Supplemental sodium butyrate stimulates different gastric cells in weaned pigs

Efficacy of water application of a humic substance, butyric acid, vitamins C, D, and E and/or electrolytes on performance and mortality in health-challenged nursery pigs¹

Health challenges continue to be rampant in nursery pigs which has led to increased industry-wide mortality trends. Therefore, the objective of these three studies was to evaluate a water supplement (HV; HydraVantage, Kent Nutrition Group, Muscatine, IA) which is a proprietary blend of a humic substance, butyric acid, and vitamins C, D, and E, as well as an electrolyte blend on nursery pig performance and mortality. Experiment 1 consisted of 196 crossbred weanling pigs (7 pigs per pen with 14 pens per treatment) which were randomly allotted by BW to two treatments consisting of control (water for 33 d) or HV at 15 g/L of stock solution and proportioned through a medicator (1:128) for 11 d followed by water for 22 d. There were no performance differences. However, mortality was reduced (P < 0.01) from 6.12% for the control to 0.00% for HV. In experiment 2, there were 488 weanling pigs (6 to 10 pigs/pen with 14 pens per treatment) which were randomly allotted by BW to four treatments in a 34-d trial. Treatment 1 was control (water), and treatments 2 and 4 were HV at 15 g/L of stock solution for 11 and 34 d, respectively. Treatment 3 utilized HV at 15 g/L stock solution during days 0 to 11 with 7.5 g HV/L stock solution utilized during days 11 to 21 followed by water. No performance differences were observed among the four treatments. Mortality was 10.89%, 4.82%, 5.54%, and 7.26% for treatments 1 to 4, respectively, with treatment 1 having a higher mortality (P < 0.05) compared to treatments 2 to 4. In experiment 3, a 2 × 2 factorial study was conducted (7 pigs per pen with 14 pens per treatment) in which the treatments were: 1) water; 2) HV at 15 g/L stock solution for 34 d; 3) electrolytes at 241 g/L stock solution for 34 d; and 4) HV at 15 g/L of stock solution and electrolytes at 226 g/L of stock for 34 d. Overall pen gain tended to be improved (P = 0.09) with supplemental HV. Moreover, mortality was reduced (P = 0.06) by 36% (16.86% mortality for treatments 1 and 3 vs. 10.73% mortality for treatments 2 and 4). Supplemental electrolytes had no effect on mortality. These data suggest that HV has a positive effect by reducing mortality in nursery pigs undergoing health challenges.

Exploring the Differential Expression of a Set of Key Genes Involved in the Regulation and Functioning of the Stomach in the Post-Weaned Pig

Despite playing a key role in digestion, there is only a broad characterization of the spatiotemporal development of the three glandular regions of the stomach (cardiac, fundic and pyloric) in the weaned pig. Hence, the objective of this experiment was to explore the differential expression (DE) of a panel of key genes within the three glandular regions of the stomach. Eight pigs were sacrificed at d 8 post-weaning, and three mucosal samples were collected from each stomach's glandular regions. The expression of a panel of genes were measured using QPCR. The true cardiac gland region was characterized by increased expression of PIGR, OLFM4, CXCL8 and MUC2 relative to the two other regions (p < 0.05). The fundic gland region was characterized by increased expression of ATP4A, CLIC6, KCNQ1, HRH2, AQP4, HDC, CCKBR, CHIA, PGA5, GHRL and MBOAT4 compared to the two other regions (p < 0.05). The pyloric gland region was characterized by exclusive expression of GAST (p < 0.05). A transition region between the cardiac and fundic region (cardiac-to-oxyntic transition) was observed with a gene expression signature that resembles a cross of the signatures found in the two regions. In conclusion, unique gene expression signatures were identifiable in each of the glandular regions, with a cardiac-to-oxyntic transition region clearly identifiable in the post-weaned pigs' stomachs.

Impacts of sodium butyrate on intestinal mucosal barrier and intestinal microbial community in a weaned piglet model

Objective

Butyrate is thought to enhance intestinal mucosal homeostasis, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, further investigation on the mechanism of butyrate regulation of intestinal mucosal homeostasis was performed.

Materials and methods

This study used weaned piglets with similar intestinal metabolic function to humans as a research model. The dietary supplemented 0.2% sodium butyrate group (0.2% S) and negative control group (CON) were established to detect the effects of butyrate on growth performance, intestinal tissue morphology, mucosal barrier function, and intestinal microbial community structure in weaned piglets.

Results

There was an increase in average daily gain (ADG) during three different experimental periods and a reduction in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) during days 1-35 and days 15-35 in 0.2% S compared with CON (P > 0.05). Furthermore, villus height in the ileum and duodenum was increased, and crypt depths in the colon and jejunum were reduced in both groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the ratio of villus height and crypt depth (V/C) in 0.2% S both in the ileum and jejunum was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with CON. The relative mRNA expression of PKC, MUC1, CLDN1, and ITGB1 was upregulated in the ileum of 0.2% S compared with CON (P < 0.05). The digesta samples of 0.2% S, both in the ileum (P < 0.05) and colon, contained greater intestinal bacterial abundance and diversity of probiotics, including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Megasphaera, and Blautia, which promoted amino acid metabolism and energy production and conversion in the colon and the synthesis of carbon-containing biomolecules in the ileum.

Conclusion

In summary, dietary supplementation with 0.2% sodium butyrate was shown to have a tendency to improve the growth performance of weaned piglets and enhance intestinal mucosal barrier function via altering the gut microbiota.

Sodium butyrate alleviates intestinal injury and microbial flora disturbance induced by lipopolysaccharides in rats

Sodium butyrate alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammation in rats by regulating intestinal injury, inflammatory cytokine levels, and intestinal flora.

Effect of Essential Oils on the Oxyntopeptic Cells and Somatostatin and Ghrelin Immunoreactive Cells in the European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Gastric Mucosa

The current work was designed to assess the effect of feed supplemented with essential oils (EOs) on the histological features in sea bass's gastric mucosa. Fish were fed three diets: control diet (CTR), HERBAL MIX® made with natural EOs (N-EOs), or HERBAL MIX® made with artificial EOs obtained by synthesis (S-EOs) during a 117-day feeding trial. Thereafter, the oxyntopeptic cells (OPs) and the ghrelin (GHR) and somatostatin (SOM) enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in the gastric mucosa were evaluated. The Na+K+-ATPase antibody was used to label OPs, while, for the EECs, anti-SOM and anti-GHR antibody were used. The highest density of OP immunoreactive (IR) area was in the CTR group (0.66 mm2 ± 0.1). The OP-IR area was reduced in the N-EO diet group (0.22 mm2 ± 1; CTR vs. N-EOs, p < 0.005), while in the S-EO diet group (0.39 mm2 ± 1) a trend was observed. We observed an increase of the number of SOM-IR cells in the N-EO diet (15.6 ± 4.2) compared to that in the CTR (11.8 ± 3.7) (N-EOs vs. CTR; p < 0.05), but not in the S-EOs diet. These observations will provide a basis to advance current knowledge on the anatomy and digestive physiology of this species in relation to pro-heath feeds.

Degradation of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Fructans in the Stomach of Horses Adapted to a Prebiotic Dose of Fructooligosaccharides and Inulin

For a period of 20 days, 12 horses either received a prebiotic supplementation with fructooligosaccharides and inulin via Jerusalem artichoke meal (JAM) or corncob meal without grains (CMG) as placebo. The horses were euthanized 1 hour postprandial, gastric digesta was sampled from pars nonglandularis (PNG) and pars glandularis (PG), and concentrations of starch, mono- and disaccharides, fructans, d- and l-lactic acid, and short chain fatty acids were analyzed. Concentrations of starch and simple sugars were widely the same in JAM supplemented and not supplemented meals. However, fructans were less than half as much without supplementation as with supplementation of JAM. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans disappeared to a larger extent with prebiotic supplementation than without (106.6% vs. 86.7% glucose, 73.1% vs. 66.8% fructose, 91.5% vs. 14.7% sucrose, and 68.3% vs. 35.4% fructans remained in PNG; 81.9% vs. 38.3% glucose, 52.2% vs. 53.4% fructose, 47.1% vs. 0% sucrose, and 48.5% vs. 31.7% fructans remained in PG with CMG vs. JAM feeding). Disappearance of simple sugars and fructans was primarily associated with appearance of n-butyric acid (r = -0.21 - r = -0.33).

In vitro susceptibility of swine pathogens to feed additives and active ingredients with potential as antibiotic replacements

AIMS

The rise in antibiotic resistance requires the reduction of antibiotic use in all sectors. In animal production, many commercial alternatives to antibiotics have been developed for incorporation into feeds, but a lack of evidence on their antibacterial activity limits confidence in their application. We aim to compare the antibacterial activity of feed additives and active ingredients to better understand their usefulness.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antibacterial activity of 34 active ingredients and feed additives, including medium- and short-chain organic acids and essential oils, was tested against pure cultures of five bacterial swine pathogens. Antibacterial activity was observed using an agar plug diffusion method and quantified via broth microdilution. A diverse range of antibacterial activities were observed. The highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus suis was exhibited by the C12 monoglyceride (0.49 mg ml^-1 ). The monoglyceride of C12 was more effective than C12:0 against Strep. suis, but neither C12:0 nor its monoglyceride showed efficacy against the gram-negative micro-organisms tested. The most active against Escherichia coli were the C6:0 medium-chain organic acids and potassium diformate (1.95 mg ml^-1 ). For Salmonella Typhimurium, potassium diformate, sodium diformate, and a blend of C8:0/C10:0 (each 1.96 mg ml^-1 ), and for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, eugenol (0.49 mg ml^-1 ) showed the most promising activity.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, such as the C6:0 MCOA, and those with interesting narrow-spectrum activity, notably the killing of Strep. suis by C12 monoglyceride. We have identified additives that show the most promising bioactivity against specific pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

We broadly compare a large collection of feed additives and active ingredients for their antibacterial activity against a diverse panel of bacterial swine pathogens. This provides a solid base of evidence which can drive the development of feed supplementation strategies with the aim of reducing dependency on antibiotic use in swine production.

The Impact of Weaning Stress on Gut Health and the Mechanistic Aspects of Several Feed Additives Contributing to Improved Gut Health Function in Weanling Piglets-A Review

Simple Summary

The current review aimed to provide an overview on the problems associated with weaning with a special focus on gut health, and also highlighted the nutritional approach using different kinds of feed additives and their mechanistic aspects in mitigating production inefficiencies and gut health dysfunction in weanling pigs.

Abstract

Newly weaned pig encounters psychosocial, physical, and nutritional stressors simultaneously when their immune system is not fully developed. These stressors have a cumulative effect on the immune response that contributes to the post-weaning growth lag which is characterized by depression in feed intake, reduced or negative growth rates, and increased susceptibility to pathogens in the first 24 to 48 h post-weaning. Consequently, the intestinal integrity, and digestive and absorptive capacity are impaired, and there is an increase in intestinal oxidative stress. It also causes the shifts in the taxonomic and functional properties of intestinal microbiome abruptly, thereby adversely affecting the health and performance of animals. It has been suggested that the effects of weaning stress on immune functions, intestinal barrier functions, and nervous system function in early weaned pigs extends into adulthood. The inclusion of different types of feed additives into the diet have been reported to alleviate the negative effects of weaning stress. The objective of this paper was to provide an overview on how the weaning stress affects gut health and the impact it has on production efficiencies, as well as the mechanistic aspects of several feed additives applied in reducing the weaning associated gut health problems and performance inefficiencies.

Effect of sodium butyrate on slaughter performance, serum indexes and intestinal barrier of rabbits

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium butyrate on slaughter performance, serum indexes and the intestinal barrier in rabbits. Six hundred healthy weaned rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (5 replicates per group, 40 rabbits per replicate): control (fed a basal diet), sodium butyrate (fed a basal diet containing 0.5% sodium butyrate) and antibiotic (fed a basal diet containing 0.004% antibiotic). The trial lasted 35 days, including 7 days of pretesting and 28 days of formal testing. The results showed that dietary sodium butyrate supplementation increased the full-bore weight, the half-bore weight and the half-bore rate of rabbits. Meanwhile, the content of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum was increased in rabbits fed the sodium butyrate diet. According to the intestinal barrier, after adding sodium butyrate to feed, the tight junction function of the rabbit intestine is enhanced, and the intestinal microbial composition is also improved. To sum up, after sodium butyrate was added to feed instead of antibiotics, slaughter performance was significantly enhanced, serum indexes were improved, and intestinal barrier function was also enhanced. Therefore, sodium butyrate can be added to feed as an additive and can replace antibiotics.

Maternal antibiotic treatment affects offspring gastric sensing for umami taste and ghrelin regulation in the pig

Background

Scarce is knowledge on the process regulating the development of acid secretion, orexigenic signaling, and chemosensing in the stomach of young pigs. Changes of early microbial encounters by suckling pigs can interact with the gut maturation, by the induction of different molecular signaling. Our goal was to assess if the age of offspring and the maternal environment, influenced by sow antibiotic treatment peripartum, could affect gastric morphology and the expression of genes involved in the control of hydrochloric secretion, feed intake, taste, and inflammation in offspring stomach.

Methods

84 pigs from sows fed a diet with amoxicillin (on –d10 to +d21 from farrowing, ANT) or without (CON) were sacrificed at d14, d21, d28 (weaning) or d42. Samples of oxyntic (OXY), pyloric (PY) and cardiac mucosae close to OXY were collected and parietal and enteroendocrine cells (EECs) were counted. Relative gene expression of a set of 11 key genes (ATP4A, SSTR2, GAST, GHRL, MBOAT4, PCSK1, GNAT1, TAS1R1, TAS1R3, IL8 and TNF) was assessed by qRT-PCR. In addition, 40 offspring obtained from the same ANT and CON sows were offered a normal or a fat-enriched diet for 4 weeks between 140 and 169 d of age, and then OXY and PY were sampled.

Results

The number of parietal and EECs increased with age (P < 0.001). ATP4A increased with age (within suckling, P = 0.043, post-weaning vs. suckling, P < 0.001), SSTR2 increased only after weaning (P < 0.001). In OXY, GHRL increased during suckling (P = 0.012), and post-weaning as a trend (P = 0.088). MBOAT4 tended to increase during suckling (P = 0.062). TAS1R1 increased from suckling to post-weaning period (P =0.001) and was lower in ANT offspring (P = 0.013). GNAT1 in PY was higher in ANT offspring (P = 0.041). Antibiotic treatment of sows peripartum increased expression of GHRL and MBOAT4 in OXY of growing-finishing offspring aged 5 months.

Conclusions

Data show that sensing for umami taste and ghrelin regulation can be affected by maternal environment, but the development of acid secretion, orexigenic signaling and taste perception in the stomach are mostly developmentally controlled.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-021-00557-3.

MHC II-PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway Regulates Intestinal Immune Response Induced by Soy Glycinin in Hybrid Grouper: Protective Effects of Sodium Butyrate

Soy glycinin (11S) is involved in immune regulation. As an additive, sodium butyrate (SB) can relieve inflammation caused by 11S. To further delve into the mechanisms. A diet containing 50% fishmeal was the control group (FM group), and the experimental groups consisted of the FM group baseline plus 2% glycinin (GL group), 8% glycinin (GH group), and 8% glycinin + 0.13% sodium butyrate (GH-SB group). The specific growth ratio (SGR), feed utilization, and density of distal intestinal (DI) type II mucous cells were increased in the GL group. In the serum, IFN-γ was significantly upregulated in the GL group, and IgG and IL-1β were upregulated in the GH group. IgG, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the GH-SB group were significantly downregulated compared to those in the GH group. The mRNA levels of mTOR C1, mTOR C2, and Deptor were upregulated in the GL, GH, and GH-SB groups in the DI compared with those in the FM group, while the mRNA levels of mTOR C1 and Deptor in the GH group were higher than those in the GL and GH-SB groups. 4E-BP1, RICTOR, PRR5, MHC II, and CD4 were upregulated in the GH group. TSC1, mLST8, and NFY mRNA levels in the GL and GH-SB groups were upregulated compared with those in the FM and GH groups. Western blotting showed P-PI3KSer294/T-PI3K, P-AktSer473/T-Akt, and P-mTORSer2448/T-mTOR were upregulated in the GH group. Collectively, our results demonstrate that low-dose 11S could improve serum immune by secreting IFN-γ. The overexpression of IgG and IL-1β is the reason that high-dose 11S reduces serum immune function, and supplementing SB can suppress this overexpression. Low-dose 11S can block the relationship between PI3K and mTOR C2. It can also inhibit the expression of 4E-BP1 through mTOR C1. High-dose 11S upregulates 4E-BP2 through mTOR C1, aggravating intestinal inflammation. SB could relieve inflammation by blocking PI3K/mTOR C2 and inhibiting 4E-BP2. Generally speaking, the hybrid grouper obtained different serum and DI immune responses under different doses of 11S, and these responses were ultimately manifested in growth performance. SB can effectively enhance serum immunity and relieve intestinal inflammation caused by high dose 11S.

Supplementation with sodium butyrate improves growth and antioxidant function in dairy calves before weaning

Background

There is increasing research interest in using short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including butyrate as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in animal production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of sodium butyrate (SB) in liquid feeds (milk, milk replacer, and the mixture of both) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and serum antioxidant capacity and immunoglobins in dairy calves before weaning. Forty healthy female Holstein calves (4-day-old, 40 ± 5 kg of body weight) were housed in individual hutches and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n = 10 per group) using the RAND function in Excel. The control group was fed no SB (SB0), while the other three groups were supplemented with 15 (SB15), 30 (SB30), or 45 (SB45) g/d of SB mixed into liquid feeds offered. The calves were initially fed milk only (days 2 to 20), then a mixture of milk and milk replacer (days 21 to 23), and finally milk replacer only (days 24 to 60).

Results

The SB supplementation enhanced growth and improved feed conversion into body weight gain compared with the SB0 group, and the average daily gain increased quadratically with increasing SB supplementation. No significant effect on rumen pH; concentrations of NH₃-N, individual and total VFAs; or acetate: propionate (A:P) ratio was found during the whole experimental period. Serum glutathione peroxidase activity increased linearly with the increased SB supplementation, while the serum concentration of maleic dialdehyde linearly decreased. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, or immunoglobulin M were not affected by the SB supplementation during the whole experimental period.

Conclusions

Under the conditions of this study, SB supplementation improved growth performance and antioxidant function in pre-weaned dairy calves. We recommended 45 g/d as the optimal level of SB supplementation mixed into liquid feeds (milk or milk replacer) to improve the growth and antioxidant function of dairy calves before weaning.

Prebiotics and butyric acid can replace colistin as a growth promoter for nursery piglets

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess different prebiotic concentrations and principles, in addition to calcium butyrate, aiming to replace colistin as a growth promoter. The sample consisted of 120 piglets weaned at 22 days old with mean initial weight of 5.475 ± 0.719kg. The animals were assigned to random blocks in six treatments corresponding to the use of the following dietary additives: T1) colistin (40 ppm); T2) β-glucan/mannan-oligosaccharides (0.2%); T3) calcium butyrate (0.1%); T4) β-glucan/mannan-oligosaccharides (0.1%) + fructooligosaccharides (0.01%) + galactooligosaccharides (0.09%); T5) β-glucan/mannan-oligosaccharides (0.1%) + fructooligosaccharides (0.03%) + galactooligosaccharides (0.07%); and T6) β-glucan/mannan-oligosaccharides (0.1%) + fructooligosaccharides (0.05%) + galactooligosaccharides (0.05%). The results showed no difference among treatments for the performance parameters in any of the phases evaluated. For diarrhea incidence and intensity, the results indicated that the treatments with alternative additives had similar effects as the group treated with colistin. A significant difference was found for the profile of propionic acid (0.23% colistin and 0.32%, 0.36%, 0.37% additives) and total fatty acids (0.67% colistin and 0.97% additives) values in the caecum. The supplementation with different compositions and concentrations of prebiotics and butyric acid may viably replace colistin in controlling diarrhea and modulating volatile fatty acid production in the caecum.

Effects of Tributyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Insulin, Blood Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary

In animal farming, alternatives to antibiotics are required due to the increase of antimicrobial resistance. In this contest, tributyrin showed the ability to promote gut health, to modulate gut microbiota and to improve protein digestibility, leading also to higher growth performance. However, although the mode of action of tributyrin on the intestinal epithelial cells has been partially explained, its effects on lipid and protein metabolism needs to be investigated. This paper provides information about the influence of tributyrin on production traits, blood parameters, faecal microbiota and faecal protein excretion in weaned piglets.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tributyrin supplementation on the production traits, the main metabolic parameters and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (Large White × Landrace) were randomly divided into two experimental groups (six pens each; 10 piglets per pen): the control group (CTRL), that received a basal diet, and the tributyrin group (TRIB) that received the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% tributyrin. The experimental period lasted 40 days. Production traits were measured at days 14, 28 and 40. A subset composed of 48 animals (n = 4 for each pen; n = 24 per group) was considered for the evaluation of serum metabolic parameters and hair cortisol by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and faecal microbiota by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed that the treatment significantly increased body weight (BW) at day 28 and day 40 (p = 0.0279 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and average daily gain (ADG) from day 28 to day 40 (p = 0.046). Gain to feed ratio (G:F) was significantly higher throughout the experimental period (p = 0.049). Even if the serum parameters were in the physiological range, albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, glucose and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) fraction were significantly higher in the TRIB group. On the contrary, tributyrin significantly decreased the urea blood concentration (p = 0.0026), which was correlated with lean gain and feed efficiency. Moreover, serum insulin concentration, which has a regulatory effect on protein and lipid metabolism, was significantly higher in the TRIB group (p = 0.0187). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that tributyrin can be considered as a valid feed additive for weaned piglets.

The effects of dietary sodium butyrate supplementation on the growth performance, carcass traits and intestinal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs

AIM

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary sodium butyrate supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits and intestinal of growing-finishing pigs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty pigs (27·4 ± 0·4 kg) were randomly assigned to receive one of three diets: basal diet (negative control group), basal diet + 40 ppm zinc bacitracin (positive control group) and basal diet + 0·2% sodium butyrate (sodium butyrate group), respectively. The experiment lasted for 69 days, including 3 days for diet and housing condition adaptation. On day 70, five piglets from each diet group were slaughtered for collecting blood and tissue samples. When compared to the control group, final body weight, daily body weight gain and daily feed intake of pigs in the sodium butyrate group were increased (P < 0·05) and feed intake/body weight gain ratio was decreased (P < 0·05). Carcass weight of pigs in the sodium butyrate group was higher than that of pigs in the negative and positive groups (P < 0·05); backfat thickness of pigs in the positive group was higher than that of pigs in the negative group and sodium butyrate group (P < 0·001). When compared to the negative and positive groups, pigs fed diet supplemented with sodium butyrate showed a increased relative abundance of bacteroidetes in the caecum and a decreased relative abundance of fiemicutes and proteobacteria in the caecum (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that dietary sodium butyrate supplementation increased growth performance of growing-finishing pigs and improved the carcass traits and intestinal health.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Antibiotic-free feed has become an inevitable worldwide trend. This study showed that dietary sodium butyrate supplementation improved the growth performance and intestinal health of growing-finishing pigs. Thus, sodium butyrate can be applied in growing-finishing pig feed as an alternative of antibiotics.

From Acidifiers to Intestinal Health Enhancers: How Organic Acids Can Improve Growth Efficiency of Pigs

Organic acids have been used successfully in pig production as a cost-effective performance-enhancing option and they continue to be the number one alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. The aim of this review is to provide the biological rationale behind organic acids use in pig production, focusing on their different effects along the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Organic acids are reviewed for their antimicrobial properties and for their classic use as acidifiers, with particular attention to pH modulation and microflora control. Additional beneficial effects on intestinal health and general metabolism are presented and we explain the advantage of microencapsulation as a tool to deliver organic acids along the intestine.

The effect of tributyrin supplementation to milk replacer on plasma glucagon-like peptide 2 concentrations in pre-weaning calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tributyrin (TB) supplementation to milk replacer (MR) on performance, health, and blood concentrations of metabolite and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-2) in pre-weaning calves. Twenty Holstein heifer calves were raised on an intensified nursing program using MR supplemented with either palm oil (CON) or TB (TB) at 0.3% (as fed basis) for 7 weeks starting 1 week after birth. Calves were fed a calf starter and kleingrass from the beginning of the study. Blood samples were obtained weekly to measure blood glucose, serum β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and plasma GLP-2 concentrations. Starter DMI and metabolizable energy (ME) intake were lower in TB calves at 46, 47, from 49 to 55 days after birth compared with the CON calves. However, any growth parameters were not affected by TB treatment. Blood glucose, serum BHBA, and IGF-1 concentrations were not affected by TB supplementation. On the other hand, mean plasma GLP-2 concentration among whole experimental period was higher for TB (0.60 ng/ml) compared with CON (0.41 ng/ml). In conclusion, feeding MR supplemented with TB increases plasma GLP-2 concentration, which might counterbalance the growth performance of TB calves despite the decreased ME intake.

Effect of exogenous butyrate on the gastrointestinal tract of sheep. I. Structure and function of the rumen, omasum, and abomasum

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exogenous butyrate on the structure and selected functions of the stomach in sheep. Eighteen rams (30.8 ± 2.1 kg; 12 to 15 mo of age) were allocated to the study and fed a diet for 14 d without (CTRL) or with sodium butyrate (BUT; 36 g/kg of offered DM). Neither DMI nor initial BW differed between treatments (P ≥ 0.61), but final BW was greater for BUT compared with CTRL (P = 0.03). Butyrate concentration in the reticuloruminal fluid and abomasal digesta was greater for BUT compared with CTRL (P ≤ 0.01), but total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration, as well as concentration of other SCFA, did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.07). Relative to BW, reticuloruminal tissue mass tended (P = 0.09) to be greater and omasal digesta was less (P = 0.02) for BUT compared with CTRL. Dietary butyrate did not affect ruminal papillae length, width, and density nor did it affect ruminal epithelium thickness (P ≥ 0.12) in the ventral sac of the rumen. However, the DM of ruminal epithelium (mg/cm2) tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for BUT compared with CTRL. Omasal and abomasal epithelium thicknesses were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for BUT compared with CTRL. Mitosis-to-apoptosis ratio in the abomasal epithelium was less for BUT compared with CTRL (P = 0.04). Finally, the mRNA expression of peptide transporter 1 in the omasal epithelium was less (P = 0.02) and mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 in the abomasal epithelium tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for BUT compared with CTRL. It can be concluded that exogenous butyrate supplementation affected not only the rumen but also omasum and abomasum in sheep.

Effects of pulse-dose ruminal infusion of butyrate on plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 and 2 concentrations in dairy calves

Feeding of butyrate was found to have a positive effects in enhancing gut development and improving growth performance of calves. Equally, glucagon-like peptide 1 and 2 (GLP-1 and GLP-2), secreted from gastrointestinal L-cells in response to nutrient intake, were found to play a significant role in regulating blood glucose homeostasis and improving gut health. However, limited information is available about the relationship between butyrate and release of GLP-1 and GLP-2 in dairy calves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a pulse-dose ruminal infusion of butyrate on plasma GLP-1 and GLP-2 concentrations in dairy calves. Five ruminally cannulated mature Holstein bull calves (7.2 ± 0.10 mo, and 330 ± 16.0 kg of body weight; mean ± standard deviation) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square with 4-d periods. On d 1 of each period at 0800 h, calves were ruminally infused with 1 of 5 treatments: 0 (saline), 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 g of butyrate per kg of body weight. Before butyrate infusion, calves were not offered feed overnight, and sequential blood and rumen fluid samples were taken before and after infusion on d 1 of each period. Ruminal butyrate and total volatile fatty acid concentrations increased linearly (2.65, 12.19, 20.99, 30.19, and 36.30; 23.68, 33.07, 40.94, 51.13, and 56.31 µmol/mL, for butyrate and total volatile fatty acids, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas propionate and isobutyrate increased quadratically. Ruminal and plasma butyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate, GLP-1, GLP-2, insulin, and glucose concentrations were all affected by treatment, time (except GLP-2), and interaction of treatment with time (except GLP-1). The area under the curve (AUC) summarized at different time points relative to the baseline (AUC30, AUC60, AUC120, and AUC240) for ruminal and plasma butyrate, and BHB, increased linearly with the dose of butyrate infused. However, AUC30, AUC60, AUC120, and AUC240 for plasma GLP-2 concentration were affected in a cubic manner unlike the linear effect on AUC30 and AUC60 for GLP-1. Plasma GLP-2 was not correlated with plasma butyrate (r = 0.16), GLP-1 (r = 0.03), or BHB (r = -0.05). This findings suggest that pulse-dosing of butyrate slightly increased both GLP-1 and GLP-2 concentrations at specific time points and this might be promoted by direct or indirect effect of butyrate on the intestinal L-cells.

Supplementation with organic acids showing different effects on growth performance, gut morphology, and microbiota of weaned pigs fed with highly or less digestible diets

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of organic acid (OA) supplementation in a highly digestible (Exp. 1) or a less digestible diet (Exp. 2) on the growth performance and intestinal health of weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 240 pigs weaned at day 21 were assigned to one of five dietary treatments: negative control (NC) (basal diet, 3,000 ppm zinc oxide (ZnO) in the first 2 wk only); positive control (PC) (NC plus 10 mg/kg zinc bacitracin, 5 mg/kg colistin sulfate, and 5 mg/kg olaquindox); OA1 (NC plus a 0.2% blend of encapsulated butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids [MCFA], OA, and phenolics); OA2 (NC plus 0.3% blend of free and buffered short-chain fatty acids [SCFA] combined with MCFA); and OA1 plus OA2 (NC plus 0.2% OA1 plus 0.3% OA2) for 49 d. All treatments in Exp. 1 used the same highly digestible basal diet. At day 28, eight pigs from each group were sacrificed, to collect intestinal and digesta samples for biochemical analysis. Growth performance and intestinal morphology were not affected by the treatments. However, pigs subjected to the OA2 treatment had lower levels of Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) in the colon. In addition, the OA1 and OA2 treatments, and their combination resulted in higher concentrations of acetate and propionic acid in the cecum and colon (P < 0.01) in comparison to the NC. A less digestible diet without high levels of ZnO was used in Exp. 2. A similar design was used with the exception of the replacement of OA2 with another OA blend (OA3, a blend of free and buffered OA). In comparison to the NC, supplementation with OA1 and OA3 in a less digestible diet improved the ADG and the F:G ratio in the seventh week post-weaning (P < 0.01); reduced the diarrhea index of pigs during the first 3 wk post-weaning (P < 0.05); increased the ileal villus height (P < 0.05), and acetic and propionic acid concentrations in colon contents (P < 0.05). Moreover, the genus Prevotella was increased in the colon and the microbial community structure was significantly altered in the OA1 + OA3 treatment. The present research indicated that dietary supplementation with OA improved intestinal health. The OA blends showed a similar growth-promoting effect as antibiotics in the less digestible diet, to which high levels of ZnO had not been added.

Butyrate presence in distinct gastrointestinal tract segments modifies differentially digestive processes and amino acid bioavailability in young broiler chickens

The hypothesis was tested that butyrate presence in the digesta of distinct gastrointestinal tract (GIT) segments of broilers leads to differential effects on digesta retention time, gut morphology, and proteolytic enzymatic activities, ultimately resulting in differences in protein digestibility. A total of 320 male day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: 1) control (no butyrate), 2) unprotected butyrate (main activity in the crop and gastric regions), 3) tributyrin (main activity in the small intestine), 4) fat-coated butyrate (activity in the whole GIT) and 5) unprotected butyrate combined with tributyrin, each replicated 8 times. Rapeseed meal was used in combination with a fine dietary particle size in order to challenge the digestive capacity of young broilers. Birds were dissected at 22, 23, and 24 d of age and samples of digesta at various GIT locations as well as tissues were collected. Butyrate concentration varied significantly across GIT segments depending on treatment, indicating that the dietary contrasts were successful. The apparent ileal digestibility of methionine tended to increase when butyrate and/or propionate was present in colonic and cecal contents, possibly due to modifications of GIT development and digesta transit time. Butyrate presence in the digesta of the crop, proventriculus and gizzard, on the contrary, decreased the apparent ileal digestibility of several amino acids (AA). In addition, butyrate presence beyond the gizzard elicited anorexic effect that might be attributable to changes in intestinal enteroendocrine L-cells secretory activities. The present study demonstrates that, in broilers, effects of butyrate on digestive processes are conditioned by the GIT segment wherein the molecule is present and indicates its influence on digestive function and bioavailability of AA.

Implications of butyrate and its derivatives for gut health and animal production

Butyrate is produced by microbial fermentation in the large intestine of humans and animals. It serves as not only a primary nutrient that provides energy to colonocytes, but also a cellular mediator regulating multiple functions of gut cells and beyond, including gene expression, cell differentiation, gut tissue development, immune modulation, oxidative stress reduction, and diarrhea control. Although there are a large number of studies in human medicine using butyrate to treat intestinal disease, the importance of butyrate in maintaining gut health has also attracted significant research attention to its application for animal production, particularly as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics. Due to the difficulties of using butyrate in practice (i.e., offensive odor and absorption in the upper gut), different forms of butyrate, such as sodium butyrate and butyrate glycerides, have been developed and examined for their effects on gut health and growth performance across different species. Butyrate and its derivatives generally demonstrate positive effects on animal production, including enhancement of gut development, control of enteric pathogens, reduction of inflammation, improvement of growth performance (including carcass composition), and modulation of gut microbiota. These benefits are more evident in young animals, and variations in the results have been reported. The present article has critically reviewed recent findings in animal research on butyrate and its derivatives in regard to their effects and mechanisms behind and discussed the implications of these findings for improving animal gut health and production. In addition, significant findings of medical research in humans that are relevant to animal production have been cited.

Invited review: Use of butyrate to promote gastrointestinal tract development in calves

Promotion of microbial butyrate production in the reticulorumen is a widely used method for enhancing forestomach development in calves. Additional acceleration of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, both the forestomach and lower parts of the GIT (e.g., abomasum, intestine, and also pancreas), can be obtained by dietary butyrate supplementation. For this purpose, different sources (e.g., butyrate salts or butyrins), forms (e.g., protected or unprotected), methods (e.g., in liquid feed or solid feed), and periods (e.g., before or after weaning) of butyrate administration can be used. The aim of this paper was to summarize the knowledge in the field of butyrate supplementation in feeds for newborn calves in practical situations, and to suggest directions of future studies. It has been repeatedly shown that supplementation of unprotected salts of butyrate (primarily sodium salt) in milk replacer (MR) stimulates the rumen, small intestine, and pancreas development in calves, with a supplementation level equating to 0.3% of dry matter being sufficient to exert the desired effect on both GIT development and growth performance. On the other hand, the effect of unprotected butyrins and protected forms of butyrate supplementation in MR has not been extensively investigated, and few studies have documented the effect of butyrate addition into whole milk (WM), with those available focusing mainly on the growth performance of animals. Protected butyrate supplementation at a low level (0.3% of protected product in DM) in solid feed was shown to have a potential to enhance GIT development and performance of calves fed MR during the preweaning period. Justification of this form of butyrate supplementation in solid feed when calves are fed WM or after weaning needs to be documented. After weaning, inclusion of unprotected butyrate salts in solid feed was shown to increase solid feed intake, but the effect on GIT development and function has not been determined in detail, and optimal levels of supplementation are also difficult to recommend based on available reports. Future studies should focus on comparing different sources (e.g., salts vs. esters), forms (e.g., protected vs. unprotected), and doses of supplemental butyrate in liquid feeds and solid feeds and their effect not only on the development of rumen, abomasum, and small intestine but also the omasum and large intestine. Furthermore, the most effective source, form, and dose of supplemental butyrate in solid feed depending on the liquid feed program (e.g., MR or WM), stage of rearing (e.g., pre- or postweaning), and solid composition (e.g., lack or presence of forage in the diet) need to be determined.

Dietary modulation of endogenous host defense peptide synthesis as an alternative approach to in-feed antibiotics

Traditionally, antibiotics are included in animal feed at subtherapeutic levels for growth promotion and disease prevention. However, recent links between in-feed antibiotics and a rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens have led to a ban of all antibiotics in livestock production by the European Union in January 2006 and a removal of medically important antibiotics in animal feeds in the United States in January 2017. An urgent need arises for antibiotic alternatives capable of maintaining animal health and productivity without triggering antimicrobial resistance. Host defense peptides (HDP) are a critical component of the animal innate immune system with direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. While in-feed supplementation of recombinant or synthetic HDP appears to be effective in maintaining animal performance and alleviating clinical symptoms in the context of disease, dietary modulation of the synthesis of endogenous host defense peptides has emerged as a cost-effective, antibiotic-alternative approach to disease control and prevention. Several different classes of small-molecule compounds have been found capable of promoting HDP synthesis. Among the most efficacious compounds are butyrate and vitamin D. Moreover, butyrate and vitamin D synergize with each other in enhancing HDP synthesis. This review will focus on the regulation of HDP synthesis by butyrate and vitamin D in humans, chickens, pigs, and cattle and argue for potential application of HDP-inducing compounds in antibiotic-free livestock production.

Effect of butyrate infusion into the rumen on butyrate flow to the duodenum, selected gene expression in the duodenum epithelium, and nutrient digestion in sheep

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of butyrate infusion into the rumen on butyrate flow to the duodenum, expression of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) transporters (monocarboxylate transporter-1, -2, and -4) and receptors (G protein coupled receptor-41 and -43) in the duodenal epithelium and nutrient digestion in sheep. Eight wethers (39.0 ± 3.00 kg; mean ± SD) with ruminal and T-shape duodenal cannulas were allocated to 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design with each experimental period lasting for 21 d (12 d of adaptation and 9 d for data and sample collection). Experimental treatments were: 1) distilled water infusion into the rumen (CONT); 2) 15 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT15); 3) 30 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT30); and 4) 45 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT45). The daily dose of butyrate was infused into the rumen via the rumen cannula, with 200 mL of solution of butyric acid and distilled water, at a constant rate (0.1389 mL/min) throughout the day using a peristaltic pump. Correspondingly, 200 mL/d of distilled water was infused into the rumen of CONT. The wethers were fed daily 900 g of chopped meadow hay and 200 g of concentrate in two equal meals at 0600 and 1800 h. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect total SCFA concentration in the rumen fluid ( > 0.11). Molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA linearly increased, and molar proportion of acetate and isovalerate linearly decreased ( ≤ 0.02) with an increasing amount of butyrate infused into the rumen. The molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA in the duodenal digesta linearly increased ( < 0.01), and butyrate flow to duodenum tended to linearly increase ( = 0.06) with an increasing dose of exogenous butyrate delivered to the rumen. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect ( ≥ 0.14) the mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter-2 and -4 and G protein coupled receptor-43 in the duodenal epithelium. The G protein coupled receptor-41 and monocarboxylate transporter-1 mRNA expression in the duodenal epithelium was very low in many of the analyzed samples. Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber in the stomach (forestomach and abomasum) decreased for BUT15 and BUT30 and then increased for BUT45 (quadratic, ≤ 0.04); however, neither digestibility in the intestine nor total tract digestibility differed between treatments ( ≥ 0.10).

The effects of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides on the gastric transcriptome profile of 2- or 3-week-old cesarean delivered piglets

Background

The stomach is an underestimated key interface between the ingesta and the digestive system, affecting the digestion and playing an important role in several endocrine functions. The quality of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides may affect porcine gastric maturation. Two trials (T1, T2) were carried out on 12 and 24 cesarean-delivered piglets (birth, d0), divided over two microbiota treatments, but slaughtered and sampled at two or three weeks of age, respectively. All piglets were fed orally: sow serum (T1) or pasteurized sow colostrum (T2) on d0; simple starter microbiota (Lactobacillus amylovorus, Clostridium glycolicum and Parabacteroides spp.) (d1-d3); complex microbiota inoculum (sow diluted feces, CA) or a placebo (simple association, SA) (d3-d4) and milk replacer ad libitum (d0-d4). The The T1 piglets and half of the T2 piglets were then fed a moist diet (CTRL); the remaining half of the T2 piglets were fed the CTRL diet fortified with medium chain triglycerides and 7% coconut oil (MCT). Total mRNA from the oxyntic mucosa was analyzed using Affymetrix©Porcine Gene array strips. Exploratory functional analysis of the resulting values was carried out using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis.

Results

Complex microbiota upregulated 11 gene sets in piglets of each age group vs. SA. Of these sets, 6 were upregulated at both ages, including the set of gene markers of oxyntic mucosa. In comparison with the piglets receiving SA, the CA enriched the genes in the sets related to interferon response when the CTRL diet was given while the same sets were impoverished by CA with the MCT diet.

Conclusions

Early colonization with a complex starter microbiota promoted the functional maturation of the oxyntic mucosa in an age-dependent manner. The dietary fatty acid source may have affected the recruitment and the maturation of the immune cells, particularly when the piglets were early associated with a simplified starter microbiota.

Evaluating the contribution of gut microbiome to the variance of porcine serum glucose and lipid concentration

Serum glucose and lipids are important indicators for host metabolic condition. Interaction of host and gut microbes regulates the metabolism process. However, how much the gut microbiome contributes to the variance of serum glucose and lipids is largely unknown. Here we carried out a 16S rRNA gene based association study between cecum microbiome and the concentration of serum glucose and lipids in 240 Chinese Erhualian pigs. We identified tens of bacterial taxa associated with serum glucose and lipids. The butyrate-producing bacteria were significantly associated with serum glucose level. The pathogenic bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria showed significant associations with increased serum lipid levels, while the bacteria Lactobacillus and Bacilli had negative correlations with serum lipids. Cross-validation analysis revealed that 23.8% variation of serum glucose and 1.6%~6.0% variations of serum lipids were explained by gut microbiome. Furthermore, predicted function capacities related to nutrition intake, transport and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly associated with serum glucose level, while the pathways related to antioxidant metabolism and bile synthesis tended to be associated with serum lipid level. The results provide meaningful information to get insight into the effect of gut microbiome on serum glucose and lipid levels in pigs.

Comparative characterization of bacterial communities in geese fed all-grass or high-grain diets

Background

Gut microbial composition is dependent on diet. Geese are herbivores and can digest crude fibre, but the relationship between composition of the microbiota and a fibre-rich diet in geese is not well understood.

Results

Here, caecal and faecal samples were collected simultaneously from all-grass-fed geese and high-grain-fed geese and the hypervariable V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were sequenced. The results was identified that high-grass-fed geese possessed significantly higher alpha diversity both in caecum and faeces compared with that in all-grain-fed geese. In addition, the composition of dominant bacterium occurred remarkable shifting due to different diet patterns, Firmicutes were more abundant in all-grass-fed geese, whereas Bacteroidetes were abundant in high-grain-fed geese. Fusobacteria and Deferribacteres were obviously present in high-grain-fed geese and few in all-grass-fed geese. Most importantly, some specific microorgnisms such as Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroidaceae which may associated with cellulose-degrading that were characterized to show distinctly diverse between the two diet patterns. PICRUSt analysis revealed the metabolic pathways such as carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were overrepresented in all-grass-fed geese.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were identified abundantly when the geese was fed with all-grass feed and high-grain feed, respectively. And Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroidaceae were recognized as main cellulose-degrading bacteria in the geese. The functional profiles of gut microbiota revealed the dominant microbiota communities were involved mainly in the carbohydrate metabolism in all-grass-fed geese.

Response of plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 to feeding pattern and intraruminal administration of volatile fatty acids in sheep

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), a gut peptide secreted by enteroendocrine L cells, has recently been identified as a key regulator of intestinal growth and absorptive function in ruminants. However, reports on GLP-2 secretion are few, and more information regarding its secretion dynamics is needed. In this study, two experiments were conducted to elucidate the daily rhythm of GLP-2 secretion in response to feeding regimen and to investigate the effect of volatile fatty acids (VFA) on GLP-2 release in sheep. In experiment 1, blood samples were collected over 3 d from 4 Suffolk mature wethers adapted to a maintenance diet fed once daily; day 1 sampling was preceded by 24 h of fasting to reach steady state. On days 1 and 3, samples were collected every 10 min from 11:00 to 14:00 on both days and then every 1 h until 00:00 on day 1 only; feed was offered at 12:00. On day 2, feed was withheld, and sampling was performed every hour from 01:00 to 00:00. In experiment 2, 5 Suffolk mature wethers were assigned to 5 treatment groups of intraruminal administration of saline, acetate, propionate, butyrate, or VFA mix (acetate, propionate, and butyrate in a ratio of 65:20:15) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, and 120 min relative to the beginning of administration at 12:00. In both experiments, plasma GLP-2, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose, insulin, and β-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) levels were measured. In experiment 1, incremental area under the curve was greater (P < 0.05) post-feeding than pre-feeding on days 1 and 3 for GLP-2 and tended to be greater (P < 0.1) on day 1 for GLP-1. Plasma insulin, glucose, and BHBA levels increased (P < 0.05) on day 1 post-feeding. Plasma GLP-2 was poorly correlated with GLP-1 but positively correlated with insulin, glucose, and BHBA. In experiment 2, administration of butyrate and VFA mix remarkably increased plasma GLP-2 (P = 0.05) and BHBA (P < 0.0001) levels compared with those in other treatments. Plasma GLP-1 levels were higher with butyrate administration compared with those in the saline, acetate, and VFA mix (P = 0.019). Propionate administration increased plasma glucose (P = 0.013) and insulin (P = 0.053) levels. Thus, our data confirmed that GLP-2 release is responsive to feeding and might be promoted by BHBA produced by the rumen epithelial metabolism of butyrate. Further molecular- and cellular-level studies are needed to determine the role of butyrate as a signaling molecule for GLP-2 release.

Dietary supplementation with tributyrin prevented weaned pigs from growth retardation and lethal infection via modulation of inflammatory cytokines production, ileal expression, and intestinal acetate fermentation

Weanling pigs, with an underdeveloped intestine and immature immune system, are usually subjected to depressed feed intake, growth retardation, and postweaning diarrhea. The aim of this study was to determine 1) the growth response of weaned pigs to supplemental tributyrin (TB) and 2) the potential effects and mechanisms of TB in modulating immune responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets. A total of 240 piglets (Duroc × Large White × Landrace) were weaned at 21 d of age to a control (basal diet), supplemented with antibiotics (AB; +AB), supplemented with TB (+TB), or with supplemental AB and TB (+AB+TB) diets, with 10 replicate pens (6 piglets/pen) per diet. At 49 d of age, male pigs from the control and +TB groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (25 μg/kg BW) or saline ( = 6) and sacrificed at 4 h after injection to collect blood, intestine, and digesta samples for biochemical analysis. There were higher ( < 0.05) feed intake and lower ( < 0.05) percentage of negative growth piglets in the +TB groups than in the control group during the first week after weaning. For piglets without LPS challenge, there were higher ( < 0.05) ileal fibroblast growth factor 19 () mRNA abundance and total bile acid concentrations in the +TB groups than in the control group, whereas downregulated ( < 0.05) expression was observed in the +TB groups after LPS challenge. Lipopolysaccharide challenge in the control group increased ( < 0.05) plasma tumor necrosis factor α and IL-6 concentrations and colonic amount and decreased ( < 0.05) colonic goblet cells and colonic and cecal acetate concentrations, with no differences ( > 0.05) observed between +TB groups following LPS challenge. Taken together, dietary supplementation with TB prevented growth retardation through stimulating the appetite of weaned pigs and protected piglets against lethal infection via modulation of inflammatory cytokines production, ileal expression, and intestinal acetate fermentation.

ACIDIFICANTE E DIGESTIBILIDADE DE NUTRIENTES EM SUÍNOS EM CRESCIMENTO

Resumo Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da adição de um acidificante em dietas sobre a digestibilidade de nutrientes em suínos em crescimento. Foram utilizados 18 suínos, com peso médio inicial de 53,55 kg, e os tratamentos constituíam de dieta convencional (milho e farelo de soja) e alternativa (milho pré-cozido e soja integral desativada), acrescidas de um acidificante nos níveis 0%, 0,1% e 0,2%. Os animais ficaram alojados em três baias coletivas, sendo que em cada arraçoamento eram colocados em boxes individuais. O método de coleta de fezes foi realizado diretamente na ampola retal e 0,34% de Cr2O3 foi utilizado como indicador. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 3 (dietas x níveis de acidificante). A dieta alternativa foi pior para a digestibilidade da PB (P<0,03) e resíduo mineral (P<0,001), porém melhorou a digestibilidade de variáveis da fibra (FB, P<0,001; e FDA, P<0,001). A adição de 0,2% do acidificante às dietas melhorou a digestibilidade do Ca (P<0,01). Houve interação entre acidificante e dieta para os coeficientes de digestibilidade da MS (P<0,01) e FDN (P<0,02). A dieta alternativa apresentou coeficiente de digestibilidade da MS superior à convencional quando adicionados 0,1% do acidificante, sendo respectivamente, 86,02% e 84,51% (P<0,05). Nos resultados de digestibilidade da FDN, a dieta alternativa apresentou valor superior à convencional no nível 0% ou 0,1% do acidificante. Para a dieta alternativa com 0,2% foram obtidos valores maiores que nos níveis 0 ou 0,1% (P<0,05).

Characterization of fecal fat composition and gut derived fecal microbiota in high-fat diet fed rats following intervention with chito-oligosaccharide and resistant starch complexes

The current study analyzed the different effects of intervention in high-fat diet fed rats using chito-oligosaccharides (CO group), resistant starch (RS group) and their complexes (CO–RS group), respectively.

Neto M, Schmidt A, Dadalt J, Monferdini R, Sitanaka N, Moraes J, Pizzolante C. Organic acids in diets of weaned piglets: performance, digestibility and economical viability

ABSTRACT Organic acids are used as feed additives to promote growth of weaned piglets since they prevent the occurrence of diarrhea. Thus, performance and digestibility assays were conducted and economic viability of diets was evaluated. In the performance assays, 64 hybrid piglets weaned with a mean weight of 5.87±0.31kg were divided in a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 piglets per experimental unit (1 castrated male and 1 female). In the digestibility assay, 24 castrated male hybrid piglets with a mean weight of 8.21±0.79kg were individually assigned to 4 treatments and 6 repetitions. The treatments in the two assays were as follows: control, basal diet without addition of an acidifier; blend: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids; butyrate: inclusion of 0.1% of sodium butyrate; blend+butyrate: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids and 0.1% sodium butyrate. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the acidifiers on animal performance during the period studied. Organic acids exerted no effect (P>0.05) on the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Diets supplemented with sodium butyrate had an economic advantage for the period of 10-24 days. No episode of diarrhea was observed. This study demonstrated no effect of acidifier feed additives as growth promoters in complex diets for weaned piglets.

Effect of different doses of coated butyric acid on growth performance and energy utilization in broilers

We recently applied four dietary treatments in experiments I and II to determine the effect of protected calcium butyrate (BP) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A group of one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (total 960, 480 per trial) were used in the study. In experiment I, the basal diets were fed with protected BP inclusion (0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 g/kg of finished feed) (BP) or without (C). In experiment II, 4 different diets were tested: 1) basal diet with no supplementation (C), 2) basal diet supplemented with protected BP (0.3 g/kg) (BP), 3) basal diet supplemented with avilamycin (6 mg/kg, active substance) a common antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) (Av), and 4) basal diet supplemented with the combination of both avilaymicin and BP. In experiment I, considering the entire study period, the use of BP improved feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) irrespective of the dose. Apparent total tract crude fat digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEN) were improved after BP supplementation (P<0.05). In experiment II, A or AB diets improved (P<0.05) body weight gain compared to the control treatment. The diets Av, BP, and AvB improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio compared to the control treatment. Birds from the treatment diet were characterized by having the thickest mucosa (P<0.05). On days 14, 35, and 42, the use of AB diets improved AMENcontent compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acid data showed that Av or AvB treated birds were characterized by higher Asp, Glu, Cys, Gly, and Ala ileal digestibility than the control animals (P<0.05). The use of Av, BP, or AvB increased ileal digestibility of Thr, Ser, and Pro (P<0.05). There is an indication that BP, alone or in combination with avilamycin, improve the digestion and absorptive processes and consequently birds performance results.

Effects of potassium diformate on the gastric function of weaning piglets

Potassium diformate (KDF), as an acidifier, has been shown to improve growth performance in pigs, but it is not yet known whether KDF regulates gastric function. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary KDF on gastric function in weaning piglets. One hundred and eighty Landrace × Large White piglets (bodyweight = 5.80 ± 0.15 kg) were weaned at 28 days old and randomly allocated into two groups, with six pens in each group and 15 piglets in each pen. Piglets in the control group were fed the basal diet, whereas the KDF-treated group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 10 g/kg KDF. After 35 days of feeding, the KDF treatment improved the bodyweight (P = 0.034) and reduced the relative weight of stomach (P = 0.050), decreased the hydrochloric acid concentration (P = 0.016) in the gastric digesta and the pepsin activity in the gastric oxyntic mucosa (P = 0.001) and increased the lactic acid concentration (P = 0.001) in the gastric digesta. Furthermore, KDF treatment increased the level of somatostatin (SS) (P = 0.009), but did not change the concentration of gastrin (P = 0.497) and the activity of H+-K+-ATPase (P = 0.575) in the gastric oxyntic mucosa. However, KDF treatment downregulated the expression of SS mRNA in the gastric oxyntic mucosa (P = 0.031) and upregulated the mRNA expression of gastrin (P < 0.001) and H+-K+-ATPase (P < 0.001) in the gastric oxyntic mucosa. These results suggest that the effects of KDF on weaning piglets may be related to the regulation of gastric function gene expression.

Effect of sodium butyrate on intestinal inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in broiler chickens

Jiang, Y., Zhang, W., Gao, F. and Zhou, G. 2015. Effect of sodium butyrate on intestinal inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in broiler chickens. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 389–395. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on intestinal inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in broiler chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old chickens (Arbor Acres) were divided into two groups and fed a control diet (without SB) or 1.00 g SB kg−1 diet. Half of the chickens fed each diet were injected intra-peritoneally with 0.5 g kg−1 body weight of Escherichia coli LPS at 16, 18 and 20 d of age. The results showed that the LPS challenge decreased (P<0.05) villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C ratio), increased (P<0.01) crypt depth of the duodenum. SB supplementation increased (P<0.05) villus height, crypt depth and V/C ratio of the duodenum and jejunum, except for the crypt depth of the jejunum. The LPS challenge increased (P<0.05) myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) levels in mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum, while decreasing (P<0.05) insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. The LPS challenge increased (P<0.05) the mRNA levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in duodenal mucosa. SB supplementation decreased (P<0.05) the MPO activities and mRNA expression of TNF-α in the duodenal mucosa, and the activated NF-κB levels in mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum. There were no significant interactions between dietary SB and LPS on the histomorphology of the small intestine and those inflammatory mediators except for MPO and ICAM-1 in duodenal mucosa (P<0.05). The results indicate that SB supplementation could improve the intestinal morphology and function of broiler chickens and partially attenuate inflammatory responses caused by LPS challenge but not involving NF-κB activation.

Differential gene expression in the oxyntic and pyloric mucosa of the young pig

The stomach is often considered a single compartment, although morphological differences among specific areas are well known. Oxyntic mucosa (OXY) and pyloric mucosa (PYL, in other species called antral mucosa) are primarily equipped for acid secretion and gastrin production, respectively, while it is not yet clear how the remainder of genes expressed differs in these areas. Here, the differential gene expression between OXY and PYL mucosa was assessed in seven starter pigs. Total RNA expression was analyzed by whole genome Affymetrix Porcine Gene 1.1_ST array strips. Exploratory functional analysis of gene expression values was done by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, comparing OXY and PYL. Normalized enrichment scores (NESs) were calculated for each gene (statistical significance defined when False Discovery Rate % <25 and P-values of NES<0.05). Expression values were selected for a set of 44 genes and the effect of point of gastric sample was tested by analysis of variance with the procedure for repeated measures. In OXY, HYDROGEN ION TRANSMEMBRANE TRANSPORTER ACTIVITY gene set was the most enriched set compared to PYL, including the two genes for H⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Pathways related to mitochondrial activity and feeding behavior were also enriched (primarily cholecystokinin receptors and ghrelin). Aquaporin 4 was the top-ranking gene. In PYL, two gene sets were enriched compared with OXY: LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION and LIPID RAFT, a gene set involved in cholesterol-rich microdomains of the plasma membrane. The single most differentially expressed genes were gastrin and secretoglobin 1A, member 1, presumably located in the epithelial line, to inactivate inflammatory mediators. Several genes related to mucosal integrity, immune response, detoxification and epithelium renewal were also enriched in PYL (P<0.05). The data indicate that there is significant differential gene expression between OXY of the young pig and PYL and further functional studies are needed to confirm their physiological importance.

Cereal β-glucan alters nutrient digestibility and microbial activity in the intestinal tract of pigs, and lower manure ammonia emission: a meta-analysis

Cereal β-glucan may be detrimental in pig production because of negative effects on nutrient digestibility, but they may act as functional ingredients by stimulating the intestinal microbiota. This study primarily aimed to investigate relations between dietary β-glucan and nutrient digestibility, intestinal fermentation, and manure NH3 emission in weaned, growing, and finishing pigs. Effects of dietary xylose, NDF, and CP, and pig BW on animal responses were also evaluated. A meta-analytical approach, accounting for inter- and intraexperiment variations, was used to compute prediction models. Data from 26 studies including 107 different dietary treatments with appropriate dietary and physiological measurements were used to parameterize these models. Dietary β-glucan inclusion ranged from 0 to 6.7%. Increasing dietary β-glucan reduced apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP and energy (R(2) = 0.12 to 0.29; P < 0.05), whereas the ATTD of DM was reduced by 10% up to a threshold β-glucan of 3.5%, above which the response became asymptotic (R(2) = 0.34; P < 0.01). Increasing dietary NDF content decreased ATTD of DM and energy, and increasing xylose concentration reduced ATTD of energy and CP (R(2) = 0.24 to 0.85; P < 0.05). Broken-line model indicated that cecal total VFA and butyrate concentrations increased up to a threshold of 2.5 and 1.4% β-glucan in the diet, respectively, above which these responses became asymptotic (R(2) = 0.77 to 0.96; P < 0.05). Ileal butyrate was negatively and colonic iso-butyrate was positively linked to increasing β-glucan concentration (R(2) = 0.17 to 0.41; P < 0.05). Greater β-glucan concentration were negatively related (R(2) = 0.86; P < 0.01) to NH3 emission, indicating a reduction in NH3 emission by one-half with 6% β-glucan. Backward elimination analysis indicated that greater BW of pigs counteracted (P < 0.05) the negative effect of β-glucan on AID of CP and energy and ATTD of DM and CP. Pig BW also enhanced effects of β-glucan on cecal total VFA, colonic iso-butyrate, ileal butyrate, and NH3 emission (P < 0.05). Dietary CP potentiated (P < 0.01) the β-glucan effects on cecal total VFA, cecal butyrate, and colonic iso-butyrate. In conclusion, this study indicates that β-glucan can stimulate cecal butyrate and ameliorate manure NH3 emission, thereby decreasing nutrient digestibility. Because greater BW ameliorates β-glucan effects, finishing diets may be formulated to contain more β-glucan than weaner diets.