Overall assessment of antibiotic substitutes for pigs: a set of meta-analyses

Abstract Background Antibiotic growth promoters are widely used to improve weight gain. However, the abuse of antibiotics can have many negative effects on people. Developing alternatives to antibiotics is an urgent need in livestock production. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis and network meta-analysis (NMA) to investigate the effects of feed additives as potential antibiotic substitutes (ASs) on bacteriostasis, growth performance, intestinal morphology and immunity. Furthermore, the primary, secondary, and tertiary ASs were defined by comparing their results with the results of antibiotics. Results Among 16,309 identified studies, 37 were summarized to study the bacteriostasis effects of feed additives, and 89 were included in the meta-analysis and NMA (10,228 pigs). We summarized 268 associations of 57 interventions with 32 bacteria. The order of bacteriostasis effects was as follows: antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) ≈ antibiotics>organic acids>plant extracts>oligosaccharides. We detected associations of 11 feed additives and 11 outcomes. Compared with a basal diet, plant extract, AMPs, probiotics, microelements, organic acids, bacteriophages, lysozyme, zymin, and oligosaccharides significantly improved growth performance (P < 0.05); organic acids, probiotics, microelements, lysozyme, and AMPs remarkably increased the villus height:crypt depth ratio (V/C) (P < 0.05); and plant extracts, zymin, microelements, probiotics, and organic acids notably improved immunity (P < 0.05). The optimal AMP, bacteriophage, lysozyme, microelements, oligosaccharides, organic acids, plants, plant extracts, probiotics, and zymin doses were 0.100%, 0.150%, 0.012%, 0.010%, 0.050%, 0.750%, 0.20%, 0.040%, 0.180%, and 0.100%, respectively. Compared with antibiotics, all investigated feed additives exhibited no significant difference in effects on growth performance, IgG, and diarrhoea index/rate (P > 0.05); AMPs and microelements significantly increased V/C (P < 0.05); and zymin significantly improved lymphocyte levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, linear weighting sum models were used to comprehensively estimate the overall impact of each feed additive on pig growth and health. Conclusions Our findings suggest that AMPs and plant extracts can be used as primary ASs for weaned piglets and growing pigs, respectively. Bacteriophages, zymin, plants, probiotics, oligosaccharides, lysozyme, and microelements can be regarded as secondary ASs. Nucleotides and organic acids can be considered as tertiary ASs. Future studies should further assess the alternative effects of combinational feed additives.

Download Full-text

PSIX-15 Effects of mixture of essential oils and organic acid supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles, leg bone length and intestinal morphology in broilers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.692 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 347-348

Author(s):

Hanjin Oh ◽

Shudong Liu ◽

Won Yun ◽

Jihwan Lee ◽

Jiseon An ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Organic Acid ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Acid Supplementation ◽

Bone Length ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Blood Profiles

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mixture of essential oils and organic acid supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles, leg bone length and intestinal morphology in ROSS broilers. A total of 40 Ross 308 broiler (1140 ±80g) were randomly allocated to 2 groups, basal diet (CON), basal diet+0.05% Avi-protect® (AVI), with 20 replicates every group, and 1 chicken per replicate per cage. The BW (P < 0.05) and weight gain (P < 0.05) of broilers were increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. The content of triglyceride (P < 0.05) and LDL (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. There was no significant difference on leg bone length between the AVI and the CON group (P > 0.05). the villi height (P < 0.05) and goblet cell count (P < 0.05) significantly increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. In conclusion, the Avi-protect® as feed additives improved the growth performance and lipid metabolism and promoted the development of intestinal morphology in broilers.

Download Full-text

Growth performance, serum blood biochemistry, and intestinal properties of Arbor Acres Broiler fed diets containing mannan-riched fraction (MRF) and probiotic-enhanced liquid acidifier

Buletin Peternakan ◽

10.21059/buletinpeternak.v44i2.54713 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Danung Nur Adli ◽

Osfar Sjofjan

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Blood Biochemistry ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Antibiotic Growth Promoters ◽

Dietary Treatments

Numerous efforts have been undertaken to develop suitable alternatives in order to counteract the anticipated drawbacks associated with the ban of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). The research purpose is to carry out the possible effect of mannan-riched fraction (MRF) and probiotic enhanced water as natural growth promoters (NGPs) on performance, relative organ weight, serum blood biochemistry, intestinal properties, and intestinal micro flora. 320 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments and 4 replicates of 20 birds per cage. four treatments used for research were dietary with control (T0), basal diet + MRF 80 g (T1), Drinking water + 2 mL/L combination feed additive (T2), and basal feed + MRF 80 g+ drinking water 2 mL/L combination feed additive (T3). The results showed that using mannan riched fraction (MRF) and combination with probiotic-enhanced liquid acidifier presented significant difference (P > 0.05) on body weight gain at 1-28 days and intestinal properties. On the blood biochemistry, the effect of supplementation began to reduce the amount of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) at 21 days periods. To sum up, the addition of mannan-riched fraction and combination with probiotic enhanced liquid acidifier doesn’t impacted on growth performance, and serum blood biochemistry but give significant effect on intestinal properties of broiler.

Download Full-text

Effect of phytogenics on growth performance, fecal score, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.1515/pjvs-2015-0072 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 557-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

S. Mohana Devi ◽

S.I. Lee ◽

I.H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Negative Control ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Gas Emission ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Blood Profiles

Abstract Phytogenic feed additives have become attractive alternatives for use in animal diets. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic-based feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, and intestinal morphology of weaning pigs after dietary challenge with E. coli K88. A total of 120 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc)] with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.09 ± 0.96 kg (21 d of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments. Each pen housed 5 pigs, and there were 6 pens/treatment. Treatments included: T1, negative control (without antibiotics); T2, T1 + antibiotic; T3, T1 + 0.05% phytogenics; and T4, T1 + 0.2% commercial mix of organic acids. Overall, the average daily gain (ADG) with the T3 treatment was higher (P<0.05). At wk 1, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) was increased (P<0.05) with T4 treatment. The ATTD of ash with T3 and T4 treatments was greater (P<0.05). At wk 3, pigs fed with the T4 diet had a significantly higher (P<0.05) ATTD of DM. The ATTD of ash and calcium (Ca) was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T4 treatment. Pigs fed with the T3 diet had a higher (P<0.05) ATTD of phosphorus (P). At wk 6, the ATTD of ash was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T1 and T3 treatments. The data indicate that phytogenics positively affect growth performance of weaning pigs, indicating that their use as an alternative in the diets of weaning pigs can significantly improve ADG, under challenge with E.coli K88.

Download Full-text

Role of Aloe Vera as A Natural Feed Additive in Broiler Production

Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology ◽

10.24925/turjaf.v7isp1.163-166.2800 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (sp1) ◽

pp. 163

Author(s):

Hassan Jalal ◽

Muhammad Zeeshan Akram ◽

Sibel Canoğulları Doğan ◽

Sema Yaman Fırıncıoğlu ◽

Nida Irshad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Aloe Vera ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Broiler Production ◽

Broiler Diet

Phytogenic feed additives have replaced the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diet of poultry particularly broiler chickens. Researchers are moving towards the use of natural products such as herbs, spices, plants and plant products, which possess influential effects on growth performance parameters, immune response and treatment of various diseases. Aloe vera is a well-known medicinal plant and is being used for commercial and therapeutic purposes such as antimicrobials, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, wound healing, antioxidant and antiprotozoal agents. From a few last decades, the use of Aloe vera has been increased as a natural additive to broiler diet. Based on the review of literature, Aloe vera can improve immune response, growth performance in the broiler, as well as an excellent alternative of AGPs and anticoccidial drugs. It can be used for broiler diet in the form of gel, powder, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract. This review provides information about the use of Aloe vera in broiler production with reference to the effects on growth performance, immune system, intestinal microflora and coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of a Synergistic Blend of Organic Acids and ß-1,4 Mannobiose on Cecal Salmonella Counts and Growth Performance in Salmonella Challenged Broiler Chickens: A Meta-Analysis

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11102988 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2988

Author(s):

Sandra J. A. van Kuijk ◽

Yanming Han

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Diet ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Inoculation ◽

Feed Conversion

This study aimed at investigating the effect of a functional synergistic feed additive blend, containing organic acids and ß-1,4 mannobiose, on cecal Salmonella counts and growth performance of broiler chickens. A meta-analysis combining 13 individual studies, executed in Salmonella-challenged broilers comparing a control diet with and without the synergistic blend, was performed. Cecal Salmonella colonies and overall growth performance were measured. Raw data from all studies were combined and analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS, taking the within and between-study variation into account. In the first 14 days post-inoculation (DPI), cecal Salmonella was reduced by 0.429 log CFU/g (p = 0.011, n = 10 comparisons from five studies) when feeding the synergistic blend compared to the control group. During 15–34 DPI, the overall means were not different between treatments (0.069 log CFU/g; p = 0.519, n = 12 comparisons from eight studies). The feed conversion ratio was improved when feeding the synergistic blend compared to the control diet (1.474 vs. 1.482, respectively; p = 0.002). In conclusion, feeding a synergistic blend, containing organic acids and ß-1,4 mannobiose amongst other ingredients, reduced cecal Salmonella counts during the first 14 DPI and improved growth performance of Salmonella challenged broilers compared to a control diet.

Download Full-text

Probiotics and Herbs Combination in Commercial Feed Additives as Growth Promoter in Broiler Chicken

BIO Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/bioconf/20213304008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 04008

Author(s):

Thomas Emanuel Manggotu Nahak ◽

Agnesia Endang Tri Hastuti Wahyuni ◽

Yanuartono ◽

Charles Rangga Tabbu

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Organic Acids ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Growth Promoter ◽

Broiler Performance ◽

Group Iii ◽

Group I ◽

Commercial Feed ◽

Significant Difference

The prohibition on the use of Antibiotic Growth Promoter (AGP) causes the use of probiotics, herbs, enzymes and organic acids as an alternatives to AGP. This study aimed to determine the role of combination of probiotic and herbs in commercial feed additives on broiler performance. Sixty day-old male broiler were divided into 3 groups where each group consisted of 20 chickens with 4 replication each group. Group I was given commercial feed, group II was given commercial feed + AGP and group III was given commercial feed + combination of probiotics, herbs, enzymes and organic acids. All chickens were kept for 5 weeks. Body weight gain (BWG), body weight (BW) and Feed Convertion Ratio (FCR) were calculated every week. Carcass percentage was calculated at week 5. The results obtained from BWG and BW on group III at weeks 4 and 5 weeks were higher and significant difference (P<0.05) compared to groups I and II. The percentage of carcasses between groups did not have a significant difference (P>0.05). FCR values in group III from week 1 to weeks 5 were lower than groups I and II. The use of combination of probiotics, herbs, enzymes and organic acids has proven to have a good role on broiler performance so that it can replace AGP as a feed additive on broiler.

Download Full-text

Dietary Supplementation of Inorganic, Organic, and Fatty Acids in Pig: A Review

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10101740 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1740

Author(s):

Giulia Ferronato ◽

Aldo Prandini

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Organic Acids ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Growth Promoter ◽

Growth Promoters

Reduction of antibiotic use has been a hot topic of research over the past decades. The European ban on growth-promoter use has increased the use of feed additivities that can enhance animal growth performance and health status, particularly during critical and stressful phases of life. Pig farming is characterized by several stressful periods, such as the weaning phase, and studies have suggested that the proper use of feed additives during stress could prevent disease and enhance performance through modulation of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa and microbiome. The types of feed additive include acids, minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, yeast, nucleotides, and phytoproducts. This review focuses on commonly used acids, classified as inorganic, organic, and fatty acids, and their beneficial and potential effects, which are widely reported in the bibliography. Acids have long been used as feed acidifiers and preservatives, and were more recently introduced into feed formulated for young pigs with the goal of stabilizing the stomach pH to offset their reduced digestive capacity. In addition, some organic acids represent intermediary products of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), and thus could be considered an energy source. Moreover, antimicrobial properties have been exploited to modulate microbiota populations and reduce pathogenic bacteria. Given these potential benefits, organic acids are no longer seen as simple acidifiers, but rather as growth promoters and potential antibiotic substitutes owing to their beneficial action on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Download Full-text

Organic Acids as Alternatives for Antibiotic Growth Promoters Alter the Intestinal Structure and Microbiota and Improve the Growth Performance in Broilers

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2020.618144 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Dong Dai ◽

Kai Qiu ◽

Hai-jun Zhang ◽

Shu-geng Wu ◽

Yan-ming Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Acids ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Cell Density ◽

Goblet Cell ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Antibiotic Growth Promoters ◽

Goblet Cell Density

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic acids (OA) as alternatives for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on growth performance, intestinal structure, as well as intestinal microbial composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in broilers. A total of 336 newly hatched male Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments including the basal diet [negative control (NC)], the basal diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg flavomycin, and the basal diet supplemented with OA feed additives. Each treatment had eight replicates with 14 birds each. The results showed that AGP and OA promoted growth during day 22–42 compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). OA significantly increased the jejunal goblet cell density and ileal villus height on day 42 compared with the NC group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, OA up-regulated the mRNA expression of jejunal barrier genes (Claudin-3 and ZO-1) relative to the NC group (P < 0.05). Significant changes of microbiota induced by the OA were also found on day 42 (P < 0.05). Several SCFAs-producing bacteria like Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Peptococcaceae affiliated to the order Clostridiales were identified as biomarkers of the OA group. Higher concentrations of SCFAs including formic acid and butyric acid were observed in the cecum of OA group (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, the abundance of family Ruminococcaceae showed highly positive correlations with the body weight and mRNA level of ZO-1 on day 42 (P < 0.05). However, AGP supplementation had the higher mRNA expression of Claudin-2, lower goblet cell density of jejunum, and decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, suggesting that AGP might have a negative impact on intestinal immune and microbiota homeostasis. In conclusion, the OA improved growth performance, intestinal morphology and barrier function in broilers, which might be attributed to the changes of intestinal microbiota, particularly the enrichment of SCFAs-producing bacteria, providing a more homeostatic and healthy intestinal microecology.

Download Full-text

358 Effects of fermented feed supplementation on pig growth performance: A meta-analysis

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.258 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 125-126

Author(s):

Bocheng Xu ◽

Zhi Li ◽

Zeqing Lu ◽

Yizhen Wang

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Fermented Feed ◽

Subgroup Analyses

Abstract Fermented feed (FF) is recommended due to its high nutritional value and digestibility, but its effects on pig growth performance are inconsistent. This meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of FF on pig growth performance. We systematically searched in PubMed and Web of Science for studies (published between January 1, 2000 and December 20, 2018) comparing the effects of FF supplementation with basal diet on the pig growth performance. The main outcomes were average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain: feed ratio (G/F). Random-effects model was used to compute the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The robustness of the pooled estimates was determined using sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Of 1371 identified articles, 25 were eligible and were included in the meta-analysis (n = 2391 pigs). Compared with the basal diet, FF supplementation improved ADG and G/F of weaned piglets (ADG: WMD = 18.698 g/d, 95% CI: 13.925 to 23.472, P < 0.001; G/F: WMD= 0.027, 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.036, P < 0.001), growing pigs (ADG: WMD =24.436 g/d, 95% CI: 12.441 to 36.430, P < 0.001; G/F: WMD = 0.011, 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.021, P = 0.004), and finishing pigs (ADG: WMD = 42.012 g/d, 95% CI: 8.799 to 75.226, P = 0.015; G/F: WMD = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.032, P = 0.014), but had no effect on ADFI (P > 0.05). The subgroup analyses revealed that fermented feed ingredients could boost the growth performance of weaned piglets and growing pigs. Moreover, the fermented feed additives promoted growth at all stages. Our study supports FF can enhance pig growth performance. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis on the topic to provide production strategies for FF application in pig industry.

Download Full-text

The effects and mechanisms of acids on the health of piglets and weaners – a review

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2020-0088 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Piotr Nowak ◽

Anita Zaworska-Zakrzewska ◽

Andrzej Frankiewicz ◽

Małgorzata Kasprowicz-Potocka

Keyword(s):

Digestive System ◽

Buffer Capacity ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Growth Promoters ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Inorganic Acids ◽

Low Activity ◽

The Eu

AbstractThe rearing of piglets is the most difficult period in the pigs’ production because of their poorly developed digestive system and the low activity of digestive enzymes. Problems in nutrition and stress cause some disorders in the functioning of the digestive system leading to diarrhea and the mortality of piglets. Starting in 2006 in the EU, a total ban on antibiotics in their use as growth promoters was introduced. Since then, new and safe feed additives have been sought in order to replace antibiotics. Organic and inorganic acids as well as their salts were recognized as effective and safe additives. Due to their properties, they can improve feed palatability and digestibility, reduce the buffer capacity of feed, impact the development and functioning of the pig’s digestive system and improve the health and growth parameters. However, the effectiveness of acids is related to their qualitative and quantitative share in the feed additive. In this review, some strategies for using organic acids, their mixtures and also some new multi-component products will be discussed.

Download Full-text