Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and microbial shedding in weaning pigs

Yeast mixture supplementation modulates faecal microbiota and ileum morphology of weaning pigs

Different yeast strains benefit postweaning piglets by promoting intestinal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a yeast mixture containing Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis, Pichia guilliermondii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Vetoquinol italia s.r.l., Italy) on gut health parameters and growth performance traits of weaned piglets. Forty-eight postweaning castrated male piglets (27 ± 1.7 days, 7.19 ± 0.54 kg) were randomly allocated to two homogeneous experimental groups and involved in a 28-day trial. Both the groups received a basal diet with (yeast mixture, YM) or without (control, CTR) the inclusion of 0.8% yeast mixture during weeks 1 and 2, and 0.6% during weeks 3 and 4. Individual BW and box feed intake were determined on days 0, 14, and 28, and average daily gain and Gain:Feed ratio were subsequently calculated for each administration period (0-14, 14-28). Individual faecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis on days 4, 14, 21, and 28, and faecal score was evaluated on the same days. At the end of the trial, 12 piglets for each group were sacrificed, and ileal tissue was sampled for morphological analysis and the evaluation of mucins profile, using Alcian-Blue/Periodic Acid-Shiff (PAS) staining. On ileum samples, dividing and differentiated epithelial cells were also identified using proliferating cell nuclear antigen and alkaline phosphatase expression, respectively. Differences in the means between the experimental groups were determined by ANOVA, while the metataxonomics analyses were performed by sequencing for V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Growth performance traits were not different among the two experimental groups when considering the whole trial period, while treated animals showed increased faecal consistency on weeks 1 and 4 (P = 0.036 and 0.021, respectively). Yeast mixture administration increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.006) and Coprococcus 2 (P = 0.015), and decreased Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1 (P = 0.019) at all the considered timepoints. Ileum villous height, villous width, and crypt depth were significantly increased by yeast mixture supplementation (P = 0.019; P = 0.013; P = 0.036, respectively), while no differences were observed for the villous:crypt ratio among the groups. The mucin profile showed no differences among experimental groups for acid and neutral glycoconjugates. However, a higher presence of PAS-positive mucins was highlighted in the villi of YM piglets (P < 0.001) compared to CTR. Overall, the administration of a yeast mixture to postweaning piglets showed positive effects on gut health when compared to piglets not receiving the tested product, improving beneficial genera and intestinal morphology.

Dose-response of inactivated yeast in diets of late gestating and lactating gilts on immunoglobulin transfer and offspring preweaning growth performance

Fifty gilts (initial body weight [BW] 190.7 ± 4.2 kg) were recruited on day 85 of gestation and were used until day 19 of lactation to assess the dose-response of inactivated yeast via hydrolyzation (HY) inclusion on offspring growth and immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer prior to weaning. Gilts were assigned to one of the 5 experimental diets: a control with no HY (HY0) or inclusion of 0.25% (HY0.25), 0.5% (HY0.5), 1.0% (HY1.0), or 1.2% (HY1.2) HY. Gilts were weighed on days 85 and 110 of gestation and days 1 and 19 (weaning) after farrowing. Offspring were weighed on days 1 and 19 of age. On lactation day 1 (approximately 24 h after farrowing), colostrum, gilt plasma, and plasma from 2 median BW piglets were collected and on day 19, plasma from each gilt and 2 median BW piglets per litter were collected for determination of Ig concentrations. Contrast statements were used to assess the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic effects of HY inclusion. The inclusion of HY had minimal effects on gilt BW or litter characteristics at birth (total number born and born alive, piglet birth weight). Lactation average daily feed intake of the gilts tended to increase then decrease with increasing HY inclusion (quadratic; P = 0.085). Piglet preweaning average daily gain (linear, quadratic, and quartic; P < 0.05) and BW at weaning (quadratic and quartic; P < 0.05) increased then decreased with increasing HY inclusion. On lactation day 1, colostrum and gilt plasma Ig concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.10) but piglet IgA and IgM decreased then increased with HY inclusion level (cubic; P < 0.05). On lactation day 19, piglet plasma IgG tended to increase with HY inclusion (linear; P = 0.099). In summary, increasing HY inclusion in late gestating and lactating gilt diets improved immune transfer in the first 24 h after birth and piglet preweaning growth rates and BW at weaning. Therefore, maternal feeding of HY could be used as a strategy to improve offspring immunocompetence and BW at weaning, with possible carryover benefits for the postweaning phase.

The Efficacy of Yeast Supplementation on Monogastric Animal Performance-A Short Review

Due to a continual growth in the world's population and the prohibition of antibiotics in animal production, the livestock industry faces significant challenges in the global demand for meat, eggs, and dairy products. The growing demand for organic products and the prohibition on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have compelled animal nutrition experts to search for natural substitutes that include medical plants and beneficial microorganisms. Natural feed additives like probiotics are found to be more effective than AGPs in reducing the load of harmful intestinal pathogens. One of the probiotics that has generated considerable interest since ancient times is yeast. Yeast is used as a supplement in animal feeds due to its relatively high protein, amino acid, energy, and micronutrient content. Yeast byproducts such as yeast cells and cell walls contain nutraceutical compounds (i.e., β-glucans, mannooligosaccharides, and nucleotides) and have been shown to improve animal growth performance and health. Though the application of yeast supplements has been reviewed to date, only a scarce amount of information exists on the yeast-derived products in non-ruminant nutrition. Additionally, it is difficult for nutritionists to differentiate the characteristics, composition, and optimal feeding among the diverse number of yeast-containing products. Due to the increasing popularity of using yeast-based products in animal feeds, the development of analytical approaches to estimate yeast and its components in these products is greatly needed. Thus, in this review, we intend to provide current knowledge of different categories of commercially available yeast and yeast-derived additives, along with their role in improving animal growth performance and health, their proposed mechanisms of action, and the challenges of quantifying yeast content and biologically active components.

Efficacy of Feed Additive Containing Bentonite and Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Yeast on Intestinal Health and Growth of Newly Weaned Pigs under Chronic Dietary Challenges of Fumonisin and Aflatoxin

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a feed additive containing bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast on the intestinal health and growth of newly weaned pigs under chronic dietary exposure to fumonisin and aflatoxin. Newly weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of four possible treatments: a control diet of conventional corn; a diet of corn contaminated with fumonisin and aflatoxin; a diet of mycotoxin-contaminated corn with 0.2% of feed additive; and a diet of mycotoxin contaminated corn with 0.4% of feed additive. We observed lower average weight gain and average daily feed intake in pigs that were fed only mycotoxin-contaminated corn compared to the control group. Feed additive supplementation linearly increased both average weight gain and feed intake, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In the jejunum, there was an observed decrease in immunoglobulin A and an increase in claudin-1. Additionally, feed additive supplementation increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio compared to the control. In conclusion, feed additives containing bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast could mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on the growth performance of newly weaned pigs by improving intestinal integrity and positively modulating immune response.

Risk factors associated with post-weaning diarrhoea in Austrian piglet-producing farms

Post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) is a frequent, multifactorial disease of piglets leading to increased mortality rates and high economic losses. Due to the emergence of multi-resistant Escherichia coli isolates and the ban of zinc oxide (ZnO) in the EU since June 2022, alternative measures to prevent PWD are urgently needed. While an abundance of feed supplements is described to prevent PWD, there are hardly any studies reflecting the current situation of PWD in the field. Thus, we aimed to identify differences in management practices, housing and feeding strategies between farms with PWD and farms without PWD. Data were personally collected using a semi-structured questionnaire in 257 Austrian piglet-producing farms. Farms with PWD in more than 10% of all weaned groups within twelve months prior to data collection were defined as case farms (n = 101), while the remaining 136 farms were defined as control farms. Data from 237 farms and 69 explanatory variables were analysed via penalized binary logistic regression using elastic-net in 100 different splits into randomly selected training and test datasets (80:20). Treatment with ZnO and/or colistin (136 farms) was negatively associated with PWD in all splits and had the biggest estimated absolute log odds ratio out of all tested variables. Implementation of an all-in/all-out system in the nursery units and administration of probiotics or horseradish also had preventive effects in most splits (≥ 97%). A higher number of feeding phases for piglets within the first seven weeks of life and housing on fully slatted floors was associated negatively with the occurrence of PWD as well in > 95% of all splits. PWD was more likely to occur on farms having problems with neonatal diarrhoea or postpartum dysgalactia syndrome. While our data demonstrate that treatment with ZnO or colistin had the biggest statistical effect on PWD, we were able to identify other preventive measures like supplementation with probiotics or horseradish. Since implementation of all-in/all-out measures and fully slatted floors were also negatively associated with the occurrence of PWD on visited farms, we assume that reduction of bacterial load by the implementation of simple hygiene measures are still crucial to prevent PWD.

Use of a commercial feed supplement based on yeast products and microalgae with or without nucleotide addition in calves

The use of feed additives with antioxidant and immune response modulatory activity could be a useful strategy in suckling calves to reduce morbidity and mortality. This strategy is based on several feed additives tested for these purposes. The aim of the paper is the examination of a commercial feed additive for adult cows for use in calves, with and without nucleotide supplementation. Seventy-five Holstein Friesian male calves were divided in 3 groups, with each calf randomly assigned to a group according to birth order. All calves received 2 L of pooled colostrum within 2 h of birth. The commercial feed supplement group was orally administered with 5 g/head of Decosel (dried brewer's yeast lysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), brewer's yeast walls (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), diatoms, spirulina, barley flour, calcium carbonate; Agroteam srl, Torrimpietra, Italy) and the nucleotides + commercial feed supplement group was orally administered with 5 g/head of an additive containing 2.5 g of Decosel and 2.5 g of nucleotides once daily from birth to 25 d. The control group was orally administered 20 mL of fresh water/head once daily. Calves that received the supplement and the nucleotides showed lower rates of protein and metabolizable energy conversion, with longer villi and greater crypt depth in duodenum. Moreover, the commercial feed supplement alone increased antioxidant capacity [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power] in plasma some activity of antioxidant liver enzymes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell viability after in vitro concanavalin A and H₂O₂ stimuli. Dietary supplementation with a commercial feed supplement containing yeast products (yeast cell walls and hydrolyzed yeast) and microalgae enhanced the redox balance and gut morphology in calves, allowing calves to improve their immune response, increasing resistance to stress. Moreover, these beneficial effects were strongly potentiated when dietary nucleotides were added to the supplement.

Growth performance, immune status, gastrointestinal tract ecology and function in nursery pigs fed enzymatically treated yeast without or with pharmacological levels of zinc

Growth performance and physiological responses of nursery piglets when fed enzymatically treated yeast (HY40) and pharmacological ZnO alone or in combination, were investigated. A total of 144 pigs (21d old, BW 7.32±0.55 kg) were placed in 36 pens (4 pigs/pen). Pigs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n=9): [1] control corn-wheat-soybean meal diet (control), [2] control + HY40 (HY40), [3] control +ZnO and [4] control + HY40 + ZnO (HY40+ZnO). Inclusion of HY40 and ZnO was 0.5% and 3,000 ppm in phase I (d 0 to 14), respectively, and halved in phase II (d 15 to 42). All diets contained 0.2% TiO2 for determination of apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of components. Body weight and feed disappearance was recorded weekly. One pig per pen was sacrificed for organ weights, blood, and tissue samples on d 14. Except for phase II, when HY40+ZnO pigs had greater average daily feed intake (P=0.004) than all other treatments, there were no (P>0.05) interactions between HY40 and ZnO on growth performance. Pigs fed HY40 or ZnO containing diets were heavier (P<0.05) than pigs fed without by the end of the study. On d 14, pigs fed additives exhibited higher (P≤0.009) ATTD of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) than control pigs. On d 28, pigs fed control, HY40 and HY40+ZnO had greater (P≤0.022) ATTD of DM, crude protein, and GE than piglets fed ZnO only. Pigs fed HY40+ZnO had lower ileal digesta E. coli concentration (P<0.05) than HY40 and control pigs. Ileal digesta of pigs fed ZnO diets had higher lactobacillus to E. coli ratio (1.44 vs. 1.20; P=0.001), exhibited higher concentrations of acetic (P=0.01) and butyric acid (P=0.01) but lower lactic (P=0.02) and total short chain fatty acids (P=0.033) than pigs fed non-ZnO diets. Greater (P<0.05) mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, tight junction proteins and fecal excretion of zinc (Zn) was observed in ZnO pigs relative to non-ZnO pigs. Pigs fed HY40 diets had greater (P=0.002) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) than non-HY40 pigs. The concentration of plasma IgA was higher (P=0.04) in HY40+ZnO pigs relative to other pigs whereas HY40 pigs showed higher (P<0.001) jejunal IgA than non-HY40 pigs. Although the mode of action of HY40 and ZnO differed, the present study indicated that HY40 improved growth performance and jejunal function and immunity, making HY40 an effective alternative to pharmacological ZnO for nursery pigs.

Hydrolyzed Yeast Supplementation to Newly Weaned Piglets: Growth Performance, Gut Health, and Microbial Fermentation

Simple Summary

Early-weaning in piglets has negative effects on growth performance and gut health, which may cause economic losses in the swine production worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of a highly digestible protein ingredient from hydrolyzed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, and microbial fermentation in early-weaned piglets. Our study found that supplementing hydrolyzed yeast increased growth performance, crude protein digestibility, villus height, villus height-to-crypt ratio, and immunity and decreased inflammation and fecal pathogen count compared with those fed a diet with no addition of hydrolyzed yeast. These research outcomes indicate that supplementation of hydrolyzed yeast has the potential to enhance the growth performance and gut health of early-weaned piglets.

Abstract

Hydrolyzed yeast (HY)-derived protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a high digestible protein content and nucleotides and is a sweetener immunostimulatory substance. This could be used in nursery diets to minimize diarrhea and improve the growth rate and gut health of early-weaned piglets. This research was conducted with the objective of examining the effect of the inclusion level of HY as a potential protein ingredient for early-weaned piglets. A total of 72 crossbred weaned piglets [(Landrace × Large White) × Duroc] were assigned to three dietary treatments in six replicates with four pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were: (i) control (CON), piglets weaned at 18 days; (ii) CON diet with 5% HY inclusion (HY5); and (iii) CON diet with 10% HY inclusion (HY10) in a corn–soybean meal-based basal diet. Increasing HY levels positively improved body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake (linear effect, p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a linear increase in N-retention, albumin, jejunal villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, immunoglobulin A, acetate and propionate production, and Lactobacillus spp. count proportional to the dose of the HY-supplemented diet (p < 0.05). It also observed a decrease in diarrheal rate, jejunal crypt depth, blood urea nitrogen, pro-inflammatory cytokines, branched amino acids, and E. coli corresponding to the HY-supplemented levels (p < 0.05). However, the changes in the apparent total tract digestibility (dry matter, crude ash, and crude fat), blood glucose, butyrate, and Salmonella spp. were unaffected by the dietary HY level. Therefore, the supplementation of HY in the diet for early-weaned pigs not only supported the growth rate and immune function but also activated the beneficial bacterial growth of the early-weaned piglets.

Inclusion of probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum) in high- and low-nutrient-density diets reveals a positive result on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, and blood profile in growing pigs

A total of 160 growing pigs (24.69 ± 1.89 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two different levels of nutrient density diet with or without 0.3% probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum). Each treatment had eight replicates with five pigs (three gilts and two barrows) per pen. At the end of the trial, pigs fed 0.3% probiotic supplement had significantly increased body weight, whereas the average daily gain and gain to feed ratio was significantly increased in both probiotic and high-nutrient density (HD) diet. The nutrient digestibility of dry matter was significantly increased in pigs fed HD diet, whereas nitrogen and gross energy digestibility and blood characters immunoglobulin and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased in both HD and probiotic groups. Inclusion of HD diet with 0.3% probiotic significantly decreased NH3 and H2S gas emission. Moreover, nitrogen and energy showed a significant interaction between probiotic and density diet. In summary, dietary probiotics with HD diet increased the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and reduced gas emission. We suggest that 0.3% probiotic with HD diet could serve as an alternative feed additive to enhance the growth performance of growing pigs.

Impact of yeast hydrolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microflora, noxious gas emission, blood profile, and meat quality of finishing pigs

A total of 90 finishing pigs (52 ± 1.46 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments as: TRT1 [CON (basal diet)], TRT2 [CON + 0.05% yeast hydrolysate (YH)], and TRT3 (CON + 0.1% YH) for an 8 wk trial. Each treatment had six replications and five (three gilts and two barrow) pigs per pen. In weeks 4 and 8, YH supplement linearly increased (P < 0.05) body weight. Moreover, average daily gain was also linearly increased (P < 0.05) with YH supplementation in week 4 and the overall trial period. At the end of the trial, apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy was linearly increased in pigs fed YH supplementation. In addition, fecal Lactobacillus counts, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentration, and the lean meat percentage were linearly increased by YH supplementation. Also, YH supplementation elicited a linear reduction on drip loss during days 3, 5, and 7. In summary, dietary yeast hydrolysate supplement positively enhanced the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, Lactobacillus count and reduced the drip loss traits of finishing pig. Thus, we infer that the application of 0.1% S. cerevisiae YH can enhance the growth efficiency of finishing pigs.

Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria with Inhibitory Activity against ETEC K88 as Feed Additive and the Effects on Sows and Piglets

Simple Summary

Numerous reports have suggested that lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are important probiotics, can protect animals against pathogen-induced injury and inflammation, regulate gut microflora, enhance digestive tract function, improve animal growth performance, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic (ETEC) that expresses K88. This research selected Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri P7, L. amylovorus P8, and L. johnsonii P15 with good inhibition against ETEC K88 and excellent probiotic properties screened from 295 LAB strains isolated from fecal samples from 55 healthy weaned piglets for a study on feeding of sows in late pregnancy and weaned piglets. Feed supplementation with these three strains improved reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of piglets, decreased the incidence of diarrhea in piglets, and increased the antioxidant capacity of serum in both sows and piglets. Therefore, L. reuteri P7, L. amylovorus P8, and L. johnsonii P15 might be considered as potential antibiotic alternatives for further study.

Abstract

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which expresses K88 is the principal microorganism responsible for bacterial diarrhea in pig husbandry, and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has caused many problems; therefore, antibiotics need to be replaced in order to prevent diarrhea caused by ETEC K88. The objective of this study was to screen excellent lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains that inhibit ETEC K88 and explore their effects as probiotic supplementation on reproduction, growth performance, diarrheal incidence, and antioxidant capacity of serum in sows and weaned piglets. Three LAB strains, P7, P8, and P15, screened from 295 LAB strains and assigned to Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri, L. amylovorus, and L. johnsonii with high inhibitory activity against ETEC K88 were selected for a study on feeding of sows and weaned piglets. These strains were chosen for their good physiological and biochemical characteristics, excellent exopolysaccharide (EPS) production capacity, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation ability, survival in gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, lack of hemolytic activity, and broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of microorganisms. The results indicate that LAB strains P7, P8, and P15 had significant effects on improving the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of weaned piglets, increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and immune indexes in both.

Influence of yeast hydrolysate supplement on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, microflora, gas emission, blood profile, and meat quality in broilers

A total of 1512 Ross 308 broilers (one - day - old) were assigned (random blocks) to 1of 3 dietary treatments with 28 replicates of 18 chicks/cage. The dietary treatments were Corn-soybean-meal based basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% of commercial yeast hydrolysate (YH [Saccharomyces cerevisiae]). The graded level of YH supplementation has linearly increased broilers body weight gain on d 21, 35, and overall (p = 0.044, 0.029, and 0.036, respectively) experimental period. In addition, the increased level of YH supplementation has linearly reduced feed conversation ratio of broilers on d 21, 35, and overall trial period (p = 0.041, 0.052, and 0.032, respectively). However, the feed intake and mortality of broilers were not affected by the graded level of YH supplementation. Though nutrient digestibility of dry matter (p = 0.012) and nitrogen (p = 0.021) was linearly increased in broilers fed YH supplementation, at the end of the trial it fails to affect the total track digestible energy. Dietary inclusion of YH supplementation showed a beneficial effect on the microbial population as linearly improved lactobacillus (p = 0.011) and reduced Escherichiacoli counts (p = 0.042). An increasing level of YH supplementation has tended to decrease NH₃ (p = 0.069) and linearly decrease H₂S (p = 0.027) of noxious gas emission in broilers. Moreover, dietary YH supplements trend to increase the glucose (p = 0.066) and reduced cholesterol (p = 0.069) level. At the end of the test, YH supplementation elicited a linear reduction in drip loss on days 5 and 7, respectively (p = 0.045, and 0.021). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of YH supplementation had linearly increased villus height (p = 0.051) but fails to affect crypt depth. Therefore, in terms of positive effects on the broiler’s overall performance, we suggest that dietary supplements containing graded YH levels in the broilers diet could serve as a potential alternative for growth promoters.