Influence of fiber type and carbohydrase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, energy and nitrogen balance, and physiology of sows at mid and late gestation.

Carbohydrase supplementation in grow-finish pig diets improves energy, nutrient digestibility, and gastrointestinal function, but their efficacy in gestation diets is understudied. The experimental objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicarbohydrase to improve digestion, energetics, and various physiological functions in gestating sows fed soluble and insoluble fiber diets. On day 28 of gestation, 36 sows (186 ±â€…4.6 kg body weight), blocked by parity, were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments (n = 9). Factors included fiber type of insoluble (IF; 20% dried distiller grains with solubles) or soluble fiber (SF; 20% sugar beet pulp) and with (+) or without (-) enzyme (0.05%, Rovabio Advance P10; Adisseo, Antony, France). Diets were fed from days 28 to 109 of gestation at a feeding level of 2.1 kg (SID-Lys 11 g/d and 4.5 net energy-Mcal/d). Two separate 9-d metabolism periods were conducted on days 50 to 59 (mid) and 99 to 108 (late) of gestation. During each period, days 1 to 3 served as an adaptation period, days 4 to 7 total urine and feces were collected (96-h) and followed by a 48-h lactulose-mannitol study. Serum and plasma were collected on days 50 and 99. Data were analyzed as repeated records using a linear mixed model with block as a random effect and fiber type, enzyme, and period and their interactions as fixed effects. Sows fed SF+ had increased serum IL-1ra (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.035), and IL-2 (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.042). In the presence of IF, multicarbohydrases increased serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, but not when supplemented with SF (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.028). Circulating IL-8 and TNF-α were decreased in sows fed multicarbohydrases (P < 0.05). Multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter, and neutral detergent fiber by 2.8%, 3.4%, and 8.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared to IF-, the ATTD of hemicellulose was 5.3% greater in sows fed IF+ but did not differ from SF- and SF+ (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.037). Sows fed IF+ had the greatest ATTD of insoluble dietary fiber (Fiber × Enzyme P = 0.011). Sows fed multicarbohydrases excreted less energy in their urine (519 vs. 469 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.033) and in their feces (985 vs. 900 GE kcal/d; Enzyme P = 0.003). This resulted in an improvement in both digestible energy (Enzyme P < 0.01) and metabolizable energy (Enzyme P = 0.041), irrespective of fiber type. In conclusion, multicarbohydrase supplementation increased the digestibility and energetic contribution of fiber, irrespective of adaptation time or fiber type, but modulation of inflammatory responses was unique to dietary fiber type.

This study evaluated the effects and mechanisms of supplementing multicarbohydrases to gestating sow diets containing either corn-dried distiller grains or sugar beet pulp fibrous co-products. Findings revealed significant energy, dry matter, and fiber digestibility enhancements with carbohydrase supplementation, irrespective of adaptation time. However, the interaction between enzyme supplementation and fiber type led to distinct immune marker responses. Specifically, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and interleukin-2 responses differed based on the presence of insoluble or soluble fiber. Sows in late gestation have greater nutrient and energy digestibility and altered nitrogen balance relative to day 50 of gestation. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating carbohydrases into gestating sow diets to improve nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency. Moreover, the study underscores the intricate interplay between enzyme supplementation, adaptation time, dietary fiber characteristics, and immune responses, offering valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms governing sow physiology during gestation and the influence of enzyme supplementation.

Impact of water flow rate on finishing pig performance.

A survey of 23 South Dakota pork producers in 2019 reported that 68% of the waterers in finishing barns had water flow rates above the recommended rate of 500-1,000 mL/min. The objective of the two studies was to determine the impact of water flow rate on finishing pig performance in the summer months. Study 1 used a total of 396 pigs in two groups in a 77-day trial (35.0 to 104.3 kg BW) with 6 pigs/pen and 1 cup waterer/pen. Study 2, conducted in a commercial style barn, used a total of 1,227 pigs in an 84-day trial (60.9 to 117.4 kg BW) with 26 pigs/pen and 2 cup waters/pen. Pens were assigned to one of three water flow rates (high, medium, low) based on the 3-hole settings of the water nipples (2.0, 1.0, and 0.8 mm; n = 22 and 16 pens/treatment for Study 1 and 2, respectively). Room temperature, outside temperature and relative humidity were recorded daily for both studies. In Study 1, water disappearance was recorded daily, and individual pen water flow rates were recorded every two weeks. At every diet phase change (26 ±â€…2.6 days), feed disappearance and individual pig body weights were recorded. Water flow rates averaged 1856 ±â€…188, 906 ±â€…214, 508 ±â€…100 mL/min for high, medium, and low flow settings, respectively. In Study 2, individual pen water flow rate, water disappearance, BW, and feed disappearance were recorded every two weeks. Water flow rates averaged 1115 ±â€…98, 906 ±â€…209, and 605 ±â€…203 mL/min for high, medium, and low flow settings, respectively. In both studies, there were no differences in final BW, cumulative ADG, or G:F. Due to the variability of water flow rate within a setting, data was further analyzed using regression with flow rate as the independent variable. Apart from average daily water disappearance (adj. R 2 = 0.87), there was a low relationship between pig performance and water flow rate (adj. R 2 < 0.09). The low R 2 values associated with pig performance and the high association with water disappearance suggests that water flow rate above current recommendations has little impact on finishing pig performance but does contribute to water wastage and its associated costs.

Is there coronary artery disease in the cancer patient who manifests with chest pain, shortness of breath and/or tachycardia? A retrospective observational cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer therapies lead to chest pain (CP), shortness of breath (SOB), and/or tachydysrhythmias (TACH Y) requiring cardiac risk stratification including coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). We posit that cancer patients with CP, SOB and/or TACH Y have greater odds of having coronary artery disease (CAD) identified by CCTA than those that do not. METHODS: Eligibility for this IRB-approved retrospective observational cohort included those with cancer that had CCTA performed. Groups were stratified with and without CP, SOB, and/or TACH Y. Electronic medical records were mined for appropriate CPT codes from 01012010 to 08312013. Demographics, cancer type, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Standard t tests, odds ratios, and frequencies were used. RESULTS: Of 176 participants identified; 84 were male (48 %) and 118 were Caucasian (67 %). Of those, 100/176 (57 %) had CP, SOB, and/or TACH Y; 72/100 (72 %) had CP; 10/100 (10 %) had TACH Y; and 18/100 (18 %) had SOB. Of the 72 with CP, 40 (56 %) had CAD; of the 10 with TACH Y, 6 (60 %) had CAD; of the 18 with SOB, and 10 (56 %) had CAD. Thus, a 2.6-fold increased odds of having CAD (56/100 = 56 %) compared to 25/76 (33 %) in the group with cancer without CP, SOB, and/or TACH Y (95 % CI = 1.40 to 4.83; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Cancer patients with CP, SOB, and/or TACH Y have a 2.6-fold increased odds of having CAD compared to cancer patients without CP, SOB, and/or TACH Y (95 % CI = 1.40 to 4.83; p = 0.003).