bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
108 A Veterinarian’s Perspective on How Health and Nutrition Intersect
Authors: Hough Sara D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Nutritionists and veterinarians have long recognized that the provision and consumption of all essential nutrients is critical to the health of pigs, in all production phases. Animals that are properly fed, and maintain adequate body stores, are better able to reach their full genetic potential and defend themselves from pathogen invasion. This may be due to better tissue integrity, proper antibody production, improved detoxifying ability, and many other factors (Shurson et al, 1998). The pathology of various infectious organisms can influence absorption and the metabolism of nutrients, and inadequate nutrition can worsen the frequency, duration or pathogenicity of infectious disease. Herd health programs can only be most effective if pigs have adequate nutrition. Although much attention has been given to diagnostics, immunology, epidemiology and surveillance of infectious challenges, there is still relatively little known about the interactions viruses have with digestibility, metabolism and tissue accretion (Gabler et al, 2017). There is increasing interest in discovering ways to support the immune system, as improved alternatives are necessary with evolving restrictions on antibiotic use, zinc and others. The future demands a holistic approach to create resilient, robust animals, and that we identify alternatives that improve the productivity and overall wellbeing of food animals. It is well established that the gastrointestinal tract is the largest interface between the external and internal environments of the pig, and that the pig gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in harmony with a myriad of other physiological functions. Knowing this, how do we “feed the gut” and support a proper microbiome? What considerations do we need to have for the wean pig, the growing pig, the often-forgotten replacement gilt, and the challenges and environments they encounter? In this presentation, we will describe the relationships of nutrition and health, and how they can influence productivity.
107 Raised Without Antibiotics, Lessons Learned
Authors: Lincoln Whitney 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Smithfield Foods has initiated Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) programs into its vertical integration model in the past. This opportunity to drive change to meet a growing demand provides an unique ability to analyze approaches to raising swine in a setting where multiple entities are tied to the success of a program and maintaining a focus of animal welfare, traceability and financial responsibilities are a must. There is a wide range of housing and resources used for industry RWA programs across those that implement such practices. Smithfield Foods program was performed in conjunction with its company-owned sow farms weaning to contracted grower bases in conventional wean-to-finish barn settings within the Midwest making it a multi-entity managed approach. Therefore, a full-package view is mandatory for the success of a RWA program and takes into account many current industry research approaches as well as fulfilling basic husbandry parameters. A focus too heavily on one will alter the ability to achieve program goals. The focus in the most recent success of the RWA program provided by Smithfield Foods included beginning with high health pig sources sourcing robust offspring, utilizing strategic vaccines and timing to combat potential obstructive issues, specific biosecurity plans, optimal environment uniformity, nutrition and water quality focuses and individual pig awareness throughout the entirety of the pig’s time in the program. Over 400,000 pigs were placed into Smithfield Foods RWA Program. The outcome of implementing the multi-faceted approach of securing the basic animal husbandry, along with newer industry knowledge and research, led to only 1.53% individual pigs needing to be taken off of the program due to requiring an antibiotic treatment and the remaining pigs within the program having high success in financial returns with competitive company growth performances.
103 The Role of Crude Protein in Reducing the Need for Antibiotics in the Post-weaning Period
Authors: Pluske John 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
For many decades, antimicrobial compounds such as antibiotics and some mineral compounds have been used in pork production to promote pig growth and survival after weaning through mitigation of subclinical and clinical diseases, such as enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli. Bans and restrictions in the use of some antimicrobial compounds has led, often out of necessity, to the development of alternative feeding strategies to address these challenges. One tool to reduce the post-weaning malaise in the absence of specific antimicrobial compounds is manipulation of the protein content of diets offered to pigs. Numerous studies have shown that feeding higher crude protein diets in the post-weaning period, usually in the absence of specific antimicrobials, is generally related to decreased fecal consistency (looser stools) and an increased incidence of post-weaning diarrhea. In some cases, this causes more therapeutic antibiotic administrations, more animal care, and a greater mortality. Production indices are poorer as a consequence. Conversely, feeding diets of lower crude protein content after weaning has typically been associated with better health outcomes, but if diets are not correctly formulated with the addition of appropriate crystalline amino acids, then production outcomes can suffer. Increasing the quantity of fermentable protein entering the cecum and colon by feeding more dietary protein will stimulate changes in microbial composition, with the microbiota shifting to a more N-utilizing community resulting in greater protein catabolic activity and the increased production of products including ammonia, amines and branched-chain fatty acids. This, in turn, can be associated with increased diarrhea. Formulating starter diets that limit the flow of exogenous and endogenous proteinaceous compounds posteriorly to the ileo-caecal valve can be used to reduce the post-weaning malaise and may minimize the use of certain antimicrobial compounds. However, feeding lower-protein diets alone is not always the panacea to this production issue, and will likely need to be used in conjunction with other targeted nutritional and health measures specific to the farm in question.
109 When Too Many Feed Additives Is Not a Sustainable Approach to Replacing Feed Antibiotics
Authors: Bradley Casey L , Rosero David 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Due to consumer and regulatory demands swine producers are being ever more pressured to remove feed- and water-grade medications from their production systems. Consequently, there is an ever-growing list of feeding strategies and feed additives that indicate their value to maintain growth performance in diets void of antibiotics, leaving a confusing landscape for producers to navigate their options. Non-antibiotic feed additives, as reviewed by Liu et al. (2018), of options include acidifiers, minerals, prebiotics, direct fed microbials or yeast, nucleotides, and plant extracts. Furthermore, enzymes such as phytase and xylanase when fed to pigs have shown indirect benefits to not only performance but also livability. But within this landscape of research there has been little evidence to support synergies of these different feed additive types as an opportunity to replace antibiotics, while providing relatively little on the economic implications of different strategies. A commercial example of this was a study conducted in the Hanor System (Enid, OK USA) in which they conducted a 3 different feed additives that could benefit gut health of nursery pigs: organic acids, phytochemicals, and direct-fed microbials. Of the three different products tested, the phytochemical additive was the only product to demonstrate a profit above diets without the addition of feed additives. Furthermore, another study in the Hanor System evaluating antibiotic alternatives in the nursery period using pigs that were positive with PRRSv (1-7-4) found an increase in mortality and reduction in full value pigs when antibiotics were removed. However, the beta-glucan product demonstrated a positive response to both mortality and full-value pigs, yet still did not return to full profitability as the antibiotic fed pigs. In conclusion, further investigation into the synergies of different categories of feed additives is necessary to not only find the ideal balance of performance benefits but also profitability.
262 Fiber and Co-product Utilization in Pigs
Authors: Zijlstra R T T , Beltranena E 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Fiber is one of the four macronutrients that yield dietary energy for pigs (others are starch, fat, and protein). To yield energy, fiber must be fermented (primarily in the hindgut) by microbes producing volatile fatty acids (VFA). Price increases for traditional feedstuffs such as cereal grains and protein meals have stimulated the pork industry to consider dietary inclusion of fibrous co-products that are produced when grain is processed into human food, fuel, and bio-industrial products. High fiber co-products include distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), oilseed meal, expeller, and cake, and co-products from flour milling. As omnivores, pigs are ideally suited to convert these non-human edible co-products into high quality food animal protein. Thereby, co-products can partially offset increases in feed cost provided their price is competitive per unit of net energy or digestible lysine, but also present risks and feeding challenges. Effects of feeding high fiber co-product may depend on diets being balanced for energy value or not. In weaned pigs, high fiber diets were thought to reduce feed intake, and thereby hinder energy intake during the energy-dependent phase of growth. However, such a relation is not solid across the spectrum of dietary fiber. Fiber characteristics play a role in gut health and early development. High fiber diets have lower energy digestibility and concurrent lower feed efficiency, but increased feed intake may maintain growth. In growing-finishing pigs, high fiber diets increase viscera mass, and thereby reduce dressing percentage. In restricted-few sows, fiber and produced VFA play a role in reaching satiety responses. In conclusion, depending on the price of high fiber co-products, high fiber diets may be part of a range of solutions to reduce the feed cost, and may thereby support economically-sustainable pork production.
263 Review of Current Nutrition Knowledge and Practices for Gilt Development
Authors: Menegat Mariana , Tokach Mike D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Nutrition for replacement gilts aims to support the development of prepubertal gilts towards their physiological maturity in terms of body weight, body tissue composition, structural soundness, and reproductive development. A key concept of gilt nutrition for lifetime productivity is to maintain a positive prepubertal growth rate and reach a target body weight of 115 to 140 kg at puberty. The application of this concept commonly presents a challenge with fast-growing and highly efficient contemporary gilt lines, particularly considering the proportion of gilts exceeding the target body weight at puberty and the negative impacts of overweight gilts on lactational performance, structural soundness, and longevity. Thus, nutritional decisions regarding dietary levels of energy, amino acids, and minerals in the pre- and peripubertal stage can be conflicting. Typically, gilts are fed ad libitum with moderate levels of energy and amino acids because restrictions below the requirements can have a negative effect on puberty onset. In addition, a high plane of nutrition is offered after the pubertal estrus to set ovulation rate for breeding at the next estrus. Moreover, gilts are fed levels of dietary calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals above the requirements to improve bone mineral density in preparation for fetal development and lactation mobilization. Although these nutritional practices improve gilt performance, they also typically increase weight gain. Thus, there is a need to review nutritional strategies to manage body weight of replacement gilts while attaining optimum reproductive success and lifetime productivity.
261 Dietary Fiber: Chemical and Physical Characteristics and Methods of Analysis
Authors: Fahey George C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The fiber component of the diet is the major food source for the intestinal microbiota of swine. Included are traditional insoluble (e.g., cellulose) and soluble (e.g., pectin) dietary fibers, resistant starches (four types), and oligosaccharides (some of which are “prebiotics”). Fiber constituents are found both in the primary and secondary cell walls of plants, but some are found in non-cell wall structures as well. In cereals, cell walls consist of a reinforced multi-component matrix of cross-linked polymers (acidic xylans, arabinoxylans, glucomannans) in which a network of cellulose microfibrils is embedded. Proteins form a second network in the matrix, and lignin and phenolic acids may be covalently linked to the matrix polysaccharides. In addition, whole grains have considerable amounts of resistant starch. Physical processing and cooking have a major effect on the chemical composition and subsequent utilization of the whole grain. Techniques are available to quantify both the insoluble and soluble fibers present in swine diets. Solubility often impacts the location of fermentation within the swine gastrointestinal tract, and solubility often, but not always, reflects fermentation potential. Other important attributes of fiber include its viscosity/gel-forming capacity/water-holding capacity, and its fermentability. On the analytical front, considerable progress has been and continues to be made, with many AOAC-approved techniques currently available. In summary, dietary fiber is perhaps the most chemically complicated of any swine feed constituent, making its analysis difficult. Fibers, whether they be intrinsic and intact, isolated, chemically and (or) enzymatically synthesized, alternative, etc.represent the key foods for the swine intestinal microbiota, so a good understanding of their properties is critical to fully understand how to optimize their role in swine nutrition.
79 Direct and Indirect Effects of Heat Stress on the Hepatic and Ovarian Proteome in Gilts
Authors: Studer Jamie M , Kiefer Zoe E , Gianluppi Rafael , Adur Malavika K , Schultz R Blythe , Horst Erin A , Mayorga Edith J , Keating Aileen F , Baumgard Lance H , Lents Clay A , Ross Jason W 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Seasonal infertility (SI) caused by heat stress (HS) impacts the US swine industry by reducing litter size, farrowing rates, and production efficiency. Identifying the biological underpinnings of SI is a foundational step towards developing mitigation strategies to reduce the nearly $1 billion annual revenue losses to the swine industry. The study objective was to investigate the direct and indirect effects of HS via HS conditioned serum infusion in swine. We hypothesized gilts housed in thermoneutral (TN) conditions receiving gradual infusions of serum obtained from HS gilts would experience altered endocrine and metabolic function compared to gilts receiving serum from TN gilts. Prepubertal gilts (n = 18) were assigned to donor or recipient groups and donors were allocated to TN or HS environments. Blood was collected from HS donors and TN donors exposed to 24-hours of HS or TN conditions, respectively. Serum was infused into recipients housed in TN conditions via indwelling jugular catheters. Over a 24-hour period approximately 20% of the estimated recipient gilt serum volume from donors (pooled by treatment) was infused into recipients. After infusions were completed, gilts were euthanized and tissues collected. Increased rectal temperatures were observed in HS recipients compared to TN recipients (P ≤ 0.05). Protein extracts from liver and ovary underwent proteomic analysis via liquid-chromatography with tandem mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to assess protein abundance. In the liver and ovary, we identified 135 and 264 proteins, respectively, that were differentially abundant between TN and HS recipients (P &lt; 0.10). Gene Ontology enrichment analysis identified alterations to pathways involved in hormone regulation, immune response, and apoptosis. Collectively, these data demonstrate gilts receiving HS serum experienced altered endocrine and metabolic function compared to gilts receiving TN serum. This project was supported in part by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
82 Methyl Donor Supplementation Alters Cytosine Methylation and Biological Processes of Cells Cultured in Divergent Glucose Media Reflecting Improvements in Mitochondrial Respiration and Cell Growth Rate
Authors: Crouse Matthew S , Da Silva Diniz Wellison Jarles , Caton Joel , Dahlen Carl R , Reynolds Lawrence P , Borowicz Pawel P , Ward Alison K 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We hypothesized that supplementation of one-carbon metabolites (OCM: methionine, folate, choline, and vitamin B12) to bovine embryonic tracheal fibroblasts in divergent glucose media would alter cytosine methylation, and alterations in cytosine methylation will reflect biological processes matching previously improved mitochondrial respiration, cell proliferation, and cell growth rate data. Cells were cultured with 1g/L glucose (Low) or 4.5g/L glucose (High). Control medium (CON) contained basal concentrations of folate (0.001g/L), choline (0.001g/L), vitamin B12 (4µg/L), and methionine (0.015g/L). The OCM were supplemented at 2.5 and 5 times (2.5X and 5X, respectively) the CON media, except methionine was limited to 2X across all supplemented treatments. Cells were passaged three times in their treatment media before DNA extraction. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was adopted to analyze and compare the genomic methylation patterns within and across treatments using edgeR. Biological processes (BP) were retrieved based on the nearest genes of differentially methylated cytosines (P &lt; 0.01) for each comparison between treatments. In both Low and High treatments, greater OCM increased the proportion of hypomethylated vs. hypermethylated cytosines. Functional analyses pointed out positive regulation of BP related to energy metabolism, except for the contrasts within the High group. Among the BP, we can highlight positive regulation of: GTPase activity, catalytic activity, molecular function, protein modification processes, phosphorylation, protein phosphorylation, cellular protein metabolic processes, MAPK cascade, and metabolic processes. These data support previously reported results from this experiment that showed increased mitochondrial respiration, cell proliferation, and growth rates with increasing OCM levels. We interpret these data to imply that when energy and OCM requirements are met for growth and basal methylation levels, DNA methylation levels decrease which may allow for greater transcription. Thus, OCM can be utilized for other functions such as polyamine synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, energetic metabolites, and phosphatidylcholine synthesis. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
259 Effects of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Products on Lactating Sow’s Blood and Uterine Cytokine Profiles
Authors: Garcia Ricardo M , Thayer Morgan T , Mills Kayla M , Richert Jacob A , Sharp Katharine G , Rulon Karissa N , Petry Derek B , Robertson Karen , Stewart Kara R , Radcliffe John S , Schinckel Allan P , Richert Brian T 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of a liquid prototype (LIQP) and dry (XPC®; Diamond V) Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed additives on blood and uterine cytokine profiles in sows (n = 40). On d 112 of pregnancy sows were allotted to dietary treatments: 1) Control diet (CON), 2) CON +15 mL of LIQP (LIQ), 3) CON +0.20% of XPC (DRY), and 4) DRY +15 mL of LIQP until d 7 post-farrowing (D+L). Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were quantified from serum samples collected on d 112 of gestation, d 2 and 6 post-farrowing, and from uterine fluid collected on d 2, 4, and 6 post-farrowing. Serum C-Reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin concentrations were evaluated. No interactions between treatments and day of collection were observed (P &gt; 0.13). LIQ and D+L sows had the greatest serum IL-10 concentration (P &lt; 0.001) and sows fed CON tended to have lower concentration of IL-8 (P &lt; 0.06) vs. other treatments. Serum CRP concentrations were greatest on d 2 (P &lt; 0.001), serum IL-10 (P &lt; 0.04) and IL-4 (P &lt; 0.07) linearly decreased while serum haptoglobin (P &lt; 0.02) and INF-γ (P &lt; 0.001) linearly increased post-farrowing. In the uterine fluid, LIQ and D+L sows had greater INF-γ (P = 0.04) concentrations and CON tended to have the least concentration of TNF-α (P = 0.08). Uterine fluid IL-1 tended to linearly increase (P &lt; 0.07) and IL-6 linearly decrease (P &lt; 0.01) post-farrowing. No strong correlations were detected between cytokines in the serum and uterine fluid within day. LIQ sows had the greatest daily feed intake and CON the least during the first week of lactation (P = 0.04). Providing LIQP post-farrowing to sows modified immune response increasing both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and uterine fluid in an independent manner, allowing animals a quicker recovery and increased feed intake.
287 Effects of Number of Sperm and Site of Uterine Semen Deposition on Conception Rate and Number of Embryos in Weaned Sows Receiving a Single Fixed Time Insemination
Authors: Stewart Kara R , Belstra Brad , Willenburg Kilby L , Gómez-López Domingo , Knox Robert V 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Induced ovulation with single fixed time artificial insemination (SFTAI), combined with uterine (IUI) or deep uterine insemination (DUI), could improve fertility with low numbers of sperm and allow greater use of high genetic merit boars. At weaning (0 h), sows (n = 534) were assigned by parity and estrus induction method (eCG or Control) to receive 1200 × 106 sperm by IUI, 600, 300, or 150 × 106 sperm by IUI or DUI, or 75 × 106 sperm by DUI. At 80 h post weaning, sows received OvuGel and 26 h later a pooled semen SFTAI. Ultrasound was performed to determine follicle size and time of ovulation (OV). Sows were slaughtered 27 d after AI to determine pregnancy and litter traits. There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of eCG on estrus (93%) within 5 d of weaning or follicle size (6.1 mm) at OvuGel, but wean-to-estrus (3.8 vs. 4.0 d,P &lt; 0.01) and AI-to-OV (15.9 vs. 17.0 h, P = 0.04) intervals and AI-to OV were slightly reduced. eCG did not affect pregnancy rate (78.6%), number of CL (21.7), or number of viable embryos (12.2). There was no effect of number of sperm or site of insemination (P &gt; 0.05) on pregnancy rate (range: 80.9% to 70.5%), but AI occurring after ovulation reduced pregnancy rate (P &lt; 0.02). Total number of embryos (range: 16.5 to 10.3) increased with CL number (P &lt; 0.001) but was not affected by number of sperm or site of insemination (P &gt; 0.05). Higher sperm treatments (1200 and 600 x 106) had more embryos compared to lower sperm treatments (P &lt; 0.01), suggesting that lower sperm numbers effects litter size more than the pregnancy status. Acceptable fertility can be achieved with low sperm numbers when using SFTAI and uterine deposition, but AI-to-OV interval and ovulation rate influence final fertility.