Fecal scores and microbial metabolites in weaned piglets fed different protein sources and levels

Abstract

This experiment studied the effects of dietary protein sources and levels on the gut health of piglets, pH value, and concentrations of microbial metabolites (ammonia-N, volatile fatty acids [VFA], and polyamines) in the distal colonic and proximal colonic digesta of piglets weaned at 21 d of age. A total of 150 early-weaned piglets were allotted randomly to 5 diets: 1) control diet (CT; 17% CP), 2) CT formulated with more soy protein concentrate (SPC19; 19% CP), 3) more fish meal (FM19; 19% CP), 4) CT formulated with more soy protein concentrate (SPC23; 23% CP), and 5) more fish meal (FM23; 23%CP). Results showed high protein level increased fecal score (P < 0.05), but different protein sources did not (P > 0.05). The pH value and ammonia-N concentration of digesta in the proximal and distal colon of FM23 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of CT. Acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid concentrations in the proximal colon of FM23 exceeded those of CT, SPC19, and FM19 (P < 0.05); however, isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid were not affected (P > 0.05). Histamine and spermidine concentrations of FM23 were higher than those of other treatments (P < 0.05). Propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in the distal colon were higher of FM23 than of FM19 (P < 0.05); putrescine, histamine and spermidine were higher of FM23 than of LP and FM19 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that high dietary CP content increased microbial metabolites (ammonia-N, histamine, putrescine) in colonic digesta and aggravated piglets' diarrhea.

Aspects of plasma biochemistry and intestinal health of weaned piglets fed dietary extruded linseed and walnut meal mixture

“…Table 3 presented the effect of feeding extruded linseed: walnut meal mixture (8:1) on fecal scores (FS) and incidence of diarrhea (ID) in weaned piglets. Fecal score reflects the digestive health of piglets, a high score indicates high incidence of diarrhea (Wen et al, 2018). In our study, fecal score was decreased by 10.71% at day 7 PW (P>0.05), and at day 21 PW it was observed a decreasing tendency by 17.05% FS as a response to dietary mixture addition (P=0.07).…”

Effects of crude protein and lactose levels in diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and expression of genes related to intestinal integrity and immune system in weaned piglets

“…Stress associated with weaning is often accompanied by increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders, and impaired structure and function of the small intestine (Campbell, Crenshaw, & Polo, 2013; Wen et al., 2018).…”

“…The first 14 days after weaning are often followed by increased activation of the immune system, which contributes to the anatomical and functional breakdown of the intestinal epithelium (Hu, Xiao, Luan, & Song, 2013; Wen et al., 2018).…”

“…The present study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary Several studies have demonstrated an association between the dietary CP concentration with the decrease in growth performance of weaned piglets (Nyachoti, Omogbenigun, Rademacher, & Blank, 2006;Wu et al, 2015). In addition, diets with high CP concentration generate a greater flow of residual protein to the large intestine, where it can be fermented by a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria, may result in the production of deleterious metabolites that may decrease performance (Bikker et al, 2006;Wen et al, 2018).…”

Effect of feeding different levels of protein and energy of Bureau of Indian Standard specification on production performance of crossbred (HS x GH) grower pig

“…In pig, feed intake is related to energy concentration of the diet and high energy level in the diet decrease feed intake where as low energy intake decreases protein deposition (Lewis and Southern, 2001;Noblet and Van Milgen, 2013). It was reported that the pig feed containing low protein improved faecal consistency score, enteric health and growth performance (Opapeju et al, 2015;Wu et al, 2015;Wen et al, 2018). Th erefore, present study was conducted to observe the effect of different levels of protein and energy which were either equal to or below the requirement of Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS, 1986) on growth and nutrient utilization in crossbred grower pig.…”