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Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the replacement of choline chloride supplementation by herbal choline in the diet of nursery piglets. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks (initial weight and sex) with 80 piglets, in five treatments, with eight replicates. The treatments consisted of: negative control, basal diet supplemented with 300 mg kg-1 choline via choline chloride, basal diet supplemented with 600 mg kg-1 choline via choline chloride, basal diet supplemented with 100 mg kg-1 herbal choline, and basal diet supplemented with 200 mg kg-1 herbal choline. Zootechnical performance data, blood parameters, and economic viability were analyzed. Herbal choline supplementation increases the body weight and daily feed intake of nursery piglets. The supplementation with 100 mg kg-1 herbal choline presents the highest return on investment. Herbal choline can be used as a source of choline supplementation in the diet of nursery piglets to replace choline chloride.

ABSTRACT The intestinal gene expression of RelA/p65 (NF-κB), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and Na+/dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) were evaluated in response to benzoic acid, yeast culture, L-glutamine, and oregano essential oil, using an ex vivo model. Six piglets weighing approximately 20 kg each were sacrificed, and their jejunum was collected and segmented into five 2-cm explants. Each explant was immersed in cell culture medium according to one of the following treatments: control (without additive), 0.5% benzoic acid, 1% yeast culture, 1% L-glutamine, and 0.015% oregano oil. Gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR. Yeast culture up-regulated the gene expression of RelA/p65, IGF-1, GLUT2, and SGLT1 in comparison with control. In addition, jejunal exposure to L-glutamine and oregano oil increased mRNA levels of GLUT2 compared with the control treatment. Exposure to oregano oil increased intestinal SGLT1 gene expression, while benzoic acid reduced SGLT1 expression compared with the control. Feed additives can differently modulate the gene expression of immune response, gut development, and glucose absorption in jejunal explants. These findings can contribute for a better understanding of the trophic action of these feed additives into the diets to optimize animal performance.

The aim of this study was to determine the values of apparent digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) for crude glycerin derived of biodiesel based on pork fat for finishing pigs. The diets consisted of a basal diet and four levels of crude glycerin (0, 5, 10 and 15%). Twelve pigs were housed individually in metabolic cages and after seven days of adaptation, total collections of urine and feces for four consecutive days were performed. Gross energy (GE) of crude glycerin, diets, urine and fecal samples from each animal was determined. The crude glycerin used in this experiment presented 74.74% glycerin and 6,500 kcal kg-1 gross energy. The values of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) were estimated by difference in the DE, and content of the basal diet was subtracted from the test diets containing the ingredient. The amount of GE, DE and ME for finishing pigs was 6,500, 5,839 and 5,509 kcal kg-1, respectively, with a coefficient of 91.0% of DE and 94.0% of ME. The energy of crude glycerin is based on the levels of fatty acids and GE depends on the concentration of fatty acids and glycerin, ME being a percentage of GE averaging is 84.75%.

This study evaluated the effect of ractopamine (RAC) on the performance of finishing pigs and the meat quality of these animals. Seventy crossbred pigs (35 barrows and 35 females) selected for high gain of lean meat, with initial weight of 77.1±0.32 kg were distributed in randomized blocks with five treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm RAC in the diet) and seven replications during 28 days. The experimental unit was represented by a male and a female pig. Regarding the performance variables, there was a linear increase in final weight with increasing levels of RAC, as well as in average daily weight gain. An improvement in feed conversion was observed for animals fed RAC, and the optimal level - estimated by the LRP model - was ~ 5 ppm. For feed intake, no significant effect on intake of digestible lysine and energy intake was observed. Carcass yield responses increased linearly with the RAC dose. Ash content, color component b* and loss drip linearly decreased with increasing doses of RAC. There was also a significant difference in the percentage of ether extract and crude protein in the loin, and treatment with 20 ppm RAC showed a lower amount of protein and larger amounts of lipids. Moisture content, color component L*, weight loss by cooking and defrosting, shear force and pH were not affected by the treatment. Concerning the lipid oxidation, there was no effect of RAC on the concentration of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) under cooling and under freezing. Thus, all ractopamine levels improve performance compared with control and do not negatively affect the quality of fresh, chilled or frozen pig meat.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of piglets in the nursery phase submitted to activation of immune system with vaccine against Haemophilus parasuis and to different levels of metabolizable energy in the diets. It was used 160 barrows and females at 30 days of age, weaned at 23 days of age, with initial weight of 7.97 ± 0.54 kg, distributed in 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (with vaccination and without vaccination with four levels of metabolizable energy - 3,200; 3,300; 3,400 and 3,500 kcal/kg). Each combination was evaluated with five repetitions of four animals per experimental plot (two males and two females). Energy levels reduced linearly the intake, feed conversion and the total number of leukocytes in blood in the experimental period, regardless of the use of vaccine which in turn reduced daily average weight gain only in the first week after second application and it increased the number of limonocytes and spleen weight after three weeks. There was no difference in the C-reactive protein quantity in the blood in the periods when it was evaluated. The use of vaccine reduces performance immediatelly after its application but after it occurs recovery of performance with changes in the number of monocytes and spleen weight. Dietary energy levels do not smooth this reduction in the performance, but they influence intake, feed conversion and blood parameters in the total period of use.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of vegetable extract based addictives associated or not to symbiotics as an alternative for antibiotic as growth promoters for piglets at initial phase. It was used 125 pigs of commercial genetic line with initial weight of 7.4 ± 1.1 kg, weaned at 20 days of age, during 50 days. The experimental design used was randomized blocks (initial weight), with five treatments and five replicates with five animals per experimental unit. The experimental diets were a basal diet, without additive, and other four diets, one diet containing antibiotic (colistin + zinc oxide); diet with 0.3% of a symbiotic mixture; diet with 0.3% of a symbiotic mixture plus 0.05% of herbal mix (plant extracts and microencapsulated essential oils); and another diet with 0.3% of symbiotic mixture plus 0.1% of herbal mixture. It was observed that the use of the symbiotic mixture associated to 0.05% of herbal mixture showed positive results, similar to the ones obtained with diets containing antibiotics for the final weight, average weight gain, average daily feed intake and pH of stomach and diarrhea incidence. The use of symbiotics promoted smaller vilous:depth crypt ratio, except when associated to 0.1% of herbal mixture, which was similar to the diet without addictives. There was no differences in the feed conversion, coliform and lactobacillus count in the jejune and in the cecum and in the pH of cecum. The use of herbal mixture associated to symbiotic is a viable alternative for replacing the use of antibiotics as growth promoters for piglets in the initial phase. However, the concentration of the herbal mixture is an important factor to be considered.O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de aditivos à base de extratos vegetais associados ou não ao uso de simbióticos como alternativa aos antibióticos como promotores de crescimento para suínos na fase inicial. Foram utilizados 125 leitões de genética comercial, com peso inicial de 7,4 ± 1,1 kg, desmamados aos 20 dias, durante 50 dias. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados (peso inicial) com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições com cinco animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais foram uma ração basal, sem aditivo, e outras quatro, uma contendo antibiótico (colistina + óxido de zinco); outra com 0,3% de uma mistura simbiótica; outra com 0,3% da mistura simbiótica e 0,05% de uma mistura herbal (extrato de plantas e óleos essenciais microencapsulados) e outra com 0,3% da mistura simbiótica e 0,10% da mistura herbal. Foi observado que o uso da mistura simbiótica associada a 0,05% da mistura herbal teve resultados positivos e semelhantes aos obtidos com as dietas contendo antibióticos quanto ao peso final, ganho de peso, consumo médio diário, pH do estômago e incidência de diarreia. O uso de simbióticos promoveu menor relação vilosidade:cripta, exceto quando associado a 0,1% da mistura herbal, que se assemelhou à dieta sem aditivos. Não houve diferenças na conversão alimentar, na contagem de coliformes e lactobacilus no jejuno e no ceco e no pH do ceco. O uso de uma mistura herbal associada a simbióticos é uma alternativa viável para substituição ao uso de antibióticos como promotores de crescimento para suínos na fase inicial. No entanto, a concentração da mistura herbal é um fator importante a ser considerado.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes níveis de lisina digestível (LISD), em rações com reduzido teor de proteína bruta (PB), por meio do desempenho e das características de carcaça de suínos dos 20 aos 50kg. Foram utilizados 40 suínos machos, castrados, de elevado potencial para ganho de carne (peso inicial de 22,5±1,4kg e final de 47,8±3,4kg), distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos (quatro níveis de LISD - 0,7; 0,9; 1,1 e 1,3% - em rações com 14% PB e um tratamento-controle, formulado de acordo com as tabelas brasileiras, com 1,03% LISD e 18% de PB) e quatro repetições, durante 31 dias. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os níveis de LISD, em rações com 14% PB para o ganho de peso diário; entretanto, apenas o nível 0,7% de lisina foi diferente em relação ao tratamento-controle. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) com relação ao consumo, mas houve um efeito linear crescente (P0,05) para espessura de toucinho. Conclui-se que o nível de 1,1% de LISD em rações com reduzido teor de PB melhora a qualidade da carcaça, sem afetar o desempenho.The objective of this research was to evaluate the different levels of true digestible lysine (TDL) in diets with reduced crude protein (CP) level through to performance and carcass characteristics of pigs from 20 to 50kg. Forty barrows with high performance (initial weight of 22.50±1.4kg and final of 47.8±3.4kg), distributed in randomized block design with five treatments (four levels of TDL - 0.7, 0.9, 1.1 and 1.3% - in 14% CP diets - and a control treatment, formulated in accordance to Brazilian Tables, with 1.03% of TDL and 18% CP) and four replications during 31 days were utilized. There were no differences (P>0.05) between levels of TDL in diets with 14% CP for average daily gain; however, just the level of 0.7% of TDL was different of control treatment. There was no difference (P>0.05) on feed intake, but there was crescent linear effect (P0.05) to backfat thickness. It was conclude that the level of 1.1% TDL in diets with reduced CP increase carcass yield without to modify the performance.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of different levels of metabolic energy (ME) in diets with a reduced level of crude protein (CP) on the performance and carcass characteristics of growing swine. Thirty-two high-performance barrows (initial weight of 22.5 ± 1.43 kg and final weight of 50.81 ± 2.54 kg) were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (three levels of ME - 3,060, 3,230 and 3,400 kcal/kg - in diets with 14% CP, and one control treatment with 3,230 kcal ME/kg and 18% CP) and four replicates. The diets were formulated with a true digestible basis of amino acids present in the feed, with methionine and threonine concentrations corrected as a function of lysine levels. The animals were slaughtered and their carcasses were studied. The ME levels did not affect the average weight gain, the feed:gain ratio, the backfat thickness or the loin eye area. A higher carcass yield and a higher carcass meat:fat ratio were observed in the animals that received the 3,230 and 3,060 kcal/kg ME levels. Compared to the control treatment, only the 3,400 kcal/kg ME level had a lower average daily feed intake. It is concluded that the CP level in diet should be reduced from 18% to 14% and the metabolizable energy level should be increased, thus reducing the feed intake and increasing the carcass meat:fat ratio without affecting the animal weight gain.Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (EM) em rações com reduzido teor de proteína bruta (PB) através do desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 32 suínos machos castrados de elevado ganho de peso (peso inicial de 22,5 ± 1,43 kg e final de 50,81 ± 2,54 kg), distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (três níveis de EM - 3060, 3230 e 3400 kcal/kg - em rações com 14% PB e um tratamento controle com 3230 kcal EM/kg e 18% de PB) e quatro repetições. As rações foram formuladas com base na digestibilidade verdadeira dos aminoácidos presentes nos alimentos, sendo a metionina e a treonina corrigidas em função dos níveis de lisina. Os animais foram abatidos e tiveram suas carcaças estudadas. Os níveis de EM não afetaram o ganho de peso médio diário, a conversão alimentar, a espessura de toucinho e a área de olho de lombo. Observou-se maior rendimento e relação carne:gordura na carcaça dos animais que receberam os níveis de 3230 e 3060 kcal EM, respectivamente. Comparado ao controle, apenas o nível de 3400 kcal/kg EM reduziu o consumo de ração médio diário. Conclui-se que o teor de PB da ração para suínos em crescimento pode ser reduzido de 18% para 14% e o nível de energia aumentado, propiciando menor consumo e maior relação carne: gordura sem afetar o ganho de peso dos animais