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.

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.