Weaner Pigs Research Articles

The addition of humic substances extracted from vermicompost enhances the growth performance and the antioxidant status of weaning pigs

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of humic substances (HS) extracted from vermicompost on the growth performance, fecal score, bone ash content and antioxidant status in muscles and blood serum of weaned pigs from 1-42 days postweaning. Two-hundred 22-day weaned pigs were assigned to four treatments: 1= Positive control diet with colistin (PC), 2= Negative control diet without antibiotic or HS (NC), 3 and 4= Diets with 2 500 and 5 000 ppm of HS, respectively. Growth performance, fecal consistency, dry matter and ashes of metatarsus and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, iron reducing ability and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in muscles and blood were registered. Results were subjected to ANOVA and regression analysis. Linear increasing responses (P < 0.05) were found in the body weight at 42 days postweaning, the ADG from 1-7, 8-21, 22-42 and 1-42 and the gain:feed ratio from 1-7, 22-42 and 1-42 days postweaning, whilst the fecal score decreased linearly (P < 0.01) from 1-7, 8-21 and 1-42 days postweaning due to the increasing dietary HS concentration. The antioxidant potential of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05) in loin muscle and blood serum at three and seven days, and in fillet muscle at seven days postweaning increased linearly due to the increasing dietary HS concentration. It is concluded that the addition of HS improved the growth performance from 1-42 days postweaning and the antioxidant status in muscles and blood serum of weaned pigs at three and seven days postweaning.

Dietary supplementation with Acremonium terricola culture alters the gut microbial structure and improves the growth performance, antioxidant status, and immune function of weaning piglets

BackgroundAcremonium terricola is used in the feed of dairy animals to promote growth and control diseases. However, the effects of dietary supplementation with A. terricola on the gut microbial structure of weaning piglets remain poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with A. terricola culture (ATC) on the growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, and gut environment of weaning piglets. Sixty piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with 1 g ATC/kg of basal diet (experimental group). Another 60 piglets did not receive ATC (control group). The intervention lasted for 20 days.ResultsThe experimental group had higher daily weight gain and feed efficiency than did the control group. Significant increases were noted in the levels of serum insulin (P = 0.0018), insulin-like growth factor (P = 0.0018), triiodothyronine (P = 0.0031), immunoglobulin A (P < 0.0001), immunoglobulin M (P = 0.001), immunoglobulin G (P = 0.0001), and interferon γ (P < 0.0001) in the experimental group compared with the levels in the control group. Furthermore, ATC supplementation significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Shuttleworthia, Succinivibrio, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, and Paludibacter but increased that of Phascolarctobacterium, Megasphaera, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella in the experimental group compared with that in the control group. Notably, ATC supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (P < 0.05), which is involved in anti-inflammatory activities, gut barrier enhancement, and butyrate production.ConclusionsDietary supplementation with ATC may improve the growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity, and fecal microflora of weaning pigs.

Effect of Mixed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum- and Bacillus subtilis-Fermented Feed on Growth, Immunity, and Intestinal Health of Weaner Pigs

Bamei pigs, an eximious local breed reared on the Tibetan Plateau of China, are facing problems such as feed shortages, weaning stress, and antibiotic abuse. This study aimed to improve the quality of feed, growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and immunity of Bamei pigs through feeding with potentially probiotic-fermented feed. Different feeds were administered to weaned Bamei piglets for 60 days, creating the following five experimental treatment groups: basal feed group; Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-fermented-feed group; Bacillus subtilis-fermented-feed group; mixed-fermented-feed group; and antibiotic-supplemented-feed group. The results showed that the pH, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of the potentially probiotic-fermented feeds were significantly reduced; organic acids were produced; and Coliform bacteria, Clostridium, and aerobic bacteria were effectively inhibited. Feeding with potentially probiotic-fermented feed not only reduced the feed-conversion ratio but also improved immunity by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and typical inflammatory pathways. The 16s rDNA high-throughput-sequencing results showed that probiotic-fermented feed improved the diversity of intestinal microbiota, inhibited the growth of the opportunistic pathogens Clostridium and Streptococcus, increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotella, and promoted gut health, demonstrating the promising application prospects of potentially probiotic-fermented feed.

Characteristics of Lactococcus petauri GB97 lysate isolated from porcine feces and its in vitro and in vivo effects on inflammation, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota composition in mice.

Weaning is a crucial step in piglet management to improve pork production. During the weaning phase, disruption of epithelial barrier function and intestinal inflammation can lead to decreased absorption of nutrients and diarrhea. Therefore, maintaining a healthy intestine, epithelial barrier function, and gut microbiota composition in this crucial phase is strategic for optimal weaning in pigs. We isolated a lysate of Lactococcus petauri GB97 (LPL97) from healthy porcine feces and evaluated its anti-inflammatory activities, barrier integrity, and gut microbial changes in LPS-induced murine macrophages and DSS-induced colitis mice. We found that LPL97 regulated the immune response by downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, LPL97 alleviated the disruption of intestinal epithelial integrity and gut microbiota dysbiosis in colitis mice. This study indicates that LPL97 has the potential to be developed as an alternative feed additive to antibiotics for the swine industry.

A Virus-like Particle-Based F4 Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Vaccine Is Inhibited by Maternally Derived Antibodies in Piglets but Generates Robust Responses in Sows.

F4-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is associated with diarrhea and poor growth outcomes in neonatal and newly weaned piglets and is thus a major economic and welfare burden in the swine industry. Vaccination of sows with F4 fimbriae protects against the neonatal disease via passive transfer of maternal immunity. However, this strategy does not protect against infection post-weaning. Consequently, prevention and treatment methods in weaner pigs heavily rely on the use of antimicrobials. Therefore, in order to reduce antimicrobial consumption, more effective prophylactic alternatives are needed. In this study, we describe the development of a capsid virus-like particle (cVLP)-based vaccine targeting the major F4 fimbriae subunit and adhesion molecule, FaeG, and evaluate its immunogenicity in mice, piglets, and sows. cVLP-display significantly increased systemic and mucosal antibody responses towards the recombinant FaeG antigen in mice models. However, in piglets, the presence of anti-F4 maternally derived antibodies severely inhibited the induction of active humoral responses towards the FaeG antigen. This inhibition could not be overcome, even with the enhanced immunogenicity achieved via cVLP display. However, in sows, intramuscular vaccination with the FaeG.cVLP vaccine was able to generate robust IgG and IgA responses that were comparable with a commercial fimbriae-based vaccine, and which were effectively transferred to piglets via colostrum intake. These results demonstrate that cVLP display has the potential to improve the systemic humoral responses elicited against low-immunogenic antigens in pigs; however, this effect is dependent on the use of antigens, which are not the targets of pre-existing maternal immunity.

Blend of natural and natural identical essential oil compounds as a strategy to improve the gut health of weaning pigs

Weaning is one of the most critical phases in pig’s life, often leading to postweaning diarrhoea (PWD). Zinc oxide (ZnO), at pharmacological doses, has been largely used to prevent PWD; however, due to antimicrobial co-resistant and environmental pollution issues, the EU banned its use in June 2022. Natural or natural identical components of essential oils and their mixture with organic acids are possible alternatives studied for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two blends of natural or natural identical components of essential oils and organic acids compared to ZnO on health, performance, and gut health of weaned pigs. At weaning (d0), 96 piglets (7 058 ± 895 g) were assigned to one of four treatments balanced for BW and litter: CO (control treatment), ZnO (2 400 mg/kg ZnO from d0 to d14); Blend1 (cinnamaldehyde, ajowan and clove essential oils, 1 500 mg/kg feed); Blend2 (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and short- and medium-chain fatty acids, 2 000 mg/kg feed). Pigs were weighed weekly until d35. Faeces were collected at d13 and d35 for microbiota (v3–v4 regions of the 16 s rRNA gene) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) count analysis. At d14 and d35, eight pigs/treatment were slaughtered; pH was recorded on intestinal contents and jejunal samples were collected for morphological and gene expression analysis. From d7–d14, the Blend2 had a lower average daily gain (ADG) than CO and ZnO (P < 0.05). ZnO and Blend1 never differed in ADG and feed intake. At d14, ZnO had a lower caecum pH than all other treatments. The CO treatment had a higher abundance of haemolytic E. coli than Blend1 (P = 0.01). At d13, the ZnO treatment had a lower alpha diversity (P < 0.01) and a different microbial beta diversity (P < 0.001) compared to the other treatments. At d13, the ZnO treatment was characterised by a higher abundance of Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group (Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) score = 4.5, P = 0.011), Parabacteroides (LDA score = 4.5, P adj. = 0.005), the CO was characterised by Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 (LDA score = 4.3, P adj. = 0.005), Oscillospiraceae NK4A214_group (LDA score = 4.2, P adj. = 0.02), the Blend2 was characterised by Megasphaera (LDA score = 4.1, P adj. = 0.045), and Ruminococcus (LDA score = 3.9, P adj. = 0.015) and the Blend1 was characterised by Christensenellaceae_R-7_group (LDA score = 4.6, P adj. < 0.001) and Treponema (LDA score = 4.5, P adj. < 0.001). In conclusion, Blend1 allowed to maintain the gut health of postweaning piglets through modulation of the gut microbiome, the reduction of haemolytic E. coli while Blend2 did not help piglets.

Inclusion of dietary Quillaja saponin and seaweed on growth efficiency, noxious gas emissions, and fecal score in weaning pigs

This study aimed to investigate the dietary effects of Quillaja saponin (QS) and seaweed (SW) on growth performance, fecal score, and gas emissions in weaning pigs. A total of 120, 21-day old crossbred ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) weaning pigs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. These dietary treatments consisted of (1) TRT1: CON (basal diet), (2) TRT2: CON + 200 mg/kg QS, and (3) TRT3: CON + 500 mg/kg SW. Pigs were raised in 10 replicate pens per treatment (two males per pen and two females per pen) for 5 weeks based on body weight and sex. The inclusion of QS significantly ( p &lt; 0.05) increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the overall period compared to the control diet. Moreover, the tendency to increase ADG was found at weeks 1 and 5, whereas ADFI showed a tendency to increase at week 1 with the supplementation of QS compared to the CON diet. However, the feed conversion ratio, fecal score, and gas emission failed to show significant effects throughout the experiment. In summary, QS has a beneficial effect on the growth performance of weaning pigs without any negative effect on gas emission and fecal score.

PSVI-18 Effects of Sow Vocalization and Scent on Complete Blood Cell Count During Early Weaning Period

Abstract Piglets are deprived of the touch, sound, and smell of their sow after weaning which results in biological stress. The present study investigated continuing exposure of sow vocalization and scent during the early weaning period on complete blood cell count. A total of 12 litters, 8 piglets (4 male and 4 female) per litter were selected at weaning and assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments: control, O (olfactory group with scent and no vocal stimulation), V (non-olfactory with vocal stimulation), VO (vocal stimulation and olfactory stimulation) as a 2x2 factorial arrangement. Vocal stimulation was emulated by an audio recording of the sows, which was gathered between day-7 and day-14 of sow lactation. It was collected from 6 sows and compiled into a comprehensive audio file including all the vocal output of the sow. The VO group was exposed to sow vocal for 20 minutes, followed by an empty hour on loop for seven days postweaning. For olfactory stimulation, cotton fabric was rubbed on the udders of the sow and vacuum sealed. The respective scent of the sow was placed in a mesh basket outside of the pen for approximately 48 hours. Blood samples were collected on day-1, day-2, day-6, and day-28 into K2EDTA vacutainer tubes. The blood was processed within 6 hours of collection using an automatic hematological analyzer (Hemavet 950S). Data were analyzed using mixed procedure of SAS (Cary, NC) with vocal, scent and day as main effects. Interactions between day x vocal showed statistical significance (P = 0.0215) with both the vocal and non-vocal groups having a reduction on mean platelet volume (MPV) from d 0 to d 2 and while the non-vocal group continued an upward trend from d 2 to d 28, vocal group failed to restore MPV levels until d 28. As for Platelet (PLT) in the day x scent interaction, non-scent group increased PLT from d 0 to d 2 and a sharp decrease from d 2 to d 6. However, a similar level PLT from d 0 to d 2 observed in scent group (P = 0.0433). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) decreased from d 0 to d 2 in all treatment groups. While control, V, and VO groups showed similar levels of NLR from d 2 to d 6, O group had increased NLR. This response on NLR is mainly driven by percentage of neutrophil (P = 0.0028) since no statistically significant difference on lymphocyte percentage was found. Results of this study indicated that continuing exposing scent potentially influences complete blood cell of weaning pigs, while the same effect was not found in sow vocal.

63. Supplementation of a protected complex of biofactors and antioxidants reduces inflammation in weaner pigs

63. Supplementation of a protected complex of biofactors and antioxidants reduces inflammation in weaner pigs

18. Welfare-related measurements of weaner pigs collected by an automatic monitoring system from different angles

18. Welfare-related measurements of weaner pigs collected by an automatic monitoring system from different angles

Effect of multi-enzyme supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, blood profile, intestinal villus height, and faecal gas emission in weaning pigs

Effect of multi-enzyme supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, blood profile, intestinal villus height, and faecal gas emission in weaning pigs

Effects of probiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota weaning pig challenged with Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

Effects of probiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota weaning pig challenged with Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

295 The Effect of Weaning age and Diet Complexity on Nursery Pig Growth Performance and Weight at Market

Abstract Changes in weaning age and diet complexity can impact pig growth post-weaning. Weanling gilts and barrows [n = 432 Topigs Duroc X (US York X Landrace)] from the same farrowing group were utilized for a 30 or 35 day growth trial to compare early (EW) versus late weaning (LW) and high or low levels of specialty proteins in nursery diets. Pigs (n = 216) were EW (18 or 19 d, average Age = 18.4 days, average BW = 5.96 kg) and 216 pigs were LW 5 days later (24, 25 or 26 d, average Age = 24.6 d, average BW = 7.50 kg). At weaning pigs were blocked by weaning age, BW, sex and litter, and randomly allotted to 48 pens with 9 pigs/pen. Pigs at each weaning age were fed a High Complexity (HC) or a Low Complexity (LC) diet. The trial was conducted as a 2X2 factorial design: 1) EW+HC; 2) EW+LC; 3) LW+HC; 4) LW+LC. Pigs and feeders were weighed on d 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 for EW, and on d 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 30 for LW. The LW pigs had improved ADG and ADFI from days 0-7, 7-14, 14-21, and the final week of the nursery (P &amp;lt; 0.05). There were no differences in ADG and ADFI from days 21-28 (P &amp;gt; 0.05) between weaning ages. G:F decreased for LW pigs from days 21-28 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared with EW pigs; however, for the overall nursery trial LW pigs had increased G:F (P = 0.01). The LW pigs had increased overall nursery ADG vs EW pigs (452.5 g/d vs 400 g/d; P &amp;lt; 0.01). End of nursery BW was greater for LW vs EW pigs (21.70 kg vs 20.74 kg; P = 0.001). When comparing pigs of similar BW at weaning, LW pigs were lighter at end of nursery (20.13 kg vs. 21.66 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.01) but were more feed efficient (P &amp;lt; 0.01) than EW pigs. There was a BW block by weaning age interaction, EW heavy pigs had less ADG compared with LW heavy pigs; however, when comparing light weight pigs, the EW light pigs had improved ADG compared with LW light weight pigs (P = 0.017). The EW pigs were lighter at market (approximately day 146 of age) compared with LW pigs (120.78 vs 124.16 kg; P = 0.014). An interaction between weaning age, nursery diet, and sex (P &amp;lt; 0.07) was observed for market weight, EW barrows fed LC diets were lighter at market (120.77 kg) than EW barrows fed HC diets (126.54 kg). Whereas for LW barrows fed LC had greater market weights (130.04 kg) than LW barrows fed HC diets (127.59 kg). A similar, but non-significant pattern was observed for gilts. Weaning age and feeding pigs the correct diet for their age in the nursery can have a lifelong effect on the pig.

271 Impact of Amount and Solubility of Dietary Fiber Fed During Late Gestation and During the Pre-Farrowing Period on Sow and Litter Performance in Lactation

Abstract This study evaluated the impact of level and solubility of total dietary fiber (TDF) on sow and litter performance when fed during late gestation and early pre-farrowing. Sows (n = 241) were assigned by body condition to a 2×2 factorial arrangement plus a control treatment (with no supplement) with the following factors: 1) Amount of a fiber supplement (0.45 or 0.90 kg), and 2) Fiber solubility (high soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of 9.63% with 25.25% insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) or high IDF of 30.73% with 4.18% SDF). Fiber supplements were formulated using sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls and were provided in addition to a common gestation (12.0% TDF) and lactation diet (11.3% TDF) from day 99 (± 1 d) of gestation until parturition. Total number of pigs born, and piglet birth weight were not impacted by treatment. Number of stillborn pigs was reduced by 0.45 kg IDF supplement (P = 0.03), but it increased ( P= 0.008) the number of low-birth weight pigs (&amp;lt; 1 kg) compared with control, 0.90 kg IDF, and 0.45 and 0.90 kg SDF supplement (1.31a vs. 0.50b, 0.33b, 0.47b, and 0.40b, respectively). Treatment did not affect number of pigs weaned and pig weaning weight. Number of small-weaned pigs (&amp;lt; 3.6 kg) was least (P &amp;lt; 0.001) with 0.90 kg IDF, and 0.45 kg SDF compared with control, 0.45 kg IDF and 0.90 kg SDF (0.53c and 1.00bc vs 3.31a, 3.27a, and 2.00ab, respectively). Weaning to estrus interval was reduced (P = 0.003) by 0.90 kg IDF and 0.45 and 0.90 kg SDF compared with control and 0.45 kg IDF (5.00b, 4.77b, and 5.22ab vs. 6.51a, and 6.59a days, respectively). Results suggest that composition of fiber is important, and that fiber provided as a supplement to the standard feed may be a practical strategy to improve sow performance during the late gestation and the pre-farrowing period.

Meta-analysis reveals the predictable dynamic development of the gut microbiota in commercial pigs.

Understanding the mechanisms of microbiome assembly during host development is crucial for successful modulation of the gut microbiome to improve host health and growth. However, results from previous microbial intervention studies to improve swine growth have largely been inconsistent due to the constantly changing nature of the gut microbiota and limited longitudinal sampling. Detailed characterization of the swine gut microbiota through meta-analysis allows us to understand the dynamics of microbial community succession, as well as the transient and natural variations between time points and animals. A total of 3,313 fecal microbial communities from over 349 pigs covering 60 time points (from birth to market age) from 14 publications were included in this meta-analysis. Despite differences in animal breeds and management, generalizable patterns of community assembly were identified. Alpha diversity continuously increased during early stages of animal growth and more slowly in the later stages. Beta regression analysis revealed that more microbial taxa were enriched, while fewer were excluded by the gut microbiota. The microbial community structure also changed significantly between days at early ages and became more similar as pigs aged, as revealed by dissimilarity and distance metrics. Dirichlet multinomial mixtures analysis supported gradient microbial clustering in longitudinal pig fecal samples, and we found that the early samples spread to more clusters than those from older pigs. Random forest regression identified 30 operational taxonomic units as potential microbial biomarkers for modeling swine gut microbiota development. External validation showed this model could be generalized to future microbiome studies conducted in suckling and weaning pigs and adds to the toolkit to quantify community succession. IMPORTANCE The swine gut microbiome undergoes an age-dependent assembly pattern with a developmental phase at early ages and a stabilization phase at later ages. Shorter time intervals and a wider range of data sources provided a clearer understanding of the gut microbiota colonization and succession and their associations with pig growth and development. The rapidly changing microbiota of suckling and weaning pigs implies potential time targets for growth and health regulation through gut microbiota manipulation. Since swine gut microbiota development is predictable, swine microbiota age can be calculated and compared between animal treatment groups rather than relying only on static time-matched comparisons.

Sampling time influences the apparent total tract digestible Ca and P equivalence of phytase in weaner pigs during a 21-day study

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the fecal sampling time on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca and P and the efficacy of phytase in weaner pigs. During a 21-day feeding trial with 240 weaner pigs (7.4 ± 0.9 kg; 28-day old), fresh and clean fecal samples were grabbed every 2 h from 0900 to 1700 h daily from each pen on d 6–8, 13–15, or 19–21 of the trial. There were five experimental diets including a low Ca and P control diet and the control supplemented with phytase at 500, 1000, 2000, or 3000 phytase units (FYT)/kg feed. Each diet was fed to 6 pens of 8 pigs. All diets included 3 g/kg TiO2. The results showed that increasing supplementation level of phytase linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01) increased ATTD of Ca and P. There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between phytase and sampling time for ATTD of Ca and P because the response curves on d 19–21 were not parallel to those on d 6–8 and d 13–15. The ATTD of Ca in the diets supplemented with phytase was higher (P < 0.05) at the sampling time of d 19–21 of the trial than at other sampling times, which contrasts with unaffected ATTD of Ca in the control diet over the sampling times. In control diet, the ATTD of P was higher (P < 0.05) at the sampling time of d 13–15 of the trial compared to d 19–21; but in the diets supplemented with 2000 or 3000 FYT/kg phytase, the ATTD of P was higher (P < 0.05) at the sampling times of d 13–15 and d 19–21 of the trial than at d 6–8. There was no interaction between phytase and sampling time on the release of digestible P by phytase, but the interaction showed a tendency for digestible Ca release (P = 0.07). The concentration of digestible Ca and P released by phytase increased linearly (P < 0.01) with sampling time. In conclusion, the phytase efficacy in terms of digestible Ca and P release increased with time in this feeding trial with weaners pigs. Therefore, we suggest that the fecal samples should be grabbed at the midpoint of a feeding trial to measure the phytase efficacy in weaner pigs.

Potentials of Scent Leaves (O. gratissimum) as Feed Additive on Performance, Selected Blood Biochemicals and Helminthiasis in Weaner Pigs

Purpose: A study was conducted to examine the potentials of scent leaves (SL) (O. gratissimum) meal as a feed additive on performance, blood biochemicals and antihelmintic in weaner pigs.&#x0D; Methodology: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was adopted using 30 mixed breed of large-white and duroc weaner pigs, allocated to three treatments with ten pigs each, replicated five times with two pigs per replicate. Formulated diet (1) is a Positive Control (PC) – supplemented with Kepro-dewomer, diet 2 a Negative Control (NC) – without Kepro-dewomer and Scent Leaves (SL), while Diet 3 was supplemented with Scent Leaves (SL) at 1.0%. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA with SAS software. Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test.&#x0D; Findings: Results indicated that there were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences among treatments in final body weight gain (FBWG). Highest daily weight gain (HDWG) (0.51kg) and highest daily feed intake (HDFI) (0.46kg) were recorded in pigs fed diet 3. Packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) different among the experimental groups 1 and 3: (37.01) (26.7), (12.72) (39.11) (25.5) (12.88) respectively. Meanwhile, diets 1 and 3 were significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved serum biochemicals parameters (Aspartate amino transferase – AST). (Alanine aminotransferase – ALT) and (Alkaline phosphate – ALP) compared with diet 2. Kepro dewomer and scent leaves dietary supplementation had a significant reduction on oocysts shedded per gram of feaces in diet 1 (30.42, 31.03, 32.96) and diet 3 (36.78, 35.89, 31.11) compared with diet 2 (61.3, 63.41, 68.01) respectively&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The idea of alternative medication theory to synthetic drug in livestock feeds was conceived and developed; towards solving the problem of resistance of microbial pathogens to synthetic antibiotic as a result of its continuous usage. Findings, therefore, showed that the strategic supplementation of scent leaves meal as an alternative deworner to synthetic deworner that poses health risks to consumers could be avoided. Also, the need to adapt a collection and processing strategy at many locations wherever the scent leaf plant is produced and are poorly utilized or being wasted.

Response of Weaner Pigs to Graded Levels of Sickle Pod (Senna obtusifolia) Leaf Meal in Diets

The experiment was carried out at Bajabure Federal Housing Estate Phase three, Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding Senna obtusifolia leaf meal on the growth performance, of weaner pigs. Five experimental diets were formulated using Senna obtusifolia leaf meals at 0%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. The diets were coded T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Twenty (50) weaner pigs were randomly assigned to the five experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group was replicated five times with two pigs per replicate. Parameter measured were lived weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion ratio (FRC) The growth performance showed significant (p˂0.05) differences. The ADFI, AFWG, ATWG, ATFI, ADWG and FRC, all showed no significant difference (p˃0.05) across the treatments. The pigs were fed at 4% bodyweight for twelve (12) weeks. The proximate composition of Senna obtusifolia showed it contains 93.32% dry matter, 25.37% crude protein, 25.37%, crude fibre, 12.16% ash, 4.07% ether extract and 38.14% nitrogen free extract. But T4 and T5 are recommended because of good health states, growth rate at the end of the experiment.

Exogenous protease influences protein digestibility, growth performance, and gut microflora in weanling pigs on a limited protein diet

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary level of crude protein (CP) and protease supplementation on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota in weaning pigs. Three hundred cross-bred piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to five dietary treatments on the basis of initial body weight (BW) and sex. Pigs were group-housed in pens with each treatment with 10 replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The treatments included a standard diet (STD), STD with 0.6% lower protein (STD0.6), STD with 0.6% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro0.6), STD with 1.0% lower protein (STD1.0), STD with 1.0% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro1.0). Results indicated a higher BW (p < 0.05) of piglets in the Pro0.6 group at days 0–42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The average daily gain was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 treatments at days 0–42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0. The gain to feed ratio was higher (p < 0.05) in the STD, and Pro0.6 groups compared to the STD0.6, Pro1.0 and the STD1.0 groups at days 0–42. Dry matter digestibility was lower (p < 0.05) in the STD1.0 group than the Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups. The crude protein digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 group compared to the STD, STD0.6 and STD1.0 treatment groups while crude fat digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in the STD and Pro0.6 compared with the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. Digestibility was higher for histidine (p < 0.05), leucine (p < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups than in the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The digestibility of non-essential AA was higher for alanine (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 than the STD1.0 group. For faecal microbial population, Faecalibacterium abundance was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 compared to all the other groups while the population of Actinobacteria was greater (p < 0.05) in the STD group and lowest in the Pro1.0 treatment. In the ileum, villus height was greater (p < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups compared to the STD0.6, and STD1.0 groups while the villus height to crypts depth ratio was lower (p < 0.05) in the STD 1.0 group compared to the STD, Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups. Based on these results, dietary protease supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and gut histo-morphology translating to improved utilisation of nutrients thus positively impacting growth performance in weaned pigs. Further, reducing the CP content in the diets increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae while protease supplementation increased the population of Faecalibacterium in the gut of the weanling piglets on the STD0.6 diet.

Productivity parameters, antimicrobial consumption, and prevalence of enteric pathogens before and after intramuscular vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis in naturally infected Danish weaner and finisher pig herds.

In Danish pig production, gastro-intestinal diseases account for most of the antimicrobials (AM) used in growing pigs. Diarrhoea is most frequently caused by Lawsonia intracellularis (LI), Brachyspira pilosicoli (BP), E coli fimbria type F4 (F4) and E. coli fimbria type F18 (F18). With a new LI vaccine available from 2019, it was relevant to investigate the effect of this vaccine in a Danish field study including both weaner and finisher sites. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Porcilis® Lawsonia Vet. in naturally LI-infected pig herds by comparing of productivity parameters, AM consumption and dynamics of enteric pathogens over two 6-months periods before and after LI vaccination. Further, faecal sock samples were collected from each site before and after vaccination and analysed by qPCR for excretion levels of LI, BP, F18 and F4. In total, 28 weaner and 41 finisher sites were included in the study. Vaccination reduced Feed Conversion Ratio by 0.12 Feed Unit/kg (p=0.029) and 0.08 Feed Unit/kg (p=0.005) in weaners and finishers, respectively. Increased Average Daily Weight Gain of 45.6 gr./day (p< 0.001) was found in the finishers. Mortality risk fell by 8.8% in weaners (RR = 0.912; p< 0.001). AM prescriptions for oral group treatments were reduced by 38.8% active compound/kg pig produced (p=0.005) or 33.3% Weighted Animal Daily Doses per 100 animals per day in finishers (p=0.004). LI prevalence was reduced in weaners and finishers (both p <0.001) and BP prevalence was reduced in finishers (p=0.043). Mean excretion levels of LI and BP decreased at weaner sites (-1.32 and -1.02log(10) copies/gr faeces, respectively; both p< 0.001) and at finisher sites (-1.04 and -1.16log(10) copies/gr faeces, respectively; both p< 0.001). Prevalence and excretion levels of F18 and F4 were unaffected by LI vaccination. In conclusion, vaccination against LI using Porcilis® Lawsonia Vet. improved productivity parameters, cut AM consumption, and reduced prevalence and excretion levels of LI and BP in naturally LI-infected pig herds.