Genome-Wide DNA Methylome and Transcriptome Analysis of Porcine Testicular Cells Infected With Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is a porcine pathogen causing highly communicable gastrointestinal infection that are lethal for suckling piglets. In an attempt to delineate the pathogenic mechanism of TGEV-infected porcine testicular cells (ST cells), we conducted a whole genome analysis of DNA methylation and expression in ST cells through reduced bisulfate-seq and RNA-seq. We examined alterations in the methylation patterns and recognized 1764 distinct methylation sites. 385 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in the viral defense and ribosome biogenesis pathways. Integrative analysis identified two crucial genes (EMILIN2, RIPOR3), these two genes expression were negatively correlated to promoter methylation. In conclusion, alterations in DNA methylation and differential expression of genes reveal that their potential functional interactions in TGEV infection. Our data highlights the epigenetic and transcriptomic landscapes in TGEV-infected ST cells and provides a reliable dataset for screening TGEV resistance genes and genetic markers.

The use of prebiotics to optimize gut function in pigs

Colonization of the porcine gut microbiota commences after birth; however, this development is interrupted at weaning, rendering the piglet vulnerable to enteric disease. Dietary supplementation of non-digestible oligosaccharides can contribute to the stabilization of gut homeostasis by promotion of saccharolytic bacteria, inhibition of opportunistic pathogens, bacterial metabolite production and immune regulation. Whilst traditionally fructans and galactooligosaccharides have been added to weaner pig diets, supplementation of sow’s gestation and lactation diets and oral administration of suckling piglets may exert some beneficial effects too to promote gut microbiota and (immune) function development. Oligosaccharides in sow milk act as prebiotics by specifically shaping the gut microbiota of the offspring. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge on effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides on porcine gut function and health. The modes of actions of those substances are discussed as well as aspects that need more investigation for future applications in diets for suckling piglets.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Porcine Astrovirus on the basis of Partial ORF1b/ORF2 Region

The porcine astrovirus (PAstV) is distributed globally and exists as five distinct lineages (PAstV1-PAstV5). PAstV is considered one of the important pathogen associated with diarrhea among pigs. In the present study, the PAstV was detected in 13.4% (19/141) of fecal samples including 14.4% (16/111) diarrheic and 10% (3/30) non-diarrheic samples by RT-PCR based on partial ORF1b/ORF2 gene from Haryana, India. The results indicated that the weaning piglets were more susceptible to PAstV infection followed by suckling piglets. The phylogenetic analysis of the viral strains revealed the circulation ofPAstV4 (55.5%) and PAstV2 (44.4%) lineages with PAstV4 being the predominant lineage. To conclude, RT-PCR screening followed by sequencing of PAstV revealed high genetic diversity among the PAstV strains suggesting the wide range of heterogeneity and possible recombination events of viral strains in the state.

Dynamics of Morphological Indicators of Blood of Piglets under the Influence of Iron Clathrochelate Complex and Cyanocobalamin

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common non-contagious diseases of piglets. Veterinary antianemic drugs have several drawbacks, so finding new medicines is an important current task for scientists. Therefore, the present study investigated the antianemic effect of iron (IV) clathrochelate in the organism of piglets. The subsequent studies included the exploration of its antianemic actions, particularly in combination with cyanocobalamin when this combination was administered to sows for prophylaxis in piglets. The experiment was carried out on 30 suckling piglets during the period of their detention with sows. According to the method of analogue groups, two groups of control (I) and experimental (II, each containing 15 animals) were formed and they were studied for 30 days. The piglets from five sows (three from each) were selected for the experimental group. During the pregnancy of these sows, 10 ml of 10% solution of iron (IV) IV clathrochelate and solution of cyanocobalamin were injected intramuscularly twice 7 and 14 days before their expected farrowing. For prevention of iron deficiency anemia, the traditional solution of iron dextran was administered once intramuscularly to piglets of the control group. The investigative material included the blood samples of piglets considering the dynamics of probable changes in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin content and hematocrit, and other morphological indicators and blood indices of piglets. The dynamics of changes in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content, hematocrit, leukocytes and platelets, indices of blood almost did not differ from the dynamics of these values when using only 10% solution of iron (IV) clathrochelate for pregnant sows. The proposed scheme for the prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia in piglets, involving simultaneous intramuscular injections of IV clathrochelate and cyanocobalamin to pregnant sows, is somewhat inferior to the previous preventive measures, which included only the intramuscular injections of iron (IV) IV clathrochelate, but it can be recommended as highly effective.

An Intramuscular Multivalent Vaccine Against Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Injected in Suckling Piglets Reduced the Prevalence of Pathogenic E. Coli and Lawsonia Intracellularis Until Slaughter

Background: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an intramuscular multivalent Escherichia coli vaccine for suckling piglets against infection not only by pathogenic E. coli but also by pathogens involved in Porcine Enteric Disease Complex (PEDC). Vaccinated Group had piglets vaccinated at days 10 and 20 of life with Colidex-C® (Vetia Animal Health, Spain), and Control Group had piglets that received sterile saline solution injection at the same days of life. We collected fecal samples in the farm from animals presenting diarrhea and intestinal mucosa swabs and ileum and colon tissue at slaughter and then performed PCR to identify E. coli virulence factors genes. Furthermore, we performed PCR to identify Lawsonia intracellularis, Brachyspira hyodisenteriae, and Salmonella spp.Results: Regarding fecal samples, 0% from Vaccinated Group was positive for E. coli, while Control Group had 94.1% of positive samples (p<0.0001). With respect to intestinal mucosa swab, 0% of the samples from Vaccinated Group were positive for E. coli, while 100% from Control Group were positive (p=0.001). Regarding ileum and colon tissue samples, 35% were positive for E. coli in Vaccinated Group and 85% in Control Group (p=0.001); Gcnt had a higher frequency of F41 (p=0.018), LT (p=0.018) and Sta (p=0.028) virulence factors genes. No sample was positive for Salmonella spp. nor for B. hyodisenteriae, but there were positive samples L. intracellularis; real-time PCR was performed and the frequencies found were 40% and 20% of ileum and colon positive samples in Vaccinated Group and 100% for ileum and 70% for colon in Control Group (p<0.001 for ileum and p=0.001 for colon).Conclusion: The results indicate that the E. coli vaccine for piglets may be a strategy to control E. coli infection. E. coli vaccines emerge as a probable strategy to help control L. intracellularis and, maybe, other enteric pathogens of pigs not evaluated in this study.

Special compound feeds and an immunostimulator to increase the live weight gain of suckling piglets

Sow milk is usually enough to meet the need for nutrients of three weeks age piglets. However from the beginning of life they need supplemental nutrients in the form of creep feeding. The objective of this study was to survey the usefulness of special mixed feeds (super starter, pre-starter, starter feeds) given as creep feeding and feeding to suckling pigs, as well as the use of immunostimulant for their health, better growth and development. The study showed that suckling pig fed with special super starter, pre-starter and starter mixed feed depending on age, as well as young animals additionally treated with intramuscular injected immunostimulant better by growth rate. The highest indicators for the live weight of piglets at the age of 60 days (weaning) and for the milk content of sows were in the experimental group, which was intramuscularly injected with an immunostimulator The highest live weight of (weaning) piglets aged 60 days was in treated groups.

The effectiveness of the use of multivitamin preparations in feeding with hypovitaminosis of piglets

The development of effective methods of prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis in piglets is one of the promising areas of veterinary science and practice. The article presents the results of studies obtained when evaluating the effectiveness of the use of complex multivitamin preparations from various manufacturers: Trivit (CJSC Mosagrogen, Russia), Tetrahydrovit (LLC NITA-PHARM, Russia), Dufalite (Zoetis Inc, USA). The peculiarity of vitamin nutrition of pigs is associated with the absence or insufficient synthesis of water-soluble B vitamins in their body, so they should always be present in the diet feed. In addition, pigs are in urgent need of the delivery of carotene, vitamin A, C, E, D with food, which is due to the intensity of metabolism and energy in the body; at the same time, the consumption of vitamin A and carotene increases exponentially. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that the most effective method of prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis in suckling piglets is the use of the multivitamin drug Tetrahydrovit intramuscularly on the 1st day of life and again after 7 days at a dose of 1 ml per head 1 time per day.

The Effect of Feeding Liquid or Dry Creep Feed on Growth Performance, Feed Disappearance, Enzyme Activity and Number of Eaters in Suckling Piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two dietary treatments (liquid creep feed (LCF) and dry creep feed (DCF)) offered during the suckling period on feed disappearance, number of eaters, and intestinal enzymatic development at weaning in an on-farm study with 347 piglets. Piglets were allocated to either the DCF or LCF treatment from day 10 to day 24 postpartum for 9 h a day. Red ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet to categorize piglets into eating categories (good eaters, moderate eaters, or non-eaters) via faecal swabs. At weaning, 40 piglets were sampled for intestinal enzymatic development. The LCF treatment increased the dry matter disappearance from day 10–18 (p < 0.001). The percentage of good eaters, moderate eaters and non-eaters did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The DCF pigs displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning (p = 0.024), and a greater body weight (BW) at day 61 (p < 0.001). The activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the proximal part of the small intestine were greatest (p < 0.001) in the DCF pigs.

Antimicrobial Use and Susceptibility of Indicator Escherichia coli in Finnish Integrated Pork Production

In pigs, antimicrobial use (AMU) practices vary at different production phases between herds and between countries. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development is linked to AMU but recognized as a multi-factorial issue, and thus, any information increasing knowledge of AMU and AMR relationships is valuable. We described AMU and screened the carriage of different AMR phenotypes of indicator Escherichia coli in 25 selected Finnish piglet-producing and finishing herds that formed nine birth-to-slaughter production lines. Moreover, we studied associations between AMU and AMR in both herd types and throughout the production line. Treatment records were obtained from the national Sikava register for 1year, and AMU was quantified as mg/PCU (population correction unit) and TIs (treatment incidences). For phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, ten pen-level pooled feces samples (n=250) in each herd were collected from one room representing the oldest weaned piglets or the oldest finishing pigs. Majority of the medications (96.8%) was administered parenterally, and penicillin was the predominant antimicrobial in every herd. More different antimicrobial substances were used in piglet-producing than in finishing herds (median 5 and 1, respectively, p&lt;0.001). As mg/PCU, sows had the highest AMU and suckling piglets had the highest TIs, whereas finishing pigs were the least treated age group. The proportion of susceptible indicator E. coli isolates of all studied isolates was 59.6%. Resistance was found most commonly against tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and ampicillin, and multi-resistant (MR) isolates (46.5% of all resistant isolates) were resistant to a maximum of four different antimicrobials. Quinolone resistance was rare, and no resistance against 3rd-generation cephalosporins, meropenem, azithromycin, colistin, gentamicin, or tigecycline was detected. The main associations between AMU and AMR were found at antimicrobial group level when use was compared with the presence of AMR phenotypes. The proportion of resistant isolates was not associated with AMU, and herd size was not associated with either AMU or AMR. We suggest that the use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactams as a primary treatment option and lack of wide application of oral group medications potentially favors a good resistance pattern in integrated pork production.