New findings of intestinal alkaline phosphatase: effects on intestinal and organ health of piglets challenged with ETEC F4 (K88)

The aim of this study was to assess the addition of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) to diets on the count of bacterial populations, pH of digestive organ contents, histopathological description, proinflammatory markers, hepatic glycogen reserve, and diarrhoea incidence of piglets challenged with Escherichia coli. Sixty-four crossbred piglets (7.16±0.28 kg body weight, 25-days-old) were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomised block design: negative control (NC), NC + antibiotic (ANT), NC + 15 mg IAP, or NC + 30 mg IAP kg−1 of diet, eight replications of two piglets per experimental unit. All piglets were orally challenged with 6 mL of a solution containing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 at 106 CFU mL−1 at 15 days of experimentation. The study lasted for 19 days. At the end of the experimental period, the piglets were slaughtered (six animals per treatment). Enterobacteriaceae in caecum and colon was lower in piglets on 30 mg IAP than with ANT and NC, ANT or 15 mg IAP, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae adhered to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) was greater in piglets fed ANT than the other treatments. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in caecum was greater in piglets fed NC and ANT. In MLN, LAB count was greater in ANT and 30 mg IAP-fed piglets compared with 15 mg IAP. Piglets in 30 mg IAP in diet showed a tendency for lowering tissue necrosis compared with NC or ANT. Piglets fed 30 mg IAP showed a reduction in diarrhoea incidence in the pre- and post-challenge compared with 15 mg IAP and all other treatments, respectively. Based on the criteria, addition of 30 mg IAP to diet inhibits Enterobacteriaceae population and suggests a potential effect in mitigating intestinal injuries, as observed in piglets in the NC for some of the parameters investigated.(AU)

Dietary fiber and zinc additives on performance and intestinal health of Escherichia coli challenged piglets

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc oxide and a low level of encapsulated zinc oxide, with or without dietary fiber, on the performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 112 piglets were used, divided into four treatment groups: basal diet with zinc oxide (ZnO); basal diet with zinc oxide and dietary fiber (ZnO+DF); basal diet with encapsulated low zinc oxide (LZnOE); and basal diet with LZnOE and DF (LZnOE+DF). Piglets were challenged with E . coli K88 + , weighed weekly and the fecal score was evaluated daily. One pig per pen was slaughtered to evaluate the production of volatile fatty acids, intestinal microbial populations, intestinal morphology, and digestibility. The encapsulated zinc resulted in lower body weight and average daily gain, but, when associated with dietary fiber, had similar results to zinc oxide. Until 49 days of age, zinc oxide reduced diarrhoea ( p 0.05). At 63 days of age the piglets subjected to LZnOE+DF treatment had lower diarrhoea than the pigs subjected to LZnOE treatment but higher than the ZnO and the ZnO+DF groups. Final weight and incidence of diarrhoea of pigs receiving LZnOE was worse than ZnO. LZnOE associated with DF provided the same final weight of piglets from the ZnO group.

Dietary fiber and zinc additives on performance and intestinal health of Escherichia coli challenged piglets

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc oxide and a low level of encapsulated zinc oxide, with or without dietary fiber, on the performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets. A total of 112 piglets were used, divided into four treatment groups: basal diet with zinc oxide (ZnO); basal diet with zinc oxide and dietary fiber (ZnO+DF); basal diet with encapsulated low zinc oxide (LZnOE); and basal diet with LZnOE and DF (LZnOE+DF). Piglets were challenged with E . coli K88 + , weighed weekly and the fecal score was evaluated daily. One pig per pen was slaughtered to evaluate the production of volatile fatty acids, intestinal microbial populations, intestinal morphology, and digestibility. The encapsulated zinc resulted in lower body weight and average daily gain, but, when associated with dietary fiber, had similar results to zinc oxide. Until 49 days of age, zinc oxide reduced diarrhoea ( p 0.05). At 63 days of age the piglets subjected to LZnOE+DF treatment had lower diarrhoea than the pigs subjected to LZnOE treatment but higher than the ZnO and the ZnO+DF groups. Final weight and incidence of diarrhoea of pigs receiving LZnOE was worse than ZnO. LZnOE associated with DF provided the same final weight of piglets from the ZnO group.(AU)

Evaluation of a short-term ingestion of zearalenone, fumonisin, and aflatoxin mixture incorporated, at low concentration, into the diet of weanling piglets and the effect of an anti-mycotoxin feed additive / Avaliação tóxica de uma dieta multicontaminada com baixa concentração de zearalenona, fumonisina e aflatoxina em leitões recém desmamados e o efeito de um aditivo antimicotoxinas

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of short-term ingestion of a zearalenone, fumonisin, and aflatoxin mixture, at low concentration, into the diet of weanling piglets and to assess the protective efficacy of an anti-mycotoxin feed additive. For 21 days, piglets were exposed to control or multi-mycotoxin treatment with or without the anti-mycotoxin additive. Growth performance was measured after 21d. Blood samples were taken to serum biochemical analysis and for quantify levels of circulating mononuclear immune cells. Effects on organs weights and histological changes, and expression levels of COX-2 and TNF-α in the liver and jejunum were evaluated. Overall, the multi-mycotoxin treatment had no effect on measured variables, and no adverse histopathological changes in organs were observed. The total serum protein concentration was higher in animals that received the multi-mycotoxin treatment; however, levels remained within normal limits for weanling piglets. In conclusion, the short-term multi-mycotoxin mixture, at the dose levels evaluated in this study, seems not affect the health of weanling piglets through the evaluated parameters. The absence of toxicity associated with the multi-mycotoxin treatment rendered it impossible to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-mycotoxin additive.(AU)

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos tóxicos da ingestão simultânea de baixos níveis de zearalenona, fumonisina e aflatoxinas em uma dieta para leitões recém desmamados e avaliar a eficácia de um aditivo antimicotoxinas. Durante 21 dias, os leitões foram expostos aos tratamentos controle ou multicontaminado com ou sem a inclusão do aditivo antimicotoxina. O desempenho dos animais foi avaliado após 21d. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para análise bioquímica sérica e para quantificar os níveis de células imunes mononucleares circulantes. Foram avaliados os pesos e alterações histológicas dos órgãos e a expressão de COX-2 e TNF-α no fígado e no jejuno. Em geral, o tratamento com micotoxinas não teve efeito sobre as variáveis analisadas e não foram observadas alterações histopatológicas adversas nos órgãos. A concentração de proteína sérica total foi maior para os animais que receberam o tratamento com multimicotoxinas; no entanto, os níveis permaneceram dentro dos limites normais para leitões desmamados. A dieta multicontaminada com micotoxinas, na dose avaliada neste estudo, parece não afetar a saúde de leitões recém desmamados através dos parâmetros avaliados. A ausência de toxicidade associada ao tratamento com micotoxinas tornou impossível avaliar a eficácia do aditivo antimicotoxina.(AU)

Dietary Brazilian red pepper essential oil on pork meat quality and lipid oxidation / Óleo essencial de aroeira na qualidade da carne suína e oxidação lipídica

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pigs with diets containing increasing levels of Brazilian red pepper essential oil ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) on the physical attributes, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of precooked meat. Seventy-two weanling pigs (5.7±0.8kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design experiment with four treatments, six replicates per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit (pen). Animals were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500mg kg-1 Brazilian red pepper essential oil during the 35-d experimental period. At the end of the experiment, one animal per experimental unit (16.4±2.2kg) was slaughtered to sample Longissimus dorsi muscle for analysis. Dietary supplementation of Brazilian red pepper had no effect (P>0.05) on pork meat color, pH, cooking loss and shear force. Inclusion of essential oil in the diet provided a linear increase (P<0.05) of the saturated fatty acids content of L. dorsi, especially myristic (C14:0) and stearic (C18:0) fatty acids. Utilization of essential oil in pig diets reduced significantly the production of secondary lipid oxidation compounds measured as TBARS in raw pork meat (P<0.001) and immediately after cooking (P<0.001). However, during 8-d storage assay, the addition of essential oil in the diet did not protect pork meat lipids from oxidation. Therefore, Brazilian red pepper added to pig diets increased the saturated fatty acids content and reduced lipid oxidation in fresh meat and short-term heat treatment without affecting pork meat physical attributes.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição do óleo essencial de aroeira ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de suínos sobre as características físicas, composição química e oxidação lipídica da carne. Setenta e dois leitões recém-desmamados (5,7±0,8kg) foram utilizados em um experimento em blocos completos casualizados com quatro tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental (baia). Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta basal suplementada com 0, 500, 1,000 ou 1,500mg kg-1 de óleo essencial de aroeira durante 35 dias. Ao final do experimento, um animal por unidade experimental (16,4±2,2kg) foi abatido para coleta do músculo Longissimus dorsi para fim de análises. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) do óleo essencial de aroeira sobre cor, pH, perda de peso por cozimento e força de cisalhamento. A inclusão de níveis crescentes do óleo essencial de aroeira na dieta aumentou linearmente (P0,05) os lipídios da oxidação. Portanto, o óleo essencial de aroeira, adicionado às dietas para suínos, aumentou o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados e reduziu a oxidação lipídica na carne fresca e logo após cozimento, sem ocorrer efeitos sobre os parâmetros físicos da carne.

Dietary Brazilian red pepper essential oil on pork meat quality and lipid oxidation / Óleo essencial de aroeira na qualidade da carne suína e oxidação lipídica

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pigs with diets containing increasing levels of Brazilian red pepper essential oil ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) on the physical attributes, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of precooked meat. Seventy-two weanling pigs (5.7±0.8kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design experiment with four treatments, six replicates per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit (pen). Animals were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500mg kg-1 Brazilian red pepper essential oil during the 35-d experimental period. At the end of the experiment, one animal per experimental unit (16.4±2.2kg) was slaughtered to sample Longissimus dorsi muscle for analysis. Dietary supplementation of Brazilian red pepper had no effect (P>0.05) on pork meat color, pH, cooking loss and shear force. Inclusion of essential oil in the diet provided a linear increase (P<0.05) of the saturated fatty acids content of L. dorsi, especially myristic (C14:0) and stearic (C18:0) fatty acids. Utilization of essential oil in pig diets reduced significantly the production of secondary lipid oxidation compounds measured as TBARS in raw pork meat (P<0.001) and immediately after cooking (P<0.001). However, during 8-d storage assay, the addition of essential oil in the diet did not protect pork meat lipids from oxidation. Therefore, Brazilian red pepper added to pig diets increased the saturated fatty acids content and reduced lipid oxidation in fresh meat and short-term heat treatment without affecting pork meat physical attributes. (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição do óleo essencial de aroeira ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de suínos sobre as características físicas, composição química e oxidação lipídica da carne. Setenta e dois leitões recém-desmamados (5,7±0,8kg) foram utilizados em um experimento em blocos completos casualizados com quatro tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental (baia). Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta basal suplementada com 0, 500, 1,000 ou 1,500mg kg-1 de óleo essencial de aroeira durante 35 dias. Ao final do experimento, um animal por unidade experimental (16,4±2,2kg) foi abatido para coleta do músculo Longissimus dorsi para fim de análises. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) do óleo essencial de aroeira sobre cor, pH, perda de peso por cozimento e força de cisalhamento. A inclusão de níveis crescentes do óleo essencial de aroeira na dieta aumentou linearmente (P<0,05) o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados do músculo dos suínos, principalmente, as concentrações de mirístico (C14:0) e esteárico (C18:0). Para as análises de TBARS, a inclusão de óleo essencial de aroeira reduziu, significativamente, a produção de compostos secundários da oxidação lipídica nas amostras de carne crua (P<0,001) e imediatamente após o cozimento (P<0,001). Entretanto, durante oito dias de armazenamento refrigerado, a adição do óleo essencial de aroeira não protegeu eficientemente (P>0,05) os lipídios da oxidação. Portanto, o óleo essencial de aroeira, adicionado às dietas para suínos, aumentou o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados e reduziu a oxidação lipídica na carne fresca e logo após cozimento, sem ocorrer efeitos sobre os parâmetros físicos da carne. (AU)

Dietary Brazilian red pepper essential oil on pork meat quality and lipid oxidation

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pigs with diets containing increasing levels of Brazilian red pepper essential oil ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) on the physical attributes, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of precooked meat. Seventy-two weanling pigs (5.7±0.8kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design experiment with four treatments, six replicates per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit (pen). Animals were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500mg kg-1 Brazilian red pepper essential oil during the 35-d experimental period. At the end of the experiment, one animal per experimental unit (16.4±2.2kg) was slaughtered to sample Longissimus dorsi muscle for analysis. Dietary supplementation of Brazilian red pepper had no effect (P>0.05) on pork meat color, pH, cooking loss and shear force. Inclusion of essential oil in the diet provided a linear increase (P 0.05) of the saturated fatty acids content of L. dorsi, especially myristic (C14:0) and stearic (C18:0) fatty acids. Utilization of essential oil in pig diets reduced significantly the production of secondary lipid oxidation compounds measured as TBARS in raw pork meat (P 0.001) and immediately after cooking (P 0.001). However, during 8-d storage assay, the addition of essential oil in the diet did not protect pork meat lipids from oxidation. Therefore, Brazilian red pepper added to pig diets increased the saturated fatty acids content and reduced lipid oxidation in fresh meat and short-term heat treatment without affecting pork meat physical attributes.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição do óleo essencial de aroeira ( Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de suínos sobre as características físicas, composição química e oxidação lipídica da carne. Setenta e dois leitões recém-desmamados (5,7±0,8kg) foram utilizados em um experimento em blocos completos casualizados com quatro tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental (baia). Os animais foram alimentados com uma dieta basal suplementada com 0, 500, 1,000 ou 1,500mg kg-1 de óleo essencial de aroeira durante 35 dias. Ao final do experimento, um animal por unidade experimental (16,4±2,2kg) foi abatido para coleta do músculo Longissimus dorsi para fim de análises. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) do óleo essencial de aroeira sobre cor, pH, perda de peso por cozimento e força de cisalhamento. A inclusão de níveis crescentes do óleo essencial de aroeira na dieta aumentou linearmente (P 0,05) o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados do músculo dos suínos, principalmente, as concentrações de mirístico (C14:0) e esteárico (C18:0). Para as análises de TBARS, a inclusão de óleo essencial de aroeira reduziu, significativamente, a produção de compostos secundários da oxidação lipídica nas amostras de carne crua (P 0,001) e imediatamente após o cozimento (P 0,001). Entretanto, durante oito dias de armazenamento refrigerado, a adição do óleo essencial de aroeira não protegeu eficientemente (P>0,05) os lipídios da oxidação. Portanto, o óleo essencial de aroeira, adicionado às dietas para suínos, aumentou o conteúdo de ácidos graxos saturados e reduziu a oxidação lipídica na carne fresca e logo após cozimento, sem ocorrer efeitos sobre os parâmetros físicos da carne.

Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters for weanling pigs / Alternativas aos antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho para leitões desmamados

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the addition of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides on weanling pig performance, digestive content pH, organ morphometry, and intestinal epithelial histology. A total of 90 piglets at 21 days of age and an average initial weight of 6.35±0.34kg were used. The piglets were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, six replicates, and three animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of the following: Control: basal diet without antibiotic; Antibiotic: basal diet with 40mg kg-1 colistin sulfate and Additive: 1000, 1500 and 2000mg kg-1 of a combination of sodium butyrate + plant extracts + nucleotides. The experiment lasted 35 days, at which time one animal was slaughtered to assess pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs and histology of the intestinal epithelium. No differences were found (P>0.05) in the performance, pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs or histology of the intestinal epithelium by the analysis of orthogonal polynomials or contrasts. The combination of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides not improved the productive characteristics of weanling pigs.(AU)

Foi conduzido um experimento para avaliar a adição de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos sobre desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria dos órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal de leitões desmamados. Foram utilizados 90 leitões, com idade média de 21 dias e peso médio inicial de 6,35±0,34kg. Os leitões foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados completos, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais consistiam de: Controle - dieta basal sem antibiótico; Antibiótico - dieta basal com 40mg kg-1 de sulfato de colistina; Aditivo: 1000, 1500 e 2000mg kg-1 de uma combinação de butirato de sódio + extrato vegetal + nucleotídeos. No 35o dia de experimentação, foi eutanasiado um animal por gaiola (unidade experimental) para avaliar o pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) para desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal por meio das análises de polinômios ortogonais ou mesmo pelos contrastes. A combinação de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos não melhorou as características produtivas de leitões desmamados.(AU)

Mesquite bean and cassava leaf in diets for Nile tilapia in growth / Farelos da vagem da algaroba e da folha da mandioca em rações para tilápia do Nilo em crescimento

This work evaluated the inclusion of mesquite bean bran (Prosopis juliflora) and cassava leaf bran (Manihot esculenta) in diets for Nile tilapia (85.22 ± 3.13 g). Three hundred and thirty-six fish were distributed in 28 fiberglass tanks (120 L) in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme for two sources of oil and four levels of bran (0, 5, 10 and 20%) (n = 4). After 60 days, growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, apparent feed conversion and survival rate) and fish body composition were evaluated. Heights and density of villi were measured for morphometric analysis of the intestinal mucosa. Animal performance, body composition and villi density were not affected (p > 0.05) by the source and level of inclusion of bran. There was a significant effect of the level of inclusion of bran on villi height, with a linear trend, indicating that the higher the inclusion levels of bran, the lower the height of the villi. The bran studied can be used in diets for Nile tilapia up to 20% without compromising growth performance and body composition change, but the presence of these by-products can result in a deleterious effect on fish villi.

Avaliou-se a inclusão dos farelos da vagem da algaroba (Prosopis juliflora) e folha da mandioca (Manihot esculenta) em rações para tilápia do Nilo (85,22 ± 3,13 g). Foram utilizados 336 peixes, distribuídos em 28 tanques (120 L), em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, duas fontes de óleo e quatro níveis de farelo (0, 5, 10 e 20%) (n = 4). Ao final de 60 dias, foram avaliados o desempenho zootécnico (consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar aparente e taxa de sobrevivência) e a composição da carcaça dos peixes. Para análise da histologia intestinal, foram mensuradas a altura e a densidade das vilosidades. O desempenho zootécnico, a composição da carcaça e a densidade das vilosidades intestinais não foram afetados (p > 0,05) pela fonte e nível de inclusão de farelo. Houve efeito significativo do nível de inclusão dos farelos sobre a altura das vilosidades intestinais, com comportamento linear decrescente, indicando que quanto maior o nível de inclusão de farelo, menor a altura das vilosidades. Os farelos estudados podem ser incluídos em até 20% em rações de tilápias do Nilo sem comprometer o desempenho zootécnico e alterar a composição corporal, no entanto, a presença destes coprodutos em rações pode resultar em efeito deletério sobre as vilosidades intestinais dos peixes.

Mesquite bean and cassava leaf in diets for Nile tilapia in growth - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i3.13175

This work evaluated the inclusion of mesquite bean bran (Prosopis juliflora) and cassava leaf bran (Manihot esculenta) in diets for Nile tilapia (85.22 ± 3.13 g). Three hundred and thirty-six fish were distributed in 28 fiberglass tanks (120 L) in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme for two sources of oil and four levels of bran (0, 5, 10 and 20%) (n = 4). After 60 days, growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, apparent feed conversion and survival rate) and fish body composition were evaluated. Heights and density of villi were measured for morphometric analysis of the intestinal mucosa. Animal performance, body composition and villi density were not affected (p > 0.05) by the source and level of inclusion of bran. There was a significant effect of the level of inclusion of bran on villi height, with a linear trend, indicating that the higher the inclusion levels of bran, the lower the height of the villi. The bran studied can be used in diets for Nile tilapia up to 20% without compromising growth performance and body composition change, but the presence of these by-products can result in a deleterious effect on fish villi.

Evaluation of a short-term ingestion of zearalenone, fumonisin, and aflatoxin mixture incorporated, at low concentration, into the diet of weanling piglets and the effect of an anti-mycotoxin feed additive / Avaliação tóxica de uma dieta multicontaminada com baixa concentração de zearalenona, fumonisina e aflatoxina em leitões recém desmamados e o efeito de um aditivo antimicotoxinas

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of short-term ingestion of a zearalenone, fumonisin, and aflatoxin mixture, at low concentration, into the diet of weanling piglets and to assess the protective efficacy of an anti-mycotoxin feed additive. For 21 days, piglets were exposed to control or multi-mycotoxin treatment with or without the anti-mycotoxin additive. Growth performance was measured after 21d. Blood samples were taken to serum biochemical analysis and for quantify levels of circulating mononuclear immune cells. Effects on organs weights and histological changes, and expression levels of COX-2 and TNF-α in the liver and jejunum were evaluated. Overall, the multi-mycotoxin treatment had no effect on measured variables, and no adverse histopathological changes in organs were observed. The total serum protein concentration was higher in animals that received the multi-mycotoxin treatment; however, levels remained within normal limits for weanling piglets. In conclusion, the short-term multi-mycotoxin mixture, at the dose levels evaluated in this study, seems not affect the health of weanling piglets through the evaluated parameters. The absence of toxicity associated with the multi-mycotoxin treatment rendered it impossible to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-mycotoxin additive.

Um experimento foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos tóxicos da ingestão simultânea de baixos níveis de zearalenona, fumonisina e aflatoxinas em uma dieta para leitões recém desmamados e avaliar a eficácia de um aditivo antimicotoxinas. Durante 21 dias, os leitões foram expostos aos tratamentos controle ou multicontaminado com ou sem a inclusão do aditivo antimicotoxina. O desempenho dos animais foi avaliado após 21d. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para análise bioquímica sérica e para quantificar os níveis de células imunes mononucleares circulantes. Foram avaliados os pesos e alterações histológicas dos órgãos e a expressão de COX-2 e TNF-α no fígado e no jejuno. Em geral, o tratamento com micotoxinas não teve efeito sobre as variáveis analisadas e não foram observadas alterações histopatológicas adversas nos órgãos. A concentração de proteína sérica total foi maior para os animais que receberam o tratamento com multimicotoxinas; no entanto, os níveis permaneceram dentro dos limites normais para leitões desmamados. A dieta multicontaminada com micotoxinas, na dose avaliada neste estudo, parece não afetar a saúde de leitões recém desmamados através dos parâmetros avaliados. A ausência de toxicidade associada ao tratamento com micotoxinas tornou impossível avaliar a eficácia do aditivo antimicotoxina.

Extratos vegetais como alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores do crescimento de leitões recém-desmamados / Herbal extracts as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters of weanling pigs

O uso de antimicrobianos como promotores do crescimento na alimentação animal tem proporcionado uma melhora considerável no desempenho animal. Porém, seu uso vem sendo proibido em diversos países e, face a esta restrição, tem-se buscado alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores do crescimento. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar extratos vegetais como alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores do crescimento de leitões recémdesmamados, por meio do desempenho e da morfometria de órgãos dos animais. Um experimento em blocos casualizados, com 35 dias de duração, foi realizado para testar cinco tratamentos: controle - ração basal; antimicrobiano - basal com colistina + tiamutin (75 ppm de cada); extrato de cravo (Ec) basal com 420 ppm de extrato vegetal (210 ppm de óleo essencial de cravo + 210 ppm do princípio ativo eugenol); extrato de orégano (Eo) basal com 420 ppm de extrato vegetal (210 ppm de óleo essencial de orégano + 210 ppm do princípio ativo carvacrol) e extrato de cravo + orégano (E c+ Eo) basal com 420 ppm de extrato vegetal (105 ppm de óleo essencial de cravo + 105 ppm de eugenol e 105 ppm de óleo essencial de orégano + 105 ppm de carvacrol), sendo todos os extratos vegetais encapsulados. Para o desempenho, foram utilizados 80 leitões, com idade média em torno de 24 dias e peso inicial de 7,19 ± 1,55, oito repetições por tratamento e dois animais por unidade experimental. Ao final do período experimental, um animal de cada baia, dos quatro primeiros blocos, foi abatido para morfometria de órgãos. Foram testados contrastes específicos de importância prática. No período de 1 a 14 dias, animais do tratamento antimicrobiano apresentaram melhor conversão alimentar (CA) que a média dos animais dos tratamentos com extratos (P=0,02), enquanto que animais do tratamento Ec apresentaram melhor CA que os do tratamento Eo (P=0,03). No período total, os animais do tratamento antimicrobiano apresentaram maior peso aos 35 dias (P35) (P=0,05) e ganho diário de peso (GDP) (P=0,06) que a média dos animais dos tratamentos com extratos. Os animais do tratamento Ec + Eo apresentaram maior P35 (P=0,02) e GDP (P=0,02) em relação à média dos animais dos outros tratamentos com extratos. Para a morfometria de órgãos os antimicrobianos proporcionaram maior peso relativo dos rins (P=0,01) em relação aos outros tratamentos de extratos. De modo geral, os antimicrobianos proporcionaram os melhores desempenhos de leitões em fase de creche. Quanto aos extratos vegetais, a combinação de Ec + Eo acarretou um desempenho muito próximo àquele obtido com os antimicrobianos, demonstrando ser uma alternativa promissora como promotor do crescimento de leitões recém-desmamados

The use of antimicrobial as growth promoters in the animal feed has been related to an increase on animal performance. However, due to the restriction of many countries to the use of antimicrobial as growth promoters, alternatives are being studied. So, the purpose of this work was to evaluate herbal extracts as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters of weanling pigs based on performance and organ weights. A 35-d randomized complete block design experiment was carried out to compare five treatments: control - basal diet; antimicrobial - basal diet with colistin + tiamutin (75 ppm of each); herbal extract of clove (Ec) basal diet with 420 ppm of herbal extract (210 ppm of essential oil of clove + 210 ppm of active compound eugenol); herbal extract of oregano (Eo) basal diet with 420 ppm of herbal extract (210 ppm of essential oil of oregano + 210 ppm of active compound carvacrol); and herbal extract of clove + oregano (Ec + Eo) basal diet with 420 ppm of herbal extract (105 ppm of essential oil of clove + 105 ppm of eugenol and 105 ppm of essential oil of oregano + 105 ppm of carvacrol ), being all the herbal extracts encapsulated. Eighty pigs (average age around 24 d and initial live weight of 7.19 ± 1.55 kg), eight replications per treatment, and two animals per experimental unit were used for performance data. At the end of experimental period, an animal per pen of first four blocks was slaughtered for organ morphometry data. Specific contrasts of practical importance were tested. For 1-14 d period, pigs fed antimicrobial showed better fed conversion (CA) than the mean of those fed herbal extract treatments (P=.02), while pigs fed Ec gave better CA than those fed Eo (P=.03). For the total period, pigs fed antimicrobial showed higher body weight at 35 days (P35) (P=.05) and average daily gain (GDP) (P=.06) than the mean of those fed herbal extracts. Pigs fed Ec + Eo gave higher P35 (P=.02) and GDP (P=.02) than the mean of those fed other herbal extract treatments. For the organ morphometry data, the antimicrobials provided a higher relative weight of kidneys (P=.01) than the mean of the other treatments with herbal extracts. Overall, antimicrobial agents provided the best performance of weanling pigs. Concerning to herbal extracts, the combination of clove and oregano provided performance close to that of pigs fed antimicrobials, showing that this combination can be a potential alternative as growth promoter of weanling pigs