bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
152 Reducing the bioavailability of a mix of mycotoxins in broiler chickens with a clay- and algae-based decontaminant
Authors: Gallissot Marie , Rutjens Sofie , Rodriguez Maria , Devreese Mathias
Published: May 2024

Poultry feed is often contaminated with several mycotoxins that can impair animal health and performance, even at levels below the official guidance. The incorporation of mycotoxin decontaminants in the feed can limit these adverse effects. It is necessary to test the efficacy of these supplementations in vivo, but this requires specific experimental setups. The objective of this study was to test, in a validated toxicokinetic model, the ability of an algae-clay-based decontaminant to reduce the exposure of broilers to mycotoxin polycontamination (aflatoxin B1 – AFB1, ochratoxin A – OTA and deoxynivalenol, DON). The study included 16 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) of approximately 1.6 kg body weight (BW). After an acclimatization period of 1 wk, the broiler chickens were fasted for 12 h and then administered a single oral bolus with either the mycotoxins (n = 8) or the mycotoxins in combination with the decontaminant (n = 8; 2.0 mg AFB1/kg BW, 0.5 mg DON/kg BW, 0.25 mg OTA/kg BW, 2.5 g decontaminant/kg feed), administered in a parallel study design. Blood samples of the 16 broiler chickens were taken at different time points between 0 h (before administration) and 24 h (post administration; p.a.). The analysis of deoxynivalenol-3-sulphate (DON-3S, DON main metabolite), OTA and AFB1 in plasma was performed using UHPLC-MS/MS. The following parameters were calculated: area under the curve from time zero to the last point above the LOQ (AUC0→t), maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) and time at maximal plasma concentration (Tmax). Results showed that, using the oral bolus model, the mycotoxin decontaminant significantly altered the AUC0- >12h of DON-3S in broiler chicken (P = 0.012). The relative oral bioavailability [(average AUC0- >t mycotoxin + decontaminant/ average AUC0- >t mycotoxin) * 100] of DON-3S when administered with the decontaminant was 60.1%. For OTA, the decontaminant decreased the absorption of OTA as indicated by a significantly decreased AUC0- >24h (P < 0.001). Consequently, the relative oral bioavailability of OTA when administered with the decontaminant was lowered as well, namely 55.7%. For AFB1, the decontaminant affected the absorption of AFB1 with a significantly decreased AUC0- >8h (P < 0.001), Cmax (P < 0.001) and a significantly delayed Tmax (P = 0.025). Consequently, the relative oral bioavailability of AFB1 when administered with the decontaminant was 35.9%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the tested algae-clay based mycotoxin decontaminant reduces the oral absorption of multiple mycotoxins orally administered to broiler chickens in a single oral bolus model. These results are consistent with results obtained with DON in different experimental models (in vitro dynamics and in vivo performance) and confirm the efficacy of the decontaminant tested to control this mycotoxin in poultry production.
146 Comparing feeding strategies during heat stress in finishing pigs using a stochastic swine model
Authors: Aldenhoven Noud , Jaworski Neil W , Gutierrez Nestor A , Ferguson Neil S
Published: May 2024

Nutritionists may feed standard diets or increase dietary net energy (NE) and/or standardized ileal digestible lysine (SIDLys) to counter reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) due to heat stress in the late finishing phase. The objective of this work was to develop a set of statistical tools to analyze different grow-finish feeding strategies using the simulations from a proprietary stochastic swine model (Watson) when heat stress occurs during the last 2 wk of the finishing phase. Financial considerations were excluded from the study. Nutrient recommendations for maximum feed efficiency were derived from Watson and used to formulate a grower diet for 25 to 60 kg body weight (BW), and four finisher diets for 60 to 135 kg BW: a) thermoneutral (10 MJ NE/kg, 7.9 g/kg SIDLys), b) high AA (10 NE/kg, 9.2 g/kg SIDLys), c) high NE (10.5 MJ/kg NE, 7.9 g/kg SIDLys), and d) high NE and high AA (10.5 MJ NE/kg, 8.3 g/kg SIDLys). The grow-finish period was simulated by feeding the grower diet followed by the finisher diets in 5 different scenarios: 1) thermoneutral, diet a; 2) heat stress, diet a; 3) heat stress, diet a, and b during last 2 wk; 4) heat stress, diet a, and c during last 2 wk; 5) heat stress, diet a, and d during last 2 wk. Performance results were obtained by running each scenario 100 times, generating a new population per simulation. Results from scenarios 1) and 2 showed that heat stress in the last 2 wk reduced (P < 0.05) ADFI and average daily gain of pigs fed diet a by 790 g/d and 310 g/d, respectively. This resulted in a decrease of 4.79 kg in final BW, an increase of 0.64% lean yield, and a decrease of 0.80 mm back-fat at slaughter (P < 0.05). An increased dietary SIDLys (3), NE (4), or both (5) during heat stress did not affect BW compared with scenario 2 (P > 0.05). An increased NE (4) or NE and SIDLys (5) did not affect lean yield and back fat compared with scenario 2 (P > 0.1). But increased SIDLys during heat stress (3), increased lean yield (P = 0.04) and a trend in less back fat (P = 0.07) compared with scenario 2. In conclusion, pig performance was reduced with heat stress in the late finishing period. With the developed statistical tools, we determined from the simulations that none of the proposed strategies significantly increased final BW compared with the baseline (2). But feeding greater SIDLys will likely result in significantly greater lean yield and less back fat. When formulating diets with greater nutrient density attention to ingredient cost and pig prices should be considered.
151 Use of a clay and algae-based decontaminant on sows naturally exposed to mycotoxins in gestation and lactation
Authors: Gallissot Marie , Perez Jeremy , Parr Eric , Welch Michael , Olsen Paul , Rodriguez Maria
Published: May 2024

Mycotoxin contamination in pig feed is a recurring problem leading to chronic exposure of the animals, even when mycotoxin levels are below official guidance (FDA, EFSA). Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivates are among the main mycotoxins impacting pig production in the United States. This study evaluated the effect of a clay- and algae-based mycotoxin decontaminant on the reproductive performance of sows (n = 207) exposed to chronic natural mycotoxin contamination from 35 d of gestation to weaning. The level of mycotoxins in the feed was measured using LC-MS/MS. A mean contamination of 956 ppb DON, 125 ppb 15-o-acteyl-DON, 338 ppb fumonisins B1 + B2 and 62 ppb zearalenone was reported. Despite a comparable starting body weight (BW) between the control (without decontaminant) and test (with decontaminant) groups at allotment (P = 0.67), sows in the test group had a greater BW than the control sows at entry in farrowing (P < 0.01), and a body condition score of 0.12 points greater (P = 0.04). More live-born piglets were observed in supplemented sows than in control sows (+4%; P < 0.01), as well as a smaller proportion of mummified and stillborn piglets (-39%; P < 0.05 and -34%, P < 0.01, respectively). In contrast, the BW and growth of piglets before weaning did not differ between groups (P > 0.10). These results indicate that the tested decontaminant can improve the body condition and farrowing performance of mycotoxin-exposed sows at levels below current recommendations.
148 Evaluating water characteristics and their effects on reducing water pH using citric acid
Authors: Corso Maxwell L , Woodworth Jason C , Tokach Mike D , Gebhardt Jordan T , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D
Published: May 2024

The goal of this experiment was to identify water characteristics that affect the ability to reduce pH when using water acidifiers. A total of 27 water samples from swine operations across the Midwest were collected and pH, Ca, and Mg were analyzed. Total hardness was calculated as the combined values of Ca and Mg and expressed in mg of CaCO3/L. Hardness values ranged from 142 mg CaCO3/L to 644 mg CaCO3/L, with an average hardness of 375 mg CaCO3/L. Initial sample pH ranged from 7.52 to 8.47 with an average value of 8.05. In triplicates, 10 mL of water from each source was titrated with citric acid (Citrasol Stock Booster, Northwest Livestock Distribution, Medina, MN) to reach a pH target of 5.0, 4.5, and 4.0 ± 0.05. The effects of individual characteristics were analyzed in R using the lm function to determine linear and quadratic relationships between water measurements and the amount of acid required to reach the target pH. As initial sample pH increased, a linear decrease in the amount of acid to reach the target pH of 4.0 was observed (P = 0.014, R2= 0.158). A significant but weak relationship (P = 0.016, R2= 0.179) between hardness and the amount of acid required to reach a pH of 4.0 was observed, where increasing hardness linearly increased the amount of acid required to reach a pH of 4.0. The quantity of Ca within the water source linearly increased (P = 0.023, R2= 0.159) the amount of acid required to reach a pH of 4.0 and a tendency for a quadratic relationship (P = 0.070, R2= 0.238) was also observed between Ca concentration of the water source and the amount of acid to reach a pH of 4.0. Magnesium concentrations also tended to linearly increase the amount of acid required to reach a final pH of 4.0 (P = 0.057, R2= 0.103). Titrating to either a pH of 5.0 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.974) or 4.5 (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.990) also will predict the amount of acid required to reach a pH of 4.0. In conclusion, water hardness, Ca, Mg, and initial pH do not fully predict the amount of acid required to reduce water samples to a target pH of 4.0; however, weak relationships were observed that can partially explain the variation in acid requirements. These data suggest that acid titrations of water samples are required and should be site specific to establish an estimate for how much acid is required to reach a water pH of 4.0.
183 Evaluation of phytogenic formulations on intestinal health and the performance of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli.
Authors: Duarte Yesid R Garavito , Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study was to evaluate phytogenic formulations on intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli. Weaned pigs [n = 40; initial body weight (BW) = 6.4 ± 0.1 kg] at 21 d of age were individually housed and assigned to 4 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design, with initial BW and sex as blocking factors. Basal diets were formulated following NRC (2012) and fed to pigs for 28 d in 3 phases (P1:11 d, P2:10 d and P3:7 d). Treatments were NC: basal diet, non-challenge; PC: basal diet, challenged with F18+E. coli; AV1: basal diet supplemented with 1% phytobiotic containing herbal extracts and essential oils in powder form, challenged with F18+E. coli; AV2: basal diet + 1% phytobiotic containing herbal extracts and essential oils in liquid form, challenged with F18+E. coli. Growth performance and fecal score (FS) were measured weekly. On d 7, the challenged groups were orally inoculated with F18+E. coli (2.0 × 1010), whereas unchallenged pigs received a sterile saline solution. On d 28, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal samples to evaluate inflammatory status, oxidative stress, and diversity and relative abundance of mucosa-associated microbiota. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure on SAS 9.4. During the post-challenge period, PC decrease (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) when compared with NC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) FS during d 7 to 11 when compared with NC, whereas AV1 and AV2 decreased (P < 0.05) FS during d 7 to 11 when compared with PC. The AV1 decreased (P < 0.05) Chao1 and Shannon indexes when compared with PC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae compared with NC. The AV1 reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae, Prevotellaceae, Lachnospiraceae and tended to reduce (P = 0.062) the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae when compared with PC. The AV2 tended to reduce the relative abundance of Streptococcaceae (P = 0.073) and Ruminococcaceae (P = 0.074) when compared with PC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) occludin and tended to increase (P = 0.096) TLR4 when compared with NC. The AV1 tended to increase (P = 0.053) protein carbonyl when compared with PC. In conclusion, F18+E. coli challenge increased FS, disrupted the mucosa-associated microbiota, increased TLR4 expression, consequently reduced growth performance of pigs. The AV1 showed promise in reducing oxidative stress during F18+E. coli challenge, seen through decreased protein carbonyl levels possibly due to alterations on mucosa-associated microbiota, although without affecting growth performance. The AV2 had a moderate impact on reducing FS and altering mucosa-associated microbiota, without effect on growth performance.
182 Evaluation of the effects of F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli intestinal attachment in nursery pigs
Authors: Due Elizabeth M , Burrough Eric R , Helm Emma , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: May 2024

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections are a leading cause of post-weaning diarrhea and poor performance in nursery pigs. ETEC fimbriae regulate binding to epithelial cells and subsequent intestine colonization, commonly F18 in post-weaned pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate F18 ETEC ileal attachment in relation to growth performance and intestinal integrity and function around peak infection. Following 10 d of acclimation to a common diet, 24 individually housed, mixed sex weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 5.7 ± 0.44 kg] were randomly allotted across 4 treatment groups (n=6/treatment). On day post inoculation (dpi) 0, pigs were non-inoculated (CON) or orally inoculated with 5 mL of F18 ETEC (LT, STb, Stx2, STx2e positive) at either 107 colony-forming units [CFU)/mL (LOW), 108 CFU/mL (MED] or 109 CFU/mL (HIGH). Over a 5-dpi period, fecal scores [scale: 0 (dry) – 3 (watery)] and feed intakes were measured daily. Body weights were recorded on dpi 0 and 5 to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). On dpi 5, all pigs were euthanized, ileal contents and feces was assessed for F18 gene abundance via PCR, and fixed ileal sections were evaluated for morphology changes, stem cell proliferation (Ki67), and F18 ETEC attachment via in situ hybridization. Further, ex vivo ileal tissue integrity and function was assessed via Ussing chambers by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER), 4.4 kDa FITC-Dextran (FD4) flux and active glucose and glutamine transport. Pig was considered the experimental unit, and data were analyzed for the fixed effects of treatment. Over this 5 dpi challenge period, ADG, ADFI, and G:F did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Compared with the CON, mean fecal scores were greatest in MED followed by the LOW and HIGH treatments (P = 0.028). Ileal pH tended to be greater in the HIGH compared with the MED, LOW and CON (7.8, 7.6, 7.5 and 7.3, respectively, P = 0.08). Compared with the CON, decreased Ct values were reported for the LOW, MED, and HIGH groups for fecal (32, 19, 18, 20, respectively; P < 0.001) and ileal (28, 19, 19, 18, respectively; P = 0.019) F18 gene abundances, respectively. Ileal F18 attachment was greatest in the HIGH group compared with CON, with LOW and MED being intermediate (P = 0.011). The immunohistochemistry stem cell marker Ki67 was lleast in HIGH compared with CON, LOW and MED treatments (P < 0.01). Ileal histology, active glucose and glutamine, TER and FD4 did not differ (P > 0.05). F18 attachment was negatively correlated with ileal (R = -0.706, P < 0.001) and fecal (R = -0.713, P < 0.001) F18 CT values, and positively correlated with ileal pH (R = 0.536, P < 0.01). In conclusion, F18 ileal attachment increased as challenge dose increased. However, at 5-dpi no effect on growth performance or ileal function and integrity was observed.
179 Effects of Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics on intestinal health of newly weaned pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli.
Authors: Gormley Alexa R , Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics (celluTEIN, Puretein Biosecience LLC, Minneapolis, MN, USA) on the intestinal health and growth performance of newly weaned pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli. Nursery pigs [n =36; initial body weight (BW) = 6.42 ± 0.33 kg BW] were allotted into three dietary treatments utilizing a randomized complete block design with sex and initial BW as blocks. The dietary treatments included a negative control (NC: basal diet, no challenge), a positive control (PC: basal diet, challenged with F18+ E. coli), and SYP (basal diet with Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics at 175 g/ton of feed, challenged with F18+ E. coli). Basal diets were formulated to meet NRC (2012) requirements with Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics replacing corn in the basal diet. Pigs were fed for 28 d in 3 phases (P1: 11 d, P2: 10 d, P3: 7 d). Pigs in PC and Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics were orally inoculated with F18+ E. coli (2.0 × 1010 CFU), whereas the NC group received sterile saline, given in 4 doses beginning on d 7 after weaning. Throughout, fecal score, BW, and feed intake were recorded to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). At d 28, all pigs were euthanized for sampling of the jejunal mucosa to analyze oxidative stress and immune status, as well as microbiota diversity and relative abundance. Data were analyzed using the Proc Mixed in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC). Overall, PC reduced (P < 0.05) the BW, ADG, and ADFI of pigs. The SYP had a tendency (P = 0.098) to improve the ADFI of pigs challenged with F18+ E. coli. The fecal score of pigs fed SYP were improved (P < 0.05) on d 7 to 18 of the post-challenge period when compared with PC. Furthermore, SYP reduced protein carbonyl (P < 0.05), reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae, and had a tendency to increase Leuconostocaceae (P = 0.090), Streptococcaceae (P = 0.068), Corynebacteriaceae (P = 0.085), and had a tendency to reduce (P = 0.077) Ruminococcaceae when compared with PC. Additionally, SYP reduced (P < 0.05) gene expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and increased (P < 0.05) gene expression mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), when compared with PC. In conclusion, challenge with F18+ E. coli increased fecal score, disrupted the microbiota composition in the jejunal mucosa, and increased gene expression associated with recognition of pathogens, without any impact on inflammation; therefore, negatively affecting growth performance. Saccharomyces yeast postbiotics could reduce the negative effects associated with F18+ E. coli infection by altering microbial diversity and reducing inflammation associated with expression of TLR4, and oxidative stress products, without changes in growth.
181 Effects of Soy protein concentrate replacing conventional soybean meal on intestinal health and growth of newly weaned pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli.
Authors: Deng Zixiao , Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: May 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of various levels of soy protein concentrate (SPC) replacing conventional soybean meal (SBM) on various parameters related to intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs under F18+ Escherichia coli challenge. Newly weaned pigs [n = 72; initial body weight (BW) = 6.6 ± 0.3 kg] were randomly allotted to 6 treatment groups based on randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks and fed for 25 d (P1/2 for 11/14 d, respectively). The treatment groups were 1) NC: a diet with conventional SBM, 2) PC: NC with F18+ E. coli challenge at d 7 (2.1 × 1010 CFU); 3) T1: PC with 5% SPC replacing conventional SBM; 4) T2: PC with 10% SPC replacing conventional SBM; 55) T3: NC with 10% SPC replacing conventional SBM, and 6) AGP: PC with 0.25% bacitracin methylene disalicylate. At the end of study, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal tissues to measure parameters related to intestinal health. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure in SAS. The PC decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) on d 7 to d 25 (post-challenge) compared with NC. The T2 decreased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI on post-challenge period compared with T3. The ADG tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.067) and ADFI linearly decrease (P < 0.05) on post-challenge period with increasing SPC supplementation replacing SBM in the diets. The E. coli challenge increased (P < 0.05) fecal score in PC, and T2 treatments compared with NC, and T3, respectively. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in jejunal mucosa linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing SPC supplementation replacing SBM in nursery diets under E. coli challenge. The PC decreased (P < 0.05) interleukin-8 (IL-8) compared with NC. The PC (P = 0.078) and T3 (P = 0.099) tended to decrease immunoglobulin A (IgA) compared with NC. The AGP increased (P < 0.05) IgA compared with PC. The AGP increased (P < 0.05) the expression of occludin (OC) compared with PC. The expression of OC tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.099) with increasing SPC supplementation replacing SBM in nursery diets under E. coli challenge. The T2 increased (P < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) compared with T3. In conclusion, supplementation of SPC replacing SBM in the diet did not alleviate the deleterious effect of E. coli challenge on growth performance nursery pigs, which might be contributed by reduced feed intake. Additionally, supplementation of SPC seems to exacerbate the negative effect of E. coli challenge with increased intestinal inflammation and intestinal disintegration.
175 Impact of common dietary strategies on piglet growth and scouring with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 challenge
Authors: Hagen Chloe S , Greiner Laura L
Published: May 2024

This experiment evaluated the impact of various dietary treatments on the growth and scouring of piglets post-wean and following an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 infection (ETEC). A total of 240 pigs (PIC 337 x 1050, Genus, Henderson, TN) were randomly assigned to 40 mixed-sex pens (6 pigs/pen) for a 6-wk experiment. At arrival, all pigs were genotyped for fucosyltransferase (FUT1). Pens were assigned to five dietary treatments: NC (standard nursery diet without Zinc or carbadox, 22.31% CP, 1.46 SID Lys in Period 1); PC (NC + 3,750 ppm zinc oxide and carbadox); LCP (NC with low crude protein, 19.5% CP, 1.3% SID Lys in Period 1); FIB (NC with 8% wheat middlings); and Zinc (NC + 3,750 zinc oxide). Pig body weight (BW), feed disappearance, and feed conversion were evaluated for four periods: d 0-7, 7-14, 14-21, and 21-42. Scour scores were recorded daily for the first 28 d of the experiment to calculate weekly percentage of days scouring (scouring percentage). Pigs received a common diet from d 21-42. All pigs were orally inoculated with a field strain of ETEC on d 14 of the experiment. Blood was collected (8 mL) from one ETEC susceptible pig per pen on d 14 and 17, with a separate susceptible pig collected on d 20. These two pigs were euthanized on d 17 and 20, respectively, for tissue collection. Fecal swabs from susceptible pigs were collected on d 14, 16, 18, and 20 to measure ETEC shedding. Blood samples were analyzed for inflammatory markers, and villi: crypt within the ileum were measured. Data were analyzed using mixed model methods (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Fixed effects of dietary strategy, experimental period, and the interaction were included for growth performance and scouring percentage. While overall growth performance was not significantly impacted by treatment, scouring percentage was impacted by treatment, period, and treatment x period interaction (P < 0.01). In the first week post-weaning (d 0-7), NC had the greatest scouring percentage (50%), while PC and LCP had the least (21.4%, P = < 0.01). For d 7-14, NC had the greatest scouring percentage (33.9%), while PC (P < 0.01%) and Zinc (14.3%) had the leastt. Post ETEC inoculation (d 14-21), fiber had the greatest scouring percentage (P < 0.01, 28.6%), with PC (5.4%) and Zinc (8.9%) having the least, and LCP (16.1%) and NC (21.4%) being intermediate. Interestingly, 1 wk post-ETEC inoculation, LCP had the greatest scouring percentage (30.4%), with PC (5.4%), NC (7.1%), and fiber (3.6%) having the least. Although LCP treatments initially reduced scours after weaning, they exhibited a delayed scouring response to ETEC infection compared with FIB, with an elevated scouring percentage persisting up to d 21-28.
176 Impact of dietary crude protein level and water-based arginine on piglet growth and scouring with an Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 challenge
Authors: Hagen Chloe S , Greiner Laura L
Published: May 2024

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of dietary crude protein (CP) level and water-based arginine (Arg) on the growth performance and scouring of piglets post wean and following an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 infection (ETEC). A total of 240 pigs (PIC 337 x 1050, Genus, Henderson, TN) were randomly assigned to 40 mixed-sex pens (6 pigs/pen) for a 6-wk experiment. At arrival, all pigs were genotyped for fructosyltransferase (FUT1). Pens were assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial, with two crude protein levels (standard: 23% vs. low: 19.5%, for period 1) and two water treatments (absence or presence (8, 6, and 4% stock dosed through 1:128 proportioner for wk 1, 2, and 3, respectively) of Arg in water. Pig body weight (BW), feed disappearance (average daily feed intake; ADFI), and feed conversion (gain to feed ratio; G:F) were evaluated for four periods: d 0-7, 7-14, 14-21, and 21-42. Scour scores were recorded daily for the first 28 d to calculate weekly percentage of days scouring (scouring percentage). On d 21, water and dietary treatments ceased, and pigs received a common diet. All pigs were orally inoculated with a field strain of ETEC for two consecutive days on d 15 and 16 of the experiment. One pig per pen had blood collected (8mL via jugular) and was euthanized on d 14 before ETEC. Blood was collected via a jugular vein from another pig confirmed to be susceptible to ETEC on d 15, 17, and 22. The same pig was euthanized for tissue collection on d 22. Fecal swabs from 1 susceptible pig per pen were collected on d 15, 17, 19, and 22 for measurement of ETEC shedding. Blood samples were analyzed for inflammatory markers, and villi: crypt within the ileum were measured. Data were analyzed using mixed model methods (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Growth performance and scouring percentage included the fixed effects of CP level, water treatment, experimental period, and their interactions. Reducing the CP of diets reduced the overall G:F of pigs (P < 0.01, standard: 0.73, low: 0.71). The percentage of days scouring tended to be influenced by the interaction between water and period (P = 0.06); specifically, when arginine (Arg) was present in the water, there was a numerically greater scouring percentage for all periods, except for the final period (d 21-28). Confirming the success of the ETEC challenge, period significantly impacted scouring percentage (P < 0.01), where piglets experienced the greatest scouring percentage (59%) during the week following ETEC inoculation, compared with the least in the week preceding inoculation (22%). In conclusion, low CP diets reduced overall G:F, but neither CP or Arg showed benefit in terms of scouring.
178 Effects of L-glutamate and L-aspartate supplementation on systemic and intestinal immune responses of weaned piglets challenged with F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge
Authors: Wongchanla Supatirada , Park Sangwoo , Kim Kwangwook , Sun Shuhan , Li Xunde , Liu Yanhong
Published: May 2024

L-glutamate (Glu) and L-aspartate (Asp) are pivotal components in the cellular metabolic pathways and immune regulation of pigs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Glu and Asp on systemic and intestinal immune responses of weaned piglets challenged with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18. A total of 49 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 8.18 ± 1.54 kg] were randomly assigned to one of seven treatments, with seven piglets per treatment. The treatments included negative control (NC) and positive control (PC) that were fed with control diet without or with F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge, respectively. The other five dietary treatments were supplemented with either 1% or 2% Glu or Asp, or 50 mg/kg of Carbadox, and were challenged with ETEC. All pigs except for NC were challenged with F18 ETEC orally for three consecutive days at the dose of 1010 CFU•dose-1•d-1. The study period lasted for 3 wk, with a 7-d adaptation period and 14 d post-inoculation (PI). Blood samples were collected on d 0 before ETEC inoculation, and on d 2, 5, and 14 PI to analyze systemic inflammatory markers by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. On d 14 PI, intestinal mucosa from jejunum and ileum were collected to analyze the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. All data were analyzed with ANOVA using the PROC MIXED of SAS with pig as the experimental unit. Among all treatments, pigs fed with carbadox had the least (P < 0.05) serum TNF-α, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein throughout the experiment. Pigs supplemented with 1% Glu had similar concentrations of TNF-α, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein, while pigs fed with 2% Asp had similar serum haptoglobin compared with pigs fed with carbadox. Compared with PC, supplementing Glu and Asp reduced (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of IL12 in jejunal mucosa. Pigs fed with carbadox tended to have greater (P < 0.10) expression of IFNG in ileal mucosa than pigs in PC, while no difference was observed in IFNG expression among 1% Glu, 1% or 2% Asp, and carbadox groups. In addition, pigs fed with 1% Glu or 2% Asp had greater (P < 0.05) expression of IL12 in ileal mucosa than pigs in PC. However, dietary treatments did not affect the gene expression of TNFA, IL1B and TGFB in jejunal and ileal mucosa of pigs. In conclusion, results of the present study indicate that dietary supplementation of 1% Glu or 2% Asp affected both systemic and intestinal immune responses of ETEC challenged weaned pigs with similar trend as the supplementation of carbadox.
184 The metabolism of vitamin D is modulated by vitamin C supplementation during porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome challenge in post-weaning piglets
Authors: Dalto Danyel Bueno , Guay Frédéric , Gagnon Carl A , Cloutier Laetitia , Létourneau-Montminy Marie-Pierre
Published: May 2024

This study evaluated the impact of different dietary vitamin D sources combined or not with vitamin C on serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations and the expression of genes related to antimicrobial peptides and to the metabolism of vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P). From weaning (d 21) until d 68, 27 piglets were fed a post-weaning diet supplemented with: 1,500 IU of vitamin D3 (CTR; n = 9); 200 IU of vitamin D3 + 2,000 IU of 25(OH)D3 (HD; n = 8); or HD + 500 mg/kg of vitamin C (HD+C; n = 10). From d 40 to 68 piglets were exposed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) using a natural disease challenge model. At d 68, after blood collection, all piglets were euthanized for the collection of lung and kidney samples. The concentrations of serum 25(OH)D3 were determined by HPLC and the mRNA expression of genes of interest was assessed by qPCR. Data were analyzed in a one-way analysis of variance with three treatments. At d 40 (after 19 d of supplementation), serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were greatest for HD+C (22.48 ± 1.25 ng/mL), intermediate for HD (17.43 ± 0.84 ng/mL), and least for CTR (8.54 ± 0.65 ng/mL) treatments (P < 0.01). At d 68 (after 28 d of PRRS challenge) these values were greatest for HD (14.64 ± 2.77 ng/mL), intermediate for CTR (6.22 ± 0.59 ng/mL), and least for HD+C (2.18 ± 0.13 ng/mL; P < 0.01). No treatments effect was detected on pulmonary CYP27B1, RXRα, SLC23A1, RIGI, PR-39, and pBD1. In lungs, VDR expression was least for HD+C (P ≤ 0.06) whereas MDA5 expression was greatest for HD+C (P ≤ 0.07), and SLC23A2 expression was greatest for HD (P ≤ 0.09; Table 1). No treatments effect was detected on expression of renal FGFR1, KL, RXRα, SLC23A1, SLC23A2, and TPRV5. In kidney, CYP27B1 expression was greatest for HD+C groups (P = 0.03) and CYP24A expression was greatest for HD (P = 0.01). Renal EGR1 and NPT2c expressions were greatest for CTR groups and least for HD+C (P = 0.09) whereas WNK4 expression was greatest for HD+C and least for CTR (P = 0.10). Renal VDR expression was greatest for HD groups and least for HD+C (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, vitamin C supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in pre-challenged piglets. These concentrations were reduced by vitamin C supplementation after PRRS challenge, which may be related to a greater synthesis of the active form of vitamin D in the kidney. Little effects were detected on pulmonary antimicrobial peptides, but the gene expression related to renal P reabsorption was influenced by HD+C whereas Ca reabsorption was apparently not impacted by treatments.
180 Dietary milk fat globule membrane alters intestinal microbiota of neonatal piglet following lipopolysaccharide challenge and marker of neuroinflammation
Authors: Zheng Rui , Yan Ming , Brown Rebecca , Yu Zhongtang , Jiménez-Flores Rafael , Jacobi Sheila K
Published: May 2024

Early life stress exposure can increase morbidity and reduce animal wellbeing throughout life. Dysregulated gut function has been associated with neurological changes, and neurological changes affect gut homeostasis. Maternal milk is the gold-standard for yielding developmental benefits to offspring. Identification of milk components has led to an understanding of the bioactive nutrients important in neonatal development. Components of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) contribute immensely to neonatal gut health and neurodevelopment. However, mechanisms of actions are still being defined. The objective is to understand how dietary MFGM modulates the gut microbiota, blood-brain barrier tight junctions, and brain inflammatory markers following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Piglets (n = 24, one-d-old) were assigned to soy (CON) or MFGM phospholipid supplemented diet (0.75% wt/wt) ± LPS (100 µg/kg body weight) in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 6 animals•diet-1•challenge-1.). Piglets were fed for 21 d and 6 animals/diet received saline or LPS injections 4 h before euthanasia. Colonic microbiota was characterized through 16s rRNA gene sequencing, while hypothalamus samples were collected to evaluate brain barrier function and inflammation-related genes using RT-qPCR. Microbiota data were processed using QIIME2 with DADA2 plugin and analyzed for alpha-diversity, beta-diversity, and differential abundance in R software. Gene transcription data were analyzed by a 2 × 2 experimental factorial design using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Principal coordinates analysis indicated that MFGM-fed groups exhibited an observable separation from CON-fed groups in terms of microbial community structures (P < 0.05). Firmicutes_A, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes_D were the predominant phyla across all treatments, with average proportions to be 52.21 %, 24.36 %, and 18.46 %, respectively. At genus level, MFGM + Saline group down-regulated Corynebacterium by 88.00 % (q < 0.05) and Unclassified Muribaculaceae by 73.33 % (0.050.05). However, there was an MFGM × LPS interaction (P < 0.05) observed for nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor alpha, in which MFGM attenuated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA relative abundance (3.62 and 2.39 ± 0.38). In conclusion, dietary MFGM altered neonatal piglet intestinal microbiota and an important signaling molecule of the neuroinflammatory response following LPS challenge.
188 A combination of green tea and butyric acid as a potential alternative for zinc oxide improves gut microbiota composition and growth performance in weaning pigs
Authors: Cho Sungbo , Vasquez Robie , Song Ji Hoon , Kang Dae-Kung , Kim In Ho
Published: May 2024

Antibiotic growth promotor (AGP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) has been shown to inhibit bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, resulting in improved animal growth performance and reduced post-weaning diarrhea but, their usage should be minimized at pig farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of green tea and butyric acid (hereafter called Gutluk) as alternative BSH inhibitors on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, blood profile, and gut microbiota of weaning pigs. A total of 192 weaned pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc)] were divided into six groups. Dietary treatments were NC, Basal diet; PC1, Basal diet + 0.2% antibiotics (colistin); PC2, Basal diet + 2,000ppm ZnO; TRT1, Basal diet + 0.05% Gutluk; TRT2, Basal diet + 0.10% Gutluk; TRT3, Basal diet + 0.20% Gutluk. After 4 wk of the trial, fresh fecal samples were collected from the rectum for microbiome analysis. TRT3 improved average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) at wk 3 and 4. The digestibility, white blood cell, red blood cell, lymphocyte percentage, blood urea nitrogen, fecal score and diarrhea score of weaned pigs were not affected by the addition of Gutluk. The treatment groups showed decreased TNF-α and IL-6 (P < 0.05) while immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG) increased (P < 0.05). GutLuk significantly enriched Bifidobacterium (P < 0.01). Conversely, GutLuk reduced the abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 6, Marvinbryantia, and Clostridia vadinBB60 group, and marginally reducing Muribaculaceae, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus. The correlation analysis also revealed that the abundance of secondary bile acid biosynthesis had a strong positive correlation with Marvinbryantia, Enterococcus, Clostridium sensu stricto 6, Lactobacillus, and Clostridia vadinBB60 (P < 0.001). The ADG of the pigs also exhibited a slight negative correlation with secondary bile acid biosynthesis. These results indicated that the supplementation of GutLuk had an inhibitory effect on the BSH activity of certain gut microbiota. Consequently, A combination of green tea and butyric acid can be effective alternatives of AGP and ZnO in early weaning pig diet to improve growth performance, immune response, oxidative stress, diarrhea score and gut microbiota.
190 Phytogenic feed additive improved growth performance and health of nursery pigs in diets with and without combination of several feed additives
Authors: May Sabrina , Vega Caroline Gonzalez , Smith Brooke , Moran Kory , Teddy Ellyn
Published: May 2024

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that a phytogenic feed additive (Fresta Protect, Delacon, Austria) would improve growth performance and health indices of nursery pigs fed diets with or without other feed additives. Weaned pigs (n = 1,380; 19 d old with initial body weight (BW) = 5.5 ± 0.3 kg] were allotted to 10 replicate pens per treatment (23 pigs per pen) in 2 barns. Pens were blocked by location within barn and randomly allotted to one of 6 treatments: 1) Basal nursery feed without other feed additives (NC), 2) NC + 0.1% phytogenic (NC+P0.1), 3) Basal nursery feed with other feed additives such as organic acids, antioxidants, and blend of preservatives (PC), 4) PC + 0.05% phytogenic (PC+P0.05), 5) PC + 0.1% phytogenic (PC+P0.1), or 6) PC + 0.2% phytogenic (PC+P0.2). The experiment lasted for 39 d, with pigs fed experimental diets during phase 1 (d 0-10) and 2 (d 10-23) and a common diet without addition of PC or phytogenic during phase 3 (d 23-39). Pig and feed weights were recorded at the beginning and end of each phase. Performance data were analyzed using the lme4 package of R with treatment as fixed effect and barn and pen location within barn as random effects. Contrasts were used to test linear and quadratic effects of phytogenic in PC diets (diets 3 to 6), and diets 1, 2, 3, and 5 were used to compare main effects of phytogenic, diet type, and interaction between phytogenic and diet type. Results indicated that pigs fed diets with phytogenic, regardless of diet type, had increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) in phase 1, final BW, ADG, and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in phase 2, as well as overall ADG and ADFI. The changes observed in final BW and ADFI in phase 2 had a quadratic response (P < 0.05) as dietary inclusion of phytogenic increased, whereas overall ADG linearly increased (P < 0.05) with greater levels of phytogenic supplementation (Table 1). In phase 2, the phytogenic supplementation increased G:F to a greater extent when diets did not contain other feed additives compared with PC diets (phytogenic x feed type interaction: P < 0.05). Phytogenic supplementation numerically reduced mortality. Pigs fed PC diets, regardless of inclusion of phytogenic, had increased (P < 0.05) final BW, ADG, and G:F in phase 1, final BW, ADG, and ADFI in phase 2, and overall ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed NC diets. In conclusion, phytogenic supplementation with an optimal dietary inclusion of 0.1% improved growth performance, regardless of supplementation of other feed additives in the diet, and diets containing additional feed additives further improved performance of pigs.
189 Combination of organic acid and monoglyceride blend improved growth performance in nursery pigs with and without added antibiotics and ZnO
Authors: Chen Ying , Whitney Mark , Wolfenden Ross
Published: May 2024

This study was to investigate the effects of supplementing a combination of organic acid and monoglyceride additives in feed with and without added antibiotics and pharmacological levels of ZnO on growth performance of nursery pigs. Pigs (n = 1,008; 21 d of age with initial body weight (BW) = 5.8] were assigned to 4 treatments (n = 12, 21 pigs/pen, mixed sex) following 2 × 2 factorial experiment design and fed for 42 d in 4 phases (d 0-8, d 9-21, d 22-35, and d 36-42, respectively). Treatments were 1) Positive control (PC), basal diet with in-feed antibiotics in phase 1-3, and 3000 ppm of Zn in phase 1, 2000 ppm of Zn in phase 2 and 125 ppm of Zn in phase 3 and 4 (i.e., pharmacological levels); 2) PC supplemented with the combination of Acitra G20C (formic acid-based acid blend on inert carrier) and Entero-Nova 410C (blend of monoglycerides of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids on inert carrier), Acitra G20C was added at 3 kg/MT in phase 1 diet and 1.5 kg/MT in phase 2 diet, while Entero-Nova 410C was added at 3 kg/MT in phase 1 and 2 diets, and 1 kg/MT in phase 3 and 4 diets; 3) Negative control (NC), basal diet without in-feed antibiotics and pharmacological levels of ZnO; and 4) NC supplemented with the combination of Acitra G20C and Entero-Nova 410C (same supplementation rate as Treatment 2). Diets contained nutrients meeting or exceeding NRC requirements. Growth performance was measured for each phase. Data were analyzed using JMP software with pen serving as the experimental unit and differences considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Throughout the trial, pigs fed diets without in-feed antibiotics and pharmacological levels of ZnO had ess (P < 0.01) BW, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than pigs fed diets added with antibiotics and pharmacological levels of ZnO. During the period of phase 2 and overall phase 1 and 2 of the trial, pigs fed diets supplemented with the combination of Acitra and Entero-Nova additives had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and greater (P < 0.05) BW on d 22 of trial. In phase 3 and 4, there was no significant improvement on growth performance of pigs fed diet only supplemented with 1 kg/MT of Entero-Nova comparing with the pigs in control groups. In conclusion, under current trial conditions, the combination of Acitra G20C and Entero-Nova 410C improved growth performance of nursery pigs in phase 1 and 2 when supplemented at tested dosage comparing with pigs in control groups without the additives.
191 Supplementing short- and medium-chain fatty acid-based products increases the health and performance of weaned piglets
Authors: Bloxham Darlene J , Goossens Tim , Morales Joaquin , Lemâle Olga
Published: May 2024

Several feed supplements have received interest for their potential to increase growth performance and health post weaning, including alternatives to high levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) such as short- and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA, MCFA), and phytogenics. The objective of this study is to observe the growth performance and intestinal health effects from the supplementation of SCFA with and without the addition of MCFA and phytogenics. The trial was performed on a commercial farm in Segovia, Spain. Piglets (n = 192; Topigs sow x Pietrain) were weaned at 28 d. The initial body weight (BW) was 8.5 ± 1.5 kg. Two phases were fed; phase 1 (d 1-14) and phase 2 (d 15-35). Piglets were distributed evenly to 4 treatments of 8 pens, 6 pigs/pen. Four treatments were evaluated: a negative control (NC) without addition of dietary additives any other growth promoters, a positive control (PC) with 3,000 ppm ZnO in the prestarter diet, NC with 2,000 ppm SCFA, coated butyrate, in the prestarter and 1,500 ppm SCFA in the starter (SB), and NC with a mixture of SCFA, MCFA, and phytogenics supplemented at 3,000 ppm in the prestarter and 2,000 ppm in the starter (SMP). Feed intake and individual BW were measured weekly. On d 0 and 7, one piglet per pen was rectally sampled for qPCR analysis of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus suis, and Clostridium perfringens. Veterinary interventions were recorded. Statistical analysis of growth performance, E. coli, and S. suis counts data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s t-test. The number of veterinary interventions and the occurrence of a high C. perfringens load were analyzed with a chi-square test. All statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The PC had the greatest average daily gain (ADG) at d 14 with 235 g/d while the NC and the SB had statistically less ADG with 217 and 212 g/d, NC and SB, respectively (P ≤ 0.05); however, no statistical differences between treatments were present at the end of the trial (332 NC, 335 PC, 331 SB, 347 SMP, P > 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was less for PC (1.22) and SMP (1.23) in phase 1 than NC (1.33) and SB (1.35; P ≤ 0.05). No differences were detected in phase 2 (1.36 NC, 1.31 PC, 1.36 SB, 1.27 SMP; P >0.05). Dietary interventions did not significantly affect E. coli and S. suis counts. However, SB and SMP treatments had sufficiently reduced fecal C. perfringens load and antimicrobic treatments, P ≤ 0.05 (Table 1). In conclusion, supplementation of SCFA, with or without MCFA or phytogenics, reduced C. perfringens and incidence of diarrhea. The addition of MCFA and phytogenics with SCFA, improved performance to the positive control.