Effects of Organic Acids on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal pH, Intestinal Microbial Populations and Immune Responses of Weaned Pigs

Li, Zheji,Yi, Ganfeng,Yin, Jingdong,Sun, Peng,Li, Defa,Knight, Chris Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.2

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding organic acids and antibiotic growth promoters in weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 nursery pigs (Large White$\times$Landrace; initial weight $7.80{\pm}0.07kg$) were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments. Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a complex starter diet. Treatments 2 to 4 were the same as treatment 1 but supplemented with antibiotics (200 ppm chlortetracycline plus 60 ppm Lincospectin), 0.5% potassium diformate or 0.5% dry organic acid blend ACTIVATE Starter DA (ASD). During the 4-week post-weaning period, pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had better gain (p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p = 0.04) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14 post-weaning, pigs fed the control diet had the lowest fecal lactobacilli count among all dietary treatments (p = 0.02), whereas pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had a trend for lower fecal E. coli count compared to the control pigs (p = 0.08). Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of pigs fed ASD did not differ from pigs fed the control diet (p>0.05) at d 14 after weaning. In Exp. 2, 24 weaned pigs (Large White$\times$Long White; initial weight $5.94{\pm}0.33kg$) were allotted into four groups and housed individually. Pigs were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 ppm colistin sulfate, 50 ppm Kitasamycin plus 60 ppm Olaquindox), 0.5% or 1% ASD. All pigs were orally challenged with E. coli $K88^+$ on d 5. During d 5 to 14 after challenge, pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD had better gain (p = 0.01) and feed efficiency (p = 0.03) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14, compared to the control pigs, pigs fed 0.5% ASD had higher lactobacilli in the duodenum and pigs fed 1% ASD and antibiotics had a trend for higher lactobacilli in the ileum (p = 0.08). Pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD diets tended to have decreased ileal E. coli count compared to those fed the control diet (p = 0.08). Serum interleukin-6 and cortisol and digesta pH values were not affected by treatment or time. These results indicate that feeding ASD can improve the growth performance of weaning pigs, mainly via modulating intestinal microflora populations without affecting gastrointestinal pH or immune indices.

Net energy content of rice bran, corn germ meal, corn gluten feed, peanut meal, and sunflower meal in growing pigs

Li, Yakui,Li, Zhongchao,Liu, Hu,Noblet, Jean,Liu, Ling,Li, Defa,Wang, Fenglai,Lai, Changhua Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.9

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) content of full-fat rice bran (FFRB), corn germ meal (CGM), corn gluten feed (CGF), solvent-extracted peanut meal (PNM), and dehulled sunflower meal (SFM) fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry or published prediction equations. Methods: Twelve growing barrows with an average initial body weight (BW) of $32.4{\pm}3.3kg$ were allotted to a replicated $3{\times}6$ Youden square design with 3 successive periods and 6 diets. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 16 d, which included 7 days for adaptation. On d 8, the pigs were transferred to the respiration chambers and fed one of the 6 diets at 2.0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/$kg\;BW^{0.6}/d$. Total feces and urine were collected and daily heat production was measured from d 9 to d 13. On d 14 and d15, pigs were fed at their maintenance energy requirement level. On the last day pigs were fasted and fasting heat production was measured. Results: The NE of FFRB, CGM, CGF, PNM, and SFM measured by indirect calorimetry method was 12.33, 8.75, 7.51, 10.79, and 6.49 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The NE/ME ratios ranged from 67.2% (SFM) to 78.5% (CGF). The NE values for the 5 ingredients calculated according to the prediction equations were 12.22, 8.55, 6.79, 10.51, and 6.17 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Conclusion: The NE values were the highest for FFRB and PNM and the lowest in the corn co-products and SFM. The average NE of the 5 ingredients measured by indirect calorimetry method in the current study was greater than values predicted from NE prediction equations (0.32 MJ/kg DM).

Effects of Supplementing Different Combinations of Nitrogen Supplements on Digestibility and Performance in Sheep Fed Wheat Straw Diets

Li, Yong,Li, Defa,Xing, Jianjun,Li, Shengli,Han, Yang,Han, In K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.10

Thirty-six (20 wethers and 16 rams) adult Gansu highland finewool sheep with an average liveweight of $19.42{\pm}1.83kg$ were used. The sheep were allocated to 4 treatments and confined in individual feeding stalls. The 80 day feeding trial was divided into 2 periods of 38 and 42 days. The sheep had access to clean water and were fed chopped wheat straw ad libitum. Daily supplemented diets of 150 g for the first period and 200 g for the later period were provided. The 4 types of supplements were: Wheat bran type (I), which is the traditional feeding practice in the area and the control group; Linseed cake type (II); Linseed cake+poultry litter type (III); Poultry litter+distiller grains type (IV). The digestibility trial was conducted using a total collection method at the end of the first period in the feeding trial. The results showed that the digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in group II and III were increased to more than 50%. CP and NDF digestibility in group II were significantly increased by 23.6% and 25.5% respectively over group I (p<0.01) and by 10.1% and 13.1% respectively over group III (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in group IV was lower than group I by 4.4 to 8.4% (p>0.05). Compared to group I, group II and III increased straw intake by 17.6% (p<0.01) and 10.8% (p<0.05). The ADG increased from 16.2 g in group I to 45.3 g and 32.8 g (p<0.01) in group II and III respectively. The ratio of supplement intake to gain decreased from 10.7 in group I to 3.9 and 5.4 (p<0.01) in group II and III respectively. The ratio of supplement cost to gain also decreased by 60.0% and 64.3%, respectively. The wool growth rate and wool strength in these 2 groups were noticeably improved. This significantly enhanced the wool's textile value. The above parameters in group IV were lower than in group I, except the ratio of supplement cost to gain. This research indicates that local low quality nitrogen resources could be used effectively and economically to improve the utilization of wheat straw fed to sheep on smallholder farms under harsh loess plateau conditions in the winter.

Nutritional Evaluation of Chinese Nonconventional Protein Feedstuffs for Growing-Finishing Pigs - 2. Rapeseed Meal

Li, Defa,Qiao, S.Y.,Yi, G.F.,Jiang, J.Y.,Xu, X.X.,Thacker, P.,Piao, X.S.,Han, In K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.1

Two experiments were conducted to determine ileal digestibilities for the amino acids contained in rapeseed meal using the regression technique and then applying the values obtained, in a growth trial, using growing-finishing pigs. For the digestibility trial, four 20 kg crossbred $(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing\;Black)$ barrows were fitted with simple T-cannula in the terminal ileum. After recovery, the barrows were fed one of four experimental diets according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 75% rapeseed meal. For the growth trial, 80 crossbred $(Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing\;Black)$ growing pigs $(20{\pm}2.4kg)$ were fed corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 9 or 12% rapeseed meal. Four pens (2 gilts and 2 castrates) were assigned to each treatment. With the exception of isoleucine and methionine, the digestibility coefficients for the indispensible amino acids declined as the level of rapeseed meal in the diet increased. There was little agreement between the amino acid digestibilities determined with the regression technique and values previously published for rapeseed meal. During the growing (22-42 kg) period, the addition of rapeseed meal had no significant effects on gain, feed intake or feed conversion. During the finishing period (58-91 kg), daily gain was not affected by rapeseed meal inclusion but feed conversion declined (p<0.04) as the level of rapeseed meal in the diet increased.

Nutritive Values of Chinese Peanut Meal for Growing-Finishing Pigs

Li, Defa,Xu, X.X.,Qiao, S.Y.,Zheng, C.T.,Chen, Y.,Piao, X.S.,Han, In K.,Thacker, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.3

Two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of the amino acids contained in peanut meal using the regression technique and then applying the values obtained, in a growth trial, using growing-finishing pigs. For the digestibility trial, four 20 kg crossbred (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Beijing Black) barrows were fitted with simple T-cannula in the terminal ileum. After recovery, the barrows were fed one of four experimental diets according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 75% peanut meal. For the growth trial, 200 crossbred (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Beijing Black) growing pigs (20.9 kg) were fed corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20% peanut meal. Five pens (4 gilts and 4 castrates) were assigned to each treatment. With the exception of arginine, histidine and phenylalanine, the digestibility coefficients for the indispensible amino acids declined as the level of peanut meal in the diet increased. There was a good agreement between the amino acid digestibilities for lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan determined using the regression technique and amino acid digestibilities previously published for peanut meal. During both the growing (21-54 kg) and finishing (54-99 kg) periods, the addition of peanut meal decreased average daily gain (p=0.01) and feed conversion in a linear manner (p<0.05). Feed intake was not significantly different among treatments. The overall results suggest that peanut meal can be used at levels up to 15% in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs provided that the diet has been balanced for digestible amino acids.

Effect of Feeding Organic Acid With or Without Enzyme on Intestinal Microflora, Intestinal Enzyme Activity and Performance of Weaned Pigs

Li, Defa,Liu, S.D.,Qiao, S.Y.,Yi, G.F.,Liang, C.,Thacker, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.3

Ninety-six, 35 day old, crossbred pigs, were fed either a basal diet based on com, soybean meal, fish meal and whey or one of three similar diets supplemented with either 0.5% organic acid or enzyme both alone and in combination. Neither organic acid nor enzyme produced any significant (p<0.05) improvements in daily gain or feed conversion. Organic acid, both alone and in combination with enzyme, significantly (p=0.04) decreased the pH in the lower colon. None of the treatments produced any effects on E. Coli or Lactobacillus numbers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding enzyme increased trypsin (p=0.01), chymotrypsin (p=0.03) and amylase (p=0.08) levels in the jejunum. Chymotrypsin levels were higher (p=0.04) in the ileum of pigs fed enzyme. Serum glucose levels were lower (p=0.01) on day 14 in pigs fed enzyme either alone or in combination with acid. Under the conditions of this experiment (10% dietary whey, pigs weaned at 35 days of age), neither organic acid nor enzyme were effective in improving starter pig performance. Therefore, there would appear to be little justification for the routine inclusion of these products in diets fed to pigs weaned at 35 days or later.

The Effect of Calcium Level on Microbial Phytase Activity and Nutrient Balance in Swine

Li, Defa,Che, X.R.,Wang, Y.Q.,Qiao, S.Y.,Cao, H.,Johnson, W.,Thacker, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.2

Three barrows weighing 45.0 kg, fitted with simple T-cannulas in both the duodenum and terminal ileum, were assigned to diets in a $3{\times}3$ Latin Square design experiment to determine the effect of two calcium levels (0.8% vs 0.4%) on phytase activity and nutrient balance in growing pigs. The control diet contained 0.8% calcium, with no added inorganic phosphorus (0.45% total phosphorus) and no added phytase. The two additional experimental diets contained microbial phytase (750 phytase units/kg) and supplied either 0.8% or 0.4% calcium. With added microbial phytase, ileal and total tract digestibility of rotal phosphorus were improved by 20.9 and 13.8 percentage units, respectively (p=0.01). The apparent duodenal and ileal digestibility of phytate phosphorus were increased by 51.8 and 49.7 percentage units (p=0.01). Lowering dietary calcium in the presence of microbial phytase increased the digestibility of phytate phosphorus by an additional 10.9 (p=0.001) and 5.7 percentage units for duodenal and ileal digestibility, respectively. Supplementation with microbial phytase significantly reduced fecal excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus and increased the percentage of these nutrients retained by the pig. Lowering dietary calcium further increased the percentage of dietary phosphorus retained. Overall, reducing dietary calcium appeared to increase the effectiveness of added microbial phytase in degrading phytate phosphorus. As a result, care should be taken to avoid high levels of dietary calcium when supplementing swine diets with microbial phytase.

Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs Fed Sesame Meal Supplemented Diets Formulated Using Amino Acid Digestibilities Determined by the Regression Technique

Li, Defa,Qiao, S.Y.,Yi, G.F.,Jiang, J.Y.,Xu, X.X.,Piao, X.S.,Han, In K.,Thacker, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.2

Two experiments were conducted to determine ileal digestibilities for the amino acids contained in sesame meal using the regression technique and then applying the values obtained in a growth trial using growing-finishing pigs. For the digestibility trial, four, 20 kg crossbred (Yorkshire $\times$ Landrace $\times$ Beijing Black) barrows were fitted with a simple T-cannula in the terminal ileum. After recovery, the barrows were fed one of four experimental diets according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 75 percent sesame meal. For the growth trial, 210 crossbred (Yorkshire $\times$ Landrace $\times$ Henan Min) growing pigs ($21.8{\pm}1.4kg$), were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 9, or 12% sesame meal. Three pens (7 gilts and 7 castrates) were assigned to each treatment. With the exception of arginine and phenylalanine, the digestibility coefficients for the indispensible amino acids declined as the level of sesame meal in the diet increased. There was little agreement between the amino acid digestibilities determined with the regression technique and values previously published for sesame meal determined with the direct method. Daily gain and feed conversion both declined (linear effect p=0.02 and 0.06 respectively) as the level of sesame meal in the diet increased.

Effect of L-Carnitine and Source of Dietary Fat on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Piglets Weaned at 35 Days of Age

Li, Defa,Qiao, Q.,Johnson, E.W.,Jiang, J.,Wang, F.,Blum, R.,Allee, G. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.8

The effects of carnitine in diets with or without added fat (5% lard or soybean oil) were evaluated in 72 Large White ${\times}$ Landrace ${\times}$ Duroc pigs weaned at 35 days of age. Pigs were fed a 1.30% lysine corn-soybean basal diet+15% dried whey+4% fish meal with carnitine at 0 or 50 mg/kg and either 0% added fat, 5% soybean oil or 5% lard for 6 weeks in a $2{\times}3$ factorial trial (6 treatments, 3 pens per treatment, 4 pigs per pen). Addition of carnitine increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the second two weeks of the six-week trial and overall, but had no significant effect on feed per gain (F/G). Lard alone depressed ADG (p<0.05) in the last two weeks of the trial and overall, but the ADG for pigs fed lard+carnitine was similar to the control. Lard reduced feed intake in the first two weeks of the trial (p<0.05). Carnitine reduced the percentage of pigs with poor (ADG<375 g/d) growth (15 vs 40%; p<0.05). The greater uniformity of growth was most evident in low-weaning-weight pigs in the second period (16 vs 62%, p<0.005). Addition of fat did not produce any positive effect on uniformity and had no interaction with carnitine on uniformity. Carnitine addition increased serum total carnitione and short-chain acyl-carnitine levels (p<0.05), but did not modify free carnitine levels. Serum carnitine levels were lower at weaning than at 14, 28, or 39 days after weaning (p<0.05). Carnitine increased serum protein levels on day 14 (p<0.05). Addition of fat in the form of soybean oil or lard did not improve piglet growth performance. Addition of 50 mg/kg of carnitine to the diet of weanling pigs enhanced postweaning performance.

Use of Chinese Sunflower Meal as a Nonconventional Protein Feedstuff for Growing-Finishing Pigs

Li, Defa,Yi, G.F.,Qiao, S.Y.,Zheng, C.T.,Xu, X.X.,Piao, X.S.,Han, In K.,Thacker, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.5

Two experiments were conducted to determine the ileal digestibility of the amino acids contained in sunflower meal using the regression technique and then applying the values obtained, in a growth trial, using growing-finishing pigs. For the digestibility trial, four 20 kg crossbred ($Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing$ Black) barrows were fitted with simple Tcannula in the terminal ileum. After recovery, the barrows were fed one of four experimental diets according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The pigs were fed corn-soybean meal based diets supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 75% sunflower meal. For the growth trial, 80 crossbred ($Yorkshire{\times}Landrace{\times}Beijing$ Black) growing pigs (21.5 kg) were fed corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10 or 15% sunflower meal. Five pens (2 gilts and 2 castrates) were assigned to each treatment. With the exception of arginine and valine, the digestibility coefficients for the indispensible amino acids declined as the level of sunflower meal in the diet increased. During both the growing (21.5-49.1 kg) and finishing (49.1-90.3 kg) periods and over the entire experiment (21.5-90.3 kg), average daily gain declined in a linear manner (p<0.05) with increasing amounts of sunflower meal. Feed intake was not significantly altered while feed conversion declined in a linear manner (p<0.05) during the grower period only. When the entire experimental period was taken into account, there would appear to be little penalty in either growth or feed conversion for including sunflower meal at levels up to 10% of the diet. Therefore, the price relationship between sunflower meal and other high-protein feedstuffs may provide an excellant opportunity for pork producers to use sunflower meal in order to reduce feed costs.