The aim of this study was to obtain information that could help to ease the weaning transition in commercial pig production. Before weaning, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the form of a crude preparation of red kidney bean lectin was fed by gavage to 24 crossbred [(Swedish Landrace x Yorkshire) x Hampshire] piglets, whereas 24 control piglets were fed alpha-lactalbumin by gavage, to study the effect on growth, occurrence of postweaning diarrhea, feeding behavior, and some anatomical and physiological traits of the gastrointestinal tract. Within the litter, piglets were randomly assigned to PHA treatment or control and remained in the same pen from the beginning (PHA exposure at 7 d before weaning) until the end of the experiment (14 d post-weaning). Weaning took place at the age of 31 to 34 d. Pigs treated with PHA grew faster (P = 0.013) during the first week postweaning and tended to have lower total diarrhea scores (P = 0.10) than did control pigs. On d 5 after weaning, piglets treated with PHA spent more time eating (P = 0.028) than control pigs. No immunostimulating effect of PHA, measured by plasma immunoglobulin G, could be detected. An increase in the intestinal barrier properties before weaning, as a response to PHA treatment, was demonstrated in intestinal absorption studies using Na-fluorescein and BSA as gavage-fed markers. Less uptake (measured as plasma concentrations) of the marker molecule Na-fluorescein occurred during a 24-h study period, and numerically lower levels of BSA were observed compared with studies in control pigs of the same age. A total of 12 pigs (6 control, 6 PHA-treated) were euthanized on the day of weaning for analyses of gastrointestinal properties. The PHA-treated pigs tended to have a longer total small intestinal length (P = 0.063) than that of the control pigs. The enzyme profile of the jejunal epithelium responded to PHA exposure with a decrease in lactase activity and an increase in maltase and sucrase activities, which is similar to changes normally observed after weaning. No differences were found in the size of the pancreas or in its contents of trypsin and amylase. In conclusion, exposing piglets to crude, red kidney bean lectin for 3 d during the week before weaning led to changes in performance and small intestinal functional properties that would be expected to contribute to a more successful weaning.
Feed replacement at weaning plays an important role in the induction of pancreatic maturation. To understand the changes in the exocrine pancreas at weaning and the relation to postweaning problems, we studied the function of the exocrine pancreas and changes of intestinal hemolytic Escherichia coli in four pigs. The pigs were chronically fitted with pancreatic duct catheters and T-shaped cannula inserted into the duodenum for reintroduction of pancreatic juice. One day before weaning (at 30 d of age), pancreatic juice was collected for 1 h before and 1 h after a morning and an evening suckling. The pigs were not creep fed, but from weaning the pigs received a standard weaning diet ad libitum. On d 1, 2, 3, and 5 after weaning, pancreatic juice was collected continuously for the 24-h period. The total pancreatic secretion was measured at hourly intervals, 1.5-mL samples were taken for analysis, and the remaining juice was returned to the animal. On these days, samples from the duodenum, ileum, and rectum were also taken for analyses of hemolytic E. coli. From the day before to 5 d after weaning, a gradual increase in pancreatic secretion was observed concerning volume (P < .001) and protein (P < .01) and trypsin (P < .02) levels. An increase (P < .01) in hemolytic E. coli in the duodenal contents was also documented during this period. We assume that the gradual increase in the measured variables of pancreatic secretion is related to the increasing consumption of solid feed. However, the appearance of E. coli and disappearance of milk components from the gastrointestinal tract could be other factors stimulating the exocrine pancreas.
Slatted versus solid oors in the dung area of farrowing pens: effects on hygiene and pig performance , birth to weaning.The effect of slatted versus solid oors in the dung area of farrowing pens on the health and production of pigs from birth to weaning was studied. In half of the farrowing pens, evenly distributed within a unit, the plastic slats were glued together to form a solid surface and only urine drainage was allowed. A total of 201 litters were studied. Pen hygiene in the slatted oor pens in general was signi cantly better in all trials, and there was a demonstrably higher amount of bacteria in the solid oor pens. Total mortality from birth to weaning was signi cantly higher for the solid oor treatment group, primarily due to more traumatic injuries and more infection losses. No signi cant treatment effects on morbidity and daily weight gain were observed. In conclusion, even in a closed herd with batch farrowing, good general hygiene level and good herd immunity, a small change such as solid ooring in the dung area can negatively affect pig health and production before weaning.
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