Lecithin addition to starter pig diets with and without added fat and whey

A total of 316 crossbred weanling pigs were used in two studies to evaluate the effect of the addition of edible-grade, unbleached soy lecithin on growth in starter pig diets with and without added fat and/or dried whey. Addition of fat to a corn-soybean meal diet improved (P\u3c.05) feed efficiency but addition of lecithin did not affect performance. When lecithin and fat were added in combination, average daily gain was less (P\u3c.05) than for diets without added fat. This may be due to a high level of undigestible fat having a limiting effect on intake and consequently decreasing gains. A low level of lecithin (1.5%) in diets without whey gave approximately the same response as a 4% fat diet without thus making lecithin a possible fat substitute should, it be economically feasible.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 198

The neural basis of the bilateral distribution advantage

Letters can be matched by their physical identity (i.e., a–a: same/A–a: different) or by their name (both a–a and A–a: same). The latter, more demanding task has in previous experiments led to an advantage of bilateral over within-hemifield matches, which was not observed in the former. We have investigated the neural basis of this bilateral distribution advantage (BDA) in letter name matching with event-related fMRI. Unilateral, compared to bilateral, name matching led to increased activation in the contralateral fusiform and lateral occipital gyri. This increase went along with an ipsilateral increase of activation in homologous areas. Such a hemispheric resource sharing was not observed for letter shape matching. This pattern of activation shows that letter name matching induces hemispheric resource sharing in visual areas, which occurs when task demands in the hemisphere of input reach a critical level. Activation in anterior cingulate complex and posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex showed a task × visual field interaction with lower activation for bilateral than unilateral name matches but higher activation for bilateral than unilateral shape matches, which fits the interhemispheric transfer demands in these tasks

Effect of regrouping unfamiliar pigs at weaning on immune function

Pigs weaned at 3 weeks of age and regrouped with unfamiliar individuals had a 4-fold increase in plasma cortisol when compared to pigs that remained in a litter group. However, cellular measures of immune function were not altered by regrouping.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 10, 198

Effects of Microbial Feed Additives on Performance of Starter and Growing-Finishing Pigs

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of lactic acid-producing microbial feed additives (Probiotics) on performance of starting and growing-finishing pigs. Two commercially available probiotics, Probios (L. acidopbilus) and Feed-Mate 68 (Streptococcus faecium type Cernelle 68), were used. In the first of two starter trials, 192 crossbred pigs (initial weight 7 kg) were used in a 2 • 4 factorial arrangement of treatments, with Probios and antibiotics (ASP-250, lincomycin, tylosin) as the main effects

Value of High Fiber Diets for Grand Swine

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of roughages on the utilization of dietary nitrogen, energy and fiber by gravid swine. Water consumption, backfat depletion, pregnancy weight gain, and reproductive performance were used as response criteria

Effects of Microbial Feed Additives on Performance of Starter and Growing-Finishing Pigs

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of lactic acid-producing microbial feed additives (Probiotics) on performance of starting and growing-finishing pigs. Two commercially available probiotics, Probios (L. acidopbilus) and Feed-Mate 68 (Streptococcus faecium type Cernelle 68), were used. In the first of two starter trials, 192 crossbred pigs (initial weight 7 kg) were used in a 2 • 4 factorial arrangement of treatments, with Probios and antibiotics (ASP-250, lincomycin, tylosin) as the main effects

Cellular immune responses in artificially reared pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of artificial rearing on the cellular immune response of young pigs. Artificially reared pigs had lower cellular immune reactivity than sow-reared controls. These results indicate that artificial rearing may result in immunosuppression in young pigs.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 15, 198

Effect of feeding streptococcus faecium to artificially reared pigs

Two trials were conducted with a total of 112 artificially reared pigs to evaluate the effect feeding Streptococcus faecium. The areas studied were growth and feed efficiency, mortality rate, daily scour score, blood parameters (total leukocyte numbers and differentials), and in vivo determination of cell-mediated immunity. The results of the trial indicate that there was no significant advantage to feeding Streptococcus faecium to artificially reared pigs.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 10, 198

Lysine and dried whey additions in starter pig diets

A total of 943 newly weaned (18 to 30 days of age) pigs were used in five trials to evaluate the addition of lysine and dried whey in starter diets. The results of these studies show that the lysine requirement is 1.2 to 1.3% during the nursery phase (up to approximately 50 lbs). When lysine levels are greater than 1.3% with added L-Iysine monohydrochloride, a reduction in performance will be evident (P\u3c.05). Rolled dried whey appears to be inferior (P\u3c.10) to spray dried whey in starter pig diets.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 11, 198

Influence of nonviable lactobacillus fermentation product in artificially reared pigs challenged with e. coli

Two trials were conducted to determine the influence of non viable lactobacillus fermentation product (LFP) in artificially reared pigs removed from sows at 24 to 36 hours postpartum. The pigs were fed a non-medicated milk replacer for 21 days in individual cages in an environmentally controlled room. In Trial I, 5 levels (0, .25, .5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml per pig per day) of LFP were used to determine the dosage rate on growth, feed efficiency, mortality rate, white blood cell count, and hematocrit (8 pigs per treatment). No detectable dosage rate was obvserved in Trial I. In Trial II, a study was conducted to determine the effect of LFP on lactobacill us and coli form (E. coli) counts, histopathology of the small intestine, growth and blood parameters. When pigs were 14 days old they received an inoculum of either a broth containing E. coli (strain K88,91; approximately billion organisms for two days) or broth without E. coli. Pigs were fed three levels of the LFP at 0, .5, and 1.0 ml per day. Pigs were sacrificed five days and seven sections of gastrointestinal tract and feces were excised to enumerate lactobacillus and coliform populations. A dose rate of .5 ml per day increased gain (P\u3c.08) and suppressed E. coli count in the stomach area without affecting lactobacillus populations.- No differences were detected with the pathological evaluation. By challenging the pigs with E. coli, jejunum (section of the small intestine) coliform and white blood cell counts were increased (P\u3c.06). These results suggest that lactobacillus fermentation product suppresses E. coli counts in the stomach and may improve gain in the artificially reared pig.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 11, 198