Fermentation products of <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> enhance performance and modulate immune response of weaned piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of Cordyceps militaris fermentation products (CMF) on growth performance and immunocompetence of piglets. The study involved three groups of animals, which were supplemented with CMF (500, 1000 and 1500 μg/kg feed), and a control group. CMF supplementation significantly increased growth performance in weaned piglets. Bodyweight gain, average daily gain and feed intake in animals supplemented with 1000 µg CMF/kg feed were significantly higher in comparison with the control group. In addition, CMF supplementation only significantly increased the synthesis of Th1 cytokines, as indicated by the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ. The piglets fed with the CMF supplement displayed an increased cellular immune response. Indeed, alveolar macrophages isolated from piglets supplemented with 1000 and 1500 µg CMF/kg feed had significantly higher chemotactic and phagocytic indices than those isolated from piglets that received the control feed or feed supplemented with 500 µg CMF/kg. In relation to the absence of effect on Th2 cytokines, the CMF supplement had no effect on hog cholera antibody titre. In summary, feed supplementation with CMF improves growth performance and enhances cell-mediated immunity. CMF supplementation may thus be useful at weaning to counteract physiological and immunological stress during this period. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Effect of Spent Mushroom (Cordyceps militaris) on Growth Performance, Immunity, and Intestinal Microflora in Weaning Pigs

“…Furthermore, the SM contained dietary fibre (163 g kg −1 ), which could induce a hypercholesterolemic effect through increased production of short-chain fatty acids, which in turn can suppress hepatic and intestinal cholesterol synthesis and decrease cholesterol levels [ 36 , 37 ]. However, this is in contrast to previous findings that did not observe changes in the cholesterol level in pigs consuming an SM diet [ 23 , 25 ]. The controversial outcome may have been caused by the pig growth stage, diet composition, animal health status, or environmental variation.…”

“…Spent mushroom (SM) from C. militaris contains various bioactive compounds such as gamma-oryzanol, cordycepin, adenosine, D-mannitol, and polysaccharides [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The use of C. militaris significantly improved growth performance and immunity [ 24 , 25 ], in agreement with a previous study in which Nile tilapia were fed 10 g/kg SM [ 26 ]. The supplementation of 2 g/kg SM in the diet has recently been reported to stimulate immunoglobulin secretion and antioxidant activity in growing pigs [ 22 ].…”

“…Changes in blood profiles can determine health status in animal bodies [ 25 , 28 ]. The current study demonstrated that the AST concentration was unaffected by dietary treatments.…”

“…This implies that the inclusion of C. militaris SM is nontoxic to weaned pigs. Furthermore, previous studies showed that weaned pigs are highly susceptible to hepatic damage with higher AST production when fed a diet without C. militaris waste supplement [ 25 ]. In terms of the hypercholesteromic profile, the inclusion of 1.5 g/kg SM resulted in a cholesterol concentration lower than those in the control groups.…”

“…The supplementation of 2 g/kg SM in the diet has recently been reported to stimulate immunoglobulin secretion and antioxidant activity in growing pigs [ 22 ]. Activation of the cellular immune response has also been observed in weaning pigs fed with fermented C. militaris [ 25 ]. However, data concerning in-feed SM supplementation at levels lower than 2 g/kg feed and its use as an antibiotic replacement in weaning pigs have not been published.…”