Voluntary Feed Intake In Pigs Research Articles

107 Yeast-Based Postbiotic Supplementation in Sow Diets to Enhance Offspring Growth and Health Through the Nursery Period

Abstract Litter size and the resulting nutritional demand on the sow continue to increase while sow mortality and culling rate are also increasing. Non-nutritive feed additives may enhance sow health and thereby improve offspring growth and productivity after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of yeast-based postbiotic supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on offspring performance through the nursery period. Gestating sows (N = 53; Parity 0 to 5; BW = 242.7 ± 7.1 kg) in 2 breeding groups were blocked by parity and assigned to either a control (CON) diet or a diet supplemented with a yeast-based postbiotic (SUP) at 0.5% in gestation from d 80 to 113 of gestation and 0.2% in lactation (d 114 of gestation to weaning at 20 ± 2 d). Sow reproductive performance and offspring growth from birth to 65 d of age were monitored. At weaning, pigs were allotted to pens within maternal dietary treatment (10 pigs/pen; 31 to 32 pens/maternal treatment; 630 total pigs; BW = 6.18 ± 0.86 kg) and all piglets received common nursery diets in a 4-phase program. Pigs were weighed at week 1, 2, 4, and 6 after weaning. Sow body weight and or reproductive performance (Piglets born alive/litter, 14.4 vs 14.1; piglet birth weight, 1.45 vs 1.48 kg; piglets weaned/litter, 13.0 vs 12.9; lactation sow feed intake, 6.4 vs 6.8 kg/d) was similar in CON and SUP sows, respectively. In the first week after weaning, pigs from SUP sows had greater (P = 0.03) feed intake (0.14 vs 0.13 kg/day) and tended to have decreased (P = 0.06) proportion of pigs that lost body weight (5.6 vs 11.0%). The improved feed intake in the first week after weaning may explain the decreased fallback rate in pigs from SUP sows. Across both sow groups, by 65 d of age, body weight (21.53 vs 21.76 kg), average daily gain (0.36 vs 0.37 kg/day), average daily feed intake (0.54 vs 0.53 kg/day), gain efficiency (0.67 vs 0.69 kg), and mortality (1.26 vs 1.60%) was similar in piglets from CON and SUP sows, respectively. The postbiotic in sow diets positively impacted voluntary feed intake of pigs in the first week after weaning, during a period when feed intake is often low and erratic.

Dietary protein-bound or free amino acids differently affect intestinal morphology, gene expression of amino acid transporters, and serum amino acids of pigs exposed to heat stress.

Pigs exposed to heat stress (HS) increase body temperature in which can damage the intestinal epithelia and affect the absorption and availability of amino acids (AA). Protein digestion and metabolism further increase body temperature. An experiment was conducted with six pairs of pigs (of 47.3 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight) exposed to natural HS to assess the effect of substituting dietary protein-bound AA by free AA on morphology and gene expression of intestinal epithelial and serum concentration (SC) of free AA. Treatments were: high protein, 21.9% crude protein (CP) diet (HShp) and low protein, 13.5% CP diet supplemented with crystalline Lys, Thr, Met, Trp, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Val (HSaa). The HShp diet met or exceeded all AA requirements. The HSaa diet was formulated on the basis of ideal protein. Pigs were fed the same amount at 0700 and 1900 hours during the 21-d study. Blood samples were collected at 1700 hours (2.0 h before the evening meal), 2030 hours, and 2130 hours (1.5 and 2.5 h after the evening meal). At the end, all pigs were sacrificed to collect intestinal mucosa and a 5-cm section from each segment of the small intestine from each pig. Villi measures, expression of AA transporters (y+L and B0) in mucosa, and SC of AA were analyzed. Ambient temperature fluctuated daily from 24.5 to 42.6 °C. Weight gain and G.F were not affected by dietary treatment. Villi height tended to be larger (P ≤ 0.10) and the villi height:crypt depth ratio was higher in duodenum and jejunum of pigs fed the HSaa diet (P < 0.05). Gene expression of transporter y+L in jejunum tended to be lower (P < 0.10) and transporter B0 in the ileum was lower (P < 0.05) in HSaa pigs. Preprandial (1700 hours) SC of Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Thr, Trp, and Val was higher (P < 0.05), and Phe tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in HShp pigs. At 2030 hours (1.5 h postprandial), serum Lys, Met, and Thr were higher in the HSaa pigs (P < 0.05). At 2130 hours (2.5 h), Arg, His, Ile, Phe, and Trp were lower (P < 0.05); Met was higher (P < 0.05); and Lys tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in HSaa pigs. In conclusion, feeding HS pigs with low protein diets supplemented with free AA reduces the damage of the intestinal epithelia and seems to improve its absorption capacity, in comparison with HS pigs fed diets containing solely protein-bound AA. This information is useful to formulate diets that correct the reduced AA consumption associated with the decreased voluntary feed intake of pigs under HS.

Effect of missense mutation Asp298Asn in MC4R on growth and fatness traits in commercial pig crosses in the Czech Republic

The current knowledge of factors regulating voluntary feed intake in pigs is quite limited. The objective of this study was to test the influence of the missense mutation p.Asp298Asn (AF087937:c.746G&amp;gt;A) of the MC4R gene on selected production traits in pig crosses. These crosses are commonly used on commercial farms in the Czech Republic. The allele frequencies of c.746G&amp;gt;A were as follows: G allele &amp;ndash; 0.59 and A allele &amp;ndash; 0.41. We detected statistically significant differences in the content of intramuscular fat in the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis, and a similar trend was observed in shoulder and neck. A allele correlated with higher values of fatness and G allele with a higher percentage of lean meat. However, we did not find any significant influence on either feed intake or growth rate in this study. For another mutation, p.Arg236His (NM_214173.1:c.707G&amp;gt;A), frequencies of alleles were disproportional (A allele &amp;ndash; 0.02 and G allele &amp;ndash; 0.98), only two genotypes were observed (AG and GG) and linkage disequilibrium was not detected. Therefore, we assume that the effect of this polymorphism on growth rate and fatness in the Czech population of pigs is negligible.

Voluntary feed intake in growing-finishing pigs: A review of the main determining factors and potential approaches for accurate predictions

The ability of pigs to consume sufficient nutrients for optimal performance is an important consideration in commercial pork production. Nutrient intake levels are directly related to voluntary feed intake. Voluntary feed intake in pigs is influenced by several factors including environmental conditions (e.g. thermal and social conditions), animal status (e.g., age and physiological status), and feed and feeding conditions (e.g. bulkiness of the feed and feed form). Although the individual effects of many of these factors on voluntary feed intake have been investigated and quantified, little has been done to characterize their interactive effects. Under commercial conditions, voluntary feed intake is clearly influenced by multiple factors at any one time. Thus, there is a need for a means to accurately quantify voluntary feed intake in pigs as affected by the different interacting factors. Until quantitative effects of these interactions are established it is suggested that feed intake be monitored. This can be achieved by obtaining feed intake on representative groups of pigs. Key words: Voluntary feed intake, pigs, determining factors, prediction equations

Effect of carbohydrase supplementation of wheat- and canola-meal-based diets on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in group-housed weaned pigs

Fibrous components in canola meal and wheat limit their effective use in diets for weaned pigs. Effects of supplementing a carbohydrase (845 and 327 Units g-1 xylanase and β-glucanase) to a wheat-canola meal diet on growth performance, small intestine nutrient digestibility and digesta viscosity were investigated. Ninety-six weaned pigs (7.2 ± 1.2 kg) had free access to control diet [65% wheat, 25% canola meal; 3.15 Mcal digestible energy (DE) kg-1, 10.6 g digestible lysine kg-1] or control diet supplemented with carbohydrase at three inclusion rates (1, 2, or 4 g kg-1) for 28 d. Four pigs were housed per pen for six pens per diet. On days 19 to 21, six pigs per diet were euthanised to collect small intestine digesta. Carbohydrase increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) quadratically (P &lt; 0.01) for days 1 to 28, resulting in 16% higher ADFI and 13% higher ADG for 2 g kg-1 carbohydrase compared to control. Carbohydrase did not affect feed efficiency (P &gt; 0.10). The ADG was positively correlated to ADFI (r = 0.94; P &lt; 0.01), but not to feed efficiency (P &gt; 0.10). Carbohydrase did not affect digestibility of dry matter (DM) and energy (P &gt; 0.10). Carbohydrase at 4 g kg-1 only reduced digesta viscosity 30% in the distal small intestine compared to control (P &lt; 0.05). Carbohydrase supplementation increased ADFI and thereby ADG, but not feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility, suggesting that reduction of dietary fibrous components using carbohydrase may stimulate voluntary feed intake of pigs fed diets limiting in DE. Key words: Carbohydrase, canola meal, wheat, pig, feed intake, digestibility

Short-term effects of in-feed supplementation of tetracyclines for disease control on feed intake pattern and growth in weaned pigs

Chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) are often administered in feed to pigs at extra-label doses to increase the efficacy of disease control strategies, but the bitterness of these antibiotics may significantly depress the voluntary feed intake of pigs at risk, compromising growth and the efficacy of the therapeutic regimen. We examined individual feed intake patterns and growth of 5-week-old pigs that received either drug-free feed ( n=36 pigs) or feed medicated with CTC or OTC at 12-h intervals for a period of 5 days. Each tested drug was mixed in feed at concentrations of 550, 1100, 1650 and 2200 mg/kg ( n≥8 pigs/dose/drug). Neither drug nor dose significantly affected the rate of feed intake (excluding interruptions), duration of meal, and the likelihood of leaving feed uneaten at the end of at least one meal. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed similar mean values across treatment groups, but variance of FCR varied significantly: CTC<OTC<drug free. Meal duration and feeding rate, and the likelihood of leaving feed uneaten were significantly influenced by the size of pigs, the occurrence of infection or spontaneous feeding interruptions during the meal. Feeding rate increased with experimental days. Results show that CTC and OTC are not feed deterrents in weaned pigs in the range of therapeutic doses currently used, but other sources of variation in feed intake indicate that drug input could vary among pigs.

The effect of dry matter concentration of liquid diets on the growth performance of grower-finisher pigs

There is a considerable body of information on the voluntary feed intake of pigs fed on dry diets. However, there is a paucity of information on the factors affecting feed intake of pigs fed liquid diets. Pigs have a limit to their volumetric intake and will normally maximise dry matter intake when fed dry diets, ad libitum. For pigs fed dry feed the requirement for water per unit of dry matter will be dependent upon the composition of the feed and the requirement for renal clearance of nitrogen and minerals. What is not clear, is whether presenting the feed mixed with water results in excessive water intake that produces a point loading of the stomach, which in turn limits voluntary feed intake, i.e. whether physical bulk limitations override the normal homeostatic control. Therefore, it is not possible to extrapolate from data generated with dry fed pigs and anticipate voluntary intake of pigs fed dilute liquid diets. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dry matter concentration of liquid feed on feed intake and growth performance of grower-finisher pigs.

The voluntary feed intake of pigs given feeds based on wheat bran, dried citrus pulp and grass meal, in relation to measurements of feed bulk

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the capacities of pigs for bulky feeds. In Expt 1 fifteen pigs were offered, from 12 to 25 kg live weight, ad lib. access to one of five feeds which were made by progressively diluting a high-quality feed with wheat bran. Intake initially increased, and then declined, as the proportion of wheat bran was increased. The pigs became better able to accommodate to the more bulky feeds over time. In Expt 2 thirty-six pigs, initially of 12 kg live weight, were used. The feeds were the same high-quality basal feed as in Expt 1 and three others made almost entirely of either wheat bran, dried grass or dried citrus pulp, respectively. The equal-parts mixtures of each of these three bulky feeds with the basal feed were also made to give three series of feeds each comprising the basal, the mixture and the bulky feed. The three feeds in each series were given ad lib. to twelve pigs in a design of two replicated Latin squares with three time-periods. Within each series, and across periods, the intakes of the feeds that were limiting intake were directly proportional to live weight and so a scaled intake, expressed as g/kg live weight per d, was calculated. Across the six limiting feeds, scaled intakes in the final 5 d of each period, when the pigs were in equilibrium with their feeds, were directly proportional to the reciprocal of the water-holding capacities (WHC) of the feeds, as measured by a centrifugation method. There were large effects of feed changes on intake, in the short term, with previous experience of a bulky feed leading to higher intakes of another bulky feed. The intake of the basal feed was not affected by the feed given previously. It was concluded that: (a) the time of adaptation to bulky feeds needs to be considered when attempting to measure, or predict, the rates of intake on different bulky feeds and, (b) the WHC of the feeds could be an appropriate measurement of 'bulk' responsible for limiting their intake, and could be used to predict the maximum feed intake capacity of pigs on different bulky feeds.

The importance of voluntary feed intake in pigs.

The importance of voluntary feed intake in pigs.

The effect of terminal ileum cannulation on the performance of growing pigs

Twelve anaesthetized pigs, weighing about 35 kg, each had a simple cannula surgically placed in the terminal ileum. The animals were raised to a weight of 84 kg on a standard diet based on barley and used to study the digestion of fibrous feedstuffs and hind gut fermentation. During the rearing period, before the main experiment, the opportunity was taken to compare the growth rate and feed conversion efficiency of the cannulated pigs with those of their non-cannulated sisters. Twelve groups of three sisters were used, and one pig from each group was given one of three treatments: A, a simple cannula in the terminal ileum, and fed to appetite; B, not cannulated, and fed to appetite; C, not cannulated, and feed intake rationed to 12% of body weight (W 0·75). After recovery from surgery the voluntary feed intake of pigs given treatment A did not differ significantly from those given treatment B. In this experiment, simple cannulation of the terminal ileum caused a reduction in growth rate (7%) and in the efficiency of feed utilization (10%), compared with non-cannulated animals eating similar amounts of feed. Possible reasons for these effects on the performance of pigs are discussed.

A study of dietary energy density and genotype interactions on voluntary feed intake of the grower pig

A trial was conducted to measure the voluntary feed intake of pigs drawn from two genetic sources when fed diets of different digestible energy concentrations. The genetic sources were Large White x Landrace commercial hybrids (CH) and Landrace (Landrace x Large White) pigs from the Sutton Bonington herd (SB). Two sexes were used (boars and gilts) and four diets were formulated with energy densities of 8.6, 10.7, 12.9 and 15 MJ DE/kg feed. All nutrients were adjusted to maintain a constant ratio with energy. Pigs were offered these diets ad libitum from 25 - 55kg liveweight in individual pens. After slaughter, backfat and eye muscle measurements were taken and hams dissected into component tissues. Meat quality was also evaluated : pH of ham and loin were taken at 45 minutes and 24 hours post mortem. The ‘Grau Hamm Paper Press’ method was used to evaluate water holding capacity. Depth of colour was determined by reflectance spectrophotometry.

Methionine supplementation of weaner pig diets containing lupin-seed meal

Abstract An experiment was conducted to measure the growth and feed intake responses of young growing pigs to the addition of methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA 0.1 and 0.2%) to barley-based diets containing as the sole protein supplement lupin-seed meal (LSM) from either Lupinus angustifolius cv. ‘Uniwhite’ (UW) or L. albus cv. ‘Neuland’ (NL). Growth rate and voluntary feed intake of pigs fed on a control diet, which contained a mixture of fishmeai and dried blood as the protein supplement, were greater than those of pigs fed on the UW diets, which in turn were significantly greater than those of pigs receiving NL in their diet. The addition of 0.1% MHA to either the UW or NL diets improved both rate and efficiency of gain. Further addition of MHA to each diet depressed growth and efficiency of feed utilisation to levels similar to those supported by the unsupplemented diets. The amplitude of these parabolic responses was greater for the NL diets than for the UW diets, which suggested that the beneficial e...

Factors affecting voluntary feed intake in pigs. 3. The effect of a period of feed restriction, nutrient density of the diet and sex on intake, performance and carcass characteristics

1. Over the weight range 23–50 kg live weight, pigs were fed either ad libitum or to a restricted scale. From 59 to 91 kg live weight, eight pairs of barrows and eight pairs of gilts were fed on each of two diets varying in nutrient density. The effects of feed restriction, nutrient density of the diet and sex on voluntary feed intake, performance and carcass characteristics were studied.2. Pigs which had been restricted grew more slowly and contained less fat and more lean at 50 kg live weight.3. When restricted pigs were offered feed ad libitum from 59 to 91 kg live weight they ate more and had higher daily intakes of digestible energy than pigs liberally fed in early life.4. There was evidence of compensatory growth in pigs which had received the restricted diet, but there was no significant difference in feed utilization between restricted and ad libitum pigs. It was concluded that the compensatory growth was largely the result of increased appetite.5. Pigs finally fed on a low energy diet, in comparison with those on a high energy diet, ate more feed but less digestible energy indicating that appetite was physically limited. Efficiency of conversion of digestible energy to live weight was similar on both treatments. A higher proportion of acetic acid was produced in the caecum of pigs fed the low energy diet. Pigs receiving the low energy diet had lower killing-out percentages not entirely caused by differences in the weight of the gut and its contents. The carcasses of pigs on the low energy diet were leaner than those on the high energy diet.6. Barrows consumed more digestible energy per day than gilts, required more feed and digestible energy per unit live-weight gain, had lower killing-out percentages, shorter carcasses, larger backfat measurements and smaller eye-muscle areas as estimated by A × B measurements. Barrow carcasses contained less dissected lean and more fat than gilts' carcasses.7. The results are discussed in relation to other work and it is concluded that voluntary feed intake is influenced by the nutrient density of the diet and the level of energy requirement of the pig, which may be affected by previous nutritional history.

Factors affecting voluntary feed intake in pigs. I. The effect of digestible energy content of the diet on the intake of castrated male pigs housed in holding pens and in metabolism crates

1. The voluntary feed intakes of pigs fed on diets having calculated digestible energy contents of 2,970, 3,356, 3,630 and 3,910 kcal/kg. dry matter were measured over four periods from 38 to 105 kg. live-weight.2. The pigs achieved similar daily digestible energy intakes regardless of the digestible energy content of the diet.3. When housed in metabolism crates pigs ate less than when housed in holding pens and the difference was greater than would be expected solely from the reduced exercise of the pigs in crates.4. Daily digestible energy intake was 575 kcal/kg. live-weight 0.675 when the pigs were in holding pens. The daily digestible energy intake of pigs in metabolism crates increased less with live-weight.5. The use of metabolism crates to obtain digestibility coefficients and values for nitrogen retention to be applied to animals housed under other conditions is discussed in relation to the differences found in apparent digestibility coefficients, feed intake and growth rates between pigs in crates and in holding pens.

Factors affecting voluntary feed intake in pigs. II. The effect of two levels of crude fibre in the diet on the intake and performance of fattening pigs

1. Voluntary feed intake, performance and carcass quality were studied with 20 individually housed pigs given isocaloric diets (2,770 kcal/kg. DM) containing either 8·9 % or 12·9 % crude fibre in the dry matter over the period of growth from 45 to 91 kg. live-weight.2. There were no significant differences between diets in voluntary feed intake, rate of gain or carcass quality.3. Apparent digestibility coefficients and rates of passage of the diets were determined in eight castrated male pigs. Rates of passage were not significantly affected by diet or live-weight when determined at 57 and 82 kg. live-weight.