This study was to investigate the effect of corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxins (AF) under the regulatory level on the growth performance and health of nursery pigs, and the efficiency of yeast cell wall based feed additive (YC) mainly composed of β-glucans and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) (Integral A+, Alltech, Lexington, KY) in prevention of mycotoxicosis. Pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts at 6.02 ± 0.83 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design based on a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 10 pens (5 barrow and 5 gilt pens) per treatment and 3 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 5 wk. First factor was AF (0 or 20 µg/kg in feed) and the second factor was YC (0 or 2 g/kg in feed). Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly, and blood samples were used to measure blood cell counts, immunoglobulin G (IgG), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), oxidative damage status, and serological evaluation related to liver health. Aflatoxin decreased (P < 0.05) the number of platelet count (247.4 to 193.5 × 103/µL), and it also tended to increase the level of albumin (P = 0.055, 3.46 to 3.63 g/dL), albumin:globulin ratio (P = 0.050, 2.09 to 2.37), and Ca (P = 0.080, 10.79 to 10.97 mg/dL). Yeast cell wall based feed additive increased (P < 0.05) ADG (493 to 524 g/d), and ADFI (796 to 846 g/d) of pigs whereas G:F was not affected, and it also tended to increase (P = 0.055) albumin level (3.46 to 3.63 g/dL). Interactions (P < 0.05) on hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count indicated that YC further increased their levels when pigs were eating AF contaminated feed. Interactions (P < 0.05) on urea nitrogen and blood urea N to creatinine ratio indicated that YC further decreased their levels when feed were contaminated with AF. In conclusion, low level of 20 µg AF/kg under the regulatory level had minor effects on hematology without affecting growth performance, however the supplementation of 2 g/kg YC as a source of β-glucans and MOS in feed can improve feed intake and therefore the growth of pigs.
The experiment investigated the effects of a supplemental candy coproduct (Chocolate Candy Feed [CCF]; International Ingredient Corp., St. Louis, MO), an alternative carbohydrate source to dietary lactose, on growth performance and on health status of nursery pigs. Crossbred pigs ( = 1,408; 21 d of age and 7.1 ± 0.3 kg BW; Smithfield Premium Genetics, Rose Hill, NC) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (16 pens/treatment and 22 pigs/pen) in a randomized complete block design: 0, 15, 30, and 45% of lactose replaced by CCF based on equal amounts of total sugars. The experimental period was divided into 3 phases: phase I (1.8 kg diet/pig for 11 ± 1 d), phase II (6.8 kg diet/pig for 17 ± 2 d), and phase III (until 49 d after weaning). Pigs received a common phase III diet. The levels of lactose, supplied by whey permeate (79.3 ± 0.8% lactose), were 20, 8, and 0% in phase I, II, and III, respectively. All experimental diets contained the same levels of essential AA and energy (ME) for each phase. Fecal scores were observed on d 5, 7, and 9 after weaning. Blood samples were taken at the end of phase I and II to measure blood urea N. The duration of phase I tended to linearly decrease ( = 0.063) with increasing CCF. In phase I, the ADFI increased ( < 0.05) with increasing CCF whereas ADG and G:F did not change. In phase II, the duration and ADFI did not change whereas ADG linearly decreased ( < 0.05) with increasing CCF. However, the G:F was not changed as CCF increased. During phase I and II together, the duration was linearly decreased ( < 0.05) as CCF increased, whereas no difference in growth performance was observed. Overall, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were not affected by replacing whey permeate with CCF in diets, indicating no adverse effects of a candy coproduct as a carbohydrate substitute to lactose on growth performance of nursery pigs. Blood urea N did not change in phase I but tended to linearly increase ( = 0.088) in phase II as CCF increased. There were no differences in fecal scores and mortality as CCF increased. However, increasing CCF tended to linearly decrease ( = 0.083) morbidity, which implies no adverse effects of a candy coproduct replacement on health status of nursery pigs. In conclusion, a candy coproduct can be used to replace up to 45% of dietary lactose for nursery pigs without negative effects on growth performance or health status. A candy coproduct could be an economical alternative to partly replace the use of lactose in swine production.
This study was performed to determine the effect of modified yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) (Mycosorb A+, Alltech, Lexington, KY) on growth and health of pigs fed diets naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin under the FDA regulatory level. One hundred twenty pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts at 55.69 ± 6.29 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2 × 2 factorial arrangement) with 10 pens (3 pigs per pen) per treatment, and fed the experimental diets for 5 wk period. Factors were mycotoxin (0 or 150 ug/kg aflatoxin and 19 mg/kg fumonisin) and YCWE (0 or 2 g/kg diet). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed the NRC nutrient requirements. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At the end of 5 wk, 32 pigs representing a median BW of 8 pens per treatment were selected to take blood samples and euthanized to obtain intestinal tissues. Blood samples were obtained to measure the numbers of blood cells, and to separate serum for liver function test, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), immunoglobulin G (lgG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Mucosa from duodenum and jejunum were obtained to evaluate morphology and to measure TNF-, MDA, and IgG. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure in SAS with pen as the experimental unit using treatments and sex as fixed effects and initial BW as a random effect. Mycotoxin decreased (P < 0.05) ADG (1.210 to 0.992 kg/d) at 1 wk, and tended to decreased (P = 0.099) BW (68.4 to 67.5 kg) at 2 wk, without affecting overall growth performance after 5 wk feeding. Mycotoxin decreased (P < 0.05) neutrophil counts (7.28 to 5.83 cell/mL) and serum cholesterol (86.7 to 77.1 mg/dL). The YCWE decreased (P < 0.05) serum 8-OHdG (1.48 to 0.60 ng/ mL), and tended to decrease (P = 0.051) crypt depth (285 to 261 µm) in duodenum. TNF-, MDA, and IgG in serum and intestinal mucosa were not affected by 2 treatment factors. There was no interaction between 2 treatment factors. Collectively, dietary mycotoxin under the FDA regulatory level had minor effects on growth performance and hematology, and supplemental YCWE reduced oxidative stress in pigs indicated by reduced serum 8-OHdG.
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