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In vitro fermentation characteristics for pigs of hulless barleys differing in β-glucan content
Posted in: Production by admin on August 24, 2011 | No Comments
Isolated non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), especially isolated β-glucan, are reported to have prebiotic effects in pigs. However, little information is available on their possible functional properties when they are still present in the fibrous matrix of whole cereals. Hulless barleys (hB) are rich but variable sources of β-glucan. In order to evaluate their potential as functional feeds, an in vitro experiment was carried out to study the fermentation characteristics of 6 hB varieties and breeding lines varying in their β-glucan content (36–99 g/kg DM) in comparison to three hulled barleys (HB), two oat groats, three oats and one wheat, taken as reference. After pepsin–pancreatin hydrolysis, the ingredients were incubated in a buffered mineral solution and pig faeces (inoculum). The accumulated gas production, proportional to the amount of fibre fermented, was measured for 48 h and modelled. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and ammonia concentrations were measured in the fermented solutions. A cereal type effect was observed on the fermentation kinetics parameters. Rates of degradation and total gas productions were higher with hB than with oat. Differences were also found between hB for total gas production, lag time and rate of degradation. The production of SCFA was also higher with hB (6.1 mMol/g DM incubated) than with hulled barley and oat (4.9 and 2.9 mMol/g DM incubated respectively). In contrast, oat generated higher ammonia production (1.4 mMol/g DM incubated, on average) than both hB and HB (1.0 mMol/g). In conclusion, hB are better fermented, produce more beneficial (SCFA) and less harmful (ammonia) metabolites and have a better potential than other cereal species to modulate gut microbiota and improve gut health.
For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci
Surgical techniques for quantitative nutrient digestion and absorption studies in the pig
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Surgical techniques allow quantitative measurement of nutrient digestion and absorption in pigs. The present paper presents our updated techniques for anaesthesia and surgery. The surgery technique of catheterization of the portal vein, mesenteric vein and mesenteric artery, as well as the fitting of a flow probe for continuous portal blood flow measurements in sows is described. Further, the cannulation of the terminal ileum with a dirigible bi-directional T-cannula for the total collection of ileal digesta is described.
For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci
Evaluation of a simple non-invasive 13C breath test to evaluate diet effects on gastric emptying in pigs
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A study was carried out to validate gastric emptying using non-invasive 13C breath test against total evacuation of the stomach content through a gastric cannulae. Three different diets were used; a high soluble fibre diet based on sugar beet pulp, a high insoluble fibre diet based on wheat bran and a low dietary fibre diet. Six gastric cannulated pregnant sows used in the total evacuation study were fed each of the diets for one week and the stomach content were evacuated in a randomized order 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 h after feeding on 5 subsequent days. In addition, a sample was taken 0.5 h prior to feeding (15.5 h after the previous meal) on the day when the 5 h sample was taken. In the breath test four pregnant sows were placed in respiration chambers and the 13C marker was added in the morning meal and air samples were collected up to 18 h at the outlet from the chambers and detected on an infra red isotope spectrometry (IRIS) analyzer. Feeding the sugar beet diet high in soluble fibre and high water-binding capacity reduced the physical activity. Gastric emptying estimated using non-invasive breath test with 13C labelled isotope was comparable to that observed with total collection of the gastric content. Thus, the breath test is applicable for evaluating dietary effects on gastric emptying and potentially improves the behaviour and well being of gestating sows and lends confidence to applicability in clinical human trials.
For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci
Fermentation of cereals — Influence on digestibility of nutrients in growing pigs
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A study was carried out to determine the impact of fermentation of two cereals, barley and wheat, on chemical composition and nutrient digestibility in the small intestine and the total tract of growing pigs. Fermented liquid cereals were prepared by mixing either barley or wheat and water (25 °C) at a ratio of 1:2.75 (wt/wt). Four experimental diets consisting of either dry or fermented barley or wheat, supplemented with a protein mixture (not fermented) were formulated to contain recommended levels of nutrients. Eight pigs from two litters were surgically fitted with a T-cannula anterior to the ileo-cecal junction and fed one of the four experimental diets according to a repeated 4×4 Latin-square design. The fermentation process was followed by measuring the changes in the major nutrients, microbial composition and organic acid concentrations. Fermentation caused a reduced concentration of carbohydrates and an increased concentration of Klason lignin; the latter indicates that some dry matter was lost during fermentation. Fermentation improved the ileal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and energy of barley by 6% and of wheat by 3%. The higher content of potentially fermentable components in barley was the most probable explanation for the results obtained.
To view this complete article please visit: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci/
Influence of phytase and carbohydrase enzymes on apparent ileal nutrient and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility in growing pigs fed wheat and barley-based diets
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Effects of phytase with orwithout carbohydrases on utilization of nutrients other than P are not well understood in diets adequate in P. Thus, we investigated the effects of Phyzyme XP® (PX) and carbohydrase enzymes (Porzyme®: xylanase and β-glucanase; C) on coefficients of ileal nutrient digestibility (CAID) in growing pigs fed wheat/barley-based diets. The dietswere: 1) basal (B, 8% less DE than NRC, 1998, with no enzymes), 2) B+PX, 3) B+PX+50 g C/MT (B+PX+50C) and 4) B+ PX+100 g C/MT (B+PX+100C). The PX was added at 100 g/MT to all phytase containing feed, and C was added at 50 and 100 g/MT to diets 3 and 4, respectively. Acid insoluble ash was used as an indigestible marker. Diets were fed to 4 barrows (BW 35.9 kg) fitted with a Tcannula at the distal ileum, according to a 4×4 Latin square design. Experimental periods lasted 7 d and ileal digesta were collected in 12-h periods on d-6 and d-7. At the end of the 4- wk period, pigs were fed a 5% casein diet to estimate basal endogenous AA losses. Data were subjected to pre-planned contrasts. Overall, diets containing PX had higher CAID of energy (0.60 vs. 0.58), AA (0.72 vs. 0.69) and phytate (0.56 vs. 0.33) comparedwith the B diet. When corrected for basal endogenous losses, PX-containing diets had higher coefficients of standardized ileal digestibility (CSID) of Met and Thr than the B diet. In the presence of PX, the highest response to C for CAID of energy (0.59 vs. 0.62) was achieved at 50 g/MT; the AID of DM and energy increased by 7.2 and 7.0%, respectively, with 50 g/MT of C compared to B diet. In conclusion, phytase and carbohydrase combined increased CAID of energy, and that PX-containing diets not only increased CAID of AA but resulted in lower diet-specific endogenous losses in a practical diet.
For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci
The use of trivalent metal markers for estimating the individual feed intake of young pigs
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Twenty-four individually housed male pigs (6.6 kg) were used in a pilot study to validate two trivalent metal markers, one in the feed and the other dosed orally to piglets, for the estimation of voluntary feed intake. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of three oral dosing treatments using 15 mg lanthanum oxide/day as the internal marker: once daily, twice daily, or 3 times daily. Piglets were offered a diet containing 1 g/kg of yttrium as the external marker. After a 7-day adaptation period, total faecal collection was made for the next 3 days. The first faecal sample voided after 1000 h was considered as the ‘grab sample’, to allow comparison of the technique with total collection. Intake of diets was recorded daily, and compared to feed intake using the ratio of the markers in the faeces. Daily samples were analysed for marker concentrations and a mean of the three-day data was used for regression analysis. Total collection data demonstrated that the accuracy of the estimation using the trivalent metals depended on the frequency of oral marker administration, as the estimation principle relies on the continual flow of a known amount of marker in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Nevertheless and using total collection, dosing the oral marker 3 times a day estimated individual feed intake with reasonable accuracy. In contrast, the ‘grab sampling’ technique reduced the accuracy of estimation, indicating that continual flow of the oral marker in the GIT is required for such a method. In conclusion, there is some potential in using trivalent metal markers to quantitatively estimate the feed intake of an individual pig, however the level of accuracy requires improvement.
To view this complete article please visit: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci/
Feeding chicory inulin to entire male pigs during the last period before slaughter reduces skatole in digesta and backfat
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The effect of chicory inulin in diets for entire male pigs on skatole levels in colon, rectum and in adipose tissue, and on the composition of microbiota in colon and rectum was evaluated. Entire male pigs of the crossbreed [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Landrace)] (n=46; final BW=101 kg) were fed with a control diet or diets containing either 3, 6 or 9% chicory inulin (containing 70% inulin) during the last four weeks before slaughter. Digesta samples for skatole analyses and for microbiological examinations were taken from colon descendens and rectum. Backfat samples were taken for skatole analyses. The skatole levels in adipose tissue were in general low (0.03 μg/g fat). There was a reduction in skatole with increasing dieatary levels of inulin. Skatole levels in the digesta samples were also reduced by increased dietary inclusion of inulin. Pigs fed with increasing levels of inulin showed a reduction of enterobacteria in colon descendens and rectum, and a tendency towards reduced levels of Enterococcus spp in colon descendens and rectum. In conclusion, addition of chicory inulin in the finishing diet is an effective method to reduce skatole levels in digesta and adipose tissue of the entire male pigs, but the inclusion should be at least 6%, corresponding to 4.2% pure inulin.
To view this complete article please visit: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci/
Effects of dietary benzoic acid on urinary pH and nutrient digestibility in lactating sows
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Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of benzoic acid in the diet of lactating sows on urinary pH and nutrient digestibility. In the first experiment, three levels of benzoic acid in the diet were tested (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%), while in the second experiment only one dietary level of benzoic acid (0.5%) was used. In the second experiment, the urinary excretion of benzoic acid and hippuric acid was additionally measured. The digestibility was estimated in experiment 1 with HCl-insoluble ash as a marker and in experiment 2 in a total balance period with collection of urine and faeces over 5 days. Supplementation of benzoic acid reduced the urinary pH in a dose dependent manner. The relationship between benzoic acid intake and urinary pH response was linear. Dietary benzoic acid at a level of 2% increased the digestibility of organic matter, protein, fat and fiber in the diet. In sows fed the diet supplemented with 0.5% of benzoic acid, 64% of benzoic acid ingested was excreted via urine as hippuric acid, the remainder as unmetabolized benzoic acid.
For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci
Relationship between feed, water intake, and body weight in gestating sows
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The aim of the present research was to analyse the relation between the traits feed (FI),water intake (WI), water-to-feed ratio (WFR) and weight of sow (WS) during pregnancy. Data were recorded at the Hohenschulen research farm of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry of the University of Kiel between April 2007 and June 2008. The sow herd had a size of 90 sows (Large White, German Landrace and their crossbreeds). In total about 8500 observations were available. The average feed, water intake, water-to-feed ratio and weight of sow were 2.9 kg d−1, 16.7 ld−1, 5.8 l (kg d)−1 and 219.1 kg, respectively. Parity class had a significant influence on water and feed intake. Nulliparous sows had a constant water intake until day 80 of pregnancy. Thereafter water intake increased until the end of pregnancy. Water intake of primiparous sows increased at the beginning and end of pregnancy. The feed intake curves started without variation between sows at the beginning of the observation period. An increase was observed at the end of pregnancy. Weight of sow increased during pregnancy. Nulliparous sows had the highest weight gain and multiparous sows the lowest (39.0 kg and 23.8 kg respectively). Repeatabilities with the fixed regression model varied between 0.56 (FI) and 0.68 (WS). Using random regression the repeatability of feed intake increased continuously over the course of pregnancy from 0.35 to 0.75 indicating that the variance between sows at the beginning was lower than at the end of pregnancy. The repeatabilities of water intake enhanced from 0.57 to 0.75. The correlations between feed and water intake were constant until day 60 of pregnancy. The relationship decreased at the end of pregnancy due to feed adaptation. A negative relationship was found between feed intake and weight of sow but the value increased over the course of pregnancy
To view this complete article please visit: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci/
Analysis of water, feed intake and performance of lactating sows
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between water, feed intake, relative body weight loss, and the weaning weight of piglets of lactating sows and to analyse the curves of water and feed intake. Data recording was performed on the Hohenschulen research farm of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry of the University of Kiel between April 2007 and June 2008. The sow herd had a size of 105 productive sows. The average water and feed intake, relative body weight loss of sows and the weaning weight of the piglets were 27.5 l day−1, 5.9 kg day−1, 0.5% and 8.7 kg, respectively. Average lactation length was 26 days. Water intake increased from day 1 to day 16 of lactation and remained constant until weaning. Second parity class sows had an increased water intake over the lactation period compared to younger and older sows. They also consumed more feed than older sows (6.1 kg day−1 versus 5.7 kg day−1). The water-to-feed ratio decreased at the beginning until day eight of lactation. After a slight increase the water-to-feed ratio remained constant. The lactation period was divided into three stages (Stage 1: days 1 to 8 of lactation, Stage 2: days 9 to 16 and Stage 3: days 17 to 26). The correlation of water intake between adjacent stages was high 0.76 and 0.80. The relation of feed intake between Stages 1 and 2 and between Stages 1 and 3 was low. The correlation of the water and feed intake within the stages increased more than between these traits and different stages. But the negative values indicated that an increased water intake decreased the relative body weight loss. The relation between the second and third stages of feed intake of lactation and relative body weight loss showed that an increased feed intake decreased relative body weight simultaneously with an increase in the weaning weight of the piglets.
To view this complete article please visit: http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci/