Effects of the Inclusion of Fermented Mulberry Leaves and Branches in the Gestational Diet on the Performance and Gut Microbiota of Sows and Their Offspring

Abstract

Fermented feed mulberry (FFM), being rich in dietary fiber, has not been fully evaluated to be used in sow’s diet. In this study, we investigated the effects of 25.5% FFM supplemented gestation diets on the performance and gut microbiota of sows and their offspring. Results showed that the serum concentration of glucose, progesterone, and estradiol were not affected by the dietary treatment, while the level of serum insulin and fecal short chain fatty acid were both reduced in FFM group on gestation day 60 (G60, p < 0.05). Additionally, FFM increased both voluntary feed intake and weaning litter weight (p < 0.05), while decreased the losses of both Backfat thickness and bodyweight throughout lactation (p < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequencing showed FFM supplementation significantly increased the diversity and relative abundance of sows’ fecal microbiota on G60 (p < 0.05). The differential microbiota for sows from FFM group was that Bacteroidetes was increased on G60 while Firmicutes were decreased on L7 (p < 0.05), and which for the FFM piglets was that both unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae on G60 and norank_f_Ruminococcaceae were both increased (p < 0.05). In short, FFM can be recognized as a potential feed ingredient used in sow’s diet.

Fermented Bamboo Fiber Improves Productive Performance by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting Chronic Inflammation of Sows and Piglets during Late Gestation and Lactation

“…In addition to reducing body weight losses, the metabolism and immune changes in sows during pregnancy and lactation also affect the growth of piglets; increasing sow lactation feed intake maintains body condition and milk production, which directly improves reproductive performance ( 37 , 38 ). Previous studies have shown that dietary fiber supplementation not only promotes satiety in sows but also improves sow feed intake during lactation ( 12 , 34 , 39 ). In the present study, we found that the addition of different levels of FBF to the diet of sows in late gestation and lactation affected the performance of both sows and piglets, with 4% FBF in particular significantly increasing ADFI in sows and weaning weight in piglets.…”

Use of Olive Pulp for Gestating Iberian Sow Feeding: Influence on Performance, Health Status Indicators, and Fecal Microbiota

“…and Bifidobacterium spp. Both polyphenolic compounds and fiber content or type, soluble or insoluble, included in the diet can affect the intestinal microbiota composition of animals [ 34 , 35 ]. Regarding fiber type, there is rising evidence for a helpful growth upgrade, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the small intestine of pigs, through inclusion of some dietary fiber types, such as insoluble fiber [ 36 ].…”

Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium co-fermented feed alters antioxidant capacity, muscle fibre characteristics and lipid profiles of finishing pigs

“…Recently, several studies have explored the effects of different types of FF on animal growth performance, immunity, intestinal (f) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF health and animal products quality. Some of these studies have found that fermented Chinese herbal medicine (22) , fermented maize germ meal (23) , mulberry leaves (24) and fermented mixed feed (25,26) have positive effects on pig husbandry. However, the effects of FF based on maizesoyabean meal-wheat bran on muscle fibre types and muscle lipid composition in finishing pigs remain unclear.…”