Supplementation of pre-weaning diet with l-arginine has carry-over effect to improve intestinal development in young piglets

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that pre-weaning supplemental arginine may have a carry-over effect on intestinal growth and development of piglets immediately after weaning. Fifty-four [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] piglets were fed a milk replacer diet supplemented with 0 (control), 4, or 8 g kg −1 of L-arginine from d 4 to 21 of age (6 replicate pens of 3 piglets per group). Piglets were then weaned to a common corn-soybean meal diet and fed for another 21 d. On day 42, 6 pigs per treatment were randomly selected for blood and tissue sampling. Arginine supplementation improved body weight of the piglets on d 42, average daily gain during d 22-31 (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 8 g kg −1 arginine decreased feed:gain (F:G) ratio in piglets during d 22-31 (P = 0.010). Compared with controls, 8 g kg −1 arginine improved villous height in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; villous area in duodenum and jejunum; relative intestine weight; and plasma contents of insulin at d 42 (P < 0.05). Arginine supplementation increased mucosal protein content in all 3 segments of the small intestine (P < 0.05).These novel results clearly demonstrate a carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation with arginine on enhanced intestinal growth and development in the early post-weaning period.Key words: L-arginine, growth performance, intestinal morphology, NO, piglets.Résumé : Cette étude avait pour but d'évaluer l'hypothèse qu'un supplément d'arginine donné avant le sevrage peut avoir un effet résiduel sur la croissance intestinale et le développement des porcelets immédiatement après le sevrage. Cinquante-quatre porcelets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] ont reçu une diète de remplacement de lait avec supplément de 0 (témoin), 4, ou 8 g kg −1 de L-arginine des jours 4 à 21 d'âge (6 enclos répétés de 3 porcelets par groupe). Les porcelets ont alors été sevrés en faveur d'une diète commune de maïs-tourteau de soja et nourris 21 autres jours. Au jour 42, 6 porcelets par traitement ont été choisis de façon aléatoire pour échantillonnage de sang et de tissus. Les suppléments d'arginine ont amélioré le poids corporel des porcelets au jour 42, selon le gain moyen quotidien durant les jours 22 à 31 (P < 0,05). Un supplément de 8 g kg −1 d'arginine a diminué l'indice de consommation des porcelets durant les jours 22 à 31 (P = 0,010). Par rapport aux témoins, 8 g kg −1 d'arginine a amélioré la hauteur des villosités dans le duodénum, le jéjunum et l'iléon, l'aire de surface des villosités dans le duodénum et jéjunum, le poids relatif de l'intestin et la teneur plasmatique en insuline au jour 42 (P < 0,05). Le supplément d'arginine a augmenté la teneur en protéines des muqueuses dans les trois segments de l'intestin grêle (P < 0,05). Ces résultats novateurs démontrent de façon claire un effet résiduel des suppléments d'arginine administrés avant le sevrage sur la croissance et le développement intestinal dans la partie précoce post-sevrage. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

'Dietary Arginine Supplementation Affects Intestinal Function by Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity of a Nitric Oxide–Independent Pathway in Low-Birth-Weight Piglets

“…However, it is possible that the ideal dietary ratio of lysine to arginine for young piglets is >100:55 because the study by Kim et al did not involve a higher-arginine-supplemented group. In addition, preweaning supplementation with 0.8% arginine in piglets showed a 10-d carry-over effect of arginine in increasing ADG ( 46 ). Therefore, the requirements of arginine were influenced by birth weight, BW, and age and varied with condition, which necessitates further studies.…”

Effect of arginine and glutamine supplementation, dietary soluble fibre level and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on rabbit performance and intestinal health

“…In previous research, we were also unable to detect significant differences on feed efficiency, daily gain or feed intake in young rabbits fed diets supplemented with 1% Gln (Chamorro et al, 2010). However, studies with Arg seem to be more consistent regarding the positive effects of supplementing this amino acid on preand post-weaning pig performance (Yang et al, 2016). A lack of effect of Arg on performance in our study compared to those in pigs might depend on species differences or dosage used.…”

Nutritional intervention for the intestinal development and health of weaned pigs

“…It has been reported that supplementation of L-arginine (0.2 to 1%) enhanced growth performance and alleviated the negative effects of different insults or challenges in young pigs (81,(89)(90)(91). Supplementation of 0.4 to 0.8% L-arginine in pre-weaning diet enhanced intestinal growth and development in early post-weaning period (92). In addition, supplementation of 0.6% L-arginine enhanced small intestinal growth, goblet cell number in intestinal mucosa, intestinal heat shock protein-70 expression in weaned pigs (81).…”