The role of carbohydrates in intestinal health of pigs

Whole-plant silage maize to improve fiber digestive characteristics and intestinal microbiota of Hezuo pigs

Introduction

Utilizing roughage resources is an effective approach to alleviate the shortage of corn-soybean feed and reducing the costs in the swine industry. Hezuo pig is one group of plateau type local Tibetan pig with strong tolerance to crude feeding. Nevertheless, current research on the roughage tolerance in Hezuo pigs and the microbiological mechanisms behind it is still minimally.This study explored the impact of various ratios of whole-plant silage (WPS) maize on the pH, cellulase activity, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and intestinal microbiota in Hezuo pigs.

Methods

Thirty-two Hezuo pigs were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8). The control group received a basal diet, while experimental groups I, II, and III were given diets with incremental additions of 5%, 10%, and 15% air-dried WPS maize, respectively, for 120 days.

Results

The findings revealed that compared with the control group, in Group II, the pH of cecum and colon were notably decreased (p < 0.05), while acid detergent fiberdigestibility, the concentration of propionic and isobutyric acid in the cecum, and the concentration of isobutyric acid in the colon were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Also, carboxymethyl cellulase activity in the cecum in group II of Hezuo pigs was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the cecum microbiota showed a higher diversity in the group II of Hezuo pigs than that in the control group, as shown by the Simpson and Shannon indices. Specifically, 15 and 24 bacterial species showed a significant difference in relative abundance at the family and genus levels, respectively. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between bacterial genera and SCFAs concentrations in the cecum. The abundance of Bacteroides and NK4A214_group was positively correlated with amounts of valeric and isovaleric acid but negatively with propionic acid (p < 0.05). The abundance of UCG-010 was positively linked with acetic acid and negatively correlated with butyric acid (p < 0.05). Actinobacillus abundance was positively associated with butyric acid levels (p < 0.05).

Discussion

In conclusion, a 10% WPS maize diet improved crude fiber digestibility by lowering cecal and colonic chyme pH, enhancing intestinal cellulase activity, improving SCFA production, and increasing intestinal microbiota diversity.

Dietary fiber (oligosaccharide and non-starch polysaccharide) in preventing and treating functional gastrointestinal disorders - Challenges and controversies: A review

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a group of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal functional diseases, including functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation. A lack of safe and reliable treatments for abdominal pain-related FGIDs has prompted interest in new therapies. Evidence has shown that supplementation with dietary fiber may help treat FGIDs. Dietary fibers (DFs) have been demonstrated to have regulatory effects on the gut microbiota, microbiota metabolites, and gastrointestinal movement and have important implications for preventing and treating FGIDs. However, the adverse effects of some DFs, such as fermentable oligosaccharides, on FGIDs are unclear. This review provides an overview of the DFs physiological properties and functional characteristics that influence their use in management of FGIDs, with emphasis on structural modification technology to improve their therapeutic activities. The review highlights that the use of appropriate or novel fibers is a potential therapeutic approach for FGIDs.

Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix

This review aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) influence intestinal health, as well as their effects on the nutrients and energy matrix in diets fed to poultry and pigs reared under sanitary challenging conditions. Enzyme supplementation can positively affect intestinal microbiota, immune system, and enhance antioxidant status. Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented. Immune system activation alters nutrient partitioning, which can affect the matrix values for exogenous enzymes on commercial farms. Notably, the carbohydrases and phytase supplementation under sanitary challenging conditions align with energy and nutritional valorization matrices. Studies conducted under commercial conditions have shown that matrices containing carbohydrases and phytase can maintain growth performance and health in poultry and pigs. However, these studies have predominantly focused on assessing a single level of reduction in energy and/or available phosphorus and total calcium, limiting our ability to quantify potential energy and nutrient savings in the diet. Future research should delve deeper into determining the extent of energy and nutrient savings and understanding the effects of alone or blended enzymes supplementation to achieve more specific insights.

Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality

This review has been developed as part of the mEATquality project with the main objective to examine the types of extensification practices used in European pig husbandry and their effect on intrinsic meat quality. Literature search has resulted in 679 references in total, from which 53 showed a strict compliance with the goals of this review: 1) the use of local European breeds and their crossbreds (22 papers); 2) addition of forage to diet (9 papers); 3) increased space allowance (3 papers); 4) enrichment of environment (19 papers). The evaluation of selected extensification factors showed that not all of them have a clear impact on meat quality, and are often confounded. The most clear differences were observed when comparing autochthonous with commercial breeds, and systems with access to pastures or woodlands vs. indoor housing. Despite many studies focusing on the extensification of husbandry practices, some of the factors cannot be confirmed to have a direct effect on pork intrinsic quality.

Review: A species comparison of the kinetic homogeneous and heterogeneous organization of sodium-dependent glucose transport systems along the intestine

The targeted use of carbohydrates by feed and food industries to create balanced and cost-effective diets has generated a tremendous amount of research in carbohydrate digestion and absorption in different species. Specifically, this research has led us to a larger observation that identified different organizations of intestinal sodium-dependent glucose absorption across species, which has not been previously collated and reviewed. Thus, this review will compare the kinetic segregation of sodium-dependent glucose transport across the intestine of different species, which we have termed either homogeneous or heterogeneous systems. For instance, the pig follows a heterogeneous system of sodium-dependent glucose transport with a high-affinity, super-low-capacity (Ha/sLc) in the jejunum, and a high-affinity, super-high-capacity (Ha/sHc) in the ileum. This is achieved by multiple sodium-dependent glucose transporters contributing to each segment. In contrast, tilapia have a homogenous system characterized by high-affinity, high-capacity (Ha/Hc) throughout the intestine. Additionally, we are the first to report glucose transporter patterns across species presented from vertebrates to invertebrates. Finally, other kinetic transport systems are briefly covered to illustrate possible contributions/modulations to sodium-dependent glucose transporter organization. Overall, we present a new perspective on the organization of glucose absorption along the intestinal tract.

Effects of Polysaccharides-Rich Extract from Gracilaria lemaneiformis on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function, and Meat Quality in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Gracilaria lemaneiformis polysaccharides (GLPs) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 320 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were individually weighed and randomly assigned to four groups of eight replicate cages (10 broilers per cage). Birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 mg/kg GLPs. Compared to that of the control group, dietary supplementation with 2,000 mg/kg GLPs linearly increased the average daily weight gain during days 0-42 (P < 0.05) and linearly decreased the feed to gain ratio during days 1-21 and 22-42 (P < 0.05). Broilers fed GLP-supplemented diets showed linear (P < 0.05) and quadratic (P < 0.05) increases in serum superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities in the liver, whereas GLP supplementation decreased serum and liver malondialdehyde concentrations (P < 0.05). A linear increase in serum catalase activity was observed following supplementation with 2,000 or 4,000 mg/kg GLPs (P < 0.05). Broilers fed GLP-supplemented diets showed linear (P < 0.05) and quadratic (P < 0.05) increases in serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and interferon-γ concentrations (P < 0.05), and a trend towards linear improvement in IL-4 levels (P = 0.089). Dietary GLP supplementation increased the Lactobacillus spp. population compared to that of the control group (P < 0.05) and 2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg of GLPs nearly decreased the population of E. coli in the cecum (P = 0.056). Therefore, dietary GLP supplementation may improve broiler growth performance by altering antioxidant capacity, immune function, and the gut microbiota composition. Considering the effects of different doses of GLP on the above parameters, 2,000 mg/kg of GLPs was identified as the best dose.

Swine gut microbiome associated with non-digestible carbohydrate utilization

Non-digestible carbohydrates are an unavoidable component in a pig's diet, as all plant-based feeds contain different kinds of non-digestible carbohydrates. The major types of non-digestible carbohydrates include non-starch polysaccharides (such as cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose), resistant starch, and non-digestible oligosaccharides (such as fructo-oligosaccharide and xylo-oligosaccharide). Non-digestible carbohydrates play a significant role in balancing the gut microbial ecology and overall health of the swine by promoting the production of short chain fatty acids. Although non-digestible carbohydrates are rich in energy, swine cannot extract this energy on their own due to the absence of enzymes required for their degradation. Instead, they rely on gut microbes to utilize these carbohydrates for energy production. Despite the importance of non-digestible carbohydrate degradation, limited studies have been conducted on the swine gut microbes involved in this process. While next-generation high-throughput sequencing has aided in understanding the microbial compositions of the swine gut, specific information regarding the bacteria involved in non-digestible carbohydrate degradation remains limited. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate and comprehend the bacteria responsible for the breakdown of non-digestible carbohydrates in the gut. In this mini review, we have discussed the major bacteria involved in the fermentation of different types of non-digestible carbohydrates in the large intestine of swine, shedding light on their potential roles and contributions to swine nutrition and health.

Characterization of β-Glucans from Cereal and Microbial Sources and Their Roles in Feeds for Intestinal Health and Growth of Nursery Pigs

The objectives of this review are to investigate the quantitative, compositional, and structural differences of β-glucans and the functional effects of β-glucans on the intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs. Banning antibiotic feed supplementation increased the research demand for antibiotic alternatives to maintain the intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs. It has been proposed that β-glucans improve the growth efficiency of nursery pigs through positive impacts on their intestinal health. However, based on their structure and source, their impacts can be extensively different. β-glucans are non-starch polysaccharides found in the cell walls of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), bacteria, fungi (Basidiomycota), and cereal grains (mainly barley and oats). The total β-glucan content from cereal grains is much greater than that of microbial β-glucans. Cereal β-glucans may interfere with the positive effects of microbial β-glucans on the intestinal health of nursery pigs. Due to their structural differences, cereal β-glucans also cause digesta viscosity, decreasing feed digestion, and decreasing nutrient absorption in the GIT of nursery pigs. Specifically, cereal β-glucans are based on linear glucose molecules linked by β-(1,3)- and β-(1,4)-glycosidic bonds with relatively high water-soluble properties, whereas microbial β-glucans are largely linked with β-(1,3)- and β-(1,6)-glycosidic bonds possessing insoluble properties. From the meta-analysis, the weight gain and feed intake of nursery pigs increased by 7.6% and 5.3%, respectively, through the use of yeast β-glucans (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and increased by 11.6% and 6.9%, respectively, through the use of bacterial β-glucans (from Agrobacterium sp.), whereas the use of cereal β-glucans did not show consistent responses. The optimal use of yeast β-glucans (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was 50 mg/kg in nursery pig diets based on a meta-analysis. Collectively, use of microbial β-glucans can improve the intestinal health of nursery pigs, enhancing immune conditions, whereas the benefits of cereal β-glucans on intestinal health were not consistent.

Review: Nutrient and energy supply in monogastric food producing animals with reduced environmental and climatic footprint and improved gut health

With more efficient utilisation of dietary nutrients and energy, diversified production systems, modifications of diet composition with respect to feedstuffs included and the use of free amino acids, the negative impact of animal food production on the environment and climate can be reduced. Accurate requirements for nutrients and energy for animals with differing physiological needs, and the use of robust and accurate feed evaluation systems are key for more efficient feed utilisation. Data on CP and amino acid requirements in pigs and poultry indicate that it should be possible to implement indispensable amino acid-balanced diets with low- or reduced-protein content without any reduction in animal performance. Potential feed resources, not competing with human food security, can be derived from the traditional food- and agroindustry, such as various waste streams and co-products of different origins. In addition, novel feedstuffs emerging from aquaculture, biotechnology and innovative new technologies may have potential to provide the lack of indispensable amino acids in organic animal food production. High fibre content is a nutritional limitation of using waste streams and co-products as feed for monogastric animals as it is associated with decreased nutrient digestibility and reduced dietary energy values. However, minimum levels of dietary fibre are needed to maintain the normal physiological function of the gastro-intestinal tract. Moreover, there may be positive effects of fibre in the diet such as improved gut health, increased satiety, and an overall improvement of behaviour and well-being.

Effects of Lactobacillus Lactis Supplementation on Growth Performance, Hematological Parameters, Meat Quality and Intestinal Flora in Growing-Finishing Pigs

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation with Lactobacillus lactis (LL) on growth performance, hematological parameters, meat quality and intestinal flora in pigs from growing until slaughter. Methods: A total of 72 growing pigs (30.46 ± 3.08 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 groups (including 3 pens for each group, with 8 pigs in each pen). The three treatments comprised a basal diet (O-0) and two experimental diets supplemented for 14 weeks with 0.01% (O-100) and 0.03% (O-300) LL, respectively. Results: The final body weights of the pigs in the O-100 and O-300 groups were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of the O-0 group. In the grower phase, the average daily weight gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of pigs fed the O-300 diet were higher (p < 0.05) than those of pigs fed the O-0 diet during the grower phase. BUN and MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.05 for all) in the O-0 group than in the O-100 and O-300 groups during the grower phase. No difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the hematological parameters among the three groups during the finisher phase. Counts of LL in the stomach were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the O-300 group than in the O-0 group. Counts of Escherichia coli in the jejunum were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the O-0 group than in the O-300 group. Furthermore, the hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and resilience of longissimus dorsi muscle collected from pigs fed the O-300 diet were higher (p < 0.01; p = 0.024; p = 0.003; p = 0.014, respectively) than those of tissue collected from pigs fed the O-0 diet. Conclusion: Dietary LL supplementation increased final body weight, increased ADG in the grower phase and enhanced meat quality.

Effects of different starch diets on growth performance, intestinal health and faecal microbiota of growing pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different starch source diets on growth performance, intestinal health, and, microbiota of growing pigs. Eighteen healthy "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" pigs (50 ± 0.61 kg, Castrated boar) were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates and one pig per replicate. The pigs in the three treatments were fed diets prepared with cassava flour (CF), rice bran (RB) and sorghum flour (SF), respectively, and the nutritional levels of the three treatments were the same. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The results showed that pigs in the RB group had significantly increased average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05) compared with pigs in CF and SF groups. Compared with pigs in the CF group, the final body weight (FBW) of growing pigs in the RB group was increased and the ratio of feed to gain (F: G) was decreased (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between FBW and F: G between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with the CF group, the RB group significantly increased the jejunum amylase activity (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the SF group and the other two groups. Compared with growing pigs in the CF group and SF group, the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio of growing pigs in the RB group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total VFA in the colon and caecum of piglets in the SF group were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to piglets in CF and RB groups, and there was no significant difference between the CF group and RB group. Compared with the RB group, caecal butyric acid concentration was significantly increased in SF and CF groups (p < 0.05). Seven dominant phyla were identified at the phylum level, among which Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota were dominant phyla, accounting for 74.18%, 14.87% and 6.56% of the RB group respectively. Cassava flour group accounted for 80.22%, 9.64% and 3.71%; Accounting for 65.33%, 17.34% and 13.07% of the SF group. Through the comparative analysis of microbial differences among the treatment groups, it was found that at the phylum level, compared with the SF group, the abundance of Synergistota in the diet of the CF group and the diet of the RB group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The abundance decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The quantity of Desulfobacterota in the RB group was significantly higher than that in the CF group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared with sorghum starch and cassava starch, RB starch can improve the activity of digestive enzymes and villus height in the small intestine of growing pigs and promote the growth of pigs by protecting the intestinal health of growing pigs.

Exogenous enzymes, meal size, and meal frequency: effect on ileal and total tract digestibility of carbohydrates, and energy and fiber degradation in growing pigs fed a wheat-barley grain-based high-fiber diet

When conducting a digestibility trial, pigs are usually fed only twice a day with a restricted feed intake which is not representative of the feeding conditions in a commercial farm. This study aimed to determine the effects of meal size and frequency, and exogenous enzymes (xylanase and phytase) on the digestibility of a high-fiber diet using porcine in vivo and in vitro approaches. Pigs (n = 6) were fitted with a T cannula, and each received all treatments using a 6 × 6 Latin square experimental design. The diets were supplemented (Enz) or not with a combination of xylanase and phytase and distributed into three feeding programs: one received two meals per day that met three times the maintenance energy requirement (2M), one received the same quantity of feed in eight meals (8M), and another received an amount that met five times the maintenance energy requirements in eight meals (8M+). For in vitro experiment, the degradability of fiber with or without xylanase supplementation only was determined. Enzyme supplementation increased apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter, starch, and degradation of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (I-NSP) in all in vivo treatments (P < 0.05). The 2M compared with 8M increased the AID of starch and total tract digestibility of organic matter and I-NSP (P < 0.05). Enzyme supplementation decreased the content of insoluble arabinoxylan (P < 0.05) and increased arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (P < 0.05) in the in vivo ileal digesta and in vitro incubation. The results of this study confirm degradation by xylanase of the fiber fraction at the ileal level, which resulted in less fermentation of fiber in the large intestine. However, number and size of meals had little influence on feed digestibility. The consequences of shifting fiber fermentation more towards the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract need further investigation. The in vitro model provided a confirmation of the action of xylanase on the degradation of non-starch polysaccharides.

Dietary fibers with low hydration properties exacerbate diarrhea and impair intestinal health and nutrient digestibility in weaned piglets

Background

This study aimed to investigate the hydration properties of different-source fibrous materials by comparing their water-binding capacity (WBC), water swelling capacity (WSC), viscosity, and in vivo effects of selected samples on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, diarrhea, and intestinal health in weaned piglets.

Methods

A total of 13 commercially available fibrous materials were first compared in chemical composition and in vitro hydration property. Subsequently, 40 weaned piglets were randomized to five experimental dietary groups (8 piglets per group): control diet (a basal diet without dietary fiber, CON), basal diet supplemented with 5% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), 5% wheat bran (WB), 5% Moringaoleifera leaf powder (MOLP), or 5% sugar beet pulp (SBP), followed by analyzing their growth performance and diarrhea rate in a 28-d experiment. After the feeding experiment, anaesthetized piglets were killed, and their intestinal and colon content or plasma samples were analyzed in nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and bacterial population.

Results

In vitro studies showed low hydration properties for WB and MCC, while medium hydration properties for MOLP and SBP. In vivo studies indicated that compared with medium hydration property groups, low hydration property groups showed (1) exacerbated diarrhea, impaired intestinal health, and reduced apparent fecal digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber; (2) decreased SCFAs concentration and relative levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, but increased levels of Escherichia coli and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in colon contents. Additionally, SBP showed optimal performance in reducing diarrhea and increasing SCFAs production. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of fiber hydration properties with in vitro SCFAs production, and diarrhea index and nutrient digestibility were negatively and positively correlated with SCFAs levels in the colon contents of weaned piglets, respectively.

Conclusions

Different-source dietary fibers varied in their hydration properties and impacts on diarrhea, microbial composition and SCFAs production in weaned piglets. WB and MCC could exacerbate diarrhea and impair nutrient digestibility, probably because their low hydration properties were detrimental to gut microbial homeostasis and fermentation. Our findings provide new ideas for rational use of fiber resources in weaned piglets.

Time-course effects of different fiber-rich ingredients on energy values, microbiota composition and SCFA profile in growing pigs

This study was to investigate time-course effects of different types of dietary fiber on the energy values, fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in growing pigs. A total of 24 barrows (initial body weight, 19.8 ± 0.5 kg) were assigned to 4 dietary treatments based on body weight (BW) in a completely randomized design, including a basal diet (CON) and 3 fiber-rich diets replacing corn, soybean meal and soybean oil in the CON diet with 20% sugar beet pulp (SBP), defatted rice bran (DFRB) or soybean hull (SBH), respectively. Fresh feces were sampled on d 7, 14 and 21, followed by 5 d total feces and urine collections. The results showed that there were no differences in DE and ME between any of the fiber ingredients on d 7, 14 or 21. However, fiber inclusion decreased the DE and ME of the diet (P < 0.05) regardless of the time effect. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed distinctly different microbial communities on the DFRB diet and SBH diet across different times (P < 0.05) and the fecal microbiota of the 4 diet groups demonstrated notably distinct clusters at each time point (P < 0.05). With adaptation time increased from 7 to 21 d, cellulose-degrading bacteria and SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g., Ruminococcaceae _UCG-014, Rikenellaceae _RC9_gut_group and Bifidobacterium) increased in the fiber inclusion diets, and pathogenic genera (e.g., Streptococcus and Selenomonas) were increased in the basal diet (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the gut microbiota of growing pigs adapted more easily and quickly to the SBP diet compared to the DFRB diet, as reflected by the concentration of propionate, butyrate, isovalerate and total SCFA which increased with time for growing pigs fed the DFRB diet (P < 0.05). Collectively, our results indicated at least 7 d adaptation was required to evaluate the energy values of fiber-rich ingredients, as the hindgut microbiota of growing pigs may need more time to adapt to a high fiber diet, especially for insoluble dietary fiber.

Formulating Diets for Improved Health Status of Pigs: Current Knowledge and Perspectives

Our understanding of nutrition has been evolving to support both performance and immune status of pigs, particularly in disease-challenged animals which experience repartitioning of nutrients from growth towards the immune response. In this sense, it is critical to understand how stress may impact nutrient metabolism and the effects of nutritional interventions able to modulate organ (e.g., gastrointestinal tract) functionality and health. This will be pivotal in the development of effective diet formulation strategies in the context of improved animal performance and health. Therefore, this review will address qualitative and quantitative effects of immune system stimulation on voluntary feed intake and growth performance measurements in pigs. Due to the known repartitioning of nutrients, the effects of stimulating the immune system on nutrient requirements, stratified according to different challenge models, will be explored. Finally, different nutritional strategies (i.e., low protein, amino acid-supplemented diets; functional amino acid supplementation; dietary fiber level and source; diet complexity; organic acids; plant secondary metabolites) will be presented and discussed in the context of their possible role in enhancing the immune response and animal performance.

Supplementing oat hulls to the diet of suckling piglets altered their intestinal tract and colonic microbiota development

Current study evaluated the effect of a fine and coarsely ground insoluble dietary fibre source on the gastrointestinal development of suckling pigs. Oat hulls (OH) were selected as a model feedstuff, rich in cellulose, lignin, and insoluble dietary fibre. Three experimental supplemental diets were formulated: a finely ground, low fibre and nutrient dense diet served as control (CON). For the 2 high fibre diets, 15% heat-treated starch in CON was exchanged with OH, either finely (OH-f) or coarsely ground (OH-c). Litters of 10 primi- and multiparous sows (mean litter size 14.6 ± 0.84) were used. Within a litter, experimental diets were allotted to triplets of 4 piglets. From approximately 12 d of age, piglets' individual feed intakes were recorded 2 times per day when separated from their dam for 70 min. Piglets could suckle with their dam for the remainder of the day. On d 24 and 25, from the total pool of 120 piglets, seven healthy well-eating piglets per treatment were selected for post-mortem evaluation, resulting in 14 replicates per treatment. Consumption of OH-c and OH-f did not impede clinical health and production performance of piglets. The full stomach weights tended to be greater for OH-c compared to OH-f whereas CON was intermediate (P = 0.083). Supplementing OH significantly increased ileal villus height and caecal dry matter concentration (P < 0.05). For the colon, OH increased its length, contents weight, short-chain fatty acid concentration and reduced total bacterial count as well as γ-proteobacteria count and proportion (P < 0.05). The OH-c treatment specifically increased full gastrointestinal tract weight and caecum contents weight compared to piglets fed CON and OH-f. Furthermore, OH-c reduced colonic crypt depth when compared to OH-f (P = 0.018). In conclusion, supplementing OH to a diet for suckling piglets exerted subtle developmental effects on gastrointestinal morphology and colonic microbial community. These effects were largely independent from the particle size of the OH.

Effects of alfalfa levels on carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid composition, amino acid profile, and gut microflora composition of Heigai pigs

Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the demand for healthy and high-quality pork. Alfalfa, one of the most popular perennial forages, is considered a rich source of highly nutritional forage for livestock feed, as it contains over 90% insoluble dietary fiber. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data confirming the effects of adding alfalfa on pork quality, amino acid composition, and intestinal microbiota composition. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of alfalfa on carcass traits, meat quality, amino acid and fatty acid composition, and the intestinal microbiota of Heigai pigs. A total of 72 finishing Heigai pigs were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 36), with six replicate groups and six pigs per replication. The two experimental diets were formulated to include graded levels of alfalfa, 20% (AM20) and 30% (AM30). The results showed that adding 30% alfalfa meal did not affect the growth performance of Heigai pigs but significantly reduced backfat thickness (P < 0.05), pH (P < 0.05), increased the a^* value, b^* value, and flavor amino acid and essential amino acid contents in longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM). In addition, AM30 didn't affect colonic microbiota abundance but significantly reduced the relative abundances of three phyla, such as Verrucomicrobia, and 43 genera, such as Akkermansia, and significantly increased the relative abundances of 47 genera, such as Prevotella-2. Overall, these results advocate for a diet containing 30% alfalfa to improve meat quality by changing the intestinal microflora composition without affecting the growth performance of Heigai pigs, which provides compelling evidence for the use of alfalfa to relieve the pressure on corn and soybean meal demand and produce high-quality pork.

Stimbiotic Supplementation Alleviates Poor Performance and Gut Integrity in Weaned Piglets Induced by Challenge with E. coli

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of stimbiotic (STB), a xylanase and xylo-oligosaccharide complex. A total of 36 male weaned pigs with initial body weights of 8.49 ± 0.10 kg were used in a 3-week experiment. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (six replicates/treatment) of treatments consisting of two levels of challenge (challenge and non-challenge) and three levels of STB (0, 0.5, and 1 g/kg diet). Supplementations STB 0.5 g/kg (STB5) and STB 1 g/kg (STB10) improved the G:F (p = 0.04) in piglets challenged with STEC. STB supplementation, which also decreased (p < 0.05) the white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Supplementations STB5 and STB10 improved (p < 0.01) the lymphocytes and neutrophils in piglets challenged with STEC on 14 dpi. Additionally, supplementations STB5 and STB10 improved (p < 0.01) the tumor necrosis factor-alpha in piglets challenged with STEC on 3 dpi. Supplementations STB5 and STB10 also improved the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01) in piglets challenged with STEC. Supplementation with STB reduced (p < 0.05) the expression levels of calprotectin. In conclusion, STB could alleviate a decrease of the performance, immune response, and inflammatory response induced by the STEC challenge.

Anti-hyperlipidemic and ameliorative effects of chickpea starch and resistant starch in mice with high fat diet induced obesity are associated with their multi-scale structural characteristics

Chickpea starches were isolated from both untreated (UC-S) and conventionally cooked seeds (CC-S), and their multi-scale structural characteristics and in vivo physiological effects on controlling hyperlipidemia in high fat diet induced obese mice were compared with their corresponding resistant starch (RS) fractions obtained by an in vitro enzymatic isolation method (UC-RS and CC-RS). The degree of order/degree of double helix in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was in the following order: CC-RS > UC-RS > CC-S > UC-S, which was consistent with the trend observed for relative crystallinity and double helix contents monitored by X-ray diffractometer and solid-state ¹³C cross-polarization and magic angle spinning NMR analyses. The influence of different types of chickpea starch and their corresponding resistant starch fractions on regulating the serum lipid profile, antioxidant status, and histopathological changes in liver, colon and cecal tissues, and gene expressions associated with lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, as well as short-chain fatty acid metabolites in mice with high fat diet induced obesity was investigated. The results showed that the chickpea RS diet group exhibited overall better anti-hyperlipidemic and ameliorative effects than those of the starch group, and such effects were most pronounced in the CC-RS intervention group. After a six-week period of administration with chickpea starch and RS diets, mice in the UC-RS and CC-RS groups tended to have relatively significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of butyric acid in their fecal contents. The 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that mice fed with CC-RS showed the greatest abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus compared with the other groups.

The amount of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells in the abomasum and intestines of 13-14-week-old calves supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke flour alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast

Background and Aim: The use of antibiotics in animals for disease prevention and productivity has been banned in the European Union since 2006. Possible alternatives can be used prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. These compounds can improve feed digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract with identical nutrient uptake, while imparting the feeling of satiety, which reduces the activity of ghrelin-immunoreactive (IR) cells. The number of studies performed on the activity of ghrelin-IR cells in ruminants is insufficient. In particular, there are few such studies in calves during the transition period from being a relatively monogastric animal to a ruminant. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jerusalem artichoke flour (containing ∼50% prebiotic inulin) and a new, commercially unavailable synbiotic (combination of Jerusalem artichoke flour and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026) on the amount of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasum and intestines of 13-14-week-old calves. Materials and Methods: Fifteen crossbreed, Holstein Friesian and Red Holstein calves (Bos taurus) (32±4 days, 72.1±11.34 kg) were used. Calves were allocated into three groups: Control group (CoG, n=5) received the standard diet, prebiotic group (PreG, n=5) received 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) per head containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin in addition to the standard diet, and synbiotic group (SynG, n=5) received a synbiotic in addition to the standard diet which consisted of two different products: 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke per head containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin and probiotic 5 g of a yeast S. cerevisiae strain 1026. Feed additives were added to the concentrate once a day for 56 days. On days 1, 28, and 56, the live weight of the calves was determined. On day 56 of the experiment, three calves from each group were slaughtered. Histological samples were collected from the two parts of each calf abomasum: Pars pylorica and pars fundalis and the middle part of the duodenum and jejunum. Immunohistochemical tissue staining methods were used to detect ghrelin-IR cells. Results: The live weight of the slaughtered calves on day 56 was 115.3±21.73 kg in CoG, 130.0±17.32 kg in PreG, and 119.0±7.94 kg in SynG. Ghrelin-IR cells were more abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of the abomasum muscle gland cells in pars fundalis and pars pylorica, and to a lesser extent in the duodenum and jejunum. The number of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasal fundic gland area was significantly higher in the CoG, than in the PreG and SynG (p=0.0001), while the difference between the PreG and SynG was not significant (p=0.700). Conclusion: The addition of Jerusalem artichoke flour and its combination with the yeast S.cerevisiae stain 1026 in calves resulted in a lower number of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasum, duodenum, and jejunum and, although insignificantly, increased live weight (p=0.491), suggesting that calves in these groups with the same feed intake as the CoG had a better breakdown of nutrients, thus having a longer feeling of satiety.

Differential Effect of Dietary Fibers in Intestinal Health of Growing Pigs: Outcomes in the Gut Microbiota and Immune-Related Indexes

Although dietary fibers (DFs) have been shown to improve intestinal health in pigs, it is unclear whether this improvement varies according to the type/source of DF. In the current study, we investigated the impact of dietary supplement (15%) of pea-hull fiber (PF), oat bran (OB), and their mixture (MIX, PF, and OB each accounted for 7.5%) in the growth performance as well as intestinal barrier and immunity-related indexes in growing pigs. Twenty-four cross-bred pigs (32.42 ± 1.95 kg) were divided into four groups: CON (basal diet with no additional DF), PF, OB, and MIX. After 56 days of feeding, we found that the growth performance of PF pigs was decreased (p < 0.05) compared with pigs in other groups. Results of real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed that the improvement of immune-related indexes (e.g., interleukin 10 [IL-10]) in OB and MIX pigs mainly presented in the ileum, whereas the improvement of intestinal barrier–related indexes (e.g., MUC1 and MUC2) mainly presented in the colon. Whether in the ileum or colon, such improvement of immune function may be dependent on NOD rather than TLR-associated pathways. Amplicon sequencing results showed that PF and MIX pigs shared a similar bacterial community, such as lower abundance of ileal Clostridiaceae and colonic Streptoccocus than that of CON pigs (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that OB and MIX, rather than PF, benefit the intestinal health in growing pigs, and multiple-sourced DF may reduce the adverse effect of single-soured DF on the growth performance and gut microbiota in pigs.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides as Antibiotic Substitutes Improve Growth Performance, Serum Immunity, Antioxidant Status, and Intestinal Health for Weaned Piglets

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of dietary Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) supplementation on the growth performance, immune response, serum antioxidant status, and intestinal health of weaned piglets. In total, 24 crossed healthy weaned piglets [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)], of similar body weight (7.47 ± 0.22 kg), were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: CON (basal diet); LBPs (basal diet plus 4,000 mg/kg LBPs); and antibiotic (ABO, basal diet plus 20 mg/kg flavomycin and 50 mg/kg quinocetone). There were eight pigs per group. The study lasted 28 days. When compared with CON, LBPs or ABO dietary supplementation increased average daily gain (P < 0.05), decreased the ratio of feed to gain and the diarrhea ratio (P < 0.05). Similarly, when compared with CON, LBPs dietary supplementation increased serum immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, interleukin-10, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels (P < 0.05). Dietary LBPs enhanced the activity of serum total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed a distinct separation between CON and LBPs groups, but no differences between ABO and LBPs groups. LBPs addition increased Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium (P < 0.05) levels, while it decreased Enterococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05) levels. Furthermore, when compared with the CON group, LBPs increased villus height (P < 0.05) and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). Thus, dietary supplementation with LBPs improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity, regulated intestinal microbial composition, and may be used as an efficient antibiotic alternative in weaned piglet feed.

Egg quality and coccidiosis infestation in three production systems for laying hens

A total of 240 white Shaver laying hens from 22 to 34 weeks of age were assigned to 3 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments included: i) Conventional (hens were kept in experimental building without access to outdoor area and fed with the conventional diet), ii) Semi-organic (hens were kept in experimental building with access to outdoor area and fed with the organic diet plus amino acids and vitamin-minerals supplement), and iii) Organic (hens were kept in experimental building with access to outdoor and fed with the organic diet). The results showed statistically significant differences in the feed intake, egg production, egg mass, egg weight, and change body weight(g) means among the treatments (p < 0.05). The hens kept in the organic treatment had fecal highest contain of oocytes coccidia (p < 0.05). The yolk color index and shell strength in the organic treatment significantly increased in comparison with that of other treatments (p < 0.05). The highest HDL was in the semi-organic and organic treatments (p < 0.05). The lowest egg yolk cholesterol concentration was found in hens kept in the semi-organic and organic treatments (p < 0.05). It is concluded that organic production system is useful for improving egg quality.

Fiber digestibility in growing pigs fed common fiber-rich ingredients: a systematic review

The application of high-fiber ingredients in the swine feed industry has some limitations considering that high amounts of fiber are resistant to endogenous enzymatic degradation in the pig’s gut. However, there is growing interest in fiber fermentation in the intestine of pigs due to their functional properties and potential health benefits. Many strategies have been applied in feed formulations to improve utilization efficiency of fiber-rich ingredients and stimulate their prebiotic effects in pigs. This manuscript reviews chemical compositions, physical properties, and digestibility of fiber-rich diets formulated with fibrous ingredients for growing pigs. Evidences presented in this review indicate there is a great variation in chemical compositions and physical properties of fibrous ingredients, resulting in the discrepancy of energy and fiber digestibility in pig intestine. In practice, fermentation capacity of fiber components in the pig’s intestine can be improved using strategies, such as biological enzymes supplementation and feed processing technologies. Soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), rather than neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), are recommended in application of pig production to achieve precise feeding. Limitations of current scientific research on determining fiber digestibility and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production are discussed. Endogenous losses of fiber components from non-dietary materials that result in underestimation of fiber digestibility and SCFA production are discussed in this review. Overall, the purpose of our review is to provide a reference for feeding the pig by choosing the diets formulated with different high-fiber ingredients.

Toward Precise Nutrient Value of Feed in Growing Pigs: Effect of Meal Size, Frequency and Dietary Fibre on Nutrient Utilisation

Simple Summary

Feed costs are the most important in swine production. Precise determination of nutritional values of pig diets can help reducing feed costs by reducing security margins for nutrients and therefore provide a more sustainable swine production. In commercial farms, pigs have free access to feed and eat with no limitation according to their natural behaviour. In contrast, during digestibility trials, pigs are restricted in their daily intake of feed, which is distributed in a limited number of meals. The number of meals per day and the amount of feed consumed daily can affect the digestibility of the nutrients, the transit time and the metabolism. To reduce feed costs, by-products are frequently added to diets. Most by-products are rich in dietary fibre, which are known to have negative effects on digestibility. Enzymes can be supplemented in the diet to counteract the negative aspects of dietary fibre, but their efficiency can vary depending on the number of meals per day and the amount of feed consumed daily.

Abstract

Nutritional values of ingredients have been and still are the subject of many studies to reduce security margins of nutrients when formulating diets to reduce feed cost. In most studies, pigs are fed a limited amount of feed in a limited number of meals that do not represent how pigs are fed in commercial farm conditions. With free access to feed, pigs follow their intrinsic feeding behaviour. Feed intake is regulated by satiety and satiation signals. Reducing the feed intake level or feeding frequency can affect digestibility and transit time and induce metabolic changes. To reduce feed costs, alternative ingredients that are frequently rich in dietary fibre are added to diets. Fibre acts on the digestion process and transit time by decreasing energy density and causing viscosity. Various analyses of fibre can be realised, and the measured fibre fraction can vary. Exogenous enzymes can be added to counteract the effect of fibre, but digestive tract conditions, influenced by meal size and frequency, can affect the efficiency of supplemented enzymes. In conclusion, the frequency and size of the meals can affect the digestibility of nutrients by modulating gastrointestinal tract conditions (pH and transit time), metabolites (glucose and short-chain fatty acids) and hormones (glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine).

Modulation of jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in relation to intestinal health and nutrient digestibility in pigs by supplementation of β-glucanase to corn-soybean meal-based diets with xylanase

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of β-glucanase on the modulation of jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in relation to nutrient digestibility and intestinal health of pigs fed diets with 30% corn distiller's dried grains with solubles and xylanase. Forty pigs at 12.4 ± 0.5 kg body weight (BW) were allotted in a randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet with xylanase (1,500 endo-pentosanase units [EPU]/kg) and increasing levels of β-glucanase (0, 200, 400, and 600 U/kg) meeting nutrient requirements and fed to pigs for 21 d. Blood samples were collected on day 19. On day 21, all pigs were euthanized to collect intestinal tissues and digesta. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and malondialdehyde were measured in the plasma and mid-jejunal mucosa. Viscosity was determined using digesta from the distal jejunum. Ileal and rectal digesta were evaluated to determine apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients. Mucosa samples from the mid-jejunum were utilized for microbiota sequencing. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure on SAS 9.4. Overall, increasing dietary β-glucanase tended to increase (linear; P = 0.077) the average daily gain of pigs. Increasing dietary β-glucanase affected (quadratic; P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, reduced (linear; P < 0.05) Helicobacter rappini, and increased (linear, P < 0.05) Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. β-Glucanase supplementation (0 vs. others) tended to increase (P = 0.096) the AID of crude protein in the diet, whereas increasing dietary β-glucanase tended to increase (linear; P = 0.097) the ATTD of gross energy in the diet and increased (linear; P < 0.05) the concentration of IL-6 in the plasma of pigs. In conclusion, increasing β-glucanase up to 600 U/kg feed in a diet containing xylanase (1,500 EPU/kg) modulated mucosa-associated microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and reducing potentially harmful bacteria. Furthermore, increasing β-glucanase up to 600 U/kg feed in a diet containing xylanase (1,500 EPU/kg feed) enhanced the status of the intestinal environment and nutrient utilization, as well as reduced systemic inflammation of pigs, collectively resulting in moderate improvement of growth performance. Supplementing β-glucanase at a range of 312 to 410 U/kg with xylanase at 1,500 EPU/kg feed showed the most benefit on jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota and reduced systemic inflammation of pigs.

Drinking Water with Saccharin Sodium Alters the Microbiota-Gut-Hypothalamus Axis in Guinea Pig

The effects of saccharin, as a type of sweetener additive, on the metabolism and development of mammals are still controversial. Our previous research revealed that saccharin sodium (SS) promoted the feed intake and growth of guinea pigs. In this experiment, we used the guinea pig model to study the physiological effect of SS in the microbiota-gut-hypothalamus axis. Adding 1.5 mM SS to drinking water increased the serum level of glucose, followed by the improvement in the morphology and barrier function of the ileal villus, such as SS supplementation which increased the villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio. Saccharin sodium (SS) treatment activated the sweet receptor signaling in the ileum and altered GHRP hormone secretion. In the hypothalamus of SS and control (CN) group, RNA-seq identified 1370 differently expressed genes (796 upregulated, 574 downregulated), enriching into the taste signaling transduction, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. LEfSe analysis suggested that Lactobacillaceae-Lactobacillus was the microbe with significantly increased abundance of ileum microorganisms in the SS-treated group, while Brevinema-Andersonii and Erysipelotrichaceae-Ilebacterium were the microbes with significantly increased abundance of the control. Furthermore, SS treatment significantly enhanced the functions of chemoheterotrophy and fermentation of ileal microflora compared to the CN group. Accordingly, SS treatment increased levels of lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (acetic acid, propionic acid and N-valeric acid) in the ileal digesta. In summary, drinking water with 1.5 mM SS activated sweet receptor signaling in the gut and altered GHRP hormone secretion, followed by the taste signaling transduction in the hypothalamus.

The Nutritional Significance of Intestinal Fungi: Alteration of Dietary Carbohydrate Composition Triggers Colonic Fungal Community Shifts in a Pig Model

Carbohydrates represent the most important energy source in the diet of humans and animals. A large number of studies have shown that dietary carbohydrates (DCHO) are related to the bacterial community in the gut, but their relationship with the composition of intestinal fungi is still unknown. Here, we report the response of the colonic fungal community to different compositions of DCHO in a pig model. Three factors, ratio (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) of amylose to amylopectin (AM/AP), level of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP; 1%, 2%, and 3%), and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS; 400, 800, and 1,200 mg/kg body weight), were considered according to an L9 (3⁴) orthogonal design to form nine diets with different carbohydrate compositions. Sequencing based on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 region showed that the fungal community in the colon of the pigs responded to DCHO in the order of MOS, AM/AP, and NSP. A large part of some low-abundance fungal genera correlated with the composition of DCHO, represented by Saccharomycopsis, Mrakia, Wallemia, Cantharellus, Eurotium, Solicoccozyma, and Penicillium, were also associated with the concentration of glucose and fructose, as well as the activity of β-d-glucosidase in the colonic digesta, suggesting a role of these fungi in the degradation of DCHO in the colon of pigs. Our study provides direct evidence for the relationship between the composition of DCHO and the fungal community in the colon of pigs, which is helpful to understand the function of gut microorganisms in pigs.IMPORTANCE Although fungi are a large group of microorganisms along with bacteria and archaea in the gut of monogastric animals, the nutritional significance of fungi has been ignored for a long time. Our previous studies revealed a distinct fungal community in the gut of grazing Tibetan pigs (J. Li, D. Chen, B. Yu, J. He, et al., Microb Biotechnol 13:509-521, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13507) and a close correlation between fungal species and short-chain fatty acids, the main microbial metabolites of carbohydrates in the hindgut of pigs (J. Li, Y. Luo, D. Chen, B. Yu, et al., J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 104:616-628, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13300). These groundbreaking findings indicate a potential relationship between intestinal fungi and the utilization of DCHO. However, no evidence directly proves the response of intestinal fungi to changes in DCHO. Here, we show a clear alteration of the colonic fungal community in pigs triggered by different compositions of DCHO simulated by varied concentrations of starch, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), and oligosaccharides. Our results highlight the potential involvement of intestinal fungi in the utilization of nutrients in monogastric animals.

Apple Pomace and Performance, Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota of Weaned Piglets-A Weaning Strategy for Gut Health?

Apple pomace (AP) is known to be rich in biomolecules beneficial for health and it may advantageously be used to overcome the critical step of piglets’ weaning. The study aimed to determine the effect of two levels of incorporation of AP on the performance, intestinal morphology, and microbiota of weaned piglets and investigate this feed ingredient as a weaning strategy. An experiment was performed with 42 piglets from weaning (28 days old) over a five-week period, including three iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets (0%, 2%, and 4% dried AP diets) with seven pen-repetitions per diet (two pigs per pen). AP diets were beneficial for the average daily gain calculated on week 3 (p = 0.038) and some parameters of the intestinal architecture on the 35 post-weaning day. The 4% AP diet was beneficial for the feed conversion ratio (p = 0.002) and the energetic feed efficiency (p = 0.004) on the 35 post-weaning day. AP tended to influence the consistency of feces (softer to liquid, p = 0.096) and increased the counts of excreted pathogens (p = 0.072). Four percent AP influenced the richness of the microbiota and the bacteria profile as observed for the phylum Bacteroidetes or the class Clostridia. The 4% AP diet appeared as an interesting weaning strategy that should be evaluated in a large cohort.

Impact of early-life feeding on local intestinal microbiota and digestive system development in piglets

Early-life gut microbial colonisation is known to influence host physiology and development, shaping its phenotype. The developing gastro-intestinal tract of neonatal piglets provides a "window of opportunity" for programming their intestinal microbiota composition and corresponding intestinal development. Here, we investigated the impact of early feeding on jejunum and colon microbiota composition, and intestinal maturation in suckling piglets. From two days of age, early-fed (EF; n = 6 litters) piglets had access to solid feed containing a mixture of fibres till weaning (day29) in addition to sow's milk, whereas the control (CON; n = 6 litters) piglets exclusively fed on sow's milk. Early feeding elicited a significant impact on the colon microbiota, whereas no such effect was seen in the jejunal and ileal microbiota. Quantified eating behavioural scores could significantly explain the variation in microbiota composition of EF piglets and support their classification into good, moderate, and bad eaters. Members of the Lachnospiraceae family, and the genera Eubacterium, Prevotella, and Ruminococcus were quantitatively associated with eating scores. EF piglets were found to have a decreased pH in caecum and colon, which coincided with increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. Moreover, they also had increased weights and lengths of several intestinal tract segments, as well as a decreased villus-crypt ratio in jejunal mucosa and an increased abundance of proliferative cells in colon mucosa. The approaches in this study indicate that early feeding of a mixed-fibre (pre-weaning) diet changes the microbiota composition, pH, and fermentation products in the distal gut of piglets, while it also alters both macroscopic and microscopic intestinal measurements. These results exemplify the potential of early feeding to modulate intestinal development in young piglets.

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.

Dietary resistant potato starch improves growth performance and feather development in Pekin ducks fed a low phosphorus diet

This study investigated whether dietary resistant potato starch (RPS) inclusion could ameliorate the negative impact of a low nonphytate phosphorus (nPP) diet on growth performance, feather growth, feather follicles (FF) development, and carcass traits by improving nutrient utilization and cecal microbiome fermentation capacity in Pekin ducks. The experiment was performed with a 2 × 2 randomized block design with 2 levels of RPS (0 or 12%) and 2 levels of nPP (low or normal, low: 0.22% at 1–14 d and 0.18% at 15–35 d of age; normal: 0.40% at 1–14 d and 0.35% at 15–35 d of age) for a total of 4 treatments, each with 8 replicate pens per treatment of 12 birds per pen. As regards growth performance and carcass traits, RPS inclusion markedly increased (P < 0.05) BW of 14 and 35 d, BWG and FI of 1–14 d, 15–35 d, and 1–35 d as well as abdominal fat and breast meat percentage of 35 d in ducks fed low nPP diets; moreover, RSP inclusion significantly reduced (P < 0.05) mortality in ducks fed low nPP diets. As regards feather growth and follicles development of 35 d, RPS inclusion significantly increased (P < 0.05) the fourth primary feather length, absolute feather weight, and the density of primary FF in the back skin in ducks fed low nPP diets. In regard to nutrition utilization, RPS supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the availability of DM, CP, and energy, as well as dietary AME at 35 d of age in ducks fed low nPP diets. However, RPS supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on the concentration of cecal short-chain fatty acids and the activities of cecal phytase and cellulase in ducks fed low nPP diets. These results indicate that RPS can improve nutrient availability to ameliorate the negative effects on performance and feather development caused by a low nPP diet in Pekin ducks.

Opportunities of prebiotics for the intestinal health of monogastric animals

The goal of prebiotic applications from different sources is to improve the gut ecosystem where the host and microbiota can benefit from prebiotics. It has already been recognized that prebiotics have potential roles in the gut ecosystem because gut microbiota ferment complex dietary macronutrients and carry out a broad range of functions in the host body, such as the production of nutrients and vitamins, protection against pathogens, and maintenance of immune system balance. The gut ecosystem is very crucial and can be affected by numerous factors consisting of dietary constituents and commensal bacteria. This review focuses on recent scientific evidence, confirming a beneficial effect of prebiotics on animal health, particularly in terms of protection against pathogenic bacteria and increasing the number of beneficial bacteria that may improve epithelial cell barrier functions. It has also been reviewed that modification of the gut ecosystem through the utilization of prebiotics significantly affects the intestinal health of animals. However, the identification and characterization of novel potential prebiotics remain a topical issue and elucidation of the metagenomics relationship between gut microbiota alteration and prebiotic substances is necessary for future prebiotic studies.

Effects of crude protein and lactose levels in diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system in weaned piglets

To evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) and lactose (LAC) for weaned piglets on performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system, 144 piglets with initial weight 7.17 ± 0.97 kg were allotted in a randomized design, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (20.0% and 24.0% CP and 8.0%, 12.0%, and 16.0% LAC) with eight replicates. Piglets fed 20.0% CP had greater weight gain and feed intake. Including 12.0% LAC in the 20.0% CP diet provided higher villous height in the duodenum than 8.0% LAC, and 12.0% or 16.0% LAC in the 24.0% CP diet resulted in higher villous height in the jejunum and ileum, and higher villi/crypt ratio in the ileum than 8.0% LAC. No effects of CP and LAC on interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA were observed. The 16.0% LAC diet provided higher gene expression of transforming-β1 growth factor. Feeding 20.0% CP resulted in better performance than 24.0% CP. The 12.0% LAC diet promoted greater genetic expression of occludin and zonula occludens. Including 12.0% LAC in the diet may improve intestinal epithelial morphology and integrity, and these improvements are more evident when piglets are fed diets with 24.0% CP.

Identification of Dysfunctional Gut Microbiota Through Rectal Swab in Patients with Different Severity of Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) has a wide spectrum of severity and can be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Whether gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with AP severity remains obscure.

AIMS

We aim to investigate the differences in the alterations of gut microbiota in different grades of AP severity.

METHODS

We collected clinical information and rectal swab samples from 80 individuals. The gut microbiota was tested by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, gut microbiota species composition analysis, difference analysis, random forest model prediction analysis, and gut microbiota species correlation network analysis.

RESULTS

There was a different microbiota profile in different severity grades. Bacteroides, Escherichis-Shigella, and Enterococcus were dominant species in mild, moderately severe, and severe AP, respectively. Finegoldia was the most significantly increased and Blautia the most decreased species in mild AP. Anaerococcus was the most significantly increased and Eubacterium hallii the most decreased species in moderately severe AP. Enterococcus was the most significantly increased and Eubacterium hallii the most decreased species in severe AP. Finegoldia, Eubacterium_hallii, and Lachnospiraceae were potential diagnostic biomarkers for mild AP and Eubacterium_hallii and Anaerococcus for moderately severe AP. There was a positive interaction between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in mild AP.

CONCLUSIONS

The disturbed gut microbiota is different among grades of AP, suggesting their potential role in the progression of disease severity. There was a different microbiota profile in different severity grades. Bacteroides, Escherichis-Shigella, and Enterococcus were dominant gut microbiota species in MAP, MSAP, and SAP, respectively. Finegoldia was the most significantly increased and Blautia the most decreased gut microbiota species in MAP. Anaerococcus was the most significantly increased and Eubacterium hallii the most decreased species in MSAP. Enterococcus was the most significantly increased and Eubacterium hallii the most decreased species in SAP. Finegoldia, Eubacterium_hallii, and Lachnospiraceae were potential diagnostic biomarkers for MAP and Eubacterium_hallii and Anaerococcus for MSAP. There was a positive interaction between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in MAP.

The Optimal Combination of Dietary Starch, Non-Starch Polysaccharides, and Mannan-Oligosaccharide Increases the Growth Performance and Improves Butyrate-Producing Bacteria of Weaned Pigs

Simple Summary

Information about the optimal carbohydrate combination for pigs is scarce. This present study explored the effects of different combinations of starch, non-starch polysaccharides, and mannan-oligosaccharide on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and microbial communities in weaned pigs, which contributed a novel way of evaluating the carbohydrate quality of the diet for pigs.

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to dissect the effects of different carbohydrate combinations on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and microbial communities in weaned pigs. The combination was optimized by constructing L₉(3⁴) orthogonal design. Three factors include starch (amylose to amylopectin (AM/AP) ratio 2:1, 1:1, 1:2), non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) (1%, 2%, 3%, a mixture of inulin with cellulose by 1:1), and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) (400, 800, 1200 mg/kg) were investigated and nine combinations were implemented under different levels of these factors. One hundred and sixty-two weaned pigs were randomly assigned to nine dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and three pigs per replicate. Results exhibited that different combinations of starch, NSP, and MOS affected the gain to feed (G:F) (p < 0.05), diarrhea incidence (p < 0.10), nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05), microbial communities, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations (p < 0.05). In the present study, taking into account three-way ANOVA, range, and direct analysis, we found that the optimal carbohydrate combination was starch AM/AP 1:1, NSP 3%, MOS 400 mg/kg for weaned pigs. Moreover, feeding this combination diet could promote the growth performance and nutrient digestibility, increase the butyrate-producing bacteria, and to some extent improve lipid metabolism. This study provided a novel way to evaluate the carbohydrate quality in swine production.

Synbiotic Effects of Enzyme and Probiotics on Intestinal Health and Growth of Newly Weaned Pigs Challenged With Enterotoxigenic F18+ Escherichia coli

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with xylanase and probiotics on growth performance and intestinal health of nursery pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Sixty-four newly weaned pigs (32 barrows and 32 gilts with 7.9 ± 0.4 kg BW) were allotted in a randomized complete block design (2 × 2 factorial). Two factors were ETEC challenge (oral inoculation of saline solution or E. coli F18+ at 6 × 109 CFU) and synbiotics (none or a combination of xylanase 10,000 XU/kg and Bacillus sp. 2 × 108 CFU/kg). All pigs were fed experimental diets following NRC (2012) in two phases (P1 for 10 d and P2 for 11 d). The ETEC was orally inoculated on d 7 after weaning. Feed intake and BW were measured on d 7, 10, 15, and 20. On d 20, pigs were euthanized to collect samples to measure gut health parameters and microbiome. Synbiotics increased (P < 0.05) ADG in phase 1 and ETEC reduced (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F in the post-challenge period. ETEC increased (P < 0.05) the fecal score of pigs from d 7 to 13; however, synbiotics reduced (P < 0.05) it at d 9 and 11 in challenged pigs. ETEC increased (P < 0.05) mucosal MDA, IL-6, Ki-67+, and crypt depth, whereas synbiotics tended to reduce TNFα (P = 0.093), protein carbonyl (P = 0.065), and IL-6 (P = 0.064); reduced (P < 0.05) crypt depth and Ki-67+; and increased (P < 0.05) villus height. ETEC reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes and increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. In conclusion, ETEC challenge reduced growth performance by affecting microbiome, immune response, and oxidative stress in the jejunum. Synbiotics enhanced growth performance by reducing diarrhea, immune response, and oxidative stress in the jejunum.

Acceptability, Preferences, and Palatability of Diets Containing Summer and Winter Brassica Forage in Growing Pigs: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary

The inclusion of fiber in pigs’ commercial diets may represent an opportunity to reduce feeding costs and benefit animals’ health and welfare. However, antinutritional factors that generate a bitter taste may reduce the voluntary intake of animals. The present experiments evaluated growing pigs’ feeding behavior for winter and summer brassicas, when incorporated on commercial diets as a replacement for wheat middlings. Experiment 1 studied the feeding behavior of pigs when summer turnip or forage rape were included into the diets, while experiment 2 studied the inclusion of kale and swede by replacing 15% of wheat middlings. No differences were found between diets that included brassicas and control diet in pigs’ acceptability or palatability. However, during preference tests of experiment 2 (winter brassicas), diet that incorporated swede presented a higher consumption than control diet and a diet that incorporated kale. This suggests that brassica forage may be incorporated in growing pigs’ diets without negative repercussions in animals’ oral perception during short term feeding tests.

Abstract

Brassica forage may be included in pigs’ diet as a dietary fiber ingredient to reduce feeding costs, benefit gut health, immune system, reproductive traits, and welfare. However, they contain antinutritional factors which may affect feeding behavior. This study evaluated feeding behavior of growing pigs offered winter (kale and swede) and summer (turnip and forage rape) brassicas incorporated on their diets as dried ground meal. Two consecutive experiments with six growing castrated male pigs were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated the inclusion of turnip bulbs and forage rape, while experiment 2 studied inclusion of kale and swede bulbs. Brassica meal was included at 15% of the diet by replacing wheat middlings (control diet). In each experiment, pigs were offered experimental diets over six consecutive days for 10 min to test their acceptability (day 1–3) and preferences (day 4–6). No differences were found between diets that included brassicas and control diet in pigs’ acceptability or palatability (p > 0.05). However, during preference tests of winter brassicas, swede presented a higher consumption than control and kale (p < 0.05). This suggest that brassicas may be incorporated in growing pigs’ diets without negative effects in animals’ oral perception during short term feeding tests. Nevertheless, the long-term effects need to be explored.

Effects of soybean hulls and lignocellulose on performance, nutrient digestibility, microbial metabolites and immune response in piglets

A feeding trial with 96 piglets was performed to investigate the effect of added soluble (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) sources on performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), concentration of microbial metabolites and pro-inflammatory marker genes as indicators for immune response. Piglets were allotted to four treatments (T): T1 control, T2 with soybean hulls (IDF/SDF: 8.35) and T3 and T4 with two different kinds of lignocellulose (IDF/SDF: >70). Diets were isofibrous for their value of total dietary fibre to underline the particular physicochemical properties of fibre sources. No differences were observed regarding average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio and body weight, while T2 expressed higher ADG in the grower phase (day 14-54) vs. T3. Soybean hulls (T2) resulted in higher ATTD of dry matter and organic matter vs. T4; ether extract vs. T1 and neutral detergent fibre vs. T1, T2 and T3. The concentration of short chain fatty acids did not differ among treatments. Ileal digesta in T2 generated higher amounts of cadaverine vs. T3 and T4, likewise T1 vs. T4. Finally, no impact on immune response was detected. In conclusion, soybean hulls affected ATTD positively and lignocellulose prevented the formation of cadaverine, no overall direct response of SDF nor of IDF for the inclusion level  were observed.

Impact of increasing the levels of insoluble fiber and on the method of diet formulation measures of energy and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the differences in response to distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) level under constant nutrient or floating nutrient concentrations. A total of 21 ileal-cannulated gilts (33.1 ± 0.4 kg body weight) were randomly allotted to one of seven dietary treatments in a 3-period incomplete Latin square design (n = 9). Treatments consisted of a 0% DDGS basal diet, plus diets containing 15%, 30%, or 45% DDGS. Diets were formulated using one of two different formulation methods: 1) constant nutrient (CNU) where nutrients were held equal to the basal diet or 2) constant ingredients (CIN) where DDGS were added at the expense of corn and all other ingredients remained constant, so nutrient levels were allowed to "float." Chromic oxide was added to the diets at 0.5% as an indigestible marker. Increasing the level of DDGS decreased the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), starch, dispensable amino acids (AA), and fiber components (P < 0.050). The decrease in the AID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp was more pronounced under CNU compared with the CIN formulation method (P < 0.050). The decrease in the AID of hemicellulose was less pronounced under CNU compared with the CIN formulation method (P = 0.045). There was a DDGS level × formulation method interaction for the AID of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE; P = 0.015); for the CNU formulation method, increasing level of DDGS decreased the AID of AEE from 0% to 30% and remained similar from 30% to 45% DDGS, whereas the CIN had no effect on the AID of AEE. Increasing the level of DDGS decreased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, and fiber components (P < 0.050), except for acid detergent fiber, which was not affected. The decrease in the ATTD of insoluble dietary fiber and total dietary fiber was less pronounced under CNU compared with CIN (P < 0.050). The ATTD of AEE decreased for CNU compared with CIN (P < 0.010). In conclusion, increasing the insoluble fiber level in the form of DDGS decreased the digestibility of most dietary components, including DM, GE, starch, insoluble fiber, and AA. The CNU and CIN formulation methods are equivalent when evaluating the digestibilities of DM, GE, starch, crude protein, and AA (when they were not added in purified synthetic forms). Differences between CNU and CIN formulation methods were detected for the digestibility of insoluble fiber, fat, and essential AA (when added as crystalline AA).

Interactions between host and gut microbiota in domestic pigs: a review

It is well established that pig gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis as well as in a myriad of physiological, neurological and immunological functions; including protection from pathogens and digestion of food materials - some of which would be otherwise indigestible by the pig. A rich and diverse gut microbial ecosystem (balanced microbiota) is the hallmark of good health; while qualitative and quantitative perturbations in the microbial composition can lead to development of various diseases. Alternatively, diseases caused by stressors or other factors have been shown to negatively impact the microbiota. This review focuses primarily on how commensal microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs influence biochemical, physiological, immunological, and metabolic processes within the host animal.

Effect of dietary fiber and threonine content on intestinal barrier function in pigs challenged with either systemic E. coli lipopolysaccharide or enteric Salmonella Typhimurium

Background

The independent and interactive effects of dietary fiber (DF) and threonine (Thr) were investigated in growing pigs challenged with either systemic E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or enteric Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) to characterise their effect on intestinal barrier function.

Results

In experiment 1, intestinal barrier function was assessed via oral lactulose and mannitol (L:M) gavage and fecal mucin analysis in pigs challenged with E. coli LPS and fed low fiber (LF) or high fiber (HF) diets with graded dietary Thr. Urinary lactulose recovery and L:M ratio increased (P < 0.05) during the LPS inoculation period in LF fed pigs but not in HF fed pigs. Fecal mucin output was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed HF compared to LF fed pigs. In experiment 2, RT-qPCR, ileal morphology, digesta volatile fatty acid (VFA) content, and fecal mucin output were measured in Salmonella Typhimurium challenged pigs, fed LF or HF diets with standard or supplemented dietary Thr. Salmonella inoculation increased (P < 0.05) fecal mucin output compared to the unchallenged period. Supplemental Thr increased fecal mucin output in the HF-fed pigs (Fib × Thr; P < 0.05). Feeding HF increased (P < 0.05) VFA concentration in cecum and colon. No effect of either Thr or fiber on expression of gene markers was observed except a tendency (P = 0.06) for increased MUC2 expression with the HF diet. Feeding HF increased goblet cell numbers (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dietary fiber appears to improve barrier function through increased mucin production capacity (i.e., goblet cell numbers, MUC2 gene expression) and secretion (i.e., fecal mucin output). The lack of effect of dietary Thr in Salmonella-challenged pigs provides further evidence that mucin secretion in the gut is conserved and, therefore, Thr may be limiting for growth under conditions of increased mucin production.

Cistanche polysaccharides enhance echinacoside absorption in vivo and affect the gut microbiota

The polysaccharides and phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanche deserticola have been demonstrated with various health benefits, however the interactive effect between these two kinds of compounds in vivo are not in detail known. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic actions of cistanche polysaccharides with phenylethanoid glycoside and the effects of polysaccharides on gut microbiota. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with different kinds of cistanche polysaccharides for 20 days, on the last day, all rats were administered the echinacoside at 100 mg/kg. The results were compared mainly on the difference of pharmacokinetic parameters, gut microbiota composition, and short chain fatty acids contents. The results indicated that all the cistanche polysaccharides, including crude polysaccharide, high molecular weight polysaccharide and low molecular weight polysaccharide, could regulate the gut microbiota diversity, increase beneficial bacteria and particularly enhance the growth of Prevotella spp. as well as improve the production of short chain fatty acids and the absorption of echinacoside. By exploring the synergistic actions of polysaccharides with small molecules, these findings suggest that cistanche polysaccharides, particularly low molecular weight polysaccharides, could be used as a gut microbiota manipulator for health promotion.

Effect of l-carnitine supplementation and sugar beet pulp inclusion in gilt gestation diets on gilt live weight, lactation feed intake, and offspring growth from birth to slaughter1

This study evaluated the effects of l-carnitine (CAR) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) inclusion in gilt gestation diets on gilt live weight, cortisol concentration, lactation feed intake, and lifetime growth of progeny. Eighty-four pregnant gilts (Large White × Landrace) were randomly assigned to a treatment at day 38 of gestation until parturition; Control (0% SBP, 0 g CAR), CAR (0.125 g/d CAR), SBP (40% SBP), and SBP plus CAR (40% SBP, 0.125 g/d CAR). Gilts were weighed and back-fat depth was recorded on day 38, day 90, and day 108 of gestation and at weaning. Gilt saliva samples were collected pre-farrowing and fecal consistency was scored from entry to the farrowing room until day 5 post-partum. The number of piglets born (total, live, and stillborn) and individual birth weight was recorded. Piglet blood glucose concentration was measured 24 h post-partum and pigs were weighed on day 1, day 6, day 14, day 26, day 76, day 110, and day 147 of life. Carcass data were collected at slaughter. There was no interaction between CAR and SBP for any variable measured. The SBP-fed gilts were heavier on day 90 and day 108 of gestation (P < 0.05) and lost more weight during lactation (P < 0.05) than control gilts. They also had a greater fecal consistency score (P < 0.01). Total farrowing duration, piglet birth interval, and lactation feed intakes were similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The number of piglets born (total, live, and stillborn) and piglet birth weight was likewise similar between treatments (P > 0.05). Piglets from CAR-fed gilts had lower blood glucose concentrations (P < 0.01), while piglets from SBP-fed gilts had greater blood glucose concentrations (P < 0.01). Piglets from CAR gilts had a lower average daily gain between day 1 and day 6 (P < 0.05) and day 14 and day 26 post-partum (P < 0.05) compared to piglets from control gilts. However, CAR gilts weaned a greater number of pigs (P = 0.07). Live weight and carcass weight at slaughter were heavier for pigs from CAR gilts (P < 0.05) and from SBP gilts (P < 0.05). Pigs from CAR gilts (P < 0.01) and SBP gilts (P < 0.05) had increased carcass muscle depth. In conclusion, no benefit was found from the combined feeding of CAR and SBP. Fed separately, CAR increased the live weight, carcass weight, and muscle depth of progeny at slaughter. Feeding a high SBP diet increased fecal consistency in gilts pre-farrowing and increased live weight and carcass muscle depth of progeny.

Nutrient concentrations and profile of non-structural carbohydrates vary among different Brassica forages

Context Brassica forages are used in times of seasonal shortage to fulfil nutritional requirements of beef cattle, dairy cows, sheep or pigs. Although brassicas have been reported with high concentrations of readily fermentable carbohydrate, details have not been fully described and there is little information about the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) profiles of Brassica forages. Aim The study was designed to evaluate nutrient concentrations, as well as NSC levels and constituents, of the main Brassica forages and to determine differences among varieties. Methods Five varieties of each of the four main forage brassicas (summer turnip, forage rape, kale and swede) were grown in plots and harvested for chemical analysis of the nutrient concentrations and NSC profiles of leaf and bulb (turnip and swede) and leaf and stem (rape and kale) components. Key results Brassica species differed in the amounts and types of NSC; swede had the highest concentration of NSC, mainly comprising sugars (glucose and fructose), followed by kale (with similar proportions of glucose, sucrose and fructose), turnip (with similar concentrations of glucose and starch and slightly lower fructose), and forage rape (in which starch was the main NSC). Forage chemical composition and NSC profile of plant organs varied among varieties of individual Brassica forages; for example, there were significant differences among swede varieties for concentrations of starch and sugar (total and profile) in bulbs. Conclusions Brassica forages differed with respect to quantities and types of NSC; swede had higher concentrations, mainly composed of glucose and fructose, followed by kale with similar proportions of glucose, sucrose and fructose, and turnip with NSC represented by glucose, starch and slightly lower fructose; and finally, forage rape, in which starch was the main NSC. Chemical composition, as well as NSC profile of plant organs (leaves, bulbs or stems), varied among varieties of Brassica species. Implications The approach described here has implications for ration formulation and is useful when considering the nutritional and dietary requirements of the animals of interest, because the type of Brassica, the variety and the proportion of plant organs can affect animal performance.