Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2024

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Animal Science

First Advisor

Ryan Samuel

Abstract

Weaning is a necessary step in pig production. After weaning, pigs are subjected to various nutritional, psychological, and environmental stresses. The weaning period is an important period for the intestinal development of the pig. During this time, digestion, immunity, metabolism, and various other aspects of the pig change rapidly. Therefore, providing high-quality feed ingredients is crucial to encourage the newly weaned pig to start consuming solid feed. Two independent studies were conducted to determine if the inclusion of: 1) corn fermented protein (CFP) or 2) probiotics or postbiotics impact nursery pigs' growth performance and gut health. The first experiment utilized 1144 pigs distributed evenly into 44 pens (13 barrows and 13 gilts/pen; initial BW 6.0 ± 0.1 kg), with 286 pigs assigned per treatment and 11 replications. The four treatments were designed as a titration of CFP inclusion at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% in Phase 1 (3.62 kg/pig feed budget) and 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% in Phase 2 (5.44 kg/pig feed budget) replacing soy protein concentrate. Pigs were fed a common diet through Phase 3 (10.28 kg/pig feed budget). A differential sugar absorption test (DSAT) was administered using a 5% lactulose and a 5% mannitol solution on the tenth day to pigs consuming the 0% and 12% CFP diets to determine gut integrity. Urine was collected to measure differences in sugar ratios to assess gut permeability. Similar average daily gain (ADG) responses of pigs fed 4% and 8% CFP inclusion compared to the control diet were observed during Phase 1 (P˂0.01). Pigs fed diets with 4% and 8% CFP inclusion in the second week of Phase 1 had a greater average daily feed intake (ADFI) than pigs fed 12% CFP diets (P˂0.01) and had an intermediate ADFI compared to the control treatment pigs. At the end of Phase 2, pigs fed diets with 0%, 2%, and 4% CFP had greater ADFI than pigs fed diets with 6% CFP (P˂0.01). After the first week of Phase 2, pigs fed 0%, 2%, and 4% inclusions of CFP had greater gain to feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed 6% CFP (P˂0.01). There was no difference between pigs fed the control diet and 12% inclusion when subjected to a DSAT test, suggesting no reduction in gut integrity when including CFP in the diet. In the second experiment, 1,040 pigs were allocated to 40 pens of 26 pigs per pen, with a starting weight of 6.1 ± 0.1 kg. Pens were assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments fed over four dietary phases: 1) Control, 2) Control + 0.1% inclusion of Lactobacillus-based probiotic (0.1% LacPro), 3) Control + 0.2% inclusion of Lactobacillus-based probiotic (0.2% LacPro), or 4) Control + 0.2% inclusion of Bifidobacteria-based postbiotic (BifPos). Pens of pigs were weighed at barn entry, day 10, day 21, day 47, day 70, day 105, and day 135. Feed remaining on weigh day was calculated according to a prepared calibration curve accounting for the measured distance from the top of the feeder to the top of the feed and the density of the feed. Fecal samples were collected on day 10 and day 47 to evaluate microbial populations. To measure gut health parameters, on day 10, 40 pigs were euthanized, providing 10 jejunal and ileal tissue samples per treatment that were then measured for VH, CD, and VCR. On day 10, pigs provided the Control diet had lower (p=0.05) ADFI than pigs fed with diets containing the probiotics and postbiotic (150 vs 177 ± 3.38 g/d). Histological analysis from day 10 indicated a greater (P<0.02) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VCR) in the ileal tissue from pigs fed 0.1% LacPro, 0.2% LacPro, and 0.2% BifPro compared to Control (1.04, 1.21, and 1.18 μm vs. 0.99 μm). An increased abundance (P<0.03) of Lactobacillaceae family in feces from 0.2% LacPro and 0.2% BifPos compared to Control (10.38% and 10.78% vs. 3.53%) on day 10 was observed. The increased gastrointestinal tract (GIT) surface area and greater abundance of Lactobacillaceae in both LacPro and BifPos-fed pigs may improve nutrient uptake and provide a more stable microbiota capable of degrading complex carbohydrates such as dietary fibers to help healthy pigs better adapt to diets during the weaning transition period. In overall conclusion, supplementing nursery pig diets with CFP impacted ADG, ADFI, and G: F during the first two dietary phases, however it did not change BW throughout the trial. Feeding nursery pigs a lactobacillus-based probiotic and a Bifidobacteria-based postbiotic positively impacted ADFI in the first dietary nursery phase. Nevertheless, weight gain was unaffected. In both studies, gut health was measured. Corn-fermented protein did not compromise gut permeability, and LacPro and BifPos improved VCR in the ileum. Therefore, we can conclude that adding these feedstuffs can impact gut health, meaning that pigs may consume more feed early on and can potentially reduce weaning stress challenges.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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In Copyright