scholarly journals Effects of water quality on growth performance and health of nursery pigs

Author(s):  
B M Lozinski ◽  
B Frederick ◽  
Y Li ◽  
M Saqui-Salces ◽  
G C Shurson ◽  
...  

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine effects of providing drinking water of differing qualities on growth performance and health of nursery pigs. Weanling pigs (n = 450; 150 pigs/group; 10 pigs/pen) were assigned randomly to one of three experimental groups consisting of three water sources of varying quality: 1) Water source A containing 1,410 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 1,120 ppm sulfates, and 1,500 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS); 2) Water source B containing 909 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 617 ppm sulfates, and 1,050 ppm TDS; and 3) Water source C containing 235 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 2 ppm sulfates, and 348 ppm TDS. Pigs were provided ad libitum access to their respective water sources for the duration of the study which began at weaning (21 d of age) and ended 40 d later (61 d of age). Individual pig weights were recorded weekly along with feed intake on a pen basis. Occurrences of morbidity and mortality were recorded daily. Subjective fecal scores were assigned on a pen basis and blood samples were used to evaluate blood chemistry, cytokine concentrations, and phagocytic activity. A differential sugar absorption test was used to assess intestinal permeability. Fecal grab samples were used to establish diet digestibility, and drinking behavior was video-recorded to assess pigs’ acceptance of water sources provided. The statistical model considered fixed effects of water source, room, and their interaction with the random effect of pen. A repeated measures analysis was conducted to determine effects of water quality over time. There were no differences (P > 0.440) among water sources in average daily gain (A, 0.46 kg/d; B, 0.46 kg/d; C, 0.47 kg/d) or average daily feed intake (A, 0.68 kg/d; B, 0.69 kg/d; C, 0.71 kg/d). Overall mortality of pigs was 0.44% and did not differ across the three water sources. There were no differences in apparent total tract digestibility of the diet, intestinal permeability, immune parameters, or blood chemistry attributable to quality of water consumed by pigs. Pigs did not show an aversion to the water sources provided, because total time pigs spent at the drinker did not differ (P > 0.750) among water sources on d 1 through 3 of the experiment. These data indicate that the water sources of differing quality studied did not affect growth performance or health of nursery pigs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 93-93
Author(s):  
Jesus A Acosta ◽  
Gwendolyn M Jones ◽  
John F Patience

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of deoxynivalenol (DON), derived from contaminated corn, on growth performance and blood metabolites. A total of 32 growing pigs (initial BW 73.1 ± 1.2 kg; L337 × Camborough, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were randomly allotted in individual pens to 1 of 2 treatments: a non-contaminated control diet (CTL) and a diet containing 1.8 mg DON/kg (CTL+DON). Upon analysis, CTL+DON also contained 1.9 mg zearalenone/kg and 1.0 mg total fumonisins/kg. On d 1, blood samples were obtained at 60, 120 and 240 min following resumed access to feed. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed thereafter and for 28 d in total. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with initial BW, sex and treatment as fixed effects, and blood parameters the repeated measures. Compared with CTL, pigs fed CTL+DON had decreased final BW (102.9 vs 87.5 kg; P < 0.001), ADG (1.06 vs 0.51 kg; P < 0.001) and ADFI (2.97 vs 1.54 kg; P < 0.001). Mycotoxins did not affect G:F (0.35 vs 0.32; P = 0.234 for CTL and CTL+DON, respectively). Compared to CTL, pigs fed CTL+DON had increased levels of blood cholecystokinin, a hormone involved in satiety and digestion (32.1 vs 43.3 pg/mL; P = 0.048), increased ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite and promotes fat deposition (345 vs 654 pg/mL; P = 0.011), a tendency for decreased blood urea nitrogen (19.6 vs 17.1 mg/dL; P = 0.076), and increased creatine kinase (2,826 vs 4,920 IU/L; P = 0.027). No treatment differences were observed for circulating creatinine, glucose, albumin, or alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, mycotoxin contamination substantially impaired feed intake and growth. Pigs offered mycotoxin-contaminated feed had altered blood parameters related to appetite regulation and nutrient metabolism. However, it was not possible to determine if these differences were due to the mycotoxin contamination or to reduced feed intake.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 46-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailey Wooten ◽  
John J McGlone ◽  
Arlene Garcia ◽  
Amanda R Rakhshandeh ◽  
Anoosh Rakhshandeh

Abstract Previously we found that GRA reduces systemic inflammation in newly weaned pigs. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of GRA on growth performance and blood chemistry in newly weaned pigs, since inflammation impacts growth. A total of 209 pigs (BW 7.4 ±1.27 kg) were weaned at 26 ±1.5-d of age and assigned to a factorial CRD, with sex and treatment as main effects. Treatments included control (CON), GRA, ANT, and ANT+GRA (ANGA). Dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg BW; i.m. injections) and Tylan 40 (0.12% of diet) were used as GRA and ANT, respectively. Pigs had free access to conventional corn-soybean diets according to a phase-feeding program. Feed intake, BW, ADG, measures of blood chemistry and hematocrit were determined over the 28-d post-weaning period. The repeated measures ANOVA (PROC MIXED) in SAS was used for statistical analysis. Interaction effects of sex and treatments were observed on BW and ADG (P = 0.03), but not on the gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). BW (kg) was higher in GRA gilts (10 ±0.08) than ANT gilts (9.7 ±0.06) and barrows (9.6 ±0.05), and CON barrows (9.4 ±0.09; P = 0.01). GRA gilts tended to be heavier than CON gilts (9.8 ±0.10; P = 0.06). ADG (kg) was higher in GRA gilts (0.40 ±0.014) than ANT gilts (0.34 ±0.019), CON barrows (0.29 ±0.016) and ANT barrows (0.36 ±0.012; P = 0.05). Overall G:F was higher in GRA pigs than CON pigs (0.63 vs. 0.56 ±0.020; P = 0.01) and tended to be higher than ANT pigs (P = 0.09). Creatinine levels tended to be lower in GRA pigs than ANT pigs (1.18 vs. 1.30 ±0.046 mg/dl; P = 0.07). Treatments had no effects on other measures of blood chemistry. Collectively, treatment with GRA effectively improves the growth performance of nursery pigs, especially gilts, during the nursery phase. GRA can be considered as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics for mitigating the adverse effects of weaning stress. USDA-NIFA-2017-68008-26304.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 63-63
Author(s):  
Spenser Becker ◽  
Laura L Greiner

Abstract The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary linoleic acid level and the ratio of linoleic acid:linolenic acid (n6:n3) on the growth performance and inflammatory status of grow-finish pigs. A total of 300 growing pigs (BW = 41.1 ± 6.3 kg) were randomly assigned to either a high (30 g/kg; HLA) or low (15 g/kg; LLA) linoleic acid level with a high (20:1; HR), moderate (12:1; MR) or low (4:1; LR) n6:n3 in a 2 x 3 factorial design. Diets were fed across three 28-day phases and were balanced for dietary metabolizable energy. Pigs were housed 5 pigs per pen. Blood samples were collected on weeks 1, 3, 6, and 12, and synovial fluid was collected from the hock joint on weeks 1 and 12 for inflammatory marker analysis. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using PROC MIXED (SAS 9.4) with initial body weight as a covariate, pen as the experimental unit, and linoleic acid level, ratio, and their interaction as fixed effects. Compared to HLA, LLA pigs had increased BW (P &lt; 0.05) at d56 (103.2 vs. 101.3kg) and tended to have increased BW at d84 (P &lt; 0.10; 129.1 vs. 127.8kg). Pigs receiving LR tended to have higher d84 BW compared to MR (P &lt; 0.10; 129.1 vs. 127.3kg). There was no effect of linoleic acid ratio interaction for growth performance. In phase 2, pigs receiving LR had higher feed intake (P &lt; 0.05) compared to MR. Pigs receiving HR performed intermediate of LR and MR. Overall, C-reactive protein was reduced in the plasma of pigs receiving HLA (P &lt; 0.05; 19.3 vs. 26.2mg/mL). Across all treatments, CRP was reduced in synovial fluid and plasma in week 12 vs. week 1 (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, LLA and a low ratio of n6:n3 improved final pig BW, and HLA is potentially beneficial in improving inflammation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Nayan Bhowmik ◽  
Kris A Ringwall ◽  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Kendall C Swanson ◽  
Jeffrey A Clapper ◽  
...  

Abstract Leptin is a 16-kDa-peptide hormone product of the leptin gene (LEP) that is predominantly synthesized by adipose tissues and has known involvement in regulation of feed intake, energy expenditure, reproduction, and immune functions. The objective was to determine the association of leptin genotype (LEP c.73C &gt;T), leptin diplotype (LEPD) and plasma leptin hormone (LEPH) concentration with growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, and behavior characteristics in developing beef heifers. A total of 336 commercial beef heifers were genotyped for the LEP c.73C &gt;T marker. Four single nucleotide polymorphism markers including LEP c.73C &gt;T, ARS-BFGL-NGS-59298 (intron 1), BovineHD0400026029 (upstream) and BovineHD0400026063 (downstream) of LEP were considered for haplotype analysis. Eleven LEPD were identified for this study using parsimony-based analyses. Circulating levels of LEPH were measured on 333 heifers prior to their first breeding season and used to assign low or high concentration group based on population median. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS for repeated measures, fixed effects of ancestral breed group (n = 4), dam age category (n = 4), frame size group (n = 4), project cycle nested within birth year (n = 6), week of feed trial × year, LEP (n = 3) or LEPD (n = 11) or LEPH (n = 2), as well as week × LEPH (only for LEPH). There were no significant differences between LEP genotypes (P ≥ 0.11) or LEPD (P ≥ 0.33) for any of the studied traits. Heifers with low LEPH ate fewer meals per day (P = 0.02) and had more DMI per meal (P = 0.04) compared to those with high plasma leptin. Further research is needed to better understand plasma LEPH concentration and its role in feeding behavior attributes. However, circulatory LEPH before the breeding season may serve as a predictor for feeding behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalton Humphrey ◽  
Spenser Becker ◽  
Jason Lee ◽  
Keith Haydon ◽  
Laura Greiner

Abstract Four hundred and eighty (PIC 337 X 1050, PIC Genus, Hendersonville, TN) pigs were used to evaluate a novel threonine source (ThrPro, CJ America Bio, Fort Dodge, IA) for nursery pigs from approximately 7 to 20 kg body weight (BW). After weaning, pigs were sorted by sex and fed a common diet for 1 wk. Upon completion of the first week, pigs were sorted into randomized complete blocks, equalized by weight, within 16 replications. Pigs were allocated to one of three dietary treatments: positive control (POS)—standard ileal digestible threonine-to-lysine ratio (SID; Thr:Lys) 0.60, negative control (NEG)—SID Thr:Lys ≤0.46, and alternative Thr source (TEST)—SID Thr:Lys 0.60. The alternative Thr source included fermentative biomass and was assumed to contain 75% Thr and a digestibility coefficient of 100% based on the manufacturer’s specifications. All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC recommendations. Growth and intake data were analyzed as repeated measures with a compound symmetry covariance structure using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment, phase, the interaction between treatment and phase, and block were included as fixed effects in the model. Differences in total removals were tested using Fisher’s Exact Test of PROC FREQ. Results were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and considered a trend at P &gt; 0.05 and P ≤ 0.10. During the first 14 d, pigs fed TEST had decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; 0.77 vs. 0.80, P = 0.022) compared to POS and increased G:F (0.77 vs. 0.73, P &lt; 0.001) compared to NEG. Over days 14–28, pigs fed TEST had similar G:F (0.71 vs. 0.70, P = 0.112) compared to POS and increased G:F (0.71 vs. 0.63, P &lt; 0.001) compared to NEG. Overall (days 0–28), pigs fed TEST had similar average daily gain (ADG; 0.47 vs. 0.47 kg/d, P = 0.982) and G:F (0.76 vs. 0.74, P = 0.395) compared to POS and increased ADG (0.47 vs. 0.43 kg/d, P &lt; 0.001) and G:F (0.76 vs. 0.67, P &lt; 0.001) compared to NEG. The average daily feed intake was not significantly different across treatments for the entirety of the study. In conclusion, the replacement of crystalline L-Thr with a novel Thr source resulted in similar growth performance in nursery pigs from approximately 7 to 20 kg.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 99-99
Author(s):  
Jessica M Johnson ◽  
Emma T Helm ◽  
Nicholas K Gabler ◽  
Eric R Burrough ◽  
Carson M De Mille

Abstract The physiological mechanisms by which in-feed antibiotics improve pig growth performance are largely unknown. One proposed mode of action is improvements in intestinal integrity and function. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that in-feed therapeutic and sub-therapeutic antibiotics would improve intestinal integrity and function in nursery pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs (6.1±1.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to individual pens and assigned one of three dietary treatments as follows (n = 8 pigs/trt): 1) control, no antibiotics (CON), 2) CON + sub-therapeutic chlortetracycline [40 ppm in feed (sCTC)], and 3) CON + chlortetracycline-tiamulin [400 ppm + 35 ppm, respectively (CTCDen)]. The study consisted of two consecutive 14 d phases. Chlortetracycline-tiamulin was only fed in phase 1, sCTC was fed in both phases. Phase 1 and 2 ADG, ADFI, and G:F were determined. After 28 d, ileal and colonic ex vivo intestinal integrity was assessed via transepithelial resistance (TER) and macromolecule flux (FD4) in modified Ussing chambers. All data were analyzed for the fixed effects of treatment and start BW as a covariate. In phase 1, compared with CON and sCTC, CTCDen tended to have greater ADG (0.28, 0.31, and 0.33 kg/d, respectively, P = 0.10) and ADFI (0.28, 0.30, and 0.35 kg/d, respectively, P = 0.09). No differences in phase 1 G:F were observed (P = 0.11). Phase 2 ADG, ADFI, and G:F did not differ (P &gt; 0.10). Further, ileal TER and FD4 did not differ (P &gt; 0.10). Colonic TER tended to be increased in sCTC compared with CON and CTCDen (78, 56, and 59 Ω/cm2, respectively, P = 0.07). Compared with CON, colonic FD4 flux was decreased in sCTC and CTCDen by 35–40% (P = 0.03). Altogether, these data indicate that in-feed antibiotics improve colon integrity early in production which may contribute to improved growth performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
Aubree M Beenken ◽  
Erin L Deters ◽  
Colten W Dornbach ◽  
Stephanie L Hansen ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
...  

Abstract Ninety-one early-weaned (65 ± 11 d) Angus steers (92 ± 4 kg) were blocked by age to a 2 × 2 factorial examining effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) at weaning and/or prior to transport to the feedlot on antibody titers and growth performance. Injections (20 mL/steer) of VC (250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) or saline (SAL) were given at time of weaning on d 0 (WEAN) and/or prior to a 6 hr trucking event to a feedlot on d 49 (TRANS). Steers were given booster vaccinations on d 0. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 14, 48, 49, 64, 106, and 107. Blood was collected (12 steers/treatment) on d 0, 1, 2, 14, 49 (pre- and post-transit), 50, and 51. Data were analyzed via Proc-Mixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; n = 22–23/treatment) with fixed effects of block, WEAN, TRANS, and WEAN × TRANS. Plasma ascorbate concentrations for weaning (d 0, 1, and 2) and transit (d 49-pre-trucking, 49-post-trucking, 50, and 51) were analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 1 and 2 for steers that received VC at weaning (VC = 19.6, SAL = 8.8 ± 1.26 µM; WEAN × day P &lt; 0.01). Similarly, ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 49 post-trucking, 50, and 51 for steers that received VC pre-transit (TRANS × day P = 0.01). Treatments did not affect bodyweight or average daily gain throughout the trial (P &gt; 0.32). There were no effects of treatment on serum Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 2 antibody titers on d 14 or 51 (P &gt; 0.33). An injection of VC administered to early weaned beef steers at weaning or pre-transit increases plasma ascorbate concentrations but does not improve growth performance or antibody response to vaccination booster.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 130-130
Author(s):  
Kibeom Jang ◽  
Jerry M Purvis ◽  
S W Kim

Abstract Lactose is an effective carbohydrate source for nursery pigs. Weaning age could influence needs for lactose. Weaning ages can vary among producers depending on preferred management programs. This study aimed to evaluate optimum levels of lactose for pigs at 7 kg BW weaned at different ages. A total of 1,632 pigs were weaned at d21 (d 21.2 ± 1.3) or d25 (d 24.6 ± 1.1). Pigs had a common diet until they reach 7 kg BW. Within a same weaning age group, when pigs reached 7 kg body weight, they were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 6, 9, 12, and 15% lactose. Feed intake and BW were measured after 10d feeding when pigs reached 11 kg BW. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS for a slope ratio analysis to test effects of lactose levels on growth performance of pigs influenced by their weaning ages. Pigs weaned at d21 had Phase 1 for 11 days whereas pigs weaned at d 25 had Phase 1 for 2 days to reach 7 kg BW. According to the slope ratio analysis, as increasing lactose intake, ADG of pigs weaned at d21 responded greater (P &lt; 0.05, 68.5%) than growth of pigs weaned at d25. There was no change of slope in feed intake of pigs weaned at d 25 by increasing lactose intake. However, G:F of pigs weaned at d 25 responded greater (P &lt; 0.05, 250%) than G:F of pigs weaned at d21. In conclusion, pigs weaned at d21 grew faster from 7 to 11 kg BW as lactose intake increased compared with pigs weaned at d25 potentially because pigs weaned at d21 had an extended time for adaptation and recovery from weaning stress until they reached 7 kg BW.


Author(s):  
Jhanel F. Chew ◽  
Laura Corlin ◽  
Fernando Ona ◽  
Sarah Pinto ◽  
Esther Fenyi-Baah ◽  
...  

Residents in the Eastern Region, Ghana with access to improved water sources (e.g., boreholes and covered wells) often choose to collect water from unimproved sources (e.g., rivers and uncovered wells). To assess why, we conducted two field studies to coincide with Ghana’s rainy and dry seasons. During the rainy season, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews among a convenience sample of 26 women in four rural communities (including one woman in the dry season). We asked each participant about their attitudes and perceptions of water sources. During the dry season, we observed four women for ≤4 days each to provide context for water collection and water source choice. We used a grounded theory approach considering the multiple household water sources and uses approach to identify three themes informing water source choice: collection of and access to water, water quality perception, and the dynamic interaction of these. Women selected water sources based on multiple factors, including season, accessibility, religious/spiritual messaging, community messaging (e.g., health risks), and ease-of-use (e.g., physical burden). Gender and power dynamics created structural barriers that affected the use of unimproved water sources. A larger role for women in water management and supply decision-making could advance population health goals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyu Chen ◽  
Shihai Zhang ◽  
Sung Woo Kim

Abstract Forty pigs [10.7 ± 1.2 kg initial body weight (BW) at 6 wk of age] were used in a 21-d study to evaluate the effects of supplemental xylanase (Hostazym X 100, Huvepharma, Inc., Peachtree City, GA) in nursery diets on digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility, health of the small intestine, and growth performance when supplemented with corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Pigs were individually housed and randomly allotted to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (n = 20/factor, 0% or 30% DDGS and 0 or 1,500 endo-pentosanase unit/kg xylanase as two factors) based on sex and initial BW. Feed intake and BW were recorded weekly. On day 15 of the study, TiO2 in diets (0.3%) was used as an indigestible marker to calculate apparent ileal digestibility (AID). Plasma samples were collected on day 19 to measure tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde, and peptide YY. On day 21, all pigs were euthanized to collect tissues from duodenum, jejunum, and colon to measure morphology, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde concentrations. Distal jejunal digesta were collected to measure viscosity. Ileum digesta were collected to measure AID of nutrients. During the entire period, supplemental xylanase increased (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG; 616 to 660 g/d) of nursery pigs, whereas DDGS (0 or 30%) did not affect ADG. On week 3, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased (P &lt; 0.05) when fed DDGS (1,141 to 1,267 g/d) and there was an interaction (P &lt; 0.05) between two factors indicating that supplemental xylanase decreased ADFI when DDGS was used in a diet. Use of DDGS increased (P &lt; 0.05) viscosity [1.86 to 2.38 centipoise (cP)], whereas supplemental xylanase reduced (P &lt; 0.05) viscosity (2.27 to 1.96 cP) of jejunal digesta. The AID of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) were improved (P &lt; 0.05) by supplemental xylanase. Plasma TNF-α was decreased (P &lt; 0.05, 108.5 to 69.9 pg/mL) by supplemental xylanase. Use of DDGS reduced (P &lt; 0.05) villus height:crypt depth ratio (1.46 to 1.27), whereas supplemental xylanase increased (P &lt; 0.05) the crypt depth (360 to 404 µm) in duodenum. In conclusion, feeding a diet with 30% DDGS to nursery pigs for 3 wk had no negative effect on growth performance, whereas reduced AID of DM and GE, increased TNF-α level in colon tissue, and reduced the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. Dietary supplementation of xylanase reduced digesta viscosity improving AID of nutrients, reduced inflammatory response, and altered intestinal morphology, collectively improving ADG of nursery pigs regardless of the use of DDGS in a diet.


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