Effects of supplementing organic microminerals and methionine with or without limiting growth during the rearing phase of replacement gilts on lameness, growth, and body composition

Previous research suggested that lameness in growing pigs could be reduced using feeding strategies, such as limiting growth rate and supplementing trace minerals (TM) and (or) methionine (Met). The present study evaluates effects of 1) TM and Met and 2) limiting total lysine (Lys) during the rearing phase (90 d) of gilts (as a means to limit growth rate) on lameness, performance, and sow claw health and productivity (to first parity). Gilts (n = 240; 58.0 ± 11.1 kg body weight [BW]) were blocked, distributed into pens of 10 gilts, and pens were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were: 1) control or TM plus Met, which provided additional 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg of chelated copper, manganese, and zinc, respectively (0.1%, Aplomotec Plus, Tecnología & Vitaminas, S.L.; Alforja, Spain), and a 1.01 Met:Lys ratio and 2) standard Lys was formulated to meet growth requirements or low Lys to 19% below growth requirements. Feeding was provided through two phases, first between 119 and 163 d of age (phase I) and the second between 163 and 209 d of age (phase II). Diets had 2.43 and 2.31 Mcal net energy/kg for phases I and II, respectively, and were offered ad libitum. Low Lys did not affect feed intake but rather reduced average daily gain (ADG) by 6.35% and the final BW by 3.80% compared with standard Lys (P 0.05) whether gilts displayed lameness or not. Lameness was low in severity and not affected by dietary factors. However, TM- plus Met-fed gilts were 19.2 kg heavier (P = 0.016) than were control at lameness detection. On the sow farm, there was no evidence for differences in lameness or claw lesions among previous dietary treatments. In conclusion, lameness prevalence during the rearing phase was similar, independent of TM plus Met supplement, low Lys, or the interaction. Insufficient reduction of ADG and low severity in lameness may have limited the potential of dietary treatments. Moreover, a greater deficiency of Lys would be needed to achieve the degree of growth reduction previously reported to lessen lameness through feed restriction

Effects of additional organic micro-minerals and methionine on carcass composition, gait score, bone characteristics, and osteochondrosis in replacement gilts of different growth rate

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a multifactorial defective endochondral ossification that causes lameness and early culling in gilts and sows. Previous research suggested that nutrition and growth rate could influence OC development and progression. As part of a broader study [n = 360 gilts; 28.8 ± 8.8 kg body weight (BW)] designed to evaluate the effect of 4 dietary treatments: 1) basal diet (CON); 2) CON plus organic micro-minerals (MIN, copper, manganese and zinc at 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, respectively); 3) additional methionine (MET, at 102% methionine:lysine); and, 4) the organic micro-minerals plus the additional methionine (MM), on lameness and performance, a sub-sample of 40 heavy replacement gilts (10 gilts/treatment, 171.5 ± 8.1 kg of BW) was used. Within treatment, gilts were classified for final average daily gain (ADG) as low (LG, 838 ± 36.3 g/day; n = 20) or high (HG, 922 ± 31.1 g/day; n = 20). Dietary treatment and growth classification were the fixed effects to evaluate gait, OC, tibia bending measures, metacarpal mineralization; and using computerized tomography, the carcass composition, bone size, and whole bone density (WBD). The WBD was expressed as volume of Hounsfield values (HU), where higher values indicate increased density. A porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus outbreak occurred during this trial. It differentially affected MM gilt performance and consequently may have influenced the results for this treatment. Gilts fed MIN diet had 0.75 cm larger tibia than CON (P  140 HU compared to CON and MET (P  1000 HU) was also increased in MIN and MET compared with CON (P 1000 HU), and MM dietary treatment reduced OC lesion score compared with CON.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Study of nutritional strategies to improve rearing, quarantine, and adaptation periods of replacement gilts

En la present tesi, es varen hipnotitzar reduccions en coixeses, osteocondrosis (OC) i lesions de peülles via proporcionar una suplementació dietètica (de nutrients importants en ossos i peülles) i/o reduir el creixement durant la recria. També, que nutrients (importants per al sistema immune) millorarien el rendiment productiu en un ambient hostil incloent el virus del síndrome respiratori i reproductor porcí (PRRSv). Al Capítol III, 360 nul·lípares es recriaren sota els tractament dietètic Con (control); TM (10, 20 i 50 mg/kg addicionals de coure, manganès i zinc, respectivament); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; i s’avaluà coixeses, rendiment productiu i lesions en peülles (fins al primer deslletament). Les coixeses en recria (7.8%) van reduir (P0,05) i tampoc reduïren via dieta. En granja de reproductores, ni coixeses ni lesions de peülla van ser afectades pels tractaments dietètics. En el Capítol VI, es recriaren 100 nul·lípares sota tractament dietètic Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptòfan:Lys i 0,80 treonina:Lys) i Ω3 (10 g/kg d'oli de peix), exposats a PRRSv a dia 11 post-assignació; i Sham (Con separat en instal·lacions PRRS lliures); per estudiar el creixement, la virèmia i la resposta immune. El segon dia post-infecció (dpi) s’observà 100% de virèmia. A 9 dpi, les nul·lípares cursant PRRS pesaven 7.8 kg menys que Sham. El guany 9 dpi augmentà en TT comparant amb Ω3 (P=0.036) i Con (P=0.054). També, el guany en TT va ser major (P=0.041) que en Con entre 9 i 15 dpi. La dieta no va afectar la virèmia, però IFNα i IL8 van incrementar amb VitA, i IL6 amb TT, malgrat sense presentar una relació amb el rendiment productiu. En conclusió, TM o Met reforçaren el desenvolupament d'ossos, combinats reduïren l’OC, però l’efecte en coixeses resultà contradictori entre estudis. Limitant el 19% la Lys, es reduí 6.35% el GMD però no les coixeses, tampoc combinant amb TM+Met. Els TM i/o Met durant la recria no milloraren les posteriors coixeses i lesions de peülla en truges. El TT abans i durant PRRS va millorar lleugerament el guany de pes en comparació amb Con i Ω3.Las hipótesis fueron que la suplementación dietética (con nutrientes importantes para huesos y pezuñas) y/o la reducción del ritmo de crecimiento durante la recría reduce las cojeras, osteocondrosis (OC) y lesiones de pezuñas. Además, la suplementación con ciertos nutrientes (importantes para el sistema inmune) mejoraría el rendimiento productivo en un ambiente hostil con virus del síndrome respiratorio y reproductivo porcino (PRRSv). En el Capítulo III, se recriaron 360 nulíparas utilizando cuatro dietas, Con (control); TM (10, 20 y 50 mg/kg adicionales de cobre, manganeso y zinc, respectivamente); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; para evaluar cojeras, rendimiento productivo y lesiones de pezuñas hasta primer destete. Las cojeras durante la recría (7.8%) redujeron (P0,05) y tampoco fueron afectadas por la dieta. En granja de reproductoras, el tratamiento dietético no afectó ni cojeras ni lesiones de pezuña. En el Capítulo VI, 100 nulíparas fueron recriadas bajo tratamientos dietéticos Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptófano:Lys y 0,80 treonina:Lys) y Ω3 (10 g/kg de aceite de pescado) y expuestas al virus del PRRSv a día 11 post-asignación; y un quinto tratamiento Sham (Con separado en instalaciones PRRS libres). Se estudiaron el crecimiento, la viremia y la respuesta inmune. A día 2 post-infección (dpi) se observó 100% de viremia. A 9 dpi, las nulíparas cursando PRRS pesaban 7.8 kg menos que Sham. La ganancia 9 dpi aumentó en TT comparando con Ω3 (P=0.036) y Con (P=0.054). Entre 9 y 15 dpi, la ganancia de TT fue mayor (P=0.041) que Con. La dieta no afectó la viremia, pero IFNα e IL8 incrementaron con VitA, e IL6 con TT, aunque sin relación con el rendimiento productivo. En conclusión, TM o Met reforzaron el desarrollo óseo; combinados redujeron la valoración de OC, pero el efecto resultó contradictorio para las cojeras. Limitando un 19% la Lys, se redujo 6.35% la GMD pero no las cojeras, que tampoco se afectaron combinado con TM+Met. Suplementar TM y Met durante la recría no mejoró las cojeras y lesiones de pezuña en granja de reproductoras. Suplementar de TT antes y durante PRRS mejoró ligeramente la ganancia de peso en comparación con Con y Ω3.The present PhD thesis hypothesized reductions of lameness, osteochondrosis (OC) and claw lesions due to dietary treatments (nutrients with specific roles in bone and claw development) fed to rearing gilts, and (or) by reducing growth rates. Similarly, additional nutrients (acting over the immune system) could enhance performance under hostile Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv) environment. In Chapter III, 360 young gilts were reared under dietary Con (control); TM (trace minerals as additional 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg of copper, manganese, and zinc, respectively); Met (102% methionine:lysine); and TM plus Met; to evaluate lameness, performance, and claw lesions (to first parity). Gilt lameness (7.8%) reduced (P0.05), and was not affected by dietary treatments. Sow farm lameness and claw lesions were unaffected by dietary treatments. In Chapter VI, 100 PRRSv naïve gilts were distributed to 4 dietary treatments as Con (control), VitA (vitamin A 18,000 IU/kg), TT (0.34 tryptophan:Lys and 0.80 threonine:Lys), and Ω3 (10 g/kg fish oil); which were exposed to PRRSv at day 11 post-allotment; and a fifth group as Sham (Con in separate facility); to evaluate growth, viremia, and acute immunity. A 100% viremia was observed at day 2 post-infection (dpi). Positive gilts 9 dpi were 7.8 kg lighter than Sham. Gain 9 dpi increased in TT vs. Ω3 (P=0.036) and Con (P=0.054). Gain 9-to-15 dpi increased (P=0.041) in TT vs. Con. Viremia was not modulated through diet, but IFNα and IL8 increased acute for VitA and IL6 for TT, yet, without performance effects. In conclusion, TM or Met enhanced bone, combined reduced OC, but lameness resulted controversial. Reducing 19% Lys reduced growth (6.35%) but not lameness, nor combined with TM plus Met. The TM and Met during growth could not overcome sow farm lameness and claw lesions. Feeding TT before and during PRRS marginally improved early weight gain compared with Con and Ω3

Study of nutritional strategies to improve rearing, quarantine, and adaptation periods of replacement gilts

En la present tesi, es varen hipnotitzar reduccions en coixeses, osteocondrosis (OC) i lesions de peülles via proporcionar una suplementació dietètica (de nutrients importants en ossos i peülles) i/o reduir el creixement durant la recria. També, que nutrients (importants per al sistema immune) millorarien el rendiment productiu en un ambient hostil incloent el virus del síndrome respiratori i reproductor porcí (PRRSv). Al Capítol III, 360 nul·lípares es recriaren sota els tractament dietètic Con (control); TM (10, 20 i 50 mg/kg addicionals de coure, manganès i zinc, respectivament); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; i s’avaluà coixeses, rendiment productiu i lesions en peülles (fins al primer deslletament). Les coixeses en recria (7.8%) van reduir (P0,05) i tampoc reduïren via dieta. En granja de reproductores, ni coixeses ni lesions de peülla van ser afectades pels tractaments dietètics. En el Capítol VI, es recriaren 100 nul·lípares sota tractament dietètic Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptòfan:Lys i 0,80 treonina:Lys) i Ω3 (10 g/kg d'oli de peix), exposats a PRRSv a dia 11 post-assignació; i Sham (Con separat en instal·lacions PRRS lliures); per estudiar el creixement, la virèmia i la resposta immune. El segon dia post-infecció (dpi) s’observà 100% de virèmia. A 9 dpi, les nul·lípares cursant PRRS pesaven 7.8 kg menys que Sham. El guany 9 dpi augmentà en TT comparant amb Ω3 (P=0.036) i Con (P=0.054). També, el guany en TT va ser major (P=0.041) que en Con entre 9 i 15 dpi. La dieta no va afectar la virèmia, però IFNα i IL8 van incrementar amb VitA, i IL6 amb TT, malgrat sense presentar una relació amb el rendiment productiu. En conclusió, TM o Met reforçaren el desenvolupament d'ossos, combinats reduïren l’OC, però l’efecte en coixeses resultà contradictori entre estudis. Limitant el 19% la Lys, es reduí 6.35% el GMD però no les coixeses, tampoc combinant amb TM+Met. Els TM i/o Met durant la recria no milloraren les posteriors coixeses i lesions de peülla en truges. El TT abans i durant PRRS va millorar lleugerament el guany de pes en comparació amb Con i Ω3.Las hipótesis fueron que la suplementación dietética (con nutrientes importantes para huesos y pezuñas) y/o la reducción del ritmo de crecimiento durante la recría reduce las cojeras, osteocondrosis (OC) y lesiones de pezuñas. Además, la suplementación con ciertos nutrientes (importantes para el sistema inmune) mejoraría el rendimiento productivo en un ambiente hostil con virus del síndrome respiratorio y reproductivo porcino (PRRSv). En el Capítulo III, se recriaron 360 nulíparas utilizando cuatro dietas, Con (control); TM (10, 20 y 50 mg/kg adicionales de cobre, manganeso y zinc, respectivamente); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; para evaluar cojeras, rendimiento productivo y lesiones de pezuñas hasta primer destete. Las cojeras durante la recría (7.8%) redujeron (P0,05) y tampoco fueron afectadas por la dieta. En granja de reproductoras, el tratamiento dietético no afectó ni cojeras ni lesiones de pezuña. En el Capítulo VI, 100 nulíparas fueron recriadas bajo tratamientos dietéticos Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptófano:Lys y 0,80 treonina:Lys) y Ω3 (10 g/kg de aceite de pescado) y expuestas al virus del PRRSv a día 11 post-asignación; y un quinto tratamiento Sham (Con separado en instalaciones PRRS libres). Se estudiaron el crecimiento, la viremia y la respuesta inmune. A día 2 post-infección (dpi) se observó 100% de viremia. A 9 dpi, las nulíparas cursando PRRS pesaban 7.8 kg menos que Sham. La ganancia 9 dpi aumentó en TT comparando con Ω3 (P=0.036) y Con (P=0.054). Entre 9 y 15 dpi, la ganancia de TT fue mayor (P=0.041) que Con. La dieta no afectó la viremia, pero IFNα e IL8 incrementaron con VitA, e IL6 con TT, aunque sin relación con el rendimiento productivo. En conclusión, TM o Met reforzaron el desarrollo óseo; combinados redujeron la valoración de OC, pero el efecto resultó contradictorio para las cojeras. Limitando un 19% la Lys, se redujo 6.35% la GMD pero no las cojeras, que tampoco se afectaron combinado con TM+Met. Suplementar TM y Met durante la recría no mejoró las cojeras y lesiones de pezuña en granja de reproductoras. Suplementar de TT antes y durante PRRS mejoró ligeramente la ganancia de peso en comparación con Con y Ω3.The present PhD thesis hypothesized reductions of lameness, osteochondrosis (OC) and claw lesions due to dietary treatments (nutrients with specific roles in bone and claw development) fed to rearing gilts, and (or) by reducing growth rates. Similarly, additional nutrients (acting over the immune system) could enhance performance under hostile Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv) environment. In Chapter III, 360 young gilts were reared under dietary Con (control); TM (trace minerals as additional 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg of copper, manganese, and zinc, respectively); Met (102% methionine:lysine); and TM plus Met; to evaluate lameness, performance, and claw lesions (to first parity). Gilt lameness (7.8%) reduced (P0.05), and was not affected by dietary treatments. Sow farm lameness and claw lesions were unaffected by dietary treatments. In Chapter VI, 100 PRRSv naïve gilts were distributed to 4 dietary treatments as Con (control), VitA (vitamin A 18,000 IU/kg), TT (0.34 tryptophan:Lys and 0.80 threonine:Lys), and Ω3 (10 g/kg fish oil); which were exposed to PRRSv at day 11 post-allotment; and a fifth group as Sham (Con in separate facility); to evaluate growth, viremia, and acute immunity. A 100% viremia was observed at day 2 post-infection (dpi). Positive gilts 9 dpi were 7.8 kg lighter than Sham. Gain 9 dpi increased in TT vs. Ω3 (P=0.036) and Con (P=0.054). Gain 9-to-15 dpi increased (P=0.041) in TT vs. Con. Viremia was not modulated through diet, but IFNα and IL8 increased acute for VitA and IL6 for TT, yet, without performance effects. In conclusion, TM or Met enhanced bone, combined reduced OC, but lameness resulted controversial. Reducing 19% Lys reduced growth (6.35%) but not lameness, nor combined with TM plus Met. The TM and Met during growth could not overcome sow farm lameness and claw lesions. Feeding TT before and during PRRS marginally improved early weight gain compared with Con and Ω3

Study of nutritional strategies to improve rearing, quarantine, and adaptation periods of replacement gilts

En la present tesi, es varen hipnotitzar reduccions en coixeses, osteocondrosis (OC) i lesions de peülles via proporcionar una suplementació dietètica (de nutrients importants en ossos i peülles) i/o reduir el creixement durant la recria. També, que nutrients (importants per al sistema immune) millorarien el rendiment productiu en un ambient hostil incloent el virus del síndrome respiratori i reproductor porcí (PRRSv). Al Capítol III, 360 nul·lípares es recriaren sota els tractament dietètic Con (control); TM (10, 20 i 50 mg/kg addicionals de coure, manganès i zinc, respectivament); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; i s'avaluà coixeses, rendiment productiu i lesions en peülles (fins al primer deslletament). Les coixeses en recria (7.8%) van reduir (P0,05) i tampoc reduïren via dieta. En granja de reproductores, ni coixeses ni lesions de peülla van ser afectades pels tractaments dietètics. En el Capítol VI, es recriaren 100 nul·lípares sota tractament dietètic Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptòfan:Lys i 0,80 treonina:Lys) i Ω3 (10 g/kg d'oli de peix), exposats a PRRSv a dia 11 post-assignació; i Sham (Con separat en instal·lacions PRRS lliures); per estudiar el creixement, la virèmia i la resposta immune. El segon dia post-infecció (dpi) s'observà 100% de virèmia. A 9 dpi, les nul·lípares cursant PRRS pesaven 7.8 kg menys que Sham. El guany 9 dpi augmentà en TT comparant amb Ω3 (P=0.036) i Con (P=0.054). També, el guany en TT va ser major (P=0.041) que en Con entre 9 i 15 dpi. La dieta no va afectar la virèmia, però IFNα i IL8 van incrementar amb VitA, i IL6 amb TT, malgrat sense presentar una relació amb el rendiment productiu. En conclusió, TM o Met reforçaren el desenvolupament d'ossos, combinats reduïren l'OC, però l'efecte en coixeses resultà contradictori entre estudis. Limitant el 19% la Lys, es reduí 6.35% el GMD però no les coixeses, tampoc combinant amb TM+Met. Els TM i/o Met durant la recria no milloraren les posteriors coixeses i lesions de peülla en truges. El TT abans i durant PRRS va millorar lleugerament el guany de pes en comparació amb Con i Ω3.Las hipótesis fueron que la suplementación dietética (con nutrientes importantes para huesos y pezuñas) y/o la reducción del ritmo de crecimiento durante la recría reduce las cojeras, osteocondrosis (OC) y lesiones de pezuñas. Además, la suplementación con ciertos nutrientes (importantes para el sistema inmune) mejoraría el rendimiento productivo en un ambiente hostil con virus del síndrome respiratorio y reproductivo porcino (PRRSv). En el Capítulo III, se recriaron 360 nulíparas utilizando cuatro dietas, Con (control); TM (10, 20 y 50 mg/kg adicionales de cobre, manganeso y zinc, respectivamente); Met (102% metionina:lisina); o TM+Met; para evaluar cojeras, rendimiento productivo y lesiones de pezuñas hasta primer destete. Las cojeras durante la recría (7.8%) redujeron (P0,05) y tampoco fueron afectadas por la dieta. En granja de reproductoras, el tratamiento dietético no afectó ni cojeras ni lesiones de pezuña. En el Capítulo VI, 100 nulíparas fueron recriadas bajo tratamientos dietéticos Con (control), VitA (vitamina A 18,000 UI/kg), TT (0,34 triptófano:Lys y 0,80 treonina:Lys) y Ω3 (10 g/kg de aceite de pescado) y expuestas al virus del PRRSv a día 11 post-asignación; y un quinto tratamiento Sham (Con separado en instalaciones PRRS libres). Se estudiaron el crecimiento, la viremia y la respuesta inmune. A día 2 post-infección (dpi) se observó 100% de viremia. A 9 dpi, las nulíparas cursando PRRS pesaban 7.8 kg menos que Sham. La ganancia 9 dpi aumentó en TT comparando con Ω3 (P=0.036) y Con (P=0.054). Entre 9 y 15 dpi, la ganancia de TT fue mayor (P=0.041) que Con. La dieta no afectó la viremia, pero IFNα e IL8 incrementaron con VitA, e IL6 con TT, aunque sin relación con el rendimiento productivo. En conclusión, TM o Met reforzaron el desarrollo óseo; combinados redujeron la valoración de OC, pero el efecto resultó contradictorio para las cojeras. Limitando un 19% la Lys, se redujo 6.35% la GMD pero no las cojeras, que tampoco se afectaron combinado con TM+Met. Suplementar TM y Met durante la recría no mejoró las cojeras y lesiones de pezuña en granja de reproductoras. Suplementar de TT antes y durante PRRS mejoró ligeramente la ganancia de peso en comparación con Con y Ω3.The present PhD thesis hypothesized reductions of lameness, osteochondrosis (OC) and claw lesions due to dietary treatments (nutrients with specific roles in bone and claw development) fed to rearing gilts, and (or) by reducing growth rates. Similarly, additional nutrients (acting over the immune system) could enhance performance under hostile Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv) environment. In Chapter III, 360 young gilts were reared under dietary Con (control); TM (trace minerals as additional 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg of copper, manganese, and zinc, respectively); Met (102% methionine:lysine); and TM plus Met; to evaluate lameness, performance, and claw lesions (to first parity). Gilt lameness (7.8%) reduced (P0.05), and was not affected by dietary treatments. Sow farm lameness and claw lesions were unaffected by dietary treatments. In Chapter VI, 100 PRRSv naïve gilts were distributed to 4 dietary treatments as Con (control), VitA (vitamin A 18,000 IU/kg), TT (0.34 tryptophan:Lys and 0.80 threonine:Lys), and Ω3 (10 g/kg fish oil); which were exposed to PRRSv at day 11 post-allotment; and a fifth group as Sham (Con in separate facility); to evaluate growth, viremia, and acute immunity. A 100% viremia was observed at day 2 post-infection (dpi). Positive gilts 9 dpi were 7.8 kg lighter than Sham. Gain 9 dpi increased in TT vs. Ω3 (P=0.036) and Con (P=0.054). Gain 9-to-15 dpi increased (P=0.041) in TT vs. Con. Viremia was not modulated through diet, but IFNα and IL8 increased acute for VitA and IL6 for TT, yet, without performance effects. In conclusion, TM or Met enhanced bone, combined reduced OC, but lameness resulted controversial. Reducing 19% Lys reduced growth (6.35%) but not lameness, nor combined with TM plus Met. The TM and Met during growth could not overcome sow farm lameness and claw lesions. Feeding TT before and during PRRS marginally improved early weight gain compared with Con and Ω3

Assessing the effect of ingredients variability on the composition of the final complete feed for swine

In order to characterize the variability of eleven feed ingredients and their impact on the final feed, 728 ingredient samples were collected during five months in a feed-plant and were NIRs analyzed. Six diets for fattening pigs and gestating sows were formulated using regional information of ingredient chemical composition (reference): LIM, limited; EU, common European; and MULT, multi-ingredient; respectively including five, seven and ten ingredients. The formulas were worked 15 times using actual chemical composition (NIRs) from three samples per ingredient and month. This theoretical procedure was validated through small-scale manufacturing 30 LIM-diets which samples were proximal (PA) and NIRs analyzed for DM and CP content. Those mixtures were also PA analyzed. The ingredients showed coefficients of variation (CV %) higher for CF (2.6-18.3%) than CP (2.0-9.3%). Comparing all diets for all chemical components, variability was reduced when including more ingredients: 0.5-5.5% to 0.3-2.6% CV. In most cases, the actual chemical composition of the diets underestimated their reference formula (1.3-10.8%, CP and CF). A deviation from the targeted diet occurs if variability is not regarded. Therefore, a proper method to predict ingredient composition and nutritional value before use them may increase the accuracy of diet formulation between 2 and 10%.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Agaricus subrufescens fermented rye affects the development of intestinal microbiota, local intestinal and innate immunity in suckling-to-nursery pigs

Background: Agaricus subrufescens is considered as one of the most important culinary-medicinal mushrooms around the world. It has been widely suggested to be used for the development of functional food ingredients to promote human health ascribed to the various properties (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities). In this context, the interest in A. subrufescens based feed ingredients as alternatives for antibiotics has also been fuelled during an era of reduced/banned antibiotics use. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a fermented feed additive -rye overgrown with mycelium (ROM) of A. subrufescens—on pig intestinal microbiota, mucosal gene expression and local and systemic immunity during early life. Piglets received ROM or a tap water placebo (Ctrl) perorally every other day from day 2 after birth until 2 weeks post-weaning. Eight animals per treatment were euthanized and dissected on days 27, 44 and 70. Results: The results showed ROM piglets had a lower inter-individual variation of faecal microbiota composition before weaning and a lower relative abundance of proteobacterial genera in jejunum (Undibacterium and Solobacterium) and caecum (Intestinibacter and Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_001) on day 70, as compared to Ctrl piglets. ROM supplementation also influenced gut mucosal gene expression in both ileum and caecum on day 44. In ileum, ROM pigs showed increased expression of TJP1/ZO1 but decreased expression of CLDN3, CLDN5 and MUC2 than Ctrl pigs. Genes involved in TLR signalling (e.g., TICAM2, IRAK4 and LY96) were more expressed but MYD88 and TOLLIP were less expressed in ROM pigs than Ctrl animals. NOS2 and HIF1A involved in redox signalling were either decreased or increased in ROM pigs, respectively. In caecum, differentially expressed genes between two groups were mainly shown as increased expression (e.g., MUC2, PDGFRB, TOLLIP, TNFAIP3 and MYD88) in ROM pigs. Moreover, ROM animals showed higher NK cell activation in blood and enhanced IL-10 production in ex vivo stimulated MLN cells before weaning. Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that ROM supplementation in early life modulates gut microbiota and (local) immune system development. Consequently, ROM supplementation may contribute to improving health of pigs during the weaning transition period and reducing antibiotics use