The Facilitating Effect of Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids and Lactobacillus plantarum on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Antioxidant Capacity, and Fecal Microbiota of Weaned Piglets

Bacillus siamensis Improves the Immune Status and Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets by Improving Their Intestinal Microbiota

Previous studies on the early interference of gut microbiota by Bacillus siamensis (B. siamensis) in weaned piglets are rarely reported, and the present trial is a preliminary study. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of B. siamensis supplementation on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, immune response, fecal short-chain fatty acids and microbiota of weaned piglets. Sixty weaned piglets were randomly divided into a control group (CON) and a B. siamensis group (BS), which were fed a basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with 5 × 1010 CFU B. siamensis per kg, respectively. Each group had 3 replicates and 10 piglets per replicate. The trial lasted for 28 days. The results showed that B. siamensis significantly increased the serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in piglets. Compared with the CON group, the levels of serum immunoglobulin and inflammatory factors in the BS group were significantly improved. In addition, the serum concentrations of zonulin and endotoxin (ET) in the BS group were lower. The dietary addition of B. siamensis significantly increased fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in piglets. Notably, B. siamensis improved the microbial composition by increasing beneficial genera, including Weissella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Bifidobacterium, and decreasing pathogenic genera, including Pantoea, Fusobacterium and Gemella, in piglet feces. Correlation analysis showed that the benefits of dietary B. siamensis supplementation were closely related to its improved microbial composition. In summary, the addition of B. siamensis can improve the immunity function, inflammatory response, gut permeability and SCFA levels of weaned piglets, which may be achieved through the improvement of their microbiota.

Mechanism of action of buckwheat quercetin in regulating lipid metabolism and intestinal flora via Toll-like receptor 4 or nuclear factor κB pathway in rats on a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVES

Buckwheat quercetin (QUE) was used as a dietary supplement to investigate the mechanism of QUE on the regulation of lipid metabolism and intestinal flora in hyperlipidemic rats.

METHODS

Here, using a high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia model, the intervention was carried out by gavage of QUE at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Serum lipid levels, liver biochemical parameters, and histopathologic changes in the liver and intestinal microorganisms were measured in rats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hematoxylin-eosin, and high-throughput sequencing, respectively.

RESULTS

Our results found that QUE, at a dose of 200 mg/kg, significantly reduced body weight, liver index, and lipid levels in rats (P < 0.05); improved hepatic oxidative stress; and repaired liver injury. In addition, the upregulation of beneficial bacteria, such as christensenellaceae and Bifidobacterium, in the organism increased the content of short-chain fatty acids, thus interfering with intestinal pH and improving the intestinal environment, while downregulating the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, and regulating the overproduction of butyrate. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction results found that QUE inhibited the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) mRNA content and blocked the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus affecting the downregulation of lipid levels and restoring intestinal homeostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

A QUE dose of 200 mg/kg may improve lipid levels and the composition of intestinal flora through the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, suggesting that proteobacteria and christensenellaceae abundance changes may be biomarkers of potential diseases.

The Effect of Maternal Probiotic or Synbiotic Supplementation on Sow and Offspring Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Health, and Performance

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has prompted the reduction in antibiotic and antimicrobial use in commercial pig production. This has led to increased research efforts to identify alternative dietary interventions to support the health and development of the pig. The crucial role of the GIT microbiota in animal health and performance is becoming increasingly evident. Hence, promoting an improved GIT microbiota, particularly the pioneer microbiota in the young pig, is a fundamental focus. Recent research has indicated that the sow's GIT microbiota is a significant contributor to the development of the offspring's microbiota. Thus, dietary manipulation of the sow's microbiota with probiotics or synbiotics, before farrowing and during lactation, is a compelling area of exploration. This review aims to identify the potential health benefits of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation to both the sow and her offspring and to explore their possible modes of action. Finally, the results of maternal sow probiotic and synbiotic supplementation studies are collated and summarized. Maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation offers an effective strategy to modulate the sow's microbiota and thereby enhance the formation of a health-promoting pioneer microbiota in the offspring. In addition, this strategy can potentially reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the sow and her offspring, enhance the immune potential of the milk, the immune system development in the offspring, and the sow's feed intake during lactation. Although many studies have used probiotics in the maternal sow diet, the most effective probiotic or probiotic blends remain unclear. To this extent, further direct comparative investigations using different probiotics are warranted to advance the current understanding in this area. Moreover, the number of investigations supplementing synbiotics in the maternal sow diet is limited and is an area where further exploration is warranted.

A phytobiotic extract, in an aqueous or in a cyclodextrin encapsulated form, added in diet affects meat oxidation, cellular responses and intestinal morphometry and microbiota of broilers

The present trial examined the effects of diet supplementation with an extract including Greek oregano, garlic, rock samphire, and camelina, administered either in aqueous form or encapsulated in cyclodextrin, on broiler chickens. The duration of the trial was 35 days. Mixed broiler chicks (Ross-308, 120 individuals, 1 day old) were randomly allocated to one of three groups, each with four replicates. Control group A (CONTROL) was fed a basal diet consisting of maize and soybean. The diet of the AQORGCC and CDORGCC groups was further supplemented with aqueous and cyclodextrin-encapsulated herbal extracts, respectively. Levels of lipid and protein oxidation were determined in breast and thigh meat samples. Furthermore, to address cellular stress and signaling responses, the expression patterns of heat shock proteins (Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90), mitogen-activated protein kinases (P38 and P44/42 MAPKs), and apoptotic-related proteins (Bcl-2/Bad ratio) were investigated in breast and thigh tissues using Western blot analysis. The intestinal morphometry of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was also assessed. To investigate ileal and cecal bacterial community diversity, 16S rRNA gene high-throughput amplicon sequencing on the V3–V4 hypervariable region was performed. The results showed that the herbal extract in cyclodextrin delayed meat lipid oxidation. According to the protein expression patterns, the formulated diets elicited tissue-specific cellular responses. Compared with the CONTROL group, dietary supplementation with the encapsulated form resulted in significant Hsp induction and MAPK activation, whereas, in the group whose diet was supplemented with the aqueous form, the expression of most of the examined proteins decreased or was maintained at a constant level. Villus height and lamina propria width were mostly affected by the aqueous herbal extract, whereas the number of goblet cells remained unchanged among the groups. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota were the major phyla in mean relative abundance in all diets in both cecal and ileal samples. Alpha-diversity indices highlighted higher species richness and diversity in the cecum than in the ileum, as well as in chicks treated with the aqueous extract of the herbal mixture, but only in the cecum. Cecal beta-diversity differed between the cyclodextrin and the CONTROL groups, while ileal beta-diversity varied only between the aqueous-treated group and the CONTROL group. In conclusion, the dietary mixtures of herbal extracts (particularly those encapsulated in cyclodextrin) improved protein and lipid oxidation and increased the number of beneficial lactic acid-producing bacteria in the cecum, whereas the aqueous herbal extract mostly affected bacterial activity in the proximal part of the chicken intestine. Similarly, intestinal morphometry in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was mostly affected by the aqueous herbal extract, which seems to inhibit proteins associated with stress signaling in meat.

Effect of dietary licorice flavonoids powder on performance, intestinal immunity and health of weaned piglets

Licorice flavonoids, a bioactive substance derived from glycyrrhiza, have been reported for many pharmacological properties and are beneficial to animal health. This study aimed to explore the effects of licorice flavonoids powder (LFP) on growth performance and intestinal health of piglets. A total of 96 weaned piglets were randomly assigned into four treatments and supplemented with 0, 50, 150 and 250 mg/kg LFP for 5 weeks. Dietary LFP supplementation tended to increase (p = 0.068) average daily gain (ADG) and reduce (p = 0.089) the feed intake/body gain (F/G) of piglets than that of the control group during 15-35 days; and concentrations of LFP supplementation reduced (p < 0.01) diarrhoea index during 14-35 days and 0-35 days. Piglets fed on diets supplied with LFP had a lower (p < 0.05) pH in caecum and colon. Dietary LFP supplementation increased (p < 0.01) the villi height and the ratio of villi height/crypt depth in duodenum, and reduced (p < 0.05) crypt depth in duodenum. Compared with the control group, 250 mg/kg LFP supplementation up-regulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA level of occludin (OCLN) in ileum. Meanwhile, dietary LFP supplementation down-regulated (p < 0.05) mRNA abundance of Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8 and induced nitrogen monoxide synthase (INOS) in duodenum. Dietary 150 mg/kg LFP supplementation down-regulated (p < 0.05) mRNA abundance of IL-1β and 250 mg/kg LFP up-regulated (p < 0.05) the expression of IL-10 in ileum. In summary, dietary LFP supplementation has a trend to improve the performance of weaning piglets, those improvements are accompanied by reduction in diarrhoea, enhancement of intestinal morphological structure, barrier function, immune function, and development. In general, 150 mg/kg LFP supplementation is more effective.

A comprehensive review on natural phenolic compounds as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics

Intensive livestock and poultry farming in China largely relied on the use of in-feed antibiotics until July 2020. The consequences of antibiotic overuse in animal feed include accumulation in animal products and the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance, both of which threaten food safety and human health. China has now completely banned the circulation of commercial feed containing growth-promoting drug additives (except Chinese herbal medicine). Therefore, alternatives to in-feed antibiotics in animal production are greatly needed. Natural phenolic compounds (NPCs) exist widely in plants and are non-toxic, non-polluting, highly reproducible, and leave little residue. Many natural flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes have polyphenol chemical structures and exhibit great potential as alternatives to antibiotics. In this review we delineate the characteristics of plant-derived NPCs and summarize their current applications as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, aiming to provide new strategies for antibiotic-free feeding and promote the development of more sustainable animal husbandry practices.

Systematic Review of Human and Animal Evidence on the Role of Buckwheat Consumption on Gastrointestinal Health

BACKGROUND

Buckwheat is a commonly cultivated crop with growing evidence that it is beneficial to gastrointestinal (GI) health. This systematic review summarizes the role of buckwheat in modifying GI health outcomes and microbiomes.

METHODS

Four medical databases and Google Scholar were systematically searched. Clinical trials, observational studies, animal in vivo, and in vitro studies with human and animal GI-derived samples were included.

RESULTS

There were 32 studies (one randomized controlled trial [RCT], one non-randomized trial, 3 observational, 9 in vitro, and 18 animal in vivo studies) included. In preclinical studies, buckwheat extracts were observed to have cytotoxic potential against human-derived GI cancer cell lines. Animals fed with buckwheat had lower GI mucosal inflammation, higher alpha diversity in the GI microbiome, and higher levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids. Human evidence studies and clinical trials were limited and predominantly of moderate risk of bias. The majority of in vitro studies with GI-derived samples and in vivo studies were reliable without restrictions in study design.

CONCLUSION

In vivo and in vitro studies show that buckwheat may have potential GI benefits due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential; however, human evidence remains limited, and its impact on health in humans remains to be elucidated in future trials.

Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids Improve Colon Lesions and Modulate Gut Microbiota Composition in Diabetic Mice

Tartary buckwheat flavonoids (TBFs) exhibit diverse biological activities, with antioxidant, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties. In this study, we investigated the role of TBFs in attenuating glucose and lipid disturbances in diabetic mice and hence preventing the occurrence of diabetes-related colon lesions in mice by regulating the gut microbiota. The results showed that TBFs (1) reversed blood glucose levels and body weight changes; (2) improved levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fasting insulin; and (3) significantly reduced diabetes-related colon lesions in diabetic mice. In addition, TBFs also affected the diabetes-related imbalance of the gut microbiota and enriched beneficial microbiota, including Akkermansia and Prevotella. The TBF also selectively increased short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Roseburia and Odoribacter, and decreased the abundance of the diabetes-related gut microbiota, including Escherichia, Mucispirillum, and Bilophila. The correlation analysis indicated that TBFs improved metabolic parameters related to key communities of the gut microbiota. Our data suggested that TBFs alleviated glucose and lipid disturbances and improved colon lesions in diabetic mice, possibly by regulating the community composition of the gut microbiota. This regulation of the gut microbiota composition may explain the observed effects of TBFs to alleviate diabetes-related symptoms.

Silybum marianum seed extract supplementation positively affects the body weight of weaned piglets by improving voluntary feed intake

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Silybum marianum seed (SMS) extract on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal noxious gas emission, and hematology parameters in weaned piglets. A total of 120, 21-day-old weaned piglets ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were randomly assigned to 3 groups based on the average initial body weight (6.46 ± 0.45 kg). There were 8 replicate pens per treatment and 5 pigs (mixed sex) per pen. The experimental period was 42 days. Dietary groups included a basal diet, and a basal diet supplemented with 0.05% or 0.10% SMS extract. Feeding weaned piglets with SMS extract containing diet significantly increased average daily gain and average daily feed intake. Additionally, the supplementation of SMS extract had no significant effects on nutrient digestibility, serum hematology, and fecal noxious gas emission parameters. We considered that the supplementation of SMS extract had positive effects on the voluntary feed intake in weaned piglets, thus improving growth performance.

Identification of Tartary Buckwheat Varieties Suitable for Forage via Nutrient Value Analysis at Different Growth Stages

It is important to select buckwheat varieties suitable for foraging and determining their best harvest time as increasing attention was paid to the forage value of buckwheat. Here, eight tartary buckwheat varieties were identified as suitable for forage based on their potential forage value through assaying the contents of ash, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, nitrogen free extract, calcium, phosphorus, total flavonoids, and rutin in these tartary buckwheat varieties at flowering, pustulation, and mature stages, respectively. In addition, analysis of relative feed value (RFV), relative forage quality (RFQ), and principal component analysis (PCA) based on the assayed contents was applied for comprehensive evaluation of these tartary buckwheat varieties. Results showed that all the eight tartary buckwheat varieties possessed potential high forage value as their RFV is from 121.31% to 217.39% and RFQ from 117.26% to 224.54% at all three stages. In particular, both RFV and RFQ values of PS-07 reached the highest at the flowering stage among the eight tartary buckwheat varieties, followed by CQ-3 and EWPS. Accordingly, the comprehensive scoring of principal component values of PS-07 and CQ-3 are relatively higher at the flowering stage. Our research thus revealed that the eight tartary buckwheat varieties are all suitable for forage, and also provided an experimental basis for selecting the eight tartary buckwheat varieties harvested at different growth stages for livestock forage.

Effects of novel microecologics combined with traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics on growth performance and health of broilers

In this study, we prepared a kind of novel microecologics, namely Chinese medicine-probiotic compound microecological preparation (CPCMP), which is composed of 5 traditional Chinese medicine herbs (Galla Chinensis, Andrographis paniculata, Arctii Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Schizonepeta tenuifolia) fermented by Aspergillus niger and a kind of compound probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum A37 and L. plantarum MIII). The effects of the CPCMP in broilers on growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health were investigated. A total of 450 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates, 15 birds per replicate. Treatments consisted of: blank control, CPCMP, positive control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, and probiotics groups, which were birds fed with basal diet supplemented with no extra additives, 0.2% CPCMP, 0.0035% chlortetracycline, 0.2% commercially available CPCMP, 0.2% fermented traditional Chinese medicines, and 0.2% compound probiotics, respectively. CPCMP obviously increased the average body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05, compared with any other group) and decreased the feed:gain ratio of broilers (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Moreover, it significantly increased glutathione peroxidase and secretory immunoglobulin A levels and spleen/bursa indices (P < 0.05 for all, compared with the blank control, commercial CPCMP, traditional Chinese medicine, or probiotics group). Villus heights in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were also elevated by CPCMP treatment (P < 0.05, compared with any other group). Furthermore, CPCMP substantially increased jejunal mRNA levels of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (P < 0.05, compared with the blank control, positive control, or probiotics group) and facilitated the growth and colonization of beneficial cecal bacteria, such as Olsenella, Barnesiella, and Lactobacillus. Overall results show that the CPCMP prepared in our work contributes to improving growth performance, serum parameters, immune function, and intestinal health of broilers and exerts synergistic effects of traditional Chinese medicines and probiotics to some extent. Our findings suggest that CPCMP is a promising antibiotic substitute in the livestock and poultry industry in the future.

Maximum levels of cross-contamination for 24 antimicrobial active substances in non-target feed. Part 9: Polymyxins: colistin

The specific concentrations of colistin in non-target feed for food-producing animals, below which there would not be an effect on the emergence of, and/or selection for, resistance in bacteria relevant for human and animal health, as well as the specific antimicrobial concentrations in feed which have an effect in terms of growth promotion/increased yield were assessed by EFSA in collaboration with EMA. Details of the methodology used for this assessment, associated data gaps and uncertainties, are presented in a separate document. To address antimicrobial resistance, the Feed Antimicrobial Resistance Selection Concentration (FARSC) model developed specifically for the assessment was applied. However, due to the lack of data on the parameters required to calculate the FARSC, it was not possible to conclude the assessment until further experimental data become available. To address growth promotion, data from scientific publications obtained from an extensive literature review were used. Levels of colistin in feed that showed to have an effect on growth promotion/increased yield were reported. It was recommended to carry out studies to generate the data that are required to fill the gaps which prevented the calculation of the FARSC for these antimicrobials.

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microbiota of weaning pigs

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including the use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21 d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P < 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008, respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039, respectively) and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005, respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on growth traits, slaughter performance, serum markers and intestinal bacterial community of Daheng broilers

Probiotics are expected to be an ideal alternative for antibiotics in the poultry industry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on growth traits, slaughter performance, serum markers and intestinal bacterial community of Daheng broilers. A total of 2400 healthy one-day-old Daheng broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates per group and 40 individuals per replicate. Birds in control group were fed a basal diet, and others were fed basal diets supplemented with 10⁵ , 10⁶ , 10⁷ and 10⁸  CFU/kg Lactobacillus plantarum, respectively. It turned out that adding Lactobacillus plantarum to diet could significantly improve the serum immune performance of broilers (p < 0.05), enhance the antioxidant capacity to a certain extent (p > 0.05), but had no significant effect on growth traits and slaughter performance. Moreover, Lactobacillus plantarum could improve the diversity of intestinal bacterial community, but with the increase of addition concentration, the diversity would gradually decrease. In conclusion, Lactobacillus plantarum can be used as feed additive in broiler production, but whether it is more effective than antibiotics needs further investigation.

Evaluation of Dietary Probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Fecal Gas Emission, and Fecal Microbiota in Weaning Pigs

Simple Summary

Since antibiotics are banned in animal feed in many countries, probiotics have received more attention as reliable alternatives. We mainly study the effect of adding Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001 on the performance of weaned piglets for 42 days. The results: weaning pigs fed diet supplementation with L. plantarum BG0001 significantly improved the growth performance and fecal microbiota, and achieved similar effects as antibiotic growth promoters. Therefore, we consider that L. plantarum BG0001 will have a good role in replacing antibiotic growth promoters in swine feed. It can bring potentially huge economic income to the animal husbandry industry.

Abstract

A total of 180, 4-week-old crossbred weaning piglets ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc; 6.67 ± 1.40 kg) were used in a 42 day experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emission. All pigs were randomly allotted to one of four treatment diets in a completely randomized block design. Each treatment had nine replicates with five pigs/pen (mixed sex) Designated dietary treatments were as: (1) basal diet (NC), (2) NC + 0.2% antibiotics (chlortetracycline) (PC), (3) NC + 0.1% L. plantarum BG0001 (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) (NC1), (4) NC + 0.2% L. plantarum BG0001 (NC2). On d 42, BW and G:F were lower (p < 0.05) in pigs fed NC diet compared with PC diet and probiotic diets. Throughout this experiment, the average daily gain increased (p < 0.05) in pigs when fed with PC and probiotic diets than the NC diet. The average daily feed intake was higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed PC diet during day 0–7 and 22–42, and probiotic diets during day 0–7 compared with NC diet, respectively. The Lactobacillus count was increased and Escherichia coli count was decreased (p < 0.05) in the fecal microbiota of pigs fed probiotic diets, and E. coli were decreased (p < 0.05) when fed a PC diet compared with the NC diet on day 21. Moreover, the apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and the concentration of noxious gas emission had no negative effects by the probiotic treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with L. plantarum BG0001 significantly improved the growth performance, increased fecal Lactobacillus, and decreased E. coli counts in weaning pigs.

The effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy supplementation on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase levels in growing pigs

The specialization of swine production and the market demand for pigs at different growth stages makes road transportation inevitable. However, road transportation usually causes a stress response in pigs. It is reported that homeopathic remedies supplementation could alleviate the stress response in pigs. This study investigated the effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy (Convermax) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in growing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred 49-d-old growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 13.17 ± 0.02 kg were randomly allotted to 2 groups based on the initial body weight, containing 18 replicates with 5 pigs (mixed sex) in each. The pigs were fed dietary supplementation of a homeopathic remedy (Convermax) (0 or 200 mg/kg of feed, as-fed) for 35 d. On day 21, 45 pigs (70-d old; 25.25 ± 0.37 kg) were randomly selected from each group and assigned to either 2 hr of road transportation or no road transportation, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design. We found that road transportation led to an increase in the fecal coliform bacteria counts (P = 0.023) and serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.039) and a decrease in the serum SOD concentration (P < 0.001). However, supplementing homeopathic remedy (Convermax) to the diet of growing pigs increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.042), apparent nitrogen digestibility (P = 0.019), and serum SOD concentration (P = 0.007), whereas decreased serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.022). In brief, road transportation induced stress response for growing pigs and increased harmful bacteria counts in their intestines. Dietary supplementation of homeopathic remedy (Convermax) alleviated stress response, improved apparent nitrogen digestibility, and increased gain to feed ratio. However, no significant interactive effects between road transportation with or without dietary homeopathic remedy (Convermax) levels were observed on the detected parameters in growing pigs.

Timely Control of Gastrointestinal Eubiosis: A Strategic Pillar of Pig Health

The pig gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an open ecosystem in which microorganisms and their host are mutually involved and continually adapt to different factors and problems which may or may not be host dependent or due to the production system. The aim of the present review is to highlight the factors affecting the GIT microbial balance in young pigs, focusing on the pre- and post-weaning phases, to define a road map for improving pig health and the production efficiency of the food chain. Birth and weaning body weight, physiological maturation, colostrum and milk (composition and intake), genetic background, environmental stressors and management practices, antibiotic use and diet composition are considered. Overall, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effect that some factors, including weaning age, the use of creep feed, the composition of the colostrum and milk and the use of antibiotics, may have on the gut microbiome of piglets. Furthermore, the information on the gut microbiome of piglets is mainly based on the taxonomy description, while there is a lack of knowledge regarding the functional modification of the microbiota, essential for the exploitation of microbiota potential for modulating pig physiology.

Lactobacillus salivarius, a Potential Probiotic to Improve the Health of LPS-Challenged Piglet Intestine by Alleviating Inflammation as Well as Oxidative Stress in a Dose-Dependent Manner During Weaning Transition

Intestinal health is a critical issue for piglets during their weaning transition period. Previous reports have emphasized the promise of distinct probiotics in improving the enteric health. Here in this research, a newly isolated Lactobacillus salivarius strain was pretreated to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets and its association with integrity of the intestinal barrier coupled with effective dosage were expected to be signified. In the present study, 72 piglets (Landrace × Yorkshiere × Duroc) were randomly allotted to four groups, each group with six replicates. The subjects in the control group were provided with basal diet while those in other tested groups with extra 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% L. salivarius, respectively. Fourteen days later, LPS was intraperitoneally injected and sodium pentobarbital was then delivered to euthanize those LPS-challenged piglets. An increase of average daily gain and body weight along with an apparent decline of diarrhea rate were observed in L. salivarius-treated groups. Both 0.1 and 0.2% L. salivarius supplement in total diet had the capability to markedly elevate levels of CAT, GSH-Px, SOD, anti-inflammatory cytokine from the serum as well as tight junction proteins (Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1) extracted from intestine in LPS-challenged piglets. These changes were accompanied by the obvious downregulation of D-lactic acid, DAO, MDA and pro-inflammatory mediators in the serum, including IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Meanwhile, the expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were significantly lower whereas the oxidation-related gene, ho-1 was up-regulated with L. salivarius administration. Our findings suggested that relatively high dose L. salivarius (0.1–0.2%) could regulate the progression of inflammatory response and oxidative stress when individuals were exposed to LPS, thus probably offering valuable assistance in restoring barrier function and improving overall performance.

Effects of Fermented Tea Residue on Fattening Performance, Meat Quality, Digestive Performance, Serum Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Morphology in Fatteners

Simple Summary

Tea residue is the remaining residue of tea after drinking or deep processing. With the annual consumption of tea, a large amount of discarded tea residue is produced. If the tea residue is not effectively utilized, it will cause not only environmental pollution, but also represent a waste of resources. In this study, strains of Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to produce fermented tea residue (FTR). Different levels of FTR were used instead of corn and soybean meal. The resulting product was used to feed pigs bred for rapid growth, also known as fatteners. We explored its effects on growth performance, digestion performance, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology in fatteners. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for the future use of FTR as a feed material.

Abstract

This study investigated the dietary supplementation of tea residue fermented by Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to explore its effects on growth performance, digestion performance, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology in pigs bred for rapid growth, also known as fatteners. One hundred and ninety-two healthy “Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire” ternary hybrid pigs (body weight 70 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly divided into four groups according to the feeding test requirements, with four replicates in each group, and 12 fatteners per replicate. The control group (CG) was fed the basal diet. Treatments 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3), comprising ratios of 10%, 15%, and 20% of tea residue were added to the basal diet. The test period was 60 days. The results showed that supplementation of FTR in fatteners’ diets increased final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the T1 and T2 groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the other groups, the lightness (L*) and pH were significantly affected in the T2 group (p < 0.05). Compared with the CG, dietary supplementation of FTR significantly increased the nutrient digestibility of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), improved the lipase and trypsin activities, and reduced drip loss and the shear force of fatteners (p < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly increased in the T2 and T3 groups compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation of FTR in the jejunum significantly increased the villi height of the T2 group and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth of the FTR groups. Compared with the other two groups, the T2 and T3 groups significantly reduced the ratio of the villous height to crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the tea residue after fermentation was shown to have beneficial effects on the fattening performance, digestion performance, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology of fatteners.