Fermentation in the large intestine of single-stomached animals and its relationship to animal health

Physiological response to the weaning in two pig lines divergently selected for residual feed intake

Breeding efficient pigs is a way to reduce dietary costs and environmental waste. However, optimization of feed efficiency must not be linked to a decrease of the ability of animals to cope with stress, such as the weaning. This study characterizes the response after weaning of pigs from two lines divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) during growth. Animals of the low (L) RFI line are more efficient than animals from the high (H) RFI line. Thirty-six piglets from each line weaned at 28 days of age were individually housed and fed a conventional dietary sequence. Their performance, behaviour, health and oxidative status, immune and nutritional parameters were followed during three weeks. Daily feed intake and growth rate of pigs from the LRFI line were 35% and 40% lower compared with HRFI (p < 0.001). Pigs from the LRFI-line had lower total tract apparent digestibility (-6% for OM) and suffered more from undernutrition with a 167 and 55% higher plasmatic concentration of NEFA and urea compared with HRFI (p < 0.01). In the first week after the weaning, they had more diarrhoea and had a higher inflammatory status with concentration of haptoglobin 52% higher (p < 0.001). These piglets then seemed to adapt to the weaning conditions and to recover during the second and third weeks. Both lines had similar zootechnical performance and physiological characteristics at the end of the post-weaning period. To conclude, the physiological responses to the weaning differed between lines. Pigs from the LRFI line, selected for greater feed efficiency, were more sensitive to the weaning stress. They were also more resilient as they finally adapted to the new condition and recovered to show similar performance results as pigs of the HRFI line.

Variations on gut health and energy metabolism in pigs and humans by intake of different dietary fibers

Many studies have reported that dietary fibers play a crucial role in promoting intestinal health of the host, since it strengthens functions of epithelial barrier and meanwhile maintains intestinal homeostasis of the host by modulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Pig is a good animal model to study effects of dietary fiber on gut health and microbial community. This review has summarized the relevant knowledge available based on roles of various dietary fibers in gut health and energy metabolism of pigs and humans. Evidences summarized in our review indicated that modulating intestinal microbial composition and SCFA production by consuming specific dietary fibers properly could be conducive to health improvement and disease prevention of the host. However, types of dietary fiber from edible foods exert divergent impacts on gut health, energy metabolism, microbial composition, and SCFA production. Therefore, more attention should be focused on different responses of various dietary fibers intake on host metabolism and health.

Probiotics-Live Biotherapeutics: a Story of Success, Limitations, and Future Prospects-Not Only for Humans

In livestock production, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) represent the most widespread microorganisms used as probiotics. For such critical use, these bacteria must be correctly identified and characterized to ensure their safety and efficiency. Recently, probiotics have become highly recognized as supplements for humans and in particular for animals because of their beneficial outcome on health improvement and well-being maintenance. Various factors, encompassing dietary and management constraints, have been demonstrated to tremendously influence the structure, composition, and activities of gut microbial communities in farm animals. Previous investigations reported the potential of probiotics in animal diets and nutrition. But a high rate of inconsistency in the efficiency of probiotics has been reported. This may be due, in a major part, to the dynamics of the gastrointestinal microbial communities. Under stressing surroundings, the direct-fed microbials may play a key role as the salient limiting factor of the severity of the dysbiosis caused by disruption of the normal intestinal balance. Probiotics are live microorganisms, which confer health benefits on the host by positively modifying the intestinal microflora. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize and to highlight the positive influence of probiotics and potential probiotic microbe supplementation in animal feed with mention of several limitations.

Application of a simple measuring method to evaluate the fecal microflora of dairy cows in the summer season

OBJECTIVE

The effect of seasonality needs to be considered in designing future studies because global warming has caused a rise in ambient temperatures. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of high ambient temperatures on fecal score and fecal microflora in dairy cows during summer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During the 7 days before the sampling of feces, the daily mean temperatures were 19.9°C in early summer and more than 27.5°C in late summer. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of cows and the fecal score was evaluated on a 4-point scale. The equalized samples were used to extract the genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in fecal scores between the sampling times in early and late summer. In the populations of the bacteria, there was no significant difference between sampling days in the DNA level of Salmonella, and E. coli in late summer increased to more than three times the level in early summer. However, both levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in early summer significantly decreased after 2 months.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the increase in temperature in late summer may adversely affect the populations of bacteria in the intestinal environment of dairy cows. In addition, the method used in the present study was sufficient to evaluate the changes in internal and external environmental conditions of dairy cattle.

Betaine increases net portal absorption of volatile fatty acids in Iberian pigs

Betaine is an osmolyte with the potential to increase volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production and hence improve intestinal health.The present study investigated how betaine affects portal and arterial concentrations and net portal absorption (NPA) of VFA in growing Iberian pigs. Eight 30 kg BW Iberian growing barrows with indwelling catheters in portal vein, ileal vein and carotid artery were randomly assigned to a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.5% betaine. Para-aminohippuric acid was infused into the ileal vein as a marker to determine portal blood flow using the dilution method. Blood samples were simultaneously taken from the carotid artery and portal vein at -60, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min after feeding 1 200 g of the diet. The NPA of VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate and caproate) was determined by multiplying the porto-arterial plasma concentration differences by portal plasma flow. Betaine increased NPA of acetate (1.44 fold; P < 0.001) and total VFA (0.55 fold; P < 0.001) while decreased NPA of propionate (-0.38 fold; P < 0.05) and valerate (-1.46 fold; P < 0.05) compared with control pigs. Estimated heat production potentially derived from NPA of VFA accounted for 0.20-0.27 of metabolizable energy for maintenance. Acetate and propionate accounted for most of the total VFA estimated heat production (0.83-0.89). Regarding bacterial communities, betaine apparently did not change the DNA abundance of fecal total bacteria, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides and the Clostridium clusters I, IV and XIV. In conclusion, betaine increased portal appearance and NPA of VFA, contributing to cover maintenance energy requirements.

In vitro fermentation outcomes of arabinoxylan and galactoxyloglucan depend on fecal inoculum more than substrate chemistry

Using in vitro fermentation conditions, this study investigated the fermentation characteristics of arabinoxylan (AX) and xyloglucan (XG) with a fecal inoculum that was collected either from humans consuming unrestricted diets or pigs fed a semi-defined diet with cellulose being the sole non-starch polysaccharide for 10 days prior to fecal collection. Metagenomic analysis revealed that microbial communities in the two types of inoculum were distinctively different, which led to distinct fermentation characteristics with the polysaccharides. The microbial communities fermented with the porcine fecal inoculum were clustered according to the fermentation time, while those fermented with the human fecal inoculum were differentiated by the substrates. Using the porcine fecal inoculum, irrespective of the substrates, Prevotella copri and the unclassified lineage rc4-4 were the dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) promoted during fermentation. Fermentation of wheat AX (WAX) and galacto-XG (GXG) with the human fecal inoculum, however, promoted different OTUs, except for a shared OTU belonging to Lachnospiraceae. Specifically, WAX promoted the growth of Bacteroides plebeius and a Blautia sp., while GXG promoted an unclassified Bacteroidales, Parabacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides sp. 2. These changes in bacterial communities were in accordance with the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, where comparable SCFA profiles were obtained from the porcine fecal fermentation while different amounts and proportions of SCFA were acquired from fermentation of WAX and GXG with the human fecal inoculum. Altogether, this study indicated that the starting inoculum composition had a greater effect than polysaccharide chemistry in driving fermentation outcomes.

Measures Matter-Determining the True Nutri-Physiological Value of Feed Ingredients for Swine

Many types of feed ingredients are used to provide energy and nutrients to meet the nutritional requirements of swine. However, the analytical methods and measures used to determine the true nutritional and physiological ("nutri-physiological") value of feed ingredients affect the accuracy of predicting and achieving desired animal responses. Some chemical characteristics of feed ingredients are detrimental to pig health and performance, while functional components in other ingredients provide beneficial health effects beyond their nutritional value when included in complete swine diets. Traditional analytical procedures and measures are useful for determining energy and nutrient digestibility of feed ingredients, but do not adequately assess their true physiological or biological value. Prediction equations, along with ex vivo and in vitro methods, provide some benefits for assessing the nutri-physiological value of feed ingredients compared with in vivo determinations, but they also have some limitations. Determining the digestion kinetics of the different chemical components of feed ingredients, understanding how circadian rhythms affect feeding behavior and the gastrointestinal microbiome of pigs, and accounting for the functional properties of many feed ingredients in diet formulation are the emerging innovations that will facilitate improvements in precision swine nutrition and environmental sustainability in global pork-production systems.

Exogenous enzymes and probiotics alter digestion kinetics, volatile fatty acid content and microbial interactions in the gut of Nile tilapia

Sustainable aquafeed production requires fishmeal replacement, leading to an increasing use of plant-derived ingredients. As a consequence, higher levels of antinutritional substances, such as non-starch polysaccharides and phytate, are present in aquafeeds, with negative effects on fish performance, nutrient digestibility and overall gut health. To alleviate these negative effects, providing exogenous digestive enzymes and/or probiotics can be an effective solution. In this study, we tested the effect of dietary supplementation of enzymes (phytase and xylanase) and probiotics (three strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) on nutrient digestion kinetics and volatile fatty acid content along the gut, and the distal gut microbiome diversity in Nile tilapia. Chyme volatile fatty content was increased with probiotic supplementation in the proximal gut, while lactate content, measured for the first time in vivo in fish, decreased with enzymes along the gut. Enzyme supplementation enhanced crude protein, Ca and P digestibility in proximal and middle gut. Enzymes and probiotics supplementation enhanced microbial interactions as shown by network analysis, while increased the abundance of lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus species. Such results suggest that supplementation with exogenous enzymes and probiotics increases nutrient availability, while at the same time benefits gut health and contributes to a more stable microbiome environment.

Probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 and Lactobacillus plantarum JL01 induce cytokine alterations by the production of TCDA, DHA, and succinic and palmitic acids, and enhance immunity of weaned piglets

Probiotics, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 and Lactobacillus plantarum JL01, can improve growth performance and immunity of piglets, and relieve weaning stress-related immune disorders such as intestinal infections and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of co-administration of the probiotics L. rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 and L. plantarum JL01 to stimulate immune responses and improve gut health during the critical weaning period in piglets. Forty-eight weaned piglets were randomly divided into four groups, and fed daily for 28 days either without, or with the two probiotics independently, or in combination. On day 28, we analyzed the cytokine and bacterial changes in intestinal mucosa and the hepatic portal vein blood metabolites of the weaned piglets. Our results showed that combined L. rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 and L. plantarum JL01 significantly increased (p < 0.05) the growth performance and expression of IL-10 and TGF-β1 mRNAs. In contrast, this treatment significantly decreased (p < 0.05) IL-1β mRNA level in the jejunum, ileum, and cecum. Furthermore, the secretion of IL-6 in the cecum, IL-1β in the jejunum, ileum, and cecum, and TNF-α in the jejunum and ileum was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Prevotella_9 and Enterococcus in ileum and cecum was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Ruminococcus_1 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 in cecum was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Prevotella_9 and Enterococcus may increase the accumulation of (4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TCDA) in portal vein blood, while Ruminococcus_1 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 may decrease the accumulation of succinic and palmitic acids. These results indicate that L. rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 and L. plantarum JL01 may regulate cytokine levels by reducing the accumulation of succinic and palmitic acids and increasing the accumulation of TCDA and DHA, thereby enhancing the immunity of weaned piglets.

Dietary Fiber Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Barrier Function Damage in Piglets by Modulation of Intestinal Microbiome

Weaning of piglets is accompanied by intestinal inflammation, impaired intestinal barrier function, and intestinal microflora disorder. Regulating intestinal microflora structure can directly or indirectly affect intestinal health and host growth and development. However, whether dietary fiber (DF) affects the inflammatory response and barrier function by affecting the intestinal microflora and its metabolites is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of intestinal microflora in relieving immune stress and maintaining homeostasis using piglets with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury as a model. DF improved intestinal morphology and barrier function, inhibited the expression of inflammatory signal pathways (Toll-like receptor 2 [TLR2], TLR4, and NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β [IL-1β], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), and upregulated the expression of barrier-related genes (encoding claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1). The contents of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and the activity of diamine oxidase in plasma were decreased. Meanwhile, DF had a strong effect on the composition and function of intestinal microflora at different taxonomic levels, the relative abundances of cellulolytic bacteria and anti-inflammatory bacteria were increased, and the concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in intestinal contents were increased. In addition, the correlation analysis also revealed the potential relationship between metabolites and certain intestinal microflora, as well as the relationship between metabolites and intestinal morphology, intestinal gene expression, and plasma cytokine levels. These results indicate that DF improves intestinal barrier function, in part, by altering intestinal microbiota composition and increasing the synthesis of SCFAs, which subsequently alleviate local and systemic inflammation.IMPORTANCE Adding DF to the diet of LPS-challenged piglets alleviated intestinal and systemic inflammation, improved intestinal barrier function, and ultimately alleviated the growth retardation of piglets. In addition, the addition of DF significantly increased the relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and the production of SCFAs. We believe that the improvement of growth performance of piglets with LPS-induced injury can be attributed to the beneficial effects of DF on intestinal microflora and SCFAs, which reduced the inflammatory response in piglets, improving intestinal barrier function and enhancing body health. These research results provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the use of specific fiber sources in the diet to improve intestinal health and growth performance of piglets and thus alleviate weaning stress. Our data also provide insights for studying the role of DF in regulating gastrointestinal function in human infants.

Effects of supplementing sow diets during late gestation with Pennisetum purpureum on antioxidant indices, immune parameters and faecal microbiota

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of adding Pennisetum purpureum (P. purpureum, also known as Napier grass or elephant grass) to the diets of late gestation on the antioxidant indexes, immune indexes and faecal microbiota of sows. At the 90 days of gestation, 300 healthy sows were randomly divided into three groups, and they received the basic commercial diet or added 5% P. purpureum and 10% P. purpureum, respectively. The experiment started from 90 days of gestation to parturition. The results showed that the total antioxidant capacity, immunoglobulins and serum equol concentrations of sows on 100 days of gestation and at parturition increased linearly (p < .05) with the increase of the content of P. purpureum in the gestation diet. The 5% P. purpureum increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (p = .027) and Actinobacteria (p < .001) at phylum level, Coriobacteriaceae (p < .001) at family level and Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 (p = .004) at genus level, and decreased the relative abundance of Escherichia_Shigella (p < .001) at genus level. In summary, this study shows that the additive of P. purpureum can increase the concentration of serum equol, improve the antioxidant capacity and immune function of sow in late gestation. In addition, the additive of 5% P. purpureum in the diet might change the composition of intestinal microbiota of sows, particularly the relative abundance of Coriobacteriaceae (p < .001) increased.

Effects of different defatted rice bran sources and processing technologies on nutrient digestibility in cannulated growing pigs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different defatted rice bran (DFRB) sources and processing technologies on nutrient digestibility in different intestinal segments of pigs. Nine barrows with T-cannula in the distal ileum were randomly allotted to nine different sources in which oil was pressed extracted for seven sources and was solvent extracted for two sources. The experiment contained 6 periods of 12 d, including 8 d for diet adaptation, 2 d for fecal collection, and 2 d for digesta collection. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), ash, total dietary fiber (TDF), insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose in different sources of DFRB was quite variable. There were no differences in the AID of dietary gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) between different sources of DFRB. There were no differences in the AID of dietary EE, TDF, IDF, and hemicellulose between different processing technologies. Pressed DFRBs have greater (P < 0.05) average AID of dietary GE, DM, ash, OM, CP, SDF, and NDF and lower (P < 0.01) ADF compared with solvent-extracted DFRBs. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of most of the dietary nutrients, except for the ATTD of dietary EE, SDF, and hemicellulose, significantly varied in different sources of DFRB (P < 0.05). In addition, pressed DFRB had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of dietary SDF, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose compared with solvent-extracted DFRB. The apparent hindgut digestibility (AHD) of dietary DM, SDF, NDF, and ADF significantly varied (P <0.05) in different sources of DFRB. Exception with DM, there are no differences in the AHD of nutrients digestibility between pressed DFRB and solvent-extracted DFRB. In conclusion, DFRB in different sources and processing technologies with different physicochemical properties had different effects on nutrient digestibility in the foregut and hindgut of pigs.

Effects of dietary cellobiose on the intestinal microbiota and excretion of nitrogen metabolites in healthy adult dogs

In order to evaluate the potential prebiotic effects of cellobiose, 10 healthy adult research beagle dogs received a complete diet containing 0, 0.5 and 1 g cellobiose/kg bodyweight (BW)/day. At the end of each feeding period, faeces, urine and blood of the dogs were collected. The results demonstrated a significant increase of faecal lactate concentrations, indicating a bacterial fermentation of cellobiose in the canine intestine. Along with this, a dose-dependent linear increase of the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae in the faeces of the dogs was observed (p = 0.014). In addition, a dose-dependent increase (p < 0.05) of Alloprevotella, Bacteroides and Prevotella, and a linear decrease for unidentified Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.011) was observed when cellobiose was added to the diet, although the relative abundance of these genera was low (<1%) among all groups. The faecal pH was not affected by dietary cellobiose. Cellobiose seemed to modulate the excretion of nitrogen metabolites, as lower concentrations of phenol (p = 0.034) and 4-ethylphenol (p = 0.002) in the plasma of the dogs were measured during the supplementation periods. Urinary phenols and indoles, however, were not affected by the dietary supplementation of cellobiose. In conclusion, cellobiose seems to be fermented by the intestinal microbiota of dogs. Although no effect on the faecal pH was detected, the observed increase of microbial lactate production might lower the pH in the large intestine and consecutively modulate the intestinal absorption of nitrogen metabolites. Also, the observed changes of some bacterial genera might have been mediated by increased intestinal lactate concentrations or a higher relative abundance of lactobacilli. Whether these results could be considered as a prebiotic effect and used as a dietetic strategy in diseased animals to improve gut function or hepatic and renal nitrogen metabolism should be evaluated in future studies.

The role of lactose in weanling pig nutrition: a literature and meta-analysis review

Lactose plays a crucial role in the growth performance of pigs at weaning because it is a palatable and easily digestible energy source that eases the transition from milk to solid feed. However, the digestibility of lactose declines after weaning due to a reduction in endogenous lactase activity in piglets. As a result, some lactose may be fermented in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Fermentation of lactose by intestinal microbiota yields lactic acid and volatile fatty acids, which may positively regulate the intestinal environment and microbiome, resulting in improved gastrointestinal health of weanling pigs. We hypothesize that the prebiotic effect of lactose may play a larger role in weanling pig nutrition as the global feed industry strives to reduce antibiotic usage and pharmacological levels of zinc oxide and supra-nutritional levels of copper. Evidence presented in this review indicates that high dietary lactose improves growth performance of piglets, as well as the growth of beneficial bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, with the positive effects being more pronounced in the first 2 weeks after weaning. However, the risk of post-weaning diarrhea may increase as pigs get older due to reduced lactase activity, high dietary lactose concentrations, and larger feed intakes, all of which may lead to excessive lactose fermentation in the intestine of the pig. Therefore, dietary lactose levels exert different effects on growth performance and gastrointestinal physiological functions in different feeding phases of weanling pigs. However, no formal recommendation of lactose for weanling pigs has been reported. A meta-analysis approach was used to determine that diets fed to swine should include 20%, 15%, and 0 lactose from d 0–7, d 7–14, and d 14–35 post-weaning, respectively. However, sustainable swine production demands that economics must also be taken into account as lactose and lactose containing ingredients are expensive. Therefore, alternatives to lactose, so called “lactose equivalents” have also been studied in an effort to decrease feed cost while maintaining piglet performance with lower dietary lactose inclusions. In summary, the present review investigated dose-response effects of dietary lactose supplementation to exert positive responses and begin to elucidate its mechanisms of action in post-weaning pig diets. The results may help to replace some or all lactose in the diet of weanling pigs, while improving production economics given the high cost of lactose and availability in some swine production markets.

Cell wall permeability of pinto bean cotyledon cells regulate in vitro fecal fermentation and gut microbiota

Processing induced structural changes of whole foods for the regulation of the colonic fermentation rate and microbiota composition are least understood and often overlooked. In the present study, intact cotyledon cells from pinto beans were isolated as a whole pulse food model and subjected to a series of processing temperatures to modulate the structure, most dominantly the cell wall permeability. The cell wall permeability, observed with the diffusion of fluorescently labeled dextran (FITC-dextran), was increased as a function of the hydrothermal temperature, which is in line with the rise in the in vitro fecal fermentation rate and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from the pinto bean cells. Further, the abundance of beneficial microbiota, such as Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroides, and Coprococcus, were significantly higher for cells processed at 100 °C compared to the 60 °C-treated ones. We conclude that cell wall provides an effective barrier for the microbial fermentation of intact cells. With an increase in cell wall permeability, microbes and/or microbial enzymes have easier access to intracellular starch for fermentation, leading to an increase in the production of metabolites and the abundance of beneficial microbes. Thus, desired colonic fermentation profiles can be achieved with the controlled processing of whole foods for enhanced gut health.

Antimicrobial Biomasses from Lactic Acid Fermentation of Black Soldier Fly Prepupae and Related By-Products

Worldwide, thousands of insect species are consumed as food or are used as feed ingredients. Hermetia illucens, ‘black soldier fly’, is one of them, and a large amount of puparia and dead adults flies are accumulated during rearing. These materials represent important wastes but no studies are still present in the literature regarding their functional properties and potential reuse. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria contributing to various industrial applications, ranging from food fermentation, chemicals production to pharmaceuticals manufacturing. A LAB feature of industrial interest is their ability to produce antimicrobial metabolites. Considering the scientific and commercial interest in discovering novel antimicrobials, this work will be direct towards fermentation of insect-derived biomasses: puparia and adults insect at the end of life cycle. To the best of our knowledge, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of fermented insects is tested for the first time. This study aimed also to evaluate differences in the composition between fermented and unfermented insects, and to study whether the fermentation and the type of LAB used played a crucial role in modifying the composition of the substrate. Results firstly highlighted fermentability of this species of insects, showed that fermented black soldier flies puparium possess a high antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens. Moreover, result of chemical composition showed that fermented biomass had a higher percentage of fat and a more complex fatty acids profile.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Humic Acid Sodium and Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance, Immune Status and Antioxidant Capacity of Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary

Weaning of piglets can destroy the piglet’s intestinal health and immune function, leading to diarrhea and a reduction in growth rate eventually. Considering drug resistance and residues, new alternatives, such as sodium humate (HNa), have attracted considerable research interest over recent decades. Our study was designed to explore the effect of HNa on the growth performance, diarrhea rate, antioxidative, inflammation, and immunity of weaned piglets and the possibility of HNa replacing antibiotics and zinc oxide. The obtained results indicate that HNa reduces stress, protects the intestinal barrier, and improves the performance of weaned piglets.

Abstract

At present, the widespread use of high-dose zinc oxide and antibiotics to prevent post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets has caused serious environmental problems. To solve this problem, we studied the effect of HNa as a substitute for zinc oxide (ZnO) and antibiotics on the growth performance, immune status, and antioxidant capacity of piglets. Seventy-two weaned piglets (body weight = 7.42 ± 0.85 kg, 26-d-old) were distributed in a randomized 2 × 3 factorial design (two sexes and three treatments) with six replicates of four piglets each. The three treatments were the control diet (basic diet), HNa diet (basic diet + 2000 mg/kg sodium humate), and ZoA group (basic diet + 1600 mg/kg zinc oxide + 1000 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium). ANOVA and Chi-square tests were applied to compare the means (p < 0.05) between treatments. The results showed that body weight at 16 and 30 d and the average daily gain of piglets fed with HNa or ZoA were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control group. Supplementing HNa or ZoA significantly increased (p < 0.05) the level of immunoglobulin M and G, and reduced (p < 0.05) the concentration of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins IL-6 and IL-1β, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and diamine oxidase (DAO). Furthermore, dietary HNa or ZnO significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the level of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with the control group. ZoA treatment showed an upward trend of IgA level and a downward trend of the concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and catalase (CAT). Overall, the study demonstrated that the addition of HNa in the diet partially replaced antibiotics and ZnO to improve the growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of weaned piglets, and maintained a good preventive effect on piglet diarrhea.

Impact of Fermentable Protein, by Feeding High Protein Diets, on Microbial Composition, Microbial Catabolic Activity, Gut Health and beyond in Pigs

In pigs, high protein diets have been related to post-weaning diarrhoea, which may be due to the production of protein fermentation metabolites that were shown to have harmful effects on the intestinal epithelium in vitro. In this review, we discussed in vivo effects of protein fermentation on the microbial composition and their protein catabolic activity as well as gut and overall health. The reviewed studies applied different dietary protein levels, which was assumed to result in contrasting fermentable protein levels. A general shift to N-utilisation microbial community including potential pathogens was observed, although microbial richness and diversity were not altered in the majority of the studies. Increasing dietary protein levels resulted in higher protein catabolic activity as evidenced by increased concentration of several protein fermentation metabolites like biogenic amines in the digesta of pigs. Moreover, changes in intestinal morphology, permeability and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were observed and diarrhoea incidence was increased. Nevertheless, higher body weight and average daily gain were observed upon increasing dietary protein level. In conclusion, increasing dietary protein resulted in higher proteolytic fermentation, altered microbial community and intestinal physiology. Supplementing diets with fermentable carbohydrates could be a promising strategy to counteract these effects and should be further investigated.

Beet Pulp: An Alternative to Improve the Gut Health of Growing Pigs

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fiber on the gut health of growing pigs. In total, 30 growing pigs with an initial average body weight of 45.8 ± 2.78 kg were divided into three groups with 10 replicates per treatment, and one pig per replicate. The treatments included a corn-soybean meal-based diet (control group, 1.5% crude fiber (CF)), corn-soybean meal + beet pulp-based diet (beet pulp group, 5.74% CF) and corn-soybean meal-based diet (feed intake-pairing group (pairing group); the feed intake was equal to the beet pulp group, 1.5% CF). The whole trial lasted 28 days. The beet pulp group had a longer length of the large intestine, higher weight of the small intestine and whole intestine, greater density of the large intestine and whole intestine, and higher villus height in the jejunum and ileum than the control group (p < 0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), and glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor (GLP-2R) in the duodenum, EGF and GLP-2 in the jejunum, EGF in the ileum, and GLP-2 in the colon were higher in the beet pulp group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the apparent total tract digestibility of crude ash, energy, dry matter (DM), and crude protein (CP) was lower in the beet pulp group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while the apparent total tract digestibility of CF, the activity of jejunal lactase, and the mRNA abundance of duodenal GLP-2 were higher in the beet pulp group than in the control and pairing groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the beet pulp group had more goblet cells in the colon, more Bifidobacterium spp. in the cecal digesta, higher concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the cecal digesta, and higher mRNA abundance of duodenal regeneration protein Ⅲγ (REG-Ⅲγ), jejunal mucin 2 (MUC-2), and ileal G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR-43) than the control group (p < 0.05). However, these parameters did not differ between the control and pairing groups (p > 0.05). These findings indicate feeding a high-fiber diet (5.74% CF, obtained from beet pulp) to pigs could modulate the gut microbiota composition, increase the short-chain fatty-acid (SCFA) content in the hindgut, and improve gut health, which is independent of the feed intake.

Effects of fibre-degrading enzymes in combination with different fibre sources on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility and fermentation products in pigs

The study was conducted to determine effects of a complex of fibre-degrading enzymes (xylanase, cellulase and β-glucanase) on nutrient digestibility, fibre fermentation and concentrations of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) at different parts of digestive tract in pigs fed different fibre-rich ingredients. A total of 36 barrows fitted with T-cannulas in the distal ileum (initial body weight of 41.1 ± 2.7 kg) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments with three different high-fibre diets including maize bran (MB), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and soybean hulls (SH) with or without supplementation of fibre-degrading enzymes. Enzyme supplementation improved (p < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dietary gross energy (GE), crude protein, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total dietary fibre (TDF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dietary GE, DM, OM, TDF, insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) when pigs were fed MB, SBP or SH diets. When compared to the SBP and SH diets, the AID of GE, DM, ash, OM and NDF in diet MB was higher (p < 0.05), but the hindgut disappearance and ATTD of nutrients, except for ether extract and crude ash, were lower (p < 0.05). Enzyme supplementation increased acetate and total SCFA concentrations in ileal digesta and faeces of pigs. In conclusion, enzyme addition improved IDF fermentation and SCFA concentration in the whole intestine of pigs, and there was a large variation of digestibility of fibre components among MB, SH and SBP owing to their different fibre composition. Therefore, fibre-degrading enzymes should be applied to fibrous diets to improve efficient production of swine, especially considering low fibre digestibility of fibre-rich ingredients.

Changes in cecal morphology, cell proliferation, antioxidant enzyme, volatile fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide, and cytokines in piglets during the postweaning period

Weaning stresses often induce markedly structural and functional changes in the small intestine. However, little data are available on the changes of the morphology, function, and health in the cecum of piglets post-weaning. This study was conducted to measure the effects of weaning on the cecum in piglets. Forty piglets were weaned at 21 d and samples were collected at different time points (days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14) post-weaning. The crypt depth, crypt width, and total epithelial cell numbers increased on days 7 and 14, compared with days 0, 1, and 3 (P < 0.001). The value of Ki67/total epithelial cells was highest on day 0 compared with all other days (P < 0.05). Besides, a higher concentration of malondialdehyde was observed on day 3 (P < 0.001). The activity of CuZn-superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05) enhanced from day 0 to 1 and the activity of catalase increased from day 1 to 3 (P < 0.001). In addition, days 3, 7, and 14 had greater acetic, propanoic, and butyric acid contents than on day 1 (P < 0.001). The pH and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) expression increased from day 0 to 1 and from day 3 to 7 and decreased between days 1 and 3 (P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of solute carrier family 9 member A3 (SLC9A3) decreased on day 1 compared to all other postweaning days (P < 0.05). The abundance of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA expression increased (P < 0.05) during the first 24 h after weaning. The concentration of lipopolysaccharide increased from day 3 to 7, then decreased on day 14 (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) enhanced from day 7 to 14 (P < 0.05). The abundance of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin protein was lower on day 14 than day 0 (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results show that weaning in piglets influences intestinal morphology, function, and health in the cecum.

Dried yeast cell walls high in beta-glucan and mannan-oligosaccharides positively affect microbial composition and activity in the canine gastrointestinal tract in vitro

The outer cell wall of yeast is characterized by high levels of β-glucans and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), which have been linked with beneficial effects on intestinal health and immune status in dogs. In this study, a standardized in vitro simulation of the canine gastrointestinal tract (Simulator of the Canine Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem; SCIME) was used to evaluate the effect of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based product, consisting of 27.5% β-glucans and 22.5% MOS, on the activity (as assessed by measurement of fermentative metabolites) and composition (as assessed by 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing) of canine intestinal microbiota. The S. cerevisiae-based product was tested at three different dosages, i.e., 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/d. A dose-dependent fermentation pattern was observed along the entire length of the colon, as shown by the increased production of the health-related acetate, propionate, and butyrate for the three concentrations tested (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/d). A consistent finding for all three tested concentrations was the increased propionate production (P < 0.05) in the simulated proximal and distal colon. These changes in terms of fermentative metabolites could be linked to specific microbial alterations at the family level, such as the specific stimulation of the propionate-producing families Porphyromonadaceae and Prevotellaceae upon in vitro exposure to the S. cerevisiae-based product. Other consistent changes in community composition upon repeated exposure included the decrease in the Enterobacteriaceae and the Fusobacteriaceae families, which both contain several potentially opportunistic pathogens. Altogether, the generated data support a possible health-promoting role of a product high in β-glucans and MOS when supplemented to the dogs' diet.

Diet complexity and l-threonine supplementation: effects on growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, and microbial metabolites in nursery pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diet complexity and l-Thr supplementation level on the growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, and microbial metabolites in nursery pigs. Thirty-two weaned pigs (body weight 7.23 ± 0.48 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement based on diet complexity (complex or simple) and dietary Thr content. The complex diet contained fish meal, plasma protein, and dried whey to mimic a conventional nursery diet. The simple diet was formulated with corn, wheat, and soybean meal and did not contain any animal products. l-Thr was supplemented to each diet to supply either 100% (STD Thr) or 115% (SUP Thr) of the NRC (2012) requirement for standardized ileal digestible Thr. Pigs were individually housed and fed experimental diets ad libitum for 14 d. Diet complexity, dietary Thr content, and their interactions were considered the main effects. Pigs fed the simple diet had greater (P < 0.05) plasma interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 concentrations compared with those fed the complex diet on days 7 and 14, respectively. Simple diet-fed pigs tended to show greater (P < 0.10) expression of genes encoding for tumor necrosis factor-α, claudin-1, and zonula occludens-1 in the jejunum compared with complex diet-fed pigs. The simple diet-fed pigs had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of NH3-N in the jejunum digesta than did complex diet-fed pigs. The SUP Thr increased (P < 0.05) villus height and goblet cell (GC) density in villi and crypts in the jejunum and deepened (P < 0.05) crypts in the proximal colon. The SUP Thr resulted in the upregulation (P < 0.05) of occludin gene expression and a tendency toward the downregulation (P = 0.10) of IL-6 gene expression in the jejunum. Interactions (P < 0.05) between diet complexity and l-Thr supplementation level were observed in GC density in the crypt, NH3-N concentration in the jejunum, and the contents of acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids in the colon. In conclusion, feeding a simple diet to nursery pigs resulted in systemic and intestinal inflammation. The SUP Thr diet did not normalize the simple diet-induced inflammation but improved gut integrity. SUP Thr seems to have greater benefits with a simple diet than with a complex diet. Therefore, SUP Thr in a simple diet could be a beneficial nutritional strategy for enhancing gut health.

Comparative digestibility of polysaccharide-complexed zinc and zinc sulfate in diets for gestating and lactating sows

We hypothesized that the digestibility of a zinc polysaccharide complex is greater than zinc sulfate when sows consume high fiber diets containing corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Gilts and sows (n = 32) were blocked according to parity and assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments (n = 8 sows per treatments). Dietary treatments consisted of: 1) Control (ConZnSO4)-corn-soybean meal-based diet + 100 ppm supplemental Zn from ZnSO4; 2) Control PSZn (ConPSZn)-corn-soybean meal-based diet + 100 ppm supplemental Zn from Zn polysaccharide complex; 3) DDGS/ZnSO4-corn-soybean meal-40% DDGS gestation diet and a 30% DDGS lactation diet, with each containing 100 ppm supplemental Zn from ZnSO4; 4) DDGS/PSZn-corn-soybean meal-40% DDGS gestation diet and a 30% DDGS lactation diet, with each containing 100 ppm supplemental Zn from Zn polysaccharide complex. A fifth dietary treatment was imposed using a subset of sows (n = 20) to determine basal Zn losses in gestating and lactating sows fed corn-soybean meal-based diets containing no supplemental Zn. Nutrient balance experiments were conducted in both gestation and lactation to evaluate the digestibility of Zn sources of the four dietary treatments and to determine basal Zn losses when no supplemental Zn was provided. The statistical model included fixed effects of diet, Zn source, and their interaction, and random effects of parity. Estimated endogenous losses of Zn were used to adjust apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) to true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of Zn in the four dietary treatment balance periods. There were no differences in Zn concentrations of urine, plasma, colostrum, or milk samples among treatments at any time of the experiment (P > 0.05). Gestating sows fed DDGS/PSZn had improved (P < 0.05) ATTD, TTTD, and overall retention of Zn compared with both Control treatments, with the DDGS/ZnSO4 treatment responses being intermediate. Lactating sows consuming diets without DDGS and supplemented with Zn polysaccharide complex had the greatest (P < 0.05) ATTD, TTTD, and retention of Zn, which were opposite to responses observed in gestation. Furthermore, ATTD, TTTD, and Zn retention for lactating sows consuming DDGS/PSZn were less (P < 0.05) than all other treatments. Overall, zinc digestibility of ZnSO4 and PSZn appears to be differentially influenced by the stage of the reproductive cycle and presence of dietary fiber from DDGS.

Development of Swine's Digestive Tract Microbiota and Its Relation to Production Indices-A Review

Simple Summary

Proper cooperation between digestive system microbiota and the host is an important issue in maintaining proper health condition, and—in the case of farm animals—production indices. In the case of pigs, microbiota significantly affect production parameters such as meat quality, growth rate or improvement of immune response to infections. Understanding of pig digestive system microbiota and factors affecting this is an important issue. This may enable improvement of animal performance and stabilization of microbiota during their growth, reducing the risk of metabolic or systemic diseases.

Abstract

The development of research methods and tools related to microbiome investigation, as well as widened knowledge and awareness concerning the significance of microorganisms inhabiting mammalian organisms, has led to an increasing popularity of studies in this field. This review paper presents some issues related to the swine microbiome, its development starting from an early age of life and its status in adult animals, as well as factors affecting the microbiome in pigs. Attention is paid to the role of probiotics and prebiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in the context of post-weaning diarrhea treatment, and to the role of microorganisms inhabiting the digestive tract of pigs in performance indices formation. In veterinary and pork production practice, understanding of the swine microbiome and its relationships with the host organism may be useful in the prevention of some diseases and also in improvement of performance results of animals.

Evaluation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from poultry feces as potential probiotic and its in vitro competitive activity against Salmonella typhimurium

The efficacy of probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics has been defined as one of the potential strategies to prevent Salmonella spp. infection in poultry. The purpose of this study was to isolate probiotic native Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with high compatibility to intestinal tract and prevention of Salmonella typhimurium from broiler chicken feces. Thirty-seven samples of chicken feces were collected from seven broiler chicken farms in Northern Iran. The isolates identification was carried out with morphological and biochemical tests. Agar diffusion methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and S. typhimurium. The primary probiotic characteristics such as resistance to acid and bile and adhesion to Caco-2 cells were studied. Indeed, the ability of LAB isolates to inhibit adhesion of S. typhimurium to Caco-2 cells was evaluated by exclusion, competition and displacement assays. Among 42 isolates, S08, S01 and S06 isolates which showed appropriate probiotics characteristics were selected. Isolates S08 and S01 showed to be able to adhere strongly and also S06 was adhered moderately. In the exclusion assay, the isolates S08, S01 and S06 significantly hampered adhesion of S. typhimurium cell, in the competition assay, the isolates S08, S01 showed significant level of competition activity against S. typhimurium adherence to Caco-2 cells and isolate S08 showed the greatest displacement activity. The 16S rDNA sequence revealed that S08, S01, and S06 isolates were 99.00% similar to Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Pediococcus acidilactici, respectively. The result of this study suggested that LAB isolated from broiler chicken feces could be a remarkable reservoir for identification of probiotic to inhibit the pathogenic bacteria growth.

Chitosan oligosaccharide supplementation alleviates stress stimulated by in-feed dexamethasone in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, jejunal morphology, gene expression, and plasma antioxidant enzymes in male broiler chickens under experimentally induced stress via in-feed dexamethasone (DEX). On day 3 after hatching, male broiler chicks were assigned to 2 diets supplemented with COS at 0 or 1 g/kg in a randomized complete block design and fed to day 27 after hatching. Birds were pooled within each diet (0 or 1 g/kg COS) to equalize the average BW and fed 2 diets supplemented with 0 or 1 g/kg DEX, within each dietary COS, from day 20 to 27 after hatching. This resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels each of COS and DEX, 8 replicate cages of 7 birds per cage. On day 27 after hatching, birds were weighed and euthanized, and samples were collected. Dietary COS decreased (P < 0.05) DEX-induced effects (interaction; P < 0.05) on BW, BW gain, and gain:feed. Dietary COS supplementation attenuated the DEX effects (interaction; P < 0.05) on villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and ileal digestibility of dry matter and energy. The DEX-induced effect of relative mRNA expression of jejunal mucosa IL-6, IL-10, and claudin-1 was reduced by dietary COS supplementation (interaction; P < 0.05). Responses (interaction; P < 0.05) in the activity of plasma superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase to COS and DEX were similar to those observed with the relative mRNA expression. Chitosan oligosaccharide supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of IL-8 and occludin. In conclusion, dietary COS decreased the DEX-induced effect by improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility, jejunal morphology, gene expression, and plasma antioxidant enzymes in broiler chickens. This implies that dietary COS may be useful for ameliorating the negative effect of stress on gut health in broiler chickens.

Assessment of folate and cobalamin concentrations in relation to their dependent intracellular metabolites in serum of pigs between 6 and 26 weeks of age

Folate (vitamin B₉) and cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) play an important role in amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, and methyl group transfer. Two intracellular enzymes, methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, are folate and/or cobalamin-dependent, respectively. At the cellular level, a lack of folate and cobalamin leads to accumulation of serum homocysteine (HCY) and a lack of cobalamin leads to increased methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations. Altered serum HCY and MMA concentrations can influence amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis in pigs. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate serum folate, cobalamin, HCY, and MMA concentrations in postweaning pigs between 6 and 26 weeks of age. Serum samples from 12 pigs collected at week 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 as part of an unrelated study were analyzed. Serum folate (p < .0001), cobalamin (p = .0001), HCY (p < .0001), and MMA (p < .0001) concentrations differed significantly during the postweaning period between 6 and 26 weeks of age; with significantly higher serum HCY (at weeks 6 and 7 compared to weeks 9, 14, 18, 22, and 26) and MMA concentrations (at weeks 6, 7, and 8 compared to weeks 14, 18, 22, and 26) and an overall decrease of serum MMA concentrations from week 6 to week 14 in the pigs studied. This study suggests age-dependent changes in intracellular folate- and cobalamin-dependent metabolites (i.e., HCY and MMA) in pigs between 6 and 26 weeks of age, possibly reflecting decreased availability of intracellular folate and/or cobalamin for amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, and methyl group transfer.

Relationship between Dietary Fiber Fermentation and Volatile Fatty Acids' Concentration in Growing Pigs

Simple Summary

The study suggests differences in fermentable capacity of fibrous feed ingredients are associated with fiber composition in pig. Results demonstrate that the fiber digestibility of oat bran, sugar beet pulp and soybean hulls is greater than for corn bran, wheat bran and rice bran in the pig intestine. Furthermore, results indicate that volatile fatty acids’ concentration (VFA) is positively correlated primarily with insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) fermentation, and the digestibility of IDF is the best single variable to predict fecal VFA concentrations. The contribution of this study is to provide instructions on how to implement fiber-rich ingredients effectively in the feed formulation for swine.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether differences in fiber fermentation in fiber-rich feed ingredients exist and to assess relationship between fiber fermentation and concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in pig. Castrated males (barrows) were allotted randomly to six diets formulated with different amounts of wheat bran (WB), corn bran (CB), sugar beet pulp (SBP), oat bran (OB), soybean hulls (SH) or rice bran (RB). The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) for OB and SH diets was greater (P < 0.05) than for the other diets. The fermentation of total dietary fiber (TDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) in the hindgut were greater (P < 0.05) for SBP and SH diets than for WB, CB, OB and RB diets. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) values of all fiber components in SBP, SH and OB diets were greater (P < 0.05) than for WB, CB and RB diets. The concentration of VFA in feces was positively correlated with the ATTD of IDF and cellulose, and ATTD of IDF is the best factor for predicting fecal VFA concentration. Overall, dietary fiber source affected fermentable characteristics of fiber components in the different digestive segments of pig intestine.

Assessing the effect of starch digestion characteristics on ileal brake activation in broiler chickens

The objective of this research was to evaluate activation of the ileal brake in broiler chickens using diets containing semi-purified wheat (WS; rapidly and highly digested) and pea (PS; slowly and poorly digested) starch. Diets were formulated to contain six WS:PS ratios (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, 0:100) and each starch ratio was fed to 236 Ross 308 male broilers housed in 4 litter floor pens. At 28 d of age, the effect of PS concentration was assessed on starch digestion, digestive tract morphology, and digesta pH and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) status were assessed in serum (ELISA) and via gene expression in jejunal and ileal tissue (proglucagon for GLP-1). Data were analyzed using regression analyses, and significance was accepted at P ≤ 0.05. Increasing dietary PS resulted in reduced starch digestibility in the small intestine, but had no effect in the colon. Crop content pH responded quadratically to PS level with an estimated minimum at 55% PS. Total SCFA increased linearly in the crop with PS level, but changed in a quadratic fashion in the ileum (estimated maximum at 62% PS). Ceacal SCFA concentrations were highest for the 80 and 100% PS levels. The relative empty weight (crop, small intestine, colon), length (small intestine) and content (crop jejunum, Ileum) of digestive tract sections increased linearly with increasing PS concentration. Dietary treatment did not affect serum GLP-1 or PYY or small intestine transcript abundance. In conclusion, feeding PS increased the presence of L-cell activators (starch, SCFA) and increased trophic development and content of the digestive tract, suggestive of L-cell activation. However, no direct evidence of ileal brake activation was found by measuring venous blood levels of GLP-1 or PYY or corresponding gene expression in small intestine tissue.

Influence of modern treatment regimens on serum biochemical parameters in piglets with gastroenteritis

The article presents analyses of biochemical parameters of blood serum in weaned piglets with non-contagious gastroenteritis and after their treatment with a probiotic (live spores of Bacillus cereus var. toyoi; silicic acid; calcium carbonate) and a phytobiotic (natural extracts of Oreganum vulgare, Cinnamomun cassia and Capsicum annuum; hydrogenated rapeseed oil) as part of the basic ration in combination with antibiotic (10% solution of enrofloxacin hydrochloride) on a modern pig farm. In animals of the experimental groups with gastroenteritis we established hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, hypoureaemia, hypercreatininemia, hyperbilirubinemia and increase of enzyme activity compared to parameters of clinically healthy piglets. The study established that the use of probiotics and phytobiotics for weaned piglets had a positive influence on protein synthesis function of the liver, as indicated by the normalization of serum total protein and albumins. Also, we found a positive influence of probiotics and phytobiotics on intensity of protein metabolism, as indicated by an increase of serum urea to the level of clinically healthy piglets. Use of phytobiotics for piglets had a positive influence on the process of gluconeogenesis in their body, which is indicated by the normalization of serum glucose to the level of clinically healthy piglets. Also, the use of probiotics and phytobiotics had a positive influence on the pigment-forming function of the liver, as indicated by the reduction of serum total bilirubin to the level of clinically healthy piglets. The use of probiotics and phytobiotics reduced activity of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases in the piglets of the experimental groups, indicating the stabilization of hepatocytes’ cell structures (mitochondrial and cytosolic). The study established positive influence of probiotics and phytobiotics on the functioning of the liver and biliary tract, as indicated by decreased activity of serum alkaline phosphatase and gamaglutamiltranspeptidase to the level of clinically healthy piglets. So, addition of probiotics and phytobiotics to mixed fodder up to 45 days of age, normalizes functioning of the kidneys and liver in weaned piglets with gastroenteritis.

High amylose wheat starch structures display unique fermentability characteristics, microbial community shifts and enzyme degradation profiles

In vitro fermentation of wheat starch depends on amylose content in cooked but not granule forms, and shows that high amylose wheat is a promising source of fermentable carbohydrate in the large intestine.

Effect of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and garlic (Allium sativum) product mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs

Context Dietary supplementation with a single feed additive or a combination of different feed additives as growth promoters has been researched extensively. However, few studies have tested the combined use of probiotics (yeast culture) and phytogenics (garlic products) in pigs. Aims The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a mixture of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oil (YGM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs. Methods Two hundred [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] finishing pigs (50.37 ± 1.89 kg) were randomly allotted into two dietary treatments on the basis of bodyweight (BW) and sex for a 10-week feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (CON) and CON containing 0.1% of YGM. The YGM was composed of 54.5% of yeast culture, 40% of garlic extract powder and 5.5% of garlic essential oil. There were 20 replicated pens per treatment, with five pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen. Pig BW was measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Feed consumption was recorded daily during the experiment, on a pen basis, to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Key results Dietary YGM supplementation resulted in a higher (P &lt; 0.05) final BW and ADG than in the control groups. Pigs fed YGM supplementation diet led to a higher (P &lt; 0.05) digestibility of dry matter (DM) than in CON. The emission of hydrogen sulfide gas from faeces was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased in pigs fed YGM diets; however, ammonia and total mercaptan emissions were not influenced. There were no differences in meat-quality parameters between the two treatments. Conclusions Dietary YGM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on BW and ADG and DM digestibility, reduced hydrogen sulfide gas emission, and did not have any adverse effects on meat-quality parameters that are related to consumer acceptance. Implications The study has provided a basis and insight for future research on application of a combination of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oils, as an alternative to antibiotics in finishing pig diets.

What Is the Impact of Diet on Nutritional Diarrhea Associated with Gut Microbiota in Weaning Piglets: A System Review

Piglets experience severe growth challenges and diarrhea after weaning due to nutritional, social, psychological, environmental, and physiological changes. Among these changes, the nutritional factor plays a key role in postweaning health. Dietary protein, fibre, starch, and electrolyte levels are highly associated with postweaning nutrition diarrhea (PWND). In this review, we mainly discuss the high protein, fibre, resistant starch, and electrolyte imbalance in diets that induce PWND, with a focus on potential mechanisms in weaned piglets.

Effects of body weight and fiber sources on fiber digestibility and short chain fatty acid concentration in growing pigs

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to determine the effects of body weight (BW) and fiber sources on nutrient digestibility, fiber fermentation and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in different intestinal segments of growing pigs fed high-fiber diets.

METHODS

Nine barrows with initial BW of 25.17±0.73 kg and 9 barrows with initial BW of 63.47±2.18 kg were allotted to a duplicate 9×2 Youden Square design with 3 dietary treatments and 2 periods. The dietary treatments were formulated with 3 different high-fiber ingredients: corn bran, sugar beet pulp, and soybean hulls, respectively. Each diet was fed to 3 barrows with different stage of BW in each period.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of most nutrients between pigs at different BW stages. Pigs at 60 kg had greater (p<0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of total dietary fiber (TDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), and had greater (p<0.05) hindgut disappearance of IDF and cellulose than pigs at 25 kg. The acetate, propionate and total SCFA concentrations in ileal digesta and feces of pigs at 60 kg were greater (p<0.05) than those of pigs at 25 kg. In addition, fiber sources affected (p<0.05) the AID of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein, SDF and hemicellulose, the hindgut disappearance and ATTD of dietary fiber components, the lactate and propionate concentrations in ileal digesta and the butyrate, valerate and total SCFA concentrations in feces. There were interactions (p<0.05) between BW and fiber sources on the AID of GE, OM, EE, SDF, hemicellulose, the ATTD of EE, TDF, and IDF, and the hindgut disappearance of SDF and hemicellulose.

CONCLUSION

Increasing BW mainly improved the digestibility of dietary fiber fractions, and the dietary fiber sources influenced the digestibility of almost all the dietary nutrients in growing pigs.

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

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.

Effects of Increasing Levels of Defatted Rice Bran on Intestinal Physical Barrier and Bacteria in Finishing Pigs

The aims of this study were to assess the effects of increasing levels of DFRB as a replacement for corns on intestinal physical barrier function and bacteria of finishing pigs. A total of 35 castrated finishing pigs (age: 158.5 ± 2.0 d, initial body weight: 62.9 ± 0.8 kg) were randomly divided into five dietary treatments (seven replicates/treatment) for a 28-day experimental period, i.e., a control diet with basal diet, and four experimental diets in which maize was replaced by 7%, 14%, 21%, and 28% DFRB, respectively. The results showed that serum endotoxins concentration and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity were both increased (linear, p = 0.0004, 0.001, respectively) with DFRB level. However, compared with control group, serum endotoxins concentration and DAO activity were not different in pigs fed with 7% DFRB in the diet. There was a quadratic response in serum D-lactate concentration to the increased DFRB (quadratic, p = 0.021). In the cecum, thickness of the intestinal wall significantly increased with increasing levels of DFRB in the diets (linear, p = 0.033), while crypt depth/thickness of the intestinal wall ratio significantly decreased with increasing level of DFRB in the diets (linear, p = 0.043). In the jejunum, total bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Bifidobacterium all responded quadratically to increasing levels of DFRB in the diets (quadratic, p = 0.003, 0.001, 0.006, respectively). Additionally, there was no difference in Escherichia coli in pigs fed 0%, 7%, and 14% DFRB diets. In the colon, there were quadratic responses in C. perfringens to the increased DFRB (quadratic, p = 0.023). C. perfringens reduced as the DFRB concentration increased from 0% to 14% and then increased. When D-lactate, total bacteria, Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium, and C. perfringens were considered, the optimal substitution level of DFRB were 12.00%, 11.84%, 7.50%, 8.92%, and 15.92%, respectively. In conclusion, 7% DFRB had a beneficial effect on intestinal wall thickness, Bifidobacterium and C. perfringens, and had no adverse effect on intestinal permeability and Escherichia coli.

Review: Link between intestinal immunity and practical approaches to swine nutrition

Gaining a deeper understanding into the underlying mechanisms associated with intestinal function and immunity during the weaning transition is critical to help shed new light into applied nutrition approaches to improve piglet performance and health during this critical life-stage transition. The transient anorexia triggered at weaning leads to compromised intestinal barrier function and a localized inflammatory response. Considering barrier function, specific nutrient fractions appear to have a significant impact on the development and function of the immune and microbial systems around weaning. Understanding the specific impact of nutrients in the small intestine and hindgut is important for helping to bring more focus and consistency to nutritional approaches to support health and immunity during the weaning transition period. The challenge continues to be how to translate these modes of action into practical and scalable approaches for swine nutrition. We will focus specifically on practical nutritional approaches to influence intestinal immunity through lipid, protein and antioxidant nutrition.

Laminarin-rich extract improves growth performance, small intestinal morphology, gene expression of nutrient transporters and the large intestinal microbial composition of piglets during the critical post-weaning period

The identification of natural bioactive compounds which can prevent the post-weaning growth check and enhance gastrointestinal health in the absence of in-feed medications is an urgent priority for the swine industry. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of laminarin in the first 14 d post-weaning on pig growth performance and weaning associated intestinal dysfunction. At weaning, ninety-six pigs (8·4 (sd 1·09) kg) (meatline boars × (large white × landrace sows)) were blocked by live weight, litter and sex and randomly assigned to: (1) basal diet; (2) basal + 100 parts per million (ppm) laminarin; (3) basal + 200 ppm laminarin and (4) basal + 300 ppm laminarin (three pigs/pen). The appropriate quantity of a laminarin-rich extract (65 % laminarin) was added to the basal diet to achieve the above dietary inclusion levels of laminarin. After 14 d of supplementation, eight pigs from the basal group and the best-performing laminarin group were euthanised for sample collection. The 300 ppm laminarin group was selected as this group had higher ADFI compared with all other groups and higher ADG than the basal group (P < 0·05). Laminarin supplementation increased villus height in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0·05). Laminarin supplementation increased the expression of SLC2A8/GLUT8 in the duodenum, SLC2A2/GLUT2, SLC2A7/GLUT7, SLC15A1/PEPT1 and FABP2 in the jejunum and SLC16A1/MCT1 in the colon. Laminarin supplementation reduced Enterobacteriaceae numbers in the caecum (P < 0·05) and increased lactobacilli numbers (P < 0·05), total volatile fatty acid concentrations and the molar proportions of butyrate (P < 0·01) in the colon. In conclusion, 300 ppm laminarin from a laminarin-rich extract has potential, as a dietary supplement, to improve performance and prevent post-weaning intestinal dysfunction.

Fermentation capacities of fructan- and pectin-rich by-products and purified fractions via an in vitro piglet faecal model

BACKGROUND

Dietary strategies such as the inclusion of prebiotics have been suggested for modulating intestinal microbiota. In piglets, this strategy could result in a reduction of post-weaning-associated disorders and the use of antibiotics. To date, mainly purified fractions have been tested for their prebiotic effects at weaning while trials of potential health-promoting effects of products and corresponding by-products remain rare. In this study, fructan- and pectin-based ingredients have been tested in a two-step in vitro model for their fermentation kinetics as well as for their short-chain fatty acid production and microbiota profiles in fermentation broth as indicators for their prebiotic activity.

RESULTS

Chicory root, in contrast to chicory pulp, exhibited an extensive and rapid fermentation similar to inulin and oligofructose, although butyrate levels of root and pulp did not reach those of the purified fractions. Chicory pulp showed higher relative levels of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Clostridium cluster IV and butyryl-CoA:acetate-CoA transferase gene abundance compared to chicory root. Sugar beet pulp, orange and citrus by-products displayed extensive gas fermentation patterns, equivalent to those of purified pectin, and revealed an elevated butyrate production compared to purified pectin. Moreover, several orange and citrus by-products displayed significantly higher relative levels of Bifidobacterium spp. in comparison to purified pectin.

CONCLUSIONS

Chicory root and pulp as well as orange and citrus by-products appear to be promising ingredients for piglet diets for modulating intestinal fermentation for health purposes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB-13-001 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs

The present study investigated the influence of Bacillus subtilis GCB-13-001 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, faecal microbiota and faecal score in weanling pigs. A total of 120 weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 7.73 ± 0.75 kg (28 days of age)] were randomly allotted into three treatments according to their initial body weight (BW) and gender in a 6-week experiment. There were 8 replication pens in each treatment, with five pigs/pen. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: (a) basal diet (CON), (b) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB-13-001 1 × 10⁸  CFU/kg (T1) and (c) CON + 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB-13-001 1 × 10⁹  CFU/kg (T2). Days 1 to 7, the BW and ADG with T2 treatment were higher (p < .05) than CON treatment, as well as F:G showed trends in linear reduction (p < .1). Days 8 to 21, the BW and ADG were improved (p < .05) in pigs offered T1 and T2 diets compared with CON diet. Days 22 to 42, BW and ADG were higher (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet than CON and T1 diets, and the pigs fed T1 diet had higher BW than CON treatment. Overall, the ADG with the T2 treatment was higher (p < .05) than that with the T1 and CON treatments, and pigs offered T1 treatment had higher (p < .05) ADG than CON treatment. Moreover, F:G ratio were significantly decreased (p < .05) by T2 treatment compared with CON treatment. The faecal Lactobacillus counts were improved, and E. coli counts were reduced (p < .05) in pigs fed T2 diet compared with CON at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.1% Bacillus subtilis GCB-13-001 1 × 10⁹  CFU/kg has shown a beneficial effect in improving BW, increase ADG, decrease F:G ratio.

The production of short chain fatty acid and colonic development in weaning piglets

Weaning process widely affects the small intestinal structure and function in piglets, while the responses of large intestine to weaning stress are still obscure. The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental changes (i.e., short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations, growth parameters, crypt-related indices and antioxidant capacity) in colon of piglet during weaning. Forty piglets were weaned at day 21 and euthanized to collect colonic tissues and digesta samples on day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-weaning (n = 8). Piglet growth performance was improved (p < .001) on day 7 and 14 post-weaning. The concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate and total SCFAs were higher (p < .001) during the late post-weaning period. The mRNA abundances of SCFAs transporters were greater (p < .001) on day 7 and 14. The absolute and relative weights, absolute length and perimeter of colon were greater (p < .001) on day 7 and 14. Similarly, post-weaning increases (p < .001) in colonic crypt depth and Ki67 positive cells numbers per crypt were observed during the same period. Colonic crypt fission indices decreased (p < .01), while total crypt numbers increased (p < .001) on day 14 after weaning. Moreover, total SCFAs concentration was significantly associated with colonic growth parameters and Ki67 cells/crypt (p < .001). In addition, catalase content was decreased on day 3, 7, and 14, whereas, the concentrations of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) were higher (p < .05) on day 1 and 3 post-weaning. These results showed that weaning process has a significant effect on colonic growth and development, which might be associated with the change of SCFAs concentrations in colon.