The effect of thyme herb in diets for fattening pigs on their growth performance and health
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SUBMITTER: Czech A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10553308 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:IntroductionRye is one of the most important cereal crops in Central Europe, thus attempts have been made to include it in the diets of birds to reduce production costs, since the cost of feed accounts for as much as 50 %-70 % thereof. Nevertheless, the use of rye has been limited to date, particularly in turkeys. This study aimed to test the effects of rye inclusion up to 10 % on growth, excreta, and/or litter dry matter, and foot pad health.MethodsFour trials were performed with a total of 4,322, 4,307, 4,256, and 4,280 female turkeys (BUT BIG 6, Aviagen) for trials 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. All birds were fed commercial starter diets for the dietary phases 1 and 2 (up to d 35 of life). Thereafter, at the start of the study, the control group received commercial supplementary feed with 5 % or 10 % wheat until the end of the fattening period. The experimental group was offered supplementary feed to which instead of wheat increasing levels of rye were added stepwise from 5 % to 10 %.ResultsUsing supplementary feed with rye showed no significant differences in the final body weight between the control and experimental groups (10.9 vs. 10.8 kg). The dry matter content of fresh excreta for turkeys during the experimental period did not show significant differences between both groups, except at weeks 10 and 14 of life. The feed type (either control diet or experimental diet) did not significantly affect litter dry matter content between the groups throughout the experimental period. No significant differences were noted in food pad dermatitis scoring between both groups throughout the experimental period, except at weeks 11 and 16 of life. Overall, this study showed that including proportions of rye up to 10% could replace conventional ingredients and may increase sustainability in poultry production regardless of the addition of supplementary feed.
| S-EPMC10126500 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study aimed to investigate the impact of Astragalus dregs - the residue after the extraction of principal active components - on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune function of fattening pigs. Twenty-four 130 days of age fattening pigs were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group (supplemented with 10% Astragalus dregs). The production performance was evaluated by average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and diarrhoea rates. Additionally, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and immune function factors were analysed. The group supplemented with Astragalus dregs showed a trend towards improved ADG and ADFI and reduced diarrhoea rates (p > 0.05). Moreover, it significantly enhanced the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract (p < 0.05). Blood analysis revealed that globulin and total protein were increased, and glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were decreased (p < 0.05) in the group supplemented with Astragalus dregs. The antioxidant capacity was significantly promoted by elevated T-AOC, GSH-px, and SOD activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05). The immune function factors demonstrated that IgA, IgG, IgM, and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-22 were significantly increased, meanwhile pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 were decreased (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that Astragalus dregs, as a dietary supplement, may enhance growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function in fattening pigs. It is suggested that future studies should explore the optimal supplementation ratio of Astragalus dregs in pig diets.
| S-EPMC11811845 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The presence of β-mannans in feed can produce a futile and chronic immune stimulation in fattening pigs. In this trial, a 1-4-endo-D-β-mannanase was added to the feed (HC) during growth and fattening (0.03% of Hemicell HT) and physical performance and pathological data were recorded, and intestinal integrity and immune activation were studied by molecular biomarkers, compared to a control group (CON). The treatment diet was reduced in energy content by 40 Kcal/kg NE. From each group, 113 and 112 animals housed in 8 pens were individually identified and weighed three times: at 7th, 63rd and 116th days in feed. The FCR was calculated for groups of two pens and ADG individually. There was no difference in ADG (CON = 0.836, HC = 0.818) nor in FCR between groups (p = 0.486). During growth, there was a higher frequency of normal feces in HC and there were also no differences in the frequency of gastric lesions. A significant increase in Claudin, Occludin, IFN-γ and IL8 was observed in the CON in feces and a significant decrease in IL-6 in HC. In tissues, there were differences for IL-12p40, TNF-alpha in jejunum (increased CON) and TGF-β in ileum and jejunum, (decreased HC). The economic performance was EUR 4.7 better in the treated group. In conclusion, the addition of 1-4-endo-D-β--mannanase to the feed with a 1.6% reduction in net energy compared to the control, allowed the animals to perform as well as the animals on the higher energy diet, with lower prevalence of diarrhea.
| S-EPMC9658119 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Improving the synchrony between amino acids (AAs) and glucose appearance in the blood can support the growth performance of weaned pigs fed a low crude protein (CP) diet. This can be achieved using a diet with a low amylose-to-amylopectin ratio (AM/AP). The aim of this experiment was to evaluate whether reducing the AM/AP by using a corn variety characterized by a high amylopectin content, in the weaning diet can sustain growth performance and improve the intestinal health of pigs fed a low-CP diet. At weaning (25 ± 2 d), 90 pigs were assigned to 3 treatment groups: 1) control group (CTR), fed a standard diet with a medium-high CP content and high AM/AP (days 0 to 13: 18.0% CP, 0.13 AM/AP; days 14 to 27: 16.6% CP, 0.30 AM/AP; days 28 to 49: 16.7% CP, 0.15 AM/AP); 2) a group fed a low-CP diet with a high AM/AP (LP) (days 0 to 13: 16.0% CP, 0.17 AM/AP; days 13 to 27: 14.7% CP, 0.17 AM/AP; days 28 to 49: 14.5% CP, 0.25 AM/AP); 3) a group fed a low CP and a low AM/AP diet (LPLA) (days 0 to 13: 16.0% CP, 0.09 AM/AP; days 14 to 27: 14.7% CP, 0.05 AM/AP; days 28 to 49: 14.5% CP, 0.09 AM/AP). Pigs were weighted weakly until day 49. Fecal samples were collected on days 10 and 42 (12 samples/group/timepoint) for ammonia and calprotectin content and microbiota profile characterization. Until day 28, body weight (BW) of pigs from CTR was not different from pigs of the LPLA group, whereas it was higher from pigs of the LP group (P < 0.05). Thereafter, CTR group had greater BW compared with LP and LPLA groups for all the other timepoints considered (P < 0.05). From days 0 to 7 LPLA group had a lower incidence of diarrhea than the LP group (P = 0.04). On day 10, LPLA group had a greater alpha diversity (Shannon and InvSimpson indices), than the CTR (P = 0.03) and LP (P = 0.04) groups. On day 42, LPLA group had significantly greater InvSimpson diversity than LP group (P = 0.028). On day 10, LP group was characterized by greater abundance of Lactobacillus (LDA score = 5.15, P = 0.02), Clostridium-sensu-stricto-1 (LDA score = 4.90, P = 0.02) and Oscillospiraceae NK4A214-group (LDA score = 4.87, P = 0.004), whereas LPLA group was characterized by greater abundance of Prevotella (LDA score = 5.04, P = 0.003) and Agathobacter (LDA score = 4.77, P = 0.05). In conclusion, while reducing CP levels may negatively impact growth performance, when combined with higher amylopectin levels, it can reduce the incidence of diarrhea and increase fecal microbial diversity.
| S-EPMC11681340 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The current Quality Standard regulating the Iberian pig provides for various differentiated farming systems subject to the type of management implemented and the breed of the pigs. This study attempts to analyse the differences between two of these production systems, i.e., the outdoor and the indoor rearing systems by comparing the main technical and economic factors of six farms, three operating under each system, in order to ascertain the most profitable production system. This analysis is based on the information provided by the farm owners. It also evaluates the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak had on profitability. The results show that both systems spend the same resources on animal feed, which represents nearly 60% of the expense, with the price of purchase of piglets representing 30-32% of the total; however, there are differences in the cost of labour, which is higher in the outdoor variant. In economic terms, outdoor farms obtained a higher gross margin than indoor farms did. Although their production costs are higher, these are offset with larger incomes due to the higher market price of the pigs at the time of slaughter. Lastly, all the farms under study reveal large financial losses on account of COVID-19, given that there was a general decrease in the revenues due to the decrease in the selling price of the pigs, which seems to be the most determinant factor for the economic profits made by these kinds of farms.
| S-EPMC9913101 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The objective of this study was to determine the interactive effects of dietary fiber solubility and lipid source on growth performance, visceral organ weights, gut histology, and gut microbiota composition of weaned pigs. A total of 280 nursery pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 6.84 kg] weaned at 21 d were housed in 40 pens (7 pigs/pen). The pigs were fed four diets (10 pens/diet) in a randomized complete block design in two phases: Phase 1 from 0 to 2 wk and Phase 2 from 2 to 5 wk. The diets were corn-soybean meal-based with either sugar beet pulp (SBP) or soybean hulls (SBH) as a fiber source and either soybean oil (SBO) or choice white grease (CWG) as a lipid source in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The BW and feed intake were determined by phase, whereas visceral organ weights, intestinal histology, and gut microbial composition were determined at the end of the trial. Dietary fiber solubility and lipid source did not interact (P > 0.05) on average daily feed intake and average daily gain across all phases. However, the gain to feed ratio (G:F) for CWG-containing diets was lower (P < 0.05) than that for SBO-containing diets for Phase 1. Also, G:F for SBP-containing diets was lower (P < 0.05) than that for SBH-containing diets for Phase 1 and for the entire study period. Pigs fed SBP-containing diets had greater (P < 0.05) stomach weight, and tended to have greater (P < 0.10) small and large intestine weights relative to BW than those fed SBH-containing diets. Duodenal villous height to crypt depth ratio for CWG-based diets tended to be greater (P = 0.09) than that for SBO-based diets. Fiber solubility and lipid source interacted (P < 0.05) on relative abundance of Bacteroides in the colon such that the relative abundance of the Bacteroides for CWG was greater (P < 0.05) than that for the SBO in SBP-based diet, but not in SBH-based diet. Relative abundance of Butyricicoccus in the colon for SBH-based diet was greater (P < 0.05) than that for SBP-based diet. In conclusion, inclusion of SBH instead of SBP in corn-soybean meal-based diets for weaned pigs can result in increased feed efficiency and relative abundance of Butyricicoccus in the colon, which is associated with improved gut health. Also, inclusion of SBO instead of CWG in the diets for weaned pigs can result in improved feed efficiency during Phase 1 feeding; however, the pigs may recover from the low feed efficiency induced by dietary inclusion of CWG instead of SBO after Phase 1 feeding.
| S-EPMC8598925 | biostudies-literature
Project description:(1) Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary xylanase addition on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acids, and digesta viscosity at different digestive sites in weaned pigs fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets with reduced metabolizable energy. (2) Methods: A total of 312 weaned pigs (5.1 ± 0.9 kg, 20 ± 2 days of age) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments. The experimental diets were formulated in a three-phase nursery feeding program: phase 1 (d0-d7), phase 2 (d8-d21), and phase 3 (d22-d42). The experimental diets consisted of a wheat-soybean meal-based diet formulated to meet pig requirements (positive control, PC); the PC diet with a reduction of 100 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) (negative control, NC); and the NC diet with either 900, 1800, 3600, or 7200 units of xylanase. Feed disappearance and body weight were measured at d7, 14, 21, and 42 in the nursery phase. The pen fecal score was assessed daily from d0 to d14 and three times a week from d15 to d28. On d21-d24 of the experiment (12 pigs per day), one pig per pen was selected for sample collection: ileal, cecal, and mid-colon digesta for viscosity and ileal digesta, feces for nutrient digestibility, and feces and cecal digesta for the measurement of volatile fatty acid. (3) Results: The addition of xylanase to the NC diets did not improve pig growth performance (body weight, feed conversion ratio, and average daily gain; p > 0.10) during the entire nursery phase. In Week 2 and Week 3, pigs fed xylanase had a lower (χ2 < 0.05) incidence of fecal scores 3 and 4 (diarrhea) than the PC and NC diets. In addition, the apparent total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased linearly (p < 0.1) in response to xylanase addition. Xylanase addition (900 to 7200 U) decreased digesta viscosity in the colon compared to the PC and NC diets. Furthermore, xylanase addition resulted in a lower (p < 0.05) concentration of acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and total volatile fatty acid in cecal samples compared to PC. The addition of xylanase resulted in greater acetic and valeric acid concentrations in cecal samples compared to the NC group (p < 0.10). (4) Conclusions: Xylanase addition can improve nutrient digestibility, particularly at the total tract level, and reduce viscosity in the hindgut, which could be related to decreasing the occurrence of looseness. However, its impact on growth performance was minimal in wheat-soybean meal-based diets with a reduction of 100 kcal of ME.
| S-EPMC11591498 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To explore the effects of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on growth performance and intestinal health, a total of 30 growing pigs were randomly allotted to three treatments consisting of corn-soybean meal diet (CSD), rapeseed meal diet (RSD), and fermented rapeseed meal diet (FRSD). Results showed that compared with RSD, FRSD feeding increased the average daily gain and final body weight in pigs (P < 0.01). Compared with RSD feeding, FRSD feeding elevated the apparent digestibility of crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and ether extract in pigs (P < 0.01). Moreover, the FRSD group exhibited greater apparent ileal digestibility of His, Thr, Lys, and Ser than the RSD group (P < 0.01). The digestible energy, metabolic energy, and nitrogen utilization were higher in the FRSD and CSD groups than in the RSD group (P < 0.01). As compared to the RSD, FRSD feeding decreased the serum concentration of leptin but significantly increased the concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, ghrelin, and enzyme activities of amylase, lipase, and trypsin in the pancreas (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and the activities of brush border enzymes (e.g., maltase and sucrase) in the small intestine were higher in the CSD and FRSD groups than in the RSD group (P < 0.05). As compared to the RSD, the FRSD feeding not only increased the expression level of the occludin in the small intestinal epithelium (P < 0.05) but also elevated the expression levels of claudin-1, MUC1, and PepT1 genes in the duodenum, and elevated the expression levels of SGLT1 and CAT1 genes in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Importantly, FRSD feeding significantly decreased the abundance of Escherichia coli, but increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and the content of butyrate in the cecum and colon (P < 0.05). These results indicated that compared with rapeseed meal, fermented rapeseed meal exhibited a positive effect on improving the growth performance and intestinal health in growing pigs, and the results may also help develop novel protein sources for animal nutrition and the feed industry.
| S-EPMC10696392 | biostudies-literature
Project description:An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of including canola meal (CM) in nursery pig diets on growth performance, immune response, fecal microbial composition, and gut integrity. A total of 200 nursery pigs (initial body weight = 7.00 kg) were obtained in two batches of 100 pigs each. Pigs in each batch were housed in 25 pens (four pigs per pen) and fed five diets in a randomized complete block design. The five diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diets with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% of CM. The diets were fed in three phases: phase 1: day 0 to 7, phase 2: day 7 to 21, and phase 3: day 21 to 42. Diets in each phase were formulated to similar net energy, Ca, and digestible P and amino acid contents. Feed intake and body weight were measured by phase. Immune response and gut integrity parameters were measured at the end of phases 1 and 2. Fecal microbial composition for diets with 0% or 20% CM was determined at the end of phase 2. Overall average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to increasing dietary level of CM such that ADG was increased by 17% due to an increase in the dietary level of CM from 0% to 20% and was reduced by 16% due to an increase in the dietary level of CM from 20% to 40%. Pigs fed diets with 0% or 40% CM did not differ in overall ADG. Dietary CM tended to quadratically decrease (P = 0.09) serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) level at the end of phase 2 such that serum IgA level tended to reduce with an increase in dietary CM from 0% to 20% and to increase with an increase in dietary CM from 20% to 40%. Dietary CM at 20% decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum and tended to increase (P = 0.07) the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum. Dietary CM linearly increased (P < 0.05) the lactulose to mannitol ratio in the urine by 47% and 49% at the end of phases 1 and 2, respectively, and tended to linearly decrease (P < 0.10) ileal transepithelial electrical resistance at the end of phase 1 by 64%. In conclusion, CM fed in the current study could be included in corn-SBM-based diets for nursery pigs 20% to improve the growth performance and gut microbial composition and reduce immune response. Also, the CM used in the current study could be included in corn-SBM-based diets for nursery pigs at 30% or 40% without compromising growth performance. Dietary CM increased gut permeability, implying that dietary CM at 20% improves the growth performance of weaned pigs through mechanisms other than reducing gut permeability.
| S-EPMC8060915 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The objective of this study was to determine the potential biological mechanisms of improved growth performance associated with potential changes in the metabolic profiles and intestinal microbiome composition of weaned pigs fed various feed additives. Three separate 42 day experiments were conducted to evaluate the following dietary treatments: chlortetracycline and sulfamethazine (PC), herbal blends, turmeric, garlic, bitter orange extract, sweet orange extract, volatile and semi-volatile milk-derived substances, yeast nucleotide, and cell wall products, compared with feeding a non-supplemented diet (NC). In all three experiments, only pigs fed PC had improved (p < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed NC. No differences in metabolome and microbiome responses were observed between feed additive treatments and NC. None of the feed additives affected alpha or beta microbiome diversity in the ileum and cecum, but the abundance of specific bacterial taxa was affected by some dietary treatments. Except for feeding antibiotics, none of the other feed additives were effective in improving growth performance or significantly altering the metabolomic profiles, but some additives (e.g., herbal blends and garlic) increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of potentially protective bacterial genera that may be beneficial during disease challenge in weaned pigs.
| S-EPMC10778031 | biostudies-literature