding problem sows) of the maintenance energy requirement in each season. Faeces of unrung sows indicated a high ingestion of soil or stones by some individuals: one of the sows produced a bulked faeces sample containing 450 g/kg fresh weight of stones, whilst another sow had a faecal ash content of 937 g/kg DM. The results indicate that the intake of nutrients from herbage by grazing sows is highly variable between seasons and individuals.

Determination of phytic acid in feeds and faeces of pigs and poultry by capillary isotachophoresis

A method for phytic acid determination in the feeds and faeces of pigs and poultry has been developed on the basis of capillary isotachophoresis. Phytic acid was extracted by 0.95 M HCl and separated from interfering compounds by iron precipitation. Complete formation of ferric phytate required 7 mol FeCl3 mol−1 phytic acid. Residual Fe3+ was estimated colorimetrically by the tiron reagent, and ferric phytate was dissolved in 1.5 M NaOH at 9 mol NaOH mol−1 Fe precipitated. Analyses were carried out using an electrolyte system with Cl− as the leading anion, bis-tris-propane, and 2-morpholinoethanesulphonic acid as the terminating anion. The recovery of phytic acid (added to hen faeces) using this procedure was 962 ± 24 g kg−1. The limit of determination of phytic acid was 0.3 µmol ml−1 extract. The amount of phytic acid in feeds ranged from 8.3 to 10.8 g kg−1 on a dry matter basis. Phytic acid P represented 112 g kg−1 total P in faeces of young pigs (40–60 kg) fed a feed with supplemental phytase (490 U kg−1), 153 g kg−1 total P in faeces of finishing pigs and 185 g kg−1 total P in faeces of non-lactating sows. Excreta of laying hens contained 23.7 g phytic acid kg−1 dry matter (362 g kg−1 total P). The isotachophoretic method is sufficiently simple and reproducible to be used for routine analyses of feeds and faeces. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Determination of phytic acid in feeds and faeces of pigs and poultry by capillary isotachophoresis

A method for phytic acid determination in the feeds and faeces of pigs and poultry has been developed on the basis of capillary isotachophoresis. Phytic acid was extracted by 0.95 M HCl and separated from interfering compounds by iron precipitation. Complete formation of ferric phytate required 7 mol FeCl3 mol−1 phytic acid. Residual Fe3+ was estimated colorimetrically by the tiron reagent, and ferric phytate was dissolved in 1.5 M NaOH at 9 mol NaOH mol−1 Fe precipitated. Analyses were carried out using an electrolyte system with Cl− as the leading anion, bis-tris-propane, and 2-morpholinoethanesulphonic acid as the terminating anion. The recovery of phytic acid (added to hen faeces) using this procedure was 962 ± 24 g kg−1. The limit of determination of phytic acid was 0.3 µmol ml−1 extract. The amount of phytic acid in feeds ranged from 8.3 to 10.8 g kg−1 on a dry matter basis. Phytic acid P represented 112 g kg−1 total P in faeces of young pigs (40–60 kg) fed a feed with supplemental phytase (490 U kg−1), 153 g kg−1 total P in faeces of finishing pigs and 185 g kg−1 total P in faeces of non-lactating sows. Excreta of laying hens contained 23.7 g phytic acid kg−1 dry matter (362 g kg−1 total P). The isotachophoretic method is sufficiently simple and reproducible to be used for routine analyses of feeds and faeces. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Direct elisa for estrone measurement in the feces of sows: Prospects for rapid, sow-side pregnancy diagnosis

Both free and conjugated fecal estrogens were surveyed in sows by means of RIA's after extraction and column chromatography. Six different RIA's were performed using the same fecal suspension. Based on differences in concentration in feces from 6 pregnant and 4 nonpregnant sows, estrone (E 1) was selected for the development of a homologous, competitive ELISA for pregnancy diagnosis purposes. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against 6-keto-E 1-carboxymethyloxime coupled to BSA. Biotinylated E 1 was used as the competitive agent and was detected with a streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate. Tetramethylbenzidine was used as chromogen. Validation of this direct, easy to perform ELISA showed satisfactory specificity, accuracy, precision and sensitivity. Comparison of the assay with a validated RIA (including extraction and column chromatography) resulted in a linear regression equation of ELISA = 0.88 RIA — 0.72 (r = 0.95; n = 24 fecal samples). The E 1 values in feces from 11 pregnant sows during the first 40 d of gestation compared with values from 10 nonpregnant sows showed significant differences between Days 23 and 35 of pregnancy (P < 0.05). The highly significant difference in E 1 concentrations (P < 0.0012) between Days 27 and 30 in particular offers promise for pregnancy diagnosis.