Effects of Essential Oils Supplementation on Growth Performance, IgG Concentration and Fecal Noxious Gas Concentration of Weaned Pigs

Abstract

Ninety six crossbred pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were used to determine the effects of essential oils (Fresta F Conc ® ) supplementation on growth performance, immune response and fecal noxious gas of weaned pigs. Treatments were 1) NC (negative control; basal diet without antibiotics), 2) PC [positive control; basal diet+CSP (CTC+Sulfathiazole+Penicillin) 0.1%], 3) NCF (basal diet+Fresta F Conc ® 0.03%) and 4) PCF [basal diet+CSP (CTC+Sulfathiazole+Penicillin) 0.1%+Fresta F Conc ® 0.02%]. From d 0 to 14, ADFI was increased in pigs fed PCF diet (p<0.05). From d 14 to 28, pigs fed PCF diet had greater ADG and ADFI than pigs fed NC diet (p<0.05). From d 28 to 49, ADG and ADFI in pigs fed PCF diet were higher than in pigs fed NC diet (p<0.05). Through the entire experimental period, ADG and ADFI in pigs fed PCF diet were the highest compared to pigs fed NC and PC diets (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in fecal consistency score among the treatments (p>0.05). No statistical differences (p>0.05) were found in red blood cells (RBC) counts, white blood cells (WBC) counts, lymphocyte counts, total protein and albumin. Serum IgG concentration of PCF treatment was greater than that of other treatments (p<0.05). From d 0 to 14, there was no significant difference in digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen among the treatments (p>0.05). From d 14 to 28, digestibility of dry matter in pigs fed PC, NCF and PCF diets was higher than that of pigs fed NC diet (p<0.05) and treatments with added essential oils were higher than other diets on digestibility of nitrogen (p<0.05). Also, from d 28 to 49, digestibility of nitrogen in pigs fed PCF diet was the highest among others (p<0.05). On d 14 and 28, no statistical differences (p>0.05) were found in volatile fatty acid (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) concentrations among treatments. On d 49, there was no significant difference in VFA concentration among the treatments (p>0.05). NH 3 -N concentration in pigs fed PCF diet was lower than in pigs fed other diets (p<0.05). H 2 S concentration in pigs fed diets with added essential oils was lower than others. In conclusion, the results suggest that the dietary addition of essential oils and antibiotics into diets for weanling pigs improved growth performance, IgG concentration and nitrogen digestibility and decreased noxious gas concentration. Essential oils can be used to partly replace antibiotics in diets for weaned pigs without negative affects on growth performance.

Effects of benzoic acid, essential oils andEnterococcus faeciumSF68 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, faecal microbiota and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs

“…In the current study, the apparent digestibility of N was improved by 0.5% BA supplementation on d 21, which was in agreement with the results reported by Halas et al (2010). Meanwhile, the ATTD of DM and N was improved in the dietary treatment combined application of 0.3% BA and 0.01% EO, which was consistent with the results of Cho et al (2006), who reported that 0.02% EO could improve the digestibility of DM and N in weaned pigs. Yan et al (2012) also demonstrated that herb extract could stimulate the nutrient digestibility and suggested that the beneficial effects may arise from the activation of digestive enzyme secretion, antibacterial and antioxidant properties (Czech et al 2009).…”

“…It has been demonstrated that 0.01-0.05% EO exert positive effects on the nutrient digestibility, growth performance, decrease faecal noxious gas emission and have antimicrobial effects in piglets (Cho et al 2006;Yan et al 2010).…”

Effects of phytogenic substances on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, faecal noxious gas content, blood and milk characteristics and reproduction in sows and litter performance

“…Previous research (Didry et al, 1994;Tsinas et al, 1998) found that essential oils enhanced the regulation of gastrointestinal metabolism and exerted antibacterial properties in the digestive tract of pigs. Cho et al (2006) demonstrated that NH 3 concentration in faeces was signifi cantly reduced by addition of essential oils by improving N digestibility. However, in our study, no improvements in N digestibility were noted when sows were fed on diets supplemented with PFA.…”

A carvacrol–thymol blend decreased intestinal oxidative stress and influenced selected microbes without changing the messenger RNA levels of tight junction proteins in jejunal mucosa of weaning piglets

“…Most of the studies suggested that supplementation of plant extracts and essential oil blends does not improve performance of weaning pigs, regardless of whether carvacrol or thymol is contained or not (Namkung et al, 2004;Cho et al, 2006;Kommera et al, 2006;Manzanilla et al, 2006;Nofrarias et al, 2006). For example, the dietary supplementation with the plant extract containing 5% (w/w) carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde and 2% capsicum oleoresin at dose of 300 mg/kg does not affect the performance of weaning pigs Nofrarias et al, 2006).…”