Effect of the supplementation of N-acetylglutamate and patchouli extract on piglets fed on a low protein diet

Abstract

The livestock industry faces challenges such as limited protein feed resources, suboptimal nitrogen utilization efficiency, and environmental impacts. Reducing the crude protein content in piglet diets has been shown to alleviate these issues, offering benefits to both animal welfare and environmental sustainability. However, low-protein (LP) diets can negatively affect piglet health and growth, necessitating strategies to mitigate these effects. The study aimed to explore the effects of supplementing LP diets with N-acetylglutamate (NAG) and Patchouli (PTC) on the health and growth of weaned piglets, focusing on growth metrics, antioxidant capabilities, intestinal barrier integrity, and inflammatory response. One hundred twenty healthy piglets were randomly assigned to five dietary groups, including a standard control diet (CON), an LP diet, and LP diets supplemented with NAG, PTC, or both. The trial lasted four weeks, and the piglets' growth, immune response, antioxidant status, and intestinal health were assessed. Piglets on the LP diet had lower final body weights and average daily weight gains. However, supplementation with NAG and PTC improved antioxidant defense, reduced inflammation, and enhanced intestinal health, as evidenced by increased VEGF-A expression in the small intestine epithelium (p < 0.05). The addition of NAG and PTC to LP diets can improve the health and growth of weaned piglets, suggesting a potential strategy for managing the challenges associated with LP diets. This research provides valuable insights for the livestock industry, indicating that the use of natural additives like NAG and PTC can help maintain piglet health and growth while reducing the environmental impact of high-protein diets. Further research is needed to optimize these strategies for widespread application.