In vitro evaluation of sodium butyrate on the growth of three Salmonella serovars derived from pigs at a mild acidic pH value

Foodborne zoonotic diseases can be transferred into the food chain at the stage of livestock farming. As an emerging public health challenge, practicable reduction measures in porcine health management for Salmonella are constantly being investigated. This in vitro study aimed to determine the influence of six different sodium butyrate (SB) concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mM) on the growth of three different Salmonella enterica serovars at a constant pH value of 6.0, corresponding to conditions in the pig's hindgut. S. Derby and S. Typhimurium, isolated from a pig farm, and S. Typhimurium DSM 19587, which served as control, were used. Broth microdilution assay was applied to record Salmonella growth in the presence of different SB-concentrations over six different incubation periods (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h). Results were quantified in the log colony-forming units (log10 CFU/mL). For 1 h incubation, the addition of SB showed no significant differences in the range of initial Salmonella dose of about 5.7 log10 between concentrations (0–80 mM, 5.26 ± 0.10–5.60 ± 0.07 log10, p > 0.05). After 6 h, for SB addition, the range of Salmonella counts was significantly lower compared to no addition of SB (5–80 mM, p < 0.05), 6.78 ± 0.84–7.90 ± 0.10 log10 for 5 mM, and 7.53 ± 0.04–8.71 ± 0.22 log10 for 0 mM. Moreover, for SB concentrations of 40 and 80 mM, no difference in the range of Salmonella counts over 6 h was obtained (5.23 ± 0.11–5.38 ± 0.05 log10, p > 0.05), and minor Salmonella growth was recorded at the earliest after 24 h incubation. Growth rates for varying SB concentrations and incubation times were confirmed in a similar manner for the three serovars. Obtained results suggest that increasing SB concentrations suppress Salmonella growth for concentrations of 5–20 mM over a 6 h incubation period and for 40 and 80 mM over a 24 h incubation period. When transferring these in vitro findings to the porcine organism, it may be assumed that Salmonella reduction can be achieved by increased butyrate content in the chyme of the large intestine

Effect of Different Flooring Designs on the Performance and Foot Pad Health in Broilers and Turkeys

Litter quality has a significant influence on the performance and foot pad health in poultry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types of flooring designs on the performance and foot pad health in fattening broilers and turkeys. Three trials were conducted for each species using a total of 720 Ross 308 broilers and 720 Big 6 turkeys. After day seven, animals were randomly assigned to four groups with three subgroups each: G1—floor pens with litter, G2—floor pens with litter and floor heating, G3—partially-slatted flooring, including a littered area, and G4—fully-slatted flooring with a sand bath (900 cm2). Animals of both species had a significantly higher final body weight at dissection (day 36) after being reared on fully-slatted floors compared to common littered floors. In turkeys, the feed conversion ratio was worse in G4 (1.53 ± 0.04) than in G1 (1.47 ± 0.02) and G2 (1.48 ± 0.03). Water to feed ratio was significantly higher in G2 than other groups. Turkeys’ foot pad health was significantly better in G4 than in other groups beginning at day 21. In turkeys, platforms with slatted floors that allow for temporary separation of the feet from the litter could lead to improvements in foot pad health which could better enable the realization of species-specific behaviours and activities in littered areas

Evaluation of Coated Biochar as an Intestinal Binding Agent for Skatole and Indole in Male Intact Finishing Pigs

The ban on piglet castration without anaesthesia poses a challenge for the meat industry since alternatives ensuring the production of flawless pork have to be established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of biochar on skatole and indole concentration in faeces and plasma on a small scale in finishing boars to prove whether biochar was suitable for use in commercial pork production. Moreover, it was investigated whether biochar affects faecal properties or the performance. For a four-week trial period, 54 boars (bodyweight 97.2 ± 6.88 kg) were divided into three groups. The control (BC0) received no dietary biochar, one group received a diet containing 4% coated biochar (corresponding to 2% pure biochar) for the final two experimental weeks (BC2), and another group for the entire four weeks (BC4), respectively, prior to slaughter. Skatole and indole concentrations were measured in faeces and plasma at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the trial. Mean skatole concentrations did not differ between groups, but in BC2 faecal skatole was significantly decreased at day 26, whereas in BC4 initial and final faecal skatole levels did not differ. At day 15 and 26, the faecal dry matter content was significantly higher in pigs fed the biochar diet (p < 0.05)

Effect of Rye for Transition Sows on the Level of Piglet Serum Immunoglobulin Immunocrit

A sustainable increase in livestock productivity cannot be achieved without the use of sustainable animal feed. Due to the growing awareness of the long-term benefits of sustainability, there is an increasing interest in replacing traditional feed resources with the most sustainable feedstuffs in pig production. Rye production is relatively sustainable compared to wheat. This farm study investigated whether the newborn body weight as well as antibody transfer in piglets (serum immunoglobulin immunocrit) are affected by feeding rye instead of wheat grain to transition sows. A total of 237 sows and their piglets (n = 711) from three farms located in northern Germany participated in this study. During the transition period, the sows were fed either a wheat-based diet used as the control diet (CON) or a 30% rye diet (RYE) for 7 days before the calculated farrowing date. On the day of farrowing, piglet body weights within 24 h post-natal (PN) were recorded, and blood samples were taken from the lightest, medium, and heaviest piglets in each litter to determine the quantification of immunoglobulins in the piglets. Feeding rye-based diets to the sows showed no differences in the body weight of the newborns (within 24 h) compared to the CON group in all body weight categories, except on Farm C in light and medium piglets, where high BW were observed in the CON group. The immunocrit ratio did not show any differences between both feeding groups. A relationship between newborn body weight and immunocrit ratios in the CON and the RYE groups was observed only on farm A. Overall, this study showed that including amounts of rye up to 30% in sows’ diets during the transition period had no negative effects on newborn piglet body weight or on antibody transfer and therefore can be considered an adequate replacement for wheat (up to 30%) in diets for transition sows. However, future research is needed to determine whether a higher proportion of rye may be used

Nutrient Digestibility and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs Fed Meat and Bone Meal Added to Dry Food

Meat and bone meal (MBM) is one animal by-product used in pets. This study purposed to provide information on MBM including either coarsely (MBMc) or finely (MBMf) ground with regard to diet digestibility and fecal characteristics in dogs. Three different levels of MBM (6%, 12% and 24%) of each grinding form (MBM6, MBM12 and MBM24) were added to a basic diet. Six Beagle dogs (body weight 16.7 kg ± 0.42) participated in a Latin Square experiment. Each trial began with the animals adapting to the food for a five-day period, followed by five days of fecal collection. The feed particle size had no effect on the apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and crude fat. The fecal score was significantly affected by the particle size × level interaction among treatments (p < 0.0001). It was noted that the different particle sizes or levels of MBM as main effects had no significant effect on the fecal fatty acid concentrations. These findings suggest that using coarse or fine grinding even including MBM up to 24% in dog diets does not affect the apparent digestibility of protein nor fecal quality negatively in our experimental study

Resistance of Escherichia coli in Turkeys after Therapeutic or Environmental Exposition with Enrofloxacin Depending on Flooring

Gaining knowledge about the spread of resistance against antibacterial agents is a primary challenge in livestock farming. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of double antibiotic treatment (at days 10&ndash;14 and days 26&ndash;30) with enrofloxacin or solely environmental exposition (identical times, directly into the litter) on resistance against antibacterial agents in commensal Escherichia coli in comparison with the control (without treatment), depending on different flooring. A total of 720 Big 6 turkeys participated in three trials. Four different flooring designs were examined: An entire floor pen covered with litter, a floor pen with heating, a partially slatted flooring including 50% littered area, and a fully slatted flooring with a sand bath. A total of 864 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from cloacal swabs and poultry manure samples at days 2, 9, 15, 21, and 35. The broth microdilution method (MIC) was used to determine the resistance of isolates to enrofloxacin and ampicillin. A double antibiotic treatment with enrofloxacin reduced the proportion of susceptible Escherichia coli isolates significantly in all flooring designs. Simulation of water losses had no significant effect, nor did the flooring design. Ampicillin-resistant isolates were observed, despite not using ampicillin

Influence of Fermented Diets on In Vitro Survival Rate of Some Artificially Inoculated Pathogens—A Preliminary Study

Improving the hygienic status of feed ingredients by biotechnological processes as fermentation is of the greatest concern. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether there are relevant effects of fermented liquid feed (FLF) on the survival of potential pathogens in vitro. The feed (fresh basis) consisted of 50% rye, 30% rapeseed extracted meal, 10% barley and 10% wheat. Glass bottles were filled about 14.1 g water (38 &deg;C) containing the diluted starter culture and feed (8.81 g). Fermentation led to high levels of lactate (5&ndash;7% of dry matter), low pH values (&lt;4.0) and low levels of acetic acid (&lt;1% of dry matter) in the FLF. The survival rate of pathogens added, such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens after 6 h of controlled fermentation, was significantly reduced (&lt;2 log10 CFU/g). The counts of Candida krusei in FLF at 3 h and 6 h post inoculation remained almost unchanged regardless of the incubation time. Even adding sodium-benzoate at a concentration of up to 0.25% in the liquid feed did not reduce the survival of C.krusei during fermentation. Based on this in vitro study, feeding of FLF seems a promising strategy to reduce pathogen transmission but has to be confirmed on natural feeds by pathogens for increasing the hygienic properties

Impacts of Reducing Protein Content in Milk Replacer on Growth Performance and Health of Young Calves

In the present study, a drinking amount of 10 L of milk replacer (MR) was allowed to dairy calves in order to approach the natural drinking behavior. The question is: how much protein is required by calves in order to achieve an intended growth rate? For this reason, sixty-eight pre-weaned Holstein calves were divided into two groups and fed with 10 L/d of MR containing either 22% protein (MR22) or 19% protein (MR19) at an almost comparable energy intake. Effects on performance, metabolic status, and health were compared. Feed intake, growth performance, and health status were monitored during the pre-transition, transition, and postweaning phase (until 157 d of age). Total feed intake, and intake of MR, body weight (BW), and average daily gain (ADG) were not significantly different between MR22 and MR19 during the entire experimental period (p > 0.05). At d 42, calves in MR19 group showed greater serum levels of growth hormone (16.2 vs. 22.2 ng/mL; p = 0.02), insulin-like growth factor 1 (262 vs. 291 ng/mL; p = 0.03), and urea (2.86 vs. 3.04 mmol/L; p < 0.01). The results of the present study suggested that when high amounts of MR are provided, the protein content in MR can be reduced to 19% without any adverse effects on growth performance as well as on health status of dairy calves

Insect Larvae Meal (Hermetia illucens) as a Sustainable Protein Source of Canine Food and Its Impacts on Nutrient Digestibility and Fecal Quality

Insect larvae meal has been proposed as a sustainable protein source for animal diets. This study aimed to provide information on including black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) in comparison to poultry meal (PM) in the canine diet with regard to digestibility and fecal characteristics. In light of this trend, the levels of PM or BSFL meal were added to replace about 30% of dry matter of the basic extruded diet. Six Beagle dogs (BW 9.64 kg) were included in a cross-over experiment. Dogs fed a BSFL meal-based diet showed higher (p &lt; 0.05) apparent protein digestibility (82.3%) compared to those offered a PM-based diet (80.5%). Apparent digestibility for fat was higher (p &lt; 0.05) in groups fed the BSFL meal-based diet (94.5%) compared to those offered the PM-based diet (91.6%). The fecal consistency scores for dogs fed both diets were within an acceptable range (well-formed and firm). Fecal dry matter content was higher (p &lt; 0.05) for dogs fed the PM-based diet (33.0%) compared to those offered the BSFL meal-based diet (28.0%). Including BSFL meal in dog food can be an appropriate source of protein without any negative effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal quality

Epidemiological Study on Salmonella Prevalence in Sow Herds Using Direct and Indirect Detection Methods

In piglet production, the beginning of pork production, Salmonella prevalence requires greater attention as having an impact on the subsequent production steps. The aim of this study was to investigate Salmonella prevalence in three sow herds with attached piglet rearing units. Salmonella prevalence was investigated either directly by boot swabs and feces or indirectly by serum samples taken during gilt integration, the peripartal period, and piglet rearing. Boot swabs and feces were analyzed by real-time PCR and subsequent microbiology. Results indicated that high biosecurity measures in sow husbandry do not necessarily result in a low Salmonella prevalence. Furthermore, the sow herds&rsquo; Salmonella prevalence should not be used to infer the situation in the associated piglet rearing. The proportion of positive boot swabs was 10.5, 3.6, and 21.3% for sows (gilts and peripartal) with an inverse situation in piglet rearing with 50.0, 63.3, and 5.8% positive swabs for farms A, B, and C, respectively. Boot swabs are suitable as a direct sampling method to gain an overview of Salmonella prevalence in both sows and piglets. Indirect serum antibody testing can be useful, although it should be evaluated considering age-dependent levels of antibody titres