Fermented Corn-Soybean Meal Improved Growth Performance and Reduced Diarrhea Incidence by Modulating Intestinal Barrier Function and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented corn-soybean meal mixed feed (FMF) on growth performance, intestinal barrier function, gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets [Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire), male, 21-day-old] were randomly allocated to four groups. Piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the control diet supplemented with 10%, 50% or 100% FMF (FMF-10, FMF-50 or FMF-100, respectively) for 14 d. The results showed that the FMF-100 group had higher average daily gain and average daily feed intake and lower diarrhea incidence than the CON group (p < 0.05). The FMF-50 and FMF-100 groups had greater villus height in the duodenum and jejunum, and the FMF-10 and FMF-100 groups had higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum than the CON group. Additionally, the FMF-100 group had higher protein expression of duodenal, jejunal and ileal ZO-1 and jejunal claudin-1; higher mRNA expression of duodenal and ileal TJP1 and jejunal CLDN1 and IL10; and lower jejunal IL1B mRNA expression (p < 0.05). The FMF-50 group showed higher jejunal ZO-1 and claudin-1 protein levels, higher mRNA expression levels of IL10 and TJP1 and lower levels of TNF in the jejunum; the FMF-10 group had higher mRNA expression levels of IL10 and lower levels of TNF in the jejunum than the CON group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the FMF-10 and FMF-50 groups had higher colonic Lactobacillus abundance and butyrate levels; the FMF-100 group had higher abundance of colonic butyrate, Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium than the CON group (p < 0.05). Collectively, our results suggest that FMF could improve intestinal mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota and their metabolites, thereby enhancing average daily gain and reducing diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets.

Dietary replacement of inorganic trace minerals with lower levels of organic trace minerals leads to enhanced antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and reduced fecal mineral excretion in growing-finishing pigs.

Introduction: More effective and environment-friendly organic trace minerals have great potential to replace the inorganic elements in the diets of livestock. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary replacement of 100% inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) with 30-60% organic trace minerals (OTMs) on the performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and fecal mineral excretion and to assess whether low-dose OTMs could replace whole ITMs in growing-finishing pigs' diets. Methods: A total of 72 growing-finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an initial average body weight of 74.25 ± 0.41 kg were selected and divided into four groups with six replicates per group and three pigs per replicate. The pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing commercial levels of 100% ITMs or a basal diet with 30, 45, or 60% amino acid-chelated trace minerals instead of 100% ITMs, respectively. The trial ended when the pigs' weight reached ~110 kg. Results: The results showed that replacing 100% ITMs with 30-60% OTMs had no adverse effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain, carcass traits, or meat quality (P > 0.05) but significantly increased serum transferrin and calcium contents (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase serum T-SOD activity (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1), and 30% OTMs significantly increased muscle Mn-SOD activity (P < 0.05). Moreover, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase the apparent digestibility of energy, dry matter, and crude protein (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1) while significantly reducing the contents of copper, zinc, and manganese in feces (P < 0.05). Discussion: In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 30-60% OTMs has the potential to replace 100% ITMs for improving antioxidant capacity and nutrient digestibility and for reducing fecal mineral excretion without compromising the performance of growing-finishing pigs.

Effects of zinc oxide and condensed tannins on the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets in ETEC-challenged environment.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of zine oxide (ZnO) and condensed tannins (CT), independently or in combination, on the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC-K88)-challenged environment. Randomly divided 72 weaned piglets into 4 groups. Dietary treatments included the following: basic diet group (CON), 1,500 mg/kg zinc oxide group (ZnO), 1,000 mg/kg condensed tannins group (CT), and 1,500 mg/kg zinc oxide +1,000 mg/kg condensed tannins group (ZnO + CT). Dietary ZnO supplementation decreased diarrhea rate from 0 to 14 days, 15 to 28 days, and 0 to 28 days (p < 0.05) and no significant on growth performance. The effect of CT on reducing diarrhea rate and diarrhea index was similar to the results of ZnO. Compared with the CON group, ZnO increased the ileum villus height and improved intestinal barrier function by increasing the content of mucin 2 (MUC-2) in jejunum and ileum mucosa and the mRNA expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in jejunum (p < 0.05) and the expression of Occludin in duodenum and ileum (p < 0.05). The effects of CT on intestinal barrier function genes were similar to that of ZnO. Moreover, the mRNA expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in jejunum and ileum was reduced in ZnO group (p < 0.05). And CT was also capable of alleviating diarrhea by decreasing CFTR expression and promote water reabsorption by increasing AQP3 expression (p < 0.05). In addition, pigs receiving ZnO diet had higher abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, and genera Prevotella, and lower phylum Firmicutes and genera Lactobacillus in colonic contents. These results indicated that ZnO and CT can alleviate diarrhea and improve intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs in ETEC-challenged environment. In addition, the application of ZnO combined with CT did not show synergistic effects on piglet intestinal health and overall performance. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of ZnO in weaning piglet production practices, we also explored effects of CT on the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets in ETEC-challenged environment.

Dietary berberine supplementation improves growth performance and alleviates gut injury in weaned piglets by modulating ileal microbiota and metabolites.

This study investigated the effects of dietary berberine (BBR) supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal health, and ileal microbiome and metabolomic profile in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Dietary BBR supplementation significantly attenuated the reduced average daily gain (ADG) and attenuated the increased feed to gain ratio (F/G) and the incidence of diarrhea induced by ETEC K88 (P < 0.05). Dietary BBR supplementation significantly increased the villus height and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA expression of ZO-1 and occludin as well as aquaporins (AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP7, and AQP10) and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) in ileal mucosa was significantly upregulated by BBR treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, BBR treatment significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in jejunal mucosa caused by ETEC and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1ß and increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) in colonic mucosa (P < 0.05). Dietary BBR treatment significantly increased the Observed_species, Chao 1, abundance based coverage estimators (ACE), and PD_whole tree in the ileal digesta of weaned piglets challenged with ETEC. At the genus level, the relative abundance of unidentified Clostridiales was decreased, while Weissella, Alloprevotella, unidentified Prevotellaceae, and Catenibacterium were increased in the BBR + ETEC group when compared to the ETEC group (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of unidentified Clostridiales (genus) was negatively correlated with the ileal villus height but negatively correlated with diarrhea and intestinal IL-1ß and TNF-α concentrations (P < 0.05). The ileal metabolome analysis showed that the metabolic pathways including primary and secondary bile acid biosynthesis and bile secretion were significantly enriched by BBR treatment. Collectively, dietary BBR supplementation effectively improved the growth performance and alleviated the diarrhea and intestinal injury induced by ETEC K88 in weaned piglets, which might closely involve the modulation of ileal microbiota and metabolites.

Taurine alleviates oxidative stress in porcine mammary epithelial cells by stimulating the Nrf2-MAPK signaling pathway.

The high incidence of oxidative stress in sows during late gestation and lactation affects mammary gland health, milk yield, and milk quality. Recently, we found that supplementing maternal diets with 1% taurine improved antioxidant capability and enhanced growth performance in offspring; however, the mechanisms underlying these are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the cytoprotective effects and the mechanism of taurine in mitigating oxidative stress in porcine mammary epithelial cells (PMECs). PMECs were pretreated with 0-2.0 mM taurine for 12 h and then subjected to oxidative injury with 500 µM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pretreatment with taurine attenuated decreased cell viability, enhanced superoxide dismutase, and reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation after H2O2 exposure. Taurine also prevented H2O2-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was essential to the cytoprotective effects of taurine on PMECs, as Nrf2 knockdown significantly inhibited taurine-induced cytoprotection against oxidative stress. Moreover, we confirmed that Nrf2 induction by taurine was mediated through the inactivation of the p38/MAPK pathway. Overall, taurine supplementation has beneficial effects on redox balance regulation and may protect against oxidative stress in lactating animals.

Molecular mechanism of valine and its metabolite in improving triglyceride synthesis of porcine intestinal epithelial cells.

An insufficient energy supply to intestinal epithelial cells decreases production performance in weaned piglets. Triglycerides are the main energy source for intestinal epithelial cells in piglets. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of valine supplementation on triglyceride synthesis in porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells. Valine supplementation in the medium significantly increased the content of triglycerides, fat droplets, and long-chain fatty acids (C17:0, C18:0, C20:0, C18:1, C20:1, and C22:1) (P < 0.05). Valine metabolite (3-hydroxyisobutyrate [3-HIB]) concentration increased significantly in the valine-supplemented group (P < 0.05). Silencing of the 3-HIB synthase enzyme 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase (HIBCH) in IPEC-J2 cells significantly reduced the triglyceride concentration and lipid droplet synthesis. Further studies found that 3-HIB supplementation in the medium significantly increased the concentration of triglycerides, lipid droplets, and unsaturated fatty acids (C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:3, C20:4, and C20:5) (P < 0.05) by upregulating the expression of proteins involved in fatty acid transport (CD36) and fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) or triglyceride synthesis (DGAT1) (P < 0.05), indicating that 3-HIB mediates valine-enhanced triglyceride synthesis in IPEC-J2 cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that valine enhanced triglyceride synthesis in IPEC-J2 cells via increasing the 3-HIB concentration, which may promote fatty acid transport via upregulation of proteins related to fatty acid transporter. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms through which valine participates in lipid metabolism.

Dietary dibutyryl cAMP supplementation regulates the fat deposition in adipose tissues of finishing pigs via cAMP/PKA pathway.

This study investigated potential mechanism of dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) on porcine fat deposition. (1) Exp.1, 72 finishing pigs were allotted to 3 treatments (0, 10 or 20 mg/kg dbcAMP) with 6 replicates. dbcAMP increased the hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) activity and expression of ß-adrenergic receptor (ß-AR) and growth hormone receptor (GHR), but decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPAR-γ2) and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) in back fat. dbcAMP upregulated expression of ß-AR, GHR, PPAR-γ2 and A-FABP, but decreased insulin receptor (INSR) expression in abdominal fat. Dietary dbcAMP increased HSL activity and expression of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but decreased fatty acid synthase (FAS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities, and expression of INSR, cAMP-response element-binding protein (C/EBP-α) and A-FABP in perirenal fat. (2) Exp. 2, dbcAMP suppressed the proliferation and differentiation of porcine preadipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner, which might be associated with increased activities of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA), and expression of GPCR, ß-AR, GHR and CREB via inhibiting C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ2 expression. Collectively, dbcAMP treatment may reduce fat deposition by regulating gene expression related to adipocyte differentiation and fat metabolism partially via cAMP-PKA pathway.

Evaluation of dietary metabolizable energy concentrations on meat quality and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in yellow-feathered chickens.

This study evaluated the effects of different dietary metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations on the meat quality, carcass traits, volatile flavour and lipid metabolism-related gene expression levels in yellow-feathered chickens. In total, 600 Huxu female chickens aged 90 days were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, each with 10 replicates of 10 birds. During the finisher phase, the birds were fed diets containing 2880 (low), 2940, 3000, 3060, 3120 and 3180 (high) kcal ME/kg. The results showed that the average daily gain of chickens increased as the dietary ME concentration increased, while the feed to gain improved (p < 0.05), and the intramuscular fat content of breast muscle increased (p < 0.05). The energy concentration had no effect on the breast muscle pH (45 min and 24 h), colour parameter (L*) or percentage of drip loss (p > 0.05), but the shear force values decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The diameter and area of the breast muscle fiber decreased and the muscle fibre density increased as the dietary ME concentration increased (p < 0.05). The highest ME concentration (3180 kcal) increased the percentages of aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal, 2,4-nonadienal, octanal, nonanal and 2-decenal), alcohols (2-nonen-1-ol, trans-2-undecen-1-ol, 7-hexadecenal, 2-hexyl-1-decanoal and n-nonadecanol-1,3,7,11-trimethyl-1-dodecanol), alkanes (2,6-dimethyl-heptadecane) and carboxylic acids (9-hexadecenoic acid), but reduced the percentages of octadecanal, octadecane, heneicosane and tetradecanal (p < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA gene expression levels of fatty acid-binding protein 3 and apolipoprotein B were significantly upregulated in the liver, whereas that of cholesteryl ester transfer protein was significantly downregulated. In conclusion, increasing the ME diet to 3180 kcal/kg significantly improved the quality and flavour of the meat from yellow-feathered broilers. our finding may help poultry producers to improve the taste of meat by regulating genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby achieving the flavour and taste characteristics preferred by consumers.

Dietary supplementation with potassium-magnesium sulfate modulates the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of potassium magnesium sulfateon (PMS) on growth performance, diarrhea rate, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, intestinal immunity, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 216 weaned piglets were randomly divided into six dietary groups: the basal diet with 0% (CON), 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, and 0.75% PMS. The results showed that the ADFI of 29-42 days and 1-42 days was linearly and quadratically increased by the PMS supplementation (P < 0.05), and significantly reduced the diarrhea rate in weaned piglets (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with PMS significantly reduced the serum adrenaline and noradrenaline levels in weaned piglets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.3% PMS significantly increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the jejunum (P < 0.05) and tended to increase the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the jejunal mucosa of piglets (P < 0.1). Additionally, dietary supplementation with PMS significantly reduced the interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) level in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), and 0.3% PMS increased the serum IgM content in piglets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the analysis of colonic microbiota by 16S RNA sequencing showed that the addition of PMS increased the Shannon index (P < 0.05) and Observed Species index (P < 0.05). Based on linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and T-test analysis, the addition of PMS increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae in the colonic digesta (P < 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between intestinal GSH-Px activity and the relative abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae. These results showed that dietary supplementation with PMS could improve growth performance, alleviate diarrhea incidence, and modulate the antioxidant capacity and intestinal immunity in weaned piglets, which was partially related to the significant changes in colonic microbiota composition.

Influences of Dietary Vitamin E, Selenium-Enriched Yeast, and Soy Isoflavone Supplementation on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality and Gut Microbiota in Finishing Pigs.

This study investigated the effects of dietary compound antioxidants on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, carcass traits, meat quality, and gut microbiota in finishing pigs. A total of 36 barrows were randomly assigned to 2 treatments with 6 replicates. The pigs were fed with a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg vitamin E, 0.3 mg/kg selenium-enriched yeast, and 20 mg/kg soy isoflavone. Dietary compound antioxidants decreased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) at d 14−28 in finishing pigs (p < 0.05). The plasma total protein, urea nitrogen, triglyceride, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were decreased while the plasma glutathione (GSH) to glutathione oxidized (GSSG) ratio (GSH/GSSG) was increased by compound antioxidants (p < 0.05). Dietary compound antioxidants increased loin area and b* value at 45 min, decreased backfat thickness at last rib, and drip loss at 48 h (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of colonic Peptococcus at the genus level was increased and ileal Turicibacter_sp_H121 abundance at the species level was decreased by dietary compound antioxidants. Spearman analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the relative abundance of colonic Peptococcus and plasma MDA concentration and meat drip loss at 48 h. Collectively, dietary supplementation with compound antioxidants of vitamin E, selenium-enrich yeast, and soy isoflavone could improve feed efficiency and antioxidant capacity, and modify the backfat thickness and meat quality through modulation of the gut microbiota community.

Niacin Improves Intestinal Health through Up-Regulation of AQPs Expression Induced by GPR109A.

(1) Background: Changes in the expression of aquaporins (AQPs) in the intestine are proved to be associated with the attenuation of diarrhea. Diarrhea is a severe problem for postweaning piglets. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether niacin could alleviate diarrhea in weaned piglets by regulating AQPs expression and the underlying mechanisms; (2) Methods: 72 weaned piglets (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21 d old, 6.60 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly allotted into 3 groups for a 14-day feeding trial. Each treatment group included 6 replicate pens and each pen included 4 barrows (n = 24/treatment). Piglets were fed a basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with 20.4 mg niacin/kg diet (NA) or the basal diet administered an antagonist for the GPR109A receptor (MPN). Additionally, an established porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) was used to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of niacin on AQPs expression after Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC K88) treatment; (3) Results: Piglets fed niacin-supplemented diet had significantly decreased diarrhea rate, and increased mRNA and protein level of ZO-1, AQP 1 and AQP 3 in the colon compared with those administered a fed diet supplemented with an antagonist (p < 0.05). In addition, ETEC K88 treatment significantly reduced the cell viability, cell migration, and mRNA and protein expression of AQP1, AQP3, AQP7, AQP9, AQP11, and GPR109A in IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.05). However, supplementation with niacin significantly prevented the ETEC K88-induced decline in the cell viability, cell migration, and the expression level of AQPs mRNA and protein in IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, siRNA GPR109A knockdown significantly abrogated the protective effect of niacin on ETEC K88-induced cell damage (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Niacin supplementation increased AQPs and ZO-1 expression to reduce diarrhea and intestinal damage through GPR109A pathway in weaned piglets.

Arginine Promotes the Expression of Aquaporin-3 and Water Transport in Porcine Trophectoderm Cells Through NO- and cAMP-Dependent Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplementation with L-arginine (Arg) has been shown to increase the volume of fetal fluids in gestating swine. Aquaporins (AQPs), known as water channel proteins, are essential for embryonic growth and development. It was not known if Arg mediates water transport through AQPs in porcine conceptus trophectoderm (pTr2) cells. METHODS: pTr2 cells derived from pregnant gilts on day 12 of gestation were cultured in customized Arg-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Ham medium (DMEM) supplemented with either 0.00, 0.25, or 0.50 mM Arg. RESULTS: Arg treatment increased water transport and the expression of AQP3, which was abundantly expressed in pTr2 cells at both the mRNA and protein levels. Arg also increased the expression of iNOS and the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in pTr2 cells. The presence of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME; an inhibitor of NO synthase) significantly attenuated the Arg-induced expression of AQP3. Furthermore, 0.50 mM Arg increased the concentrations of cAMP and the abundances of phosphorylated cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), phosphorylated PKA α/ß/γ, and phosphorylated CREB. These effects of Arg were mimicked by Forskolin (a cell-permeable activator of adenylyl cyclase), but inhibited by H-89 (an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that Arg regulates AQP3 expression and promotes water transport in pTr2 cells through NO- and cAMP-dependent signaling pathways.

Dietary stevia residue extract supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs.

BACKGROUND: Improper disposal of stevia residue causes environmental pollution and waste of resources. The extract of stevia residue is rich in chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acids, and has a great potential in livestock and poultry breeding. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary stevia residue extract (SRE) supplementation on the performance, meat quality, antioxidative capacity and gut microbiota in growing-finishing pigs. RESULTS: The results showed that increasing the concentration of SRE supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) body weight from day 1 to 35. Supplementation with SRE significantly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) from day 1 to 75. 100 mg kg-1 SRE supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight and gastric index. Moreover, increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) the score of appearance of longissimus thoracis, as well as serum albumin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content. Further study found that increasing the concentration of SRE linearly increased (P < 0.05) serum total superoxide dismutase activity, and showed a significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) with activity of serum catalase, while linearly decreasing (P < 0.05) muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Furthermore, supplementation with 100 mg kg-1 SRE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA content, while 600 and 800 mg kg-1 SRE supplementation significantly decreased (P < 0.05) muscle MDA content. However, SRE supplementation had no significant effect on gut microbiota (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data indicated that dietary SRE supplementation improves the performance and antioxidative capacity of growing-finishing pigs. We recommend that the optimal supplemental level of SRE in the diet of growing-finishing pigs is 100 mg kg-1 . © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary fiber modulates abdominal fat deposition associated with cecal microbiota and metabolites in yellow chickens.

Excessive deposition of abdominal fat is a public concern in the yellow chicken industry related to human nutrition. The common practice of nutritionists is to increase the fiber content in feed to control abdominal fat deposition of chickens. Corncob meal (CCM) is the cheapest ingredient widely used in animal diets. The possible effects of CCM on chicken abdominal fat deposition and the possible mechanism involving cecal microbiota remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of CCM in modulating abdominal fat deposition and the role of the cecal microbiota and their metabolites. A total of 200 ninety-day-old Huxu female chickens were divided into 2 dietary treatments, each with 10 replicates of 10 birds, and were fed two finisher diets, from 90 to 135 d. The diets were a typical corn-soybean control diet (CON) and that diet with CCM partially replacing corn and corn gluten meal. Results showed that the CCM diet markedly decreased live weight and abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.05); chickens fed the CCM diet exhibited lower (P < 0.01) expression in abdominal fat of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) but higher (P < 0.05) expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1). The CCM increased the abundance of Akkermansia (P < 0.05) and markedly reduced the relative cecal abundance of Phascolarctobacterium (P < 0.01), Rikenellaceae (P < 0.05), and Faecalibacterium (P < 0.01). The metabolomic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the CCM diet increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of butyrate in cecal contents. The majority of the metabolites in cecal digesta with differences in abundance were organic acids. The CCM diet increased (P < 0.05) contents of (R)-5-diphosphomevalote, pantothenic acid, 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone 7-phosphate, D-ribose 5-diphosphate, arbutin 6-phosphate, D-ribitol 5-phosphate, undecanoic acid, nicotinic acid, 4-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, while decreasing (P < 0.05) those of oleic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, and L-fuculose 1-phosphate. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that the dietary CCM treatment significantly decreased abdominal fat and altered the cecal microbiota and metabolite profiles of the yellow chickens.

Intestinal morphology and immune profiles are altered in piglets by early-weaning.

This study was to investigate the developmental changes in intestinal morphology and immune profiles in suckling and weaning piglets. Seventy-two weaning piglets with equal initial body weight from 8 litters (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 9 piglets per litter) were selected. Thirty-two piglets in the suckling group were nursed by sows until they were 17, 21, 28, or 35 days of age. While the other forty piglets were weaned at 14 d of age, and then housed in the same farrowing cage without a sow and slaughtered until they were on d 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after weaning at d 14 of age (wd 0, 3, 7, 14, 21). Blood, jejunal mucosa, intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and lamina propria T lymphocyte (LPL) were harvested from suckling piglets at d 14, 17, 21, 28 and 35 of age and weaning piglets on d 0, 3, 7, 14 and wd 0, wd 3, wd 7, wd 14 and wd 21). The results showed that compared with the wd 0, early weaning significantly declined the average daily gain of postweaning 0-7 (wd 0-7) (P < 0.05), and jejunal villus height on wd 3 (P < 0.05), as well as increased the jejunal crypt depth of piglets on wd 7, 14 and 21 (P < 0.05). And there were no significant differences in average daily gain and villus height after suckling (P > 0.05). The level of serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was increased on wd 7 and decreased on wd 21 (P < 0.05), while IFN-γ level in jejunal mucosa was enhanced at wd 3 in comparison with wd 0 (P < 0.05). And the serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were increased at wd 14, wd 21, but the mucosa IL-4 concentration was strikingly increased on wd 7 (P < 0.05). Moreover, weaning led to the enhanced levels of interleukin-1b (IL-1b), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in serum (P < 0.05), as well as declined the levels of sIL-2R in jejunal mucosa at wd 3 (P < 0.05). In suckling piglets, the serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), IL-4 and IL-2 levels were increased with increasing age (P < 0.05), whereas the jejunal mucosa IL-1b and serum sIL-2R levels were lower (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significantly lower CD4 percentage in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were found at wd 3 and wd 7 (P < 0.05), whereas the CD8 percentage in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were enhanced on wd 3 and wd 7 than wd 0 (P < 0.05). Moreover, the weaning piglets at wd 3 had a lower CD4/CD8 ratio than wd 0 (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found that weaning decreased IgG, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-1b levels of IEL during 1-week post-weaning (P < 0.05). Similarly, the levels of IgA, IgG, IL-2 and sIL-2R in LPL medium were also declined from piglets postweaning 1 week (P < 0.05). Early weaning reduced the growth performance, damaged jejunal morphology, disrupted IFN-γ/IL-4, IL-2/sIL-2R and T lymphocyte balance, and impaired the IEL and LPL immune profiles of piglets.

Effects of phytase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance and bone development in weaned piglets in Ca- and P-deficient dietary.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial function of phytase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (HyD) on the feed utilization rate has been widely investigated. However, studies concerning its influence on weaned piglets largely lag behind. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phytase and HyD supplementation on the growth performance and bone development in weaned piglets under dietary Ca and P deficiency. RESULTS: The results showed that dietary Ca and P deficiency decreased (P < 0.05) the content of serum P in 6-10 kg piglets, as well as reducing (P < 0.05) the contents of serum Ca and P, average daily gain (ADG), bone mineral density (BMD), breaking force (BF), bone ash and femur Ca in 10-20 kg piglets. Compared with the control group, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) of 6-10 kg piglets in the Phy group was decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the ADG, blood Ca and P, BMD, BF, bone ash, P apparent digestibility, Ca and P retention rate of 10-20 kg piglets were increased (P < 0.05). The contents of serum osteocalcin and HyD in 6-10 kg piglets and ADG were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05), as well as the contents of serum Ca and HyD in 10-20 kg piglets in the HyD treatment group. Supplementation with both Phy and HyD decreased the F/D (P < 0.05) and increased the contents of serum Ca, P and HyD in 6-10 kg piglets as well as enhancing the ADG, BMD, BF, bone ash, femur Ca and P, serum Ca and P, HyD, and the apparent digestibility and retention of Ca and P (P < 0.05) in 10-20 kg piglets. Supplementation with Phy and HyD in Ca- and P-deficient dietary decreased bone resorption, and improved tight arrangement of collagen fibers and oblique fibers in weaned piglets. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that supplementation with both 1500 U kg-1 Phy and 50 µg kg-1 HyD could enhance dietary Ca and P utilization and promote bone development in low Ca and P dietary, and supplementation with both Phy and HyD had a significant synergy effect compared to single supplement. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Niacin on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Mucosal Immunity and Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of niacin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal immunity, and colonic microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 96 weaned piglets (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d old, 6.65 ± 0.02 kg body weight (BW)) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups (8 replicate pens per treatment, each pen containing 4 males; n = 32/treatment) for 14 d. Piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with 20.4 mg/kg niacin (NA) or an antagonist for the niacin receptor GPR109A (MPN). The results showed that NA or MPN had no effect on ADG, ADFI, G/F or diarrhea incidence compared with the CON diet. However, compared with piglets in the NA group, piglets in the MPN group had lower ADG (p = 0.042) and G/F (p = 0.055). In comparison with the control and MPN group, niacin supplementation increased the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p < 0.05), while decreasing the crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05). Proteomics analysis of cytokines showed that niacin supplementation increased the expression of duodenal transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), jejunal interleukin-10 (IL-10) and ileal interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05), and reduced the expression of ileal interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Piglets in the MPN group had significantly increased expression of ileal IL-6, and jejunal IL-8 and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) (p < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. Piglets in the MPN group had lower jejunal IL-10 level and higher jejunal IL-8 level than those in the NA group (p < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of duodenal IL-8 and ileal granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes were increased (p < 0.05), and that of ileal IL-10 transcript was decreased (p < 0.05) in the MPN group compared with both the control and NA groups. Additionally, niacin increased the relative abundance of Dorea in the colon as compared with the control and MPN group (p < 0.05), while decreasing that of Peptococcus compared with the control group (p < 0.05) and increasing that of Lactobacillus compared with MPN supplementation (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that niacin supplementation efficiently ensured intestinal morphology and attenuated intestinal inflammation of weaned piglets. The protective effects of niacin on gut health may be associated with increased Lactobacillus and Dorea abundance and butyrate content and decreased abundances of Peptococcus.

Dietary L-arginine supplementation during days 14-25 of gestation enhances aquaporin expression in the placentae and endometria of gestating gilts.

This study tested the hypothesis that dietary L-arginine (Arg) supplementation to pregnant gilts enhanced the expression of water channel proteins [aquaporins (AQPs)] in their placentae and endometria. Gilts were fed twice daily 1 kg of a corn and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0.0%, 0.4%, or 0.8% Arg between Days 14 and 25 of gestation. On Days 25 and 60 of gestation, gilts were hysterectomized to obtain placentae and endometria. On Day 25 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of placental AQP9 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) placental AQP1 and AQP9 proteins, compared with controls. On Day 60 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP1 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP5 and AQP9 proteins. Supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased the endometrial expression of AQP1, AQP5, and AQP9 proteins located in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of endometria, and placental transport of 3H2O. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary Arg supplementation stimulates the expression of selective AQPs in porcine placenta and endometria, thereby enhancing water transport from mother to fetus and expanding the chorioallantoic membranes during the period of placentation.

Early supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum in liquid diet modulates intestinal innate immunity through toll-like receptor 4-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in young piglets challenged with Escherichia coli K88.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of early supplementation during 4 to 18 d of age with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) in liquid diets on intestinal innate immune response in young piglets infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. Seventy-two barrow piglets at 4 d old were assigned to basal or LP-supplemented liquid diet (5 × 1010 CFU·kg-1). On day 15, piglets from each group were orally challenged with either ETEC K88 (1 × 108 CFU·kg-1) or the same amount of phosphate-buffered saline. The intestinal mucosa, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), and spleen samples were collected on day 18. Here, we found that LP pretreatment significantly decreased the mRNA relative expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α), porcine ß-defensin 2 (pBD-2), and mucins (MUC1 and MUC4) in the jejunal mucosa in piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (P < 0.05). Moreover, LP significantly decreased the ileal mucosa mRNA relative expression of IL-8 and MUC4 in young piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the piglets of the LP + ETEC K88 group had lower protein levels of IL-8, secretory immunoglobulin A, pBD-2, and MUC4 in the jejunal mucosa than those challenged with ETEC K88 (P < 0.05). Besides, LP supplementation reduced the percentage of gamma/delta T cells receptor (γδTCR) and CD172a+ (SWC3+) cells in MLN and the percentage of γδTCR cells in the spleen of young piglets after the ETEC K88 challenge. Supplementation with LP in liquid diets prevented the upregulated protein abundance of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, phosphorylation-p38, and phosphorylation-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases in the jejunal mucosa induced by ETEC K88 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LP supplementation in liquid diet possesses anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the intestinal innate immunity during the early life of young piglets challenged with ETEC K88, which might be attributed to the suppression of TLR4-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Early supplementation with LP in liquid diets regulates the innate immune response, representing a promising immunoregulation strategy for maintaining intestinal health in weaned piglets.

Dietary Hermetia illucens Larvae Meal Improves Growth Performance and Intestinal Barrier Function of Weaned Pigs Under the Environment of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HI) on the growth performance and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs. To achieve this, 72 weaned pigs [28-day-old, 8.44 ± 0.04 kg body weight (BW)] were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: basal diet (negative control, NC), zinc oxide-supplemented diet (positive control, PC), and HI-supplemented diet [100% replacement of fishmeal (FM), HI], for 28 days in the presence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The results showed that HI and PC increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of weaned pigs from day 1 to 14, and decreased diarrhea incidence from day 1 to 28. Additionally, HI increased (p < 0.05) claudin-1, occludin, mucin-1 (MUC-1), and MUC-2 expression, goblet cell number, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration in the intestine of weaned pigs. Compared with NC, HI downregulated (p < 0.05) interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-8 expression, and upregulated IL-10, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), antimicrobial peptide [porcine ß defensin 1 (pBD1), pBD2, protegrin 1-5 (PG1-5)] expression in the jejunum or ileum. Moreover, HI decreased (p < 0.05) toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK) expression, and increased sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression in the ileum. Additionally, HI increased histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) expression and acetylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (acH3k27) in the ileum. Furthermore, HI positively influenced the intestinal microbiota composition and diversity of weaned pigs and increased (p < 0.05) butyrate and valerate concentrations. Overall, dietary HI improved growth performance and intestinal barrier function, as well as regulated histone acetylation and TLR2-NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways in weaned pigs.