XII - 12th International Symposium - Digestive Physiology of Pigs

Digestive
Physiology
of Pigs
whey/casein formula is superior to a formula based on
whey and hydrolysed protein. Twenty-two cesarean-derived
preterm pigs (92% gestation) were given total parenteral
nutrition (TPN) for 48 h. They were then allocated to groups
fed total enteral nutrition of either a whey-based formula
(WHEY, n = 11) or a whey/casein-based formula (WHEY/
CAS, n = 9). As an indicator of sugar absorptive function in
vivo, each pig was given a bolus of galactose. The test was
carried out at 6 h and 30 h after initiation of enteral nutrition.
After 36 h of enteral nutrition all pigs were killed and evaluated
for NEC-like lesions. A tissue sample from the jejunum was
used for ex vivo measurement of hexose absorption using
radiolabled glucose. Finally, the concentration of SCFA
in stomach and colon content was analyzed and small
intestinal microbial profile was determined using a culture
independent technique. The severity of NEC was similar
between WHEY and WHEY/CAS in all gastrointestinal
regions. Six hours after initiation of enteral nutrition, gut
absorption of galactose was markedly higher in WHEY/CAS
compared with WHEY (P < 0.01), whereas this difference
was not detected by the end of the enteral feeding period.
In vitro rate of absorption of 14 C-D-glucose was similar in
between the 2 groups. Likewise, SCFA concentration in
colon and stomach content and microbial profile of the small
intestine were similar between the 2 groups. Adding casein
to a whey-based formula has transient effect on sugar
absorption, but does not influence clinical outcome and gut
indices following 36h of enteral nutrition.
Key words: casein, whey, NEC
3064 Dietary inclusion of a microencapsulated blend
of organic acids and pure botanicals impacts intestinal
health in weaned pigs. E. Grilli 1 , B. Tugnoli* 1 , B.
S. Seabold 2 , A. J. Moeser 3 , A. Piva 1 , and C. H. Stahl 2 ,
1 DISMVET,University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia,BO,
Italy, 2 Lab of Developmental Nutrition, Department of Animal
Science, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA, 3 Department of
Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary
Medicine, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA.
XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF PIGS
144
Session VII
Aviplus-S (Vetagro SpA, Italy) is a microencapsulated
blend of sorbic, citric acid, thymol and vanillin. Although
dietary inclusion of organic acids and botanicals has been
shown to improve pig performance, the mechanism behind
their efficacy has yet to be elucidated. The objective of
this study was to assess the impact of dietary inclusion of
Aviplus-S on measures of intestinal health in weaned pigs.
Twenty pigs weaned at 19 d of age and placed into one of
two pens (n = 10) received either a basal diet or the basal
diet supplemented with 5 g Aviplus-S/kg for 14 d. Individual
body weights were recorded initially and every 7 d. At the
completion of the study, 6 pigs closest to their group mean
ADG were selected for tissue collection. Ileal and jejunal
samples were collected for Ussing chamber analysis
of intermittent short cricuit corrent (Isc), and dextran
flux. Ileal mucosal and blood samples were collected for
analysis of cytokines (IL6, IL10, IL12, TNFa, IFNg, and
TGFb) at mRNA level and circulating, respectively. Pigs
fed the Aviplus-S had greater (P < 0.05) ADG during both
the second week of the study and overall. Pigs fed the
Aviplus-S also had reduced jejunal dextran flux and Isc in
the ileum (P < 0.12 and P < 0.07, respectively); the gene
expression of several cytokines were down regulated in
Aviplus-S fed pigs and the corresponding proteins followed
similar patterns. Overall, it appears that dietary inclusion of
Aviplus-S improved intestinal health by allowing for tighter
gap junctions in the jejunum (reduced dextran flux), and
by possibly reducing the secretory activity of ileal mucosa
(reduced Isc) via reduction in inflammation (reduced
gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines).
Whether the improved growth seen in this study with
Aviplus-S is the result of reduced intestinal inflammation
via modulation of intestinal microflora or by a direct effect
on the intestinal mucosa requires further study, however
this study does provide a biological mechanism to explain
improved performance seen with dietary inclusion of
microencapsulated organic acids and botanicals.
Key words: sorbic acid, microencapsulation, intestinal
health