Sows fed with synergistic blend of short- and medium chain organic acid has a carryover effect on post-weaning growth rate

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a synergistic blend of free and buffered organic acid (FMP) on the performance of piglets born to sows supplemented with a blend of short- and medium-chain organic acids (SGG) during the late gestation and lactation period. A total of 150 multiparous sows (n = 50/treatment, Landrace × Yorkshire) were blocked (2.4 parity) and assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: CON - corn-soybean meal-based basal diet, SGG-Low − CON+ 1.5 kg/ton SGG, and SGG-High − CON + 3kg/ton SGG. During weaning, 600 piglets (6.72 ± 0.5kg) which weaned from sows supplemented with 3 levels of SGG were allocated to 2 weaner diets (Control and FMP - 3kg/ton) following 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Supplemental effects on performance were measured at d0–d21 and d 21–42, and the entire period. Pigs fed with FMP and born to sows supplemented with SGG-High gained more weight and ate more ( p < 0.05) compared with those in the CON group in both phases, and with SGG-Low in the second phase. Over the entire post-weaning period, piglets born to sows supplemented with SGG-Low and SGG-High had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) ( p < 0.05). Regardless of sow treatment, pigs fed with an FMP diet had higher ADG ( p < 0.001), BW ( p = 0.045), and a lower feed conversion ratio ( p = 0.033). Also, feeding FMP diets reduced the fecal Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens counts at d42. The current study indicates that sows fed SGG supplement had a positive carry-over effect on the post-weaning growth rate, and FMP supplement enhances the growth performance and reduced the number of C. perfringens and E. coli . Thus, the application of 3 kg/ton of SGG in sows’ diet and subsequent feeding of piglets with FMP would be an effective strategy to improve growth rate and reduce pathogenic bacteria in post-weaned piglets.

Change in the Gut Microbiota of Lactating Sows and Their Piglets by Inclusion of Dietary Spray-Dried Plasma in Sow Diets

“…Based on previous studies, two hypotheses for the formation of the initial gut microbial colonization of piglets were confirmed. First, it was shown that the gut microbiota of the sow is deeply involved in the formation of the piglet's gut microbiota and consequently affects the immune system development, growth performance, and survival of the piglets [ 42 - 44 ]. Another hypothesis is that the caring environment plays a crucial role in the function and composition of the gut microbiota during both the suckling and weaning periods [ 42 , 45 ].…”

The current state of phage therapy in livestock and companion animals

“…Among various alternatives to antibiotic substances, such as probiotics, organic acids, bacteriocins, and antimicrobial peptides, we have focused on the potential of bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents (Fig. 1) [9,[14][15][16][17]. In contrast to indiscriminate bombardment by antibiotics, bacteriophages (phages) possess characteristics akin to guided missiles, selectively infecting and killing specific bacteria (Fig.…”