Effects of Tributyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Insulin, Blood Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tributyrin supplementation on the production traits, the main metabolic parameters and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (Large White × Landrace) were randomly divided into two experimental groups (six pens each; 10 piglets per pen): the control group (CTRL), that received a basal diet, and the tributyrin group (TRIB) that received the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% tributyrin. The experimental period lasted 40 days. Production traits were measured at days 14, 28 and 40. A subset composed of 48 animals (n = 4 for each pen; n = 24 per group) was considered for the evaluation of serum metabolic parameters and hair cortisol by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and faecal microbiota by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed that the treatment significantly increased body weight (BW) at day 28 and day 40 (p = 0.0279 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and average daily gain (ADG) from day 28 to day 40 (p = 0.046). Gain to feed ratio (G:F) was significantly higher throughout the experimental period (p = 0.049). Even if the serum parameters were in the physiological range, albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, glucose and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) fraction were significantly higher in the TRIB group. On the contrary, tributyrin significantly decreased the urea blood concentration (p = 0.0026), which was correlated with lean gain and feed efficiency. Moreover, serum insulin concentration, which has a regulatory effect on protein and lipid metabolism, was significantly higher in the TRIB group (p = 0.0187). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that tributyrin can be considered as a valid feed additive for weaned piglets.

Evaluation of Dietary Administration of Chestnut and Quebracho Tannins on Growth, Serum Metabolites and Fecal Parameters of Weaned Piglets

“…The health status of the piglets was monitored daily. Mortality was registered, and the incidence of diarrhea was calculated based on the number of piglets with clinical sign of diarrhea [ 11 ].…”

“…Due to such restrictions, alternatives to antibiotics and alternatives to zinc oxide are urgently needed to guarantee animal production in line with health principles [ 11 , 12 ]. In this scenario, plant extracts can represent a valuable alternative as a natural source of functional compounds, such as polyphenolic compounds [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

An Efficient System for Intestinal On-site Butyrate Production Using Novel Microbiome-Derived Esterases

“…Hence, many studies have demonstrated that solely administered TB mediates an anti-in ammatory effect. Mounting evidence suggest that supplementation of TB could induce desirable phenotypes in diet-induced obesity model [45], in piglets [46,47], and in a murine model of Clostridium di cile infection [48]. In this study, we identi ed microbiome-derived genes encoding active TB esterases and sub-cloned them into an E. coli strain with strong intestinal colonization capability [30].…”

Implications of Tributyrin on Gut Microbiota Shifts Related to Performances of Weaning Piglets

“…In this context, tributyrate glyceride, also called tributyrin, appears to be a good candidate for alleviating intestinal dysfunctions, modulating immune response and improving growth performance in piglets. Despite the large number of papers addressing tributyrin impact on weaning piglets, its efficacy as a growth promoter is sometimes controversial [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] probably because of different experimental conditions in farm trials. Indeed, the efficiency of tributyrin, as with all other growth promoter candidates, may vary based on its mechanisms of action, the basal diet composition and the animal’s health conditions.…”

“…The antimicrobial effects of butyrate glycerides on Salmonella Typhimurium and Clostridium perfringens were studied in poultry [ 22 ]. However, there is little information regarding the effects of tributyrin on pigs’ intestinal microbiota, with most of the studies being concerned with bacteria considered as an indicator of animal health [ 14 , 16 ]. In our previous study [ 14 ], we identified significant differences in body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and several blood parameters in piglets receiving tributyrin during the weaning period, as compared to the control.…”