• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.62 no.2
• /
• pp.174-179
• /
• 2020

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of dietary protease on immune responses of weaned pigs. Weaned pigs (n = 75; 7.06 ± 0.18 kg BW; 28 d old) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (5 pigs/pen; 5 pens/treatment). Dietary treatments were positive control, a diet with required protein level (PC), negative control, a diet with lower protein level than PC (NC), and NC + 0.02% dietary protease (PRO). The dietary protease used in this experiment was a commercial product containing 75,000 protease units/g derived from Nocardiopsis prasina produced in Bacillus licheniformis. The dietary treatments did not contain any ingredients or additives that may provide antibacterial or physiological effects. Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments for 6 weeks. Blood was collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen on d 1, 3, 7, and 14 after weaning. Measurements were number of white blood cells (WBC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Pigs fed PRO had lower WBC on d 7 (14.84 vs 20.42 × 10³/μL; p < 0.05) and TNF-α on d 7 (618 vs 889 pg/mL; p = 0.085) and 14 (437 vs 576 pg/mL; p = 0.069) than those fed NC, but there were no differences on WBC and TNF-α between PC and PRO. Pigs fed PRO had lower TGF-β1 on d 3 (630 vs. 1,588 and 1,396 pg/mL; p < 0.05) than those fed PC and NC. However, no differences were found on CRP among dietary treatments. In conclusion, addition of dietary protease reduced inflammatory immune responses of weaned pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.520-530
• /
• 2021

This experiment was performed to verify whether dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) improves growth performance and modulates immune responses of weaned pigs. Ninety-six weaned pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc; 6.95 ± 0.25 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly allocated to four treatments: 1) a basal diet without heat-killed LR (CON), 2) T1 (CON with 0.1% heat-killed LR), 3) T2 (CON with 0.2% heat-killed LR), and 4) T3 (CON with 0.4% heat-killed LR). Each treatment had six pens with four pigs (6 replicates per treatment) in a randomized completely block design. The heat-killed LR used in this study contained 1 × 10⁹ FU/g of LR in a commercial product. Pigs were fed each treatment for four weeks using a two-phase feeding program to measure growth performance and frequency of diarrhea. During the last week of this study, all diets contained 0.2% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Fecal sampling was performed through rectal palpation for the consecutive three days after the four adaptation days to measure apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy (GE). Blood sampling was also performed on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 after weaning to measure immune responses such as serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cortisol. The heat-killed LR increased (p < 0.05) growth rate, feed efficiency, and ATTD of GE for overall experimental period compared with CON, but reduced (p < 0.05) post-weaning diarrhea. In addition, pigs fed diets contained heat-killed had lower concentrations of serum TNF-α (d 7; p < 0.05), TGF-β1 (d 7; p < 0.10), and cortisol (d 3 and 7; p < 0.05) than pigs fed CON. In conclusion, dietary heat-killed LR improved growth rate, modified immune responses of weaned pigs, and alleviated post-weaning diarrhea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.337-341
• /
• 1990

An investigation was conducted to determine whether the rumen modifiers lasalocid and avoparcin, when included in molasses/urea based supplements, enhanced liveweight performance, in early weaned calves. As part of the study the broad-spectrum parasiticle Avermectin B1 was given to the calves to assess any undesirable side effects on animals of less than four months of age. There were no significant (p>0.05) liveweight responses to supplementation when the rumen modifiers lasalocid and avoparcin were included in supplement rations. Lasalocid reduced supplement intake, however, it had no adverse effect on liveweight gain. Avoparcin substantially improved growth when cottonseed meal was included in the ration. Weaners treated with Avermectin B1 tended to show a greater liveweight gain than untreated weaners during the experiment (p<0.10) and no adverse side effects were noted.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.1667-1675
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to determine whether L-arginine (Arg) supplementation could improve intestinal function in weaned pigs after an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Treatments included: i) non-challenged control (CONTR, pigs fed a control diet and injected with sterile saline); ii) LPS-challenged control (LPS, pigs fed the same control diet and challenged by injection with Escherichia coli LPS); iii) LPS+0.5% Arg (pigs fed a 0.5% Arg diet and challenged with LPS); and iv) LPS+1.0% Arg (pigs fed a 1.0% Arg diet and challenged with LPS). On d 16, pigs were administrated with LPS or sterile saline. D-xylose was orally administrated at 2 h following LPS challenge, and blood samples were collected at 3 h following LPS challenge. At 6 h post-challenge, pigs were sacrificed and intestinal mucosa samples were collected. Supplementation of Arg attenuated LPS-induced damage in gut digestive and barrier functions, as indicated by an increase in ileal lactase activity, and duodenal and ileal diamine oxidase activities (p<0.05). Arg administration also prevented the increase of jejunal malondialdehyde content and the decrease of ileal superoxide dismutase activity by LPS challenge (p<0.05). Furthermore, the jejunal nitric oxide level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were also improved after Arg supplementation (p<0.05). These results indicate that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in alleviating the impairment of gut function induced by LPS challenge.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 1998

A total of 240 weaned pigs (BW 5.4 kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design to find out the optimum lactose : sucrose ratio for the weaned pigs. Treatments were 100:0 (A), 75:25 (B), 50:50 (C), 25:75 (D) and 0:100 (E) in lactose : sucrose ratio. For the first week after weaning, average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) were improved (p < 0.05) for pigs fed A, B and C diets compared to pigs fed diets D and E, but the average daily feed intakes (ADFI) of the pigs were not different. From d 7 to 14, no significant differences was found in ADG and ADFI among the treatments, but pigs fed the diets A, B and C had improved F/G compared with the pigs fed diets D and E (p < 0.05). From d 15 to 21, no significant differences were found in ADG, ADFI and F/G among the treatments. The digestibility of nutrients was not influenced by the lactose : sucrose ratio except nitrogen. Nitrogen digestibility of A diet was significantly higher than D and E diets (p < 0.05) but no significant differences were found among diets A, B and C. Dry matter and phosphorus excretions were not influenced by the treatments. The pigs fed diets A, B and C excreted significantly less nitrogen than the pigs fed diets D and E. In conclusion, the results suggest that sucrose can effectively replace up to 50% lactose in starter diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.733-742
• /
• 2014

The glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) that is expressed in intestine epithelial cells of mammals, is important for intestinal barrier function and regulation of tight junction (TJ) proteins. However, there is little known about the intracellular mechanisms of GLP-2 in the regulation of TJ proteins in piglets' intestinal epithelial cells. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that GLP-2 regulates the expressions of TJ proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in piglets' intestinal epithelial cells. The jejunal tissues were cultured in a Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/high glucose medium containing supplemental 0 to 100 nmol/L GLP-2. At 72 h after the treatment with the appropriate concentrations of GLP-2, the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1 were increased (p<0.05). U0126, an MAPK kinase inhibitor, prevented the mRNA and protein expressions of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1 increase induced by GLP-2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that GLP-2 could improve the expression of TJ proteins in weaned pigs' jejunal epithelium, and the underlying mechanism may due to the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.1614-1621
• /
• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graded levels of montmorillonite, a constituent of clay, on performance, hematological parameters and bone mineralization in weaned pigs. One hundred and twenty, 35-d-old crossbred pigs (Duroc${\times}$Large White${\times}$Landrace, $10.50{\pm}1.20$ kg) were used in a 28-d experiment and fed either an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet or similar diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% montmorillonite added at the expense of wheat bran. Each treatment was replicated six times with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per replicate. Feed intake declined (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01) with increasing level of montmorillonite while feed conversion was improved (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01). Daily gain was unaffected by dietary treatment. Plasma myeloperoxidase declined linearly (p = 0.03) with increasing dietary level of montmorillonite. Plasma malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were quadratically affected (p<0.01) by montmorillonite with increases observed for pigs fed the 0.5 and 1.0% levels which then declined for pigs fed the 2.5 and 5.0% treatments. In bone, the content of potassium, sodium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium were decreased (linear and quadratic effect, p<0.01) in response to an increase of dietary montmorillonite. These results suggest that dietary inclusion of montmorillonite at levels as high as 5.0% does not result in overt toxicity but could induce potential oxidative damage and reduce bone mineralization in pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.403-408
• /
• 2005

This study investigated the effects of chromium propionate on growth performance, serum traits and immune response in weaned pigs. Twenty-four 4 wk-old crossbred weanling pigs (initial body weight about 9.52${\pm}$0.48 kg) were randomly allotted into one of two groups, a control group (basal diet), chromium propionate group (diet supplemented with 200 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ (ppb) of chromium propionate). This experiment was conducted over nine weeks. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 100 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ BW was used as the stress-inducing agent in the middle (4 wks) and final (8 wks) periods. The experimental results indicated that chromium propionate had no effect on growth performance (p>0.05). Chromium propionate supplementation reduced the percentage of LDL+VLDL (low and very low-density lipoprotein) and increased HDL (high-density lipoprotein), but did not affect other serum traits. Pigs supplemented with chromium propionate had higher antibody titers specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and serum total globulin relative to the control during the final period (p<0.05). A challenge with LPS increased white blood cells in the chromium propionate group in both experimental periods (p<0.05). The chromium propionate group exhibited higher IgG and $\gamma$-globulin than the control during the middle experimental period (p<0.05). Moreover, the PHA (phytohemagglutinin) challenge result in the chromium propionate group was better than the control group (p=0.056). Greater neutrophil activity was displayed than in the control (p<0.05). This suggests that chromium propionate supplementation benefited the weaned pigs in lipoprotein and immune response.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.411-416
• /
• 1999

Ninety-six, 35 day old, crossbred pigs, were fed either a basal diet based on com, soybean meal, fish meal and whey or one of three similar diets supplemented with either 0.5% organic acid or enzyme both alone and in combination. Neither organic acid nor enzyme produced any significant (p<0.05) improvements in daily gain or feed conversion. Organic acid, both alone and in combination with enzyme, significantly (p=0.04) decreased the pH in the lower colon. None of the treatments produced any effects on E. Coli or Lactobacillus numbers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding enzyme increased trypsin (p=0.01), chymotrypsin (p=0.03) and amylase (p=0.08) levels in the jejunum. Chymotrypsin levels were higher (p=0.04) in the ileum of pigs fed enzyme. Serum glucose levels were lower (p=0.01) on day 14 in pigs fed enzyme either alone or in combination with acid. Under the conditions of this experiment (10% dietary whey, pigs weaned at 35 days of age), neither organic acid nor enzyme were effective in improving starter pig performance. Therefore, there would appear to be little justification for the routine inclusion of these products in diets fed to pigs weaned at 35 days or later.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.1738-1742
• /
• 2000

A study was conducted to determine the ileal digestibility (ID) of amino acids and feeding values of spray dried plasma protein (SDPP) and spray dried porcine intestine hydrolysate (SDPI) in early-weaned pigs. Twelve pigs aged 18 days old (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc; $5.83{\pm}0.51kg$ BW) were cannulated in the terminal ileum for determination of ID of amino acids. Ninety pigs ($6.28{\pm}0.1kg$, 18 days old) were also employed for a feeding trial during phase I period. Treatments were: 1) 6% SDPP, 2) 6% SDPI, and 3) 3% SDPP+3% SDPI. The apparent and true ID values of the essential amino acids except leucine, methionine and valine were lower (p<0.01) in SDPI than in SDPP. The average apparent ID of essential amino acids in SDPP and SDPI were 75.63 and 71.30%, and the average true ID of essential amino acids 84.83 and 80.51%, respectively. The ADG and feed conversion ratio in piglets fed the 6% SDPP diet were better (p<0.01) than in those fed the 6% SDPI diet. When 3% of SDPP was replaced by SDPI, however, the growth rate and efficiency of pigs were comparable to those in pigs fed 6% SDPP. In conclusion, SDPP can be partially replaced by SDPI without any detrimental effect on growth performance in early-weaned pigs.