Effects of replacing soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, fermented soybean meal or fish meal with enzyme-treated soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, immunity and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs

Opportunities and Challenges of Soy Proteins with Different Processing Applications

Soybean meal (SBM) is a prevailing plant protein supplement in animal diets because of its nutritional value and availability. This review paper explores the significance of SBM and processed soy products, emphasizing their nutritional and bioactive components, such as isoflavones and soyasaponins. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with a reduced prevalence of chronic diseases. However, the presence of antinutritional compounds in SBM presents a significant challenge. The paper evaluates various processing methods, including ethanol/acid wash, enzyme treatment, and fermentation, which are aimed at enhancing the nutritional value of soy products. It highlights the significance to maintain a balance between nutritional enhancement and the preservation of beneficial bioactive compounds, emphasizing the importance of different processing techniques to fully exploit the health benefits of soy-based products. Therefore, this review illuminates the complex balance between nutritional improvement, bioactive compound preservation, and the overall health implications of soy products.

Enzymolytic soybean meal-impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity, and intestinal health of weaned piglets

Enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) enriches free amino acids and small peptides, while mitigating anti-nutritional factors. Substituting soybean meal with ESBM enhances animal performance, though optimal piglet dietary supplementation levels vary. The present study aimed to assess the impact of ESBM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative capacity and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 120 piglets (initial body weight, 7.0 ± 0.4 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 dietary groups, each comprising 5 replicates with 6 piglets per replicate. The control group received the basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed diets containing 2, 4% or 8% ESBM as a replacement for soybean meal over 28 days. Compared with the control group, piglets supplemented with 4% ESBM exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05) in average daily gain and the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and gross energy (p < 0.05), alongside a notable decrease (p < 0.05) in diarrhea incidence. Fed ESBM linearly increased (p < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum of piglets. The levels of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum of piglets increased (p < 0.05) in the 2 and 4% ESBM groups, while diamine oxidase content decreased (p < 0.05) in the 4 and 8% ESBM group. ESBM inclusion also upregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1), Catalase (CAT) and claudin-1 mRNA. In terms of cecal fermentation characteristics, ESBM supplementation resulted in a increase (p < 0.05) in valerate content and a linear rise (p < 0.05) in propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids levels, accompanied by a decrease (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of tryptamine and NH3 in cecal digesta. ESBM had no discernible effect on cecal microbial composition. In summary, substitution of soybean meal with ESBM effectively improved the growth performance of piglets by enhancing nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and cecal microbial fermentation characteristics, with the optimal replacement level identified at 4%.

Effects of Vitamin A on Growth Performance, Antioxidants, Gut Inflammation, and Microbes in Weaned Piglets

Piglet weaning is an important stage in production where changes in the environment and diet can cause problems such as intestinal inflammation and diarrhea. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for human and animal growth and has immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects. A large body of literature has previously reported on the use of vitamin A in piglet production, so our experiment added different concentrations of vitamin A (0, 1100, 2200, 4400, 8800, and 17,600 IU/kg) to weaned piglet diets to study the effects of different doses on growth performance, intestinal barrier, inflammation, and flora in weaned piglets. We selected 4400 IU/kg as the optimum concentration of vitamin A in relation to average daily weight gain, feed intake, feed-to-weight ratio, and diarrhea rate, and subsequently tested the inflammatory factors, immunoglobulin content, antioxidant levels, and intestinal flora of weaned piglets. Results: We observed that the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets was significantly lower after the addition of 4400 IU/kg of vitamin A to the diet (p < 0.05). A control group and a 4400 IU/kg VA group were selected for subsequent experiments. We found that after the addition of vitamin A, the serum CAT level of weaned piglets increased significantly, the expression of Claudin-1 in the jejunum and ileum increased significantly, the expression of Occludin gene in the jejunum increased significantly, the expression of IL-5 and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the colonic flora of vitamin A-added weaned piglets, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Erysipelotrichales decreased significantly, while the relative abundance of Bacteroidales increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that vitamin A at 4400 IU/kg reduces diarrhea in weaned piglets by increasing antioxidant levels, increasing intestinal tight junction protein gene expression, and regulating colonic gut microbiota.

Effect of enzymolytic soybean meal supplementation on performance, nitrogen excretion, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology in broilers fed low-protein diets

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with enzymolytic soybean meal (ESBM) on broilers fed low crude protein (CP) diets.

METHODS

A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to six treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate for a period of 42 days. Chicks were fed a basal standard high-CP diet as a positive control (PC), a low-CP diet (reducing 10 g/kg CP from the PC) as a negative control (NC), or an NC + 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2.0% ESBM diet.

RESULTS

Compared to chicks fed the PC, chicks fed the NC had a decreased body weight gain (BWG, p<0.05) from 1 to 42 days, but supplementation with 2.0% ESBM restored BWG (p<0.05) and even linearly improved the feed conversion rate (FCR, p<0.05). Digestibility of CP and ether extract was increased (p<0.05) in chicks fed a 1.0% ESBM diet compared to the PC. With increasing levels of ESBM, nitrogen (N) excretion decreased (p<0.05). The addition of ESBM to the diet did not affect (p>0.05) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin and total cholesterol but led to a descending trend in triglycerides and an ascending trend in calcium and urea N at 42 days (p<0.10). There were no differences (p>0.05) in villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and VH/CD (V/C) of the duodenum and jejunum between the PC and NC at both 21 days and 42 days, while increasing dietary ESBM levels linearly (p<0.05) decreased CD and increased V/C of the duodenum and jejunum at both 21 days and 42 days.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated that ESBM could be used in broiler low-CP diets to improve production performance, decrease N excretion, and enhance intestinal health.

Palm Kernel Meal Protein Hydrolysates Enhance Post-Thawed Boar Sperm Quality

Boar sperm is sensitive to particular conditions during cryopreservation, resulting in an extreme reduction in fertilizing ability due to damage to the sperm membranes. PKMPH contains bioactive peptides that have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. There is no information on the use of palm-kernel-meal-derived bioactive peptides for boar semen cryopreservation. This study aimed to examine the effects of bioactive peptides from PKMPH on post-thawed boar sperm quality. Boar semen ejaculates (n = 17) were collected and divided into six equal aliquots based on PKMPH concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 µg/mL) in a freezing extender. Semen samples were processed and cryopreserved using the liquid nitrogen vapor method. Thereafter, the frozen semen samples were thawed at 50 °C for 12 s and evaluated for sperm motility using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer and for sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function, and lipid peroxidation by measuring the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). The results demonstrate that the supplementation of PKMPH with 2.5 µg/mL afforded superior post-thawed sperm qualities, such as increased total motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial function by 10.7%, 12.3%, 18.3%, and 12.7%, respectively, when compared to the control group. PKMPH at a concentration of 2.5 µg/mL showed the lowest level of MDA (40.6 ± 2.0 µMol/L) compared to the other groups. In conclusion, adding PKMPH peptides at 2.5 µg/mL to the freezing extender reduced the oxidative damage associated with cryopreservation and resulted in higher post-thawed sperm quality.

Comparative effects of soy protein concentrate, enzyme-treated soybean meal, and fermented soybean meal replacing animal protein supplements in feeds on growth performance and intestinal health of nursery pigs

BACKGROUND

Soy protein supplements, with high crude protein and less antinutritional factors, are produced from soybean meal by different processes. This study evaluated the comparative effects of various soy protein supplements replacing animal protein supplements in feeds on the intestinal immune status, intestinal oxidative stress, mucosa-associated microbiota, and growth performance of nursery pigs.

METHODS

Sixty nursery pigs (6.6 ± 0.5 kg BW) were allotted to five treatments in a randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks. Pigs were fed for 39 d in 3 phases (P1, P2, and P3). Treatments were: Control (CON), basal diet with fish meal 4%, 2%, and 1%, poultry meal 10%, 8%, and 4%, and blood plasma 4%, 2%, and 1% for P1, P2, and P3, respectively; basal diet with soy protein concentrate (SPC), enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESB), fermented soybean meal with Lactobacillus (FSBL), and fermented soybean meal with Bacillus (FSBB), replacing 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 of animal protein supplements for P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4.

RESULTS

The SPC did not affect the BW, ADG, and G:F, whereas it tended to reduce (P = 0.094) the ADFI and tended to increase (P = 0.091) crypt cell proliferation. The ESM did not affect BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F, whereas tended to decrease (P = 0.098) protein carbonyl in jejunal mucosa. The FSBL decreased (P < 0.05) BW and ADG, increased (P < 0.05) TNF-α, and Klebsiella and tended to increase MDA (P = 0.065) and IgG (P = 0.089) in jejunal mucosa. The FSBB tended to increase (P = 0.073) TNF-α, increased (P < 0.05) Clostridium and decreased (P < 0.05) Achromobacter and alpha diversity of microbiota in jejunal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

Soy protein concentrate, enzyme-treated soybean meal, and fermented soybean meal with Bacillus could reduce the use of animal protein supplements up to 33% until 7 kg body weight, up to 67% from 7 to 11 kg body weight, and entirely from 11 kg body weight without affecting the intestinal health and the growth performance of nursery pigs. Fermented soybean meal with Lactobacillus, however, increased the immune reaction and oxidative stress in the intestine consequently reducing the growth performance.

Effects of Replacing Fish Meal with Enzymatic Cottonseed Protein on the Growth Performance, Immunity, Antioxidation, and Intestinal Health of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

The dietary effects of replacing fish meal with enzymatic cottonseed protein (ECP) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant, and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtles have not been explored. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted with a quadruplicated group of turtles (3.44 ± 0.01 g) that were randomly assigned to 16 cages (0.6 m × 0.6 m × 0.6 m) with 30 turtles that were stocked in each cage. Four dietary groups were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 2%, 4%, and 6% (ECP0 group (control group), ECP2 group, ECP4 group, ECP6 group) of enzymatic cottonseed protein replacing fishmeal. The present study illustrated that the final weight and WG in the ECP2 and ECP4 groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The ECP2, ECP4, and ECP6 groups significantly reduced the feed coefficient (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the SGR (P < 0.05). The serum TP and ALB of the ECP4 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The ECP2, ECP4, and ECP6 groups significantly increased the activity of intestinal pepsin (P < 0.05), and the activity of intestinal lipase of the EPC4 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The intestinal villus height of the EPC4 group and EPC6 group, the villus width of the EPC2 group and EPC4 group, and the intestinal muscle thickness of the EPC4 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). At the same time, replacing fishmeal with enzymatic cottonseed protein also affected the intestinal inflammation-related genes compared with the control group. Besides that, the expression of the IL-10 gene in the experimental group was significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of TNF-α and IL-8 genes in the ECP2 group and TNF-α and IL-1β genes in the ECP4 group was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). In summary, replacing fish meal with enzymatic cottonseed protein positively affects the growth, immunity, and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtles. The appropriate proportion of enzymatic cottonseed protein to replace fish meal in turtle feed is 4%.

Effects of fermented soybean meal supplementation on the growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility by modulating the gut microbiome of weaned piglets

This study investigates the effects of soybean meal fermented by Enterococcus faecium as a replacement for soybean meal on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, blood profile and gut microbiota of weaned pigs. Eighty piglets (weaned at 21 days) [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with average body weight of 6.52 ± 0.59 kg) were selected and assigned to 4 treatments/4 replicate pens (3 barrows and 2 gilts). The four diets (SBM, 3, 6 and 9% FSBM) were formulated using fermented soybean meal to replace 0, 3, 6 and 9% of soybean meal, respectively. The trial lasted for 42 days phase 1, 2 and 3. Result showed that supplemental FSBM increased (P < 0.05) the body weight gain (BWG) of piglets at day 7, 21 and 42 and ADG at days 1-7, 8-21, 22-42 and 1-42, and ADFI at days 8-21, 22-42 and 1-42 and G: F at days 1-7, 8-21 and 1-42, and crude protein, dry matter, and gross energy digestibility at day 42, and lowered (P < 0.05) diarrhea at days 1-21 and 22-42. The concentration of glucose levels, WBC, RBC, and lymphocytes were increased while, concentration of BUN level in the serum was lowered in the FSBM treatment compared to the SBM group (P < 0.05). Microbiota sequencing found that FSBM supplementation increased the microbial Shannon, Simpsons and Chao indexs, (P < 0.05) and the abundances of the phylum Firmicutes, and genera prevotella, Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae and Lachnoclostridium (P < 0.05), lower in the abundances of the phylum bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, genera Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium sensu stricto1, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides (P < 0.05). Overall, FSBM replacing SBM improved the growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, and blood profiles; perhaps via altering the faecal microbiota and its metabolites in weaned pigs. The present study provides theoretical support for applying FSBM at 6-9% to promote immune characteristics and regulate intestinal health in weaning piglets.

Apparent jejunal amino acid digestibility, gut morphology, and the expression of intestinal amino acid transporters in pigs fed protein or free amino acids

Dietary amino acids (AA) supplied as protein or in free form are not only digested and absorbed at different rates but can also induce differences in the intestinal physiology of pigs. We compared the apparent jejunal AA digestibility, intestinal morphology, and gene expression of AA transporters of pigs fed diets providing different forms of AA. Thirty growing pigs (33.7 ± 4.1 kg) were fed one of three experimental diets that provided AA either as protein from feather meal (INT), as free AA and small peptides obtained by extensive acid hydrolysis of feathers (HYD), or as a mix of individual purified AA with the same AA profile as HYD (FAA). Pigs were fed the same quantity of feed, energy, and AA. After 14 d, pigs were slaughtered 3 h after feeding a meal with indigestible markers. Digesta and tissue were collected from different sections of the small intestine. Jejunal digesta was used to measure apparent jejunal digestibility of AA. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were used to measure intestinal morphology and the gene expression of intestinal AA transporters. The measured apparent jejunal digestibility of AA of INT was lower compared to HYD and FAA (P < 0.05). The apparent jejunal digestibility of Cys, Gly, His, Met, and Pro was lower for FAA compared to HYD (P < 0.05). This may be due to the small peptides in HYD, which are absorbed faster than individual AA. The villi area in the ileum of HYD fed pigs was the highest (P < 0.05) among the treatments, which may be associated with the reabsorption of endogenous proteins, which occurs mostly in the ileum. In the duodenum, HYD and FAA had lower expression of PepT1 (P < 0.01) probably due to the rapid transit time of digesta compared to INT fed pigs. Pigs fed HYD expressed more ASCT2 (P = 0.02) and CAT-1 (P = 0.04) in the jejunum compared to the pigs fed the other diets. The expression of these transporters along the intestine depended on the relative abundance of readily absorbable dietary AA. Results showed that dietary AA form can have an influence on the morphology and on the expression of different AA transporters along the different sections of the small intestine.

Nutritional value of a new source of cheese coproduct fed to weanling pigs

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that values for standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and metabolizable energy (ME) in a the cheese coproduct are greater than in fish meal or enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM). The second objective was to test the hypothesis that pigs fed a diet containing cheese coproduct will have growth performance that is not different from that of pigs fed other sources of protein. In experiment 1, eight ileal-cannulated barrows (11.0 ± 0.4 kg) were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four diets and four periods and two pigs per diet in each period. The four diets included an N-free diet and three diets that contained ESBM, fish meal, or the cheese coproduct as the source of AA. Results indicated that the cheese coproduct had greater (P < 0.05) SID of most AA compared with ESBM and fish meal. In experiment 2, 32 weanling barrows (14.0 ± 1.1 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to one of four diets. A corn-based diet and three diets that contained corn and ESBM, fish meal, or cheese coproduct were formulated. Feces and urine were collected quantitatively. The ME in cheese coproduct was greater (P < 0.05) than in ESBM and fish meal. In experiment 3, 128 weaned pigs (6.2 ± 0.6 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with four treatments and 8 replicate pens per diet. Phase 1 diets that contained 0%, 6.65%, 7.35%, or 14% cheese coproduct were fed from days 1 to 14 and a common phase 2 diet without cheese coproduct was fed from days 15 to 28. Individual pig weights were recorded at the beginning of the experiment, on days 14 and 28, and daily feed allotments were also recorded. Two blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen on day 14 to analyze for blood urea N, albumin, total plasma protein, peptide YY, immunoglobulin G, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10. No differences were observed in average daily gain among treatments, but there was a tendency (P < 0.10) for total protein on day 14 to increase as cheese coproduct increased in the diets. In conclusion, the cheese coproduct used in this experiment has a greater SID of AA and greater ME than ESBM and fish meal and the cheese coproduct may be included in prestarter diets for weanling pigs without negatively impacting growth performance or indicators of intestinal health.

Degradation of soybean meal proteins by wheat malt endopeptidase and the antioxidant capacity of the enzymolytic products

This study investigated the hydrolysis effect of the endopeptidase from wheat malt on the soybean meal proteins. The results indicated that the endopeptidase broke the peptide bonds of soybean meal proteins and converted the alcohol- and alkali-soluble proteins into water-soluble and salt-soluble proteins. In addition, wheat malt endopeptidase did not break the disulfide bonds between proteins but affected the conformation of disulfide bonds between substrate protein molecules, which were changed from the gauche-gauche-trans (g-g-t) vibrational mode to the trans-gauche-trans (t-g-t) vibrational mode. Wheat malt endopeptidase exhibited the highest enzymatic activity at 2 h of enzymatic digestion, demonstrating the fastest hydrolytic rate of soybean meal proteins. Compared with the samples before enzymatic hydrolysis, the total alcohol- and alkali-soluble proteins were decreased by 11.89% but the water- and salt-soluble proteins were increased by 11.99%, indicating the hydrolytic effect of endopeptidase. The corresponding water-soluble proteins had molecular weights of 66.4-97.2, 29-44.3, and 20.1 kDa, while the salt-soluble proteins had molecular weights of 44.3-66.4, 29-44.3, and 20.1 kDa, respectively. The degree of enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean meal reached the maximum at 8 h. The newly created proteins exhibited significantly antioxidant properties, which were inversely related to the molecular weight. Proteins with molecular weight <3 kDa had the highest antioxidant performance with an antioxidant capacity of 1.72 ± 0.03 mM, hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 98.04%, and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical scavenging capacity of 0.44 ± 0.04 mM.

Effects of 25(OH)VD3 on Growth Performance, Pork Quality and Calcium Deposit in Growing-Finishing Pigs

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 25(OH)VD3 with different inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg in the diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone properties and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs. The results showed that the average daily gain (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.10) of pigs showed a trend of increasing quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased. Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased calcium digestibility compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05), and calcium and phosphorus digestibility increased quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased contents of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi of pigs (p < 0.05). The addition of 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 to the diet increased breaking strength and bone stiffness in the tibia compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cu/Zn SOD in the longissimus dorsi compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Supplementing 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the mRNA expression of calcium-binding protein D9k (CaBP-D9k) and D28k (CaBP-D28K) in the liver compared with the 0 μg/kg 25(OH)D3 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet with an added dose of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 showed a greatest growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, and 25(OH)VD3 enhanced calcium deposition and antioxidant capacity in the longissimus dorsi, which may be associated with improved expression of calcium ion channel proteins.

Effects of Enzymatic Cottonseed Protein Concentrate as a Feed Protein Source on the Growth, Plasma Parameters, Liver Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Status of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

This study appraised the impact of enzymatic cottonseed protein concentrate (ECP) as a fish meal (FM) substitute on the growth and health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) (initial weight 14.99 ± 0.03 g). Five diets with equal nitrogen, fat, and energy were designed to replace 0%, 7.78%, 15.56%, 23.33%, and 31.11% FM by adding 0%, 3.6%, 7.2%, 10.8%, and 14.4% ECP, named ECP0, ECP3.6, ECP7.2, ECP10.8, and ECP14.4, respectively. We fed 300 fish with five experimental diets for 60 days. The results revealed that weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) did not notably reduce until the addition of ECP exceeded 7.2%. The proximate composition of fish was not affected by the amount of ECP added in diets. Plasma total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations increased with the increase of ECP dosage, while the triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity showed an opposite trend. For hepatic antioxidant capacity, the hepatic total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, glutathione (GSH) content, and the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CAT were increased by ECP, while the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the expression of kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) were decreased. With regard to inflammation, the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were inhibited by ECP. In summary, the amount of ECP added to diet can reach 7.2% to replace 15.56% FM without hampering the growth of largemouth bass, and ECP can improve the antioxidant and immune capacity.

Effects of replacing dietary fish meal with enzyme-treated soybean meal on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, immunity and mTOR pathway in abalone Haliotis discus hannai

In addition to eliminating most of the anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal, enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM) can also increase the proportion of small peptides. It was found that ESBM can replace fish meal (FM) either partially or completely in diets for some fish and shrimp species. In the present study, the effects of replacing dietary FM with ESBM on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, immunity and mTOR pathway in abalone Haliotis discus hannai (initial weight: 16.75 ± 0.09 g) were investigated after a 100-day feeding trial. Five experimental diets were designed to replace 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of dietary FM by ESBM, which were named as ESBM0 (control), ESBM25, ESBM50, ESBM75 and ESBM100, respectively. Results showed that ESBM could replace up to 75% of FM in the diet without significant effect on the weight gain rate (WGR, 118.05%-124.16%) of abalone. The increasing dietary ESBM levels significantly decreased the trypsin activity from 418.52 to 286.52 U/mg protein in the digestive gland. No significant differences in the contents of total cholesterol (T-CHO), ammonia (BLA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cell-free hemolymph were observed among the groups with replacement levels of dietary FM by ESBM from 0% to 75%. Excessive replacement level of FM with ESBM (ESBM100) significantly increased the MDA content (2.33 nmol/mg prot.) and pro-inflammatory-related gene expression in digestive gland. Compared with the control group, the mTOR pathway in muscle was significantly upregulated in the ESBM75 group. The digestive gland in the ESBM100 group contained more golden refractile spherules than those in the other groups. The abundance of intestinal microbes such as Halomonas, Zobellella and Bacillus was decreased in the ESBM100 group. In conclusion, up to 75% of replacement of dietary FM by ESBM had no negative effects on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota, immunity and mTOR pathway of abalone.

Effects of a new fermented soya bean meal on growth performance, serum biochemistry profile, intestinal immune status and digestive enzyme activities in piglets

BACKGROUND

Fermented soya bean meal (FSBM) is believed to have improved nutritional qualities compared with soya bean meal (SBM) and is also cheaper than soya protein concentration (SPC) and fish meal (FM). Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the effects of FSBM replacing SBM, SPC and FM in diets on growth performance, serum biochemistry profile, short-chain fatty acid concentrations in digesta, intestinal mucosal enzyme activities, intestinal proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and morphology in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty 28-day-old piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, body weight: 6.73 ± 1.14 kg) were randomly allocated to four treatment diets (six replicate pens with five piglets per pen) containing SBM, SPC, FM or FSBM as the protein source, respectively.

RESULTS

Dietary FSBM supplementation improved average daily gain (p < 0.05), gain to feed ratio (p < 0.05), and digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein and organic matter (p < 0.05) in pigs compared with those fed SBM during 0-14 days and reduced diarrhoea rate (p < 0.05) compared with those fed SBM and FM during 0-14 days. Moreover, pigs fed FBSM had greater IgA and IgM contents and antioxidase activities than those provided SBM and SPC on day 14. In addition, the butyrate concentration in the cecum of pigs fed FSBM was greater than those fed the other diets (p < 0.05), and the trypsin activity in duodenum and jejunum of pigs provided FSBM was greater than those fed SBM (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher villus height (p < 0.05) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05) and lower crypt depth (p < 0.05) in the duodenum of pigs fed FSBM were observed, and pigs fed FSBM had a lower (p < 0.05) TNF-α concentration in jejunum compared with those fed SBM.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, dietary FSBM supplementation to replace SBM, SPC and FM could improve piglets' growth performance, intestinal health and immune function.

Fermented Soy and Fish Protein Dietary Sources Shape Ileal and Colonic Microbiota, Improving Nutrient Digestibility and Host Health in a Piglet Model

Suitable protein sources are essential requirements for piglet growth and health. Typically, intestinal microbiota co-develops with the host and impact its physiology, which make it more plastic to dietary protein sources at early stages. However, the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSB) and fish meal (FM) on foregut and hindgut microbiota, and their relationship with nutrient digestion and host health remain unclear. In this study, we identified interactions between ileac and colonic microbiota which were reshaped by FSB and FM, and assessed host digestibility and host health in a piglet model. Eighteen weaned piglets (mean weight = 8.58 ± 0.44 kg) were divided into three dietary treatments, with six replicates/treatment. The level of dietary protein was 16%, with FSB, FM, and a mixture of fermented soybean meal and fish meal (MFSM) applied as protein sources. During days 1-14 and 1-28, diets containing MFSM generated higher piglet body weight and average daily gain, but lower feed to weight gain ratios when compared with the FM diet (P < 0.05). Piglets in MFSM and FM groups had lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) compared with the FSB group (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) in MFSM and FM groups were significantly higher on day 28, but serum cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) were significantly lower than the FSB group on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). When compared with FSB and FM groups, dietary MFSM significantly increased colonic acetic acid and butyric acid levels (P < 0.05). Compared with the FM and MFSM groups, the FSB diet increased the relative abundance of ileac Lactobacillus and f_Lactobacillaceae, which were significant positively correlated with CP ATTD (P < 0.05). Compared with the FSB group, the relative abundance of f_Peptostreptococcaceae and Romboutsia in MFSM or FM groups were increased and were significant positively correlated with total carbohydrate (TC) ATTD (P < 0.05). Piglets fed FSB had higher α-diversity in colonic microbiota when compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of colonic unidentified_Clostridiales and Romboutsia in MFSM and FSB groups were significantly higher than in the FM group (P < 0.05). Dietary MFSM or FM increased the relative abundance of colonic Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus, but decreased the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae when compared with the FSB group (P < 0.05). These bacteria showed a significantly positive correlation with serum cytokine and immunoglobulin levels (P < 0.05). Therefore, dietary FSB improved CP digestibility by increasing the relative abundance of ileac f_Lactobacillaceae and Lactobacillus, while dietary MFSM benefited TC digestibility by increasing f_Peptostreptococcaceae and Romboutsia. Dietary MFSM and FM enhanced immunoglobulin secretion by increasing colonic f_Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus prevalence, while dietary FSB promoted cytokine production by increasing microbiota diversity and Romboutsia and Christensenellaceae. Our data provide a theoretical dietary basis for young animals using plant and animal protein sources.

The effects of creep feed composition and form and nursery diet complexity on small intestinal morphology and jejunal mucosa specific enzyme activities after weaning in pigs

Fifty-six litters from first-parity sows standardized to 12 piglets were used to determine the effects of creep feed composition and form and the provision of low- or high-complexity nursery diets on the evolution of small intestinal histomorphology and jejunal mucosa-specific enzyme activities postweaning. At 5 d of age, litters (initial bodyweight [BW] 2.31 ± 0.61 kg) were assigned to one of four creep feeding regimens (n = 14): 1) commercial creep feed (COM), 2) liquid milk replacer (LMR), 3) pelleted milk replacer (PMR), or 4) no creep feed (NO). At weaning (21 d of age), six pigs per litter were provided a HIGH- (contained highly digestible animal proteins) or LOW- (contained corn and soybean meal as main protein sources) complexity nursery diet (n = 7). At 21, 28, and 59 d of age, two pigs per pen (one castrated male and one female) were euthanized, and ileal and jejunal segments for histomorphological measurements and jejunal mucosal scrapings were collected to determine specific mucosa enzyme activities. At weaning, pigs provided COM had a greater ileal absorptive capacity (M) than LMR or NO, which were not different (14.1 vs. 10.4 and 10.5 ± 0.9 μm²; P < 0.05); PMR was intermediate. On days 28 and 59, M was not different among pigs regardless of creep feed treatments. Pigs fed LOW had reduced jejunal villus height (VH; P < 0.001) and M (P < 0.001) on day 28 vs. day 21. The VH and M were not different for pigs fed HIGH or LOW by the end of the nursery period. For all dietary treatments except COM-HIGH and COM-LOW, jejunal mucosal maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21 and 28 of age but greater on day 59 (P < 0.05). For pigs that received COM-HIGH, maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21 and 28 but greater on day 59 than day 28 (P < 0.05). For pigs that received COM-LOW, maltase-specific activity was not different between days 21, 28, and 59. Regardless of creep or nursery treatment, sucrase-specific activity was the greatest on day 59, followed by days 21 and 28 (P < 0.001), and lactase-specific activity was greater on day 21 than on days 28 and 59 (P < 0.001), which were not different. Therefore, pigs that provided LOW diet had greater villus atrophy and reduced M during the first week after weaning vs. pigs that provided HIGH, regardless of creep feeding regimen, but were able to recover by the end of the nursery period.

After weaning, the piglet digestive tract must adapt in order to effectively break down and absorb nutrients derived from plant-based ingredients, contributing to the postweaning growth lag. Feeding strategies applied both preweaning and postweaning with the intent to assist in intestinal adaptation have been developed; however, little work has been done examining the interaction between creep and nursery feeding strategies on intestinal histomorphology and jejunal mucosa-specific enzyme activities after weaning. In the current study, piglets that provided creep feed with higher starch content had greater jejunal mucosa maltase-specific enzyme activity and ileal absorptive capacity at weaning. However, these parameters were still negatively affected by weaning, regardless of nursery feeding strategy. Additionally, nursery diets with greater inclusion of soybean meal to replace animal protein sources (low complexity) exacerbated reductions in jejunal absorptive capacity. Conversely, by the end of the nursery period, there were no differences in intestinal histomorphology and jejunal mucosa-specific enzyme activities, regardless of creep or nursery feeding program. Therefore, exposing piglets to starch during creep feeding and reducing the inclusion of soybean meal in nursery diets improved intestinal morphology and mucosa disaccharidase activity directly following weaning, but benefits did not extend to the end of the nursery period.

Different dietary protein sources influence growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, fecal microbiota and metabolites in weaned piglets

The inclusion of high-quality proteins are commonly used in swine production. Our research investigated the effects of hydrolyzed wheat protein (HWP), fermented soybean meal (FSBM), and enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, fecal microbiota and metabolites of weaned piglets. A total of 144 piglets (weaned at 28 d) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 8 piglets per pen. This study included 2 periods: d 0 to14 for phase 1 and d 15 to 28 for phase 2. Dietary treatments contained 15.90% HWP, 15.80% FSBM, and 15.10% ESBM in phase 1, and 7.90% HWP, 7.80% FSBM, and 7.50% ESBM in phase 2, respectively. The ADG of piglets in ESBM was increased (P < 0.05) compared with HWP and FSBM during d 1-28. Compared with HWP and FSBM, ESBM increased (P < 0.05) the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and the serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in piglets on d 14, as well as increased (P < 0.05) the serum FRAP level in piglets on d 28. ESBM decreased (P < 0.05) serum levels of DAO and IL-1β in piglets compared with HWP on d 28. ESBM enhanced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Oscillospiraceae and Christensenellaceae, as well as reduced the relative abundance of Clostridiaceae in the feces compared with HWP and FSBM. The PICRUSt analysis revealed that the number of gene tags related to degradation of valine, leucine and isoleucine, as well as lysine degradation in ESBM were lower (P < 0.05) than that in HWP and FSBM. ESBM increased (P < 0.05) the fecal butyrate level in piglets compared with FSBM, and ESBM tended to decrease (P = 0.076) the fecal cadaverine level. Overall, ESBM had advantages over HWP and FSBM in improving antioxidant status, immune function, fecal bacteria and metabolites for weaned piglets.

Effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on growth performance, serum parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolites in weaned piglets fed diets with low calcium and phosphorus

BACKGROUND

With the development of intensive farming, long-term exposure of pigs to poor light conditions is not conducive to the production of vitamin D₃ , and vitamin D₃ deficiency could affect absorption and metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25OHD₃ ) has higher bioactivity than regular vitamin D₃ . This study investigated the effects of 25OHD₃ on performance, serum parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolites in weaned piglets fed with low Ca-P diet.

RESULTS

It was found that a low Ca-P diet supplemented with 50 μg/kg 25OHD₃ (NC + 25-D) improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and in the overall period of the experiment, and increased (P < 0.05) the immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), catalase (CAT), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and osteocalcin (OC) serum content on day 28 compared with a low Ca-P diet (NC), but no differences were observed between a normal Ca-P diet (PC) and the NC + 25-D diet. Compared with NC, the abundance of Firmicutes was higher (P < 0.05) in PC and NC + 25-D. NC + 25-D decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Streptococcaceae compared with PC and NC, and increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospiraceae compared with NC. Serum 25OHD₃ was negatively correlated with the abundance of fecal Streptococcaceae (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with the abundance of fecal Lachnospiraceae (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Supplementation of 25OHD₃ in a low Ca-P diet improved serum immunity, bone biochemical parameters, and fecal microbiota such as decreased Streptococcaceae abundance and increased Lachnospiraceae abundance, which could subsequently promote growth of piglets. The effects were similar to that of a normal Ca-P diet. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparative effects of enzymatic soybean, fish meal and milk powder in diets on growth performance, immunological parameters, SCFAs production and gut microbiome of weaned piglets

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement effects of milk powder (MK) and fish meal (FM) by enzymatic soybean (ESB) in diets on growth performance, immunological parameters, SCFAs production and gut microbiome of weaned piglets.

Methods

A total of 128 piglets with initial body weight at 6.95 ± 0.46 kg, were randomly assigned into 4 dietary treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and 4 piglets per replicate for a period of 14 d. Piglets were offered iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets as follows: CON diet with MK and FM as high quality protein sources, ESB plus FM diet with ESB replacing MK, ESB plus MK diet with ESB replacing FM, and ESB diet with ESB replacing both MK and FM.

Results

No significant differences were observed in growth performance among all treatments (P > 0.05). However, piglets fed ESB plus FM or ESB diet had increased diarrhea index (P<0.01), and lower digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) or crude protein (CP), relative to piglets fed CON diet (P <  0.01). Moreover, the inclusion of ESB in diet markedly decreased the plasma concentration of HPT and fecal concentration of butyric acid (BA) (P<0.01). The High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene V3−V4 region of gut microbiome revealed that the inclusion of ESB in diet increased the alpha diversity, and the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed that piglets fed with ESB plus FM or ESB diet contained more gut pathogenic bacteria, such as g_Peptococcus, g_Veillonella and g_Helicobacter.

Conclusion

The inclusion of ESB in diet did not markedly affect growth performance of piglets, but the replacement of MK or both MK and FM by ESB increased diarrhea index, which could be associated with lower nutrients digestibility and more gut pathogenic bacteria. However, piglets fed diet using ESB to replace FM did not markedly affect gut health-related parameters, indicating the potential for replacing FM with ESB in weaning diet.

Enzyme-Treated Soybean Meal Enhanced Performance via Improving Immune Response, Intestinal Morphology and Barrier Function of Nursery Pigs in Antibiotic Free Diets

Simple Summary

Currently, although extruded full-fat soybean (EFS) and enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM) are both commonly used plant proteins in the diets of nursery pigs, there are few studies focusing on comparing the effect of ESBM and EFS on immune response and gut development of pigs. This study found that ESBM replacing EFS could enhance performance by improving immune response, antioxidant status, gut morphology, and barrier function of nursery pigs in antibiotic free diets. The results revealed that ESBM could be an effective plant protein resource to alleviate weaning stress in pigs.

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of ESBM on performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and intestinal barrier function of nursery pigs in antibiotic free diets compared with EFS. A total of 32 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows (initial body weight of 8.05 ± 0.66 kg, weaned on d 28) were selected and allocated to two treatments with 16 replicates per treatment and one pig per replicate using a complete random design. The treatments included an EFS group (basal diet + 24% EFS; EFS) and an ESBM group (basal diet + 15% ESBM; ESBM). Corn was used to balance energy and diets were iso-nitrogenous at about 18% crude protein. The experiment lasted for 14 days and pigs were slaughtered for sampling on d 14. Compared with EFS, pigs fed ESBM showed enhanced (p < 0.05) gain to feed ratio and average daily gain and a reduced (p < 0.05) diarrhea score. These pigs had increased (p < 0.05) contents of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, IgG, interleukin-10, and ferric reducing ability of plasma, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde, IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon-γ, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and diamine oxidase level in serum and TNF-α level in the jejunal mucosa. Moreover, these pigs also showed enhanced (p < 0.05) villus height/crypt depth in ileum, villus height in duodenum, protein expression of zonula-occludens-1 in jejunal mucosa, and fecal total volatile fatty acids and butyric acid contents. In conclusion, ESBM replacing EFS could enhance performance via improving immune response, antioxidant status, gut morphology, and barrier function of nursery pigs in antibiotic free diets.

Fermented Cottonseed Meal as a Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal Could Improve the Growth Performance, Immunity and Antioxidant Properties, and Nutrient Digestibility by Altering the Gut Microbiota Profile of Weaned Piglets

The study investigated the impact of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, nutrient digestibility, and gut microbiota of weaned piglets by replacing soybean meal with FCSM in the diet. The experimental piglets were fed with either the soybean meal diet (SBM group) or fermented cottonseed meal diet (FCSM group) for 14days after weaning. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), amino acids and nitrogen was higher in the FCSM diet than those in the SBM diet (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group showed greater growth performance and lower diarrhea rate than those in the SBM group (p<0.05). The concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and antioxidase, intestinal and hepatic antioxidase were increased and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum was decreased in those piglets in the FCSM group compared to those piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The piglets in the FCSM group had a higher concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in their ileum and cecum and a higher Simpson index of ileum than piglets in the SBM group (p<0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and [Ruminococcus]_torques_group in ileum and Intestinibacter, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, unclassified_o_Lactobacillales and [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group in cecum were enhanced in piglets fed with the FCSM diet, whereas the relative abundance of Sarcina and Terrisporobacter were increased in piglets fed with the SBM diet. Overall, FCSM replacing SBM improved the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility; possibly via the alterant gut microbiota and its metabolism of weaned piglets. Graphical AbstractFermented cottonseed meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal could improve the growth performance, immunity and antioxidant properties, and nutrient digestibility by altering the gut microbiota profile of weaned piglets. SBM, soybean meal; FCSM, fermented cottonseed meal.

Dietary Oxidative Distress: A Review of Nutritional Challenges as Models for Poultry, Swine and Fish

The redox system is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. When redox homeostasis is disrupted through an increase of reactive oxygen species or a decrease of antioxidants, oxidative distress occurs resulting in multiple tissue and systemic responses and damage. Poultry, swine and fish, raised in commercial conditions, are exposed to different stressors that can affect their productivity. Some dietary stressors can generate oxidative distress and alter the health status and subsequent productive performance of commercial farm animals. For several years, researchers used different dietary stressors to describe the multiple and detrimental effects of oxidative distress in animals. Some of these dietary challenge models, including oxidized fats and oils, exposure to excess heavy metals, soybean meal, protein or amino acids, and feeding diets contaminated with mycotoxins are discussed in this review. A better understanding of the oxidative distress mechanisms associated with dietary stressors allows for improved understanding and evaluation of feed additives as mitigators of oxidative distress.

The effects of enzymatically treated soybean meal on growth performance and intestinal structure, barrier integrity, inflammation, oxidative status, and volatile fatty acid production of nursery pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of diets containing increasing amounts of enzymatically treated soybean meal (ESBM) but decreasing amounts of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, intestinal structure, and barrier integrity, inflammation, and oxidative status in weaned pigs. A total of 480 pigs [6.3 ± 1.2 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by initial BW and pens (n = 12 per treatment) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments. Diets were fed in three phases (days 0-14, 14-28, and 28-35) over a 35-d period. The four dietary treatments consisted of a negative control diet (NC): the NC with 7.0% ESBM (ESBM1), the NC with 14.0% ESBM (ESBM2), and the NC with 21.0% ESBM (ESBM3). Soybean meal was reduced proportionately in each treatment. In phase 2, ESBM inclusion was decreased by 50% (3.5%, 7.0%, and 10.5% ESBM, respectively); phase 3 was a common diet and contained no ESBM. Fecal score was visually ranked weekly using a four-point scale. Intestinal tissue, digesta, and blood samples were collected from 48 pigs (1 per pen) on day 10. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (9.4) with pen as the experimental unit; diet and block were considered fixed effects. Linear and quadratic contrasts were used to determine the effect of increasing ESBM. Overall, ESBM2 and ESBM3 decreased final BW, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake compared to NC and ESBM1 (diet, P < 0.05; linear, P < 0.05). Overall fecal score (diet, P < 0.05) and fecal dry matter (P < 0.05) were improved by feeding ESBM diets compared to NC. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA in ileal contents increased as ESBM inclusion increased (P < 0.05). Colonic VFA concentration was not impacted (P > 0.10). Total antioxidant capacity was increased by ESBM (P < 0.05). The concentration of mucosal interleukin-4 increased as the inclusion of ESBM increased (linear, P < 0.05). Messenger ribonucleic acid abundance of occludin and zonula-occludens-1 in ileal tissue was increased by ESBM1 or ESBM2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, increasing the dietary levels of ESBM over 7% had a negative impact on nursery pig performance, but ESBM positively impacted fecal score. Feeding ESBM improved oxidative status and intestinal barrier integrity while increasing ileal VFA production but had minimal impact on intestinal inflammation or morphology. Further research is needed to determine the optimal inclusion level of ESBM.

Effects of Hydrolysable Tannins as Zinc Oxide Substitutes on Antioxidant Status, Immune Function, Intestinal Morphology, and Digestive Enzyme Activities in Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is generally used to control diarrhea and improve gut health in weaned piglets. To protect weaned pigs from intestinal injuries and to decrease environmental zinc load, it is essential to find an alternative to ZnO. In the present study, hydrolysable tannins (HT) showed decreased diarrhea rate and improving gut health via multiple pathways. Herein we demonstrate that HT supplementation may be a potential alternative of ZnO in weaned piglets.

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has negative environmental effects and bioavailability in weaned piglets. Thus, finding safe and effective ZnO substitutes to improve intestinal health and to prevent diarrhea of weaned piglets is urgently required. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydrolysable tannins (HT), ZnO and HT versus ZnO on growth performance, antioxidant status, serum immunity, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activities in weaned pigs. A total of 144 piglets (28 d-old, initial body weight 7.81 ± 0.99 kg) were assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 6 piglets each. The experiment lasted 28 d (d 1 to 14 as for phase 1 and d 15 to 28 as for phase 2). The dietary treatments include a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON); ZnO diet (CON + 2000 mg/kg ZnO in phase 1 and 137.5 mg/kg ZnO in phase 2); HT diet (CON + 1000 mg/kg HT in the overall period (d 1 to 28); HT + ZnO diet (CON + 2000 mg/kg ZnO + 1000 mg/kg HT in phase 1, and 137.5 mg/kg ZnO + 1000 mg/kg HT in phase 2). In phase 1, the incidence of diarrhea was lower (p < 0.05) in the HT + ZnO group than CON. Serum catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased (p < 0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased (p < 0.01) in the HT + ZnO group than CON. Compared with CON, immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA) were increased (p < 0.05) in the HT + ZnO group. In phase 2, both HT and HT + ZnO had a trend to improve (p < 0.10) daily gain. The concentration of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and IgM in serum was higher (p < 0.01) in HT compared with CON. Supplementation of HT improved (p < 0.01) GSH-Px activities in ileum mucosa than the ZnO group. Compared with CON, trypsin, lipase activities, and villus height of jejunum were improved (p < 0.05) in HT and HT + ZnO. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum was improved (p < 0.05) in the HT + ZnO group and which also was increased (p < 0.05) in ileum in the HT group compared with CON. Propionic acid, butyric acid, and acetic acid concentrations in the colon were increased (p < 0.05) in the HT group than CON. Overall, HT + ZnO treatments could be used to replace ZnO for reducing diarrhea and improving antioxidant capacity, immunity, and digestive enzyme activities in weaned piglets.