Effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase in a wheat-based diet containing canola meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, and short-chain fatty acid concentration in digesta when fed to weaned pigs

Potential Risk of Caffeoylquinic Acids, the Main Polyphenol Components in Coffee, on the Health of Piglets

As the main coffee polyphenols, caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are abundant in coffee-derived products and have the potential to act as novel feed additives for animals. However, research on the side effects of dietary CQAs supplementation is scarce, especially in young animals. Here, we explore the safety of CQAs derived from green coffee beans. Results showed that ingesting 50, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of dietary CQAs for 55 days is associated with greater final body weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency in piglets compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CQAs also increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy at a dose over 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Interestingly, CQAs supplementation with 500 mg/kg increased the white blood cell count (P < 0.05). Moreover, CQAs supplementation at a dose over 50 mg/kg decreased the serum total cholesterol concentration but increased the immunoglobulin M level in serum (P < 0.05). Importantly, CQAs supplementation had no side effects on organ histopathology and organ weight (P > 0.05). These results suggest that CQAs could serve as a secure and effective additive to improve growth performance without negatively affecting the organs of piglets.

Effects of sex on fat deposition through gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in weaned pigs

Nitrogen pollution resulting from excessive feed consumption poses a significant challenge for modern swine production. Precision nutrition technology seems to be an effective way to solve this problem; therefore, understanding the law of pig body composition deposition is a prerequisite. This study investigated the sex effects on growth performance, body composition, nutrient deposition, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in weaned piglets. Eighty weaned pigs were randomly allocated to 2 treatments according to the sex of pigs. An individual pig was considered as a treatment replicate. Six body weights (BW 5, 7, 11, 15, 20, and 25 kg) were chosen as experimental points; for each point 10 piglets close to the average BW (5 males and 5 females) were slaughtered, and there was one growth phase between each 2 BW points. Results indicated that the males had higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to the females (P < 0.05) at growth phases 15 to 20 kg BW and 20 to 25 kg BW. Meanwhile, males at 20 kg BW had higher body fat content than females (P < 0.10). Males showed a higher body fat (P < 0.05) deposition rate at phase 15 to 20 kg BW (P < 0.05) than females. For pigs at 20 kg BW, the relative abundance of RuminococcaceaeUCG-005, Clostridium, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Peptostreptococcaceae was significantly increased in males (P < 0.05) but that of Bifidobacterium was decreased (P < 0.05). At 25 kg BW, the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Fibrobacter, RuminococcaceaeUCG-009, Ralstonia, Klebsiel, and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in males was higher when compared with females (P < 0.05). In terms of SCFA, females exhibited higher concentrations of propionate compared to males (P < 0.05). The results of the current study indicated that sex influenced fat deposition through changes in the composition of gut microbiota and the content of SCFA, which has significant implications for the realization of precision nutrition in modern swine production.

Effects of dietary crude protein content and resistant starch supplementation on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology and microbial metabolites in weaned pigs

A 4-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) content and resistant starch (RS) supplementation on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology and microbial metabolites of weaned pigs. A total of 96 pigs (7.06 ± 0.45 kg body weight) were assigned to 1 of 4 diets in a randomised complete block design involving a 2 (CP levels) × 2 (without or with RS) factorial arrangement to give 8 replicate pens and 3 pigs per pen. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded weekly, and the faecal consistency score was determined every morning. Blood was sampled on days 1, 14 and 28 from one pig per pen, and the same pig was euthanised on day 28 to collect ileal tissue and ileal and colon digesta. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The average daily gain and gain:feed ratio were lower (p < 0.05) in pigs fed low crude protein (LCP) diets compared to those fed high CP (HCP) diets during week 3 and overall period. The analysed Lys, Met+Cys and Thr in feed were lower than calculated values, particularly in LCP diets, which may have affected performance. Pigs fed the LCP diets had longer (p < 0.05) ileal villi and higher villus height to crypt depth ratios than those fed the HCP diets, and RS supplementation increased (p < 0.05) ileal villus height. Interactions (p < 0.05) between dietary CP content and RS inclusion were observed for short-chain fatty acid concentration in the ileum and colon in phase 2. There was no difference in propionic acid (ileum) or butyric acid (colon) concentrations among pigs fed HCP diets, however, the butyric acid concentration increased in pigs fed the LCP diet when supplemented with RS. Reducing dietary CP lowered (p < 0.05) faecal score, plasma urea nitrogen and digesta ammonia content. Overall, feeding LCP diets reduced growth performance but improved gut morphology in weaned pigs. Feeding the LCP diet with RS supplementation modulated concentrations of ileal propionic acid and colonic butyric acid in weaned pigs.

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial diversity and volatile fatty acid, and blood biochemical indices of suckling donkeys fed diets supplemented with multienzymes

BACKGROUND

As the foal grows, the amount of breast milk produced by the donkey decreases. In such cases, early supplemental feeding is particularly important to meet the growth needs of the foal. Foals have an incompletely developed gastrointestinal tract with a homogenous microbiota and produce insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes, which limit their ability to digest and utilize forage. Improving the utilization of early supplemental feeds, promoting gastrointestinal tract development, and enriching microbial diversity are the hotspots of rapid growth research in dairy foals. Plant-based feeds usually contain non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), including cellulose, xylan, mannan, and glucan, which hinder nutrient digestion and absorption. In addition, proteins and starch (both biomolecules) form a composite system mainly through non-covalent interactions. The proteins wrap around the surface of starch granules and act as a physical obstacle, thereby inhibiting water absorption and expansion of starch and decreasing the enzyme's catalytic effect on starch. Glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase added to cereal diets can alleviate the adverse effects of NSPs. The current study determined the effects of adding multienzymes (glyanase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, protease, and amylase) to the diet of 2-month-old suckling donkeys on their growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) and pH, fecal bacterial composition, and blood biochemical indices.

RESULTS

On day 120 of the trial, fecal samples were collected from the rectum of donkeys for determining bacterial diversity, VFA content, and pH. Moreover, fresh fecal samples were collected from each donkey on days 110 and 115 to determine apparent digestibility. The multienzymes supplementations did not affect growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility in the donkeys; however, they tended to increase total height gain (P = 0.0544). At the end of the study, the multienzymes supplementations increased (P < 0.05) the Observed species, ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indices by 10.56%, 10.47%, 10.49%, and 5.01%, respectively. The multienzymes supplementations also increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes, Oscillospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae, Christensenellaceae, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Streptococcus in feces, whereas decreased (P = 0.0086) the abundance of Proteobacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Multienzymes supplementations added to a basal diet for suckling donkeys can increase fecal microbial diversity and abundance.

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.

Nutritional and Functional Roles of Phytase and Xylanase Enhancing the Intestinal Health and Growth of Nursery Pigs and Broiler Chickens

This review paper discussed the nutritional and functional roles of phytase and xylanase enhancing the intestinal and growth of nursery pigs and broiler chickens. There are different feed enzymes that are currently supplemented to feeds for nursery pigs and broiler chickens. Phytase and xylanase have been extensively studied showing consistent results especially related to enhancement of nutrient digestibility and growth performance of nursery pigs and broiler chickens. Findings from recent studies raise the hypothesis that phytase and xylanase could play functional roles beyond increasing nutrient digestibility, but also enhancing the intestinal health and positively modulating the intestinal microbiota of nursery pigs and broiler chickens. In conclusion, the supplementation of phytase and xylanase for nursery pigs and broiler chickens reaffirmed the benefits related to enhancement of nutrient digestibility and growth performance, whilst also playing functional roles benefiting the intestinal microbiota and reducing the intestinal oxidative damages. As a result, it could contribute to a reduction in the feed costs by allowing the use of a wider range of feedstuffs without compromising the optimal performance of the animals, as well as the environmental concerns associated with a poor hydrolysis of antinutritional factors present in the diets for swine and poultry.

Xylanase Impact beyond Performance: Effects on Gut Structure, Faecal Volatile Fatty Acid Content and Ammonia Emissions in Weaned Piglets Fed Diets Containing Fibrous Ingredients

The addition of xylanase to piglet diets is known to improve performance and nutrient digestibility. The present study aimed to assess the impact of new xylanase on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut function of weaned piglets. A total of 144 pigs, weaned at 28 days (7.48 kg initial body weight, IBW), were assigned to 36 pens and 9 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were a basal complex control diet, and the basal diet supplemented with 45,000, 90,000 and 135,000 U/kg xylanase. Performance was measured at days 0, 14 and 35. At day 35, samples were collected for assessment of intestinal histology, and volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentrations. After two weeks post-weaning, additional 12 piglets (11.34 kg IBW) were placed in metabolic crates for assessment of apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using a dietary marker. The addition of xylanase at 90,000 and 135,000 U/kg significantly improved average daily gain (333.6 g/day control, 364.86 g/day, 90,000 U/kg, 405.89 g/day, 135,000 U/kg, p < 0.05), G:F (0.557 control, 0.612 90,000 U/kg, 0.692 135,000 U/kg, p < 0.05), and reduced diarrhoea. This was driven improved nutrient digestibility and villus height in the jejunum (372.87 µm control, 432.53 µm 45,000 U/kg, 465.80 µm 90,000 U/kg, 491.28 µm 135,000 U/kg, p < 0.05). Xylanase supplementation also linearly increased faecal butyrate levels and had a quadratic relationship with propionate concentrations. 135,000 U/kg xylanase also reduced ammonia emissions. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with xylanase improved growth performance and feed efficiency in weaning piglets, likely driven by improvements to gut structure and function.

Effects of Yeast Culture Supplementation in Wheat-Rice-Based Diet on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Gut Microbiota of Growing-Finishing Pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on the growth performance, meat quality, gut health, and microbiota community of growing−finishing pigs. A total of 45 growing−finishing pigs were randomly allocated to three treatments: a corn−soybean-based diet (CON, n = 15), a wheat−rice-based diet (GRA, n = 15), and GRA supplemented with 500 mg/kg yeast culture (YC, n = 15). The results show that compared to the CON group, the GRA group exhibited no significant differences in feed intake, daily gain, or feed conversion ratio, but had significantly reduced feed cost per kilogram BW gain of the finishing pigs (p < 0.05). Compared to that of the CON group, the GRA and YC groups showed an increase in the dressing percentage (p < 0.1). The meat color redness of the YC group increased (p < 0.1), whereas the b* value at 24 h decreased (p < 0.1). Meanwhile, the addition of YC significantly increased total superoxide dismutase activity on day 30 and catalase activity on day 60 (p < 0.05), and decreased serum urea nitrogen content on day 60 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, YC supplementation increased the gene expression of the duodenal anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 (p < 0.05), while it significantly decreased the gene expression of the ileal pro-inflammatory factor IL-8 (p < 0.05). The intestinal microbial identification results show that compared to the CON group, the YC group showed an increase in the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium in the colon, and a decrease in the relative abundances of Bacteroidea, Clostridae, and Prevotella in the cecum. In conclusion, the growth performance of pigs on a wheat−rice-based diet was similar to that of pigs on a corn−soybean-based diet. Supplementation of 0.5% YC in the wheat−rice-based diet could improve the dressing percentage and meat color of growing−finishing pigs, which might be due to the increase in nitrogen utility and antioxidant capacity, and the improvement of the immune system and changes in microbiota communities.

Effects of Dietary Cereal and Protein Source on Fiber Digestibility, Composition, and Metabolic Activity of the Intestinal Microbiota in Weaner Piglets

Simple Summary

Rye and rapeseed meal can be alternative feed components for weaner piglets instead of wheat and soybean meal. Both components can help to meet current challenges in pig nutrition, such as increasingly dry weather conditions and the high amount of imported soybean. Since they contain more and differently composed fiber, effects on digestive physiology and intestinal microbiota might help to maintain gut health and prevent post-weaning diarrhea. This study shows that despite a similar composition of the large intestinal microbiota, the higher amount and solubility of complex carbohydrates from rye lead to a higher fermentative activity compared to wheat, which is considered a beneficial effect. The high amount of insoluble dietary fiber in rapeseed-based diets lowered bacterial metabolic activity and caused a shift toward insoluble fiber degrading bacteria.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of fiber-rich rye and rapeseed meal (RSM) compared to wheat and soybean meal (SBM) on fiber digestibility and the composition and metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota. At weaning, 88 piglets were allocated to four feeding groups: wheat/SBM, wheat/RSM, rye/SBM, and rye/RSM. Dietary inclusion level was 48% for rye and wheat, 25% for SBM, and 30% for RSM. Piglets were euthanized after 33 days for collection of digesta and feces. Samples were analyzed for dry matter and non-starch-polysaccharide (NSP) digestibility, bacterial metabolites, and relative abundance of microbiota. Rye-based diets had higher concentrations of soluble NSP than wheat-based diets. RSM-diets were higher in insoluble NSP compared to SBM. Rye-fed piglets showed a higher colonic and fecal digestibility of NSP (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). RSM-fed piglets showed a lower colonic and fecal digestibility of NSP than SBM-fed piglets (p < 0.001). Rye increased jejunal and colonic concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) compared to wheat (p < 0.001, p = 0.016, respectively). RSM-fed pigs showed a lower jejunal concentration of SCFA (p = 0.001) than SBM-fed pigs. Relative abundance of Firmicutes was higher (p = 0.039) and of Proteobacteria lower (p = 0.002) in rye-fed pigs compared to wheat. RSM reduced Firmicutes and increased Actinobacteria (jejunum, colon, feces: p < 0.050), jejunal Proteobacteria (p = 0.019) and colonic Bacteroidetes (p = 0.014). Despite a similar composition of the colonic microbiota, the higher amount and solubility of NSP from rye resulted in an increased fermentative activity compared to wheat. The high amount of insoluble dietary fiber in RSM-based diets reduced bacterial metabolic activity and caused a shift toward insoluble fiber degrading bacteria. Further research should focus on host–microbiota interaction to improve feeding concepts with a targeted use of dietary fiber.

Effect of dietary folate level on organ weight, digesta pH, short-chain fatty acid concentration, and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets

Folate is increasingly thought to promote gastrointestinal health and regulate the diversity of gut microbiota to alleviate weaning stress in piglets. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of folate on organ weight, digesta pH, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration, and intestinal microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 28 piglets (6.73 ± 0.62 kg) were allocated to four dietary treatments consisting of a control group, 3, 9, and 18 mg/kg of folate supplementation in a 14-d feeding trial. The results showed that piglets fed with 9 and 18 mg/kg of folate supplementation had greater (P < 0.05) average liver and spleen weight than the control group. Folate supplementation (9 and 18 mg/kg) can significantly increase (P < 0.05) the stomach pH and tend (P < 0.10) to decrease the cecum pH. Folate treatment (9 and 18 mg/kg) had a positive effect on the metabolism of SCFAs in piglets, in particular, compared with the control group, and the content of acetic acid (AA) and valeric acid was markedly increased (P < 0.05) in the cecum and colon, respectively. Moreover, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid were tended (P < 0.10) to increase in the colon. Cecum contents samples were used to determine bacterial community diversity by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. At the genus level, in the cecum, there was a higher (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus mucosae in the 9 mg/kg folate supplementation group. The functional pathways analysis predicted that folate may modify nutrient metabolism by changing the gut microbiota function of weaned piglets. Furthermore, the data showed that Lactobacillus was positively correlated with AA in the cecum. Overall, these findings suggested that folate treatment could increase the organ weight and the stomach pH of weaned piglets and had beneficial effects on gut health, which might be attributed to the alteration in intestinal microbiota induced by folate and the interaction of the intestinal microbiota with SCFAs.