Source of fiber influences growth, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets

Qinghui Shang; Hansuo Liu; Di Wu; Shad Mahfuz; Xiangshu Piao

Animal Nutrition (Jun 2021)

Source of fiber influences growth, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets

Qinghui Shang,
Hansuo Liu,
Di Wu,
Shad Mahfuz,
Xiangshu Piao

Affiliations

Qinghui Shang: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
Hansuo Liu: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
Di Wu: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
Shad Mahfuz: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
Xiangshu Piao: Corresponding author.; State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 2
pp. 315 – 325

Abstract

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This study examined the impacts of different fiber sources on growth, immune status and gut health in weaned piglets fed antibiotic-free diets. Sixty piglets (BW = 8.18 ± 1.35 kg) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments based on BW and gender in a randomized complete block design (5 replicates/treatment and 4 piglets [2 barrows and 2 gilts]/replicate): (1) an antibiotic-free diet (control, CON); (2) CON + 6% wheat bran (WB); (3) CON + 4% sugar beet pulp (SBP). Dietary WB supplementation tended to increase ADG compared with CON from d 1 to 14 (P = 0.051) and from d 1 to 28 (P = 0.099). Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) G:F compared with CON and SBP from d 1 to 14 and from d 1 to 28. Compared with CON, the addition of WB reduced (P < 0.05) diarrhea rate from d 1 to 14 and tended (P = 0.054) to reduce diarrhea rate from d 1 to 28. The addition of WB decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase activity on d 14, and up-regulated (P < 0.05) ileal mRNA levels of occludin on d 28 when compared with CON. Piglets fed WB showed decreased (P < 0.05) serum interleukin-6 levels compared to those fed SBP and decreased (P < 0.05) ileal interleukin-8 levels compared to those fed CON and SBP on d 28. Supplementation of WB increased (P < 0.05) serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and IgM compared with SBP on d 14, and increased (P < 0.05) the levels of serum IgA and ileal sIgA compared with CON and SBP on d 28. Piglets fed WB showed an enhanced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed SBP, while piglets fed SBP showed reduced (P < 0.05) α-diversity of cecal microbiota than those fed CON. Compared with CON, the addition of WB elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospira and cecal butyric acid level. Piglets fed WB also showed increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Lachnospira and unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae compared with those fed SBP. Collectively, the supplementation of WB to antibiotic-free diets improved performance, immune responses, gut barrier function and microbiota compared with the CON and SBP fed piglets. Therefore, supplementing weaned piglets with WB was more effective than SBP.

Published in Animal Nutrition

ISSN: 2405-6545 (Print)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/animal-nutrition/

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