The Ammonia Content in the Digesta of Pigs

Essential oils (EO) are being considered as possible alternatives to in-feed antibiotic growth promoters in pig nutrition. The effects of an EO mixture consisting of limonene, eugenol and pinene (10.0, 2.0, and 4.8 mg/kg diet, resp.) on gut physiology and ecology were studied in piglets. The experiment was conducted at low (commercial farm) and high hygienic conditions (experimental farm), to elucidate interactions between EO supplementation and husbandry methods. Piglets were weaned at 28 days of age, when they were offered either a control diet (C) or C with EO. Four piglets were sacrificed in each group on day 29, 30, 33 and 39. Digesta from the third distal part of the small intestine and from the colon were sampled and analysed for pH, dry matter, lactic acid, short chain fatty acids and ammonia concentrations. Enterobacteria, enterococci, lactobacilli and yeast counts were obtained by plating. Genomic DNA was extracted from digesta and polymerase chain reaction—denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was performed. Individual microbial communities were identified at each farm. Age affected the intestinal parameters. No effects of the EO with exception for a significant reduction in colon bacterial diversity at 39 days of age could be recorded at experimental farm.

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“…These findings correspond with the observed pH values in both parts of the GIT. All these results confirm earlier observations [27, 30–33]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Investigations on the Effects of Dietary Essential Oils and Different Husbandry Conditions on the Gut Ecology in Piglets after Weaning

Janczyk

Pieper

Urubschurov

et al. 2009

International Journal of Microbiology

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“…In this connection Bolduan et al (1986) have suggested that a straight relation between SCFA and ammonia concentrations does exist in the colonic digesta and faeces of pigs, whilst Varel et al (1984) observed high faecal ammonia concentrations in pigs fed diets high in fibre. The correlation was more apparent in the present study for daily faecal flow of both types of metabolites, perhaps as a function of retention time of digesta in the large intestine of the animals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of graded levels of Jerusalem artichokes and body weight on the digestibility of dietary components in a sugar cane molasses-based pig diet

Macías¹,

Ly²

1998

J. Anim. Feed Sci.

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Crossbred growing barrows weighing an average of 15 kg were divided into four groups of eight pigs in a completely randomised experiment in a 2 x 4 factorial design (20 or 55 kg, fed 0, 205, 410 or 760 g/kg Jerusalem artichokes). Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, energy and crude protein was progressively decreased and apparent digestibility of crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre was progressively increased by adding Jerusalem artichokes. The lower dry matter in faeces of pigs fed Jerusalem artichokes was associated with a higher faecal bulk and is suggested as being responsible for the lower digestibility of nutrients and energy in pigs fed high Jerusalem artichoke diets. Except for energy, pigs at 55 kg body weight had significantly higher or lower apparent digestibility of nutrients than pigs at 20 kg, when Jerusalem artichokes or sugar cane molasses were the main energy source in the diet, respectively. Increasing Jerusalem artichokes increased daily faecal flow of short chain fatty acids and ammonia and reduced faecal pH. It is concluded that there is significant adaptation to high amounts of Jerusalem artichokes in the diet with age.

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Roggen und Weizen in Ferkelrationen bei Zugabe von Bisergon

Bolduan¹,

Jung²,

Schneider³

et al. 1988

Archiv für Tierernaehrung

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In a feeding experiment (54 piglets) and a slaughtering test for the registration of tract and digesta properties (15 piglets) the influence of rations with 69% rye (R) or wheat (W) with and without a supplement of 200 mg of the chinoxalin derivate Bisergon/kg DM (rations RB and WB) was studied. In the sequence R, RB, W and WB the feed intake in the test period of 3 weeks after weaning amounted to 581, 651, 583 and 764 g, weight gain to 314, 365, 319 and 424 g per animal and day. In the same sequence the concentration of organic acids in the stomach amounted to 41, 5, 25 and 18 mmol per 100 g dry matter and in the colon to 106, 83, 64 and 62. Bisergon caused a redistribution of the digesta from the stomach to the large intestine and a more rapid emptying of the stomach as well. Rye caused extreme fermentation processes in the front part of the tract and Bisergon clearly has ergotropic qualities for the stabilization of the intestinal flora.

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The Ammonia Content in the Digesta of Pigs

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Investigations on the Effects of Dietary Essential Oils and Different Husbandry Conditions on the Gut Ecology in Piglets after Weaning

Investigations on the Effects of Dietary Essential Oils and Different Husbandry Conditions on the Gut Ecology in Piglets after Weaning

The influence of graded levels of Jerusalem artichokes and body weight on the digestibility of dietary components in a sugar cane molasses-based pig diet

Roggen und Weizen in Ferkelrationen bei Zugabe von Bisergon

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