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

Multi-omics reveal the effects and regulatory mechanism of dietary neutral detergent fiber supplementation on carcass characteristics, amino acid profiles, and meat quality of finishing pigs

This study aimed to reveal the effects and regulatory mechanism of dietary NDF on the performance of pigs by multi-omics analysis. Results showed that 16 % dietary NDF significantly improved meat quality, increased flavor amino acid content, and reduced backfat thickness and the feed-to-gain ratio. 16S rDNA sequencing showed that 16 % NDF significantly increased the abundance of Akkermansia, Lachnoclostridium, and Ruminococcus. Transcript analysis showed that genes related to muscle development and lipid metabolism were significantly modified. Metabonomic analysis showed that 16 % NDF significantly increased amino and fatty acid related metabolites. Correlation analysis suggested that 16 % NDF treatment may alter the gut microbiota and metabolites, regulate the expression of genes related to lipid and amino metabolism, and ultimately affect the flavor and performance of pigs. This study provides a novel understanding about the effect and regulatory mechanism of NDF supplements on the finishing pigs and a relevant reference for the improvement of diet formulation.

Carbon Footprint of the Pork Product Chain and Recent Advancements in Mitigation Strategies

The carbon footprint of pork production is a pressing concern due to the industry's significant greenhouse gas emissions. It is crucial to achieve low-carbon development and carbon neutrality in pork production. Thus, this paper reviewed the recent studies about various sources of carbon emissions throughout the current pork production chain; feed production, processing, and manure management are the major sources of carbon emissions. The carbon footprint of the pork production chain varies from 0.6 to 6.75 kg CO2e·kg-1 pig live weight, and the carbon footprint of 1 kg of pork cuts is equivalent to 2.25 to 4.52 kg CO2e. A large reduction in carbon emissions could be achieved simultaneously if combining strategies of reducing transportation distances, optimizing farmland management, minimizing chemical fertilizer usage, promoting organic farming, increasing renewable energy adoption, and improving production efficiency. In summary, these mitigation strategies could effectively decrease carbon emissions by 6.5% to 50% in each sector. Therefore, a proper combination of mitigation strategies is essential to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing pork supply.

A combined pig model to determine the net absorption of volatile fatty acids in the large intestine under different levels of crude fiber

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop a combined model to quantify the net absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the large intestine (LI) of pigs.

METHODS

Fifteen female growing pigs (Duroc × Large White × Landrace) were ranked by body weight (30 ± 2.1 kg) on day 0 and assigned to one of three treatments, namely the basal diet containing different crude fiber (CF) levels (LCF: 3.0% CF, MCF: 4.5% CF, and HCF: 6.0% CF). The pigs were implanted with the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the ileal mesenteric vein (IMV), portal vein (PV), and left femoral artery (LFA) from days 6 to 7. [13 C]-Labeled VFA and P-aminohippuric acid were constantly perfused into the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the IMV (day 15), respectively. Blood samples were collected from the PV and the LFA during perfusion (5 h), and LI samples were collected.

RESULTS

The net flux of [12 C]-acetic acid in the PV was greater for LCF versus MCF (p = 0.045), but no difference was observed in the net flux of [12 C]-propionic acid (p = 0.505) and [12 C]-butyric acid (p = 0.35) in the PV among treatments. The deposition of [12 C]-acetic acid in the LI was greater for LCF versus MCF (p = 0.014), whereas the deposition of [12 C]-propionic acid (p = 0.007) and [12 C]-butyric acid (p = 0.037) in the LI was greater for LCF versus HCF.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this pig model was found conducive to study the net absorption of VFAs in the LI, and LCF had more net absorption of VFAs in the LI than MCF and HCF.

Effects of Dietary Fiber Type on Growth Performance, Serum Parameters and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Weaned and Growing-Finishing Pigs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different SDF to IDF ratios on growth performance, serum indexes and fecal microbial community in pigs. Weaned and growing-finishing pigs were fed a diet containing five different ratios of SDF to IDF from 1:5 to 1:9 and from 1:3 to 1:7, respectively. Results showed a linear tendency that average daily gain (ADG) of weaned pigs decreased but the feed intake to weight gain ratio (F/G) increased as the ratio of SDF to IDF increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p = 0.06). The ADG of growing-finishing pigs showed quadratic changes (p < 0.05) as ratios of SDF to IDF increased from 1:3 to 1:7. The Shannon index of fecal microbial diversity increased first and then decreased as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p < 0.05). The Shannon and Chao indexes of fecal microbial diversity in growing-finishing pigs showed significant incremental linearly as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:3 to 1:7 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the recommended inclusion ratios of SDF to IDF in weaned and growing-finishing pigs diets are 1:7 and 1:5.