Comparative effects of dietary methionine and cysteine supplementation on redox status and intestinal integrity in immunologically challenged-weaned pigs.

Sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cysteine play critical roles in immune system and redox status. A body of evidence shows that metabolic aspects of supplemented Met and Cys may differ in the body. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Met and Cys supplementation in immunologically challenged weaned pigs. Forty weaned piglets (6.5 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly allocated to five treatment groups. The treatment included: (1) sham-challenged control (SCC), (2) challenged control (CC), (3) MET (CC + 0.1% DL-Met), (4) CYS (CC + 0.1% L-Cys), and (5) MET + CYS (CC + 0.1% DL-Met + 0.1% L-Cys). On day 7, all pigs were intramuscularly injected with either Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or phosphate-buffered saline. Blood, liver, and jejunum samples were analyzed for immune response and redox status. The CC group had lower (P < 0.05) villus surface area and higher (P < 0.05) flux of 4-kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FD4) than the SCC group. A lower (P < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) concentration was observed in the jejunum of pigs in the CC group than those in the SCC group. Dietary Cys supplementation increased (P < 0.05) villus surface area, GSH levels, and reduced (P < 0.05) the flux of FD4 in the jejunum of LPS-challenged pigs. Dietary Met supplementation enhanced (P < 0.05) hepatic GSH content. Pigs challenged with LPS in the MET group had lower serum IL-8 concentration than those in the CC group. There was a Met × Cys interaction (P < 0.05) in serum IL-4 and IL-8 concentrations, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. Dietary L-Cys supplementation restored intestinal integrity and GSH levels that were damaged by lipopolysaccharides administration. Dietary DL-Met supplementation improved hepatic GSH and reduced systemic inflammatory response, but antagonistic interaction with dietary L-Cys supplementation was observed in the inflammatory response and redox status.

Phytobiotics with Adsorbent to Mitigate Toxicity of Multiple Mycotoxins on Health and Growth of Pigs.

Phytobiotics with a mycotoxin adsorbent were used to mitigate negative effects of multiple mycotoxins in diets fed to pigs. In experiment 1, 120 pigs (11.6 kg body weight; BW) were assigned to five treatments (three pigs/pen) and fed for 28 days. Treatments were CON (control), MTD (CON + 2.5 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol), DP (MTD + phytobiotics at 0.1%), and DPA1 and DPA2 (MTD + phytobiotics and adsorbent at 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively). In experiment 2, 96 pigs (28.5 kg BW) were assigned to four treatments (three pigs/pen) and fed for 26 days. Treatments were CON, MTAF (CON + 0.19 mg/kg of aflatoxin and 8 mg/kg of fumonisins), AFP (MTAF + phytobiotics at 0.1%), and AFPA (MTAF + phytobiotics and adsorbent at 0.1%). Growth performance was measured weekly, and blood was sampled at the end of study to measure hepatic function and inflammatory status (TNF-α). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure. In experiment 1, pigs fed MTD, DP, DPA1, and DPA2 had smaller (p < 0.05) BW than CON. Pigs fed DPA2 had greater (p < 0.05) BW than MTD. Pigs fed DP and DPA2 tended to have lower (p < 0.1) serum total protein than CON. Pigs fed MTD and DPA2 tended to have higher (p < 0.1) alanine aminotransferase than CON. Similarly, pigs fed MTD, DP, and DPA2 tended to have higher (p < 0.1) urea nitrogen/creatinine than CON. In experiment 2, pigs fed MTAF, AFP, and AFPA had smaller (p < 0.05) BW than CON. Pigs fed MTAF, AFP, and AFPA had smaller (p < 0.05) ADFI than CON. Pigs fed AFPA had higher (p < 0.05) aspartate aminotransferase than CON and MTAF. Pigs fed AFP and AFPA had higher (p < 0.05) alanine aminotransferase than CON. Pigs fed MTAF, AFP, and AFPA had lower (p < 0.05) urea nitrogen/creatinine than CON. Pigs fed AFPA had higher (p < 0.05) TNF-α than CON and MTAF. In conclusion, feeding an additional 2.5 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol or 0.19 mg/kg of aflatoxin with 8 mg/kg of fumonisins reduced the growth of pigs. Deoxynivalenol compromised the hepatic function of pigs. Phytobiotics with adsorbent could partly overcome the detrimental effects of mycotoxins.

Mycotoxin Occurrence, Toxicity, and Detoxifying Agents in Pig Production with an Emphasis on Deoxynivalenol.

This review aimed to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins, their toxic effects, and the detoxifying agents discussed in scientific publications that are related to pig production. Mycotoxins that are of major interest are aflatoxins and Fusarium toxins, such as deoxynivalenol and fumonisins, because of their elevated frequency at a global scale and high occurrence in corn, which is the main feedstuff in pig diets. The toxic effects of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisins include immune modulation, disruption of intestinal barrier function, and cytotoxicity leading to cell death, which all result in impaired pig performance. Feed additives, such as mycotoxin-detoxifying agents, that are currently available often combine organic and inorganic sources to enhance their adsorbability, immune stimulation, or ability to render mycotoxins less toxic. In summary, mycotoxins present challenges to pig production globally because of their increasing occurrences in recent years and their toxic effects impairing the health and growth of pigs. Effective mycotoxin-detoxifying agents must be used to boost pig health and performance and to improve the sustainable use of crops.

Investigation of the efficacy of mycotoxin-detoxifying additive on health and growth of newly-weaned pigs under deoxynivalenol challenges.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of feeding diets naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol (supplemental 2 mg/kg) on health, growth, and the effects of a mycotoxindetoxifying additive in newly-weaned pigs. METHODS: Thirty-six pigs (27 day-old) were housed individually and assigned to 3 treatments for 5 weeks: CON (diet containing minimal deoxynivalenol), MT (diet with supplemental 1.9 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol), and MT+D (MT + mycotoxin-detoxifying additive, 0.2%, MegaFix, ICC, São Paulo, Brazil). The mycotoxin-detoxifying additive included bentonite, algae, enzymes, and yeast. Blood was taken at week 2 and 5. Jejunal tissue were taken at week 5. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. RESULTS: Pigs fed MT+D tended to have decreased (p = 0.056) averaged daily feed intake during week 1 than MT. At week 2, serum aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase in MT tended to be lower (p = 0.059) than CON, whereas it was increased (p< 0.05) for MT+D than MT, indicating hepatic damages in MT and recovery in MT+D. Pigs fed MT had lower (p<0.05) blood urea nitrogen/creatinine than CON, supporting hepatic damage. At week 5, pigs fed MT tended to have reduced (p = 0.079) glucose than CON, whereas it was increased (p<0.05) for MT+D than MT, indicating impaired intestinal glucose absorption in MT, which was improved in MT+D. Pigs fed CON tended to have increased (p = 0.057) total glutathione in jejunum than MT, indicating oxidative stress in MT. Pigs fed MT+D had a reduced (p<0.05) proportion of Ki-67-positive cells in jejunum than MT, indicating lower enterocyte proliferation in MT+D. CONCLUSION: Feeding supplemental 1.9 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol reduced growth and debilitated hepatic health of pigs, as seen in leakage of hepatic enzymes, impaired nitrogen metabolism, and increase in oxidative stress. The mycotoxin-detoxifying enhanced hepatic health and glucose levels, and attenuated gut damage in pigs fed deoxynivalenol contaminated diets.

Investigation of the Efficacy of a Postbiotic Yeast Cell Wall-Based Blend on Newly-Weaned Pigs under a Dietary Challenge of Multiple Mycotoxins with Emphasis on Deoxynivalenol.

Pigs are highly susceptible to mycotoxins. This study investigated the effects of a postbiotic yeast cell wall-based blend (PYCW; Nicholasville, KY, USA) on growth and health of newly-weaned pigs under dietary challenge of multiple mycotoxins. Forty-eight newly-weaned pigs (21 d old) were individually allotted to four dietary treatments, based on a three phase-feeding, in a randomized complete block design (sex; initial BW) with two factors for 36 d. Two factors were dietary mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol: 2000 µg/kg supplemented in three phases; and aflatoxin: 200 µg/kg supplemented only in phase 3) and PYCW (0.2%). Growth performance (weekly), blood serum (d 34), and jejunal mucosa immune and oxidative stress markers (d 36) data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS. Mycotoxins reduced (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) during the entire period whereas PYCW did not affect growth performance. Mycotoxins reduced (p < 0.05) serum protein, albumin, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase whereas PYCW decreased (p < 0.05) serum creatine phosphokinase. Neither mycotoxins nor PYCW affected pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage markers in the jejunal mucosa. No interaction was observed indicating that PYCW improved hepatic enzymes regardless of mycotoxin challenge. In conclusion, deoxynivalenol (2000 µg/kg, for 7 to 25 kg body weight) and aflatoxin B1 (200 µg/kg, for 16 to 25 kg body weight) impaired growth performance and nutrient digestibility of newly-weaned pigs, whereas PYCW could partially improve health of pigs regardless of mycotoxin challenge.

Efficacy of Mycotoxin Detoxifiers on Health and Growth of Newly-Weaned Pigs under Chronic Dietary Challenge of Deoxynivalenol.

The efficacy of yeast-based mycotoxin detoxifiers on health and growth performance of newly-weaned pigs (27-d-old) fed diets naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol was investigated. Sixty pigs were individually assigned to five treatments for 34 d: NC (negative control, 1.2 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol); PC (positive control, 3.2 mg/kg of deoxynivalenol); CYC (PC + clay/yeast culture-based product, 0.2%); CYE (PC + clay/yeast cell wall/plant extracts/antioxidants-based product, 0.2%); and CYB (PC + clay/inactivated yeast/botanicals/antioxidants-based product, 0.2%). Blood and jejunal mucosa were sampled, and data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS with pre-planned contrasts. Deoxynivalenol reduced the average daily gain (ADG) in phase 3. Pigs fed CYC had greater overall ADG, average daily feed intake during phase 3, and gain to feed ratio during phase 2 than PC. At d 14, deoxynivalenol reduced blood urea nitrogen/creatinine and tended to reduce blood urea nitrogen. Pigs fed CYB tended to have greater aspartate aminotransferase than PC. At d 34, pigs fed CYC and CYB tended to have lower serum creatine phosphokinase than PC. Pigs fed CYE had lower blood urea nitrogen/creatinine than PC. In jejunal mucosa, deoxynivalenol tended to increase malondialdehydes and decrease glutathione. Pigs fed CYE and CYB had lower malondialdehydes, pigs fed CYB had greater glutathione and tended to have lower immunoglobulin A than PC. Pigs fed CYC and CYE tended to have lower interleukin 8 than PC. In summary, deoxynivalenol challenge (1.2 vs. 3.2 mg/kg) mildly compromised growth performance and increased the oxidative stress of pigs. Mycotoxin detoxifiers could partially overcome deoxynivalenol toxicity enhancing liver health, whereas CYE and CYB reduced oxidative stress, and CYC and CYB reduced immune activation. In conclusion, yeast-based detoxifiers with functional components as clay/inactivated yeast/botanicals/antioxidants had increased detoxifying properties in newly-weaned pigs challenged with deoxynivalenol, potentially by enhancing adsorbability, immune function, gut health, and reducing oxidative stress.

Efficacy of a Yeast Cell Wall Extract to Mitigate the Effect of Naturally Co-Occurring Mycotoxins Contaminating Feed Ingredients Fed to Young Pigs: Impact on Gut Health, Microbiome, and Growth.

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and are potentially toxic to pigs. Yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) is known to adsorb mycotoxins and improve gut health in pigs. One hundred and twenty growing (56 kg; experiment 1) and 48 nursery piglets (6 kg; experiment 2) were assigned to four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design for 35 and 48 days, respectively. Factors were mycotoxins (no addition versus experiment 1: 180 µg/kg aflatoxins and 14 mg/kg fumonisins; or experiment 2: 180 µg/kg aflatoxins and 9 mg/kg fumonisins, and 1 mg/kg deoxynivalenol) and YCWE (0% versus 0.2%). Growth performance, blood, gut health and microbiome, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) data were evaluated. In experiment 1, mycotoxins reduced ADG and G:F, and duodenal IgG, whereas in jejunum, YCWE increased IgG and reduced villus width. In experiment 2, mycotoxins reduced BW, ADG, and ADFI. Mycotoxins reduced ADG, which was recovered by YCWE. Mycotoxins reduced the AID of nutrients evaluated and increased protein carbonyl, whereas mycotoxins and YCWE increased the AID of the nutrients and reduced protein carbonyl. Mycotoxins reduced villus height, proportion of Ki-67-positive cells, and increased IgA and the proportion of bacteria with mycotoxin-degrading ability, whereas YCWE tended to increase villus height and reduced IgA and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in jejunum. The YCWE effects were more evident in promoting gut health and growth in nursery pigs, which showed higher susceptibility to mycotoxin effects.

Alternatives to antibiotics in diets of weaned piglets / Alternativas de antibióticos para leitões desmamados

ABSTRACT: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of growth promoter additives an alternative to antibiotics on performance, intestinal morphology and on microbiota of 21-to-35-day-old piglets. A total of 160 commercial crossbred piglets (males and females) with initial weight of 6.10±0.709kg were allotted in a completely randomized design with five treatments: Basal diet - Negative Control (NC); Basal diet + antibiotic (PC); Basal diet + mannanoligosaccharides (MOS); Basal diet + organic acids (OA), Basal diet + mannanoligosacharides + organic acids (MOS+OA), eight replicates and four piglets per experimental unit. The inclusion of additives in the diets had no effect (P>0.05) on the final average weight of piglets. Similarly, no effects (P<0.05) were observed on average daily feed intake and on average daily weight gain. The feed conversion improved (P<0.01) with the inclusion of additives in the diets compared to piglets fed with the NC. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the dietary additives on intestinal morphology and microbiota composition (enterobacteria and lactobacilli). Use of antibiotics, prebiotics, organic acids or prebiotics associated with organic acids in the diet improves feed conversion of piglets from 21 to 35 days of age. The additives have no major effects on piglets' intestinal morphology and microbiota.

RESUMO: O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de aditivos promotores de crescimento como alternativa ao uso de antibióticos no desempenho, na morfologia intestinal e na microbiota de leitões dos 21 aos 35 dias de idade. Um total de 160 leitões híbridos comerciais, machos castrados e fêmeas, com peso inicial de 6,10±0,709kg, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos: Ração basal - Controle Negativo (CN); Ração basal + antibiótico (CP); Ração basal +mananoligossacarídeo (MOS); Ração basal + ácido orgânico (AO); Ração basal + mananoligossacarídeo + ácido orgânico (MOS+AO), oito repetições e quarto animais por unidade experimental. A inclusão dos aditivos não teve efeito (P>0,05) no peso médio final dos leitões. Da mesma forma, não foram observados efeitos (P>0,05) dos aditivos no consumo de ração médio diário. A conversão alimentar melhorou (P<0,01) com a inclusão dos aditivos na ração comparados com os animais alimentados com a ração CN. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) dos aditivos na morfologia do epitélio intestinal e na composição da microbiota (enterobactérias e lactobacilos). A utilização de antibiótico, probióticos, ácidos orgânicos ou de probióticos associado com ácidos orgânicos na ração melhora a conversão alimentar de leitões, dos 21 aos 34 dias de idade. Os aditivos não tiveram efeitos na morfologia intestinal e na microbiota dos leitões.