Finishing pigs that are divergent in feed efficiency show small differences in intestinal functionality and structure

Abstract

Controversial information is available regarding the feed efficiency-related variation in intestinal size, structure and functionality in pigs. The present objective was therefore to investigate the differences in visceral organ size, intestinal morphology, mucosal enzyme activity, intestinal integrity and related gene expression in low and high RFI pigs which were reared at three different geographical locations (Austria, AT; Northern Ireland, NI; Republic of Ireland, ROI) using similar protocols. Pigs (n = 369) were ranked for their RFI between days 42 and 91 postweaning and low and high RFI pigs (n = 16 from AT, n = 24 from NI, and n = 60 from ROI) were selected. Pigs were sacrificed and sampled on ~day 110 of life. In general, RFI-related variation in intestinal size, structure and function was small. Some energy saving mechanisms and enhanced digestive and absorptive capacity were indicated in low versus high RFI pigs by shorter crypts, higher duodenal lactase and maltase activity and greater mucosal permeability (P < 0.05), but differences were mainly seen in pigs from AT and to a lesser degree in pigs from ROI. Additionally, low RFI pigs from AT had more goblet cells in duodenum but fewer in jejunum compared to high RFI pigs (P < 0.05). Together with the lower expression of TLR4 and TNFA in low versus high RFI pigs from AT and ROI (P < 0.05), these results might indicate differences in the innate immune response between low and high RFI pigs. Results demonstrated that the variation in the size of visceral organs and intestinal structure and functionality was greater between geographic location (local environmental factors) than between RFI ranks of pigs. In conclusion, present results support previous findings that the intestinal size, structure and functionality do not significantly contribute to variation in RFI of pigs.

Host-Microbiota Interactions in Ileum and Caecum of Pigs Divergent in Feed Efficiency Contribute to Nutrient Utilization

“…With regards to the functional anatomy of the gut, this is related to the fact that major genes driving absorption processes for anions, sodium, carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals, and lipids are predominately expressed in the proximal part of the intestinal tract [40]. Accordingly, previous analysis of different parts of the gastrointestinal tract and their morphology revealed no significant differences in the ileum and caecum between high and low RFI pigs, whereas some distinct differences were observed in the duodenum and jejunum, such as Goblet cell number per villus height and nutrient transporter gene expression [33,41].…”

Transglycosylated Starch Modulates the Gut Microbiome and Expression of Genes Related to Lipid Synthesis in Liver and Adipose Tissue of Pigs

“…The activity of lactase, maltase, and sucrase was determined in mucosal scrapings from the duodenum. Preparation of duodenal homogenates (20%, w/v) and mucosal enzyme activity measurements were performed as recently described ( Metzler-Zebeli et al, 2017 ).…”

Feeding Effect of Different Levels of Agricultural and Food Waste on Growth Performance and Economics in Pig Production

“…Feed conversion is the amount of feed which needed to be consumed to gain 1 kg of BW. The lower the value, the higher the efficiency of the feed to increase the livestocks' BW [23]. The lowest to the highest conversion rates were T4 (100% commercial feed), followed by T3, T2 and T1.…”