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The experiment investigated the effects of a supplemental candy coproduct (Chocolate Candy Feed [CCF]; International Ingredient Corp., St. Louis, MO), an alternative carbohydrate source to dietary lactose, on growth performance and on health status of nursery pigs. Crossbred pigs (n = 1,408; 21 d of age and 7.1 ± 0.3 kg BW; Smithfield Premium Genetics, Rose Hill, NC) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (16 pens/treatment and 22 pigs/pen) in a randomized complete block design: 0, 15, 30, and 45% of lactose replaced by CCF based on equal amounts of total sugars. The experimental period was divided into 3 phases: phase I (1.8 kg diet/pig for 11 ± 1 d), phase II (6.8 kg diet/pig for 17 ± 2 d), and phase III (until 49 d after weaning). Pigs received a common phase III diet. The levels of lactose, supplied by whey permeate (79.3 ± 0.8% lactose), were 20, 8, and 0% in phase I, II, and III, respectively. All experimental diets contained the same levels of essential AA and energy (ME) for each phase. Fecal scores were observed on d 5, 7, and 9 after weaning. Blood samples were taken at the end of phase I and II to measure blood urea N. The duration of phase I tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.063) with increasing CCF. In phase I, the ADFI increased (P < 0.05) with increasing CCF whereas ADG and G:F did not change. In phase II, the duration and ADFI did not change whereas ADG linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing CCF. However, the G:F was not changed as CCF increased. During phase I and II together, the duration was linearly decreased (P < 0.05) as CCF increased, whereas no difference in growth performance was observed. Overall, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were not affected by replacing whey permeate with CCF in diets, indicating no adverse effects of a candy coproduct as a carbohydrate substitute to lactose on growth performance of nursery pigs. Blood urea N did not change in phase I but tended to linearly increase (P = 0.088) in phase II as CCF increased. There were no differences in fecal scores and mortality as CCF increased. However, increasing CCF tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.083) morbidity, which implies no adverse effects of a candy coproduct replacement on health status of nursery pigs. In conclusion, a candy coproduct can be used to replace up to 45% of dietary lactose for nursery pigs without negative effects on growth performance or health status. A candy coproduct could be an economical alternative to partly replace the use of lactose in swine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to test if supplementation of LMET has beneficial effects on growth performance and gut health in nursery pigs compared with DL-Met. In Exp. 1, 168 pigs in 56 pens were randomly allotted to 7 dietaiy treatments for 20 d, including a basal diet (BD; 55% of the NRC requirement for Met), the BD + 0.048% L-Met or Di,-Met (70% of the NRC requirement), the BD + 0.096% L-Met or DL-Met (85% of the NRC requirement), and the BD + 0.144% L-Met or DL-Met (100% of the NRC requirement). Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded every 5 d for computation of growth performance. In Exp. 2, 20 individually housed nursery pigs were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments for 20 d: DML (0.16% Met from the BD + 0.145% supplemental DL-Met) or LMET (0.16% Met from the BD + 0.145% supplemental L-Met). Both diets had Met meeting 95% of the NRC requirement. Duodenum samples from all pigs were collected at the end of the trial to evaluate morphology and redox status. In Exp. 1, during the entire 20 d, pigs fed diets supplemented with L-Met tended to have greater (P = 0.087) ADG and reduced (P < 0.01) plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) than pigs fed diets supplemented with DL-Met. The relative bioavailability (RBA) of L-Met to DL-Met for ADG and G:F was 143.8 and 122.7%, respectively. In Exp. 2, pigs fed a diet supplemented with L-Met had duodenum tissue with greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and greater villus height and width as well as lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of protein carbonyl compared with pigs fed DL-Met. Overall, compared with DLMet, the use of L-Met as a source of supplemental Met in nursery pig diets enhanced duodenum villus development in association with reduced oxidative stress and improved GSH. The beneficial effects of supplementing L-Met compared to DL-Met in gut of nursery pigs resulted in a potential enhancement of ADG and reduction of PUN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: A total of 216 weaning pigs were used in 2 experiments to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of yeast culture (YC) at different dose levels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora, and immune response in weanling pigs and to determine whether YC can be a candidate to replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). In Exp. 1, 192 pigs (7.5 + 0.2 kg of BW) weaned at 28 d of age were randomly allotted to 6 treatments: 1) control (without AGP or YC); 2) AGP (chiortetracycline, 80 mg/kg); 3) 2.5 g/ kg of YC (Diamond V XP Yeast Culture); 4) 5 g/kg of YC; 5)10 g/kg of YC; and 6) 20 g/kg of YC. Each treatment had 8 replicated pens with 4 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 21 d. Average daily gain of pigs fed 5 g/kg of YC was greater (P < 0.05) than that of pigs in the control and other YC groups. However, there was no difference between the YC and AGP group. Pigs supplemented with 5 g/kg of YC, 10 g/kg of YC, and AGP had a greater (P < 0.01) ADFI than the control; however, G:F was not affected by treatment. Thus, 5 g/kg of YC supplementation level was chosen for Exp. 2. In Exp. 2, to elucidate the mode of action of YC, 24 nursery pigs (5.8 + 0.1 kg of BW; 21 d of age) were randomly allotted into 3 treatments for a 21-d trial. Treatments consisted of 1) control (without AGP or YC), 2) AGP, and 3) 5 g/kg of YC. Blood samples were collected weekly to measure CD4+, CD8+ percentage, and blood cytokine content. All pigs were harvested to determine treatment effects on gut microbiota, morphology, and immune function. Dietary supplementation of 5 g/kg of YC improved (P < 0.05) ADG of pigs compared with the control group, but performance of pigs fed YC was similar to those fed AGP. Pigs receiving 5 g/kg of YC had greater (P < 0.05) digestibility of DM, CP, GE, and jejunal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the control diet. However, rio differences in performance, digestibility, or gut morphology were observed between pigs fed YC and AGP. Gut interferon (IFN)-γ concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs supplemented with YC compared with control pigs and pigs supplemented with AGP on d 21. However, plasma IFN-γ concentrations were decreased (P < 0.01) in pigs supplemented with YC and AGP compared with control pigs on d 7, and CD4+ was decreased (P < 0.01) in pigs supplemented with YC and AGP on d 14. Results indicate that dietary YC supplementation at 5 g/kg had a positive effect on growth performance of nursery pigs by improving jejunal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio and by modulating gut immune response. The comparable effect of 5 g/kg of YC supplementation and AGP on the growth performance of nursery pigs indicates that YC may be a good candidate as an antibiotic alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 50 weaning pigs (16 d of age; 4.72 ± 0.23 kg of BW) were selected to investigate the effect of dietary chito-oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on growth performance, fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus, apparent digestibility, and small intestinal morphology. Pigs housed in individual metabolic cages were assigned randomly to 5 treatments (n = 10), including 1 basal diet (control), 3 diets with COS supplementation (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and 1 diet with chlortetracycline (CTC) supplementation (80 mg/kg). Fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate shedding of E. coli and Lactobacillus on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 postweaning. Fresh fecal samples collected from each cage from d 19 to 21 were stored frozen for determination of apparent total tract digestibility. On d 21, all pigs were killed to collect the middle sections of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum for determination of mucosa morphology. Supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC improved (P < 0.05) overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F in comparison with the control. Supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg as well as supplementation of CTC increased (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, CP, crude fat, Ca, and P, whereas COS at 100 mg/kg increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of DM, Ca, and P in comparison with the control diet. Pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS or CTC had a decreased (P < 0.05) incidence of diarrhea and decreased diarrhea scores compared with control pigs. Fecal samples from pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS had greater (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus counts than those from control pigs and pigs receiving diets supplemented with CTC on d 14 and 21. However, supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli counts in the feces on d 21 compared with the control diet. Dietary supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and of CTC increased (P < 0.05) the villus height and villus:crypt ratio at the ileum and jejunum, and COS at 100 mg/kg also increased (P < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum compared with the control diet. The current results indicated that dietary supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg enhanced growth performance by increasing apparent digestibility, decreasing the incidence of diarrhea, and improving small intestinal morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of organic (Se-yeast, SelenoSource AF, Diamond V Mills Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA) and inorganic sources of Se on growth performance, tissue Se accretion, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs fed diets with high endogenous Se content. A total of 180 pigs at 34.4 ± 0.06 kg of BW were allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: a negative control without added Se (NC); 3 treatment diets with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg of added Se from an organic source; and a diet with 0.3 mg/kg of added Se as sodium selenite. Each treatment had 6 pens, with 6 pigs per pen-replicate. Experimental diets were changed twice at 66.1 ± 0.5 kg and 99.0 ± 0.9 kg of BW, and were fed until the pigs reached market weight. Growth performance was measured at the end of each phase. Upon reaching 129.9 ± 1.4 kg of BW, the pigs were transported to a local abattoir (Seaboard Foods, Guymon, OK), where carcass, loin, and liver samples were obtained. Hair and blood samples were obtained at the beginning and end of the study for Se analysis. Growth performance did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. Percent drip loss of the NC pigs was greater (2.41 vs. 1.75, P = 0.011) compared with pigs supplemented with Se. Pigs fed diets with added Se had greater Se concentrations in the liver (0.397 vs. 0.323 ppm, P = 0.015), loin (0.236 vs. 0.132 ppm, P < 0.001), serum (0.087 vs. 0.062 ppm, P = 0.047), and hair (0.377 vs. 0.247 ppm, P = 0.003) compared with the NC pigs. Percentage drip loss was linearly reduced [percent drip loss = 2.305 - (2.398 × Se), r² = 0.29, P = 0.007] as dietary organic Se concentration increased. The Se concentration (ppm) in the liver [liver Se = 0.323 + (0.291 × Se), r² = 0.33, P = 0.003], loin [loin Se = 0.122 + (0.511 × Se), r² = 0.57, P < 0.0011, serum [serum Se = 0.060 + (0.113 × Se), r² = 0.33, P = 0.004] and hair [hair Se = 0.237 + (0.638 × Se), r² = 0.56, P < 0.001] increased linearly as dietary organic Se concentration increased. Slope ratio analysis indicated that the relative bioavailability of organic Se for percent drip loss and loin and hair Se response was 306, 192, and 197% of that for inorganic Se, respectively. The results of the study show a potential advantage of organic Se supplementation in reducing drip loss even when the basal diet contains an endogenously high Se concentration of 0.181 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five experiments were conducted to test the effects of various dietary humic substances (HS; HS1, 2, 3, and 4, each with different fulvic and humic acid contents) on pig growth, carcass characteristics, and ammonia emission from manure. In Exp. 1, 120 pigs were allotted to 3 dietary treatments without HS (control) or with HS1 at 0.5 and 1.0% (8 pens/treatment and 5 pigs/pen) and fed diets, based on a 5-phase feeding program, from weaning (d 21.3 ± 0.3 of age) to 60 kg of BW. In Exp. 2 and 3, 384 pigs (192 for each experiment) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments without HS, with RS1, or with HS2 (0.5%) for Exp. 2 and without HS, or with HS3 or 11S4 (0.5%) for Exp. 3 (8 pens/treatment and 8 pigs/pen in each experiment). Pigs were fed diets, based on a 6-phase feeding program, from weaning (25.4 ± 0.2 and 23.6 ± 0.3 d of age for Exp. 2 and 3, respectively) to 110 kg of BW. In Exp. 4, 96 pigs were weaned at 22.1 ± 0.2 d of age and allotted to 2 treatments without or with HS1 at 0.5% (6 pens/treatment and 8 pigs/pen), and in Exp. 5 96 pigs were weaned at 20.9 ± 0.3 d of age and allotted to 3 treatments without HS, or with HS3 or HS4 (0.5%; 4 pens/treatment and 8 pigs/pen). Pigs were fed the diets for at least 2 wk before they were moved to an environmental chamber to measure aerial ammonia and hydrogen sulfide for 48 h at 5-mm intervals. In Exp. 1, pigs fed diets with HS1 at 0.5% had greater (P < 0.05) ADG during phase 3 and greater (P < 0.05) G:F during phases 3 and 5 than control pigs. In Exp. 2, pigs fed diets with HS1 or HS2 at 0.5% had greater (P <0.05) AIJG and G:F than control pigs during the entire feeding period, whereas in Exp. 3 HS3 or HS4 did not improve pig growth performance. Ammonia emission from manure was reduced by 18 or 16% when pigs were fed diets with HS1 (P = 0.067) or HS4 (P = 0.0 54), respectively. The results of this study indicate that the effects of dietary HS are variable but may improve growth performance of pigs and reduce ammonia emission from manure. Further research is needed to clarify these effects and the mechanisms by which HS may cause them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of phytobiotics (By-o-reg, Advanced Ag Products, Hudson, SD) on growth efficiency and health status of growing-finishing pigs. Phytobiotics included encapsulated oregano essential oil. One hundred twenty pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts at 27.9 ± 4.8 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2x2 factorial arrangement) with 10 pens (3 pigs per pen) per treatment based on a randomized complete block design, and fed the experimental diets for 6 wk. Factors were antibiotic growth promoter (AGP: 0 or 0.5 g/kg) and phytobiotics (0 or 0.5 g/kg diet). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed the NRC nutrient requirements. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At the end of 6 wk, blood samples to separate serum were obtained from 40 pigs representing a median BW of each pen. Serum samples were used to evaluate tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) as an indicator of infammatory status, immunoglobulin G (lgG) as an indicator of humoral immunity, and malnodialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) as oxidative stress markers. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS with pen as the experimental unit with treatment and sex as fxed effects and initial BW as a random effect. There were AGP × phytobiotics interactions (P < 0.05) on BW, ADG, and ADFI. The G:F was increased (P < 0.05) by dietary AGP (0.464 to 0.478) and phytobiotics (0.465 to 0.477) in overall. The TNF-α was not affected by treatment factors. Dietary phytobiotics decreased (P < 0.05) concentration of IgG (10.40 to 8.76 mg/mL) and PC (5.33 to 4.07 nmol/ mg protein). Collectively, both dietary AGP and phytobiotics enhanced feed effciency only when they were used independently. Combinational use of AGP and phytobiotics had negative effects on growth performance. Dietary phytobiotics reduced systemic oxidative stress and humoral immune reaction whereas these were not affected by AGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to investigate the effect of supplemental xylanase (Xylamax, BRI, Durham, NC) and protease (Versazyme, BRI) on growth performance, digesta viscosity, apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients, and gut health in nursery pigs. Forty-eight pigs (24 barrows and 24 gilts at 21 d of age with 7.2 ± 0.4 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2 × 2 factorial arrangement). Factors were xylanase (0 or 45,000 XU/kg) and protease (0 or 300,000 U/kg). Experimental diets formulated to meet nutrient requirements suggested by NRC (2012) in 2 phases (phase 1 for 10 d and phase 2 for 24 d). Feed intake and BW gain were measured d 10 and 24. Titanium oxide (0.25%) was added to all diets as an indigestible external marker from d 20 to 24. On d 24, all pigs were euthanized to obtain jejunal and ileal digesta to measure viscosity and apparent ileal digestibility, respectively. Jejunal mucosa was collected to measure immune and oxidative stress status. Jejunal tissues were used to measure morphology, proliferation of crypt cells by immunohistochemistry of Ki-67, and tight junction proteins by Western blot. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with 2 factors and sex as fixed effects and initial BW block as a random effect. In phase 2, xylanase increased (P < 0.05) ADG (0.518 to 0.560 kg/d) which was further increased (P < 0.05, interaction) with protease. Overall, combinational use of xylanase and protease increased (P < 0.05) ADG (0.503 vs. 0.442 and 0.437 kg/d) compared with the use of xylanase or protease alone, wheras protease improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (0.765 to 0.793). In jejunum, xylanase reduced (P < 0.05) viscosity of digesta (2.69 to 2.36 mPa.s), mucosal MDA (1.14 to 0.95 μM), crypt depth (220 to 198 μM) and crypt cell proliferation (20.3 to 17.6%), and protease increased (P < 0.05) villus height (439 to 493 μM), crypt depth (229 to 189 μM) and crypt cell proliferation (21.5 to 15.9%). Combinational use of xylanase and protease increased (P < 0.05) claudin (0.047 to 0.076 band intensity) and occludin (0.126 to 0.161 band intensity) in jejunum. Apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients was not different among treatments. Collectively, xylanase could improve growth, digesta viscosity, and oxidative stress, and protease could improve feed efficiency and gut integrity. Combinational use of xylanase and protease enhanced growth performance and tight junction proteins in newly weaned pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of modified yeast cell wall extract at 2 g/kg (YCWE; Integral A+, Alltech, Lexington, KY) on growth and health of pigs fed diets with aflatoxin (180 μg/kg), deoxynivalenol (1 mg/kg), and fumonisin (9 mg/kg). Forty-eight pigs (24 barrows and 24 gilts at 21 d of age with 6.0 ± 0.6 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2 × 2 factorial arrangement) with 12 pens per treatment, and fed the experimental diets for 48-d. Factors were mycotoxin and YCWE. Experimental diets were formulated to meet the requirement suggested by the NRC (2012) in 2 phases (phase 1 for 20-d and phase 2 for 28-d). Body weight and feed consumption were measured every 5-d in phase 1 and weekly in phase 2. On d 14 and 45, all pigs were bled to collect serum for biochemical analysis and other measurements. On d 48, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal tissue and mucosa. Tissue was used to measure histology. Mucosa and serum were used to determine tumor necrosis factor-α, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl (PC), and immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG). Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS with 2 factors and sex as fixed effects and initial BW as a random effect. Overall, mycotoxin reduced (P < 0.05) BW (37.8 to 31.1 kg), ADG (481 to 416 g/d), and ADFI (726 to 601 g/d). The YCWE tended to improve G:F (P = 0.079, 0.670 to 0.691) and reduce WBC (P = 0.071, 18.7 to 16.3 × 103 cells/μL). Mycotoxins reduced (P < 0.05) villus height (526 to 515 μm), increased (P < 0.05) IgA (5.7 to 6.5 mg/g protein), and increased (P < 0.05) PC (2.32 to 2.67 nmol/mg protein) in the jejunum. The YCWE tended (P = 0.088) to increase villus height (515 to 523 μm), and reduced (P < 0.05) IgA (6.3 to 5.9 mg/g protein) and PC (2.6 to 2.4 nmol/mg protein) in the jejunum. Collectively, feeding diets with mycotoxin at moderate levels reduced growth and impaired gut health in newly weaned pigs. Supplemental YCWE could improve growth and gut health in newly weaned pigs at 3 to 10 wk of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate functional difference of liquid based free L-Lys and crystalline L-Lys HCl on the growth performances, intestinal health, and intestinal integrity in newly weaned pigs. Twenty four newly weaned pigs at 21 d of age (5.9 ± 0.1 kg BW), were randomly allotted to 2 treatments with 12 pens (1 pig per pen, 6 barrow and 6 gilt pens) per treatment, and fed experimental diets for 3 wk based on 2 phases (phase 1 for 10 d; and phase 2 for 11 d). Two treatments were, (1) a diet supplemented with crystalline L-Lys HCl (0.45%, Daesang Corp., Seoul, Korea) or (2) a diet supplemented with liquid based free L-Lys (0.71%, Daesang Corp., Seoul, Korea). These 2 diets were formulated to have equal SID Lys content and nutrients meeting the NRC requirements (2012). Body weight and feed disappearance were measured on d 7, 10, and 21 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F ratio. Blood samples were taken on d 20 to obtain plasma. At the end of wk 3, all pigs were euthanized to obtain gut tissues and mucosal tissues from duodenum and jejunum. Plasma and mucosal tissues were used to measure tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, 8-OHdG, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Gut tissues were fixed for histological evaluation of gut morphology, for immunohistochemistry of Ki-67 protein to measure enterocyte proliferation, and for Western blot to quantify tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure in SAS with pen as the experimental unit and P values < 0.05 considered significant and < 0.10 considered tendency. Overall, source of Lys (free L-Lys vs. crystalline L-Lys HCl) did not affect ADG (0.319 and 0.319 kg/d), ADFI (0.384 and 0.397 kg/d), and G:F (0.828 and 0.804) of pigs. Liquid based free L-Lys decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal TNF-α (1.05 to 0.81 pg/mg protein), and plasma TNF-α (130 to 110 pg/mg protein) without affecting concentrations of protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and TAC. Liquid based free L-Lys increased (P < 0.05) villus height (346 to 386 μm) and villus height:crypt depth ratio (1.21 to 1.37 μm) in the jejunum. Collectively, this study indicates that free L-Lys supplementation improves intestinal health potentially by decreasing of systemic inflammatory status and improving jejunal morphology compared with the use of L-Lys HCl in newly weaned pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was hypothesized that dietary lysophospholipid complex could actively be incorporated into the plasma membrane of enterocytes, enhancing cell viability, which could improve intestinal morphology and barrier function. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of lysophospholipid complex (LPL; Lipidol; Easy Bio, Inc., Korea) on growth, fat utilization, intestinal morphology, barrier function, and immune response of nursery pigs. The LPL was produced by an enzymatic modification of phospholipids with elimination of 1 molecule fatty acid at the sn-2 position. Twenty-four newly weaned pigs (12 barrows and 12 gilts; 7.2 ± 0.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Sex and initial BW were used as blocks. Pigs were fed a diet supplemented with either 0 or 0.1% LPL based on 2 phases (7 and 12 d, respectively). Titanium dioxide (0.5%) was added to the diets from d 14 as an indigestible external marker. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded on d 7, 14, and 19. On d 19, ileal digesta were collected to measure apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude fat, fatty acids, DM, CP, and GE. Blood samples were collected for analysis of immune response. Duodenum and jejunum segments were collected for morphology evaluation, and mucosa samples were collected for analysis of barrier function and immune response. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Dietary LPL increased (P < 0.05) ADG (681 to 774 g/d) and ADFI (1,000 to 1,089 g/d) of nursery pigs from d 14 to 19 and tended to increase AID of crude fat (72.7 to 84.2%; P = 0.086) and C18:2 (86.7 to 96.4%; P = 0.059). Dietary supplementation with LPL increased (P < 0.05) villus height in the duodenum (509.3 to 589.2 μm) and in the jejunum (463.1 to 524.2 μm) and tended to increase villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the duodenum (1.9 to 2.2; P = 0.086) and in the jejunum (184.7 to 200.9 μm; P = 0.062). Dietary LPL tended to increase claudin-1 (0.21- to 0.25-fold increase; P = 0.062) and zonula occludens-1 (0.26- to 0.30-fold increase; P = 0.056) in the jejunal epithelial cells and tended to decrease IgG (1.13 to 1.16 mg/mL; P = 0.083) in serum. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of LPL improved fat digestibility, intestinal morphology and barrier function, and growth of nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 144 pigs (18.4 ± 2.3 kg initial BW at 6 wk of age) were used in a 40-d trial to evaluate effects of protease (300,000 units/kg feed; BioResource International, Inc., Durham, NC) on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients, and gut health of nursery pigs fed diets with sorghum. Pigs were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (12 pens per treatment and 3 pigs per pen) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (corn or sorghum basal diet and 0 or 0.05% protease as 2 factors) with sex and initial BW as blocks. The experimental period had phase 1 (d 1 to 21) and phase 2 (d 22 to 40). About 65 (phase 1) and 72% (phase 2) of cereal grains were used in corn- or sorghum-based diets. Both cereals were ground to 400 μm. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. On d 35, serum was collected to quantify tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA). On d 40, 32 pigs (8 pigs per treatment) were euthanized to collect digesta from the jejunum and ileum (for viscosity and AID), tissues (for morphology), and mucosa samples (for TNF-α and MDA) from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Replacing corn with sorghum in the diet increased (P < 0.05) overall ADG (from 756 to 787 g/d) and ADFI (from 1,374 to 1,473 g/d), reduced (P < 0.05) overall G:F (from 0.553 to 0.537), and did not affect nutrient digestibility. Pigs fed diets with sorghum had a lower (P < 0.05) MDA content in serum (from 14.61 to 6.48 μM) and the jejunum (1.42 to 0.91 μmol/g protein) and a reduced (P < 0.05) villus height (from 492 to 396 μm) and crypt depth (from 310 to 257 μm) in the jejunum. Dietary protease improved (P < 0.05) AID of CP (from 81.8 to 86.0%), decreased the MDA level (from 1.20 to 0.98 μmol/g protein) in the duodenum, and increased (P < 0.05) the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (from 1.08 to 1.21) in the duodenum. Overall, use of sorghum fully replacing corn in nursery diets could be beneficial to nursery pigs with enhanced feed intake and growth of nursery pigs potentially by reducing oxidative stress. Supplementation of protease improved protein digestion and gut health, irrespective of sorghum- or corn-based diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to test the effects of liquid L-Lys supplementation on growth performance in growing-finishing pigs compared with crystalline L-Lys HC1. A total of 126 pigs at 70 d of age (29.5 kg B W) in 42 pens were randomly allotted to 7 dietary treatments which were, CON: a control diet without supplemental Lys meeting 75% of SID Lys requirement, Level 1 diets with crystalline L-Lys HC1 (CI) or liquid L-Lys (LI) meeting 82% of SID Lys requirement, Level 2 (C2 or L2) diets meeting 89% of SID-Lys requirement and Level 3 (C3 or L3) diets meeting 96% of SID Lys requirement. Each treatment had 6 pens (3 barrow and 3 gilt pens) with 3 pigs/ pen. All 7 diets were formulated to contain nutrients meeting the requirements suggested by NRC (2012) except for SID Lys. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 9 wk based on 3 phases until 90 kg BW (30 to 45, 45 to 75, and 75 to 90 kg BW, respectively). All experimental diets were pelleted. Body weight and feed disappearance were measured to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS. A mutilinear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relative bioavailability of liquid L-Lys to crystalline L-Lys HC1. Increasing Lys from 75 to 96% of SID Lys requirement improved (P < 0.05) ADG from 0.83 to 1.00 kg/d and G:F from 0.384 to 0.430 without affecting ADFI. Forms of Lys (crystalline vs. liquid) did not affect performance of pigs. Rates of increases in ADG and G:F of pigs fed diets with liquid L-Lys was not different (P = 0.803 and 0.336) from that of pigs (39.4 vs. 37.0 g/g daily intake of supplemental Met and 0.00828 vs. 0.00696/g daily intake of supplemental Met) fed diets with crystalline L-Lys HC1. This study demonstrates that efficacy of liquid L-Lys is not different from that of crystalline L-Lys HC1 for performance of pigs from 30 to 90 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to test the effects of supplemental L-Met (CJ Corp, Seoul, Korea) on redox status, gut development, and growth performance of turkey poults compared with supplemental DL-Met. Three hundred eighty five newly hatched turkey poults were weighed and randomly allotted to 5 treatments in a completely randomized design for 28 d, including a basal diet (BD), the BD +0.145% DL-Met or L-Met, the BD + 0.285% DL-Met or L-Met (representing 60, 75, and 90% of NRC digestible Met + Cys requirement). Feed disappearance and BW were measured weekly. Liver, duodenum, and jejunum samples were collected from 2 random selected birds in each cage on d 7 and 28. Hepatic tissue and duodenal mucosa were used to measure glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC), and malondialde-hyde (MDA) as indicators of the redox status. Duodenal and jejunal tissues were used to evaluate morphology. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS. A multilinear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBA) of L-Met to DL-Met. Overall, weight gain (690 to 746 g) and feed intake (1123 to 1248 g) were increased (P < 0.05) as increasing digestible Met + Cys levels from 60 to 90% of the NRC requirement. Birds with L-Met tended (P = 0.053) to have decreased F:G (1.70 to 1.63) compared with birds with DL-Met. Rates of decrease in F:G were different (P < 0.05) between birds with DL-Met and L-Met. Supplementing Met regardless of sources decreased (P < 0.05) MDA (3.29 to 2.47 μmol/g protein) in duodenal mucosa compared with birds in the BD. Supplementing L-Met tended (P < 0.094) to decrease MDA (1.27 to 1.16 Limol/g protein) in hepatic tissues compared with the supplementation of DL-Met. Other oxidative status markers including GSH, TAC, and PC were not affected by Met sources. Supplementation of Met either from DL or L forms did not affect morphology of duodenum and jejunum on d 7 and 28. In conclusion, supplementation of Met enhanced the growth performance and reduced oxidative stress in the gut of turkey poults during the first 28 d of age. Use of L-Met can potentially enhance feed efficiency and reduce systemic oxidative stress compared with the use of DL-Met in turkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to determine the effect of modified yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) (Mycosorb A+, Alltech, Lexington, KY) on growth and health of pigs fed diets naturally contaminated with anatoxin B1 and fumonisin under the FDA regulatory level. One hundred twenty pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts at 55.69 ± 6.29 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2x2 factorial arrangement) with 10 pens (3 pigs per pen) per treatment, and fed the experimental diets for 5 wk period. Factors were mycotoxin (0 or 150 ug/kg anatoxin and 19 mg/kg fumonisin) and YCWE (0 or 2 g/kg diet). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed the NRC nutrient requirements. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At the end of 5 wk, 32 pigs representing a median B W of 8 pens per treatment were selected to take blood samples and euthanized to obtain intestinal tissues. Blood samples were obtained to measure the numbers of blood cells, and to separate serum for liver function test, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), immunoglobulin G (lgG), malondialde-hyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Mucosa from duodenum and jejunum were obtained to evaluate morphology and to measure TNF-α, MDA, and IgG. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in S AS with pen as the experimental unit using treatments and sex as fixed effects and initial BW as a random effect. Mycotoxin decreased (P < 0.05) ADG (1.210 to 0.992 kg/d) at 1 wk, and tended to decreased (P = 0.099) BW (68.4 to 67.5 kg) at 2 wk, without affecting overall growth performance after 5 wk feeding. Mycotoxin decreased (P < 0.05) neutrophil counts (7.28 to 5.83 cell/mL) and serum cholesterol (86.7 to 77.1 mg/dL). The YCWE decreased (P < 0.05) serum 8-OHdG (1.48 to 0.60 ng/ mL), and tended to decrease (P = 0.051) crypt depth (285 to 261 um) in duodenum. TNF-α, MDA, and IgG in serum and intestinal mucosa were not affected by 2 treatment factors. There was no interaction between 2 treatment factors. Collectively, dietary mycotoxin under the FDA regulatory level had minor effects on growth performance and hematology, and supplemental YCWE reduced oxidative stress in pigs indicated by reduced serum 8-OHdG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of soy peptide (Yunong, China) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and oxidative stress in nursery pigs. A total of 40 pigs (20 barrows and 20 gilts at 5.33 ± 0.10 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Sex and initial BW were used as blocks. Pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with soy peptide at the level of 0, 5, 10, or 15 g/kg based on 3 phases (7, 10, and 10 d, respectively). Soy peptide, which was produced by soybean meal fermentation, contained a greater amount (P < 0.05) of small-sized peptides ( < 37 kDa, 100.0%) compared with those of conventional soybean meal (44.7%). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded on d 7,17, and 27. Increasing supplementation of soy peptide improved gain:feed (0.560 to 0.663, quadratic, P < 0.05) in phase 1 and tended to increase ADG (380 to 453 g/d, quadratic, P = 0.056) and ADFI (522 to 571 g/d, quadratic, P = 0.084) in phase 2. Increasing levels of soy peptide tended to increase villus height in the duodenum (517.6 to 572.5 μm, quadratic, P = 0.083) and the jejunum (442.6 to 504.9 μm, quadratic, P < 0.05). Proliferation activity measured by Ki-67 staining in the duodenum showed a higher percentage of positive reactions in the pigs fed soy peptide than those fed a basal diet (10.6 to 18.2%, P < 0.05). Increasing dietary soy peptide decreased tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) in serum (72.8 to 52.4 pg/mL, linear, P < 0.05). Supplementation of soy peptide reduced TNF-α in the jejunum (1.24 to 0.46 pg/mg, P < 0.05). Pigs fed soy peptide had lower malon-edialdehyde in the jejunum compared to those fed a basal diet (0.52 to 0.23, μmol/g protein, P < 0.05). In conclusion, soy peptide supplemented at 5 to 10 g/kg to nursery diets improved growth performance and gut health of pigs in association with enhanced villus development, reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, and reduced oxidative stress products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics (Lactocare, GBTech) containing Lactobacillus piantarumcase and Lactobacillus salivaruscase were added to pig diets to test their effect on odor emission from pig excreta and growth performance of pigs. Ninety six, 28 d old, pigs were allotted to three treatments: the CON (without any probiotics), the LL (with the liquid type probiotic at 0.1%) and the SB (with the powder type probiotic at 0.1%). There were 4 replicates per treatment and 8 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the assigned diets ad libitum for 5-wk. Weight gain and feed intake of pigs were measured weekly until wk 3. From wk 3, all pigs in each pen were moved to a pen (1.2 x 2.4 m) in a ventilated environmental chamber (3.0 x 3.0 x 2.4 m) for 70 h to measure aerial ammonia, amine, and hydrogen sulfide production from the pigs under controlled conditions at 10 min intervals using two gas monitors (Pac III and Miniwarn, Draeger Safety, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA). The fan was working continuously and constantly during the experimental period. Feed intake and weight gain of pigs during the 70 h period were also measured. Pigs in the SL and LL had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADfithan pigs in the CON during the 3 wk feeding period, whereas gain:feed ratios were the same among the treatments. Averaged ammonia levels during the last 2-h collection period from the SL (8.4 ppm) and LL (7.8 ppm) were lower (P < 0.05) than that from the CON (9.3 ppm). Averaged amine level during the last 2-h collection period from the LL (7.3 ppm) was lower (P < 0.05) than that from the CON (9.5 ppm) and was not different from the SL (8.0 ppm). Using the slope ratio analysis, the rates of increase of aerial ammonia and amine from the LL (0.108 and 0.062, respectively) and the SL (0.107 and 0.066, respectively) were different (P < 0.001) from the CON (0.129 and 0.080, respectively). Hydrogen sulfide was not detectable during the 70 h period. This study shows that ammonia and amine from pig excreta can be reduced and the growth performance can be improved by dietary supplementation of a probiotic with Lactobacillus piantarumcase and Lactobacillus salivaruscase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to test the effects of dietary supplementation of feed grade L-Met on growth performance and redox status of turkey poults compared with the use of conventional DL-Met. Three hundred and eighty five newly hatched turkey poults were weighed and allotted to 5 treatments in a completely randomized design and the birds were fed dietary treatments for 28 d, including a basal diet (BD), the BD + 0.17 or 0.33% DL-Met or L-Met (representing 60, 75, and 90% of the requirement by National Research Council (NRC) for S containing AA, respectively). Increasing Met supplementation from 0 to 0.33% increased (P < 0.05) weight gain (690 to 746 g) and feed intake (1,123 to 1,248 g) of turkey poults. Supplementing L-Met tended (P = 0.053) to reduce feed to gain ratio (1.70 to 1.63) compared with DL-Met. The relative bioavailability of L-Met to DLMet was 160% based on a multilinear regression analysis of weight gain. Supplementing Met regardless of its sources decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (3.29 to 2.47 nmol/mg protein) in duodenal mucosa compared with birds in the BD. Supplementing L-Met tended (P = 0.094) to decrease malondialdehyde (1.27 to 1.16 nmol/mg protein) and increase glutathione (3.21 to 3.45 nmol/mg protein) in the liver compared with DL-Met. Total antioxidant capacity, protein carbonyl, and morphology of duodenum and jejunum were not affected by Met sources. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.33% Met to a diet with S containing AA meeting 60% of the NRC requirement enhanced weight gain, feed intake, and redox status by reducing oxidative stress in the gut and liver of turkey poults during the first 28 d of age. Use of L-Met tended to enhance feed efficiency and was more effective in reducing oxidative stress and increasing glutathione in the liver compared with the use of DL-Met. The use of L-Met as a source of Met replacing DL-Met seems to be beneficial to turkey poults during the first 28 d of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]