bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
63 Biological and Management Factors Affecting Colostrum Intake and Pre-Weaning Survival in Piglets
Authors: Jenkins Abigail K , Flowers William L
Published: October 2023

A total of 581 piglets from 45 litters were used in an observational study to evaluate the relative importance of sow, litter, birth, and individual piglet characteristics on colostrum consumption and its association with nursing behaviors and pre-weaning survival. Sows were monitored continuously throughout parturition with farrowing and birth characteristics being recorded for each piglet. Nursing observations and skin temperatures for piglets were taken every 15 to 30 minutes after the onset of farrowing until sows expelled their placentae, after which, observations occurred hourly for the next four hours and then at 24 and 36 hours post farrowing. At approximately 36 hours post farrowing, blood samples were taken from piglets to determine immunocrit levels and estimate colostrum consumption by piglets. Nine variables entered the multiple regression model at P< 0.15 and accounted for over 58% of the total variation observed for immunocrits. Colostrum consumption was least (P < 0.0403) in piglets from litters with more than 16 total pigs born and from sows that averaged less than 10 pigs born alive in previous parities. Piglets that weighed more than 1.6 kg; spent less than 60 minutes in utero during farrowing; and nursed the 5 most anterior pairs of teats after farrowing had increased (P< 0.0632) immunocrits that were 0.060 or greater (P = 0.0005) and a pre-weaning survival of 88.9 + 1.3%. Conversely, being born in a litter with more than 16 total born; with a birth weight of less than 1.2 kg; and lethargic increased (P< 0.0413) the risk of piglets dying. On the day of farrowing, survival was least (P < 0.0001) for piglets whose skin temperatures decreased below 30oC; took more than 60 minutes to initiate nursing activity; and then suckled only one pair of teats infrequently (< 50% of nursing bouts) from the time they were born until four hours after farrowing was complete. These results indicate that low birth weight, lethargic, and chilled piglets were the most at-risk for low colostrum consumption and increased pre-weaning mortality. Piglets that began nursing quickly and frequently after birth and nursed the anterior and middle teat pairs, had the greatest immunocrits and survival.
69 Monoglycerides of Butyric, Caprylic, and Capric Fatty Acids Promote Intestinal Integrity and Host Defenses in Health-Challenged Weanling Pigs
Authors: White Cameron S , Hung Chien-Che , Lanka Saraswathi , Maddox Carol W , Sokale Adebayo O , Barri Adriana , Dilger Ryan N
Published: October 2023

Frequent incidence of post-weaning enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) diarrhea in the swine industry contributes to high mortality rates and associated economic losses. In this study, the effects of butyric, caprylic, and capric monoglycerides (MG) were investigated as a way to promote intestinal integrity and host defenses in weanling pigs infected with ETEC. A total of 160 pigs of equal sex were allotted to treatment groups based on body weight and sex. Throughout the 17-d study, three treatment groups were maintained: sham-inoculated pigs fed a control diet (NC, n = 40), ETEC-inoculated pigs fed the same control diet (PC, n = 60), and ETEC-inoculated pigs fed the control diet supplemented with the test article included at 3% of the diet (Test, n = 60). Following a 7-d adaptation period, pigs were orally inoculated on each of 3 consecutive days with either 3 mL of a sham-control (saline) or live ETEC culture (3 × 109 CFU/mL). The first day of inoculation was designated as 0 d post-inoculation (DPI), and all study outcomes reference this time-point. Fecal, tissue, and blood samples were collected from 48 individual pigs (NC, n = 12; PC and Test, n = 18) on 5 and 10 DPI for analysis of dry mater (DM), bacterial enumeration, inflammatory markers, and a practical assessment of intestinal permeability. All data were analyzed by ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS. During the peak infection period (5 DPI) the NC group had greater (P < 0.05) fecal DM and lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures, total bacteria, total E. coli, and total F18 ETEC. By 9 DPI, the NC and Test groups had numerically decreased lactulose:mannitol ratios in blood plasma compared with the PC group, which indicated possible benefits to intestinal barrier function. Overall, MG supplementation did not appear to influence differences in fecal outcomes that were altered by ETEC infection, but some benefits in intestinal integrity were observed.
44 Identification of Vaginal Gene Expression Differences in Gilts Achieving Early or Late Puberty
Authors: Dierking Shannon L , Morton Jodi , Gonda Michael , Rekabdarkolaee Hossein , Clapper Jeffrey A , Levesque Crystal L
Published: October 2023

A known predictor of reproductive success in swine breeding herds is age at puberty. Early puberty is associated with improved long-term reproductive performance. Additionally, it has been established that vaginal gene expression in gilts changes throughout reproductive development. The hypothesis was that vaginal gene expression was correlated with estrus expression and therefore likelihood of reproductive success. Pre-pubertal gilts (n = 29) were followed from 70 d of age until first estrus or 215 d of age. Vaginal epithelia were collected using a swabbing technique at five key timepoints during reproductive development [70 (on farm arrival), 100 (mid-folliculogenesis), 130, 160 d of age, and first estrus or end of trial]. Boar exposure began on 160 d of age with 15 minutes of fenceline contact at 0700 h daily with trained technicians observing for signs of standing estrus (i.e., erect ears, swollen, pink vulva, allowing back pressure). By 215 d of age, 19 females were classified as expressing estrus early (160 to 181 d), 4 were average (181 to 202), and 6 were late or as anestrus (202 to 215 d). A subset of 5 gilts that expressed estrus early and 5 gilts that expressed estrus late or as anestrus were used for further investigation of vaginal gene expression. Total RNA was isolated from vaginal samples at 3 timepoints (100, 130, and 160 d of age). Samples were sent to a commercial genomic sequencing laboratory for RNA sequencing. Each gene was scaled individually so that all genes were on the same scale for comparison, and the Welch two sample t-test was applied to determine statistical differences. A total of 53 genes were differentially expressed between the early estrus and late estrus or anestrus groups. Data were further screened to identify genes that were expressed in at least 3 gilts in either the early estrus or late estrus group at a given time point; this subset of 26 genes were selected for direct comparison at each time point. At 100 d of age, late estrus gilts had increased expression (P = 0.05) of a gene commonly found in females with polycystic ovary syndrome. At 130 d of age, genes associated with the innate immune response had greater relative expression (P < 0.05) in gilts expressing early estrus. At 160 d of age, genes associated with fat cell deposition had greater relative expression (P < 0.05) in the early estrus expression gilts. Distinct differences in transcripts during reproductive development may be putative biomarkers for detection of early estrus in pre-pubertal females.
48 Evaluation of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Interactions in 13 to 23 kg Nursery Pigs Using a Central Composite Design
Authors: Humphrey Dalton C , Haydon Keith D , Greiner Laura L
Published: October 2023

Two groups of 240 pigs (PIC 337 X 1050, PIC Genus, Hendersonville, TN) with initial body weight (BW) 13.20 ± 3.05 kg were used to investigate interactions between the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). At weaning, pigs were placed into 40 pens with three barrows and three gilts per pen and fed a common diet for 3 weeks. On day 21 post-weaning, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 15 dietary treatments arranged in a rotatable central composite design. Experimental diets were formulated to various levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) leucine, isoleucine, and valine by replacing corn starch and glycine with L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine in the base diet. Levels of BCAA were expressed as ratios to SID lysine and ranged from 98 to 180 for Leu, 46 to 64 for Ile, and 51 to 78 for Val. Diets were formulated to be sub-limiting in lysine at 1.19% SID Lys and exceed all other essential amino acid requirements. Additionally, diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous and met or exceeded NRC (2012) vitamin and mineral requirements. Pen weights and feed intake were measured for the 21-day experiment to calculate daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (G:F). Data were fit as a second-order response surface model according to the central composite design in R version 4.2.1 (R Core Team, 2022). The model included linear and quadratic effects of Leu, Ile, and Val, and their cross-products. Pen was the experimental unit, and variables were considered significant at P ≤ 0.10. Valine linearly and quadratically impacted ADG and G:F, regardless of Leu and Ile levels. There was an interaction between Leu and Ile for ADG (P = 0.079) and G:F (P = 0.031), where, at increasing levels of Leu, decreasing Ile improved ADG and G:F. Conversely, ADG and G:F decreased as both Leu and Ile increased. Isoleucine did not impact ADFI (P ≥ 0.458); however, there was an interaction between Leu and Val (P = 0.088), where Leu negatively impacted ADFI at low levels of Val, but did not influence ADFI at greater levels of Val. In conclusion, the response of nursery pig ADG and G:F to Val is independent of Leu and Ile levels, while ADG and G:F are reduced at greater levels of Leu and Ile, which is resolved as either Leu or Ile are reduced. Furthermore, at deficient levels of Val, ADFI is negatively impacted by increased Leu; however, the negative impacts of increasing Leu on ADFI are negated when Val is adequate or above requirement. This experiment emphasizes the complexity of amino acid metabolism in nursery pigs and the importance of understanding potential interactions among amino acids when conducting research.
192 Effect of Dietary Anhydrous Calcium Chloride in Early and Late Finishing on Pig Performance and Body Composition
Authors: Stowater Jay A , Johnson Colin , Gabler Nicholas K , Lonergan Steven M
Published: October 2023

Understanding how to control pig growth is critical during market disruptions, including foreign animal disease and harvest facility shutdowns. In times of severe market disruptions, feeding acidogenic salts such as anhydrous calcium chloride to suppress appetite is an effective way to manage pig growth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the impact of feeding calcium chloride during early and late growth stages on grow-finish growth and body composition of pigs. Barrows and gilts (n = 240; 52 ± 6.9 kg BW) were allotted by sex across 60 pens and to one of three treatments fed in 3 diet phases (Phase 1, d 1-28; Phase 2 d 28-56; Phase 3 d 57-87). Treatment included: 1) Control corn-soy diets in phases 1-3, 2) 3% CaCl2 intervention in phase 1, control diet fed in phases 2 and 3 (IP1), and 3) Control diet fed in phases 1 and 2, and 3% CaCl2 intervention in phase 3 (IP3). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed amino acid and energy requirements and pigs were fed ad libitum. Pig BW were recorded at the start and end of each phase, and pen feed disappearance was recorded to calculate pen ADG, ADFI, and G: F. Loin eye area and fat depth were measured using real-time ultrasound at the end of phases 1 and 3. Data were analyzed with pen as the experimental unit and treatment, gender, and their interaction as fixed effects. No noteworthy gender by diet interactions were demonstrated and only the diet treatment, overall performance, and ultrasound trait means are reported (Table 1). Compared with the Control and IP3, IP1 reduced ADFI and ADG by 42% and 60%, respectively, in phase 1 (P< 0.05). Feed efficiency, loin eye area, and fat depth were also reduced in the IP1 compared with the Control and IP3 pigs in phase 1 (P< 0.05). In phase 2, the IP1 pigs did not have a significant difference in feed intake and their ADG increased by 22% compared with the Control and IP3 pigs (P< 0.05) and therefore were more feed efficient. Implementation of CaCl2 in phase 3, the IP3 pigs reduced ADFI, ADG, and G: F compared with the control and IP1. Further, phase 3 loin eye area and fat depth were 13% and 17% less, respectively, in the IP3 pigs compared with the control. Overall, the IP3 treatment had the most severe reductions in ADG, ADFI, and feed efficiency (P< 0.05). Early intervention (IP1) also attenuated overall G: F, ADFI, and ADG compared with the Control (P< 0.05). These results demonstrate the efficacy of calcium chloride in attenuating pig feed intake and growth performance during early and late finishing.
5 DPP Lecture: Investigating the Impact of Weaning and Biological Sex on Gut Development: Discovering New Targets for Gut Inflammation
Authors: Moeser Adam J
Published: October 2023

Early life stress is known to have a profound impact on the development and function of the gut and immune system in various species, including pigs. In particular, the process of weaning is a significant source of stress in pigs and has been shown to negatively affect gut health and immunity. This presentation aims to examine the current knowledge on the impact of early life stress, particularly weaning, on gut development and immunity in pigs with a focus on chronic inflammation as a driver of disease risk. The presentation will also compare the immune system and gut development between female and male castrates, highlighting the influence of biological sex on gut health. Additionally, new data on potential targets for gut inflammation will be presented. The findings of this presentation will be analyzed in the context of pig production and the implications for enhancing gut health and immunity throughout production. Overall, this presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the impact of early life stress on gut development and immunity in pigs and highlights key areas for future research.
117 Evaluation of Semen Production and Biomarkers Produced by Boars Fed Microfused Essential Oil Technology in Their Diet
Authors: Fent Russell W , Cooper Carson V , Keller A M , Keller E L , Maus M J , Jimmerson K S , Kerns K C
Published: October 2023

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding Microfused Essential Oil Technology (MEOT, Ralco Nutrition, Inc.) to mature boars on their semen production and semen quality biomarkers. In Experiment 1, boars (n = 21) housed at a commercial boar stud were fed MEOT in their diet. These boars were collected in their normal collection routine of twice per week. Total motile sperm count was measured for each collection over a 10-month period (December to September). A baseline motile sperm count was determined for each boar during the 2 months before the beginning of the MEOT feeding in February. Repeated measures analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of sperm production over time. Feeding MEOT to boars resulted in greater motile sperm count (P < 0.0001) and greater (P < 0.0001) economic revenue per collection. In Exp. 2, the objective was to determine if the increased semen production measured had any impact on semen quality biomarkers. Semen samples were collected from the same boar stud used in Exp. 1 after MEOT feeding. Control samples were collected from a boar stud using similar boar genotypes, environmental condition, semen extender, and time from collection. One 75 mL extended semen dose from 8 to 10 boars across 3 weeks was collected and sent to the laboratory for semen quality analysis. The traits and biomarkers that were analyzed for each sample included morphology, zinc signature, plasma membrane integrity (detected by propidium iodide; PI), lectin PNA acrosome health, lectin LCA membrane health, reactive oxygen species status (ROS; detected by H2DCFDA), aggresome (AGG), and DNA fragmentation (dected by acridine orange). No differences in morphology (P > 0.05) were detected. For the MEOT-fed boars, a greater portion (P < 0.001) of the sperm population was in the zinc signature 2 category indicating more live, non-capacitated sperm and a lesser portion (P < 0.0003) in the zinc signature 4 category indicating less dead, fully capacitated sperm. In addition, for PI, a greater portion (P < 0.03) of the sperm were live with good plasma membrane integrity for boars fed MEOT versus the controls. A greater portion of the sperm from the MEOT-fed boars had better acrosome integrity (P < 0.001) as well as tail membrane health (P < 0.01). No differences (P > 0.05) were observed for ROS. Semen from MEOT-fed boars had less AGG misfolded proteins (P < 0.0001) and a tendency (P < 0.07) for less DNA fragmentation. These data indicate that feeding MEOT to boars resulted in greater motile sperm production and that did not result in a negative impact on semen quality with many semen biomarkers being improved in MEOT-fed boars.
105 Awardee Talk: Timing of Dietary Zinc Supplementation During Gestation did not Affect Trace Element Concentrations in Sows and Their Piglets
Authors: Hammers Kelsey L , Urriola Pedro E , Schwartz Mark , Ryu Moon-Suhn , Johnston Lee J , Gomez Andres
Published: October 2023

Gestating sows (n = 267) were used to determine if timing of high dietary zinc supplementation in a commercial setting would reduce pre-weaning mortality of pigs and influence maternal and piglet copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentrations. Sows from three consecutive weekly farrowing groups were assigned randomly within parity to one of three dietary treatments consisting of: 1) Control: a corn-soybean meal diet containing 125 ppm supplemental Zn supplied by zinc hydroxychloride; 2) Breed-to-Farrow (B-to-F): as Control + 141 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (266 ppm total supplemental Zn) fed from 5 days after breeding to farrowing; and 3) Day 110-to-Farrow (D110-to-F): as the Control diet fed from breeding to farrowing + 2,715 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (2,840 ppm total supplemental Zn) starting on day 110 of gestation until farrowing. A subset of ten sows per treatment (n = 30; average parity = 3) were selected to assess Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations of serum, colostrum, and milk. Sera were isolated from blood collections at allotment and the day before respective farrowing date of each sow. Colostrum was collected the day of farrowing and milk on day 2 of lactation. At farrowing, two average and two low birth weight pigs from each sow (n = 122) were selected for collections of serum and tail samples at days 1 and 2 of age, respectively. The statistical model included fixed effects of treatment, farrowing group, and the random effect of their interaction. The piglet model was similar but included the random term of pig nested within sow. There were no differences in concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn in sow serum, milk, or colostrum attributable to dietary treatment. Piglet serum concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn were unaffected by feeding gestating sows high levels of supplemental zinc at any time (Table). Low birth weight pigs born to sows fed the Control diet tended (P = 0.082) to have increased concentrations of Cu in tails compared with pigs born to sows fed high zinc. In conclusion, timing of dietary zinc supplementation to gestating sows had minimal influence on concentrations of important trace elements in sows and their offspring.
112 Effect of Selenium Sources on Sow Productive and Reproductive Performance and Their Progeny
Authors: Bloxham Darlene J , Fagundes Naiara Simarro , Cardoso Denise , Fontinhas-Netto Garros , Callegari Marco Aurélio , Dias Cleandro Pazinato , de Romano Gabrieli Souza , da Silva Caio A
Published: October 2023

Dietary selenium (Se) supplementation is a standard practice, using either an inorganic form, such as sodium selenite (SS) or organic forms, like SeYeasts (SY) or pure forms of selenomethionine (SeMet). Hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) is a chemically synthesized organic Se form and has been proven to be efficient in transferring Se from the diet to muscle compared with SS or SY products. The transfer of Se in tissues, in fact, leads to the buildup of a Se reserve as SeMet in the body that participates in maintaining effective antioxidant defenses and supports animal performance, particularly under challenging conditions. This trial aimed to determine the effects of different Se sources on the productive and reproductive performance of sows and on their progeny. Sows (n = 120) were allocated in individual cages in one of the three treatments according to the number of parities, number of piglets in previous parturition, body condition score and initial body weight. The experiment lasted 141 days (from the insemination of sows up to the weaning of the piglets at 21 days). A corn-soybean-based basal diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the sows during gestation and lactation. The Se supplementation was 0.35 ppm of Se either from SS, SY or OH-SeMet. The number of total piglets born showed a tendency (P = 0.06) for treatments fed organic Se sources (15.6 OH-SeMet; 15.4 SY vs 14 SS) with no differences on the litter weight at birth. However, sows fed OH-SeMet weaned more piglets (13.4) than the other treatments (12.5 SY and 12.2 SS, respectively, P < 0.01). The litter weight at weaning showed no differences among treatments (73.4, 70.4 and 75.9kg for SS, SY and OH-SeMet, respectively). The feed conversion of the sows during lactation was also affected by the Se source, in which OH-SeMet showed a significantly reduced FCR of 2.6 vs 3.0 and 3.1 for SS and SY, respectively (P < 0.01). Piglets fed organic sources showed a decreased diarrhea incidence (scores 2 and 3) compared with SS (P < 0.001), respectively, 5.68 vs 3.28 and 3.27%. The Se concentration of sows’ colostrum and milk of sows were numerically improved from SS to SY, but only significantly greater on OH-SeMet treatment. The same pattern of Se concentration in the milk was observed in the serum of piglets 48 h after birth (142, 122 and 228 μg/kg for SS, SY and OH-SeMet, respectively) and at weaning (85, 85 and 117 μg/kg for SS, SY and OH-SeMet, respectively). Feeding pure forms of organic Se, such as OH-SeMet supports the productive and reproductive performance of sows and improve the Se status of the progeny. Organic Se also reduces the diarrhea of piglets, compared with SS.
122 Effects of Varying the Acid-Binding Capacity-4 in Diets Utilizing Specialty Soy Products with or without Pharmacological Levels of Zinc on Nursery Pig Performance
Authors: Stas Ethan , Warner Alan , Hastad Chad W , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: October 2023

A total of 1,057 pigs (initial BW = 6.2 ± 0.4 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of acid-binding capacity-4 (ABC-4) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn on nursery pig performance. At weaning, pigs were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments based on initial body weight. There were 22 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial consisting of a low and high ABC-4 level with or without pharmacological levels of Zn provided by ZnO. The low ABC-4 diets contained 13.0 and 10.75% novel soy protein concentrate (AX3 Digest; Protekta; Plainfield, IN) in phase 1 and 2, respectively. The high ABC-4 diets contained 15.85 and 13.15% enzymatically treated soybean meal (HP 300; Hamlet Protein; Findlay, OH) in phase 1 and 2, respectively, replacing the soy protein concentrate on a SID Lys basis. The low ABC-4 diets without ZnO were formulated to 150 and 200 mEq/kg in phase 1 and 2, respectively. Replacing novel soy protein concentrate with enzymatically treated soybean increased the ABC-4 of the diet by 104 to 127 mEq/kg. Diets with added ZnO increased the ABC-4 of the diet by 60 to 65 mEq/kg. Diets with pharmacological levels of Zn contained approximately 2,000 mg/kg of Zn from ZnO in phase 1 and 2. Pigs were fed experimental diets during phase 1 (d 0 to 7) and phase 2 (d 7 to 21). Following phase 2, pigs were fed a common diet for an additional 21 days (d 21 to 42). During the experimental period, ABC-4 × ZnO interactions were observed (P ≤ 0.026) where pigs fed a low ABC-4 diet had improved (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F when ZnO was not present, but no differences (P > 0.10) were observed based on ABC-4 level when ZnO was added (Table 1). Overall, there was an ABC-4 × ZnO interaction (P = 0.002) observed where pigs fed a high ABC-4 had increased (P < 0.05) removals and mortalities when ZnO was not present and no differences (P > 0.10) due to ABC-4 level were observed when ZnO was added. In summary, a low ABC-4 diet can improve growth performance and reduce removals and mortalities in nursery pigs when ZnO is not present in the diet.
119 Effects of Replacing Lactose with Novel Carbohydrate Sources on Feed Intake Preference in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Royall Rafe Q , Woodworth Jason C , Tokach Mike D , DeRouchey Joel M , Gebhardt Jordan T , Goodband Robert D , Mertz Keith , Patience John
Published: October 2023

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of replacing lactose in phase 1 and 2 nursery diets with 1 of 2 novel carbohydrate products; (Cargill Starches, Sweeteners, & Texturizers, Blair, Nebraska) on feed intake preference. Pigs (n = 300; 600×241, DNA; initial BW = 5.6 kg) were used in three, 3-d periods to determine feed intake preference from various CHO sources. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 days of age and allotted to pens in one of two BW blocks based on initial BW (initially 5.0 and 6.2 kg), with 5 pigs/pen. Pigs were provided ad libitum access to water and pelleted feed. To determine feed intake preference, each pen was equipped with two identical feeders containing dietary treatments. Feeder location within pen was balanced across dietary comparison to minimize feeder location bias. On d 3, 9, and 17 post-weaning, pigs were weighed, and pens were allotted to 1 of 3 dietary comparisons in a completely randomized design. There were 20 replications of each diet comparison during each period. The carbohydrate sources utilized were whey powder, a novel dry carbohydrate (CHO-D), and a novel liquid carbohydrate (CHO-L). Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based with 5-7.5% DDGS and included: 1) a positive control (PC; containing 10 and 5% lactose, phase 1 and 2, respectively); 2) a diet replacing 100% of lactose with CHO-D; and 3) a diet replacing 100% of lactose with CHO-L. Novel carbohydrate sources (CHO-D or CHO-L) replaced whey powder on a total carbohydrate basis in phase 1 and 2 diets. Phase 1 diets were fed from d 3 to 6 and 9 to 12, with phase 2 diets fed from d 17 to 20. Within each period, 20 pens were used to test the effect of feeder location within pen with each feeder containing the PC diet. There was no observed effect of feeder (P > 0.100) on daily feed disappearance indicating feeder location within pen did not influence feed intake preference (Table). During each period, dietary comparisons included: 1) PC vs. CHO-D; and 2) PC vs. CHO-L. For comparison 1, pigs tended (P = 0.060) to prefer the diet with CHO-D compared with the PC, on a percentage intake basis during phase 1; however, this reversed in phase 2 (P = 0.001) as pigs consumed more of the PC diet compared with the diet with CHO-D. For comparison 2, in all phases pigs preferred (P < 0.001) the PC diet compared with the CHO-L diet. In summary, pigs tended to prefer the CHO-D diet compared with the PC during phase 1, but the inverse was observed during phase 2. However, throughout all phases, pigs preferred the PC diet over the diet containing CHO-L. Additional research could be conducted to further explore the ability of CHO-D to increase feed intake immediately after weaning.
141 Dietary Supplementation of Blends of Organic Acids and Monoglycerides Alleviated Diarrhea and Systemic Inflammation of Weaned Pigs Experimentally Infected with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli F18
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Sun Shuhan , Wongchanla Supatirada , Zhao Yating , Kovanda Lauren L , Hernandez Robert A , Kim Kwangwook , Chen Ying , Liu Yanhong
Published: October 2023

The objective of this experiment was to investigate dietary supplementation of organic acids blend, monoglycerides blend, and combination of both on growth performance, diarrhea, and systemic inflammation of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) F18. Forty pigs (7.81 ± 0.84 kg BW) were individually housed in disease containment rooms and randomly allotted to one of four treatments with 10 replicate pigs per treatment. The four dietary treatments were: 1) Control: nursery basal diet, 2) Acids: basal diet supplemented with a blend of organic acids (formic acid, lactic acid, and sodium formate) at 0.3%, 3) Monoglycerides: basal diet supplemented with a blend of monoglycerides of fatty acids at 0.3%, and 4) Combination of acids and monoglycerides: basal diet added with the acids blend at 0.2% and the monoglycerides blend at 0.2%. The experiment lasted 28 d [7 d before and 21 d after the first inoculation (d 0)]. All pigs were orally inoculated with E. coli F18 1010 CFU/3 mL for 3 consecutive days from d 0. Growth performance was measured weekly. Diarrhea score (1, normal, to 5, watery diarrhea) was daily recorded for each pig. Fecal samples were collected on d 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 post-inoculation (PI) to confirm the presence of β-hemolytic coliforms in feces. Whole blood samples were collected on d 0, 5, and 14 PI to perform complete blood counting analysis. All data were analyzed by ANOVA using the PROC MIXED of SAS with a pig as the experimental unit. Frequency of diarrhea was calculated and analyzed by Chi-square test. Supplementation of acids blend, monoglycerides blend, or the combination of both had limited impacts on growth performance throughout the trial but significantly reduced (P < 0.05) frequency of diarrhea (25.5 to 29.8%) compared with control (39.3%). E. coli F18 infection increased (P < 0.05) the counts of total white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes on d 5 and 14 PI, compared with d 0. Supplementation of the combination of acids and monoglycerides reduced (P < 0.05) the counts of total white blood cells, lymphocytes, and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes, and tended (P < 0.10) to reduce neutrophil count on d 5 PI, compared with control. Pigs fed with 0.3% monoglycerides blend had greater (P < 0.05) neutrophil count than pigs in the control group on d 14 PI. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic acids blend, monoglycerides blend, and the combination of both can alleviate diarrhea or systemic inflammation caused by E. coli F18 infection.
145 Dose-Response and Functional Roles of Zinc Glycinate on Growth and Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs Challenged with F18+Escherichia Coli
Authors: Jang Ki Beom , Moita Vitor Hugo C , Martinez Nicolas , Sokale Adebayo O , Kim Sung Woo
Published: October 2023

This study was to evaluate dose-response and supplemental effects of zinc glycinate (ZnGly) on growth and intestinal health of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli. Nursery pigs (n = 40; BW = 6.5 ± 0.5 kg) were allotted to 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW and sex as blocks: 1) NC: no-challenge/no-supplement; (2) PC: F18+E. coli challenge/no-supplement; (3 to 5) F18+E. coli challenge/supplementations of ZnGly at 400, 800, and 1,200 mg/kg. On d 7, challenged groups were orally inoculated with F18+E. coli at 6 × 109 CFU/mL, whereas NC received saline solution. Pigs were fed for 28 d based on 2 phases (Phase 1: 14 d and phase 2: 14 d), and experimental diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements suggested by NRC (2012). Pigs were euthanized on d 28 to collect tissues to evaluate TNF-α, IL-8, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, gene expression of Zn transporters, and mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum. Data were analyzed using contrasts in the MIXED procedure of SAS. The E. coli challenge tended to reduce (P = 0.065) ADG (308 to 244 g/d) and increase (P < 0.05) fecal score (3.2 to 4.1) of the pigs during the first week of post-challenge. Supplementation of ZnGly from 0 to 1,200 mg/kg linearly (P = 0.092) increased G:F (0.69 to 0.81) during phase 1 and decreased (P <0.05) fecal score (4.1 to 3.5) of the pigs during the first week of post-challenge. Supplementation of ZnGly from 0 to 1,200 mg/kg had quadratic effects on TNF-α (P = 0.065; minimum 1.51 pg/mg at 405 mg/kg of ZnGly), IL-8 (P = 0.093; minimum 0.53 ng/mg at 494 mg/kg), and protein carbonyl (P = 0.054; minimum 2.30 pg/mg at 675 mg/kg) and linearly increased mRNA expressions of (P = 0.057) ZIP4 (0.69 to 1.03) and (P = 0.075) ZnT5 (0.92 to 1.22) in the jejunum of the pigs. Supplementation of ZnGly from 0 to 1,200 mg/kg tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.065) Chao1 index (150.6 to 144.6) and linearly increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Actinobacteria (13.10 to 16.26%) and had quadratic effects (P < 0.05) on the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria (minimum 0.67 % at 625 mg/kg) and Proteobacteria (minimum 45.6% at 735 mg/kg) at the phylum level with Enterobacteriaceae (minimum 4.79% at 660 mg/kg) at family level in jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota of the pigs. In conclusion, supplementation of ZnGly at a range of 400 to 675 mg/kg could reduce the negative impacts of F18+E. coli on growth performance and diarrhea of nursery pigs. These positive changes are related to reducing jejunal inflammation and oxidative stress by enhancing jejunal Zn absorption with positive changes in jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in the pigs.
142 Evaluation of Dietary Fiber in Health Challenged Nursery Pigs
Authors: Miller Kayla A , Mendoza Omarh F , Shull Caleb M , Burrough Eric R , Spencer Joel D , Gabler Nicholas K
Published: October 2023

Enteric pathogens often antagonize nursery pig health, growth performance, and scouring. Increased dietary fiber may alleviate bacterial pathogen burdens via improving intestinal health, fecal consistency, binding of pathogens, and improving early post-weaned growth performance. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effect of three dietary fiber sources on growth performance, digestibility, and fecal consistency in nursery pigs undergoing an F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge. The study was conducted with 541 newly weaned pigs (starting BW of 5.9 ± 1.25 kg) in a complete randomized design with four dietary treatments (n = 12 pens/treatment, 11to 12 pigs/pen), fed over three phases. Phase 1 (day 0 - 14) and 2 (day 15 - 28) treatments included: 1) corn-soybean meal-based diet with no addition of fiber source (CON); 2) corn-soybean meal-based diet + 15 and 7.50% oat groats (Phase 1 and 2, respectively; Oats); 3) corn-soybean meal-based diet + 5% soyhulls (Soyhulls); and 4) corn-soybean meal-based diet + 5% wheat bran (Wheat Bran). All pens were fed a common Phase 3 (day 29 - 48) corn-soybean meal-based diet. At placement, 12 pigs were sacrificed for baseline evaluation and pigs were confirmed positive for K88 E. coli and Rotavirus A. On day 14 (dpi = 0), all pigs were orally drenched with ~5 mL F18 ETEC inoculum suspended in Luria broth. On day 21 of the study (dpi 7), 1 pig/pen was euthanized to examine the effects of diet on intestinal health including histopathology assessment of attachment of E. coli, coccidia, villus atrophy, and colitis. Pig BW and pen feed disappearance were recorded weekly from day 0 – 28, and day 48 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and feed efficiency (G:F). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with pen as the experimental unit and the fixed effect of treatment. There were no differences in ADG, ADFI, or G:F in phase 1 or phase 2 when pigs were fed Oats, Soyhulls, or Wheat Bran compared with CON (P > 0.05). Overall nursery ADG (0.43 vs. 0.41, 0.42, 0.40 kg/d, respectively), ADFI (0.67 vs. 0.67, 0.68, 0.64 kg/d, respectively), and G:F (0.55 vs. 0.55, 0.55, 0.55, respectively) were not different from CON when pigs were fed either Oat, Soyhulls, or Wheat Bran (P > 0.05). Pigs fed Oats had a decreased fecal nitrogen content compared with CON, Soyhulls, and Wheat Bran (P < 0.05) and no differences in dry matter, organic matter, or gross energy (P > 0.05). Although scouring was observed, fecal consistency scores did not differ between dietary treatments. Growth performance and fecal score data from this study indicate no additional benefit of a diet containing oat groats, soyhulls, or wheat bran to nursery pigs undergoing naturally endemic and controlled enteric health challenges.
136 Awardee Talk: Effects of Monoglycerides on Intestinal Morphology and Immune Responses of Weanling Pigs Experimentally Infected with a Pathogenic Escherichia Coli
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Sun Shuhan , Kim Kwangwook , Sokale Adebayo O , Barri Adriana , Liu Yanhong
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of monoglycerides on intestinal morphology and immune responses of weanling pigs experimentally infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) F18. Weaned pigs [n = 60; body weight (BW) = 6.49 ± 0.74 kg; around 21 d old] were individually housed and fed with one of four diets (15 replicates/diet): 1) control diet (CON); 2) CON+0.3% monoglycerides; 3) CON+3000 mg/kg ZnO; and 4) CON+50 mg/kg antibiotics (carbadox). The experiment lasted 28 days with 7 days before and 21 days after first inoculation (d 0). All piglets were orally challenged with E. coli F18 (1010 CFU/3 mL) for 3 consecutive days. Serum samples were collected on d 2, 5, and 21 post-inoculation (PI) to measure the concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, C-reactive protein, and haptoglobin. Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum segments were collected on d 5 PI (6 pigs/treatment) and on 21 PI (9 pigs/treatment) to measure intestinal morphology. Jejunal and ileal mucosa were also collected to measure the mRNA expression of immune responses related genes. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS with randomized complete block design. Supplementation of high dose ZnO tended (P = 0.056) to reduce serum haptoglobin on d 0, reduced (P < 0.05) serum haptoglobin on d 2 and 5 PI, and reduced (P < 0.05) serum C-reactive protein on d 21 PI. Pigs fed with monoglycerides had less (P < 0.05) serum haptoglobin on d 5 PI, compared with CON. Pigs supplemented with high dose ZnO had more (P < 0.05) goblet cell numbers per villus, greater (P < 0.05) villi area and villi height, and greater (P < 0.05) villi height:crypt depth ratio in duodenum than pigs in other treatments on d 5 PI. Supplementation of monoglycerides, high dose of ZnO, or antibiotics reduced (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth compared with CON on d 5 PI. Pigs in high dose ZnO group tended (P = 0.064) to have the largest villi height:crypth depth ratio in the ileum, followed by pigs in monoglycerides and antibiotics groups on 5 PI. Consistently, pigs fed with high dose ZnO expressed less (P < 0.05) TNF α, IL6, IL10, IL12, IL1A, IL1B, and PTGS2 in ileal mucosa, compared with other treatments on d 5 PI. However, no difference in the expression of listed genes was observed between pigs fed with monoglycerides vs. high dose of ZnO. Pigs supplemented with monoglycerides expressed least (P < 0.05) PTGS2 in ileal mucosa compared with other treatments on d 21 PI. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.3% monoglycerides reduced intestinal and systemic inflammation of weaned pigs infected with E. coli F18, although the efficacy was not comparable to high dose ZnO.
319 Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids to Lysine Ratios in Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles Diets on Growth Performance, Plasma Nitrogen Profile, Carcass Traits, and Economic Analysis in Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Hong Jinsu , Clizer David , Cline Paul M , Samuel Ryan S
Published: October 2023

Corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS) can replace portions of corn and soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets. However, high dietary inclusions of cDDGS can reduce growth performance. Therefore, the objectives were to identify effects of standardized ileal digestible (SID) branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to lysine (Lys) ratios on the growth performance, blood amino acid profile, carcass traits, and economics of growing-finishing pigs fed diets with high inclusions of cDDGS. A total of 1,140 pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 28.7±0.7 kg] were housed in 45 pens of 25 or 26 pigs and fed one of five experimental treatment diets over four phases (two grower and two finisher) in a randomized complete block design: Phase 1: 25-50 kg, Phase 2: 50-75 kg, Phase 3: 75-100 kg, and Phase 4: 100-135 kg. The five dietary treatments were: 1) a corn-SBM based diet (PC); 2) a corn-SBM based diet with 30% cDDGS for the growing phase and 20% DDGS for the finishing phase (NC) with no adjustments for BCAA:Lys and the NC diet with SID BCAA:Lys targeted for our previously determined recommendations for the 3) growing phase (Grow): SID Val:Lys 73%, SID Ile:Lys 60%, and SID Leu:Lys 144%; 4) finishing phase (Finish): SID Val:Lys 78%, SID Ile:Lys 70%, and SID Leu:Lys 160-170%; 5) growing and finishing phases (Grow-Finish). One representative pig from each pen was bled at the end of the growing and finishing phases. After the 11-week-feeding trial, pigs were sent to a commercial abattoir to investigate carcass traits. Pigs fed the Finish treatment had a greater overall average daily gain (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the other cDDGS treatments and had no difference in the overall average daily gain compared with pigs fed the PC treatment. Dietary treatments did not affect the hot carcass weight or carcass yield. However, dietary inclusion of cDDGS increased (P < 0.05) the iodine value (IV) of the pork belly and the Finish treatment had the greatest (P < 0.05) IV. The plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentration and the plasma concentrations of Leu, Val, and Phe for the growing phase and plasma concentrations of Ile and Val for the finishing phase were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the Finish treatment than other cDDGS treatments. However, dietary treatments did not affect the PUN concentration at the end of finishing phase. Feeding the Finish treatment had a greater net income over feed and facility costs than PC treatment and net income was greater than other cDDGS treatments. In conclusion, feeding the cDDGS diet with SID BCAA:Lys ratio adjusted by the SBM inclusion for the finishing phase recommendation would have the greatest benefit for swine producers through improved growth performance and economic benefits.
242 Effects of Standardized Ileal Digestible Threonine to Lysine Ratio on Growth Performance of PIC Line 337-Sired Grow-Finish Pigs
Authors: Royall Rafe Q , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T , Vier Carine M , Spindler Matthew , Orlando Uislei A , Zaragoza Luis E , Lu Ning , Cast Wayne R , Wilson-Wells Danielle , Holen Julia , Betlach Alyssa
Published: October 2023

Two studies were conducted to estimate the SID Thr:Lys requirement for growth and feed efficiency of PIC 337×1050 pigs from approximately 12- to 70-kg. In Exp. 1, 987 pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 11.8±0.32 kg] were used from 12- to 24-kg. In Exp. 2,875 pigs (initial BW = 43.4±0.58 kg] were used from 43- to 70-kg. Pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to dietary treatments in randomized complete block designs, with 21 to 27 pigs per pen with 8 and 7 replications per treatment (Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). Pens were provided 1 of 5 dietary treatments with increasing SID Thr:Lys ratios at 53, 58, 62, 65, and 68% in each experiment. Two corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 53 and 68% Thr:Lys ratios were blended to achieve target SID Thr:Lys treatment levels in each experiment. In Exp. 1 (12- to 24-kg), ADG and final BW increased (linear, P ≤ 0.006) while ADFI, G:F, Thr intake/d, and Thr intake/kg of gain increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.001) as Thr:Lys ratio increased (Table). Additionally, Lys intake/d increased (quadratic, P < 0.001) while Lys intake/kg of gain decreased (quadratic, P < 0.001) with increasing Thr:Lys ratio. In Exp. 2 (43- to 70-kg), ADG, G:F, final BW, Thr intake/d and Thr intake/kg of gain also increased (linear, P ≤ 0.036) as dietary Thr:Lys increased. Moreover, Lys intake/kg of gain decreased (linear, P = 0.023) with increasing Thr:Lys. A quadratic polynomial (QP) model predicted a requirement at levels greater than 68% SID Thr:Lys for ADG from 12- to 24-kg, while a QP model suggested that maximum G:F was achieved at 61.8% SID Thr:Lys (Exp. 1). From 43- to 70-kg, QP models suggested maximum ADG and G:F were achieved at levels greater than 68% SID Thr:Lys (Exp. 2). However, similar fitting BLL models predicted no further improvement to G:F and ADG beyond 65 and 67% SID Thr:Lys, respectively. In summary, these results suggest the optimal SID Thr:Lys for 12- to 24-kg pigs is 61.8% for feed efficiency and greater than 68% for ADG. From 43- to 70-kg, the requirement was predicted at or above 65 and 67% SID Thr:Lys for G:F and ADG, respectively.
239 Effects of Increasing Soybean Meal in Corn- or Corn-Ddgs-Based Diets on Growth Performance of Early Finishing Pigs
Authors: Faccin Jamil , Tokach Mike D , DeRouchey Joel M , Gebhardt Jordan T , Goodband Robert D , Woodworth Jason C
Published: October 2023

With the recent renewable fuels initiative, demand for soybean oil is expected to reach a record high. Consequently, there will be unprecedented amounts of soybean meal (SBM) produced and available. As a result, the opportunity will arise for increased usage of SBM in swine diets at the expense of feed-grade amino acids. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the maximum amount of SBM that can be added to early finishing pigs fed corn- (Exp. 1) or corn-DDGS- (Exp. 2) based diets. Experiment 1 used 625 pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 43.2 ± 0.68 kg], 70 pens with 9 or 10 pigs per pen, and 5 added SBM levels, 19.1, 22.6, 26.3, 29.9, and 33.4%, corresponding to crude protein levels of 13.1, 14.1, 15.2, 16.2, and 17.3%, respectively, with 14 replicate pens per treatment. Experiment 2 used 1,053 pigs (initially 39.1 ± 0.78 kg), 40 pens with 26 or 27 pigs, and 4 added SBM levels, 18.2, 23.5, 28.9, and 34.3%, corresponding to crude protein levels of 18.2, 23.5, 28.9, and 34.3%, respectively, with 10 replicate pens per treatment (Table). The diet with the highest level of SBM in each experiment contained no feed-grade amino acids. Minimum levels of Ile, Met & Cys, Thr, Trp, and Val were 58, 60, 65, 19.8, and 72% of lysine, respectively. The experimental diets were corn-SBM-based, and in Exp. 2, 20% DDGS was added to all diets. In both experiments, diets were isocaloric and formulated considering SBM NE at 100% of Corn NE. In Exp. 1, no differences were observed for BW (P = 0.42) and ADFI (P = 0.46); however, increasing SBM linearly increased ADG (P = 0.04), though the greatest change was from increasing SBM from 19.1 to 22.6%, and tended to quadratically improve feed efficiency (P = 0.09). In Exp. 2, with the inclusion of DDGS, no differences (P > 0.32) were observed for any growth performance criteria. In conclusion, increasing levels of SBM (up to 33.4%) in early finishing pig diets linearly improved growth performance and feed efficiency in corn-soybean meal-based diets. However, when DDGS were included in the diet, pig performance was not affected regardless of the amount of SBM within the range from 18.2 to 34.3%. Replacing feed-grade amino acids by increasing the level of SBM in early finishing diets can improve growth performance, but this effect was not observed when DDGS were added to the diets.