Effect of phytogenics on growth performance, fecal score, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Abstract

Phytogenic feed additives have become attractive alternatives for use in animal diets. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic-based feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, and intestinal morphology of weaning pigs after dietary challenge with E. coli K88. A total of 120 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc)] with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.09 ± 0.96 kg (21 d of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments. Each pen housed 5 pigs, and there were 6 pens/treatment. Treatments included: T1, negative control (without antibiotics); T2, T1 + antibiotic; T3, T1 + 0.05% phytogenics; and T4, T1 + 0.2% commercial mix of organic acids. Overall, the average daily gain (ADG) with the T3 treatment was higher (P<0.05). At wk 1, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) was increased (P<0.05) with T4 treatment. The ATTD of ash with T3 and T4 treatments was greater (P<0.05). At wk 3, pigs fed with the T4 diet had a significantly higher (P<0.05) ATTD of DM. The ATTD of ash and calcium (Ca) was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T4 treatment. Pigs fed with the T3 diet had a higher (P<0.05) ATTD of phosphorus (P). At wk 6, the ATTD of ash was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T1 and T3 treatments. The data indicate that phytogenics positively affect growth performance of weaning pigs, indicating that their use as an alternative in the diets of weaning pigs can significantly improve ADG, under challenge with E.coli K88.

Intestinal challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in pigs, and nutritional intervention to prevent postweaning diarrhea

“…(2008) showed improved weight gain of nursery pigs supplied with allicin as the functional component in aged garlic extract. Devi et al. (2015) showed that improved weight gain and apparent total tract digestibility of ash in pigs by feeding phytogenic additive combination (clove, cinnamon, and fenugreek) after dietary challenge with F4 + ETEC.…”

Gut Health of Pigs: Challenge Models and Response Criteria with a Critical Analysis of the Effectiveness of Selected Feed Additives — A Review

“…Oral challenge with ETEC has been used widely as model for post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) ( Wellock et al, 2009 ) and has often been used in pig feeding trials to assess the ability of a diet to reduce the infection or its consequences ( Bosi et al, 2004a , b). Dietary phytogenics could be used to replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diets of weaning pigs for significantly improving the average daily gain (ADG) without any negative effects on growth performance under challenge with E.coli K88 compared with AGP and organic acids ( Mohana Devi et al, 2015 ).…”

Effects of Achyranthes bidentata Polysaccharides on Intestinal Morphology, Immune Response, and Gut Microbiome in Yellow Broiler Chickens Challenged with Escherichia coli K88

“…Therefore, alternative strategies have been actively investigated to replace these synthetic antimicrobial agents. Many studies have been published about different additives’ effects on broiler chicken performance and immune response when challenged with Escherichia coli K88, such as prebiotics, probiotic, short-chain fatty acids, and essential oils, but little is known about polysaccharide additives [4,5,6,7]. These additives promote growth performance by increasing the average daily feed intake and improving immune function and intestinal villi development, but there has been very little research on the effects on the intestinal microbial community structure and balance of the host [8,9].…”