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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bump feeding for the final third of gestation on the performance of sows and their litters and on colostrum nutritional quality. Seventy hyperprolific sows of a commercial genetic line were selected according to their reproductive history. Sows were assigned to two treatments, no increase of feed (control, 2.4 kg/d of 3.25 Mcal/kg diet) or with increased feed (Bump feeding, 3.0 kg/d) from 81 days of gestation to farrowing with 35 replicates per treatment. No differences were observed for treatments on sow weight, weight gain, piglet birth weight, litter birth weight, coefficient of variation, number of total births, stillbirths, live births, and placental efficiency. The treatments also did not influence the calcium, phosphorus, ash, lactose, crude protein, zinc, ether extract, and crude energy content of the colostrum. Based on the results of the present study, the use of bump feeding in the final phase of gestation of sows becomes questionable, due the lack of effect on sow and litter performance.

The demand for animal protein is a fact of relevance for the production systems, especially pork, the most consumed animal protein source in the world. In this sense to ensure the efficient production during the pigs raising the use of Prophylactic Antibiotics (PA) is a common practice, but there is a great potential for the occurrence of resistance to antibiotics. However, the use of PA may not be necessary for certain groups of pigs for example with high sanitary status within the production system. The study lasted for 76 days. Seventy-two barrows at 63 days of age with initial weight of 26.11±3.55 kg were used. Two treatments were performed, without the use of prophylactic antibiotics or with the use for five days, being given at 63 days of age with Doxycycline and at 105 days of age with Tiamulin. PA use worsened ADG (p = 0.035) by 5.0% and body weight by 3.0% (p = 0.039) of pigs at 105 days of age when compared to pigs that did not receive Doxycycline. After the second use of PA the pigs at 117 days of age which received Tiamulin presented better ADG of 7.0% (p = 0.035) and a greater body weight of 1.2% (p = 0.038) compared to control group. The animals of the control group presented 6.0% greater loin depth (p = 0.023) than the animals that received the PA, however pigs of the PA group presented greater hot carcass weight of 0.6% (p = 0.005) and greater carcass compactness of 2.4% (p = 0.004) compared to the control group. The use of PA should be studied with caution and in a holistic way, considering the sanitary characteristics of management to verify if its use is really justified, as observed in the present study if used in inopportune moments its use can impair the performance of the pigs.

RESUMO Objetivou-se, com este estudo, verificar a influência da suplementação com diferentes associações entre minerais orgânicos sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça, bem como avaliar sua viabilidade econômica, para suínos em terminação. Foram utilizados 88 machos castrados, divididos entre quatro tratamentos: controle com dieta basal e suplementação com CrFe, MgSe e CrFeMgSe, durante os 28 dias que antecederam o abate. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com parcela experimental representada por dois animais. Os animais suplementados com CrFeMgSe apresentaram piores índices de peso final, ganho de peso diário e consumo durante todo o período, com consequente redução no peso de carcaça, menor profundidade de lombo, área de olho-de-lombo e menor quantidade de carne magra na carcaça. Houve um aumento no custo da dieta para os grupos CrFe, MgSe e CrFeMgSe, respectivamente. O uso de cromo mais ferro e magnésio mais selênio, associados dois a dois, não altera os parâmetros de desempenho e as características de carcaça. A associação dos quatro minerais, no entanto, promove piora nessas características e aumenta o custo da dieta.

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 objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on performance, measurement of thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), body temperature and relative organ weights of weaned piglets exposed to a heat stress or a thermoneutral environment. One hundred and forty-four piglets with initial BW of 5.82 ± 0.33 kg (28 d old) were used. The experimental design was a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, four plasma levels (0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5%) and two environments (34o [heat stress (HS)] and 24°C [thermoneutral (TN)]). SDPP was fed from weaning (28 d of age) to the end of the trial (piglets were weighed at the beginning, 7, 21 and 35 days of trial). Rectal, neck, shoulder and leg temperatures were measured every seven days. At 21 days of trial, one piglet per pen was slaughtered to determine the weight of the carcass and organs. Blood samples were collected at 18 and 35 days of trial to determine levels T3 and T4. The rectal, neck, shoulder and leg temperatures were increased (p

A total of 224 weaned pigs (DanBred sows x PIC 337 sires) with an average body weight (BW) of 6.37 ± 0.34 kg (21 days of age) were used to evaluate how different levels of benzoic acid fed to weaning pigs orally inoculated with Escherichia coli (K88+ ) affected the nursing and grow-finishing performance, the physicochemical properties of the intestine, the volatile fatty acid concentration in the caecum and the incidence of diarrhoea. Pigs were randomly allocated in an experimental design of randomized blocks in a 4 × 2 factorial design, and they were administered four levels of benzoic acid (0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%) and inoculated (or not) in two consecutive days with 1 ml solution containing 106 CFU/ml of E. coli (K88+ ). Seven replicates (pens) per treatment were used, and four animals were kept per pen. Supplementation with 0.75% benzoic acid promoted better performance (p < 0.05) in the nursery phase as well as in the subsequent phases until slaughter, and it decreased the incidence of diarrhoea in piglets (p < 0.05). In the piglets fed the benzoic acid diet, the villus height in the jejunum and ileum was greater until 42 days of life (p < 0.05), the crypt depth was decreased in the caecum (p < 0.05), and the butyric acid concentration was increased in the caecal content tendencially (p = 0.0708). In conclusion, supplementation with 0.75% benzoic acid has a positive effect on piglets by reducing diarrhoea, improving intestinal health and promoting the performance from weaning to finishing. Thus, benzoic acid can be considered a potential alternative that can replace growth-promoting antibiotics.

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.

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to evaluate the intestinal gene expression of cytokines in pullets, during the tissue exposure to hops β-acids and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), using an ex-vivo model. To analyze the intestinal gene expression, ileum of pullets was collected, and maintained for 1 hour in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) according to the following 6 treatments: Control (DMEM only); DMEM + 30 ppm of hops β-acids (45%); DMEM + 240 ppm of hops β-acids (45%); DMEM + 30 ppm of hops β-acids (45%) + LPS (10 μg/mL); DMEM + 240 ppm of hops β-acids (45%) + LPS (10 μg/mL) and DMEM + LPS (10 μg/mL). The expression of IL-1β; IL-6; IFN-γ; IL-4 and IL-10 was analyzed using Real Time PCR. The hops β-acids or LPS had no effect on IL-4 and IL-10 expression (P > 0.05). However, hops β-acids decreased IL-1β and IFN-γ expression (P

In this study, we evaluated the effect of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and sodium butyrate (NaBu) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase and RelA/p65 (NF-κB) gene expressions in porcine jejunum explants were evaluated following exposure to sodium butyrate (NaBu) and essential oil from Brazilian red pepper (EO), alone or in combination with NaBu, as well as exogenous IAP with or without LPS challenge. Five piglets weighing approximately 20 kg each were sacrificed, and their jejunum were extracted. The tissues were segmented into 10 parts, which were exposed to 10 treatments. Gene expressions of IAP and RelA/p65 (NF-κB) in jejunal explants were evaluated via RT-PCR. We found that EO, NaBu, and exogenous IAP were able to up-regulate endogenous IAP and enhance RelA/p65 (NF-κB) gene expression. However, only NaBu and exogenous IAP down-regulated LPS-induced inflammatory response via RelA/p65 (NF-κB). In conclusion, we demonstrated that exogenous IAP and NaBu may be beneficial in attenuating LPS-induced intestinal inflammation.

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

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 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%. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) aparente da glicerina bruta de biodiesel à base de gordura suína para suínos em terminação. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de quatro níveis de glicerina bruta (0, 5, 10 e 15%) a partir de uma dieta basal. Doze suínos foram alojados individualmente em gaiolas metabólicas e foram realizadas coletas de urina e fezes durante quatro dias. Foi determinada a energia bruta (EB) da glicerina bruta, das dietas, da urina e das amostras de fezes de cada animal. A glicerina bruta apresentou 74,74% de glicerina e 6.500 kcal de energia bruta kg-1. Os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) foram estimados por diferença, em que o conteúdo ED e EM da dieta basal foram subtraídos das dietas contendo o ingrediente teste. A quantidade de EB, ED e EM para suínos em terminação foi de 6.500, 5.839 e 5.509 kcal kg-1, respectivamente, com um coeficiente de 91,0% de ED e 94,0% de EM. A energia da glicerina bruta é baseada nos níveis de ácidos graxos e a EB depende da concentração de ácidos graxos e glicerina, sendo a EM um percentual da EB variando na média de 84,75%.

The intestinal environment plays a critical role in maintaining swine health. Many factors such as diet, microbiota, and host intestinal immune response influence the intestinal environment. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is an important apical brush border enzyme that is influenced by these factors. IAP dephosphorylates bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), unmethylated cytosine-guanosine dinucleotides, and flagellin, reducing bacterial toxicity and consequently regulating toll-like receptors (TLRs) activation and inflammation. It also desphosphorylates extracellular nucleotides such as uridine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate, consequently reducing inflammation, modulating, and preserving the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota. The apical localization of IAP on the epithelial surface reveals its role on LPS (from luminal bacteria) detoxification. As the expression of IAP is reported to be downregulated in piglets at weaning, LPS from commensal and pathogenic gram-negative bacteria could increase inflammatory processes by TLR-4 activation, increasing diarrhea events during this phase. Although some studies had reported potential IAP roles to promote gut health, investigations about exogenous IAP effects or feed additives modulating IAP expression and activity yet are necessary. However, we discussed in this paper that the critical assessment reported can suggest that exogenous IAP or feed additives that could increase its expression could show beneficial effects to reduce diarrhea events during the post weaning phase. Therefore, the main goals of this review are to discuss IAP's role in intestinal inflammatory processes and present feed additives used as growth promoters that may modulate IAP expression and activity to promote gut health in piglets.

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.

Com a recomendação da proibição de antibióticos utilizados como melhorador de desempenho pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), devido ao risco de resistência bacteriana, a busca por aditivos alimentares alternativos está crescendo. Dentre eles, a nanotecnologia tem apresentado resultados promissores. Os compostos de prata nanoestruturados possuem efeitos favoráveis como agentes antimicrobianos e antifúngicos. Neste sentido objetivou-se com esse experimento verificar o desemprenho e definir a dose ideal de nanopartícula de prata (NP) como aditivo melhorador de desempenho para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação. Foram utilizados 64 leitões (machos castrados e fêmeas), com peso vivo médio de 24,08 ± 2,72 kg, alojados na unidade de crescimento e terminação do Laboratório de Pesquisas em Suínos (LPS). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados de acordo com o sexo e peso dos animais, com quatro tratamentos e oito repetições de dois animais por baia. A unidade experimental para o desempenho foi composta pela média dos animais de cada baia e para as variáveis de carcaça cada animal representou uma unidade experimental. Foram utilizados 4 tratamentos: Controle negativo sem aditivo melhorador de desempenho e com a adição de 5, 10 e 15 ppm de NP como melhorador de desempenho. Foram realizados os seguintes procedimentos experimentais: os animais passaram por desafio térmico dois dias antes da descreche e desafio sanitário. Os animais foram pesados no início do experimento, depois com 42 e 83 dias. Foi realizada a análise de escore fecal através da classificação das fezes na baia e calculada a ocorrência de diarreia em percentagem relacionada aos dias de estudo. Ao final do experimento os animais foram encaminhados para o abate e em seguida para a avaliação de carcaça, também foi realizada a análise econômica, a fim de avaliar a viabilidade em se utilizar o aditivo. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análises estatísticas utilizando-se o procedimento MIXED do SAS. Foi verificada tendência de resultado quadrático para o Consumo de Ração Diário (CRD) de 0 a 42 dias sendo os suínos que receberam NP15 apresentaram maior CR, já no período de 43 a 83 dias foi observado resultado quadrático para CRD, a partir da equação foi estimado que a inclusão de 7,55 ppm de NP levou ao menor consumo de ração estimado em 2,719 kg. O CRD no período de 0 a 83 dias apresentou resultado quadrático, de acordo com a equação, a inclusão de 7,34 ppm levou ao menor consumo de ração durante todo o período, de forma semelhante também foi verificado efeito quadrático para a CA, por meio da derivação da equação foi determinado que a inclusão para otimizar a C.A de 6,79 ppm de NP promoveu a melhor CA, estimada em 2,765. Em relação ao peso e rendimento da carcaça, profundidade de lombo (PL) (mm) e área de olho de lombo (cm2 ) nenhum desses parâmetros apresentaram diferença entre os tratamentos. Contudo, em relação à espessura de toucinho (ET) (mm) e rendimento de carne na carcaça resfriada (RCCR %) foi observado resultado quadrático, por meio da derivação da equação foi determinado que o nível de 6,94 ppm de NP levou a menor ET e a inclusão de 7,27 ppm promoveu o maior RCCR. Para os resultados de escore fecal foi observado diferença, nas análises de escore fecal, somente na semana de 1-12 para o escore 2, apresentou menor porcentagem de escore 2 no tratamento controle e maior porcentagem no tratamento NP10. Com base nesta pesquisa conclui-se que a dose de 7 ppm de NP, adicionadas à dieta de suínos, na fase de crescimento e terminação, melhoram o CRD, a CA, a ET, o RCCR e a qualidade do escore fecal dos animais. Devido à escassez de trabalhos com a utilização da NP na produção animal são necessários mais estudos, no entanto a NP se mostra como potencial substituto aos antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho. With the recommendation of banning antibiotics used as performance enhancers by the World Health Organization (WHO), due to the risk of bacterial resistance, the search for alternative food additives is growing. Among them, nanotechnology has shown promising results. Nanostructured silver compounds have favorable effects as antimicrobial and antifungal agents. In this sense, the objective of this experiment was to verify the performance and define the ideal dose of silver nanoparticle (SN) as a performance-enhancing additive for swine in the growing and finishing phases. Sixty-four piglets were used (castrated males and females), with an average live weight of 24.08 ±2.72 kg, housed in the growth and finishing unit of the Swine Research Laboratory (SRL). The experimental design was in randomized blocks according to the sex and weight of the animals, with four treatments and eight replications of two animals per pen. The experimental unit for the performance was composed by the average of the animals of each pen and for the carcass variables each animal represented an experimental unit. Four treatments were used: Negative control without performance enhancing additive and with the addition of 5, 10 and 15 ppm of SN as a performance enhancer. The following experimental procedures were carried out: the animals underwent a thermal challenge two days before birth and a sanitary challenge. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the experiment, then at 42 and 83 days. The analysis of fecal score was performed through the classification of feces in the pen and the occurrence of diarrhea was calculated as a percentage related to the days of study. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sent for slaughter and then for carcass evaluation, an economic analysis was also carried out in order to evaluate the feasibility of using the additive. The data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis using the MIXED procedure of the SAS. There was a trend of quadratic result for the Daily Feed Consumption (DFC) from 0 to 42 days, and the pigs that received SN15 presented higher CR, in the period from 43 to 83 days, a quadratic result was observed for DFC, from the equation it was estimated that the inclusion of 7.55 ppm of SN led to the lowest feed consumption estimated at 2.719 kg. The DFC in the period from 0 to 83 days presented a quadratic result, according to the equation, the inclusion of 7.34 ppm led to a lower feed consumption throughout the period, in a similar way, a quadratic effect was also verified for FC, for Through the derivation of the equation it was determined that the inclusion to optimize the FC of 6.79 ppm of SN promoted the best FC, estimated at 2.765. Regarding carcass weight and yield, Sirloin Depth (SP) (mm) and loin eye area (cm2), none of these parameters showed any difference between treatments. However, in relation to Bacon Thickness (BC) (mm) and meat yield in the chilled carcass (MYCC %) a quadratic result was observed, through the derivation of the equation it was determined that the level of 6.94 ppm of SN led to lowest BC and the inclusion of 7.27 ppm promoted the highest MYCC. For the results of fecal score, a difference was observed, in the analysis of fecal score, only in week 1-12 for score 2, it presented a lower percentage of score 2 in the control treatment and a higher percentage in the SN 10 treatment. Based on this research, it is concluded that the dose of 7 ppm of SP, added to the swine diet, in the growth and finishing phase, improves the DFC, the FC, the BC, the MYCC and the quality of the fecal score of the animals. Due to the scarcity of studies on the use of SN in animal production, further studies are needed, however, SN shows itself as a potential substitute for performance-enhancing antibiotics.