Ultra-diluted complex additive in the diet reveals benefits in the intestinal tract of nursery-phase piglets.

This study aimed to assess an ultra-diluted (UD) complex, as a replacement for an antimicrobial growth promoter in diets, on growth performance, intestinal health, and inflammatory response of nursery piglets. The experiment lasted 37 days and involved 126 animals weaned at 21 ± 1.3 d, with an initial body weight of 5.62 ± 1.16 kg. Piglets were assigned to six dietary treatments in a randomized block design with seven replicates and three piglets per pen as experimental unit. The treatments were: positive control (PC)- basal diet + 120 mg/kg of chlorohydroxyquinoline; negative control (NC)- basal diet without additives; and NC containing 4.5; 6.0; 7.5 or 9.0 kg of UD additive/ton diet. Performance data were calculated, and daily diarrhea was observed. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. At the end of the experiment, one animal per pen was slaughtered for organ weighing, pH, and the collection of intestinal samples for histopathology. Feces and cecal contents were collected for microbiological and antibiogram analyses. There was no difference in the performance between the treatments. Throughout the study, UD levels were equal to those of PC for diarrhea occurrence. Higher levels of UD complex led to higher total leukocyte counts. The 4.5 treatment showed a reduction in total and thermotolerant Enterobacteriaceae populations in piglet feces and an increase in lactic acid bacteria compared to PC. All treatments resulted in fewer duodenal histopathological alterations than those in the NC group. The use of UD additives, especially at 4.5 kg/ton, is a good alternative to chlorohydroxyquinoline in piglet diets.

Autolyzed yeast and sodium butyrate supplemented alone to diets promoted improvements in performance, intestinal health and nutrient transporter in weaned piglets.

This study investigated the effects of supplemental nucleotides, autolyzed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and sodium butyrate in diets for nursery pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, blood profile, intestinal morphology, mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, inflammatory markers, antioxidant profile, and tight junction proteins in the small intestine. One hundred eighty 21-day-old pigs (5.17 ± 0.57 kg) were assigned in a randomized block design to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: (1) CON: control, basal diet, (2) NUC: CON + nucleotides, (3) YSC: CON + lysed yeast S. cerevisiae, (4) ASB: CON + acidifier sodium butyrate. Pigs were fed for 24 days, phase 1 (21-32 days) and 2 (32-45 days). During phase 1, YSC and ASB improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FC) compared with CON. At the overall period, ASB improved ADG and YSC improved FC compared with CON. The NUC diet did not affect growth performance. The ASB increased ileal villus height compared to CON. The YSC and ASB reduced the number of Peyer's patches in the ileum compared with CON. The YSC increased mRNA expression of nutrient transporters (SMCT2, MCT1, and PepT1), tight junction proteins (OCL and ZO-1), antioxidants (GPX), and IL1-ß in the jejunum compared with CON. The ASB increased mRNA expression of nutrient transporters (SGLT1 and MCT1), tight junction proteins (OCL and ZO-1), and antioxidants (GPX and SOD) compared with CON. In conclusion, autolyzed yeast and sodium butyrate promoted growth performance by improving the integrity of the intestinal barrier, the mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, and antioxidant enzymes in the jejunum of nursery pigs whereas supplementation of nucleotides did not show such effects.

Correction: Gonçalves Vero et al. Transport of Pigs of Two Market Weights at Two Space Allowances: Effects on Behaviour, Blood Parameters, and Meat Quality under Summer and Winter Conditions. Animals 2023, 13, 2767.

In the original publication [...].

Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix.

This review aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) influence intestinal health, as well as their effects on the nutrients and energy matrix in diets fed to poultry and pigs reared under sanitary challenging conditions. Enzyme supplementation can positively affect intestinal microbiota, immune system, and enhance antioxidant status. Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented. Immune system activation alters nutrient partitioning, which can affect the matrix values for exogenous enzymes on commercial farms. Notably, the carbohydrases and phytase supplementation under sanitary challenging conditions align with energy and nutritional valorization matrices. Studies conducted under commercial conditions have shown that matrices containing carbohydrases and phytase can maintain growth performance and health in poultry and pigs. However, these studies have predominantly focused on assessing a single level of reduction in energy and/or available phosphorus and total calcium, limiting our ability to quantify potential energy and nutrient savings in the diet. Future research should delve deeper into determining the extent of energy and nutrient savings and understanding the effects of alone or blended enzymes supplementation to achieve more specific insights.

Use of homeopathic products in pigs feed improves the percentage, quality and marbling of meat.

Studies and innovations on alternative feed additives, especially on homeopathic remedies have been highlighted in order to replace or reduce the use of antibiotics in pig production. This paper aimed to assess the addition of homeopathic products in pig diet and their effects on the growth performance, serum metabolites, nutrient and energy digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 60 immunocastrated male pigs, weighing on average 30.91 ± 0.95 kg, were distributed in two treatments, 10 replicates and three animals/experimental unit. There was no effect (P≥0.05) of treatment on the growth performance and serum metabolites. The percentage of acid-insoluble ash recovered in the diet was greater (P≤0.01) in diets containing homeopathic products. The apparent digestible energy of diets containing homeopathic products was reduced (P≤0.01) in the growing phase and reduced (P≤0.01) the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, soluble neutral and acid detergent fibers, and gross energy in the growing and finishing phases. Pig that received diets with homeopathic products had higher (P≤0.05) amount of meat, percentage of meat and marbling. The use of homeopathic products in diets improves the percentage and quality of meat, as well as the marbling of the pig carcass, maintaining the performance.

Effects of crude protein and non-essential amino acids on growth performance, blood profile, and intestinal health of weaned piglets.

This study investigated the effect of crude protein (CP) and non-essential amino acid (NEAA) supplementation on the growth performance, blood profile, intestinal morphology, mRNA relative abundance of inflammatory and antioxidant markers, and tight junction proteins in piglets over the first 2 weeks after weaning. Ninety 21-day-old piglets (7.55 ± 0.72 kg) were assigned in a randomized block design to one of three dietary treatments: (1) high CP, a diet with 24% CP; (2) low CP, a diet with 18% CP; and (3) low CP + NEAA, a diet with 18% CP supplemented with 5 g/kg Arg (L-arginine; purity >99%) and 10 g/kg Glu + Gln (minimum 10% L-glutamine and minimum 10% L-glutamate). Piglets were fed with corn-soybean meal basal diets in a 14-day trial. There was an improvement (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of piglets fed the high-CP diet compared to treatments with low CP or low CP + NEAA. Serum urea nitrogen was higher (p < 0.05) in piglets fed high CP compared to other dietary treatments. In the duodenum, the villus height of animals fed the low-CP + NEAA diets was greater (p < 0.05) than those fed with the high- and low-CP diets. The goblet cell proportion of piglets fed low CP + NEAA or high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to low CP. In the jejunum, the crypt depth of the piglets with the high-CP dietary treatment was greater (p < 0.05) in comparison with low CP + NEAA. In the jejunum, IFN-γ mRNA expression was higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed the high-CP diets compared to other dietary treatments. However, superoxide dismutase and occludin mRNA expression were higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed low CP + NEAA than in piglets on the high-CP diets. In the ileum, the number of Peyer's patches in piglets fed high CP was higher (p < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments. In conclusion, the high-CP diet (24% CP) improves the feed conversion of piglets in the first 2 weeks after weaning compared to the low-CP diet (18% CP) supplemented or not with NEAA. However, the low-CP diet supplemented with NEAA (Arg, Gln, and Glu) improves intestinal health in piglets by promoting greater villus height and proportion of goblet cells in the duodenum, reducing jejunal crypt depth, and reducing Peyer's number patches in the ileum. In addition, piglets that received the low-CP + NEAA diet showed an increase in superoxide dismutase and occludin and a lower expression of IFN-γ mRNA.

Transport of Pigs of Two Market Weights at Two Space Allowances: Effects on Behaviour, Blood Parameters, and Meat Quality under Summer and Winter Conditions.

This study was carried out through two separate experiments aiming at evaluating the effects of two space allowances (0.54 and 0.62 m2/pig in summer and 0.44 m2/pig and 0.50 m2/pig in winter) on the behavioural and physiological response, and meat quality of pigs of two slaughter weights (120 kg and 140 kg). In summer, higher blood haematocrit levels were found at slaughter in heavier pigs transported at a smaller space allowance (p = 0.04). During lairage, pigs transported at a smaller space allowance started fighting later (p = 0.04). Fighting behaviour was greater in heavier pigs (p ≤ 0.05), whilst their drinking activity was lower (p < 0.05). This resulted in greater exsanguination blood CK levels (p < 0.01) and drier hams (p = 0.05) in heavier pigs. In winter, only lower space allowance influenced some meat quality traits (p < 0.05), but these effects were minor. The effects of space allowance during summer transports on within-truck ambient conditions, post-transport pigs' welfare, and meat quality are similar. Mixing heavier pigs may result in greater aggressiveness and more fatigue-related meat quality variation during summer. Overall, winter transport results may have been biased by the short journey and within-truck load distribution.

ß-mannanase supplemented in diets saved 85 to 100 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg, supporting growth performance and improving nutrient digestibility in grower pigs.

The effects of ß-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase were investigated on growth performance, fecal score, ultra-sounded backfat thickness and loin depth, blood profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, and fecal microbiome in grower pigs (n = 40, 26.09 ± 0.96 kg) randomly assigned within 4 treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100). Growth performance was not affected in pigs fed ME-reduced diets containing ß-mannanase. Pigs with CD100 had lower serum IL-1ß concentration, and higher IL-10 was observed in pigs on CD0 than those fed ß-mannanase. Coefficients of ATTD, and ATTD of DM and CP were higher in animals fed CD85 or CD100. Pigs with CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness but lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio. Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae were more abundant in pigs fed CD0, but lower for Christensenellaceae NSJ-63 and NSJ-63 sp014384805. Pigs in CD85 showed higher Bacteroidaceae and Prevotella abundance, and lower for Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus. In conclusion, supplementation of ß-mannanase in diets containing xylanase-phytase saved 85 to 100 kcal of ME/kg by supporting growth performance and improving nutrient digestibility in grower pigs.

ß-mannanase supplementation in diets reduced in 85 kcal metabolizable energy/kg containing xylanase-phytase improves gain to feed ratio, nutrient usage, and backfat thickness in finisher pigs.

This study aimed to assess the effects of ß-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase on performance, fecal score, blood biochemical and immunological profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, fecal microbiome, carcass traits and meat quality in finisher pigs (n = 40 entire male hybrid, 26.0 ± 0.9 kg) randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + ß-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100), with 10 pen replicates. Pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater ADFI. However, pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.009) lower G:F than those provided CD70 or CD85 diets. A greater (P < 0.001) superoxide dismutase concentration was observed in pigs fed CD70 diet. Pigs fed CD85 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater digestible protein than pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets. Pigs fed CD70 diet showed an increase of 11.3% in digestible protein than those fed CD0 diet. In addition, greater (P < 0.001) digestible energy was observed in pigs fed CD85 diet. Pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets showed greater (P < 0.05) Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio than those fed CD85 diet. The Muribaculaceae was more abundant (P = 0.030) in pigs fed CD70 diet than in those fed CD0 diet. The Prevotella was more abundant (P = 0.045) in pigs fed CD85 diet than in those fed CD100 diet. In conclusion, ß-mannanase supplementation in diets containing xylanase-phytase allows reducing 85 kcal of ME/kg because it improves gain to feed ratio, energy and protein usage, and backfat thickness without metabolic and intestinal ecosystem disorders in finisher pigs.

Determinant production factors to the in vitro organic matter digestibility and protein oxidation of poultry by-product meal.

The quality of poultry by-product meal (PBM) is not standardized in the industry. Several factors are detrimental to PBM and compromise its nutritional value and shelf life. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the main PBM production factors that directly affect its in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVDOM) and protein oxidation (POX). Data on the processing of PBM samples (n = 100) were recorded in a rendering plant. Two types of PBM were used: 1) Low ash (LA, n = 66) with mineral matter (MM) content of 11% and 2) High ash (HA, n = 34) with MM above 11%. Processing traits and chemical composition of PBM were considered independent variables. The IVDOM and POX were determined in each sample and considered dependent variables. Data on independent variables were submitted to factorial and principal components (PC) analyses. In vitro organic matter digestibility data were clustered (P = 0.001) in low (778.92 g/kg), average (822.85 g/kg), and high (890.06 g/kg). The best arrangement was composed of six independent variables distributed in two PC, which explained 82.10% of the total variation. The ash concentration, oil to raw material ratio, collagen, and crude protein comprised PC1 with greater relevance and explained 58.46% of the total variance. The PC2 was composed of the processing time and temperature and explained 23.64% of the total variance. Protein oxidation data were clustered (P < 0.001) in low (265.19 nmol/mg CP), average (393.07 nmol/mg CP), and high (524.40 nmol/mg CP). Based on our results, the composition of the raw material from the slaughterhouse holds most of the information on PBM composition and digestibility. Developing improvements in the slaughtering or in the screening of the raw material that will be used by the rendering process is important to obtain a more nutritionally standardized ingredient.

Blend of essential oils can reduce diarrheal disorders and improve liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to assess the effects of different doses of an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), hematological and blood biochemical profile, intestinal morphometry, morphology and microbiology, relative weight and length of organs, digestive content pH, and liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets. METHODS: A total of 135 barrows (7.09±0.29 kg body weight) were allotted randomly in a randomized complete block design based on body weight with nine replications and three animals per pen. Dietary treatments were a negative control (NC): basal diet; positive control (PC): NC plus 125 mg performance-enhancing antibiotic (enramycin 8%)/kg diet; NC plus 100 mg EOB/kg diet (EO100); NC plus 200 mg EOB/kg diet (EO200); and NC plus 400 mg EOB/kg diet (EO400). Diarrhea occurrence was monitored daily, and performance at the end of each phase. RESULTS: Gain to feed ratio was greater (p<0.05) in starter II pigs fed EO400 and EO200 than in those fed EO100. Pigs fed EO400 had lower (p<0.05) DO than those fed NC and EO100 in the total period. Pre-starter II pigs fed NC had (p<0.05) lower serum total protein and plasma protein than pigs fed PC. Pigs fed EO100 showed smaller (p<0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than pigs fed EO400. Starter II pigs fed EO400 had (p<0.05) greater MCV and lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin and erythrocytes than those fed EO100. There was a greater concentration (p<0.05) of band cells for PC, similar to EO400 and EO200. Performance-enhancing antibiotic and EOB to diets increased (p<0.05) liver superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSION: Adding 200 and 400 mg EOB/kg diet decreased DO and was advantageous to hematological and blood biochemical profile and liver antioxidant status without being detrimental to growth performance and gastrointestinal health in nursery pigs.

Homeopathic Products as a Complementary Dietary Additive for Pigs in their Growing and Finishing Phases.

BACKGROUND: Homeopathic products (HP) have been proposed for the prevention of disease and as a complementary dietary additive in pig farming, with resulting improved performance and quality of life of the animals and with benefits for food safety. The aim of this study was to assess the addition of HP to pig feed and its effects on growth performance, dietary protein utilization, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and economic feasibility. METHODS: A total of 80 male pigs, body weight 32.8±2.3kg, were allocated in a randomized design, with two treatments of 10 replications and four animals per experimental unit. Treatments were composed of a control diet (CD) or CD+HP (Finalvitaplus+Figotonus, 1.1kg/ton feed of each product). The outcome measures used were growth performance (body weight gain) and feed efficiency (body weight gain per unit of feed consumed), efficiency of dietary protein utilization (blood urea nitrogen), nutrient digestibility (apparent digestibility coefficient and apparent nutrient digestibility), meat quality (including pH, temperature, color, liquid loss by cooking and thawing, intramuscular fat and meat tenderness), and economic feasibility (cost of the diets). RESULTS: There was no effect (p >0.05) of treatments on growth performance of the pigs, though the group that received HP showed an 8.93% greater feed efficiency than the control group (p=0.077). The animals in the control group had a 14.37% higher blood urea nitrogen concentration in the finishing I phase (70-100kg body weight) compared with those fed HP (p=0.028), indicating lower protein utilization in the controls. There was comparative improvement in digestibility coefficient and in nutrient digestibility in pigs fed HP in the growing-finishing phase (p <0.05). There was no differential effect of treatments on meat quality or economic feasibility (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of HP to the diet of growing-finishing pigs produced some improvement in their dietary protein utilization, nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency, though it did not affect their growth performance, meat quality or economic feasibility.

Characterization of the variations in the industrial processing and nutritional variables of poultry by-product meal.

The study aimed to measure variations in industrial process and nutritional variables of poultry by-product meal (PBM) in rendering plants from batch cookers. A total of 200 samples of low ash PBM with mineral matter (MM) content of 11% (LA, n = 104) or high ash with MM above 11% (HA, n = 96) were collected from 5 industrial processing plants. The highest coefficients of variation in chemical composition were for MM (LA - 19.70%; HA - 19.59%), ether extract (LA - 20.72%; HA - 14.86%), collagen (LA - 21.16%; HA - 30.00%) and water activity (LA - 24.54%; HA - 25.89%). However, the crude protein (LA - 5.07%; HA - 7.39%), dry matter (LA - 1.75%; HA - 2.90%) and organic matter digestibility (LA - 4.81%; HA - 6.78%) were lower. The variability of the data related to the process of PBM was: maximum process temperature (LA - 3.91%; HA - 3.56%), average process temperature (LA - 3.73%; HA - 4.71%), and processing time (LA - 27.37%; HA - 37.59%). This study evidenced that the corrective measures by limiting the amount of bones in the raw material, optimizing the pressing step for the poultry fat extraction, and also controlling the processing time of PBM may favor the production of more standardized PBM in terms of chemical composition and quality.

Simultaneous feeding of calcium butyrate and tannin extract decreased the incidence of diarrhea and proinflammatory markers in weaned piglets.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of associating calcium butyrate with tannin extract, compared to an antimicrobial on the growth performance, incidence of diarrhea, intestinal histology, immune-expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in piglets. METHODS: Seventy-two piglets (36 barrows and 36 gilts) weaned at 28±2 d and initial body weight of 7.17±1.07 kg were allocated to 3 treatments in a randomized complete block design with 8 replicates per treatment and 3 animals per experimental unit. Treatments were composed of NC, negative control: basal diet without additives; PC, positive control: basal diet + 40 mg/kg of colistin sulfate; or BT, basal diet + calcium butyrate + tannin extract. The butyrate and tannin inclusion levels were 0.15% in the pre-starter phase and 0.075% in the starter phase. Incidence of diarrhea was monitored daily, and on d 14 and 35 of experiment, 1 animal from each experimental unit was slaughtered to collect intestinal samples. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for growth performance. The butyrate-and tannin-based additive resulted in reduced (p<0.05) incidence of diarrhea in piglets during d 1 to 14 and d 1 to 35 in comparison with the other treatments. Piglets that consumed the diet containing the calcium-butyrate and tannin showed a lower (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum than those receiving the NC treatment at 14 d of experimentation. The BT treatment provided a lower (p<0.05) immune-expression of COX-2 at 14 d and TNF-α at 35 d in the duodenum. CONCLUSION: Association between calcium butyrate and tannin extract resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of diarrhea and inflammatory process in the duodenum of piglets. Therefore, calcium-butyrate combined with tannin could be a part of an alternative program to reduce the use of antimicrobials in the diet of weaned piglets.

Effect of endoparasites occurrence in sows from intensive production system.

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of farm size (FS) and farrowing order (FO) on the occurrence of endoparasites eggs in commercial sows housed in maternity and gestation areas during the period from May to July 2014. Forty-three piglet production units were classified by FS: small (100 to 250 sows), medium (251 to 510 sows), large (511 to 1,000 sows) and very large (more than 1,000 sows). Sows were classified by FO: up to two, three to five or more than five parturitions. Faecal samples were processed using the simple flotation technique in a hypersaturated salt solution (30-35% NaCl). The results revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal endoparasites obtained in this study was 12.47%, in that 4.64% were positive for Ascaris suum, 0.56% for Trichuris suis and 8.27% for coccidia oocysts. The prevalence of endoparasites obtained for small and medium size farm, and for large and very large farm was 34.58% and 15.52%, respectively. In conclusion, the study shows that more than half of the farms were positive for A. suum and coccidia oocysts, but mainly for younger females. In general, sows with up to two parturitions and small farms showed a higher endoparasites percentage.

Effect of endoparasites occurrence in sows from intensive production system / Efeito da ocorrência de endoparasitas em matrizes suínas de sistema de produção intensivo

Abstract The goal of this study was to assess the effect of farm size (FS) and farrowing order (FO) on the occurrence of endoparasites eggs in commercial sows housed in maternity and gestation areas during the period from May to July 2014. Forty-three piglet production units were classified by FS: small (100 to 250 sows), medium (251 to 510 sows), large (511 to 1,000 sows) and very large (more than 1,000 sows). Sows were classified by FO: up to two, three to five or more than five parturitions. Faecal samples were processed using the simple flotation technique in a hypersaturated salt solution (30-35% NaCl). The results revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal endoparasites obtained in this study was 12.47%, in that 4.64% were positive for Ascaris suum, 0.56% for Trichuris suis and 8.27% for coccidia oocysts. The prevalence of endoparasites obtained for small and medium size farm, and for large and very large farm was 34.58% and 15.52%, respectively. In conclusion, the study shows that more than half of the farms were positive for A. suum and coccidia oocysts, but mainly for younger females. In general, sows with up to two parturitions and small farms showed a higher endoparasites percentage.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar o efeito de tamanho de granja (TG) e a ordem de parição (OP) sobre a ocorrência de ovos de endoparasitas em matrizes suínas comerciais alojadas na maternidade e gestação durante o período de maio a julho de 2014. Quarenta e três unidades produtoras de leitões foram classificadas por TG: pequena (100 a 250 porcas), média (251 a 510 porcas), grande (511 a 1.000 porcas) e muito grande (mais de 1.000 porcas). As porcas foram classificadas por OP: até dois, três a cinco e mais que cinco partos. As amostras fecais foram processadas usando a técnica de flotação em solução salina hipersaturada a 30-35%. Os resultados revelaram que a prevalência global de endoparasitas gastrointestinais obtidos neste estudo foi de 13,59%, em que 4,64% foram positivas para Ascaris suum, 0,56% para Trichuris suis e 8,27% para oocistos de coccídeos. A prevalência de endoparasitas obtidos para fazendas de pequeno e médio porte, e para fazendas grandes e muito grandes foi de 34,58% e 15,52%, respectivamente. Em conclusão, o estudo mostra que mais da metade das fazendas foram positivas para A. suum e oocistos de coccídeos, mas principalmente para as fêmeas mais jovens. Em geral, as porcas com até dois partos e pequenas propriedades mostraram uma porcentagem maior de endoparasitas.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase in terms of digestibility of feed, nitrogen balance, growth performance and blood parameters. METHODS: Experiment I involved 24 crossbred entire male pigs with an initial body weight of 18.28 ± 0.7 kg, and used a randomized complete block design consisting of three treatments (Fish Meal - FM, Soybean Protein Concentrate - SPC, and Soybean Meal - SM) and eight replicates, with one pig per experimental unit. Experiment II involved 1843 crossbred male and female pigs with an initial body weight of 6.79 ± 0.90 kg, and was based on a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two sexes and three protein sources) and 13 replicates. RESULTS: The results of Experiment I indicate a significant effect (p &lt;0.05) of the treatment on digestible protein (FM: 17.84%; SPC: 16.72% and SM: 18.13%) and on total nitrogen excretion (TNE, g/kg BW0.75/day) in which pigs fed with SM-based feed had TNE values that were 5.36% and 3.72% higher than SPC and FM, respectively. In the Experiment II, there was difference (p &lt;0.01) between sexes in the starter phase and total period in daily feed intake (DFI) values, which were higher in females, and between the protein sources in DFI, final weight and daily weight gain, which were higher in piglets fed with SPC. For urea in both phases and glucose in the pre-starter II phase, there was a difference (p &lt;0.05) between protein sources and between sexes, in starter phase in urea levels (females: 57.11 mg/dL and males: 50.60 mg/dL). CONCLUSION: The use of feed only at basis of SM influences larger TNE (g/kg BW0.75/day), promotes a reduction in the growth performance of piglets and increases plasma urea levels in pre-starter II.

Supplementation of pig diets in the growth and termination phases with different calcium sources.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of pig diets in the growth and termination phases with different calcium sources. In experiment I, 36 whole males were distributed in randomized blocks in six groups, with six replications. A basal diet was formulated to meet the animals' nutritional requirements except for calcium (0.09%), and the sources evaluated (calcitic limestone, monodicalcium phosphate, calcinated bone flour, and oyster flour) replaced the basal diet to provide 0.59% of total calcium. To determine the endogenous calcium, a diet containing low calcium (0.019%) was given simultaneously to another group of animals. Feces and urine were collected for determination the coefficients of apparent and true digestibility. In experiment II, 160 piglets were distributed in randomized blocks in four treatments, with five replications and four animals per experimental unit. Carcass and performance parameters, calcium concentration in bone and serum, and bone parameters were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and factorial. The calcium source did not influence the digestibility coefficients determined by total collection (P > 0.05). The digestibility of Ca from oyster flour estimated by collection with an indicator was higher than that from the other sources (P < 0.05). Calcium sources did not interfere in the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05). The sources studied in this work can be used to supplement growing pigs' diets.