The Low Feed Intake in Newly-weaned Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions

Dong, G.Z.,Pluske, J.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.3

The low feed intake immediately after weaning is responsible for villous atrophy and reduced growth rate in newly-weaned pigs. Overcoming this drawback will produce beneficial results for swine producers, and this warrants an understanding of the factors affecting the feed intake in newly-weaned pigs. In fact, a plethora of factors exert influences on feed intake in newly-weaned pigs, and these factors encompass health status, creep feeding, weaning age, mixing of litters, environment, dietary nutrient level and balance, palatability of ingredients, forms of diet presentation, water supply and quality, and stockmanship. Due to the complexity of the factors that affect the feed intake of weaned pigs, a comprehensive approach should be adopted to overcome the low feed intake problem right after weaning. It warrants mention that it is almost impossible to completely restore the feed intake just after weaning to pre-weaning level in terms of energy intake through dietary means which are available for being practiced economically and/or technically in current swine production. However, a refined dietary regime will certainly alleviate the low feed intake problem in the immediate postweaning period.

Establishment of a linear regression equation for quantification of beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli in different media and survival of hemolytic Escherichia coli after blending with three different media

Kim, Jae Cheol,Pluske, John R.,Yoo, Jaehong,Heo, Jung Min Institute of Agricultural Science 2014 Korean Journal of Agricultural Science Vol.41 No.2

Pathogenic E. coli associated post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) and edema disease are common diseases in commercially-housed weanling pigs. An enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) oral challenge model has been used to mimic the physiological responses observed in commercial conditions. However, an oral challenge procedure has two major limitations: (1) the ETEC cell density is unknown at the point of oral inoculation, and (2) blending ETEC with traditional TSB (trypticase soy broth) is not palatable and hence decreases acceptability by piglets. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (1) establish a regression equation that can be used for estimation of ETEC concentration in dilution media using the spectrophotometric measurement of cell density; and (2) examine survival of ETEC after blending either with TSB, sweetener or dextrose. A strain of ETEC (serogroup beta-hemolytic E. coli O149; K91; F4; toxins LT, STa, STb) was grown in TSB for 3.5 hours, centrifuged, the supernatant was discarded, and the ETEC pellet was then blended either with TSB (100 mL), sweetener (60 mL TSB + 40 mL fruit flavored concentrate), or dextrose (50 mL TSB + 50 mL dextrose; 0.5g/mL dextrose). Cell density was measured using the colorimetric method and also plated on a 5% sheep blood agar for counting of ETEC colony forming units at 0, 5, 35, 65 and 125 min after blending. The optical density at 600 nm explained 83% of ETEC colony forming units, indicating that the established linear equation (y= 6E+08x - 4E+07, P<0.004) can be used for robust quantification of ETEC cell density in TSB, sweetener and dextrose media. When ETEC was blended with sweetener and dextrose, survival of ETEC was decreased by 45% and 72% within 5 min post-blending. Therefore, further research is required to find out the suitable medium that has potential to improve palatability without compromising survival of ETEC.

Establishment of a linear regression equation for quantification of beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli in different media and survival of hemolytic Escherichia coli after blending with three different media

Jae Cheol Kim,John R. Pluske,Jaehong Yoo,Jung Min Heo 충남대학교 농업과학연구소 2014 농업과학연구 Vol.41 No.2

Pathogenic E. coli associated post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) and edema disease are common diseases in commercially-housed weanling pigs. An enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) oral challenge model has been used to mimic the physiological responses observed in commercial conditions. However, an oral challenge procedure has two major limitations: (1) the ETEC cell density is unknown at the point of oral inoculation, and (2) blending ETEC with traditional TSB (trypticase soy broth) is not palatable and hence decreases acceptability by piglets. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to (1) establish a regression equation that can be used for estimation of ETEC concentration in dilution media using the spectrophotometric measurement of cell density; and (2) examine survival of ETEC after blending either with TSB, sweetener or dextrose. A strain of ETEC (serogroup beta-hemolytic E. coli O149; K91; F4; toxins LT, STa, STb) was grown in TSB for 3.5 hours, centrifuged, the supernatant was discarded, and the ETEC pellet was then blended either with TSB (100 mL), sweetener (60 mL TSB + 40 mL fruit flavored concentrate), or dextrose (50 mL TSB + 50 mL dextrose; 0.5g/mL dextrose). Cell density was measured using the colorimetric method and also plated on a 5% sheep blood agar for counting of ETEC colony forming units at 0, 5, 35, 65 and 125 min after blending. The optical density at 600 nm explained 83% of ETEC colony forming units, indicating that the established linear equation (y= 6E+08x ? 4E+07, P<0.004) can be used for robust quantification of ETEC cell density in TSB, sweetener and dextrose media. When ETEC was blended with sweetener and dextrose, survival of ETEC was decreased by 45% and 72% within 5 min post-blending. Therefore, further research is required to find out the suitable medium that has potential to improve palatability without compromising survival of ETEC.

Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids independently attenuate plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E3 in Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide-challenged growing-finishing pigs.

Upadhaya, S D,Kim, J C,Mullan, B P,Pluske, J R,Kim, I H American Society of Animal Science 2015 Journal of Animal Science Vol. No.

<P>This study tested the hypothesis that vitamin E (Vit E) and omega-3 fatty acids will additively attenuate the production of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 in immune system-stimulated growing-finishing pigs. A total of 80 mixed sex pigs weighing 50.7 +/- 0.76 kg (mean +/- SE) were blocked and stratified based on sex and BW to a 2 x 2 factorial design with the respective factors being 1) without and with 300 IU Vit E and 2) without and with 25% replacement of tallow to linseed oil as a source of n-3 fatty acids. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicate pens with 5 pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen. All pigs were challenged with an intramuscular injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; O111: B4) twice weekly over the 6-wk experiment. After LPS challenge, pigs fed a diet supplemented with n-3 fatty acids had fewer (P < 0.05) white blood cells and tended to show both a reduced (P < 0.10) proportion of lymphocytes and IgG concentration compared with pigs fed a diet without any supplements. Supplementation of n-3 fatty acids reduced (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) serum concentrations of cortisol and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), respectively. The serum concentration of PGE(2) was decreased (P < 0.05) with supplementation of both Vit E and n-3 fatty acids; however, the extent of the reduction was greater (P < 0.001) in pigs fed an n-3 fatty acidsupplemented diet. However, there were no additive effects of the combined supplementation of Vit E and n-3 fatty acids on serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE(2). The results suggest that n-3 fatty acids independently attenuate production of TNF-alpha and PGE(2) in immune system-stimulated growing-finishing pigs.</P>

Reducing the dietary omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio attenuated inflammatory indices and sustained epithelial tight junction integrity in weaner pigs housed in a poor sanitation condition

Shin, T.K.,Yi, Y.J.,Kim, J.C.,Pluske, J.R.,Cho, H.M.,Wickramasuriya, S.S.,Kim, E.,Lee, S.M.,Heo, J.M. Elsevier 2017 Animal feed science and technology Vol.234 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The present study was conducted to determine the effect of reducing dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio on the performance, inflammatory response and gut morphology of PWD challenged with sanitary and poor sanitary conditions in weaned pigs, and to test the hypotheses that (1) exposure to an poor sanitary environment will increase indices for inflammatory response; and (2) reducing n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio in diets for weaned pigs will attenuate the inflammatory response induced by the environmental challenge. A total of 108 male pigs [Duroc×(Yorkshire×Landrace); initial BW 7.1±0.5kg] weaned at 21days of age were randomly allocated to one of 3 dietary treatments and 2 environmental conditions (sanitary vs. poor sanitary) to give 6 replicate pens per treatment with 3 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were 3 graded levels of n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio (i.e.,20:1, 10:1 and 4:1) formulated using tallow, safflower oil, and a vegetable and fish oil blended product. One pig per pen (n=6) was euthanized on d 0, d 7 and d 14, to collect blood and small intestinal tissue samples. Pigs exposed to a poor sanitary environment tended (P<0.10) to grow more slowly and utilized feed less efficiently (P<0.05) compared with the pigs housed in sanitary conditions. Housing weaned pigs in a poor sanitary environment increased (P<0.05) the incidence of diarrhoea. Furthermore, a poor sanitary environment increased (P<0.001) the occludin diffusion in the ileal epithelium of weaned pigs and increased plasma concentrations of TNF-α (P<0.05), COX-2 (P<0.05), PGE2 (P<0.01) and LTB4 (P<0.05) on d 14. Reducing the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio improved (P<0.05) both ADG and FCR but reduced (P <0.01) the incidence of diarrhoea over 14days after weaning, and they tended to attenuate (P<0.10) the diffusion of the transmembrane tight junction protein occludin at the apical intercellular region of the ileal epithelium. Moreover, reducing the n-6:n-3 ratio in the diet attenuated the increased inflammatory indices induced by the environmental challenge. Correlation analysis indicated that n-6 PUFA intake of individual pigs positively correlated with plasma concentrations of IL-1β (P<0.01), TNF-α (P<0.05), PGE<SUB>2</SUB> (P<0.01) and COX-2 (P<0.05). Our results indicated that housing pigs in a poor sanitary environment after weaning increased inflammatory responses and reduced growth performance. Reducing the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio to 4:1 attenuated the inflammatory responses observed after weaning in both environment on d 7 and in the poor sanitary environment on d 14.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Totally 108 male pigs weaned at 21 days of age were randomly allocated in 3 dietary treatment and 2 environmental conditions. </LI> <LI> One pig per pen (n=6) was euthanized on d 0, d 7 and d 14, to collect blood and small intestinal tissue samples. </LI> <LI> Pigs in an unsanitary environment increased inflammatory responses and reduced growth performance. </LI> <LI> Reducing the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio to 4:1 attenuated the inflammatory responses induced by the unsanitary environment. </LI> </UL> </P>

Dietary Bovine Colostrum Increases Villus Height and Decreases Small Intestine Weight in Early-weaned Pigs

King, M.R.,Morel, P.C.H.,Revell, D.K.,Pluske, J.R.,Birtles, M.J. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.4

This experiment examined the effect of dietary spray-dried bovine colostrum on intestinal histology and organ weights in early-weaned pigs. In a randomised complete block design, twelve 14-day-old weaner pigs were offered a diet containing either 5% spray-dried bovine colostrum or no colostrum (control). Diets were formulated to contain 14.8 MJ/kg DE, 1.26% available lysine and to meet or exceed requirements for other nutrients. Piglets were offered the diets for a period of 14 days. No effect of diet on growth rate or feed intake was observed (p>0.10). Small intestine weight was reduced by 12% in piglets consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p< 0.05). Villous height and crypt depth were increased and decreased, respectively, in the proximal jejunum, mid jejunum and distal ileum of pigs consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p<0.05). Mid-jejunal lamina propria $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T lymphocyte density was increased by 28 and 37%, respectively, in piglets consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p<0.05). Diet did not affect thickness of tunica muscularis externa or tunica submucosa (p>0.10). Collectively, these results suggest a positive effect of dietary bovine colostrum on intestinal morphology and immune status in early-weaned pigs.

Improving the Nutritive Value of Full-Fat Rice Bran for Broiler Chickens Using a Lipase-Based Enzyme Preparation

Tan, S.H.,Thomas, D.V.,Camden, B.J.,Kadim, I.T.,Morel, P.C.H.,Pluske, J.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.3

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that a lipase-based enzyme preparation would increase the AME content of full-fat rice bran (FFRB) by increasing fat digestibility when fed to broiler chickens. Experiment 1 used FFRB from Australia and lasted for 35 days, while Experiment 2 used FFRB from Thailand and lasted for 14 days. Rice bran was substituted in a maize-soybean diet at levels of 90 g/kg (Experiment 1) and at 90 and 180 g/kg in Experiment 2. Total collections of excreta were used for determination of AME content and fat digestibility. In Experiment 1, the enzyme increased the AME content of FFRB between days 4-7, 18-21 and 32-35 by 6.1-16.1% (p>0.05), however this was not associated with improved fat digestibility. In Experiment 2, the enzyme enhanced the AME content of FFRB between days 4-7 (10.42 vs. 9.06, p=0.107) and 11-14 (11.94 vs. 9.93, p=0.041), but again, this was not caused by increased fat digestibility. Inclusion of 180 g/kg depressed the AME content of FFRB by 7.4-11.5% (p>0.10) in conjunction with decreased (p<0.05) fat digestibility between 0-14 days of age. Improvements in bird growth with the enzyme were seen in Experiment 2 but not in Experiment 1. Increases in AME content of FFRB per se were not caused by enhanced fat digestibility, suggesting that the side activities associated with the preparation must have acted singularly or in combination to improve AME content and bird performance. These data show that the response of FFRB to the lipase-based enzyme preparation was dependent upon the geographical origin of the rice bran and the level of FFRB substituted in the basal diet.