Resveratrol Ameliorates Intestinal Damage Challenged With Deoxynivalenol Through Mitophagy in vitro and in vivo

Deoxynivalenol (DON) reduces growth performance and damage intestinal function, and resveratrol (RES) has positive effects on growth performance and intestinal function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of RES in vitro and vivo challenged with DON. The results showed that dietary supplementation with DON significantly increase the mRNA expression levels of mitophagy- related genes, and protein level for PINK1, Parkin, Beclin-1, Lamp, Atg5, Map1lc, Bnip3, Fundc1, Bcl2l1 and SQSTMS1 (P < 0.05), while supplementation with both RES and DON decreased those indexes in the ileum. Besides DON significantly decreased protein level for Pyruvate Dehydrogenase, Cytochrome c, MFN1, OPA1, and PHB1 (P < 0.05), while supplementation with both RES and DON increased protein level for PHB1, SDHA, and VDAC in the ileum. Moreover, in vitro, we found that DON significantly decreased mitochondrial respiration (P < 0.05), while RES + DON increased the rate of spare respiratory capacity. Also, DON significantly decreased total NAD and ATP (P < 0.05), while RES + DON increased the total NAD and ATP. These results indicate that RES may ameliorates the intestinal damage challenged with deoxynivalenol through mitophagy in weaning piglets.

Superiority of Microencapsulated Essential Oils Compared With Common Essential Oils and Antibiotics: Effects on the Intestinal Health and Gut Microbiota of Weaning Piglet

Essential oils (EOs) have long been considered an alternative to antibiotics in the breeding industry. However, they are unstable and often present unpleasant odors, which hampers their application. Microencapsulation can protect the active gradients from oxidation and allow them to diffuse slowly in the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microencapsulation technology on the biological function of EOs and the possibility of using microencapsulate EOs (MEEOs) as an alternative to antibiotics in weaning piglets. First, we prepared MEEOs and common EOs both containing 2% thymol, 5% carvacrol and 3% cinnamaldehyde (w/w/w). Then, a total of 48 weaning piglets were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments: (1) basal diet; (2) 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline; (3) 100 mg/kg common EOs; (4) 500 mg/kg common EOs; (5) 100 mg/kg MEEOs; and (6) 500 mg/kg MEEO. The trial lasted 28 days. The results showed that piglets in the 100 mg/kg MEEOs group had the lowest diarrhea index during days 15–28 (P < 0.05). In addition, 100 mg/kg MEEOs significantly alleviated intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation (P < 0.05), whereas 500 mg/kg common EOs caused intestinal oxidative stress (P < 0.05) and may lead to intestinal damage through activation of inflammatory cytokine response. MEEOs (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the ratio of the relative abundance of potential pathogenic and beneficial bacteria in the cecum and colon (P < 0.05), thus contributing to the maintenance of intestinal health. On the other hand, chlortetracycline caused an increase in the ratio of the relative abundance of potential pathogenic and beneficial bacteria in the colon (P < 0.05), which could potentially have adverse effects on the intestine. The addition of a high dose of MEEOs may have adverse effects on the intestine and may lead to diarrhea by increasing the level of colonic acetic acid (P < 0.05). Collectively, the results suggest that microencapsulation technology significantly promotes the positive effect of EOs on the intestinal health of weaning piglets and reduces the adverse effect of EOs, and 100 mg/kg MEEOs are recommended as a health promoter in piglets during the weaning period.

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.

O-Serogroups and Pathovirotypes of Escherichia coli Isolated from Post-Weaning Piglets Showing Diarrhoea and/or Oedema in South Korea

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of several pathovirotypes and evaluate the association of haemolysis with the virotypes of pathogenic E. coli isolated from post-weaning piglets in South Korea from 2015 to 2019. We isolated 890 E. coli and tested for O-serogroups, virulence genes, haemolysis, and multilocus sequence typing. The predominant virotypes were STb:EAST1:AIDA-I, F18b:Stx2e:AIDA-I, F18:STa:STb:Stx2e, and eae:Paa in enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), ETEC/STEC, and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), respectively. Regarding serogroups, O139, O149, O141, and O121 were mostly detected in F18:Stx2e:AIDA-I, F4:LT:STb:EAST1, F18:STa:STb, and F18:Stx2e:EAST1, respectively. There was a significant change in the frequency of the O141:F18ac:STa:STb (an increase from 1.6% to 10.1%) and O139:F18ab:Stx2e:AIDA-I (a decrease from 13.0% to 5.3%) virotypes in ETEC and STEC, respectively, from 2015 to 2019. The O141:F18ac:STa:STb virotype was mostly detected in the central area and was spreading to the southern area. The odds ratios between haemolysis and virotypes were 11.0, 6.25, and 8.57 in F18:STa:STb, F18:Stx2e:AIDA-I, and F4:LT:STb:EAST1, respectively. Our findings provide insights regarding the recent prevalence of pathogenic E. coli in South Korea and could be used for the development of vaccines for E. coli responsible for PWD and ED in post-weaning piglets.

The level of products of lipid peroxidation in the blood of piglets at the action feed additive “Sylimevit”

Intensive pig breeding has been reported in the literature to suggest that early weaning of piglets from sows is an extreme stimulus that reduces the protective and adaptive responses of piglets. That is why the aim of the study was to study the effect of the feed additive “Sylimevit” on the level of lipid peroxidation products of piglets after weaning. Two groups of piglets were formed – control and experimental in the amount of 10 individuals in each group, selected on the principle of analogs – age, breed and body weight. During the weaning period, the piglets were kept under the sow in special machines, had constant access to the mother, and from the age of 5 days – free access to concentrated feed. While feeding of animals was carried out in accordance with the norms for a given age of pigs. Prior to the study, a clinical and physiological examination of the piglets was performed. Their general condition and activity when eating food were taken into account. On the 28th day of life, the piglets were weaned from the sow and regrouped from different nests in order to be further maintained during the period of fattening and rearing with a change in the structure of the diet, which served as technological stress for the animals. From the age of 5 days, piglets of all groups were fed pre-starter feed. Piglets of the experimental group, from 21 to 40 days of age, were additionally fed the feed supplement “Sylimevit” at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight per day. The technological stress of weaning piglets from sows is accompanied by a gradual probable intensification of lipid peroxidation processes. Feeding Sylimevit feed to piglets after weaning helped to reduce the content of intermediate and final products of lipid peroxidation: lipid hydroperoxides – by 52 % (P < 0.001) and TBA-active products – by 22.5 % (P < 0.01). Thus, feeding the piglets of the experimental group of the feed additive “Sylimevit” helped to suppress the processes of lipid peroxidation in animals. Thus, the results of the use of feed additive “Sylimevit” in weaned piglets showed a pronounced antioxidant effect. The components of the feed additive directly interacted with reactive oxygen species and free radicals, preventing the development of oxidative stress.

The High Level of Xylooligosaccharides Improves Growth Performance in Weaned Piglets by Increasing Antioxidant Activity, Enhancing Immune Function, and Modulating Gut Microbiota

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the high level of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on growth performance, antioxidant capability, immune function, and fecal microbiota in weaning piglets. The results showed that 28 d body weight exhibited linear and quadratic increases (P &lt; 0.05) with increasing dietary XOS level, as well as average daily feed intake (ADFI) on d 15–28, average daily gain (ADG) on d 15–28 and 1–28. There was a linear decrease (P &lt; 0.05) between XOS levels and feed conversion rate (FCR) on d 1–14 and 1–28. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) showed a linear increase (P &lt; 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level decreased linearly and quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) with the increasing dietary level of XOS. Moreover, the XOS treatments markedly increased the levels of immunoglobulin A (Ig A) (linear, P &lt; 0.05; quadratic, P &lt; 0.05), IgM (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05), IgG (linear, P &lt; 0.05), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) in serum, while the IL-1β (linear, P &lt; 0.05; quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) and IL-6 (linear, P &lt; 0.05) decreased with increasing level of XOS. Microbiota analysis showed that dietary supplementation with 1.5% XOS decreased (P &lt; 0.05) the α-diversity and enriched (P &lt; 0.05) beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Fusicatenibacter at the genus level, compared with the control group. Importantly, linearly increasing responses (P &lt; 0.05) to fecal acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were observed with increasing level of XOS. Spearman correlation analyses found that Lactobacillus abundance was positively correlated with ADG, acetate, propionate, and IgA (P &lt; 0.05), but negatively correlated with IL-1β (P &lt; 0.05). Bifidobacterium abundance was positively related with ADFI, total SCFAs, IgG, and IL-10 (P &lt; 0.05), as well as g_Fusicatenibacter abundance with ADFI, total SCFAs, and IL-10. However, Bifidobacterium and Fusicatenibacter abundances were negatively associated with MDA levels (P &lt; 0.05). In summary, dietary supplementation with XOS can improve the growth performance in weaning piglets by increasing antioxidant capability, enhancing immune function, and promoting beneficial bacteria counts.

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.

Fermented rye with Agaricus subrufescens and mannan-rich hydrolysate based feed additive to modulate post-weaning piglet immune response

Background The process of weaning in piglets is often associated with an increased inflammation response in the intestine and compromised intestinal integrity and morphology, favoring a delay in intestinal maturation and a predisposal to diseases. Research has shown the potential of different nutritional strategies to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, with the main goal to manipulate health and performance of pigs. Promising examples of nutritional strategies are fungal fermented products and their derivatives which are described to contain several compounds that may play a role in gastrointestinal health and pathogenic bacteria control. Products from Agaricus subrufescens mushroom are reported to contain prophylactic and therapeutic properties including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Results This study analysed the post-weaning immune status in intestinal tissue and blood of piglets, with the objective to evaluate the gastrointestinal health and immune modulation response induced by a blend of mannan-rich hydrolyzed copra meal and fermented rye with A. subrufescens. Intestinal histomorphology demonstrated a villus height reduction in jejunum and increase in ileum on day 15, while increased villous height in jejunum and ileum on day 30. The results showed that in post-weaning piglets, the feed additive stimulates an immunomodulation effect most evident at 15 days post-weaning, with significant lower expression of cytokines Interferon (IFN) γ, Interleukin (IL) 1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) β in jejunum, accompanied with an increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytokine gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p35 (IL-12α), IL-12p40 (IL-12β), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) α, IFN-α, and TGF-β. In piglets fed the feed additive, the quantity of Immunoglobulin (Ig) A producing cells in jejunum, ileum was reduced on day 15 and 30 post-weaning, and on day 30 and 45 post-weaning in colon tissue. Natural Killer (NK) cells count in blood were increased on day 15 post-weaning in the piglets fed the feed additive. Conclusion This study implies the potential of the blend including mannan-rich hydrolyzed copra meal and fermented rye with A. subrufescens on immune modulation in the intestine of post-weaning piglets.

Sweet vs. Salty Former Food Products in Post-Weaning Piglets: Effects on Growth, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility and Blood Metabolites

Former food products (FFPs) have a great potential to replace conventional feed ingredients. This study aimed to investigate the possibility to partially replace standard ingredients with two different types of FFPs: bakery (FFPs-B) or confectionary (FFPs-C) FFPs and their effects on growth performances, feed digestibility and metabolic status in post-weaning piglets. Thirty-six post-weaning piglets were randomly assigned to three experimental diets (n = 12 per diet) for 42 days: a standard diet (CTR), a diet where 30% of standard ingredients were replaced by confectionary FFPs (FFPs-C) and a diet where 30% of standard ingredients were replaced by bakery FFPs (FFPs-B). Individual body weight and fecal dry matter were measured weekly. Feed intake (FI) was determined daily. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Fecal samples were collected daily for three days/week to determine apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (ATTD). At day 0, 21 and 42, blood samples were collected from all the piglets. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups were found in growth performances and metabolic profile. However, ATTD in FFPs-B group was lower (p < 0.05) compared to the CTR group at the end of the experiment. This study confirmed the possibility to formulate homogeneous diets integrated with 30% of both categories of FFPs. Further investigations are needed to clarify the effects of bakery former food products on the digestibility of the diet.