scholarly journals Changes in Growth Performance and Ileal Microbiota Composition by Xylanase Supplementation in Broilers Fed Wheat-Based Diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Sujie Liu ◽  
Jiayu Ma ◽  
Xiangshu Piao
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Factor Α

Xylanase exerts key roles in improving growth performance and intestinal health of broilers fed wheat-based diets. However, knowledge is limited regarding effects of xylanase supplementation on ileal microbiota in broilers. A total of 128 one-day-old broilers (initial BW 48.03 ± 0.33 g) were selected to investigate effects of xylanase (AT-xynA) on growth performance, ileal morphology, microbiota composition, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and endocrine peptide levels in broilers. Broilers were randomly allotted into two dietary treatments (n = 8), namely, a wheat-soybean basal diet and a basal diet with 4,000 U/kg AT-xynA (XY). On days 7, 14, 21, and 42, broilers were weighted and ileal tissues were sampled. Ileal digesta samples were collected for analyzing microbiota composition on days 21 and 42. The results showed that AT-xynA could improve average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, and there were interactions between diet and age of broilers (p < 0.05). On days 21 and 42, xylanase supplementation decreased ileal microbiota α-diversity, and the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic microbiota, such as phylum Proteobacteria, family Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae, genus Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). Moreover, the reduction in acetate concentration and abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria was also observed in broilers from XY group (p < 0.05). AT-xynA increased ileal villus height, glucagon-like peptide-1, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations and decreased interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde content in broilers, and these positive effects on intestinal health were greater in young broilers. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation to wheat-based diets could improve ileal intestinal morphology and immune function, and alleviate excess fermentation of bacteria, which may be related to changes of intestinal microbiota. In addition, the positive effects of xylanase on intestinal health were more pronounced in young broilers, thus contributing to subsequent improvement in growth performance of broilers.

PSXVI-2 Response of ileal microbiota composition and immunity function to xylanase supplementation in broilers fed wheat-based diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 412-413
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Sujie Liu ◽  
Shenfei Long ◽  
Jiayu Ma ◽  
Xiangshu Piao
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Acid Producing Bacteria ◽  
Factor Α

Abstract A total of 112 one-day-old broilers (initial BW 48.03 ± 0.33 g) were selected to investigate effects of xylanase (AT-xynA) on growth performance, ileal morphology, microbiota composition, immune response, antioxidant capacity and endocrine peptide levels in broilers [Founded by NSFC (31772612)]. Broilers were randomly allotted into 2 dietary treatments (n = 7) including a wheat-soybean basal diet (CON), and a basal diet with 4,000 U/kg AT-xynA (XY). On d 7, 14, 21 and 42, broilers were weighted and ileal tissues were sampled. Ileal digesta samples were collected for analyzing microbiota composition on d 21 and 42. The results showed that AT-xynA could improve average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake, and there were interactions between diet and age of broilers (P < 0.05). On d 21 and 42, xylanase supplementation could decrease ileal microbiota α-diversity, the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic microbiota such as phyla Proteobacteria, family Moraxellaceae, Staphylococcaceae, genus Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (P < 0.05). Moreover, the reduction in acetate concentration and abundance of short chain fatty acid producing bacteria was also observed in broilers from XY group (P < 0.05). AT-xynA could increase ileal villus height, glucagon-like peptide-1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations, decreased interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde content in broilers from XY group, and these positive effects on intestinal health were greater in young broilers. In conclusion, xylanase supplementation to wheat-based diets could improve intestinal health, and the positive effects of xylanase supplementation were more pronounced in young broilers, thus contributing to subsequent improvements in growth performance of broilers.

scholarly journals Dietary Supplementation With Didancao (Elephantopus scaber L.) Improves Meat Quality and Intestinal Development in Jiaji Ducks

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengjun Hu ◽  
Lihong Gu ◽  
Mao Li ◽  
Fengjie Ji ◽  
Weiping Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Development ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Elephantopus Scaber

Didancao (Elephantopus scaber L.) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine and has exhibited a beneficial role in animal health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with E. scaber on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition in ducks. A total of 480 Jiaji ducks (42 days old, male:female ratio = 1:1) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. There were six replicates per treatment, with 20 ducks per replicate. The ducks in the control group (Con) were fed a basal diet; the three experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplementation with 30 (T1), 80 (T2), and 130 mg/kg (T3) of E. scaber. After a 48-day period of supplementation, growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition were evaluated. The results showed that no differences were observed in the final body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain among the four groups. Compared with that in the Con group, the feed conversion in the T1 and T2 groups was increased significantly; the T2 group was shown to decrease the concentration of alanine aminotransferase in serum; the T3 group was lower than the Con group in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase and was higher than the Con group in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The highest concentration of creatinine was observed in the T1 group. The T2 group was higher than the Con group in the contents of Phe, Ala, Gly, Glu, Arg, Lys, Tyr, Leu, Ser, Thr, Asp, and total amino acids in the breast muscle. Moreover, the T2 group was higher than the Con group in the contents of meat C18:2n−6 and polyunsaturated fatty acid. The concentration of inosinic acid in the T1, T2, and T3 groups was significantly higher than that in the Con group. However, the Con group was higher than the T2 or T3 group in the Zn content. The T2 group was lower than the Con group in the jejunal crypt depth. The T3 group was higher than the Con group in the ileal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. In addition, the T3 group had a trend to significantly increase the abundance of Fusobacteria. Compared with the Con group, the T1 and T2 groups displayed a higher abundance of Subdoligranulum. Collectively, dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg of E. scaber improves meat quality and intestinal development in ducks.

scholarly journals Effects of stale maize on growth performance, immunity, intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity in broilers

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Liu ◽  
H.L. Yan ◽  
Y. Zhang ◽  
Y.D. Hu ◽  
H.F. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Bursa Of Fabricius ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Factor Α

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of stale maize on growth performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity in broilers.Methods: A total of 800 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers (45.4±0.5 g) were blocked based on body weight, and then allocated randomly to 2 treatments with 20 cages per treatment and 20 broilers per cage in this 6-week experiment. Dietary treatments included a basal diet and diets with 100% of control maize replaced by stale maize.Results: The content of fat acidity value was higher (p<0.05) while the starch, activities of catalase and peroxidase were lower (p<0.05) than the control maize. Feeding stale maize diets reduced (p<0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) during d 0 to 21 and the whole experiment as well as relative weight of liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus (p<0.05) on d 21. Feeding stale maize diets decreased jejunum villus height (VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) (p<0.05) on d 21 and 42 as well as ileum VH/CD on d 42. The levels of immunoglobulin G, acid α-naphthylacetate esterase positive ratios and lymphocyte proliferation on d 21 and 42 as well as lysozyme activity and avian influenza antibody H<sub>5</sub>N<sub>1</sub> titer on d 21 decreased (p<0.05) by the stale maize. Feeding stale maize diets reduced (p<0.05) serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2 on d 21 and interleukin-6 on d 21 and 42. Broilers fed stale maize diets had lower levels of (p<0.05) total antioxidative capacity on d 42, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase on d 21 and 42, but higher (p<0.05) levels of malondialdehyde on d 21 and 42.Conclusion: Feeding 100% stale maize decreased ADFI and FCR, caused adverse effects on immunity and antioxidant function and altered intestinal morphology in broilers.

scholarly journals Eucommia Ulmoides Flavones as Antibiotic Alternatives in a Low-protein Diet Improve Growth Performance and Intestinal Health in Weaning Piglets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daixiu Yuan ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Dingfu Xiao ◽  
Jiefeng Li ◽  
Yanhong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Eucommia Ulmoides ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Weanling Piglets

Abstract Background Eucommia ulmoides flavones (EUF), have been demonstrated to attenuate the inflammation and oxidative stress of piglets. This study was designed to test whether EUF could be as an antibiotic alternative to support growth performance and maintain intestinal health in weanling-piglets. Weaned-piglets (n = 480) were assigned into 3 groups and fed with a low-protein basal diet (NC), or supplementation with antibiotics (PC) or 0.1‰ EUF (EUF). Blood, intestinal contents and intestine were collected on d-15 and d-35, respectively. Results The results showed that the body weight on d-35, average daily gain and gain : feed from d 15 to d 35 and d 0 to d 35 in piglets of PC and EUF treatments were higher than (p < 0.05) these in NC treatment, whereas PC and EUF treatments decreased (p < 0.05) the diarrhea index of weanling piglets. Dietary supplementation of EUF significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) the serum concentrations of total protein, alanine transaminase and the immunoglobulin G on d-15 of piglets compared to piglets in NC treatment. EUF supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the jejunal and ileal villus height and the population of ileal lactic acid bacteria on d-15 but remarkable decreased (p < 0.05) the population of ileal coliform bacteria on d-15 and d-35. Conclusion These findings indicated the antibiotic alternative capacity of EUF in piglets exhibiting by improving growth performance and intestinal morphology, decreasing colonization of coliform bacteria and diarrhea index in weanling piglets.

scholarly journals Effects of Anthocyanin on Intestinal Health: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1331
Author(s):  
Thaísa Agrizzi Verediano ◽  
Hércia Stampini Duarte Martino ◽  
Maria Cristina Dias Paes ◽  
Elad Tako
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Physical Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Allocation Process ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

Intestinal health relies on the association between the mucosal immune system, intestinal barrier and gut microbiota. Bioactive components that affect the gut microbiota composition, epithelial physical barrier and intestinal morphology were previously studied. The current systematic review evaluated evidence of anthocyanin effects and the ability to improve gut microbiota composition, their metabolites and parameters of the physical barrier; this was conducted in order to answer the question: “Does food source or extract of anthocyanin promote changes on intestinal parameters?”. The data analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines with the search performed at PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases for experimental studies, and the risk of bias was assessed by the SYRCLE tool. Twenty-seven studies performed in animal models were included, and evaluated for limitations in heterogeneity, methodologies, absence of information regarding allocation process and investigators’ blinding. The data were analyzed, and the anthocyanin supplementation demonstrated positive effects on intestinal health. The main results identified were an increase of Bacteroidetes and a decrease of Firmicutes, an increase of short chain fatty acids production, a decrease of intestinal pH and intestinal permeability, an increase of the number of goblet cells and tight junction proteins and villi improvement in length or height. Thus, the anthocyanin supplementation has a potential effect to improve the intestinal health. PROSPERO (CRD42020204835).

scholarly journals The Effect of Increasing Inclusion Levels of a Fucoidan-Rich Extract Derived from Ascophyllum nodosum on Growth Performance and Aspects of Intestinal Health of Pigs Post-Weaning

Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 680
Author(s):  
Ruth Rattigan ◽  
Torres Sweeney ◽  
Stafford Vigors ◽  
Kevin Thornton ◽  
Gaurav Rajauria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Faecal Consistency ◽  
Small Intestinal

This study examines the effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of fucoidan, from a 44% fucoidan extract on the growth performance and intestinal health of pigs post-weaning (PW). Seventy-two newly weaned pigs (8.4 kg (SD 1.06)) were assigned to: (T1) basal diet (BD); (T2) BD + 125 ppm fucoidan; (T3) BD + 250 ppm fucoidan (8 pens/treatment). The appropriate quantity of a 44% fucoidan extract was included to achieve these inclusion levels. Faecal scores were recorded daily. On d15 PW, samples were collected from the intestinal tract from 1 pig/pen from the BD and BD + 250 ppm fucoidan groups. Pigs supplemented with 250 ppm fucoidan had improved faecal scores and increased concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and propionate in the colon (p < 0.05). The fucoidan-rich extract reduced the expression of CLDN5 (duodenum), SCL5A1/SGLT1 and SI (jejunum) and TJP1, FABP2, and SLC5A1 (ileum) (p < 0.05). The extract reduced the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.05) and increased the abundance of Helicobacter (p < 0.01) in the caecum. However, no negative impact on growth performance or small intestinal morphology was observed. Thus, the inclusion of 250 ppm fucoidan improves faecal consistency without affecting growth performance and therefore warrants further investigation as a supplement for the prevention of PW diarrhoea under more challenging commercial conditions.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Antimicrobial Peptide Plectasin on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Immune Function of Yellow-Feathered Chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinheng Zhang ◽  
Qiqi Zhao ◽  
Lijun Wen ◽  
Che Wu ◽  
Ziqi Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Blood Biochemical ◽  
Biochemical Indices ◽  
Blood Biochemical Indices

The goal of the study was to test the effects of an antibiotic substitute, plectasin, on the growth performance, immune function, intestinal morphology and structure, intestinal microflora, ileal mucosal layer construction and tight junctions, ileal immune-related cytokines, and blood biochemical indices of yellow-feathered chickens. A total of 1,500 one-day-old yellow-feathered chicks were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups with five replicates in each group and 75 yellow-feathered chicks in each replication, as follows: basal diet (group A); basal diet supplemented with 10 mg enramycin/kg of diet (group B), basal diet supplemented with 100 mg plectasin/kg of diet (group C), and basal diet supplemented with 200 mg plectasin/kg of diet (group D). It was found that the dietary antimicrobial peptide plectasin could improve the ADG and had better F/G for the overall period of 1–63 days. Dietary plectasin can enhance H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody levels of yellow-feathered chickens at 21, and 35 days of age. Dietary plectasin can enhance the intestine structure, inhibit Escherichia coli and proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum, and ameliorate the blood biochemical indices of yellow-feathered chickens at 21 days of age. This study indicates that the antimicrobial peptide plectasin has beneficial effects on the growth performance, intestinal health and immune function of yellow-feathered chickens.

scholarly journals Effects of Glucose Oxidase Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Antioxidative and Inflammatory Status, Gut Function, and Microbiota Composition of Broilers Fed Moldy Corn

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhui Qu ◽  
Jiaguo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Glucose Oxidase ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Intestinal Function ◽  
Junction Protein

BackgroundGlucose oxidase is widely used as a livestock feed additive owing to its beneficial effects on growth performance and antioxidant activity. However, little is known about the effects of the enzyme on intestinal health.MethodsTo investigate the effects of glucose oxidase supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal function, and microbiota composition of broilers fed moldy corn, newly hatched Arbor Acres broilers were each randomly assigned to one of four groups, which were fed a basal diet (CON), a contaminated diet (10% moldy corn) (MC), a basal diet supplemented with 0.01% glucose oxidase (GOD), or a contaminated diet supplemented with 0.01% glucose oxidase (MCG).ResultsWe found that the average weight gain (ADG) of the MC group was significantly lower than those of the CON and GOD groups, and there were no significant differences in ADG between the MCG group and the CON and GOD groups. Intestinal morphology results revealed irregularly arranged villi and microvilli in the ilea from the MC group, whereas those from the other three groups were aligned regularly. Tight-junction protein analysis showed that both ZO-1 expression and claudin-4 expression in the MC group were significantly lower than those in the other groups. Inflammation cytokines analysis showed lower serum concentration of interleukin-10, as well as its mRNA expression in the ileum of the MC group, when compared with those of the other groups. Additionally, we observed lower glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activity and higher malonaldehyde concentration in the MC group than those in the MCG group. The α and β diversity of microbiota profiling indicated that the cecal microbiota in the MC group differed from those in the other three groups.ConclusionThe results indicated that glucose oxidase supplementation was able to prevent the adverse effects from mycotoxin exposure on growth performance, antioxidant activity, inflammatory response, intestinal function, and microbiota composition in broilers. We suggested that glucose oxidase supplementation can be used in broilers to mitigate the adverse effects of moldy feed, and its benefits are due to its effect on intestinal microbiota composition.

scholarly journals Dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. Improves Growth Performance in Broilers

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lang Zhang ◽  
Yongxing Hong ◽  
Yuying Liao ◽  
Kui Tian ◽  
Haodong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Group A

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiome in broiler chickens. A total of 400 1-day-old male Guangxi partridge broilers (initial body weight: 42.52 ± 0.06 g) 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), 10 replicates for each treatment, and 10 broilers in each treatment group. Results indicated that the average daily feed intake of broilers during 22–42 days and the average daily gain of chickens during 1–42 days significantly increased by dietary supplementation of LST powder (p &lt; 0.01), while the feed conversion ratio during the overall periods was decreased by dietary supplementation of LST powder (p &lt; 0.01). Except for the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver (p &gt; 0.05), the levels of SOD, catalase (CAT) and GSH-Px in serum, liver, and breast muscle were significantly increased in the LST supplemented groups (p &lt; 0.05), while the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum, liver, and breast muscle were significantly decreased in the LST supplemented groups (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased by the addition of dietary LST powder (p &lt; 0.01), while the levels of HDL-C, Ca, Fe, Mg, and P were linearly increased by the addition of dietary LST powder (p &lt; 0.01). With respect to the gut morphometric, crypt depth was significantly decreased by LST supplementation (p &lt; 0.05), while villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth were notably increased by LST supplementation (p &lt; 0.05). Sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) from the cecal contents of broilers revealed that the composition of the chicken gut microbiota was altered by LST supplementation. The α-diversity of microbiota in broilers was increased (p &lt; 0.05) in the LST1 group, but was decreased (p &lt; 0.05) in the LST2 and LST4 groups compared with the LST0 group. The differential genera enriched in the LST1 group, 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.

scholarly journals Supplemental Effects of Functional Oils on the Modulation of Mucosa-Associated Microbiota, Intestinal Health, and Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1591
Author(s):  
Vitor Hugo C. Moita ◽  
Marcos Elias Duarte ◽  
Suelen Nunes da Silva ◽  
Sung Woo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Protein Carbonyl ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Jejunal Mucosa ◽  
Intestinal Health ◽  
Nursery Pigs ◽  
Ileal Digestibility ◽  
Functional Oils

This study aimed to investigate the effects of functional oils on modulation of mucosa-associated microbiota, intestinal health, and growth performance of nursery pigs. Forty newly weaned pigs (20 barrows and 20 gilts) with 7.0 ± 0.5 kg body weight (BW) were housed individually and randomly allotted in a randomized complete block design with sex and initial BW as blocks. The dietary treatments were a basal diet with increasing levels (0.00, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.50 g/kg feed) of functional oils (a blend of castor oil and cashew nutshell liquid; Oligo Basics USA LLC, Cary, NC) fed to pigs for 34 days divided in two phases (P1 for 13 days and P2 for 21 days). Growth performance was analyzed weekly. On day 34, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa for analyzing the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal health, and ileal digesta for analyzing apparent ileal digestibility. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4. Supplementation of functional oils did not affect the overall growth performance. Increasing supplementation of functional oils reduced (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Helicobacteraceae, whereas it increased (p < 0.05) Lactobacillus kitasatonis. Supplementation of functional oils tended (p = 0.064) to decrease protein carbonyl and increase the villus height (p = 0.098) and crypt depth (p = 0.070). In conclusion, supplementation of functional oils enhanced intestinal health of nursery pigs by increasing beneficial and reducing harmful bacteria, potentially reducing oxidative stress and enhancing intestinal morphology, without affecting overall growth performance of pigs. Supplementation of functional oils at 0.75–1.50 g/kg feed was the most beneficial to the jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal integrity of nursery pigs.

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