Flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation modulates growth performance, blood lipids, intestinal fermentation, bile acids, and neutral sterols in growing pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diets

Bamboo fiber improves piglet growth performance by regulating the microbial composition of lactating sows and their offspring piglets

Introduction

Feeding bamboo powder is a kind of fiber raw material mainly composed of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). In this study, IDF-based rice husk meal and feeding bamboo powder were used to compare the effects of bamboo fiber on fecal microflora and the performance of lactating sows and their offspring piglets.

Methods

Thirty healthy crossbred gilts (Yorkshire × Landrace) at day 105 of gestation were randomly allocated into three groups: CON, TRE1 supplemented with 2% BBF1 (feeding bamboo powder), and TRE2 supplemented with 2% BBF2 (99% feeding bamboo powder +1% bamboo fiber polymer material). The reproductive performance, serum indexes, and fecal microbiota of sows and piglets were analyzed. The results showed that, compared with CON, the average feed intake of sows in TRE1 during the second week of lactation was significantly increased by 21.96% (p < 0.05), the average daily gain (ADG) per litter in TRE1 on 11-21 days and 3-21 days of lactation was significantly increased by 50.68 and 31.61%, respectively (p < 0.05), and the serum triglyceride content of sows in TRE1 on the 21st day of lactation was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The 16S rRNA analysis showed that dietary bamboo fiber significantly increased the fecal microbial richness index Ace, Chao, and Sobs of sows (p < 0.05) and tended to increase the Sobs index of suckling piglets on day 21 (p < 0.10). Compared with CON, BBF1 supplementation significantly decreased the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in feces of sows on days 7 and 21 after delivery (p < 0.05), while BBF2 decreased the genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group on days 7 (p < 0.10) and 21 (p < 0.05) after delivery. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium in the feces of piglets on the 21st day after delivery was significantly positively correlated with diarrhea rate and significantly negatively correlated with ADG per litter, day 21 litter weight, and 3- to 21-day survival rate. In contrast, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group was significantly negatively correlated with diarrhea rate and positively correlated with ADG per litter.

Discussion

These results indicated that maternal BBF1 supplementation improved the litter weight gain of suckling piglets, which was associated with the improvement of diversity and structure of the fecal microbiota in the piglets.

Effects from supplementary feeding of bamboo powder in perinatal period on farrowing process, serum biochemical indexes, and fecal microbes of sows and offspring piglets

Introduction

This study was conducted to explore the effects of supplementary feeding of bamboo powder on the physical parameters of sows during the perinatal period of 7 days ± in parturition, including farrow duration, serum biochemical indexes, fecal physicochemical indexes, and microbial flora.

Methods

Thirty pregnant sows were randomly divided into three groups: the control group was fed a basal diet, TRE1 group and TRE2 group were fed a basal diet supplemented with 30 g d^-1 and 60 g d^-1 bamboo powder, respectively. Multiple parameters of sows and offspring piglets were determined.

Results

The contents of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride of sows in TRE2 group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The contents of serum malondialdehyde of sows in TRE2 and TRE1 groups were significantly lower than that in control group. The water content of sow feces in TRE2 group was significantly higher than that in control group, and the pH values of sows in TRE2 and TRE1 groups were significantly higher than that in control group. The richness index (Chao) of sow fecal bacterial community in TRE2 group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and the Ace and Sobs indexes tended to be lower than those of the control group. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in the feces of sows in TRE2 group was significantly lower than that of the control group, while that of Fusobacteriota in the feces of suckling piglets in TRE2 group tended to be lower than that of the control group. At the genus level, among the Top10 dominant bacteria, the relative abundance of Tissierella in the feces of sows in TRE2 group was significantly lower than that of the control group while that of Fusobacterium in the feces of suckling piglets in TRE2 group tended to be lower than that of the control group. The relative abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Terrisporobacter, Turicibacter, and Tissierella in the feces of sows in TRE2 group was significantly lower than that of TRE1 group (p < 0.05), while Lactobacillus tended to be higher than that of TRE1 group (p < 0.10).

Discussion

The results suggested that supplementary feeding 60 g d^-1 bamboo powder could increase the water content in the feces of sows, reduce the oxidative damage, and tend to reduce the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogenic Fusobacterium for suckling piglets, while it reduced the fecal microbial diversity of sows.

Nutritional Potentials of Atypical Feed Ingredients for Broiler Chickens and Pigs

Simple Summary

Common feed ingredients such as corn, barley, wheat, soybean meal, and canola meal are used to feed broiler chickens and pigs in various countries around the world. However, due to rising costs and the need to practice sustainable animal husbandry, concerted efforts have been aimed at identifying and examining the nutritional potentials of atypical feed ingredients for pigs and chickens. Although there are some articles and reviews that discuss the potential of a single or few feed ingredients for either chickens or pigs, there has not been an extensive review that integrates information from several alternative feed ingredients for both species in one place. Therefore, this review aims to enumerate several feed ingredients that have shown prospects in supplying either one or more nutrients to pigs and chickens while reducing the dependence on commonly used feedstuff. In addition, feeding practices, merits, and limitations associated with these uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. Furthermore, practical applications of these alternative feed ingredients in relation to either pigs or chickens are briefly examined.

Abstract

Diets play an important part in monogastric nutrition. This is because diets are comprised of various feed ingredients that supply energy and nutrients required by broiler chickens or pigs for normal growth and development. The main feed ingredients used for formulating diets for pigs and chickens are comprised of cereals and oilseed meals. Corn and soybean meal (SBM) are mostly used in North America for animal feeds. However, due to geographical locations, availability, and cost, ingredients such as wheat, barley, and canola meal are often used for feeding pigs and chickens. Overdependence on common ingredients such as corn and SBM for decades has resulted in rising costs of animal production. Therefore, the need has risen to examine the potentials of alternative feed ingredients capable of supplying the required energy and nutrients for monogastric animals. Research has been carried out to identify and evaluate several uncommon feed ingredients and their utilization by broiler chickens and pigs. Thus, this review enumerates the nutritional potentials of feed ingredients in 4 main nutritional classes using information from articles in peer-reviewed journals. Feeding practices, advantages, and limitations of using certain uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. In addition, species-specific factors in terms of practical applications are explored.

Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile, inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation

Background

Sows are frequently subjected to various stresses during late gestation and lactation, which trigger inflammatory response and metabolic disorders. Dietary fiber can influence animal health by modulating gut microbiota and their by-products, with the effects depending upon the source of the dietary fiber. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different fiber sources on body condition, serum biochemical parameters, inflammatory responses and fecal microbiota in sows from late gestation to lactation.

Methods

Forty-five multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; 3–6 parity) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments from d 85 of gestation to the end of lactation (d 21 post-farrowing): a control diet (CON, a corn-soybean meal diet), a sugar beet pulp diet (SBP, 20% SBP during gestation and 10% SBP during lactation), and a wheat bran diet (WB, 30% WB during gestation and 15% WB during lactation).

Results

Compared with CON, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) lactation BW loss, reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation, while supplementation of WB reduced (P < 0.05) serum concentration of total cholesterol on d 110 of gestation, increased (P < 0.05) fecal water content and decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 concentration on d 110 of gestation and d 21 of lactation. In addition, sows fed SBP had lower (P < 0.01) abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Terrisporobacter than those fed CON, but had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002 than those fed the other two diets on d 110 of gestation. On d 21 of lactation, supplementation of SBP decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, but enriched (P < 0.05) the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae compared with WB. Compared with CON, sows fed SBP had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs during gestation and lactation, while sows fed WB only had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentration of butyrate during lactation.

Conclusions

Supplementation of dietary fiber during late gestation and lactation could improve sow metabolism and gut health, and SBP was more effective than WB.

Effects of Flaxseed and Multi-Carbohydrase Enzymes on the Cecal Microbiota and Liver Inflammation of Laying Hens

Simple Summary

Wheat and flaxseed are used worldwide to produce omega-3 (ω-3) enriched poultry meat and eggs, however, wheat and flaxseed contain some anti-nutritional factors (ANFs). In addition, the supplementation of feed additive including enzymes usually alleviate the deleterious influence of ANFs. Therefore, we conducted the current study of laying hens fed with two diets (corn/flaxseed and wheat/flaxseed, supplemented with three enzymes), for a period of 10 weeks. Here, we found a clear increase in the fat weight of birds fed with corn diet as compared with wheat diet. Moreover, a high level of secretory IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and comparatively higher inflammatory changes in the liver tissue were found in birds fed with corn diet as compared with wheat diet. The gut microbial composition of hens fed with corn diet was clearly different than that of birds fed a wheat diet. In conclusion, our findings suggest that inflammatory changes in laying birds were mediated by a corn diet with flaxseed and enzymes instead of a wheat diet. Additionally, in the wheat-fed group, enzyme-b and -c showed more encouraging results as compared to enzyme-a indicating that wheat diet might be a preferable diet for commercial layers poultry farms.

Abstract

Background: The use of wheat and flaxseed to produce omega-3 (ω-3) enriched poultry meat and eggs is very popular in the world. However, wheat and flaxseed contain some anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and enzymes are usually used to alleviate the deleterious influence of ANFs. Method: A 2 × 3 two factors design was used in the experiment. A total of 540 twenty-week-old Nongda-3 laying hens were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments, two diets (corn/flaxseed and wheat/flaxseed), and three enzymes (enzyme-a contains neutral protease 10,000, xylanase 35,000, β-mannanase 1500, β-glucanase 2000, cellulose 500, amylase 100, and pectinase 10,000 (U g⁻¹); enzyme-b contains alkaline protease 40,000 and neutral protease 10,000 (U g⁻¹); enzyme-c contains alkaline protease 40,000, neutral protease 10,000, and cellulase 4000 (U g⁻¹). Results: There was an interaction between dietary treatment and supplemental enzymes for liver weight and liver inflammatory cytokines of broilers. A significant increase was observed in the fat weight of birds fed a corn diet as compared with a wheat diet. A corn diet and wheat diet with the addition of enzyme-a (p < 0.001) showed the highest level of liver fat followed by enzyme-c (p < 0.01) and enzyme-b. Moreover, a high level of secretory IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and comparatively higher inflammatory changes in the liver tissue were found in birds fed a corn diet as compared with a wheat diet, and enzyme-b showed more beneficial effects as compared with enzyme-a and -c. The gut microbial composition of hens fed a corn diet was significantly different than that of birds fed a wheat diet. Bacteroides were significantly (p < 0.05) abundant in the corn-fed birds as compared with wheat-fed birds. However, Firmicutes were less abundant in the wheat-fed birds than the corn-fed birds (16.99 vs. 31.80%, respectively). The microbial community at the genus level differed significantly in the dietary groups and we observed that Bacteroides are the predominant cecal microbiota. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of co-factors, carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, and energy were expressed at slightly higher levels in the microbiota of the wheat-fed birds, whereas, metabolic pathways for nucleotides, lipids, and glycine were expressed at higher levels in the wheat-fed birds. Furthermore, expression of the growth and cellular processes pathway and endocrine system pathway levels were predicted to be higher for the wheat-fed group as compared with the corn-fed group. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings suggest that inflammatory changes in laying birds were mediated by a corn diet with flaxseed and enzymes instead of a wheat diet. Additionally, in the wheat-fed group, enzyme-b and -c showed more encouraging results as compared to enzyme-a.

The Impact of Wheat Bran on the Morphology and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary

Recently, dietary fiber has gained special attention due to its various beneficial effects on poultry. In poultry, moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber have been shown to be beneficial to nutrient utilization by improving the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, this study used wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber to investigate wheat bran on digestive function in broiler chickens. The results indicate that supplementation of 30 g/kg wheat bran enhanced nutrient digestibility by improving antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and morphology in broilers. In conclusion, wheat bran could be used for improving feed efficiency in broilers.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence showing that moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber can improve nutrient utilization by positively influencing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber on nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant status, gastrointestinal development, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 96 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were assigned to two treatments with six replicate cages per treatment and eight birds per replicate for 42 d. Dietary treatments consisted of the control group (CON, control diet) and wheat bran group (WB, 30 g/kg wheat bran). Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy and crude protein on Day 42. Birds fed WB had lower (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol concentration on Day 21, and lower (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and total triglyceride on Day 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity on Day 21 and superoxide dismutase activity on Day 42, but tended (p = 0.07) to decrease serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 21, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 42. Birds fed WB had a greater (p < 0.05) relative weight of gizzard on both Day 21 and 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) activities of amylase and trypsin in pancreas and jejunal mucosa on Day 21, and increased (p < 0.05) amylase activity in pancreas and jejunal mucosa. Birds fed WB had greater (p < 0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum and ileum on Day 42. In conclusion, supplementation of 30 g/kg WB enhanced nutrient digestibility by improving antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and morphology of broilers.

Effect of fibre sources on performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and microbiota in weaned pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran (WB) as insoluble fibre source, and sugar beet pulp (SBP) as soluble fibre source, on performance, serum parameters and intestinal health in weaned pigs. A total of 90 weaned pigs (BW: 7.33 ± 1.24 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: (1) a control diet (CON) based on corn and soybean meal; (2) CON + 6% WB; (3) CON + 6% SBP. Each treatment had five replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The experimental period was divided into two phases (d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 28). Pigs in group WB tended to have greater avarage daily gain than those in group SBP. Compared with CON, SBP reduced (p < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, organic matter (OM), gross energy and neutral detergent fibre on d 14 and 28, while WB decreased (p < 0.05) the ATTD of OM on d 28. Pigs in group SBP had higher (p < 0.05) glucagon-like peptide 1 concentration than the other groups on d 14 and 28. The villus height to crypt depth (V:C) ratio of duodenum and jejunum in pigs fed diet WB were greater (p < 0.05) than in group SBP. The WB increased (p < 0.05) the V:C ratio of ileum compared with CON or SBP. Compared with SBP, WB increased (p < 0.05) the sucrase activity in the duodenum. Moreover, pigs in WB had higher (p < 0.05) activities of maltase and sucrase in the jejunum compared with CON or SBP. The abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae were increased (p < 0.05) in WB, while the Lachnospiraceae abundance was increased (p < 0.05) in SBP. WB increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), while SBP increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of acetate and total SCFA when compared with CON. In conclusion, WB was beneficial to performance in weaned pigs by improving morphology, enzyme activities and microbiota when compared with SBP, highlighting that effects of fibre depends on the fibre sources.

Flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation: impact on dietary fiber digestibility, and flows of fatty acids and bile acids in growing pigs

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of adding flaxseed meal (FM) or oat hulls (OHs) in pigs' diets on digestibility of dietary fiber (DF) and fatty acids (FAs), and gastrointestinal flows of FA and bile acids (BAs). Twelve Genesus [(Duroc ♂ × Yorkshire-Landrace ♀)] cannulated barrows (initial BW: 35.1 ± 0.44 kg) were individually housed and offered diets in a two-period cross-over design (n = 8). In each period, four pigs were assigned to one of the three corn-soybean meal-based diets without (control), or with FM or OHs. Soybean oil was added in each diet to give an FA content of 4.56%, 6.02%, and 6.05 % in the control, FM, and OH diets, respectively. Feces and ileal digesta contents were collected to determine apparent ileal (AID), total tract (ATTD) digestibility of dietary components and flows of FA and BA. Pigs fed the control diet had greater (P < 0.05) AID of SFA and insoluble DF and ATTD of SFA than pigs offered the OH and FM diets. The AID of total FA and MUFA in FM diet-fed pigs was lower (P = 0.02) compared to those fed the control and OH diets. The ATTD of CP, NDF, insoluble and total DF was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the OH diet than in pigs that consumed the control and FM diets. In the terminal ileum, pigs fed OH and FM diets excreted more (P < 0.05) primary BA and all secondary BA (except lithocholic acid) compared to control diet-fed pigs. The intestinal flows of lithocholic acid in pigs fed the FM diet were higher (P < 0.05) than in pigs offered the control diet. Pigs fed FM and OH diets excreted more (P = 0.001) fecal ursodeoxycholic and total BAs compared to pigs that consumed the control diet. The ileal flows of eicosapentaenoic and erucic acids in pigs fed the FM and OH diets were greater (P < 0.05) than in pigs fed the control diet. The flow of all SFA, and palmitoleic, palmitelaidic, oleic, nervonic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic, erucic, docosatetraenoic and docosapentaenoic acids in feces were greater (P < 0.05) in OH diet-fed pigs compared to pigs fed other diets. In conclusion, addition of FM and OHs in pig diets reduced FA digestibility, increased gastrointestinal flows of FA and excretion of BA. Dietary supplementation with FM and OHs induces variable effects on digestibility of DF fractions and fecal flows of unsaturated FA. Future studies are needed to quantify the contribution of endogenous FA losses from the host to gastrointestinal flows of FA.

Flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation: impact on predicted production and absorption of volatile fatty acids and energy from hindgut fermentation in growing pigs

A combination of in vivo (ileal cannulated pigs) and in vitro (fecal inoculum-based incubation) methodologies were used to predict the effects of dietary supplementation with soluble or insoluble dietary fiber on hindgut VFA production and absorption. Energy contribution from hindgut VFA and apparent ileal (AID) and total tract (ATTD) digestibility of energy and DM was also investigated. Twelve ileal cannulated Genesus barrows (initial BW: 35.1 ± 0.44 kg) were allocated to 1 of the 3 corn-soybean meal-based diets without (control), or with flaxseed meal (FM) or oat hulls (OH) in a 2-period cross-over design. Flaxseed meal and oat hulls were used as sources of soluble and insoluble fiber, respectively. In each period, 4 pigs were offered 1 of the 3 diets, for 12 d followed by fecal (day 13 and 14) and ileal digesta collection (day 15 and 16) (n = 8). Ileal digesta were collected, freeze-dried, and subjected to in vitro fermentation using fecal inoculum, to predict production and absorption of VFA and energy production, and digestibility of DM and energy. The quantity of acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids produced by in vitro fermentation was higher (P < 0.05) for the diet containing flaxseed meal compared with the control and OH diets. The predicted quantity of VFA produced and absorbed in the hindgut was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs that consumed the FM diet than those fed the control or OH diet. Pigs fed the control diet had greater (P < 0.05) AID and ATTD of DM than pigs offered the OH or FM diet. The determined disappearance of DM was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the control and OH diets than in pigs that consumed the FM diet. The quantity of digested energy in the upper gut was reduced (P < 0.05) more in pigs fed the OH diet than in pigs fed the FM diet. The consumption of the FM diet increased (P < 0.05) the quantity of digested energy, energy produced and absorbed from VFA in the hindgut, and the percentage contribution of VFA from fermentation to total tract digestible energy, compared with the control and OH diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with insoluble fiber from oat hulls reduced ileal digested energy more than soluble fiber from flaxseed meal. Addition of soluble fiber to pig diets increased the energy contribution from VFA produced by hindgut fermentation to the total tract digestible energy, compared with dietary addition of insoluble fiber.

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed meal and oat hulls modulates intestinal histomorphometric characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota in pigs

The establishment of a healthy gastrointestinal milieu may not only offer an opportunity to reduce swine production costs but could also open the way for a lifetime of human health improvement. This study investigates the effects of feeding soluble fibre from flaxseed meal-containing diet (FM) and insoluble fibre from oat hulls-containing diet (OH) on histomorphological characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota and their associations with metabolites in pig intestines. In comparison with the control (CON) and OH diets, the consumption of FM increased (P < 0.001) the jejunal villi height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depths. The PERMANOVA analyses showed distinct (P < 0.05) microbial communities in ileal digesta and mucosa, and caecal mucosa in CON and FM-diets fed pigs compared to the OH diet-fed pigs. The predicted functional metagenomes indicated that amino acids and butanoate metabolism, lysine degradation, bile acids biosynthesis, and apoptosis were selectively enhanced at more than 2.2 log-folds in intestinal microbiota of pigs fed the FM diet. Taken together, flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation in growing pigs’ diets altered the gastrointestinal development, as well as the composition and function of microbial communities, depending on the intestinal segment and physicochemical property of the dietary fibre source.