Evaluation of effect of supplementation of extruded rice as a substitute for dried whey in the diet of weanling pigs

A total of 120 weanling pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc], 21 days of age with an average initial body weight (BW) of 6.52 ± 0.22 (SE) kg were selected to investigate the effects of extruded rice product as a replacement for dried whey on growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CATTD), blood profiles, faecal shedding of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli (the microbial counts of digesta were expressed as log<sub>10</sub> colony forming units per gram), and faecal scores of weanling pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments, with six replicates per treatment and five pigs per pen. Pigs in the control group were fed a diet based on corn, soybean, and 20% dried whey. Experimental groups received the same diet as the control group, but dried whey was replaced by 3%, 6%, and 9% extruded rice. Throughout the experimental period (six weeks), no differences were observed in the average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain/feed ratio. Pigs fed 6% and 9% extruded rice had a lower (P < 0.05) CATTD than pigs fed the control diet on Day 14. The blood creatinine concentration of pigs fed 9% extruded rice was higher (P < 0.05) than that of pigs in the control group on Day 14. Pigs fed the diets containing 6% and 9% extruded rice had decreased (P < 0.05) faecal E. coli counts on Day 14 compared with pigs fed the control diet. The current results indicate that feeding extruded rice can decrease faecal E. coli counts without negative effects on growth performance in weanling pigs.

Download Full-text

Effect of supplemented microencapsulated zinc oxide and organic acids and pure botanicals on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, feces microflora, and zinc level of feces in weanling pigs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2017-0114 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 66-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jin Ho Cho ◽

Shu Dong Liu ◽

Won Yun ◽

Kwang Sik Kim ◽

In Ho Kim

Keyword(s):

Zinc Oxide ◽

Organic Acids ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Zinc Level ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Weanling Pigs

A total of 125 crossbred pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 7.66 ± 1.30 kg were randomly distributed into one of five dietary treatments. Each treatment had five replicate pens with five pigs per pen. Treatments were as followed: (1) CON, control diet; (2) zinc oxide (ZO), CON + 0.3% ZO; (3) ZOM, CON + 0.3% ZO + 0.1% microencapsulated organic acids and pure botanicals (MOP); (4) microencapsulated zinc oxide (MZO), CON + 0.03% MZO; and (5) MZOM, CON + 0.03% MZO + 0.1% MOP. The MZO group had higher (P = 0.03) final BW than ZO group and also had higher (P = 0.04, 0.01) average daily gain and gain/feed ratio compared with ZO group during days 15–34 and throughout the experimental period. The MZO and MZOM had higher (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and energy than ZO. Less (P < 0.05) feces Escherichia coli shedding was observed in the ZOM and MZOM diets compared with CON; the MZO had lowered (P = 0.001) zinc level in feces than ZO and CON. In conclusion, results indicated that supplementation with 0.3% MZO could improve the growth performance and ATTD of DM; inclusion of 0.1% MOP could decrease feces E. coli shedding and also decrease the zinc level in feces in weanling pigs.

Download Full-text

98 Buttiauxella Phytase Improves Growth Performance of Weanling Pigs Fed Corn, Soybean Meal, and Canola Meal Based Diets

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.084 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 49-50

Author(s):

Carly M Rundle ◽

Yueming Dersjant-Li ◽

Barthold Hillen ◽

Maryane S Sespere Faria Oliveira ◽

Hans H Stein

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Canola Meal ◽

Weanling Pigs ◽

Treatment Data ◽

Quadratic Effects

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that a Buttiauxella phytase expressed in T. reesei can compensate the reduction in standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P, Ca, digestible energy (DE), and standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA in diets for pigs without impaired growth performance. A positive control diet (PC) was formulated to meet the requirement for STTD P and total Ca (0.33% STTD P and 0.60% Ca). A negative control diet (NC) was formulated with 0.18% STTD P and 0.45% Ca and with reduction of DE by 43 kcal/kg and SID AA by 0.01–0.02% vs. PC. Adding 250, 500, or 1,000 phytase units (FTU) per kg to the NC diet for a total of 5 experimental diets formulated three additional diets. A total of 155 pigs (BW: 8.77 ± 1.38 kg) were allotted to the 5 treatments, and there were 8 replicate pens per treatment. The experiment was conducted for 21 d. Pigs were weighed at the beginning and conclusion of the experiment, and daily feed allotments were recorded. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain: feed ratio (G:F) were calculated for each treatment. Data were analyzed using contrast statements to compare PC and NC, PC and phytase, and to determine linear and quadratic effects of phytase. Results indicated that pigs fed the NC diet had reduced (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with pigs fed the PC diet (Table 1). Adding phytase to NC increased ADFI (linear, P < 0.05) and ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05) with the greatest values for the 1,000 FTU treatment. Including phytase in the diet also resulted in a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) in G:F. In conclusion, Buttiauxella phytase may be included in diets with reduced nutrients and energy for weanling pigs without compromising pig growth performance.

Download Full-text

Effects of dietary Korean garlic extract aged by Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM35046 on growth performance, digestibility, blood profiles, gas emissions, and microbiota in weanling pigs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2019-0111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 462-469

Author(s):

J.H. Cho ◽

S.D. Liu ◽

I.H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Weanling Pigs ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

E Coli ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Dietary Treatments

A total of 150 crossbred pigs [(Duroc × Yorkshire) × Landrace; body weight (BW) = 5.74 ± 1.15 kg; weaned at day 21 after birth] were assigned to one of five dietary treatments (six pens per treatment and five pigs per pen) by BW and sex (two barrows and three gilts) for a 6 wk experiment. The pen was considered the experimental unit in the statistical model. Treatments were corn–soybean meal diets supplemented with 0.0033% tiamulin as well as 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, or 0.20% fermented garlic (FG). The average daily gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio were linearly (p < 0.05) increased by FG inclusion during days 21–42 and days 0–42. Dietary supplementation of FG linearly increased (p < 0.05) the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy as well as blood immunoglobulin G concentration during week 6. The fecal ammonia (NH3), total mercaptan emissions, and Escherichia coli counts were linearly (p < 0.05) reduced by FG in the diet. Dietary supplementation of FG increased (p < 0.05) ADFI during days 21–42 and days 0–42 and reduced (p < 0.05) fecal NH3 emissions compared with pigs fed tiamulin. In conclusion, the results indicate that FG can enhance growth performance and digestibility, and reduce fecal E. coli counts as well as fecal gas emissions in weanling pigs.

Download Full-text

Effect of Encapsulated Nitrate and Microencapsulated Blend of Essential Oils on Growth Performance and Methane Emissions from Beef Steers Fed Backgrounding Diets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9010021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 21 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Aklilu Alemu ◽

Atmir Romero-Pérez ◽

Rafael Araujo ◽

Karen Beauchemin

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Feeding Behavior ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Ch4 Production ◽

Long Term Study

A long-term study (112 days) was conducted to examine the effect of feeding encapsulated nitrate (NO3−), microencapsulated blend of essential oils (EO), and their combination on growth performance, feeding behavior, and enteric methane (CH4) emissions of beef cattle. A total of 88 crossbred steers were purchased and assigned to one of four treatments: (i) control, backgrounding high-forage diet supplemented with urea (1.17% in dietary DM); (ii) encapsulated NO3− (EN), control diet supplemented with 2.5% encapsulated NO3− as a replacement for urea (1.785% NO3− in the dietary DM); (iii) microencapsulated blend of EO (MBEO), control diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg DM of microencapsulated blend of EO and pepper extract; and (iv) EN + MBEO, control diet supplemented with EN and MBEO. There was no interaction (p ≥ 0.080) between EN and MBEO on average dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), feeding behavior, and CH4 emission (using GreenFeed system), implying independent effects of feeding EN and MBEO. Feeding MBEO increased CH4 production (165.0 versus 183.2 g/day; p = 0.005) and yield (18.9 versus 21.4 g/kg DMI; p = 0.0002) but had no effect (p ≥ 0.479) on average DMI, ADG, G:F, and feeding behavior. However, feeding EN had no effect on ADG and G:F (p ≥ 0.119) but reduced DMI (8.9 versus 8.4 kg/day; p = 0.003) and CH4 yield (21.5 versus 18.7 g/kg DMI; p < 0.001). Feeding EN slowed (p = 0.001) the feeding rate (g of DM/min) and increased (p = 0.002) meal frequency (events/day). Our results demonstrate that supplementing diets with a blend of EO did not lower CH4 emissions and there were no advantages of feeding MBEO with EN. Inclusion of EN as a replacement for urea reduced CH4 emissions but had no positive impact on animal performance.

Download Full-text

Effect of dietary fermented oats in different nutrient-density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal microorganisms of weanling pigs

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an16410 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (12) ◽

pp. 2230

Author(s):

J. W. Park ◽

H. L. Li ◽

J. K. Kim ◽

D. H. Nguyen ◽

I. H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Weanling Pigs ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Nutrient Density ◽

Dietary Treatments

A total of 160 crossbred weanling pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc, 28 days old] with an initial bodyweight of 8.01 ± 0.74 kg were used in a 42-day trial (Phase 1: Days 1–14, Phase 2: Days 14–42). The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of fermented oats (FO) to a corn and soybean meal-based diet on the performance of weanling pigs fed with high nutrient-density (HD) and low nutrient-density (LD) diets. Pigs were randomly distributed into one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Two levels of nutrient density [LD = 3323 (Phase 1: 1–14 days) and 3269 kcal/kg (Phase 2: 14–42 days); HD = 3446 (Phase 1: 1–14 days) and 3325 kcal/kg (Phase 2: 14–42 days), the differences in dietary energy were based on differences in the content of fish meal, animal fat, corn and FO [0%, 5% (Phase 1) or 2.5% (Phase 2)] were used according to the bodyweight and sex of pigs [8 replicate pens per treatment with 5 pigs in a pen (3 gilts and 2 barrows)]. During the overall trial period (Days 1–42), the average daily gain and gain:feed ratio of pigs fed HD and FO diets were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those of pigs fed with LD and non-fermented oats diets respectively. On Day 14, the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen of the HD groups were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than those of the LD groups. The apparent total tract digestibility of energy of the FO groups was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than that of the non-fermented oats diet groups during the whole experimental period. Pigs fed with FO showed higher (P ≤ 0.05) ileal Lactobacillus and lower (P ≤ 0.05) Escherichia coli counts compared with those fed with the non-fermented oats diet. In conclusion, administration of FO to a LD diet demonstrated beneficial effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal microorganisms balance of weanling pigs.

Download Full-text

Effects of lipopolysaccharide on the growth performance, nitrogenmetabolism and immunity in preruminant calves

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.v0iof.6831 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

N. Zhan ◽

H. Li ◽

C. Jiang ◽

Y. Tu ◽

D. Diao

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Utilization Efficiency ◽

Control Group ◽

Urinary Concentration ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Sterile Saline ◽

E Coli ◽

Lps Challenge

To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the growth performance, nitrogen metabolism and immunity in preruminant calves, forty Chinese Holstein male calves were randomly divided into two groups and injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg/kg BW of sterile saline or E. coli LPS (Escherichia coli O55:b55) on day 24, 26, and 28. The LPS challenge decreased average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency compared with control group (p less than0.05). The urinary concentration of nitrogen (pless than0.05) increased, whereas the nitrogen retention decreased (pless than0.05) after LPS-challenge. Injection of LPS increased body temperature, serum concentration of IL-1, TNF-a, IL-2 and IgG of calves. In conclusion, LPS-challenge activated immune responses, decreased utilization efficiency of nitrogen, and negatively impacted growth performance of preruminant calves.

Download Full-text

Effects of soybean meal level on growth performance of 11- to 25-kg nursery pigs12

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa053 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 694-707

Author(s):

Henrique S Cemin ◽

Mike D Tokach ◽

Steve S Dritz ◽

Jason C Woodworth ◽

Joel M DeRouchey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Random Effect ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Caloric Efficiency ◽

Quadratic Effects ◽

Main Effects

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) level in diets with or without 25% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance of nursery pigs raised in university or commercial facilities. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of SBM (27.5%, 32.5%, or 37.5% of the diet) and DDGS (0% or 25% of the diet). A total of 296, 2,502, 4,118, and 711 pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 10.6, 11.7, 12.5, and 12.3 kg were used in Exp. 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There were 10, 16, 13, and 12 replicates per treatment in Exp. 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. After weaning, pigs were fed common diets for approximately 21 d. Then, pens of pigs were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as the blocking factor and experimental diets were fed for 21 d. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance measured to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), and caloric efficiency (CE). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with block as a random effect and treatment as a fixed effect. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts were constructed to test the linear and quadratic effects of increasing SBM and their interactions with DDGS. Pigs used in all experiments did not undergo major health challenges during the experimental period and due to the low number of mortality and cull events, statistical analysis was not performed on these variables. The average cull rate was 0.7%, 0.5%, 0.2%, and 0%, and the mortality rate was 0.7%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0% in Exp. 1–4, respectively. There were interactions (P ≤ 0.039) between SBM and DDGS for G:F and CE in Exp. 2 and for ADG and ADFI in Exp. 3. These were mostly driven by increasing SBM negatively affecting performance in a greater magnitude when diets contained DDGS compared to diets without DDGS. The main effects of DDGS and SBM were more consistently observed across experiments. Pigs fed diets with 25% DDGS had decreased (P ≤ 0.001) ADG and ADFI in all experiments, as well as poorer (P ≤ 0.028) G:F and CE except for Exp. 3. Feeding increasing amounts of SBM generally did not result in any major impact in ADG but consistently improved (linear, P ≤ 0.078) G:F and CE across experiments.

Download Full-text

Adverse effects on growth performance and bone development in nursery pigs fed diets marginally deficient in phosphorus with increasing calcium to available phosphorus ratios

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Spenser L Becker ◽

Stacie A Gould ◽

Amy L Petry ◽

Leah M Kellesvig ◽

John F Patience

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Bone Development ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

The Impact

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the growth performance and bone mineral content (BMC) of nursery pigs in response to increasing total calcium (Ca) to available phosphorus (aP) ratios in diets containing phytase (250 FTU/kg; Natuphos E, BASF, Florham Park, NJ). A total of 480 nursery pigs (body weight (BW) = 5.7 ± 0.6 kg) with 10 pigs per pen and 7 pens per treatment (6 pens fed 2.75:1 diet) were allotted to seven treatments consisting of increasing ratios of calcium to available phosphorus (Ca:aP): 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, and 2.75. From day −7 to 0, pigs were fed a common diet. They were then fed the treatment diets during two experimental phases from day 1 to 14 and 15 to 28, respectively. Available P was formulated to 0.33% and 0.27% (approximately 90% of requirement) in dietary phases 1 and 2, respectively. BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were determined. BMC of the femur was measured on day 28 on one pig per pen using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model using PROC MIXED (SAS, 9.3). Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increasing the Ca:aP. Over the 28-d experimental period, increasing Ca:aP resulted in a linear decrease in ADG (353, 338, 328, 304, 317, 291, and 280 g/d; P < 0.01), ADFI (539, 528, 528, 500, 533, 512, and 489 g/d; P < 0.05), and G:F (0.68, 0.66, 0.64, 0.62, 0.61, 0.59, and 0.58; P < 0.01). Increasing Ca:aP also resulted in decreased BW on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.01). The BMC of the femur decreased with increasing Ca:aP (6.2, 6.3, 5.7, 5.9, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.3 g; P < 0.05). Regression analysis explained the impact of Ca:aP as follows on ADG (ADG [g/d] = 339 − 36x; r2 = 0.81), G:F (G:F = 0.61 – 0.03x; r2 = 0.72), and BMC (BMC [g] = 6.4 – 0.27x; r2 = 0.43), where x is the Ca:aP. In conclusion, all outcomes indicated that any level of calcium above the minimum used in this experiment impaired growth performance and skeletal development. Further research using even lower levels of dietary Ca is warranted.

Download Full-text

PSV-15 Effects of isoquinoline alkaloids on growth performance and blood characteristics of weanling pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.350 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 199-200

Author(s):

Carly Rundle ◽

Valeria Artuso-Ponte ◽

Hans H Stein

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Total Protein ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Isoquinoline Alkaloids ◽

Weanling Pigs ◽

Plasma Urea ◽

Blood Characteristics

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine effects of isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on growth performance and blood characteristics of weanling pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diets. A total of 160 pigs (6.33 ± 0.61 kg) were allotted to 4 corn-soybean meal-based treatments, with 4 pigs per pen and 10 replicate pens per treatment. A 3-phase feeding program was used with d 0 to 8 as phase 1, d 8 to 21 as phase 2, and d 21 to 34 as phase 3. Within each phase, the 4 diets were identical except for the inclusion of IQ in the feed: 0, 90, 180, or 360 mg IQ/kg complete feed. Pig weights and the feed left in the feeders were recorded on the last d of each phase to calculate average daily gain and average gain:feed ratio. A blood sample was collected from 1 pig per pen on d 8, 21, and 34. Data were analyzed by linear and quadratic contrasts using the Proc MIXED of SAS with coefficients for unequally spaced treatments being generated from Proc IML. Results indicated that there were no differences among treatments in growth performance over the entire experimental period (Table 1). A quadratic increase (P < 0.05) of total protein in plasma was observed in phase 1, with the highest value in plasma of pigs fed the 180 mg/kg IQ diet, and there was a tendency for plasma urea N to increase in phases 2 and 3 (linear; P = 0.07) if IQ was added to the diet. In conclusion, although IQ supplementation did not effect overall growth performance, results indicate that absorption of amino acids was likely improved by inclusion of IQ in the diets as evidenced by the increased plasma urea nitrogen and increased total protein in plasma.

Download Full-text

Effects of dietary iron level on growth performance, hematological status, and intestinal function in growing-finishing pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qingqing Deng ◽

Yancan Wang ◽

Xin Wang ◽

Qiye Wang ◽

Zhenfeng Yi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Goblet Cell ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Transferrin Saturation ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Intestinal Barrier Function ◽

Control Group ◽

Iron Level ◽

Finishing Pigs

Abstract This study investigated the different addition levels of iron (Fe) in growing-finishing pigs and the effect of different Fe levels on growth performance, hematological status, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal digestion. A total of 1,200 barrows and gilts ([Large White × Landrace] × Duroc) with average initial body weight (BW; 27.74 ± 0.28 kg) were housed in 40 pens of 30 pigs per pen (gilts and barrows in half), blocked by BW and gender, and fed five experimental diets (eight replicate pens per diet). The five experimental diets were control diet (basal diet with no FeSO4 supplementation), and the basal diet being supplemented with 150, 300, 450, or 600 mg/kg Fe as FeSO4 diets. The trial lasted for 100 d and was divided into the growing phase (27 to 60 kg of BW) for the first 50 d and the finishing phase (61 to 100 kg of BW) for the last 50 d. The basal diet was formulated with an Fe-free trace mineral premix and contained 203.36 mg/kg total dietary Fe in the growing phase and 216.71 mg/kg in the finishing phase based on ingredient contributions. And at the end of the experiment, eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) were randomly selected from each treatment (selected one pig per pen) for digesta, blood, and intestinal samples collection. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (P = 0.025), average daily gain (P = 0.020), and BW (P = 0.019) increased linearly in the finishing phase of pigs fed with the diets containing Fe. On the other hand, supplementation with different Fe levels in the diet significantly increased serum iron and transferrin saturation concentrations (P < 0.05), goblet cell numbers of duodenal villous (P < 0.001), and MUC4 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) for pigs in the 450 and 600 mg/kg Fe groups was greater (P < 0.05) than for pigs in the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 450 to 600 mg/kg Fe improved the growth performance of pigs by changing hematological status and by enhancing intestinal goblet cell differentiation and AID of AA.

Download Full-text