scholarly journals Resveratrol and its derivative pterostilbene ameliorate intestine injury in intrauterine growth-retarded weanling piglets by modulating redox status and gut microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanan Chen ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Yueping Chen ◽  
Peilu Jia ◽  
Shuli Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Weanling Piglets

Abstract Background Intestinal disorder is an important factor contributing to growth lag and high rates of morbidity and mortality of piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Resveratrol (RSV) and its derivative pterostilbene (PT) are natural stilbenes possessing various bioactivities, such as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study compared the protective potential of RSV and PT on the intestinal redox status and gut microbiota in weanling piglets with IUGR. Methods Eighteen male piglets of normal body weight (NBW) and 54 same-sex IUGR piglets were chosen according to their birth and weaning weights. The NBW piglets accepted a basal diet, while the IUGR piglets were allotted to one of three groups according to their body weight at weaning and received a basal diet, an RSV-supplemented diet (300 mg/kg), or a PT-supplemented diet (300 mg/kg), respectively. Results Compared with IUGR piglets, both RSV and PT improved the IUGR-associated decrease in jejunal villus height and increases in plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate level and jejunal apoptosis of piglets (P < 0.05). Administering RSV and PT also enhanced jejunal superoxide dismutase activity and the mRNA and protein expression of superoxide dismutase 2 of IUGR piglets by promoting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation (P < 0.05). Comparatively, PT was more effective than RSV in elevating the villus height/crypt depth ratio and occludin mRNA and protein levels in the jejunum of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). PT was also superior to RSV in increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation and inhibiting malondialdehyde accumulation in the jejunum of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Additionally, RSV modulated the composition of cecal microbiota of IUGR piglets, as evidenced by increasing the prevalence of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Parabacteroides and inhibiting the growth of the phylum Proteobacteria and its genera Escherichia and Actinobacillus (P < 0.05). Moreover, RSV significantly increased the butyrate concentration in the cecum of IUGR piglets (P < 0.05). Conclusion PT is more potent than RSV to prevent intestinal oxidative stress, while RSV has a stronger capacity to regulate gut microbiota compared to PT.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary β-Mannanase Supplementation on Growth Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, Intestinal Integrity, and Immune Responses in Weaning Pigs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Jae-Cheol Jang ◽  
Kwang Kim ◽  
Young Jang ◽  
Yoo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, intestinal integrity, and the immunological and oxidative stress parameters in weaning pigs. A total of 64 newly weaning pigs (initial body weight: 6.96 ± 0.70 kg) were allotted to two dietary treatments in eight replicates per treatment with four pigs per pen based on body weight and sex. Dietary treatments were 1.) CON (control: corn-soybean meal based basal diet) and 2.) β-mannanase (basal diet +0.06% β-mannanase). The β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, concentrations of acute phase protein, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. However, the pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet had greater ATTD of ether extract, jejunum villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and lower crypt depth compared with those fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). The pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet tended to have the lower count of E. coli in cecum than those fed the CON diet (p = 0.08). In conclusion, dietary β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, immune response and oxidative stress of weaning pigs, whereas it increased fat digestibility and had positive effects on intestinal integrity and cecum microflora by reducing the count of E.coli.

scholarly journals Dietary Enteromorpha Polysaccharide Enhances Intestinal Immune Response, Integrity, and Caecal Microbial Activity of Broiler Chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teketay Wassie ◽  
Zhuang Lu ◽  
Xinyi Duan ◽  
Chunyan Xie ◽  
Kefyalew Gebeyew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Marine Algae ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Caecal Microbiota

Marine algae polysaccharides have been shown to regulate various biological activities, such as immune modulation, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic. However, litter is known about the interaction of these polysaccharides with the gut microbiota. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of marine algae Enteromorpha (Ulva) prolifera polysaccharide (EP) supplementation on growth performance, immune response, and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 200 1-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into two treatment groups with ten replications of ten chickens in each replication. The dietary treatments consisted of the control group (fed basal diet), and EP group (received diet supplemented with 400 mg EP/kg diet). Results showed that chickens fed EP exhibited significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and average daily gain than the chicken-fed basal diet. In addition, significantly longer villus height, shorter crypt depth, and higher villus height to crypt depth ratio were observed in the jejunal and ileal tissues of chickens fed EP. EP supplementation upregulated the mRNA expression of NF-κB, TLR4, MyD88, IL-2, IFN-α, and IL-1β in the ileal and jejunal tissues (P &lt; 0.05). Besides, we observed significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) short-chain volatile fatty acids (SCFAs) levels in the caecal contents of the EP group than in the control group. Furthermore, 16S-rRNA analysis revealed that EP supplementation altered gut microbiota and caused an abundance shift at the phylum and genus level in broiler chicken. Interestingly, we observed an association between microbiota and SCFAs production. Overall, this study demonstrated that supplementation of diet with EP promotes growth performance, improves intestinal immune response and integrity, and modulates the caecal microbiota of broiler chickens. This study highlighted the application of marine algae polysaccharides as an antibiotic alternative for chickens. Furthermore, it provides insight to develop marine algae polysaccharide-based functional food and therapeutic agent.

Dietary dimethylglycine sodium salt supplementation improves growth performance, redox status, and skeletal muscle function of intrauterine growth restriction weaned piglets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaiwen Bai ◽  
Luyi Jiang ◽  
Qiming Li ◽  
Jingfei Zhang ◽  
Lili Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Chain Complex ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Complex Activity ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complex ◽  
Intrauterine Growth

Abstract Few studies have focused on the role of dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG-Na) in protecting the redox status of skeletal muscle, although it is reported to be beneficial in animal husbandry. This study investigated the beneficial effects of DMG-Na on the growth performance, longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) redox status, and mitochondrial function in weaning piglets that were intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR). Ten normal birth weight (NBW) newborn piglets (1.53 ± 0.04 kg) and 20 IUGR newborn piglets (0.76 ± 0.06 kg) from ten sows were obtained. All piglets were weaned at 21 days of age and allocated to three groups with ten replicates per group: NBW-weaned piglets fed a common basal diet (N); IUGR weaned piglets fed a common basal diet (I); IUGR weaned piglets fed a common basal diet supplemented with 0.1% DMG-Na (ID). They were slaughtered at 49 days of age to collect the serum and LM samples. Compared with the N group, the growth performance, LM structure, serum, and, within the LM, mitochondrial redox status, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, energy metabolites, redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related gene expression, and protein expression deteriorated in group I (P &lt; 0.05). The ID group showed improved growth performance, LM structure, serum, and, within the LM, mitochondrial redox status, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, energy metabolites, redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related gene expression, and protein expression compared with those in the I group (P &lt; 0.05). The above results indicated that the DMG-Na treatment could improve the LM redox status and mitochondrial function in IUGR weaned piglets via the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/ Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α (PGC1α) network, thus improving their growth performance.

scholarly journals Effects of Xylo-Oligosaccharides on Growth and Gut Microbiota as Potential Replacements for Antibiotic in Weaning Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Chen ◽  
Yining Xie ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
Changguang Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Weaning Piglets

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) is a well-known kind of oligosaccharide and extensively applied as a prebiotic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of XOS supplementation substituting chlortetracycline (CTC) on growth, gut morphology, gut microbiota, and hindgut short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of weaning piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments for 28 days, as follows: control group (basal diet, CON), basal diet with 500 mg/kg (XOS500) XOS, and positive control (basal diet with 100 mg/kg CTC). Compared with the CON group, the piglets in the XOS500 group improved body weight (BW) on days 28, average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed: gain ratio during days 1–28 (P &lt; 0.05). The XOS500 supplementation increased Villus height and Villus height: Crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P &lt; 0.05). Villus Height: Crypt Depth of the ileum was also increased in the CTC treatment group (P &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, the XOS500 supplementation increased significantly the numbers of goblet cells in the crypt of the cecum. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed distinct differences in microbial compositions between the ileum and cecum. XOS500 supplementation significantly increased the bacterial diversity. However, CTC treatment markedly reduced the microbial diversity (P &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, XOS500 supplementation in the diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus genus compared to the CON and CTC group in the ileum and cecum (P &lt; 0.01), whereas the level of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Terrisporobacter genus in the XOS500 group were markedly lower than the CON and CTC group (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation with XOS500 significantly increased the total short-chain fatty acids, propionate and butyrate concentrations and decreased the acetate concentration compared to the CON group in the cecum (P &lt; 0.05). In summary, dietary supplemented with XOS500 could enhance specific beneficial microbiota abundance and decrease harmful microbiota abundance to maintain the structure of the intestinal morphology and improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Thus, XOS may potentially function as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in weaned piglets in modern husbandry.

scholarly journals PSXIII-10 Dietary Forsythia suspensa extract supplementation improves reproductive performance, antioxidant status and immune function in lactating sows and suckling piglets

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 476-477
Author(s):  
Shenfei Long ◽  
Tengfei He ◽  
Di Wu ◽  
Xiangshu Piao
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Forsythia Suspensa ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Mda Content

Abstract Lactating sows face various stresses, leading to poor reproductive performance and high mortality in piglets. Previous studies have demonstrated Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) has antioxidant and antibacterial functions in broilers and piglets. However, rare researches focus on the effect of FSE in lactating sows. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to investigate dietary FSE supplementation on performance, antioxidant status and immunity in sows and piglets. 24 healthy Yorkshire × Landrace sows (average body weight of 234 ± 6.81 kg; average parity of 3.38 ± 0.61) were allotted into 2 dietary treatments with 12 sows per treatment based on parity, back fat thickness and body weight. Sows were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON), or a FSE diet (basal diet+100 mg/kg FSE) from d 107 of gestation until d 21 of lactation. Compared with CON, sows fed FSE showed decreased (P &lt; 0.05) estrus interval, body weight loss from farrowing to weaning, and increased (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain from d 7 to 21 in piglet, as well as enhanced (P &lt; 0.05) lactose, fat and protein contents on d 14, and IgA level on d 7 in milk. These sows also had increased (P &lt; 0.05) T-AOC content, reduced (P &lt; 0.05) MDA content in placenta, and improved (P &lt; 0.05) serum T-AOC, GSH-Px and CAT contents at farrowing and weaning. Their piglets behaved higher (P &lt; 0.05) SOD content and lower (P &lt; 0.05) MDA content in serum on d 0, 7, 14, as well as increased (P &lt; 0.05) serum T-AOC and GSH-Px contents on d 21. These piglets also had higher villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum on d 21 compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary FSE supplementation improved performance, antioxidant status and immune function in lactating sows and suckling piglets.

scholarly journals N-carbamylglutamate and L-arginine Supplementation Improve the Intestinal Oxidative Resistance of the Intrauterine Growth-retarded Ovine Fetuses 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Yi Ma ◽  
Mengzhi Wang ◽  
Elsabagh Mabrouk ◽  
Hongrong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Quinone Oxidoreductase ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Glutathione Peroxidase 1 ◽  
Oxidative Resistance ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Factor Α

Abstract Background: The maternal under nutrition-induced intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with intestinal oxidative injury in fetuses and neonates in various animal models. However, whether maternal dietary Arginine (Arg) and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during IUGR alters fetal small intestine redox status is unclear.Objective: The ovine model of IUGR was used to elucidate whether dietary supplementation of rumen-protected Arg (RP-Arg) and NCG modulates the fetal intestinal oxidative resistance via the nitric oxide (NO) -dependent pathway. Methods: On day 35 of gestation, 32 twin-bearing Hu ewes were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups, 8 ewes each. The first and second groups received 100% (Control, CON) and 50% (restricted, RES) of NRC-recommended pregnancy nutrient requirements, respectively. The third and fourth treatment groups included the RES ewes supplemented with 20 g/day of RP-Arg (RES+ARG) or 5 g/day of NCG (RES+NCG), respectively. On day 110 of gestation, fetal blood and intestinal specimens were collected and assayed for oxidative damage biomarkers. Results: The NCG or Arg-supplemented RES ewes elevated the fetal jejunal NO concentrations and NO synthase (NOS) activity, but decreased the fetal jejunal and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) compared with those in the RES ewes. Further, the NCG or Arg treatment increased the contents of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), heme oxygenase (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), epithelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the fetal jejunum (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that both NCG and Arg supplementation for RES ewes help maintain intestinal function in fetuses experiencing IUGR through modulating the oxidation status.

scholarly journals Effects of dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiome in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Yongxing ◽  
Zhang Lang ◽  
Tian Kui ◽  
Sun Haodong ◽  
Liu Xingting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Group A

Abstract Background: Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) has been proven to be nutritious and have growth-promoting, antioxidant functions and so on, but its effect in chicken is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary LST powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology and cecal microbiome in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers.Methods: A total of 400 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments: LST0 group (a basal diet), LST1 group (a basal diet with 1% LST powder), LST2 group (a basal diet with 2% LST powder), LST4 group (a basal diet with 4% LST powder), ten replicates for each treatment and 10 broilers in each treatment group. Results: Results indicated that the average daily feed intake of broilers during 22-42d and the average daily gain of chickens over all periods were significantly increased by dietary supplementation of LST powder compared to a control group, while the feed conversion ratio during the overall periods was markedly decreased. The levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in serum, liver and breast muscle were also significantly increased in LST supplemented groups, while ROS and MDA in serum, liver and breast muscle were decreased. Furthermore, the levels of TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased by the addition of dietary LST powder, while levels of HDL-C, Ca, Fe, Mg and P were linearly increased. Regarding the gut morphometric, crypt depth was significantly decreased by LST supplementation, while villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth were notably increased. Sequencing of 16S rRNA from the cecal contents of broilers revealed that the composition of the chicken gut microbiota was altered by LST supplementation. Moreover, the diversity of microbiota in broilers was increased in the LST1 groups but was decreased in the LST2 and LST4 groups compared with LST0 groups. The differential genera enriched in LST1 groups, such as Bacillus, Odoribacter, Sutterella, Anaerofilum, Peptococcus, were closely related to the increased growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, Ca, Mg and reduced blood lipid in the treated broilers. Conclusions: The supplementation of LST powder to the diets of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers improved growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant indices, intestinal morphology and gut microbiota balance, with its optimum level in yellow-feathered broilers’ diet being 1%.

scholarly journals Effects of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Supplementation on the Fecal Microbiotas of Piglets

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1420
Author(s):  
Ryo Inoue ◽  
Hikari Otabi ◽  
Taiga Yamashita ◽  
Naoya Takizawa ◽  
Toshinobu Kido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Organic Acid ◽  
Guar Gum ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Feed Control ◽  
Weanling Piglets ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Pig Feed ◽  
Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum

Probiotics and prebiotics have become viable alternatives of growth-promoting antimicrobials in animal production. Here, we tested partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) as a possible prebiotic for piglets in the commercial farm. Five hundred and ninety-four piglets were used for the experiments, with 293 given a normal pig feed (control), while the rest the feed plus 0.06% (w/w) of PHGG (PHGG). One and three months post-PHGG supplementation, fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 20 piglets in each group and analyzed for microbiota and organic acid concentrations. Notably, the abundance of Streptococcus, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae were lower (p < 0.05) in PHGG than in control, one-month post-supplementation. Lactobacillus and Prevotella were higher (p < 0.05), while Streptococcus was lower (p < 0.05), in PHGG than in control, three months post-supplementation. The concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were greater in PHGG than in control, three months post-supplementation. Finally, PHGG grew faster and had fewer deaths until slaughter time (p < 0.05), than control. We concluded that PHGG not only was an effective prebiotic to alter gut microbiota of weanling piglets but also can possibly promote body weight accretion and health.

Effects of phages on the gut microbiota and their impact on probiotic efficacy in broiler chickens

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geok Hun Tan ◽  
Mohd Shaufi Mohd Asrore ◽  
Abdul Rahman Omar ◽  
Chun Wie Chong
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Serum Triglycerides

Abstract Background Probiotics are the most recognised alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) for poultry production. They adhere to the intestinal epithelial cells to exert their beneficial effects on the host. However, this is often restricted by indigenous gut microbes that compete for adhesion sites and nutrients. Therefore, phage application has been proposed to reduce the competition of probiotics with gut microbiota. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of phages on the gut microbiota and their impact on probiotic efficacy in chickens. Results Four best Escherichia coli lytic phages were selected and characterised. The in vivo trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary treatments of phage cocktail at 0.1% (1ɸ) and 0.2% (2ɸ), 0.1% PrimaLac ® probiotic (P) and their combinations (1ɸP, 2ɸP) on growth performance and gut microbiota of chickens. The results from the in vivo trial showed that chickens in the 1ɸP group had significantly (P < 0.05) better body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), lower serum triglycerides and higher ileal villus height than the control. Chickens in the 1ɸP group also had higher (P < 0.05) ileal villus height, and lower crypt depth than those in the probiotic group. The gut microbiota profiles revealed that 1ɸP supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced E. coli population, increased (P < 0.001) short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producers, and improved (P < 0.001) gene expressions that are related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms, and nutrient uptake. Conclusions The results from this study showed that 1ɸP treatment could modulate the gut microbiota and enhance growth performance in chickens. This finding could be considered as a potential alternative to AGPs for poultry.

scholarly journals Dietary bacteriophages as an alternative for zinc oxide or organic acids to control diarrhoea and improve the performance of weanling piglets

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
AR Hosseindoust ◽  
SH Lee ◽  
JS Kim ◽  
YH Choi ◽  
HS Noh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Acids ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Gut Development ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Weanling Piglets ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Clostridium Spp

In this study, the antibacterial substances ZnO, organic acids and a bacteriophage cocktail were added to the diet of weanling pigs to evaluate the effects on gut health. Dietary treatments were basal diet without any supplementation (Control) and basal diet either supplemented with 0.34% (2500 ppm) ZnO, 0.20% organic acids or with 0.10% bacteriophage cocktail. Faecal score was decreased in ZnO and bacteriophage cocktail treatments. The total number of ileal anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were higher in ZnO, bacteriophage cocktail and organic acids, while ileal coliforms and caecal Clostridium spp. were decreased in comparison to Control. Faecal coliforms (Day 7 and Day 21) and Clostridium spp. (Day 21 and Day 35) were lower in bacteriophage cocktail. The gain to feed ratio was improved in all supplemented groups. The digestibility of dry matter was increased at the end of the experiment in all supplemented groups, while that of crude protein was increased only at Day 21 in bacteriophage cocktail. Duodenal villus height was increased in ZnO and bacteriophage cocktail. Bacteriophage cocktail also showed a greater villus height in the small intestine. Supplementation of bacteriophage cocktail in weaning pig diets resulted in better growth performance, digestibility and gut development compared to Control, and thus, it can be concluded that its effects are comparable to ZnO or organic acids supplementation.

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