Factors influencing the structure and function of the small intestine in the weaned pig: a review

The present study evaluated the effects of a novel plant extract (PE) product (Grazix TM ) on the performance and gut health of weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli. The PE was a standardised mixture of green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) and pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) obtained by using the LiveXtract TM process. A total of 144 piglets were weaned at 24 days and allocated to 8 for a 35-day experiment with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design comparing different treatments (water without product (CT) or 8 μl/kg per day PE in drinking water (PE)), feeding regimens (ad libitum (AD) or restricted (RE)) and oral E. coli challenges on day 9 (sham (− ) or infected ( + )). There were six pens per group with three piglets per pen. On day 35, 24 of the RE feeding piglets were slaughtered. It was found that PE supplementation increased the average daily gain (ADG) from day 28 to day 35 ( P = 0.03) and increased the gain to feed ratio (G : F) from day 7 to day 14 ( P = 0.02). RE feeding led to lower feed intake in piglets during the 1 st week ( P < 0.01), 2 nd week ( P = 0.06), 3 rd week ( P = 0.05), and throughout the course of the overall study period ( P = 0.05). E. coli challenge decreased the ADG and G : F ratio from day 7 to day 14 ( P = 0.08 and < 0.01, respectively) and increased the faecal score (higher values indicate more severe diarrhoea) on days 14, 21, 28 and 35 ( P < 0.01). PE supplementation decreased the faecal score in the challenged piglets during the 1 st week post-challenge ( P < 0.01). E. coli challenge increased the faecal E. coli level on day 14 ( P = 0.03) and increased the Enterobacteriaceae level on day 35 ( P < 0.01). Reduced faecal E. coli was observed on days 14 and 35 ( P = 0.05 and 0.02, respectively), and reduced Enterobacteriaceae ( P < 0.01) was found on day 35 in the PE animals. RE feeding increased the faecal Lactobacillus, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli levels on day 35 ( P = 0.02, < 0.01 and < 0.01, respectively). These results suggest that PE supplementation may improve the gut health status of post-weaning piglets and counteract some of the negative effects that occur when piglets are challenged with E. coli.Keywords: Escherichia coli, gut health, performance, piglet, plant extract ImplicationsThis study investigated the effects of a novel plant extract product that was added to the drinking water for weaned piglets. Different feeding regimens were tested, and the effects of the extract on growth performance, gut health and protection against Escherichia coli challenge were observed. The results showed that the plant extract may represent a useful additive for improving gut health and microbial ecology and reducing the severity of an E. coli challenge. The results may have a significant impact on nutritional management in conventional farms. Use of the plant extract could enable piglets to better withstand the infections that are often associated with weaning.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Administration of a novel plant extract product via drinking water to post-weaning piglets: effects on performance and gut health

Bontempo

Jiang

Cheli

et al. 2014

“…The pig is faced with many new challenges during the postweaning period such as a change in diet, removal from the sow and other littermates and a new environment (Pluske et al, 1997). These stressors can lead to an intestinal imbalance (Estrada et al, 2000), which has been associated with reduced growth rates, changes in gut morphology and microbial population numbers and an increased susceptibility to scouring and disease (Hampson, 1986;Estrada et al, 2000;Drew et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This observation is supported by the data of Gardiner et al (2008) who reported a reduced performance in grower-finisher pigs fed a diet supplemented with Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract, which included high levels of tannins. Tannins are antinutritional factors that are known to have effects on the gut structure and function in pigs (Pluske et al, 1997). …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of seaweed extract inclusion on gut morphology, selected intestinal microbiota, nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acid concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig

Reilly

O’Doherty

Pierce

et al. 2008

126

105

An experiment (complete randomised design) was conducted to investigate the effects of Laminaria hyperborea and Laminaria digitata seaweed extract inclusion on gut morphology, selected intestinal microbiota populations, volatile fatty acid concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig. Twenty-eight piglets (24 days of age, 6.5 6 1.4 kg live weight) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 7 days and then sacrificed: (T1) basal diet (control); (T2) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg L. hyperborea seaweed extract; (T3) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg L. digitata seaweed extract; and (T4) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg of a combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract. The seaweed extract contained both laminarin and fucoidan. Digesta samples were taken from the caecum and colon to measure the enterobacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations and for volatile fatty acid analysis. Tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for morphological examination. Blood samples were taken to determine the cytokine gene expression profile and to measure the phagocytotic capacity of the blood. Pigs offered diets containing L. hyperborea seaweed extract had less bifidobacteria in the colon (P , 0.05) and lactobacilli in the caecum (P , 0.05) and colon (P , 0.001). The inclusion of L. digitata seaweed extract resulted in lower populations of enterobacteria in the caecum and colon (P , 0.01), bifidobacteria in the caecum (P , 0.05), and lactobacilli in the caecum (P , 0.05) and colon (P , 0.001). Pigs offered the combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extracts had less enterobacteria (P , 0.05) and lactobacilli (P , 0.01) in the caecum and colon. Pigs offered the L. digitata-supplemented diet had a reduced villous height in the duodenum and jejunum (P , 0.05). The inclusion of the L. digitata seaweed extract increased the molar proportion of butyric acid in the colon (P , 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration in the colon with the inclusion of L. hyperborea (P , 0.01) and L. digitata (P , 0.05) seaweed extracts. An increase in the expression of the Interleukin-8 mRNA was observed on day 6 with the supplementation of the combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract (P , 0.05). The inclusion of L. hyperborea seaweed extract resulted in an increase in total monocyte number (P , 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract alone and in combination reduced the enterobacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations in the caecum and colon, while only marginal effects on the immune response was observed.

“…Weaning is a critical stage of pig production and is associated with profound changes in the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract (Pluske et al, 1997). Furthermore, weaning introduces a number of stress factors that may negatively affect the immune function and intestinal microflora of pigs (Barnett et al, 1989;Montagne et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Manipulation of dietary protein supply, in order to decrease protein availability to ETEC in the distal small intestine, and the consequent production of harmful fermentation by-products, such as amines, is one way in which this could be achieved (Prohá szka and Baron, 1980;Nyachoti et al, 2006;Wellock et al, 2006). Increasing weaning age may also decrease sensitivity to PWC, due to the establishment of the regular intake of solid feed, resulting in a more mature and stabilised gut morphology and physiology reducing the colonisation of ETEC (Nabuurs et al, 1996;Pluske et al, 1997). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of dietary protein supply, weaning age and experimental enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection on newly weaned pigs: health

Wellock

Fortomaris

Houdijk

et al. 2008

Weaning is often associated with post-weaning colibacillosis (PWC), caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The objective was to investigate the effects of manipulating dietary protein supply and increasing weaning age on enteric health and ETEC shedding of newly weaned pigs exposed to an experimental ETEC challenge. The experiment consisted of a complete 2 3 2 3 2 factorial combination of weaning age (4 v. 6 weeks), dietary protein content (H, 230 g crude protein (CP)/kg v. L, 130 g CP/kg) and experimental ETEC challenge (1 v. 2); all foods were free from in-feed antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP). An additional four treatments were added to allow the effect of protein source (DSMP, dried skimmed milk powder v. SOYA, soybean meal) and AGP inclusion (yes v. no) to be investigated in challenged pigs of both weaning ages. On day 3 post-weaning challenged pigs were administered per os with 10 9 cfu ETEC O149. A subset of pigs was euthanased on days 0 and 6 post weaning to assess enteric health and small intestine morphology. Both weaning age and dietary protein content affected the consequences of ETEC challenge. ETEC excretion persisted longer in the 4-week-weaned pigs than those weaned at 6 weeks. Although not significant, the numbers of ETEC shed in the faeces post infection (days 4 to 14) were higher on the H than L diet, especially in the 4-week-weaned pigs (P 5 0.093). Lowering CP level led to significantly firmer faeces post challenge (days 3 to 6) and decreased colonic digesta pH. Protein level had no effect on small intestine villous heights or crypt depths. There was no significant effect of protein source on ETEC excretion or enteric health. Results suggest that increasing weaning age and decreasing the level of dietary protein, especially in earlier weaned pigs, may help to maintain enteric health and minimise the effects of PWC.