Use of homeopathic products in pigs feed improves the percentage, quality and marbling of meat

Abstract Studies and innovations on alternative feed additives, especially on homeopathic remedies have been highlighted in order to replace or reduce the use of antibiotics in pig production. This paper aimed to assess the addition of homeopathic products in pig diet and their effects on the growth performance, serum metabolites, nutrient and energy digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 60 immunocastrated male pigs, weighing on average 30.91 ± 0.95 kg, were distributed in two treatments, 10 replicates and three animals/experimental unit. There was no effect (P≥0.05) of treatment on the growth performance and serum metabolites. The percentage of acid-insoluble ash recovered in the diet was greater (P≤0.01) in diets containing homeopathic products. The apparent digestible energy of diets containing homeopathic products was reduced (P≤0.01) in the growing phase and reduced (P≤0.01) the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, soluble neutral and acid detergent fibers, and gross energy in the growing and finishing phases. Pig that received diets with homeopathic products had higher (P≤0.05) amount of meat, percentage of meat and marbling. The use of homeopathic products in diets improves the percentage and quality of meat, as well as the marbling of the pig carcass, maintaining the performance

Efeitos de dietas com baixo e alto teor de proteína bruta suplementadas até o quarto aminoácido essencial para dois cruzamentos comerciais de leitões iniciantes

Este estudo foi composto por dois experimentos conduzidos para avaliar os efeitos de dietas com baixo e alto teor de proteína bruta suplementadas até o quarto aminoácido essencial e dois cruzamentos comerciais sobre o desempenho zootécnico, concentração de ureia plasmática (CUP), viabilidade econômica, digestibilidade aparente de nutrientes, e balanço de nitrogênio em leitões iniciantes. No Exp. I, um total de 128 leitões (14,02 ± 1,96 kg de peso corporal inicial e 48 dias de idade) foram distribuídos baseado no peso corporal inicial em um delineamento de blocos casualizados com arranjo fatorial 2 × 2. Foram avaliados dois cruzamentos comerciais (DB e PIC) e duas dietas de proteína bruta (baixa proteína bruta, BPB, e alta proteína bruta, APB). Foram utilizados quatro tratamentos, oito repetições e quatro leitões por unidade experimental. Exp. II foi conduzido utilizando 24 leitões machos inteiros (20,00 ± 1,41 kg de peso corporal inicial) alojados em gaiolas metabólicas por 12 dias e distribuídos no mesmo desenho experimental do Expt. I (seis repetições). Os resultados do Exp. I sugerem que os leitões alimentados com APB apresentaram melhor desempenho zootécnico. Foi observado um aumento de 25,2% na CUP em leitões alimentados com APB. Houve aumento de 18,2% no índice de eficiência econômica quando os leitões foram alimentados com APB, e também foi observada redução no custo por kg de ganho de peso corporal. No Exp. II, os leitões alimentados com APB apresentaram maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, proteína e energia digestíveis, consumo e absorção de N. Não houve efeito dos cruzamentos comerciais sobre as variáveis de desempenho e metabolismo. Conclui-se que as dietas APB, independente da genética, promoveram melhorias no desempenho e no índice de viabilidade econômica, mas aumentaram a CUP nos leitões. Além disso, as dietas APB influenciaram positivamente a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e a ingestão e absorção de N

Correction: Gonçalves Vero et al. Transport of Pigs of Two Market Weights at Two Space Allowances: Effects on Behaviour, Blood Parameters, and Meat Quality under Summer and Winter Conditions. <i>Animals</i> 2023, <i>13</i>, 2767

In the original publication [...

Transport of Pigs of Two Market Weights at Two Space Allowances: Effects on Behaviour, Blood Parameters, and Meat Quality under Summer and Winter Conditions

This study was carried out through two separate experiments aiming at evaluating the effects of two space allowances (0.54 and 0.62 m2/pig in summer and 0.44 m2/pig and 0.50 m2/pig in winter) on the behavioural and physiological response, and meat quality of pigs of two slaughter weights (120 kg and 140 kg). In summer, higher blood haematocrit levels were found at slaughter in heavier pigs transported at a smaller space allowance (p = 0.04). During lairage, pigs transported at a smaller space allowance started fighting later (p = 0.04). Fighting behaviour was greater in heavier pigs (p ≤ 0.05), whilst their drinking activity was lower (p p p = 0.05) in heavier pigs. In winter, only lower space allowance influenced some meat quality traits (p < 0.05), but these effects were minor. The effects of space allowance during summer transports on within-truck ambient conditions, post-transport pigs’ welfare, and meat quality are similar. Mixing heavier pigs may result in greater aggressiveness and more fatigue-related meat quality variation during summer. Overall, winter transport results may have been biased by the short journey and within-truck load distribution

New findings of intestinal alkaline phosphatase: effects on intestinal and organ health of piglets challenged with ETEC F4 (K88)

The aim of this study was to assess the addition of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) to diets on the count of bacterial populations, pH of digestive organ contents, histopathological description, proinflammatory markers, hepatic glycogen reserve, and diarrhoea incidence of piglets challenged with Escherichia coli. Sixty-four crossbred piglets (7.16±0.28 kg body weight, 25-days-old) were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomised block design: negative control (NC), NC + antibiotic (ANT), NC + 15 mg IAP, or NC + 30 mg IAP kg−1 of diet, eight replications of two piglets per experimental unit. All piglets were orally challenged with 6 mL of a solution containing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 at 106 CFU mL−1 at 15 days of experimentation. The study lasted for 19 days. At the end of the experimental period, the piglets were slaughtered (six animals per treatment). Enterobacteriaceae in caecum and colon was lower in piglets on 30 mg IAP than with ANT and NC, ANT or 15 mg IAP, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae adhered to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) was greater in piglets fed ANT than the other treatments. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in caecum was greater in piglets fed NC and ANT. In MLN, LAB count was greater in ANT and 30 mg IAP-fed piglets compared with 15 mg IAP. Piglets in 30 mg IAP in diet showed a tendency for lowering tissue necrosis compared with NC or ANT. Piglets fed 30 mg IAP showed a reduction in diarrhoea incidence in the pre- and post-challenge compared with 15 mg IAP and all other treatments, respectively. Based on the criteria, addition of 30 mg IAP to diet inhibits Enterobacteriaceae population and suggests a potential effect in mitigating intestinal injuries, as observed in piglets in the NC for some of the parameters investigate