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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Development of a Plant-Based, Low Cost, Orally Administered Vaccine against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PPRSV)
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on September 14, 2009 | No Comments
The objective of this study was to develop a plant based product that can be fed to pigs to help induce the immune system to combat PRRSV. The GP5 neutralizing epitope and CTB were the parts of the plants that the researchers want to extract. It was found that plant-produced CTB-GP5NE could efficiently bind to the mucosal GM1 acceptor, demonstrating it is biologically active. Taken together these results prove that CTB-GP5NE is an excellent candidate for oral vaccine against PRRSV. The researches state that the system to extract the plant products must be improved it if were to be introduced at a commercial level.
Protein Turnover in Lactating Sows
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on August 14, 2009 | No Comments
Protein turnover and energy metabolism was simultaneously measured in sows on d 7 and 17 of lactation. Sows were fed a lactation diet ad libitum (14 MJ DE/kg, 20.7% crude protein, 1.02 % total lysine). On days 7 and 17 of lactation, 24 h energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry while a primed-constant infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine (1.0 mg/kg/h) was delivered intravenously over 24 h to measure
rates of protein synthesis and breakdown. Milk yield and composition were also measured. Leucine intake varied due to differences in feed intake, but leucine flux was not significantly different between days of lactation. Protein synthesis and leucine appearance from body protein breakdown, as % of flux, were higher (P<.001) on d 7 than d 17 (81.1 vs. 76.9 % and 25 vs. -10 %), respectively. The protein and leucine content of milk were also higher on d 7 than d 17 (5.3% vs. 5.1% CP and 3.0 vs. 2.0 g/kg), respectively. Negative protein breakdown on d 17 indicates utilization of leucine by the mammary gland that was neither oxidation or protein synthesis. The higher dietary intake
of energy and protein on d 17 reduced both whole body protein breakdown and protein synthesis. The higher dietary energy intake on d 17 (13.4 MJ/d) was entirely accounted for by milk energy output (13.8 MJ/d). These data indicate that sows were in greater protein deficit during early lactation than late lactation; therefore diets higher protein, or with a better balance of amino acids, are required in early lactation to reduce the loss of body protein.
Protein Turnover and Heat Production of Sows Varies at Day 30, 45 and 105 of Gestation
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on | No Comments
The objective of this study was to determine the protein turnover and heat production rate of sows at day 30, 45 and 105 of gestation. Gravid sows (n=4) were fed 2.4 ± 0.1 kg of a barley-wheat-SBM diet of 12.5 MJ ME/kg, 0.65% total lysine, and 15% crude protein twice daily throughout gestation. Heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry and a primed-constant infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine (1.0 mg/kg/h) was simultaneously delivered intravenously over 24 h. All measurements were made at d 30, 45, and 105 of gestation. Respiratory quotient (RQ) was calculated to determine nutrient utilization. Energy retention (intake minus heat production) (MJ/d) was greatest (P<0.01) on d 45 (6.1 ± 0.9) compared to d 30 (3.7 ± 0.9) or d 105 (1.4 ± 1.5) of gestation. The RQ was greater than 1 and highest on d 45 indicating lipogenesis. Leucine flux, appearance from breakdown, and incorporation into protein were highest (P<0.0001) on d 45 compared to days 30 or 105 of gestation. However, as a result of the significant increase in protein breakdown (9.3 vs. 1.0 g/d) protein gain was lower (P<0.05) for sows on d 45 (165.2 g/d) compared to d 30 (172.4 g/d and). Therefore, energy was preferentially stored by these sows on d 45 at the expense of protein. The correct utilization of phase feeding would improve productivity and provide positive economic returns.
Threonine Requirement of Sows in Early, Mid- and Late Gestation
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on August 13, 2009 | No Comments
The objective of this study is to determine the Threonine requirement of sows in early, mid- and late gestation. The THR requirement in early (35–53d),mid- (63-70d) and late (92–110d) gestation was determined by indicator amino acid (IAAO) oxidation in six second parity sows fed THR from 60 % to 150 % of NRC (1998) estimated requirements. L[1-13C]phenylalanine was given orally at 30 min intervals for 8 meals and expired 13CO2 was quantified. The nonlinear Mixed model in SAS was used to determine the THR requirement for each period by breakpoint analysis. Plasma THR was also used to estimate requirement. Sows responded differently to increasing levels of dietary THR in early and late gestation. Preliminary breakpoint analysis resulted in a THR requirement of 6.1 g/d in early gestation (R2=0.59), 7.0 g/d in mid gestation (R2=0.55) and 13.6 g/d in late gestation (R2=0.56). The THR requirement based on plasma THR was 7.2 g/d (R2=0.90) in early gestation and 14.0 g/d (R2=0.76) in late gestation. The current recommended THR intake during gestation is 10 g/d. Feeding to a single amino acid requirement value during gestation will result in overfeeding in early gestation and underfeeding in late gestation. Feeding excess AA in early gestation will unnecessarily increase feed costs. Whereas, underfeeding AA in late gestation will have negative effects on sow body condition at parturition and on lactation performance. Phase feeding in gestation can reduce feed costs and may improve sow reproductive performance.
Using Data Collected for Production or Economic Purposes to Research Production Animal Welfare: An Epidemiological Approach
Posted in: Featured, Ontario Pork by admin on August 12, 2009 | No Comments
Epidemiological approach to studying finisher pig deaths during transport. Evaluation of using the epidemiological approach to study finisher pigs during transport. Emphasis put on approach to the research and time spent and importance of evaluating data as 50% to 75% of research time. Researchers conclude that epidemiology is a useful tool to study animal welfare issues in production animals.
Protein Turnover in Non-Pregnant Sows at Inadequate and More than Adequate Feed Intake
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Energy and protein metabolism was studied in non-pregnant sows at two feed intakes to determine the effect of energy intake on use of dietary amino acids for protein deposition. Non-pregnant sows (n=3) were fed a barley-wheat-SBM diet of 12.5 MJ ME/kg, 0.65% total lysine, and 15% crude protein for one week each at 1.88 and 3.69 kg/d to represent approximately 1.0 and 2.0 times maintenance energy requirement (MEm), respectively. Heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry and a primed-constant infusion of L-[1-13C]leucine (1.0 mg/kg/h) was delivered intravenously over 24 h to measure rates of protein synthesis and breakdown. Actual daily energy intakes were 473 and 925 kJ/BW0.75, for 1.0 and 2.0*MEm respectively. Leucine flux was different between intakes (P<0.05). Protein synthesis represented 80% and 90% of flux for sows fed 1.0 and 2.0*MEm, respectively. Leucine appearance from body protein breakdown was much greater in sows fed 1.0*MEm (75 vs. 17 % of flux). Therefore, energy intake was inadequate at 473 kJ/BW0.75 and body protein was being catabolized for energy, resulting in lower protein gain (107.7 vs. 257.3 g/d). Sows fed the higher energy intake therefore used dietary protein doe protein synthesis with much greater efficiency (83 vs. 25 % of flux). Sows fed adequate energy and protein reduced body protein breakdown and incorporated dietary amino acids more efficiently into body protein. Sows fed the lower energy intake had increased body protein breakdown and amino acids were oxidized for energy, demonstrating the significant impact that dietary energy intake has on amino acid requirements of sows.
Generation of epidermal growth factor–expressing Lactococcus lactis and its enhancement on intestinal development and growth of early-weaned mice
Posted in: Nutrition, Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles, Production by admin on July 29, 2009 | No Comments
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in intestinal proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies
by others have shown that administration of EGF into the ileum lumen enhances intestinal development. Objective: The objective was to examine the feasibility of expressing and delivering EGF via Lactococcus lactis to earlyweaned mice to enhance intestinal development at this critical transition stage. Design: EGF-expressing L. lactis (EGF-LL) was generated with a recombinant approach. Early-weaned mice were orally gavaged with the recombinant bacteria. Body weight, mean villous height, and crypt depth in the intestine were measured to examine the influence of EGF-LL on the intestinal development of early-weaned mice in vivo. Populations of EGF-LL were shown to survive throughout the intestinal tract, and the recombinant EGF protein was also detected in intestinal contents. Weight gain was significantly greater in mice that received EGF-LL than in control mice fed phosphatebuffered saline or L. lactis transformed with the empty vector backbone but was comparable with that of the positive control mice that received recombinant human EGF. EGF-LL increased mean villous height and crypt depth in the intestine. Immunohistochemistry also confirmed that enterocyte proliferation was enhanced in mice that received EGF-LL, as evidenced by the greater number of cells stained with proliferative cell nuclear antigen in the intestine. This study showed that EGF-LL had beneficial effects on the intestinal growth of newly weaned mice. The combination of growth factor delivery and a probiotic approach may offer possibilities for formulating dietary supplements for children during their weaning transition stage.
An Electronic Nose Network System for Online Monitoring of Livestock Farm Odors
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on June 19, 2009 | No Comments
An electronic nose (e-nose)-based network system is developed for monitoring odors in and around livestock farms remotely. This network is built from compact e-noses that are tailored to measure odor compounds and environmental conditions such as temperature,wind speed, and humidity. The e-noses are placed at various applicable locations in and around the farm, and the collected odor data are transmitted via wireless network to a computer server, where the data processing algorithms process and analyze the data. The developed e-nose network system enables more effective odor management capabilities for more efficient operation of odor control practice by providing consistent, comprehensive, real-time data about the environment and odor profile in and around the livestock farms. Experimental and simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed system.
A Web-Based Collaborative System for Remote Monitoring and Analysis of Livestock Farm Odours
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on June 10, 2009 | No Comments
Monitoring and analysis of livestock farm environments require collection and management of large amount of data from distributed farms. There is an increasing demand for collaboration among livestock producers, environment agencies and
governments. This paper presents a collaborative system for monitoring and analyzing livestock farm odours remotely, and for enhancing the collaboration among users. This system utilizes a web-based portal application as the infrastructure for running distributed applications. Livestock farm odour information is stored in central servers. Distributed users can access the data remotely, submit odour data for analysis, receive analysis results through the Internet, exchange information, and discuss odour related topics on public forums. This collaborative system provides a collaborative, robust, and user-friendly environment for distributed users to efficiently manage and process the data records, share the analysis results and other information.
Essential oils as alternatives to dietary antibiotics: Microencapsulation for effectively delivering the oils to pig guts
Posted in: Ontario Pork, Pork Insight Articles by admin on November 26, 2008 | No Comments
Some essential oils have strong anti-microbial activity, however they are less effective when they are delivered in vivo. When they enter the body they tend to spread out and do not target the troubled areas. The objective of this study was to try and find an different effective method for microencapsulation and to evaluate the effect of encapsulation on the antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro. Several experiments have been carried out in the past years that address these objectives. Some findings from these experiments are essential oils with low water solubility such as carvacrol can be encapsulated with a high loading efficiency by single extrusion method with alginate as the delivering material. Microencapsulation of carvacrol by Ca-alginate did not compromise its antimicrobial activity. Microencapsulation may effectively prevent the loss of essential oils in the upper gastrointestinal tract thus increase the proportion of essential oils delivered to pig intestine. The paper concludes by saying that carvacrol encapsulation is ready to be tested in infected pigs.