Diets For Weaned Piglets Research Articles

Effects of Polyherbal Formulation As a Natural Replacer of Choline Chloride in Weaned Piglet Diets: Impacts on Performance and Blood Parameters

Effects of Polyherbal Formulation As a Natural Replacer of Choline Chloride in Weaned Piglet Diets: Impacts on Performance and Blood Parameters

Effects of Vitamin A on Growth Performance, Antioxidants, Gut Inflammation, and Microbes in Weaned Piglets.

Piglet weaning is an important stage in production where changes in the environment and diet can cause problems such as intestinal inflammation and diarrhea. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for human and animal growth and has immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects. A large body of literature has previously reported on the use of vitamin A in piglet production, so our experiment added different concentrations of vitamin A (0, 1100, 2200, 4400, 8800, and 17,600 IU/kg) to weaned piglet diets to study the effects of different doses on growth performance, intestinal barrier, inflammation, and flora in weaned piglets. We selected 4400 IU/kg as the optimum concentration of vitamin A in relation to average daily weight gain, feed intake, feed-to-weight ratio, and diarrhea rate, and subsequently tested the inflammatory factors, immunoglobulin content, antioxidant levels, and intestinal flora of weaned piglets. Results: We observed that the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets was significantly lower after the addition of 4400 IU/kg of vitamin A to the diet (p < 0.05). A control group and a 4400 IU/kg VA group were selected for subsequent experiments. We found that after the addition of vitamin A, the serum CAT level of weaned piglets increased significantly, the expression of Claudin-1 in the jejunum and ileum increased significantly, the expression of Occludin gene in the jejunum increased significantly, the expression of IL-5 and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the colonic flora of vitamin A-added weaned piglets, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Erysipelotrichales decreased significantly, while the relative abundance of Bacteroidales increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that vitamin A at 4400 IU/kg reduces diarrhea in weaned piglets by increasing antioxidant levels, increasing intestinal tight junction protein gene expression, and regulating colonic gut microbiota.

Effect of Laminaria digitata dietary inclusion and CAZyme supplementation on blood cells, serum metabolites and hepatic lipids and minerals of weaned piglets

Seaweeds, such as Laminaria digitata, are a sustainable alternative to conventional feedstuffs for weaned piglet diets, improving their health and mitigating environmental impacts. L. digitata has a complex cell wall that can be difficult for monogastrics to digest. However, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) such as Rovabio® Excel AP and alginate lyase can help break down these polysaccharides and render intracellular nutrients more accessible. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 10% L. digitata feed inclusion and CAZyme supplementation on piglet blood cells, serum metabolites, liver lipid and mineral profiles. Forty weaned piglets were randomly assigned to one of four diets (n = 10 each): a control diet, 10% L. digitata (LA), 10% L. digitata + 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP (LAR), and 10% L. digitata + 0.01% alginate lyase (LAL). After two weeks of trial, animals were slaughtered and liver and blood serum samples taken for analysis. The results showed that the LA and LAL diets increased blood lymphocytes, IgG and IgM, and decreased serum lipids, improving both cellular and humoral immune response and cardiovascular health. Dietary CAZymes reversed the anti-inflammatory and hematopoietic effects. Additionally, cortisol levels were reduced with seaweed inclusion compared to the control diet (P < 0.001). In the liver, total n-3 PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratio were increased and decreased, respectively, due to eicosapentaenoic acid and α-linolenic acid accumulation (P < 0.001). However, total liver mineral content was incorporated to a lesser extent with the combined seaweed and enzyme diets (P < 0.001), potentially indicating a negative effect on mineral bioavailability. Overall, results suggest that a 10% L. digitata inclusion can effectively improve piglet health by reducing stress during weaning, without the need for dietary CAZymes.

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

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

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

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

PSXIII-10 Association of Fatty Acids, Prebiotics and Zinc Proteinate to Support Weaned Piglet Growth in Antibiotic Growth Promoter Free Diets

Abstract To evaluate the association of fatty acids, prebiotics and zinc proteinate (Viligen NE) in weaned piglet diets without AGP, 80 piglets averaging 6.69±0.19 kg (21-days old) were distributed in randomized blocks design. Eight replicates of one male and one female were used for each of five treatments: positive control (an antibiotic growth promoter; 0.02% Halquinol 60%), negative control (no additive) and 3 levels of Viligen NE (0.10, 0.14 and 0.18%). Daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FC) were determined from 21 to 35 and 36 to 49 days of age. At the end of the experiment, jejunum content was collected to evaluate Lactobacillus sp and Enterobacteria sp counts, and cecum content for Bifidobacterium sp and Clostridium perfringens counts. The negative control had the worst ADG (P=0.0004) and FC (P=0.0357) from 21 to 35 days and ADG (P=0.0196) from 21 to 49 days. All levels of Viligen NE showed the same performance as 0.02% Halquinol, for both portions of the feeding period. The optimal Viligen NE levels for ADG, estimated by quadratic and broken line models, were 0.137 and 0.100%, respectively. Significant linear relationships were found between Viligen NE and FC (negative from 21 to 35 days) and ADG (positive from 21 to 46 days). Jejunal Lactobacillus count was least for Halquinol (P=0.0001). Cecal Bifidobacterium count was greater (P=0.0063) for the negative control and 0.18% Viligen NE, while Clostridium count was less (P=0.0008) for 0.10 and 0.18% Viligen NE. Quadratic and broken line models estimated less jejunal Enterobacteria sp count with 0.110 and 0.070% of Viligen NE, respectively, less cecal Clostridium count was estimated at 0,096 and 0,079% of Viligen NE, respectively. Under the conditions of this experiment, Viligen NE in weaned piglet diets at 0.10% or greater supported growth without detrimental effects on intestinal microbiota populations.

Effect of Dietary Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi on the Fecal Microbiota and Its Correlation with Apparent Nutrient Digestibility in Weaned Piglets.

Simple SummaryTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on ancient Chinese medical principles. In China, these medicines have played a marked role in treating various diseases and maintaining human health for thousands of years. TCM is also increasingly considered a potential alternative to the use of antibiotics in pig production and has attracted a great deal of research interest because it is simple, convenient, cheap, and effective. However, there are few studies on the effects of dietary TCM supplementation on the gut microbiota and the apparent nutrient digestibility of weaned piglets. In our study, dietary Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi improved growth performance and increased the apparent ether extract (EE) digestibility by modulating gut microbial composition and structure, favoring the health of weaned piglets.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been demonstrated to exert a therapeutic effect on various diseases and has been used as a substitute for antibiotics in pig production. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and apparent nutrient digestibility when weaned piglet diets are supplemented with TCM. One hundred and sixty-two 25-day-old weaning piglets were housed in an environmentally controlled nursery facility and fed a basal diet (control group, n = 54) or a TCM complex (Fructus mume 1%, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi 3%) (TCM group, n = 54), or a fermented diet with a complex of these two TCMs (F-TCM group, n = 54). Compared with the control group, in the TCM and F-TCM groups, the average daily gain (ADG) increased (p < 0.05), the F:G ratio and diarrhea rate decreased (p < 0.05), and the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and ether extract (EE) of weaned piglets increased (p < 0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla, representing approximately 95% of all sequences. The abundance of four genera and 10 OTUs (belonging to Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Lachnoclostridium, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31 group, Prevotella_1) were negatively correlated with apparent EE digestibility (p < 0.05). The results suggest that weaned piglets fed with antibiotic-free diets supplemented with Fructus mume and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi gained more weight and were healthier. When added to the diet, the complex of these two TCMs may have a direct impact on apparent EE digestibility by modifying the gut microbial composition, which favors the health of weaned piglets.

Effects of Corn and Broken Rice Extrusion on the Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Piglets.

Simple SummaryExtruded cereals are largely used in newly weaned piglet diets to increase nutrient digestibility and palatability. Our findings showed that corn and broken rice extrusion diets generated negative effects on average daily feed intake (−63.5 g/day, p = 0.054) and average daily gain (−60.6 g/d, p = 0.015) in weaned piglets. Decreased feed intake was associated with increased plasma levels of the gut-derived hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY), which may have been attributed to increased microbiota pathogen abundance, including Sarcina, Clostridium_sensu_strictio_1, and Terrisporobacter, and decreased short-chain fatty acid-producing microbiota, such as Lactobaillaceae and Bifidobateriaceae. Our results showed that extruded cereals should be used cautiously when formulating diets for newly weaned piglets.In this study, we investigated the effects of corn and rice extrusion diets on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. Animals were divided into four dietary groups and fed a controlled diet containing (1) 62.17% corn (CORN), 15% soybean, 10% extruded full-fat soybean, and 6% fishmeal (2) half the corn replaced by extruded corn (ECORN), (3) broken rice (RICE), and (4) extruded broken rice (ERICE) for 28 days. Rice supplementation increased dry matter total tract digestibility and gross energy. Extruded cereals generated a lower average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 15–28 and 1–28 days, decreased average daily growth (ADG) at 15–28 and 1–28 days, and a lowered body weight (BW) on day 28, regardless of cereal type. Dietary extruded cereals increased the appetite-regulating hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). Piglets fed extruded cereals displayed low short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in plasma and low Lactobaillaceae and Bifidobateriaceae levels in feces, whereas a higher abundance of the potential pathogens Sarcina, Clostridium_sensu_strictio_1 and Terrisporobacter was observed. Piglets fed extruded cereals displayed significantly lower gas and SCFA levels during in vitro fermentation. Combined, 50% corn substituted with extruded corn or broken rice decreased piglet growth performance, possibly by altering their microbiota.

Effects of different inorganic: organic zinc ratios or combination of low crude protein diet and mixed feed additive in weaned piglet diets.

Thirty-six weaned piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 8.43 ± 0.40 kg (28 days of age, ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments for a 2-week feeding trial to determine the effects of different inorganic zinc (IZ), organic zinc (OZ) or combination of low crude protein diet (LP) and Mixed feed additive (MFA) on diarrhea score, nutrient digestibility, zinc utilization, blood profiles, organ weight, and fecal microflora in weaned piglet diet. The pigs were individually placed in 45 × 55 × 45 cm stainless steel metabolism cages in an environmentally controlled room (30 ± 1°C). The dietary treatments included a negative control (NC), positive control (PC; zinc oxide, 1,000 mg/kg), T1 (IZ : OZ, 850 : 150), T2 (IZ : OZ 700 : 300), T3 (IZ : OZ, 500 : 500), and T4 (LP + MFA [0.1% Essential oils + 0.08% Protease + 0.02% Xylanase]). The daily feed allowance was adjusted to 2.7 times the maintenance requirement for digestible energy (2.7 × 110 kcal of DE/kg BW0.75). This allowance was divided into two equal parts, and the piglets were fed at 08 : 30 and 17 : 30 each day. Water was provided ad libitum through a drinking nipple. The diarrhea score was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in NC treatment compared with other treatments. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and gross energy (GE) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the T2 treatment compared with the PC and NC treatments in week 1. In week 2, the ATTD of DM, N, and GE was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the NC treatment compared with other treatments. The T3 treatment had significantly higher (p < 0.05) ATTD and apparent ileal digestibility of zinc than the PC and T1 treatments. The Escherichia coli count in feces was significantly decreased in the T4 treatment compared with the NC and T2 treatments. The Lactobacillus count in feces was significantly increased in the T4 and T1 treatment compared with the T2 and T3 treatments. In conclusion, IZ : OZ 500 : 500 levels could improve nutrient digestibility and zinc utilization in weaned piglets, Moreover, MFA in LP diets could be used as a zinc alternative.

Effects of Replacing Medical Zinc Oxide with Different Ratios of Inorganic: Organic Zinc or Reducing Crude Protein Diet with Mixed Feed Additives in Weaned Piglet Diets.

Simple SummaryPiglets frequently experience post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) due to various stress factors at the weaning stage. PWD affects the growth performance and mortality of piglets, and they face various diseases due to reduced immunity response. A high dose of zinc oxide (ZnO) is used as a feed additive to prevent diarrhea occurrence and to promote immune system development. However, most of ZnO is discharged as manure, causing soil heavy metalization, accumulation in pork, increased and antimicrobial resistance. For this reason, research to reduce zinc excretion and prevent PWD through the supplementation of low-dose zinc in feed is essential; moreover, it is essential to develop alternatives to ZnO addition. Therefore, we hypothesized that different ratios of inorganic zinc and organic zinc at 1000 mg/kg or a low-protein diet with commercial feed additives containing either essential oils, protease, and xylanase (MFA) could replace high-dose ZnO by preventing diarrhea and improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health. We found that inorganic and organic zinc at a ratio of 500:500 mg/kg and a low-protein diet with essential oil, protease, and xylanase can be used to replace medical ZnO in weaned piglet diets.One hundred twenty weaned piglets (9.34 ± 0.74 kg) were used in a four-week experiment to investigate the effects of replacing medical ZnO with a different ratio of inorganic and organic zinc (IZ:OZ) or a low-crude-protein diet (LP) with mixed feed additives (MFAs) in the weaned piglets’ diet. The dietary treatments included a control (CON), T1 (T1; ZnO 1000 mg/kg), T2 (IZ:OZ 850:150), T3 (IZ:OZ 700:300), T4 (IZ:OZ, 500:500), and T5 (LP with MFAs (0.1% essential oils + 0.08% protease + 0.02% xylanase)). The growth performance was decreased (p < 0.05) in the CON treatment compared with the T4 treatment. The diarrhea incidence was decreased (p < 0.05) in the T4 and the T5 treatment compared with the CON and the T1 treatments. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients were increased (p < 0.05) in the T4 and T5 treatments compared with the CON, T1, and T2 treatments. The T4 treatment had a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of zinc than the T1, T2, and T3 treatments. The fecal microflora was improved (p < 0.05) in the T5 treatment compared with the CON and T3 treatments. In conclusion, IZ:OZ 500:500 could improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and zinc utilization while reducing diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets. Moreover, LP with MFA could replace medical ZnO.

Amino acid digestibility and energy use by weaned piglets fed yellow corn, sorghum and an exogenous enzymes combination

In weaned piglet diets, about 20% of the total protein and amino acids (AA) comes from the inclusion of sorghum or yellow corn. Therefore, the fraction of digestible amino acids of these ingredients is important for diet formulations. The ileal-cannulated pig model is not used in younger pigs due to difficulties related to implanting T-cannula in the distal ileum and possible subsequent problems. Thus, the present study evaluated the apparent digestibility of yellow corn and sorghum in piglets by total collection and digestibility of amino acids by the slaughter method. Fifty weaned piglets, at 21-d-old, were divided into two assays to determine effects of multi-carbohydrase (MC) preparation (700 U α-galactosidase, 2,200 U galactomannanase, 3,000 U xylanase, and 22,000 U β-glucanase per kg of diet) and phytase (Phy, 500 FTU per kg of diet) supplementation on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, digestible (DE) and metabolizable (ME) energy and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in yellow corn (YC) and sorghum. Piglets were individually caged and ileal digesta were collected at slaughter (38 d old). A completely randomized experimental design with a 2 × 2 (0 and 200 MC; 0 and 50 Phy) factorial treatment arrangement. A basal diet (BD) was used for an additional group of 5 piglets. Corn BD was used for ATTD determination, and corn-starch BD2 containing 50 g/kg casein was used to estimate AA losses. YC and sorghum replaced 30% of BD. There was no interaction effect (P > 0.05) of the enzyme combination on the apparent digestibility of nutrients, energy, AID and SID of AA of YC and sorghum. The apparent effect from the combination of the enzymes, in fact, was due to the presence of MC, as shown by its isolated inclusion. The supplementation of MC improved ATTD of sorghum DM (P = 0.041) regardless of Phy-supplementation. Piglets weaned at 21 days of age showed lower capacity to use energy and nutrients in the subsequent three weeks, compared to NRC and the Brazilian tables. Isolated or combined, the enzymes did not increase the digestibility coefficients of YC, however, MC increased DM digestibility of sorghum.

Effects of dietary supplementation with grape seed procyanidins on nutrient utilisation and gut function in weaned piglets

Grape seed procyanidins (GSPs), widely known for their beneficial health properties, fail to bring about the expected improvement in piglets’ growth performance. The effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation may be a critical influencing factor. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation and gut function in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets were allocated randomly to four treatment groups, with three replicate pens per treatment and 10 piglets per pen. Each group was given one of the four dietary treatments: the basal diet (control group) or the basal diet with the addition of 50-, 100- or 150-mg/kg GSPs. The trial lasted 28 days. Faeces were collected from d 12 to 14 and from d 26 to 28 for measuring the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of the nutrients. Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 for detecting the blood biochemical parameters. Two piglets per pen were slaughtered to collect the pancreas and intestinal digesta for evaluating the digestive enzyme activity and the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of the nutrients. On d 14 and 28, supplementation with 150-mg/kg GSPs significantly decreased the CTTAD of DM and CP in piglets. On d 14, GSPs supplementation at a concentration of 150 mg/kg led to a remarkable decrease in the CIAD of CP and gross energy (GE). On d 28, GSPs supplementation at a dose of 150 mg/kg generated a marked decline in the CIAD of DM, GE, CP and ether extract. Grape seed procyanidins supplementation at concentrations of 100 or 150 mg/kg inhibited the activities of lipase and amylase. In contrast, the jejunum mucosa maltase and sucrase activities increased due to the inclusion of GSPs at a concentration of 100 mg/kg in the piglet diet. Compared with the levels of the control group, the serum glucose and total protein levels were enhanced significantly by supplementation with GSPs at 100 mg/kg and reduced dramatically at 150 mg/kg. The serum diamine oxidase activity and endotoxin levels were decreased by GSPs supplementation in piglet diets. In conclusion, higher concentrations of GSPs in weaned piglet diets attenuated nutrient digestion and inhibited digestive enzyme activity; however, suitable concentrations of GSPs could promote brush-border enzyme activity, enhance serum glucose and total protein concentrations and decrease epithelial permeability.

Effect of probiotic and prebiotic inclusion in weaned piglet diets on structure and ultra-structure of small intestine

Forty-four piglets weaned were distributed in a complete randomized blocks in factorial scheme. Experimental diets were: T1 = Basal Diet (BD); T2 = BD + Antibiotic; T3 = BD + Probiotic; T4 = BD + Prebiotic; T5 = BD + Symbiotic (T3+T4). As control, four piglets were slaughtered at weaning. Seven and 14 days after weaning, four animals per treatment were slaughtered. Small intestine segments were sampled from each animal for electron and light microscopy evaluation. The evaluated micro-ingredients affected intestinal histology. It was observed higher villous density in duodenum of piglets fed diet with prebiotic in relation to those fed diets with probiotic. In jejunum of piglets fed diets with prebiotic was found higher villous density, but this difference was not significant. In relation to BD, symbiotic increased duodenal micro-villous height at the 14th day after weaning. Piglets supplemented with probiotic had better recovering of micro-villous density in relation to those fed with other diets.

Influence of diet acid binding capacity on gut morphology and digesta pH in piglets

Newly weaned piglet diets are normally highly digestible, and as such are composed of ingredients with high acid-binding capacities (Bolduan et al., 1988), which are potentially detrimental to the maintenance of a low gastric pH. The most active element effecting the phenomenon of acid-binding capacity (ABC) is calcium, and a high concentration in pig starter diets can significantly reduce post-weaning growth performance (Hardy, 1992). However, the mechanism by which ABC retards growth performance is largely unknown. Accordingly a preliminary study was designed to examine the effects of ABC on gut morphological characteristics such as villous height, width and crypt depth, together with digesta pH which is an independent factor influencing microflora colonisation.

Utilization of peas in early weaned piglet diets. Influence of the type of cereal

Utilization of peas in early weaned piglet diets. Influence of the type of cereal