Effects of feeding different roughage components to sows in gestation on bacteriological and immunological parameters in colostrum and immune response of piglets

Abstract

In piglet production, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were considered as predominant causative agents in the aetiology of important diseases of sows and piglets. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of feeding different roughage sources to sows in gestation on the microbiota and endotoxin concentration in colostrum and on the specific immune response of their piglets. In two trial runs, a total of 144 sows were assigned to one of the six dietary treatments: the Control group receiving a concentrate diet and five groups with a restrictive supply of the control diet in combination with straw (S), hay (H), clover grass silage (GS), maize silage (MS) or Jerusalem artichoke (JA). During lactation no roughage was offered. Colostrum samples were analysed for bacteriological and immunological parameters. Blood samples were taken from two piglets per corresponding litter to examine the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and of specific antibodies to LPS of E. coli (strain J5). Roughage feeding had an effect neither on the total bacterial count nor on the content of E. coli in colostrum of sows. The concentration of LPS in colostrum was reduced in Group MS. The concentration of CRP in the colostrum samples was low and independent of the feeding regime (max. 9.3 µg/ml). However, the administration of roughage components rich in crude fibre (Groups H and S) decreased the level of CRP in colostrum significantly. The analysis of the specific immunoglobulin to LPS of E. coli (strain J5) showed a higher concentration of IgG-anti-LPS in blood serum of piglets from sows of Group JA. The results suggest that the inclusion of selected roughage components may have the potential to affect the immunocompetence of sows and their corresponding piglets.

Dietary fiber and its role in performance, welfare, and health of pigs

“…Nursing piglets have constant contact with sow feces after birth, which may facilitate the microbiota colonization process (Mach et al, 2015). Hence, the sow diet may indirectly shape the microecosystem in their offspring's gastrointestinal tract and thereby influence piglet performance, immune status, and other attributes ( their offspring (Werner et al, 2014). The addition of 3% inulin to the sows' diets during gestation and lactation resulted in increased levels of enterococci, eubacteria, and the Clostridium leptum group in the gut contents of suckling piglets (Paßlack et al, 2015).…”

“…Hence, the sow diet may indirectly shape the microecosystem in their offspring's gastrointestinal tract and thereby influence piglet performance, immune status, and other attributes (Table 1). For instance, feeding the sows with diets supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke, with an estimated daily intake of 1.3 kg DM, had increased IgG serum levels in Animal Health Research Reviews their offspring (Werner et al, 2014). The addition of 3% inulin to the sows' diets during gestation and lactation resulted in increased levels of enterococci, eubacteria, and the Clostridium leptum group in the gut contents of suckling piglets (Paßlack et al, 2015).…”

Impact of stress on the functioning of the immune system, swine health, and productivity

“…Especially in young animals, a diet that does not contain nutrients essential for strengthening the anti-infectious resistance may make the animals more vulnerable to infection by pathogenic microorganisms. It has been shown that an appropriate diet can support the pig's immune system, and if that pig is a sow, such a diet can even have a positive effect on the immune system of its piglets (55,76). On the other hand, mycotoxins naturally present in corn may result in an altered immune response with systemic inflammation and partial liver damage, causing a reduction in the growth of pigs (6).…”

Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

“…In comparison with pigs only receiving straw, pigs that ate silage had an overall lower prevalence of gastric ulcers (score 6; 0.7% compared with 6.1%), and among the pigs with pathological damages, more severe damages, including gastric ulcers, were found in those that only received straw. The bibliography also indicates that inclusion of roughage may have potential to promote the immune competence of sows and their piglets (Werner et al 2014).…”