Porcine ear necrosis in weaned piglets: prevalence and impact on daily weight gain

Abstract Background Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) in pigs is characterized by a blue to black discoloration of the tip or margin of the ear followed by necrosis. The present study investigated the prevalence of PEN in a Belgian pig farm with PEN problems in nursery pigs, the effect of a mycotoxin detoxifier added to the feed on PEN prevalence, and the impact of PEN on the piglets’ growth. Six consecutive batches of weaned piglets [565–751 piglets per batch, (n = 3898)] were included. For each weaning batch, the presence and severity of PEN during the nursery period (3–10 weeks of age) were recorded weekly. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated by weighing 597 individual piglets divided over the six batches. Additionally different mycotoxins were measured in the feed using LC–MS/MS analysis, and to three randomly selected batches, a mycotoxin detoxifier (Mycofix® Plus 5E, Biomin) was added to the feed. Results At the end of the nursery period, 11.0–32.0% of the piglets in each batch were affected. The prevalence increased with the number of weeks post-weaning, especially from week 4 after weaning onwards. Mild, moderate, severe and very severe lesions represented 84.6%, 14.0%, 1.3% and 0.1% of all lesions, respectively. Different mycotoxins were present in the feed, but all at low concentrations. The mean ADG (± SD) for pigs without (n = 243) and with (n = 158) lesions was 391 g (± 71 g) and 394 g (± 65 g), respectively (P > 0.05). The ADG for mildly affected (387 g ± 68 g) and moderately affected piglets (420 g ± 44 g) was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The PEN prevalence in the batches without or with the mycotoxin detoxifier was 25% and 22%, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusions Twenty-three percent of animals showed lesions at the end of the nursery. Affected pigs did not have a lower ADG compared to non-affected animals, which might be explained by the fact that most affected piglets only had mild lesions. The addition of a mycotoxin detoxifier did not influence the prevalence of PEN, possibly because of the low levels of mycotoxin contamination. Further research is warranted to assess the impact of more severe PEN lesions and the effect of control measures.

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Effect of reduced dietary non-phytate phosphorus concentration, with or without calcium reduction, in diets supplemented with phytase for weaned piglets from 28 to 63 days of age

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an17150 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (12) ◽

pp. 2236 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. N. Sélos ◽

J. L. Donzele ◽

R. F. M. O. Donzele ◽

T. R. Castro ◽

E. F. Cardoso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Positive Control ◽

Metacarpal Bone ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Phytate Phosphorus ◽

Bone Ash ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bone Mineralisation ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of reduced dietary non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) or nPP and calcium (Ca) concentrations in diets supplemented with phytase on performance, bone mineralisation and serum parameters of weaned piglets from 28 to 63 days of age. A total of 168 barrows and gilts, weaned at 28 days of age, with an average initial bodyweight of 8.11 ± 0.61 kg were randomly allocated in a completely randomised block design. Treatments consisted of a positive control and an additional six treatments, in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, totalling seven treatments (Trt). The positive control (PC) diet was formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements of pigs weighing 8–30 kg bodyweight, without phytase supplementation, and the six other diets were formulated similar to the PC, except with a reduction in the nPP concentration of 0.065, 0.130 or 0.195% (Phase Feeding 1 (PF1), PF2 or PF3 respectively) or similar to PF1, PF2 and PF3 minus 0.16% Ca, supplemented with 2000 FTU/kg of phytase, with eight replicate pens/Trt of three piglets each, in a three-phase feeding program. From Day 28 to Day 35, the average daily gain was higher (P < 0.05) and the feed conversion rate was lower (P < 0.05) respectively for piglets fed the PC when compared with those fed PF3 and PC treatment minus 0.160% calcium and minus 0.195% nPP (PF6). In contrast, when evaluating the period from Day 28 to 49, piglets fed PC presented the highest average daily gain, but only differed (P < 0.05) to those fed PF3 and PF6. When considering the overall period, at 63 days of age, no significant difference was detected (P > 0.05) between the PF Trts tested and the PC regarding performance. As for bone mineralisation at 63 days, bone P (BP) decreased as nPP in the diet decreased, regardless of the Ca level. However, except for PF3 and PF6, BP and third metacarpal bone ash concentration were respectively higher for pigs fed the PF Trts, when compared with PC. All treatments containing phytase resulted in a lower bone Ca:BP ratio when compared with PC. Serum P concentrations decreased as nPP in the diet decreased, regardless of the level of dietary Ca. However, with the exception of PF3 and PF6, serum P was not significantly different than pigs fed the PC. In conclusion, reducing nPP or nPP and Ca in diets containing 2000 FTU Ronozyme® HiPhos/kg phytase had no adverse effects on growth performance and increased BP and third metacarpal bone ash concentration compared with pigs fed a nutritionally adequate control diet.

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Effects of Fumonisin-Contaminated Corn on Growth Performance of 9 to 28 kg Nursery Pigs

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins12090604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 604

Author(s):

Zhong-Xing Rao ◽

Mike D. Tokach ◽

Jason C. Woodworth ◽

Joel M. DeRouchey ◽

Robert D. Goodband ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Linear Response ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Fumonisin B1 ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Feed Production ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Effect Of Feeding

Fumonisin contamination in corn is an emerging issue in animal feed production. Fumonisin disrupts the metabolism of sphingolipids and reduces growth performance. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding fumonisin-contaminated corn on growth performance and sphinganine (SA) to sphingosine (SO) ratios of 9 to 28 kg pigs. A total of 350 pigs, were used with 5 pigs/pen and 14 pens/treatment. Dietary treatments contained fumonisin-contaminated corn (50 mg/kg of fumonisin B1 + B2) blended with low fumonisin corn (10 mg/kg of fumonisin B1 + B2) to provide dietary fumonisin concentrations of 7.2, 14.7, 21.9, 32.7, and 35.1 mg/kg. From day 0 to 28, increasing fumonisin concentration decreased (linear, p < 0.001) average daily gain, average daily feed intake (linear, p = 0.055), and gain:feed ratio (linear, p = 0.016). Although these response criteria tested linear, the greatest reduction in performance was in pigs fed with 32.7 and 35.1 mg/kg of fumonisin (B1 + B2). Increasing fumonisin concentration increased the serum SA:SO ratio (linear, p < 0.001) on day 14 and 28. In summary, for 9 to 28 kg nursery pigs, increasing fumonisin linearly decreased average daily gain and gain:feed ratio. However, despite the linear response, diets containing up to 21.9 mg/kg of fumonisin did not have as dramatic a decrease in growth performance as those fed more than 32.7 mg/kg. Further research is warranted to determine the effect of fumonisin concentrations between 21.9 and 32.7 mg/kg.

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Grid search approach to discriminate between old and recent inbreeding using phenotypic, pedigree and genomic information

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-021-07872-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pattarapol Sumreddee ◽

El Hamidi Hay ◽

Sajjad Toghiani ◽

Andrew Roberts ◽

Samuel E. Aggrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Common Ancestor ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Recent Common Ancestor ◽

Pedigree Information ◽

Grid Search ◽

Genomic Information ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Harmful Effects

Abstract Background Although inbreeding caused by the mating of animals related through a recent common ancestor is expected to have more harmful effects on phenotypes than ancient inbreeding (old inbreeding), estimating these effects requires a clear definition of recent (new) and ancient (old) inbreeding. Several methods have been proposed to classify inbreeding using pedigree and genomic data. Unfortunately, these methods are largely based on heuristic criteria such as the number of generations from a common ancestor or length of runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments. To mitigate these deficiencies, this study aimed to develop a method to classify pedigree and genomic inbreeding into recent and ancient classes based on a grid search algorithm driven by the assumption that new inbreeding tends to have a more pronounced detrimental effect on traits. The proposed method was tested using a cattle population characterized by a deep pedigree. Results Effects of recent and ancient inbreeding were assessed on four growth traits (birth, weaning and yearling weights and average daily gain). Thresholds to classify inbreeding into recent and ancient classes were trait-specific and varied across traits and sources of information. Using pedigree information, inbreeding generated in the last 10 to 11 generations was considered as recent. When genomic information (ROH) was used, thresholds ranged between four to seven generations, indicating, in part, the ability of ROH segments to characterize the harmful effects of inbreeding in shorter periods of time. Nevertheless, using the proposed classification method, the discrimination between new and old inbreeding was less robust when ROH segments were used compared to pedigree. Using several model comparison criteria, the proposed approach was generally better than existing methods. Recent inbreeding appeared to be more harmful across the growth traits analyzed. However, both new and old inbreeding were found to be associated with decreased yearling weight and average daily gain. Conclusions The proposed method provided a more objective quantitative approach for the classification of inbreeding. The proposed method detected a clear divergence in the effects of old and recent inbreeding using pedigree data and it was superior to existing methods for all analyzed traits. Using ROH data, the discrimination between old and recent inbreeding was less clear and the proposed method was superior to existing approaches for two out of the four analyzed traits. Deleterious effects of recent inbreeding were detected sooner (fewer generations) using genomic information than pedigree. Difference in the results using genomic and pedigree information could be due to the dissimilarity in the number of generations to a common ancestor. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the identification of ROH segments and associated inbreeding could have an effect on the results. Potential biases in the estimation of inbreeding effects may occur when new and old inbreeding are discriminated based on arbitrary thresholds. To minimize the impact of inbreeding, mating designs should take the different inbreeding origins into consideration.

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Live Yeast or Live Yeast Combined with Zinc Oxide Enhanced Growth Performance, Antioxidative Capacity, Immunoglobulins and Gut Health in Nursery Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061626 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1626

Author(s):

Shenfei Long ◽

Tengfei He ◽

Sung Woo Kim ◽

Qinghui Shang ◽

Tadele Kiros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Gut Health ◽

Total Volatile ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Serum Iga ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Live Yeast

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary LY or LY combined with ZnO supplementation on performance and gut health in nursery pigs. 192 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets (weaned on d 32 of the age with 9.2 ± 1.7 kg BW) were allocated into four treatments with eight replicate pens, six piglets per pen. The treatments included a basal diet as control (CTR), an antibiotic plus ZnO diet (CTC-ZnO, basal diet + 75 mg/kg of chlortetracycline + ZnO (2000 mg/kg from d 1 to 14, 160 mg/kg from d 15 to 28)), a LY diet (LY, basal diet + 2 g/kg LY), and a LY plus ZnO diet (LY-ZnO, basal diet + 1 g/kg LY + ZnO). The results showed that pigs fed LY or LY-ZnO had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, serum IgA, IgG, superoxide dismutase, fecal butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and diarrhea rate compared with CTR. In conclusion, pigs fed diets with LY or LY combined with ZnO had similar improvement to the use of antibiotics and ZnO in performance, antioxidant status, immunoglobulins, and gut health in nursery pigs.

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Effect of Zinc Source and Level on Growth Performance and Zinc Status of Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11072030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 2030

Author(s):

Anna Szuba-Trznadel ◽

Anna Rząsa ◽

Tomasz Hikawczuk ◽

Bogusław Fuchs

Keyword(s):

Zinc Oxide ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Group Iii ◽

Group I ◽

Therapeutic Doses ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Excessive Accumulation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) supplementation in different commercial forms on the growth performance, health status, and Zn balance of weaners in field conditions. The animals were fed pre-starter (from the 28th to 47th day of life) and starter (from the 48th to 74th day of life) mixtures differing in Zn form and concentration. Group I was given ZnSO4 at 150 mg kg−1; Group II received pre-starter zinc oxide (ZnO) at 3000 mg kg−1 and starter at 150 mg kg−1; and Group III was given 150 mg kg−1 of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO). We found that the average daily gain in Group I was significantly lower, compared to Groups II and III. A commonly accepted level of Zn (150 mg kg−1) as nZnO can be recommended, instead of therapeutic doses of Zn preparations with the same efficiency. Moreover, a lower level of Zn in the diet can prevent the excessive accumulation of this element in waste and, thus, reduce environmental damage.

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The Impact of Selection using Residual Average Daily Gain and Marbling EPDs on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits in Angus Steers

Meat and Muscle Biology ◽

10.22175/mmb.10749 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

T. R. Krause ◽

E. R. Moore ◽

J. Duggin ◽

J. R. Segers ◽

T. D. Pringle

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Feeding Trial ◽

Body Weights ◽

Selection For ◽

Carcass Merit ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain

ObjectivesProfitability in the beef industry has narrow margins regulated by revenue from output traits like growth and carcass merit, but profitability is also largely impacted by input expenses like feed costs. Selecting for improvements in feed efficiency during the finishing phase, one of the most feed intensive segments of the industry, can help to mitigate those input costs. This study compared growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition, and carcass characteristics in Angus steers (n = 321) from bulls divergently selected for feed efficiency and marbling.Materials and MethodsAngus sires were selected based on high (10th percentile or better) and low (85th percentile or worse) residual average daily gain (RADG) EPD as well as high (fifth percentile or better) and average (near 50th percentile) marbling (MARB) EPD. These criteria resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design with four breeding lines: high RADG/high MARB, high RADG/average MARB, low RADG/high MARB, low RADG/average MARB. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedures of SAS with RADG and MARB as main effects. Significance was set at α = 0.05. Generation was also analyzed, where generation one (GEN1) steers were from a selected sire while generation two (GEN2) steers were from a selected sire and a selected dam.ResultsUltrasound and carcass data revealed no differences (P ≥ 0.12) in 12th rib backfat thickness from weaning through slaughter for the RADG EPD groups. Yield grade and dressing percent did not differ (P ≥ 0.56) across RADG or MARB groups. At the beginning and end of the feeding trial, the high RADG (P ≤ 0.02) group had larger ultrasound ribeye area (REA) than the low RADG group. Carcass REA tended (P = 0.08) to be larger in the high versus low RADG steers. During the feedlot trial and through slaughter, body weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.006) for the high versus low RADG steers but did not differ (P ≥ 0.44) across MARB EPD. Feed efficiency measures did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB groups apart from the tendency (P = 0.08) for residual feed intake to be lower in the high versus low RADG steers. Marbling scores differed (P ≤ 0.04) across RADG and MARB groups with the low RADG steers and the high MARB steers having improved marbling. The quality grade distribution across MARB EPD revealed that the average MARB steers graded 73% Choice and 25% Prime while the high MARB steers graded 56% and 42%, respectively. Slice shear force did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) across RADG or MARB EPD. Body weights tended (P = 0.06) to be heavier at the start of the feeding trial for GEN1 versus GEN2 steers. Total gain, average daily gain, and feed to gain (F:G) differed by generation (P ≤ 0.007) with increased rates of gain and reduced F:G in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers. Body weights did not differ (P = 0.72) across GEN at the end of the feeding trial. Backfat thickness at the start and end of the feedlot phase was less (P ≤ 0.03) and marbling score was improved (P = 0.02) in the GEN2 versus GEN1 steers, respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest that selection using RADG EPD has negligible impacts on meat quality; and that progress in selection for efficiency can be achieved while advancing carcass quality and value. Furthermore, continued divergent selection for feed efficiency and marbling has the potential to improve feed efficiency through advancements in the rate of gain, while enhancing carcass merit through marbling.

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Growth performance and fattening ability in castrated male and female East Balkan pigs reared organically in Strandzha mountain

Archiva Zootechnica ◽

10.2478/azibna-2020-0005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 44-54

Author(s):

Nadezhda Palova ◽

Jivko Nakev ◽

Teodora Popova ◽

Maya Ignatova

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Average Daily Weight Gain ◽

The Difference ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract(An experiment with two groups of East Balkan pigs – castrated males (n=10) and females (n=10), was carried out to study the growth performance and fattening abilities of the animals from the weaning until slaughter. The pigs were included in the trial at 60 day age. The average live weight of the castrated males was 8. 65±1.08 kg and for the females, 8.5±0.62 kg.The pigs were reared using traditional technology, grazing on natural pastures in the Strandzha mountain, Bulgaria. In autumn, acorns were naturally present in their diet. According to the category, the animals additionally received ground organic feed (50% barley and 50% wheat). The trial lasted 304 days (from February to November, 2019). During this period the final live weight of the male castrated pigs reached 88.00 kg while that of the females was 84.4 kg. The difference, however, was not significant. Furthermore, no significant differences in the growth performance characteristics that could be attributed to the sex of the animals were observed. The average daily gain of both sexes tended to be lower in summer and higher in autumn. The feed conversion ratio was higher in summer. The animals showed high average daily weight gain at pasture when their live weight was over 50 kg.

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Effects of a new sweetener, Stevia, on performance of newly weaned pigs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a00-001 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 529-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

P. J. Munro ◽

A. Lirette ◽

D. M. Anderson ◽

H. Y. Ju

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Stevia Rebaudiana ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Weaned Pigs ◽

Gain Ratio ◽

Daily Gain

Two-hundred and nine purebred Yorkshire newly weaned piglets were used to determine the effect of the sweetener Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) at 83.3, 167 or 334 mg kg−1 diet on feed consumption (FC), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) compared with treatments with 5% sucrose and no sweetener (control; C). The Stevia-containing diets did not appear to have detrimental effects on the FC and F/G ratios of the piglets when compared with C. The results indicated only a limited potential for Stevia as feed additive for piglets. Key words: Sweetener, palatability, Stevia, weaned pigs

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INFLUENCE OF PORCINE IMMUNOGLOBULIN ADMINISTRATION ON SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF PIGS WEANED AT TWO AND THREE WEEKS OF AGE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas79-089 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 693-698 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. J. KENNELLY ◽

R. O. BALL ◽

F. X. AHERNE

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Treated Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Weaned Piglets ◽

Stomach Tube ◽

E Coli ◽

Porcine Serum ◽

Neomycin Sulfate ◽

Survival And Growth ◽

Daily Gain

Three experiments were conducted to study growth, incidence of scouring and mortality of 2- and 3-wk weaned piglets fed immunoglobulins (IMG) derived from abbatoir porcine serum. In experiment 1, 20 piglets weaned at 2 wk of age were randomly divided into a control and an IMG-treated group. In both groups 1 × 1012 organisms of a pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli was administered by stomach tube. The IMG-treated group had a faster (P < 0.01) average daily gain, reduced incidence of scouring (P < 0.01) and lower mortality (P < 0.07) than the control group. In experiment 2, 36 piglets weaned at 3 wk of age were allotted to a control and IMG-treated group. In the absence of a loading dose of E. coli there were no significant differences in average daily gain, scour scores or rectal temperature between the control and the IMG-treated groups. In the third experiment, 72 piglets were weaned at 3 wk of age and randomly allotted to three treatments: a control, an IMG-treated and an antibiotic-treated (Neomycin Sulfate) group. The results of the former two groups were similar to those obtained in experiment 2. The antibiotic-treated group had a faster (P < 0.01) gain than both control and IMG group despite the similarity in the incidence of scouring.

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PSIV-20 Impact of OutPace® Feed Additive on nursery pig growth performance: A meta-analysis

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.311 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 175-176

Author(s):

Benjamin Bass ◽

Stacie Crowder ◽

Terry Weeden ◽

Murali Raghavendra Rao ◽

Brenda de Rodas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Block Design ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract OutPace® Feed Additive (OP), contains a carefully researched blend of activated medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs; PMI, Arden Hills, MN), formulated to help mitigate the effects of stress in nursery pigs. Several studies using OP in both late and full nursery periods resulted in improved pig performance. A meta-analysis using 9 studies (4 studies during late nursery [15 to 26.8 kg BW] and 5 studies during the full nursery [5.9 to 25.4 kg]) was done to determine the impact of OP (included at 0.25% Phase 1 and 2; 0.125% Phase 3) on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion. The combined data was considered a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance was completed with mixed models using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and least squares means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (P < 0.05). In the analysis of 5 studies conducted in late nursery (45 pens/treatment of 6 to 20 pigs/pen), pigs provided OP had higher average daily gain (0.67 vs 0.63 kg/d; P < 0.05), increased average daily feed intake (0.99 vs 0.97 kg/d; P < 0.05), and improved feed efficiency (0.67 vs 0.65 kg gain/kg feed intake; P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed control diets. Additionally, when pigs were provided OP throughout the nursery period (20 pens/treatment of 7 to 20 pigs/pen), average daily gain was increased 6.1% (0.48 vs 0.45 kg/d; P < 0.05), average daily feed intake tended to be increased 2.2% (0.62 vs 0.61 kg/d; P < 0.1), and feed efficiency was improved 2.7% (0.76 vs 0.74 kg gain/kg feed intake; P < 0.05) compared to pigs provided control diets. In conclusion, providing OP to pigs during the nursery period improved ADG and feed efficiency.

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