Characterization of the nutritional value of air-classified protein and starch fractions of field pea and zero-tannin faba bean in grower pigs

Posted in: Environment, Production by admin on July 26, 2011 | No Comments

Most pulse (nonoilseed legume) seed flours can be fractionated rapidly and economically by air classification into protein and starch concentrates. The nutritional value of air-classified field pea and faba bean concentrates requires characterization to assess the feeding opportunity for pigs. Thus, the objectives were to characterize the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, energy, starch, CP, fat, and ash; apparent ileal digestibility of CP and starch; standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA; and the SID AA, DE, and NE content of air-classified zero-tannin faba bean and field pea protein and starch concentrates in grower pigs. Pulse protein and starch concentrates were compared with soy protein concentrate and corn starch, respectively, as corresponding standards. The corn starch diet served as an N-free diet to correct for basal endogenous AA losses. In a Youden square design, 8 ileal-cannulated barrows (24.9 kg of BW) were fed 6 diets over 7 periods at 3 times the maintenance DE requirement. Periods encompassed a 5-d diet acclimation, 3-d feces collection, and 3-d ileal digesta collection. The ATTD of GE was 2% greater for faba bean than soy and was intermediate for field pea protein (95.6, 93.7, and 94.9%, respectively). The ATTD of GE was 3.6% greater for corn and field pea than faba bean starch (96.2, 95.1, and 92.3%, respectively). The DE content of faba bean was 5.0% greater than for field pea or soy protein (4.47, 4.23, and 4.26 Mcal/kg, respectively). The DE content of faba bean and field pea was 1.7% greater than for corn starch (3.72, 3.77, and 3.68 Mcal/ kg, respectively). The NE content was 5% greater for faba bean than field pea and soy protein (3.08, 2.94, and 2.92 Mcal/kg, respectively). The NE content for field pea starch was 2.0% greater than for corn starch and faba bean starch (2.68, 2.63, and 2.61 Mcal/kg, respectively). Protein concentrates had a 14 and 11% greater DE and NE content, respectively, than starch concentrates. The SID of Lys was 6.0% greater for faba bean and field pea protein than soy protein (95.5, 92.6, and 88.7%, respectively). The SID of Lys was 6.0% greater for faba bean than field pea starch. Nutrient digestibility and digestible nutrient profiles indicated that air-classified fractions of zero-tannin faba bean and field pea constitute concentrated sources of AA and energy for pigs with high nutritional demands.

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Diets containing inulin but not lupins help to prevent swine dysentery in experimentally challenged pigs

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Swine dysentery is a contagious mucohemorrhagic diarrheal disease caused by the intestinal spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae that colonizes and induces inflammation of the cecum and colon. It has been reported that a diet containing chicory root and sweet lupin can prevent swine dysentery. This experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inulin in the chicory root rather than galactans in lupins was responsible for protective effects. An experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was undertaken using pigs fed barley- and triticale-based diets, with the main effects being protein source [185 g/kg of canola meal (decreased galactans) or 220 g/kg of lupins (greater galactans)] and inulin supplementation (0 or 80 g/kg). Forty Large White × Landrace pigs weighing 21kg, with 10 pigs per diet, were allowed to adapt to the diets for 2 wk, and then each pig was challenged orally 4 times with a broth culture containing B. hyodysenteriae on consecutive days. Pigs were killed when they showed clinical signs of dysentery or 6 wk postchallenge. Pigs fed diets without inulin had 8.3 times greater risk of developing swine dysentery and were 16 times more likely to have colon contents that were culture-positive for B. hyodysenteriae, compared with the pigs fed a diet with 80 g/kg of inulin. Diets containing lupins did not prevent pigs from developing clinical swine dysentery; however, inclusion of lupins or inulin or both in the diets delayed the onset of disease compared with the diet based mainly on canola meal. Diet did not influence the total concentration of organic acids in the ileum, cecum, or upper and lower colon; however, the molar proportions of the organic acids were influenced. Consequently the pH values in the cecum, and upper and lower colon were not influenced by diet. However the pH values of the ileal digesta were decreased in pigs fed the diet with both lupins and inulin compared with the diet containing only lupins. In conclusion, this study shows that diets supplemented with highly fermentable carbohydrates from inulin protected pigs against developing swine dysentery.

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Reproductive performance and bone status markers of gilts and lactating sows supplemented with two different forms of vitamin D

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In swine nutrition, little is known about the vitamin D requirements for reproductive processes and bone health. Consequently, the vitamin D recommendation for sows during gestation and lactation is not based on scientific reports. The current study was undertaken to obtain information on the dose-response pattern of 2 vitamin D sources, the commonly used cholecalciferol, called vitamin D3, and a newly developed Hy・D product (25-hydroxycholecalciferol). In Exp. 1, a total of 160 gilts were randomly assigned from the first estrus until d 28 of gestation to dietary treatments containing 4 concentrations of 1 of the 2 different vitamin D sources [200, 800, 1,400, and 2,000 IU/kg of vitamin D from cholecalciferol or corresponding doses of 5, 20, 35, and 50 μg/kg of feed from 25(OH)D3 (Hy・D)]. In a concurrent experiment, the same 8 dietary treatments were provided to 160 multiparous sows from the first day of mating until weaning. Plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D3 were influenced by a dose × form interaction; furthermore, plasma 25(OH)D3 concentrations were influenced by the lactation state of the sows. Irrespective of the dietary dose and form of vitamin D provided to the sows, very little vitamin D was transferred to the progeny. Reproductive performance was not influenced by dietary vitamin D treatments, except for a decreased number of stillborn piglets with the larger doses of vitamin D (1,400 and 2,000 IU of vitamin D, resulting in 1.17 and 1.13 stillborn piglets per litter, respectively) compared with the smaller doses of vitamin D (200 and 800 IU of vitamin D, resulting in 1.98 and 1.99 stillborn piglets per litter, respectively). In the gilt trial, the ultimate strength of the bones and their content of ash were greater when vitamin D3 was supplemented in doses larger than 800 IU, compared with the same amount of Hy・D supplementation. In the sow experiment, lactation day, rather than dietary vitamin D, influenced the concentrations of osteocalcin and Ca as well as the activities of total alkaline phosphatase and bone alkaline phosphatase in plasma. Age of the suckling piglets affected their plasma bone health markers. In conclusion, at doses greater than 200 IU, Hy・D was more bioavailable than vitamin D3 and, as such, could be considered an equivalent or even more advantageous source of vitamin D. In addition, a dietary dose of approximately 1,400 IU of vitamin D is recommended for reproducing swine. Irrespective of the dietary dose and form of vitamin D provided to the sows, very little vitamin D was transferred to the progeny.

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Effect of dietary supplementation of oregano essential oils to sows on colostrum and milk composition, growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs

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This study evaluated the effects of supplementing sow diets with oregano essential oils (OEO) during gestation and lactation on sow colostrum and milk composition and on the growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs. A total of 70 second-parity sows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 gestation dietary treatments within 24 h after service: control (CON) or CON + 250 mg/kg of OEO (OREG). In lactation, sows were again assigned to either the CON or OREG dietary treatment. Thus, the lactation treatments were CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 6 sows per lactation dietary treatment. Thymus lymphocyte (TL) subpopulations (cluster of differentiation 8, and 32 cluster of differentiation 4) were enumerated in blood and mammary secretions along with IGF-1, IgG, and IgA concentrations. Piglet growth rate were determined from 18, 17, 17, and 18 litters from the CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG lactation dietary treatments, respectively. Growth rates were determined in 630 piglets, and piglets were individually identified and weighed on 1, 5, 9, 12, 16, and 19 d of age. OEO supplementation during gestation or lactation had no effect on GE, CP, GE:CP, GE:fat, and IGF-1 in sow milk. Reductions of the fat percentage in milk on d 7 and d 14 were found in sows supplemented with OEO during lactation compared with those in the CON treatment. Milk from sows supplemented with OEO during lactation had the greatest number of TL compared with those in the lactation CON treatment on d 14 of lactation. The number of TL in milk was greater for sows in the CON-OREG treatment compared with those other treatments on d 14 of lactation. Energy intake was greater on d 1 to 5 in piglets from sows fed OEO during gestation than those from sows in the CON treatment. A trend for greater milk intake was observed in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment. Similarly, a tendency for an increase in ADG on d 1 to 5 was found in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment. Insulin-like growth factor-1 at birth and on d 7 and 14 of lactation did not differ among piglets from sows assigned to the different dietary treatments. Oregano essential oil supplementation of sow diets did not affect immunoglobulin concentrations in piglets after suckling. Supplementing sow diets with OEO during gestation or lactation did not affect the TL, percentage of TL subpopulations, and natural killer cell activity of piglets during lactation. Supplementing sow diets with 250 mg/kg of OEO during gestation and lactation did not affect the growth potential of and immune responses in suckling piglets.

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Effects of increasing choice white grease in corn- and sorghum-based diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fat quality characteristics of finishing pigs

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A total of 120 pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts; TR4 × PIC 1050; 54.4 kg initial BW) were used in an 83-d study to evaluate the effects of added fat in corn- and sorghum-based diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with grain source (corn or sorghum) and added fat (0, 2.5, or 5% choice white grease; CWG) as factors. There were 2 pigs (1 barrow and 1 gilt) per pen and 10 replicate pens per treatment. Pigs and feeders were weighed on d 14, 22, 39, 53, 67, and 83 to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. At the end of the trial, pigs were slaughtered and jowl fat and backfat samples were collected and analyzed for fatty acid profile. No interactions were observed for growth performance. Pigs fed sorghum-based diets had greater ADG than pigs fed cornbased diets. Adding CWG improved ADG. Pigs fed corn-based diets tended to have greater carcass yield, 10th-rib backfat, and percentage lean than pigs fed sorghum-based diets. Adding CWG increased 10th-rib backfat, tended to increase HCW, and tended to decrease percentage lean. There was no grain source × fat level interaction for iodine value (IV) in backfat, but an interaction was observed for IV in jowl fat. Adding CWG increased IV in jowl fat for pigs fed sorghum- and corn- based diets; however, the greatest increase was between 0 and 2.5% CWG in sorghum-based diets and between 2.5 and 5% CWG in corn-based diets. Pigs fed corn-based diets had less C18:1 cis-9 and MUFA but greater C18:2n-6, PUFA, and backfat IV than pigs fed sorghum-based diets. Increasing CWG in the diet increased backfat IV. Of the 2 fat depots, backfat generally had a reduced IV than jowl fat. In summary, feeding sorghum-based diets reduced carcass fat IV and unsaturated fats compared with corn-based diets. As expected, adding CWG increased carcass fat IV regardless of the cereal grain in the diet.

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Effect of dietary inorganic sulfur level on growth performance, fecal composition, and measures of inflammation and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the intestine of growing pigs

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Two experiments investigated the impact of dietary inorganic S on growth performance, intestinal inflammation, fecal composition, and the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In Exp. 1, individually housed pigs (n = 42; 13.8 kg) were fed diets containing 2,300 or 2,100 mg/kg of S for 24 d. Decreasing dietary S had no effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F. In Exp. 2, pigs (n = 64; 13.3 kg) were fed diets containing 0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0% CaSO4, thereby increasing dietary S from 2,900 to 12,100 mg/kg. Two additional diets were fed to confirm the lack of an impact due to feeding low dietary S on pig performance and to determine if the increased Ca and P content in the diets containing CaSO4 had an impact on growth performance. Pigs were fed for 35 d. Ileal tissue, ileal mucosa, and colon tissue were harvested from pigs fed the 0 and 5% CaSO4 diets (low-S and high-S, respectively) to determine the impact of dietary S on inflammation-related mRNA, activity of mucosal alkaline phosphatase and sucrase, and pathways of inflammatory activation. Real-time PCR was used to quantify SRB in ileal and colon digesta samples and feces. Fecal pH, sulfide, and ammonia concentrations were also determined. There was no impact on growth performance in pigs fed the diet reduced in dietary S or by the increase of dietary Ca and P. Increasing dietary S from 2,900 to 12,100 mg/kg had a linear effect on ADG and a cubic effect on ADFI and G:F. Real-time reverse-transcription PCR analysis revealed that pigs fed high-S increased the relative abundance of intracellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and suppressor of cytokine signaling- 3 mRNA, and tended to increase the relative abundance of IL-6 mRNA in ileal tissue. Likewise, pigs fed high-S had reduced abundance of nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-α and increased phospho-p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase in ileal tissue, but there was no effect of dietary S on mucosal alkaline phosphatase or sucrase activity. Pigs fed the high-S diet had decreased total bacteria in ileal digesta, but increased prevalence of SRB in colon contents. Fecal sulfide was increased and fecal pH was deceased in pigs fed high-S. The data indicate that growing pigs can tolerate relatively high amounts of dietary inorganic S, but high dietary S content alters inflammatory mediators and intestinal bacteria.

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Net energy of soybean oil and choice white grease in diets fed to growing and finishing pigs

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Effects of dietary aflatoxin on the hepatic expression of apoptosis genes in growing barrows

Posted in: Production by admin on July 25, 2011 | No Comments

The most common and toxic form of aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is produced by molds growing on crops. Use of moldy corn can result in high concentrations of AFB1 in swine diets, which could potentially lead to an increased incidence of aflatoxicosis, a disease associated with decreased health and performance through reduced feed intake, reduced BW gain, and impaired liver function. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of AFB1 on the hepatic gene expression of growing barrows. Ninety Duroc × Yorkshire crossbred barrows (age = 35 +/- 5; initial BW = 14.2 +/- 3.0 kg) were allocated to 9 pens with 10 pigs per pen, and randomly assigned in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangements of treatments to receive diets containing 0 μg/kg of AFB1, 250 μg/kg of AFB1, or 500 μg/kg of AFB1 for 7, 28, or 70 d. Because performance was most affected in animals administered AFB1 for an extended period, liver samples from d 70 animals were used for RNA-sequencing analysis. Of 82,744 sequences probed, 179 had transcripts that were highly correlated with treatment. Of the 179 significant transcripts, 46 sequences were negatively and 133 sequences positively related to treatment. Forty-three unique functional groups were identified. Genes within the apoptosis regulation functional group were selected for confirmation of d 70 gene expression differences using real-time reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR (n = 4 genes), and investigation of d 7 expression to identify early responses to AFB1 (n = 15 genes) using real-time RT-PCR. Expression of the 4 apoptosis genes selected for confirmation, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, zinc finger matrin type 3, kininogen 1, and pim-1 oncogene, was confirmed with real-time RT-PCR. Of the 15 genes tested in d 7 liver samples, 4 were differentially expressed: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A; zinc finger matrin type 3; tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/ tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide; and apoptosis enhancing nuclease. Results from this study demonstrate that administration of an AFB1-contaminated diet to growing barrows alters hepatic gene expression, and in particular apoptosis genes.

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Effect of maternal protein restriction on lipid metabolism in Meishan piglets at weaning

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The present study aimed to determine the effects of maternal protein restriction on lipid metabolism of piglets at weaning and the associated underlying mechanism employing Meishan pigs as model. Sixteen Meishan sows were assigned to the control group and the maternal protein restriction group (MPR). The treated group was fed a low-protein diet containing 6% protein during pregnancy followed by 7% protein during lactation, whereas the control group received 12% and 14% protein during pregnancy and lactation, respectively. Blood and subcutaneous fat of piglets were sampled at weaning. The results showed that in MPR piglets’ body weight and backfat thickness were significantly decreased compared to control piglets. Leptin mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated and the leptin content showed a decreased tendency in subcutaneous fat of MPR group though the serum leptin concentration was unchanged. The lipolytic lipase activity (including Hormone sensitive lipase, HSL and adipose tissue triglyceride lipase, ATGL) in subcutaneous fat was significantly increased in MPR group. The fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA expression decreased significantly although CCTTA enhancer-binding protein (C/ EBP-β) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) mRNA expression showed no obviously changes in MPR group compared with the control. Furthermore, though no alteration was detected for total perilipin protein level, the mRNA expression of perilipin was significantly decreased and the phosphorylation level of perilipin protein demonstrated an increased tendency in the MPR group. The present study indicates that the lower lipid deposition in piglets of maternal protein restriction group at weaning may be mediated by the increased lipolysis in the subcutaneous fat demonstrated by increased lipolytic lipase activity and higher perilipin phosphorylation level. These alterations may influence the lipid metabolism of later life.

The effect of phosphorus restriction during the weaner-grower phase on compensatory growth, serum osteocalcin and bone mineralization in gilts

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 Ninety-six female pigs with an initial bodyweight (BW) of 10.0±1.6 kg were assigned to 4 dietary treatments to determine the effects of restricting dietary phosphorus (P) level during the weaner-grower [approximately 10 to 50 kg BW; day (d) 0 to 59] and finisher (approximately 50 to 100 kg BW; d 59 to 131) period on growth performance, serum osteocalcin concentration, bone development and calculated P utilization. The dietary treatments were: 4.0 g total P (tP)/kg from d 0 to 131 (LL); 4.0 g tP/kg from d 0 to d 59 and 6.0 g tP/kg from d 59 to 131 (LH); 6.0 g tP/kg from d 0 to 131 (HH) and 6.0 g tP/kg from d 0 to 59 and 4.0 g tP/kg from d 59 to 131 (HL). During the weaner-grower period (d 0 to 59), pigs offered high P diets had higher daily gain, feed intake, P intake, bone ash and serum osteocalcin concentration compared to pigs offered low-P diets. Pigs offered LH, HH and HL diets had higher average daily gain compared to pigs offered LL diet from d 59 to 131. Pigs offered LL diet had a lower carcass weight compared to pigs offered LH, HH and HL diets on d 131. Pigs offered LL diet had a lower bone ash, bone P and bone calcium concentration than pigs offered LH, HL and HH diets on d 131. Pigs offered LH diet had higher concentration of osteocalcin compared to pigs offered LL, HH and HL diets on d 88 and 108. In conclusion, compensatory effect occurred in growth performance and bone mineral concentration at the termination of the finisher stage when high P was introduced at the initiation of the finisher stage, following consumption of a low-P diet during the weaner-grower stage. However, pigs offered LH diet did not surpass the level of growth performance or bone mineralization achieved by pigs offered HH diet.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci