Modeling the effects of standardized ileal digestible isoleucine to lysine ratio on growth performance of nursery pigs1,2

Abstract Two experiments evaluated the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Ile:Lys ratio on growth performance of nursery pigs. In both experiments, dietary treatments consisted of 40, 44, 48, 52, 54, 58, or 63% SID Ile:Lys ratio. Diets were formulated using analyzed ingredient AA values and NRC (2012) SID coefficients. A combination of field peas and spray dried blood cells were used to ensure a low enough Ile diet concentration while minimizing the excess of Leu. The experiments consisted of 8 pens per dietary treatment with 5 pigs per pen for a total of 280 nursery pigs per experiment (Exp. 1: PIC 327 × 1,050, initially 6.7 ± 1.0 kg BW; Exp. 2: DNA 600 × 241, initially 6.0 ± 0.97 kg BW). Data were analyzed using mixed models with heterogeneous variance, where appropriate. The dose response was further characterized using quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line linear (BLL), or broken-line quadratic (BLQ) functional forms. For Exp. 1, diets were initiated 6-d post-weaning and fed for 12-d followed by a common diet from d 12 to 28. From d 0 to 12, increasing dietary SID Ile:Lys ratio increased ADG (linear, P < 0.005) and ADFI (quadratic, P < 0.017) but G:F decreased (quadratic, P < 0.043). For ADG, the QP, BLL, and BLQ models resulted in maximum ADG at 64.7, 52.0, and 52.0 SID Ile:Lys ratios, respectively. For ADFI, the BLL breakpoint occurred at 50.6 and the QP predicted maximum ADFI at 56.2 SID Ile:Lys ratio. In Exp. 2, diets were initiated 6-d post-weaning for 7 pens and 3-d post-weaning for one heavier block and fed for 18-d followed by a common diet from d 18 to 32. From d 0 to 18, ADG and ADFI increased (quadratic, P < 0.016) with no evidence for difference in G:F as SID Ile:Lys ratio increased. For ADG, the QP and BLL had similar fit with breakpoints or maximums occurring at 58.3 and 51.8% SID Ile:Lys ratio, respectively. For ADFI, the BLQ breakpoint occurred at 52.0 SID Ile:Lys and the QP maximum ADFI at 57.2% SID Ile:Lys ratio. In conclusion, broken-line models reported maxima of 52.0% Ile:Lys ratio while quadratic models were as high as 64% of Lys to maximize ADG and ADFI of 6- to 11-kg nursery pigs. However, for the QP models 99% of the maximum response was achieved with a dose comparable to that from the broken line models. Therefore, these results are similar to the NRC (2012) requirement estimate of 51.1 Ile:Lys ratio.

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PSVI-1 Dietary protease supplementation on growth performance and post-weaning diarrhea of nursery pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.337 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 191-192

Author(s):

Jorge Y Perez-Palencia ◽

David A Clizer ◽

Christian Ramirez-Camba ◽

Ryan S Samuel ◽

Crystal L Levesque

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Deficient Diet ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Feeding Program ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Fecal Score

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effect of dietary protease supplementation on pig’s growth performance and post-weaning diarrhea in a 43-d trial. A total of 936 weaned pigs [21 d of age, initial BW 5.87 ± 0.31 kg] were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design (2 nutritional levels × 2 protease levels). The nutritional levels corresponded to a standard feeding program and a reduced feeding program (15% lower SID Lys) and without or with protease supplementation (0.0125% inclusion). Piglets were distributed in 36 pens with 26 pigs per pen and 9 replicates per dietary treatment. Pigs received a common Phase 1 diet and experimental diets in Phase 2, 3, and 4, (0.91, 3.4, 4.5, and 24.0 kg/pig, respectively). Phytase was included at 2,500 U in Phase 2 – 4, all diets met energy and AA:Lys requirements for nursery pigs. Feed intake and body weight were determined every 2 weeks. A pen fecal score assessment was performed at d7, 10, and 14. Performance data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure and fecal score data using the PROC FREQ procedure (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). No significant interactions (P > 0.05) were observed between dietary treatments. From d15 to 43 and during overall experimental period, pigs fed standard diets had greater BW, ADG, and G:F (P < 0.05) than pigs fed deficient diets (Table 1). On d7, pigs fed deficient diet had more (X2 < 0.05) soft and watery feces, and consequently less normal feces compared to pigs fed standard diets (Figure 1). On d7, 10, and 14, pigs fed diets with protease supplementation had more (X2 < 0.05) normal feces compared to control pigs. Overall, effects of dietary protease supplementation on growth performance were not expressive under the conditions of this study but protease addition benefited intestinal health of nursery pigs.

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246 Effects of Feeding Thermally Processed Spray-dried Egg Whites on Growth Performance, Apparent Digestibility, and Oxidative Stress in Nursery Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.147 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 91-92

Author(s):

Victoria C Wilson ◽

Brian J Kerr

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Liver Tissue ◽

Protein Carbonyls ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Thermally Processed ◽

Markers Of Oxidative Stress ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

And Oxidative Stress ◽

Spray Dried

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine if feeding thermally processed (TP, heated at 100°C for 120 h) spray-dried egg whites (SDEW) to nursery pigs would impact growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, N, and S, and oxidative stress. Thirty-two barrows, (initial BW 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments with 1 pig per pen. In a preliminary study, thermally processing SDEW at 100°C for 120 h increased protein carbonyls (PC) from 6 µmol/g to 19.4 µmol/g (P ≤ 0.01). Diets included either 12% SDEW, 6% TP-SDEW plus 6% SDEW, or 12% TP-SDEW. The experiment lasted 24 d for collection of growth performance data, while plasma was collected on d 21 and liver tissue harvested on d 24 to analyze for markers of oxidative stress. Feces were collected on d 22 for measures of ATTD. Daily gain, daily feed intake, feed efficiency, and ATTD of GE were not found to be different among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.57). In contrast, ATTD of N (P = 0.11) and S (P = 0.03) were found to increase with increasing protein oxidation in the diet. There was no change in the plasma or liver F2-isoprostanes and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine among dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.28). An increase in plasma PC (P = 0.02) was observed in pigs fed 12% TP-SDEW compared to pigs fed 12% SDEW and pigs fed 6% TP-SDEW. In contrast, a decrease in liver tissue PC (P = 0.04) was observed in pigs fed 6% TP-SDEW compared to pigs fed 12% SDEW and 12% TP-SDEW. These results indicate that feeding TP-SDEW does not affect growth performance, ATTD of GE, and oxidative stress as indicated by F2-isoprostanes or 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine; but appeared to have variable effects on oxidative stress as measured by PC.

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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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268 In-feed Antibiotics Elicit Intestinal Integrity Modifications Early in Post-weaning Life

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.158 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 99-99

Author(s):

Jessica M Johnson ◽

Emma T Helm ◽

Nicholas K Gabler ◽

Eric R Burrough ◽

Carson M De Mille

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Physiological Mechanisms ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Ussing Chambers ◽

Intestinal Integrity ◽

And Function ◽

Dietary Treatments

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

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129 Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbial on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and colonic pH in diets fed to weanling pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.185 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 101-102

Author(s):

Jaron R Lewton ◽

Adrienne Woodward ◽

Ronny Moser ◽

Kyan M Thelen ◽

Adam J Moeser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Distal Colon ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Fiber Digestion ◽

Males And Females ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

The Impact

Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on apparent digestibility and colonic pH of nursery pigs. Eighty pigs, of equal number of barrows and gilts (initial BW: 6.99 ± 1.67 kg), were weaned at 21 ± 1 d and randomly allotted to sixteen pens, with five pigs per pen. Two dietary treatments were implemented, a basal control (CON) and a control plus DFM (DFM). Both diets were corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains based, formulated to meet all or exceed all nutritional requirements, and manufactured on site. Diets were fed for 42 days. Performance measures were recorded weekly. On d 21 and 42 of the experiment, one pig per pen was randomly selected and euthanized, with equal number of males and females represented. Digestibility of specific nutrients was evaluated within the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ascending and distal colon. There were no overall differences in growth performance. Overall means ± SD were 0.51 ± 0.05 kg/d, 0.79 ± 0.05 kg/d and 0.66 ± 0.05 for ADG, ADFI, and G:F, respectively. Digestibility of tryptophan within the jejunum tended (P = 0.06) to increase with addition of DFM, as did cysteine (P = 0.12) and methionine (P = 0.10). The analysis also suggested that the impact of the DFM on the digestibility of amino acids may be early in the nursery phase. The pH of contents in ascending colon, a possible indicator of varied fiber digestion, did not differ. Likewise, no differences were observed between treatment in apparent total tract nitrogen and energy digestibility (analysis of distal colon contents). The addition of a multi-strain Bacillus subtilis-based DFM appears to impact digestibility of select amino acids depending upon location in the gastrointestinal tract.

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232 Effects of Yarrowia Lipolytica Supplementation on Growth Performance and Apparent Ileal Digestibility of Diets Fed to Nursery Pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 118-118

Author(s):

Yi-Chi Cheng ◽

Marcos E Duarte ◽

Sung Woo Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Yarrowia Lipolytica ◽

Block Design ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Ileal Digestibility ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Poultry Fat ◽

Nursery Pig ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Lipid Supplement

Abstract The objective was to evaluate Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) as a lipid supplement fed to nursery pigs for the growth performance and apparent ileal digestibility (AID). Twenty-four pigs weaned at 21 d of age (12 barrows and 12 gilts with initial BW at 7.2 ± 0.6 kg) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (n = 8) based on the randomized complete block design with sex and BW as blocks. The main effect was the dietary supplementation of YL (0, 1.5, and 3.0%, replacing poultry fat) with nutrients meeting or exceeding the requirements by NRC (2012) and fed to pigs for 21 d based on 2 phases. Feed intake and BW were recorded at d 0, 10, and 21 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fecal scores were recorded at every odd day from d 3 to 19. Pigs were euthanized on d 21 to collect ileal digesta for AID of nutrients in diets. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS. There were no differences in growth performance among treatments. Whereas, pigs fed 0 and 1.5% YL had higher (P < 0.05) AID of DM (55.0 and 52.2% to 40.2%, respectively) and GE (62.1 and 60.6% to 49.8%, respectively) than pigs fed 3% YL. There were no differences in AID of DM and GE between the pigs fed 0% and 1.5% YL. In conclusion, 1.5% Yarrowia lipolytica could be supplemented in nursery pig diets reducing 0.8% of poultry fat without affecting growth performance and AID of DM and GE.

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PSVI-10 Effects of dietary spray-dried plasma protein on nutrient digestibility and growth performance in nursery pig

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 395-396

Author(s):

Hansol Kim ◽

Beob Gyun G Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Fish Meal ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Ileal Digestibility ◽

Spray Dried

Abstract The objectives were to determine the digestible energy, standardized ileal digestibility of AA, and growth performance of dietary spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) in nursery pigs. In Exp. 1, twelve nursery barrows (9.8 ± 0.9 kg) were assigned to a quadruplicated 3 × 2 Latin square design with 3 diets and 2 periods. Each period consisted of 5 days of adaptation, 2 days of fecal sampling, and 2 days of ileal collection. A basal diet was composed of corn, soybean meal, dried whey, and sucrose as the sole energy and AA sources. Experimental diets were prepared by replacing 15% of the energy and AA sources in the basal diet with SDPP 1 (manufactured in the US; 78.2% CP and 4,862 kcal GE/kg as-is) or SDPP 2 (manufactured in Korea; 74.3% CP and 4,636 kcal GE/kg as-is). Spray-dried plasma protein 1 had greater digestible energy (4,799 vs. 4,469 kcal/kg as-is; P < 0.05), but less (P < 0.05) standardized ileal digestibility of lysine, methionine, tryptophan, and threonine compared with SDPP 2. In Exp. 2, eighty-four nursery pigs (7.9 ± 0.7 kg) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 7 replicate pens and 4 pigs per pen. Three corn-soybean meal-whey-based diets contained fish meal (6% and 3.5% for d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 28, respectively), SDPP 1 (4.5% and 2.7%), or SDPP 2 (5% and 3%) to maintain same energy and nutrient concentrations. During d 0 to 14 and overall period, pigs fed the diets containing SDPP gained more weight (P < 0.05) than those fed the fish meal diet with no difference between 2 sources of SDPP. Overall, 2 sources of SDPP have different energy concentrations and AA digestibility, but similar growth promoting effects in nursery pigs.

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Nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of Yankasa sheep fed urea-treated or untreated rice straw with supplements

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v37i1.649 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 61-70

Author(s):

M. B. Ngele ◽

T. A. Adegbola ◽

S. E. F. Bogoro ◽

M. Abubakar ◽

D. J. U. Kalla

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Rice Straw ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Dietary Treatments

A study was conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Research and Teaching Farm between December and May 2006 to determine nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance in Yankasa rams fed urea-treated (UTRS) and untreated rice straw (URS) with supplementation. Thirty-two (32) Yankasa rams with an average weigh of 17.5kg, and aged 1.5 to 2 years old were alloted to eight (8) dietary treatments with four (4) rams per treatment in a 2 x 4 factorial design. The two basal feeds were urea0treated rice straw (UTRS) and untreated rice straw (URS). The supplements were maize bran (MB), MB + sun-dried poultry litter (MB + SDPL), MB + ensiled poultry litter (MB+ EPL) and MB + cotton seed cake (MB + CSC). Total dry matter intake (TDMI), daily basal feed intake (DBFI) were significant (P<0.05) across dietary treatments. Animals on supplements MB and MB+CSC for both UTRS and URS recorded the lowest and highest DBFI. The digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) were high for rams on UTRS and the values ranged from 17.72 to 28.36g/d and 288.81 to 482.66g/d for DCPI and DOMI respectively. Nutrient digestibility was improved by treatment of straw and supplementation. However, crude protein digestibility was similar for animals fed URS but, significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to those fed UTRS which were also similar across supplements. Average daily weight gain ranged from 53.58 to 91.18g/d across dietary treatment with animals on supplement MB recording the lowest (53.58 and 61.43g/d for URS and UTRs respectively) and those fed supplement MB+CSC the highest (81.38 and 91.18g/d fro URS and UTRS respectively) irrespective of straw treatment. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was least for animals on supplement MB+CSC for both URS and UTRs, indicating that this supplement (MB+CSC) influenced feed utilization more positively. From the results of this trial, it may be concluded that straw treatment and/or supplementation can enhance crop residue utilization by sheep. however, mixed supplements especially MB+CSC were more efficient in enhancing the utilization of the straw and consequently animal performance.

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PSIV-19 Flavors and Sweeteners in Nursery Pig Diets Increased Intake and Reduced Soft Feces in the First Weeks After Weaning

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.303 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 179-180

Author(s):

Jorge Y Perez-Palencia ◽

Xixi Chen ◽

Jirong Lv ◽

Maíra Resende ◽

Rhuan F Chaves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Block Design ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Stressful Events ◽

Gut Health ◽

Nursery Pigs ◽

Feeding Program ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract The stressful events associated with weaning predispose piglets to reduced feed intake, which in concert with immature digestive and immune systems, results in increased incidences of diarrhea and poor performance. Flavors and sweeteners can be used in diets for young pigs as a means of attracting them to dry feed and increase their feed intake and performance after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of flavors and sweeteners and their combination on growth performance and post-weaning gut health of nursery pigs. A total of 1,144 weaned pigs (initial BW 6.61 ± 0.2 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design and assigned to one of four dietary treatments, with 11 replicates (pens) of 26 piglets per pen. Dietary treatments were 1) Control: standard 4-phase nursery feeding program; 2) Sweetener: control plus sweetener (0.015%); 3) Flavor: control plus flavoring (0.05%); 4) Combination: control plus sweetener and flavoring. Experimental diets were provided at a budget of 0.9, 3.4, 4.5, and 24 kg/pig in Phase 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A common phase 5 diet was provided ad libitum until d56 after weaning. Feed disappearance and body weight were measured every other week. A pen fecal score assessment was performed at d4, 7, 10, and 14 after weaning. Overall, there were no differences among dietary treatments for growth performance. However, during the first two weeks post-weaning pigs fed diets containing flavors and sweeteners had a greater (P = 0.097) ADFI than control pigs. On d14, pigs fed diets containing flavors and sweeteners had less incidence of soft and watery feces (χ2 < 0.05) compared to control pigs. This study provides evidence that dietary inclusion of flavors and sweeteners has important benefits to the overall health of nursery pigs likely related to feed intake in the period immediately after weaning.

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Full-Fat Insect Meal as a Protein and Energy Source for Weaned Piglets: Effects on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gastrointestinal Function and Microbiota

10.21203/rs.3.rs-61552/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid Marie Håkenåsen ◽

Guro Holseth Grepperud ◽

Jon Øvrum Hansen ◽

Margareth Øverland ◽

Ragnhild Martinsen Ånestad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Control Diet ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Gastrointestinal Function ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

Inclusion Level ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract Background: Weaning is associated with growth decline and morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract of the pig. Insects, such as the Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), are suggested as a sustainable novel protein source in diets for pigs. They contain chitin, medium chained fatty acids, and anti-microbial peptides, which could improve the gastrointestinal function and health in the post-weaning pig. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of increasing inclusion of full-fat BSFL in diets for post-weaning pigs on growth performance parameters, digestibility, gut morphology, and the microbial community in the colon. Eighty crossbred weanling pigs were weaned at approximately 32 days of age, with an average weaning weight of 10.6 ± 0.8 kg. For four weeks, the pigs were fed one of four dietary treatments: a control diet or one of three diets containing an increasing amount of full-fat BSFL meal: 4.76% (BSFL5), 9.52% (BSFL10), and 19.06% (BSFL20). Results: Increased level of full-fat BSFL in the diet did not affect growth performance or fecal consistency. A reduction in apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (P = 0.035) was found for increased inclusion of BSFL, whereas the ATTD of crude fat increased (P<0.001). Jejunal, ileal, or colonic morphometry was not affected by the BSFL inclusion. Some changes in the colon microbiota were observed, but no differences in the short-chain fatty acid concentrations were detected between the dietary treatments. At the phylum level, dietary treatment affected the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Campilobacteria, and Thermoplasmatota, but there was no clear pattern relationship with the BSFL inclusion level. At the genus level, the inclusion of BSFL in the diet reduced the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (P = 0.015) compared to the control. Conclusions: Collectively, the results indicate that up to 19.06% of full-fat BSFL meal could be included in a balanced diet for PW pigs without affecting growth performance, gut function, or health.

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