Effect of Diet Particle Size and Feeding of H2-Receptor Antagonists on Gastric Ulcers in Swine1

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of diet and the administration of H2-antagonists in feed on gastric ulcer formation and performance of growing-finishing swine. Pigs receiving a finely ground diet (less than lmm) grew faster (.73 vs .68 kg/d, P less than .01) and had better feed utilization (3.47 vs 3.76, P less than .01) than pigs receiving a cracked corn-based diet. Incidence of ulcers in the esophageal region of the stomach of pigs fed the finely ground diet was greater (P less than .01) than in pigs fed cracked corn. The average daily gain of pigs receiving the finely ground diet was inversely related to ulcer incidence (r = .403, P less than .01, df = 59). The addition of 5, 10, 20 or 100 ppm of the H2-antagonist, metiamide, or 6, 18 or 54 ppm of SK&F 93479 to the finely ground diet did not improve pig performance or affect the incidence of gastric ulceration. The addition of 2, 6 and 18 ppm of SK&F 93479 to a corn-soy diet containing 4.5% alfalfa meal caused a reduction in gastric ulceration (P less than .05) and improved feed utilization by 3.2% (P less than .05). These data suggest that finely ground diets improve the performance of growing-finishing swine, but increase the incidence of ulcers in the esophageal region of the stomach. Severe gastric ulceration adversely affects swine performance. Feeding H2-antagonists does not reduce the ulcerogenic properties of finely ground diets, suggesting factors other than gastric acid secretion are involved in ulcerogenesis. The use of H2-antagonists in corn-soy diets improves feed utilization and reduces ulceration.

Effect of feed particle size and dietary melatonin supplementation on gastric ulcers in swine

“…Those pigs that had no ulcers at slaughter grew faster than those pigs with a score of 1 (P < 0.05) (0.98 vs. 0.84 kg d -1 ), with a tendency (P < 0.01) for a lower ADG for all pigs with ulcer scores. This supports work done by Hedde et al (1985), who found that an increase in ulcer severity was associated with a marked reduction in growth performance. It has been suggested that only pigs with a severe gastric ulcer will have a depressed growth rate, probably due to gastric hemorrhage.…”

“…There was no difference in final endoscopic ulcer score due to dietary particle size. This is not in agreement with work done by Gamble et al (1967), Reimann et al (1968), Pickett et al (1969), Pocock et al (1969), Maxwell et al (1970), and Hedde et al (1985), who found that a smaller particle size (approximately 500-600 µm) increased both the severity and the incidence of gastric ulcers. A smaller particle size has been shown to increase the pepsin activity, decrease the pH in the esophageal region, reduce the pH gradient between the pars esophageal and pyloric regions, and increase the percent moisture and fluidity of the stomach contents (Maxwell et al 1972).…”

“…However, smaller particle size of the diet is also related to improved growth performance in pigs (Hedde et al 1985).…”

“…increased risk of gastric ulcers in swine (Maxwell et al 1972;Hedde et al 1985;Wondra et al 1995). However, smaller particle size of the diet is also related to improved growth performance in pigs (Hedde et al 1985).…”

Effects of particle size and extrusion of maize and sorghum on ileal digestibility and growth performance in pigs weaned at 14 and 21 days of age

“…Improved feed efficiency and digestibility of nutrients and energy were reported with fine grinding of major grains such as maize (Reimann et al, 1968;Hedde et al, 1985;Wondra et al, 1995), and sorghum (Owsley et al, 1981). But the optimum particle size is probably dependent on the age of pigs.…”