Effects of dietary fibre on metabolism and performance in sows.

The etiology of Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) includes stress οn preparturition and constipation associated with low water intake or low fiber intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a raw crude fibre concentrate (Arbocel®) on sow's metabolism and performance. 100 sows from a farm suffering from PDS, were divided into two groups, with equal distribu- tion of their parity (1 to 5 parity): a) T1 group (control group): 50 sows were fed with regular gestation feed (GF), pre-farrowing feed (PFF), and lactation feed (LF), b) T2 group: 50 sows were fed with regular GF, PFF and LF supplemented with topdress Arbocel® from 104th day of gestation until 7th day of lactation). Health parameters [faeces score (FS), PDS score (PDSS), body condition score (BCS)], performance parameters and liter characteristics were recorded. Blood samples were collected from 25 sows / group (5 sows per parity) 24 h after birth of last piglet and on 14th day of lactation for the evaluation of insulin, leptin and ghrelin levels in the serum, using commercial ELISA kits. In T2 group, BCS at farrowing (p⟨0.001), FS (p=0.001) and PDSS (p=0.003) were improved significantly. The number of piglets stillborn and dead due to crushing decreased (p=0.001), while the number of liveborn (p=0.016) and weaned piglets (p=0.001) increased in T2 group. Moreover, in T2 group, the BW of piglets at weaning was higher (p⟨0.001). A significant increase of insulin (p=0.032) and leptin (p=0.032) levels in serum was noticed in T2 group 24 h after farrowing. In conclusion, the supplementation of extra crude fibre in breeding stock with PDS problems due to nutritional imbalance has beneficial effects on their health and performance.

Evaluation of in-feed larch sawdust anti-inflammatory effect in sows.

The study aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory activity of larch sawdust as feed supplement in lactating sows' diet and its possible effect on the prevalence of Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome under field conditions. In a Greek farrow-to-finish pig farm, fifteen sows were randomly and equally allocated to a negative control group (NC group), a positive control group (PC group), and a treatment group (LT group). The animals of the first two groups received 99% basic diet and 1% corn starch, while LT group animals received 99% basic diet and 1% larch sawdust. The whole trial period lasted 35 days (7 days prior to farrow - day of weaning). At parturition day, animals of the PC group received 2 ml of an anti-inflammatory drug intramuscularly (meloxicam, Metacam®, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica), while the animals of both other groups, received 2 ml of normal saline. Results showed insignificant differences among experimental groups for parameters such as post-partum rectal temperature and piglets performance. On the contrary, a significant increase of mean milk lactation index was observed in LT and PC groups on the 4th day of lactation period, when compared with NC group (p=0.014). Additionally, mean IL-6 concentrations in blood in the LT group showed a tendency for reduction when compared with those found in NC, and insignificant difference (p>0.05) when compared with those observed in PC group 24 hours postpartum. Moreover, the respective TNFα mean level in the LT group at 24 and 72 hours after parturition was similar to that found in PC group, respectively) and significantly lower than that determined in the NC group (p=0.003, p=0.024. The results suggest a possible anti-inflammatory effect of larch sawdust in sows.

A feed additive containing Bacillus toyonensis (Toyocerin(®) ) protects against enteric pathogens in postweaning piglets.

AIMS: This study evaluated the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus toyonensis spores (Toyocerin(®) ) in postweaning piglets against enteric pathogens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven hundred and ninety-two healthy weaning pigs of a commercial farrow-to-finish pig farm were used. The negative control group fed without Toyocerin(®) and two experimental groups fed similar to the negative control group, but supplemented with Toyocerin(®) at t 500 mg kg(-1) diet (Toyocerin 500 group) and 1000 mg kg(-1) diet (Toyocerin 1000 group), respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in morbidity and mortality rate between groups was noticed. The Toyocerin groups showed higher body weight (P < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio compared to the negative control group. Diarrhoea score was less in both Toyocerin groups than negative control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the use of Toyocerin(®) at 1000 mg kg(-1) diet resulted in higher average daily feed intake compared to other groups (P < 0.05), reduction of some enteric pathogens and increase of the number of lactic acid bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Toyocerin(®) in weaning pigs, especially at 1000 mg kg(-1) diet, improved their health and growth performance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows that a feed additive containing B. toyonensis (Toyocerin(®) ) protects against enteric pathogens in postweaning piglets when fed this additive at a proper dose. The use of Toyocerin(®) at 1000 mg kg(-1) diet resulted in higher average daily feed intake, decrease of some enteric pathogens and higher number of lactic acid bacteria. The effect of the probiotic in other age groups remains to be established.

Clinical evaluation of intradermal vaccination against porcine enzootic pneumonia (Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of single-dose intradermal vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on a commercial swine unit. A total of 1051 healthy suckling piglets of 28±3 days of age were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: (a) intradermal: 346 piglets vaccinated intradermally (Porcilis M Hyo ID Once, Intervet SPAH), (b) intramuscular : 351 piglets vaccinated intramuscularly (Porcilis M1 Intervet SPAH) and (c) controls: 354 piglets injected with a placebo (adjuvant only). Performance parameters such as average daily weight gain (ADG), as well as health parameters and lung lesion scores were monitored from four weeks of age until slaughter. The improvement in ADG over the controls, during the finishing phase, was 27 g/day for the intradermal group and 17 g/day for the intramuscular group. Both intradermal and intramuscular vaccinations were effective in reducing clinical signs and lung lesions caused by M hyopneumoniae. Compared with the controls, approximately 10.4 per cent fewer clinical cases were diagnosed in the intradermal group, and 6 per cent fewer in the intramuscular group, during the finishing period. In conclusion, performance results were better in the vaccinated groups than in the control group, while intradermal vaccination afforded greater protection than intramuscular vaccination, especially with regard to morbidity, lung lesion and pleuritis scores.

Effect of benzoic acid and combination of benzoic acid with a probiotic containing Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi in weaned pig nutrition.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores (Toyocerin) and benzoic acid (VevoVitall) on growth performance and diarrhoea in weaning pigs, against negative controls. The trial groups were as follows: (a) NC group (Negative Controls): No treatment (b) TOYO group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores/kg feed, (c) BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus VevoVitall at a dose of 5 g/kg feed (5000 ppm benzoic acid) and (d) TOYO+BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and VevoVitall at a dose of 5 g/kg feed. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that administration of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores at 1 x 10(9)/kg feed or benzoic acid at a dose of 5000 ppm or the combination of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and 5000 ppm of benzoic acid/kg feed, improved the growth performance parameters and reduced the severity of diarrhoea in weaning pigs.

Effect of Origanum vulgaris and Allium sativum extracts for the control of proliferative enteropathy in weaning pigs.

The aim of the present trial was to investigate the efficacy of Virbamix PE (Virbac SA, France) an appetite enhancer and feed flavouring material containing plant extracts of Origanum vulgaris and Allium sativum, added to the feed at one single dose in the control of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in weaning pigs, in comparison to reference treatment with tiamulin (Tiamutine 6.5 Premix/Ceva Animal Health) group and a negative control group. The trial was conducted on a farm with a previous history of ileitis outbreaks. At weaning day (25 +/- 3 days old / day 0 of the trial) a total of 288 (144 male + 144 female) piglets were selected and allocated into three experimental groups, each group comprising of four pens with 24 piglets in each pen. Group 1 (T1 group) served as negative control group (unmedicated), group T2 received medication in feed at the dose of 1 kg Virbamix PE per tonne of feed and T3 group received 32 ppm of tiamulin. Treatments lasted for six weeks (up to the age of 67 +/- 3 days), and no other antibacterial or growth promoter was added to the feed or drinking water in the same period. Administration of Virbamix PE was found to be effective for the control of PE, as shown by the reduction of prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in the intestine at the end of the treatment period, as determined by PCR method comparatively with the T1 group, while no significant difference was found between T2 and T3 groups. The diarrhoea score (DS) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the control group in comparison with T2 and T3 groups. However, no significant differences were noticed between T2 and T3 groups during the treatment period (P > 0.05). Treatment of piglets with Virbamix PE and Tiamutine 6.5 Premix resulted in significantly higher body weight and average daily gain (ADG) than in T1 group for the total treatment period (P < 0.05). Conclusively, the results of present study indicate that the use of Virbamix PE, could be an alternative and economic method for the control of PE. Moreover, the use of this product is in accordance with the contemporary consumer demands for more environmentally friendly pig production, satisfying at the same time the producer needs for increased and cost-effective performance.

First experience on the effect of in-feed lincomycin for the control of proliferative enteropathy in growing pigs.

This trial's aim was to evaluate the effect of in-feed lincomycin for the control of proliferative enteropathy (PE; also known as ileitis) in growing pigs, in which it is associated with significant morbidity levels. Investigation regarding the efficacy of this substance in growing pigs has never been carried out before in a field trial. The trial farm had a previous history of PE outbreaks. On day 1 of the trial (age of 62 +/- 1.5 days), 240 pigs were divided into two groups of 120 pigs/group which were allocated into five pens of 24 pigs each. Therefore, a randomized block design was used with two experimental groups (T1-T2) and five replicates (pens) per group. T1 group served as negative control (NC) animals which were receiving no medication and conversely T2 group received in-feed lincomycin at the dose of 110 mg/kg of feed. The treatment period lasted for 3 weeks, followed by an observation period of 4 weeks up to the age of 111 +/- 1.5 days which was the end of the grower stage. Administration of lincomycin at a dose of 110 mg/kg of feed had beneficial effects compared with the NC group. The pigs of T2 group showed significant improvement of their production parameters in terms of average daily body gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) not only during the treatment period (ADG: 0.515 +/- 0.050 versus 0.481 +/- 0.071 and FCR: 2.38 +/- 0.05 versus 2.56 +/- 0.08, for T2 and T1 groups respectively), but also during the remaining period until the end of the grower stage (observation period: ADG: 0.687 +/- 0.019 versus 0.646 +/- 0.044 and FCR: 2.58 +/- 0.02 versus 2.74 +/- 0.02 respectively). Other effects in the T2 group refer to the reduction of diarrhoea prevalence (mean pen diarrhoea score during the whole grower stage: 0.200 +/- 0.060 versus 0.632 +/- 0.041 respectively), morbidity rates (morbidity rates during the whole grower stage: 15.83% versus 45.00% respectively) and the reduction of Lawsonia intracellularis prevalence as shown by polymerase chain reaction diagnostic method (at the end of the treatment period: 10.0% versus 60.0% respectively). In conclusion, treatment with 110 mg lincomycin/kg of feed for 21 consecutive days had a beneficial effect on the control of PE in growing pigs.