Dietary supplementation of fructooligosaccharides alleviates enterotoxigenic E. coli-induced disruption of intestinal epithelium in a weaned piglet model

Diarrhea caused by pathogens such as enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is a serious threat to the health of young animals and human infants. Here, we investigated the protective effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the intestinal epithelium with ETEC-challenge in a weaned piglet model. Twenty-four weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups: (1) non-ETEC-challenged control (CON), (2) ETEC-challenged control (ECON), and (3) ETEC challenge + 2.5 g/kg FOS (EFOS). On day 19, the CON pigs were orally infused with sterile culture, while the ECON and EFOS pigs were orally infused with active ETEC (2.5 × 109 colony-forming units). On day 21, pigs were slaughtered to collect venous blood and small intestine. Result showed that the pre-treatment of FOS improved the antioxidant capacity and the integrity of intestinal barrier in the ETEC-challenged pigs without affecting their growth performance. Specifically, comparing with ECON pigs, the level of GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) and CAT (catalase) in the plasma and intestinal mucosa of EFOS pigs was increased (P<0.05), and the intestinal barrier marked by ZO-1 and plasmatic DAO was also improved in EFOS pigs. A lower level (P<0.05) of inflammatory cytokines in the intestinal mucosa of EFOS pigs might be involved in the inhibition of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB pathway. The apoptosis of jejunal cells in EFOS pigs was also lower than that in ECON pigs (P<0.05). Our findings provide convincing evidence of possible prebiotic and protective effect of FOS on the maintenance of intestinal epithelial function under the attack of pathogens.

Evaluation of Dietary Curcumin Nanospheres in a Weaned Piglet Model

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound present in turmeric with extensive uses in cooking foods and biomedical applications. However, due to its hydrophobic nature, it is poorly soluble in water and its bioavailability is very low on oral administration in organisms. In this study, we investigated the dietary curcumin nanospheres in a weaned piglet model based on the growth, serum biochemistry, proteomics, fecal coliform bacteria, and malodors in the feces of piglets. A total of 135 weaned piglets (Duroc × [Yorkshire × Landrace]) with an average initial body weight of 7.0 ± 1.0 kg (28 ± 1 days of age) were randomly distributed in 9 pens (15 pigs in each pen) fed the dietary curcumin nanospheres (CN) at 0 (control), 0.5 (T1), and 1.0 mL (T2) CN/kg of diet in triplicates for 21 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the results showed piglets fed 1.0 mL CN/kg diet had significantly higher growth performance and feed utilization than control diet (without CN). However, there were no significant differences in growth and feed utilization between piglets fed T1 and T2 diets. Serum glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, amylase, and lipase contents were unaffected in piglets fed the experimental diets. Interestingly, piglets fed T1 and T2 diets showed significantly lower total cholesterol levels than control diet. In serum proteomics, a total of 103 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the piglets fed control, T1, and T2 diets, of which 14 DEPs were upregulated and 4 DEPs were downregulated. Fecal coliform bacteria and ammonia gas were significantly reduced in piglets fed T1 and T2 diets. Overall, the results indicated dietary supplementation of CN could enhance the growth, feed utilization, and immunity—and reduce fecal pathogenic bacteria as well as ammonia gas emissions—in weaned piglets.

Linear Models for the Prediction of Animal Zone Ammonia in a Weaned Piglet Building

Measuring ammonia inside livestock buildings poses many challenges that hinder the incorporation of this variable into environmental control systems. The aim of this study was to measure various microclimate variables inside a weaned piglet building and analyse their interactions with NH3 concentrations for setpoint temperatures of 26 and 25 °C, in order to control NH3 concentrations based on other easily measurable variables. The experimental test was conducted on a conventional farm in Northwest Spain. NH3 concentrations in the animal zone were best correlated with CO2 concentrations in the animal zone (R = 0.91 and R = 0.55) and velocity of air extracted through the fan (R = 0.72 and R = 0.65) for setpoint temperatures of 26 and 25 °C, respectively. Similarly, strong correlations were found with relative humidity in the animal zone and temperature of inlet air. Because NH3 concentration in the animal zone is related to the performance of the ventilation system, strong positive correlations were found between NH3 concentration and temperature of inlet air whereas negative correlations were found between NH3 concentration and ventilation rates. Linear regression models based on CO2 concentrations in the animal zone and temperature of inlet air are recommended, because they provide a good fit for both setpoint temperatures using variables that can be readily measured.

A case of pericarditis caused by Mycoplasma hyorhinis in a weaned piglet

Background Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M. hyorhinis) is a bacterium commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs and an agent of polyserositis and polyarthritis. Moreover, it can carry antibiotic resistance genes (Wu et al, Vet. Microbiol. 76: 25–30, 2000). Economic losses caused by M. hyorhinis can be reduced by antibiotic therapy, however, isolation and antimicrobic susceptibility profile are rarely performed. Case presentation The present report describes a case of pericarditis caused by M. hyorhinis in a weaned piglet with respiratory symptoms and reduced growth performance. At post mortem examination, the main macroscopic finding was a severe fibrinous pericarditis and M. hyorhins was the only agent isolated from the pericardial fluid. In this strain, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination revealed resistance to various antimicrobial molecules such as erythromycin, tylosin and tilmicosin. Conclusion This paper highlights the importance of including M. hyorhins in the differential diagnosis of polyserositis in swine. Moreover, due the possible presence of multidrug resistance, the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern should be performed on a regular basis.

PSII-38 Tolerable upper intake levels of iron damage the intestine and alter the intestinal flora in weaned piglets

Iron supplementation has been an intervention to improve iron storage and prevent iron deficiency anaemia in weaned piglets. NRC has set recommended nutrient intake (RNI) and tolerable upper intake levels (UL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential harm of UL iron to the gut and microbes of weaned piglets. Thirty 23-day old weaned piglets assigned to three dietary treatments: a basal diet supplemented with 100 (RNI), 300, or 3000 (UL) mg FeSO4/kg diet for 28 days. Piglets were then euthanized, and the gut and cecum microbes were collected. UL iron significantly reduced the height of the villi in the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum of weaned piglets, and showed duodenal mitochondrial swelling (P &lt; 0.05). The addition of UL iron to the diet significantly reduced the expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 in weaned piglet duodenal mucosa (P &lt; 0.05). The protein levels of DMT1 and Zip14 decreased (P &lt; 0.05), and the protein levels of ferritin increased in the duodenal mucosa of UL iron fed weaned piglets (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, UL iron also increased the content of ROS and MDA and decreased the activity of SOD in the weaned piglet duodenal mucosa (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, UL iron significantly increased intestinal microbial diversity and species richness in weaned piglets. At the phylum level, UL iron supplementation was associated with a significant increase in Proteobacteria relative abundance, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes (P &lt; 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Clostridiales, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotellaceae decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05), while the relative abundance of Desulfovibrio and Anaerovibrio increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, UL iron caused damage to the intestinal villi, damaged the intestinal barrier, reduced iron absorption, induced oxidative stress, led to histopathological changes, and modified the intestinal microbial structure in weaned piglets.

Effectiveness of the use of feed additives Nabikat and Glauconite in the diets of sows

It is the fact with the introduction of the detailed system of normalized feeding in the livestock industry, the productivity of farm animals has increased by 11,2 %. The obvious solution to the problem of feeding pigs with complete feed is seen in the use of feed and feed additives of local production, which will reduce the final prime cost of the product. The purpose of the work was to justify the use of feed additives Nabikat and Glauconite in feeding sows. During the experiment 3 groups of sows have been formed (a control group and two experimental ones). Sows of the control group have been received the main farm diet, sows of the 1st experimental group in addition to the main diet have been received the feed additive Nabikat (0,20 % of the dry matter of the diet), and the 2nd experimental group Glauconite (0,25 % of the dry matter of the diet). It has been found on the base of researches that the input of the feed additive Nabikat in the diet of pregnant sows has increased the prolificacy of sows by 16,3 %, the livability of piglets by 10,9 %, while the expenditures of feed has been reduced by 20,4 %. The lowest feed and digestible protein expenditures per live weight gain of a pregnant sow and a weaning piglet have been observed in the 1st experimental group when the feed additive Nabikat was included in the diet of sows. The highest feed payment for 1 weaned piglet has been observed when feeding the feed additive Nabikat to sows, which allows producing 24,3 heads of piglets in natural terms, in monetary terms of 1,92 heads. At the same time, it is possible to get an additional profit of 6,9 thousand rubles.

Administration of Saccharomyces boulardii mafic-1701 improves feed conversion ratio, promotes antioxidant capacity, alleviates intestinal inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in weaned piglets

Background: Probiotics for are used as a means to improve animal health and intestinal development. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a well-known probiotic, however, few studies have examined the effects of S. boulardii on weaned piglet performance. Therefore, this 28-day study compared the effects of S. boulardii mafic-1701 and aureomycin in weaned piglet diets on growth performance, antioxidant parameters, inflammation and intestinal microbiota. One hundred and eight weaned piglets were randomly divided into three dietary treatment groups: (1) basal diet (CON); (2) basal diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg aureomycin (ANT); (3) basal diet supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/kg S. boulardii mafic-1701 (SB). Results: Compared to CON group, SB group improved feed efficiency over the entire 28 days (P < 0.01) and decreased the rate of diarrhea during the first two weeks (P < 0.05). Total superoxide dismutase concentration was markedly increased in SB group (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with CON group, SB group decreased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (P < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor (P < 0.05) in jejunum. Supplementation with S boulardii mafic-1701 increased abundance of Bacillus and Ruminococcaceae (P < 0.05), whereas abundance of Clostridiaceae was decreased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, S boulardii mafic-1701 administration increased cecal concentration of microbial metabolites, isobutyrate and valerate (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The improvement in feed conversion ratio, reduction in diarrhea rate during the first two weeks in weaned piglets provided diets supplemented with S. boulardii mafic-1701 may be associated with enhanced antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory responses and intestinal microbial ecology.

Effect of Restricted Suckling on Growth Performance and Behaviour of Crossbred Piglets

Present study was planned to acclimatize the pre-weaned piglet for stress tolerance through restricted suckling with or without mother’s visibility for improved piglet and through stress tolerance. For this, 244 piglets from 36 pregnant crossbred sows (Landrace × Desi), with 18 sows each, during summer season having 147 piglets and during winter season having 97 piglets were used. Eighteen sows along with their piglets were randomly distributed in 3 treatment groups viz. T0 (No restriction), T1 (restricted suckling with mother’s visibility) and T2 (restricted suckling without mother’s visibility) for the above said study for 3 months. A total of 15 minutes time was allotted for suckling of piglets in T1 and T2 group. Different records pertaining to body weight, feed intake, behaviour and growth parameter of piglets were recorded up to 3 months of age. At the end of the study period, body weight of piglets showed non-significant difference between the treatment groups. Grower feed intake during post-weaning (after 42 days) period showed significant difference (P less than 0.01) during winter season with highest value observed in T2 group. In rest of the period, non-significant difference was observed for all the treatment groups both during summer and winter season. Higher values for suckling behaviour was recorded for T1 and T2 groups than T0. From the present study, restricted suckling without mother’s visibility may be recommended at farm level for quick adaptation of piglets after weaning.