Early intervention with faecal microbiota transplantation: an effective means to improve growth performance and the intestinal development of suckling piglets

Recent studies indicate that early postnatal period is a critical window for gut microbiota manipulation to optimise the immunity and body growth. This study investigated the effects of maternal faecal microbiota orally administered to neonatal piglets after birth on growth performance, selected microbial populations, intestinal permeability and the development of intestinal mucosal immune system. In total, 12 litters of crossbred newborn piglets were selected in this study. Litter size was standardised to 10 piglets. On day 1, 10 piglets in each litter were randomly allotted to the faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and control groups. Piglets in the FMT group were orally administrated with 2ml faecal suspension of their nursing sow per day from the age of 1 to 3 days; piglets in the control group were treated with the same dose of a placebo (0.1M potassium phosphate buffer containing 10% glycerol (vol/vol)) inoculant. The experiment lasted 21 days. On days 7, 14 and 21, plasma and faecal samples were collected for the analysis of growth-related hormones and cytokines in plasma and lipocalin-2, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), selected microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in faeces. Faecal microbiota transplantation increased the average daily gain of piglets during week 3 and the whole experiment period. Compared with the control group, the FMT group had increased concentrations of plasma growth hormone and IGF-1 on days 14 and 21. Faecal microbiota transplantation also reduced the incidence of diarrhoea during weeks 1 and 3 and plasma concentrations of zonulin, endotoxin and diamine oxidase activities in piglets on days 7 and 14. The populations of Lactobacillus spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and the concentrations of faecal and plasma acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs in FMT group were higher than those in the control group on day 21. Moreover, the FMT piglets have higher concentrations of plasma transforming growth factor-β and immunoglobulin G, and faecal sIgA than the control piglets on day 21. These findings indicate that early intervention with maternal faecal microbiota improves growth performance, decreases intestinal permeability, stimulates sIgA secretion, and modulates gut microbiota composition and metabolism in suckling piglets.     

Importance of sanitary environment for growth performance and plasma nutrient homeostasis during the post-weaning period in piglets

Deterioration of sanitary conditions in piggeries is known to limit growth performance through inducing a moderate immune response. This article reports the results of an experiment performed to reproduce the consequences of bad sanitary conditions on growth performance and nutrient plasma concentrations of piglets after weaning. We propose to use these experimental conditions as a model for studying the interactions between nutrition and pig health. In this experiment, 20 pairs of littermate piglets were selected and weaned at 28 days of age on the basis of their body weight. Within each pair, piglets were pair-fed and each one was affected to one of the two experimental groups. The first group was housed in a clean environment and was fed an antibiotic supplemented standard diet. The second group was kept in unsanitary rooms, mixed with non-experimental piglets and was fed the same standard diet but without antibiotic supplementation. Compared to pigs kept in the clean environment, piglets kept in the unsanitary environment had significantly lower rate of weight gain and feed efficiency from weaning to 20 d post weaning then from 36 - 45 d post weaning. They also displayed higher plasma concentrations of haptoglobin, copper, vitamin B12 and lysine but lower concentrations of glutathione, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, folic acid, threonine and tryptophan. Our results showed that a reduction of growth performance and a modification of nutrient utilization can be induced by decreasing the sanitary quality of environment where pigs are kept after weaning and after transition to another building. This response could be explained by a moderated activation of body defences.     

Short-term behavioural effects of weaning age in outdoor-reared piglets

Age at weaning affects the behaviour of piglets weaned in conventional confined environments. The adaptation of piglets to this event, which exposes piglets to important stressors, has not been examined in detail in outdoor systems. The aim of this study was to compare the behaviour of piglets weaned at 3 or 4 weeks of age in an outdoor production system. Six replicates of four piglets born and raised outdoors, originated from different litters but previously acquainted, were weaned at the age of approximately 20 (D20) or 30 (D30) days in 36 m2 outdoor pens and offered high-quality diets. Their behaviour was recorded by direct visual observation during four consecutive days after weaning (days 1 to 4). Data were analysed by repeated measures ANOVA. An effect of weaning age was observed on feeding and rooting ( P < 0.01), and a day-by-weaning age interaction for escape attempts, vocalizing, walking and fighting ( P < 0.01), and playing ( P < 0.03). Compared to D30 piglets, D20 piglets showed a higher frequency of escape attempts on day 1, vocalized more during days 1 and 2, and walked more during days 1 to 3 ( P < 0.05). Feeding behaviour, on the other hand, was higher in D30 piglets on days 1 to 3 ( P < 0.05). On days 3 and 4, D30 piglets spent more time interacting with peers (playing and fighting; P < 0.05) and on day 4 were more active than D20 piglets ( P < 0.05). As previously reported in confined environments, age at weaning affected the behaviour of piglets raised on the outdoors system. Weaning appeared to be more stressful for the piglets at 3 than at 4 weeks of age. The impact of weaning age on welfare cannot be ignored, especially when outdoor breeding of pigs is proposed to address welfare concerns of the public.     

Pain behaviour after castration of piglets; effect of pain relief with lidocaine and/or meloxicam

Behavioural responses and the effect of lidocaine and meloxicam on behaviour of piglets after castration were studied. A total of 144 piglets of 2 to 5 days of age were allocated to one of six treatments: castration (CAST), castration with lidocaine (LIDO), castration with meloxicam (MELO), castration with lidocaine and meloxicam (L + M), handling (SHAM) and no handling (NONE). Behaviour was observed for 5 days after the procedure, growth until weaning was recorded and characteristics of the castration wound noted. MELO piglets showed significantly (P < 0.05) more no pain-related behaviour than CAST and LIDO at the afternoon after castration, and were not significantly different from SHAM and NONE. LIDO piglets showed an increase (P < 0.001) in tail wagging, lasting for 3 days. This increase was not seen in L + M piglets. The occurrence of several behaviours changed with age, independent of treatment. A treatment effect on growth was not found. Wound healing was rapid in all treatments, but thickening of the heal was observed in several piglets, suggesting perturbation in the cicatrization process. Our study showed a pain-relieving effect of meloxicam after castration. Local anaesthesia resulted in piglets performing more tail wagging during the first few days after castration, which was prevented by administering meloxicam in combination with local anaesthesia.     

Effects of Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance,immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of orally administrated Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis on performance, immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets. Neonatal piglets (n = 120) were randomly assigned to 4 groups, with 30 suckling piglets in each group. The piglets were from 15 litters, one male and one female piglet were selected for each group in each litter. The Control group was administrated with normal saline, the other groups with L. casei or E. faecalis or a combination of L. casei and E. faecalis at a ratio of 3:1. Each piglet was orally administrated with 1, 2, 3 and 4 ml probiotics or normal saline at the age of 1, 7, 14 and 21 d, respectively. The piglets were weaned at the age of 21 d. The results showed that compared with the Control group, the average daily gain of piglets administrated with probiotics was significantly increased, and the diarrhoea rate and mortality were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After supplementation of the combined probiotics, the protease activity in stomach, duodenum and colon was increased and in all supplemented groups, the immunoglobulin A concentration in plasma was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The combined probiotics significantly increased villus length and the expression level of transforming growth factor-β in the jejunum (p < 0.05) but decreased the expression level of the jejunal tumour necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05). In addition, probiotics could regulate gut microbiota and increase microbial similarity coefficients for keeping piglet gut microbiota stable.     

Behavioural,endocrine and immune consequences of mixing in weaned piglets

Mixing piglets at weaning increases plasma cortisol concentrations and agonistic behaviour. In contrast to what is observed in older pigs, studies failed to show any effect of social environment on other behavioural variables or on immune function. The lack of effect of mixing may not reflect an absence of stress, but rather the fact that the physiological effects of social reorganisation are masked by the much more important effects of diet change. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the reactivity of piglets to mixing by dissociating social reorganisation from weaning in itself. For this purpose, the influence of mixing was investigated 5 days after weaning (day 0) in eight control (C) and eight mixed (M) female pigs. Salivary cortisol and behavioural activity were measured from day −1 to day 3. Blood lymphocyte proliferation was measured on days 0 and 3. Cortisol levels were increased after mixing and returned to basal values within 24 h. Blood lymphocyte proliferation was not affected. Mixing increased resting behaviour. Cortisol and behavioural responses were influenced by the social position of individuals in their new group. Piglets seemed to avoid conflicting encounters by diminishing the synchronisation of their activities with their new group. These results suggest that social reorganisation could be stressful for weaned pigs. However, piglets seem to develop behavioural strategies, which could explain the absence of long-term endocrine and immune consequences of mixing.     

Effects of feeding antibiotic-free creep feed supplemented with oligofructose, probiotics or synbiotics to suckling piglets increases the preweaning weight gain and composition of intestinal microbiota

The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding an antibiotic-free creep feed supplemented with either oligofructose, probiotics or synbiotics to suckling piglets influences growth performance, the gut microflora, gut morphology and hematological traits at weaning. Twenty sows with 10 piglets each were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. The treatments consisted of a control (antibiotic-free) diet, 0.2% oligofructose (OF), 0.3% probiotics or 0.5% synbiotics (mixture of 0.2% OF+0.3% probiotics). Piglets were offered the diet ad libitum from 7 d after birth until one day after weaning (21 d of age). At the day after weaning, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein to determine the immune response. Digesta samples of the ileum and colon were collected to determine the microbial composition. Tissue segments from the duodenum and ileum were collected for morphometric measurements of the small intestine. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher for piglets fed the OF or synbiotics diet compared with the pigs fed the control diet. The hematological traits (the concentration of lymphocytes and neutrophils in whole blood) were not affected by the diet. Piglets fed the OF, probiotics or synbiotics diet had a significantly decreased number of total coliform bacteria in the colon. Feeding OF, probiotics or synbiotics significantly increased the population of bifidobacteria in the ileum compared to the control. In the colon, the probiotics and synbiotics diet significantly increased the number of bifidobacteria compared with the control diet. The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of oligofructose or synbiotics to an antibiotic-free creep feed during the preweaning period affected gut microbial population and performance of piglets.     

Effect of infrared temperature on thermoregulatory behaviour in suckling piglets

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infrared (IR) temperature on thermoregulatory behaviour in suckling piglets in the first 3 weeks after farrowing. A total of 10 piglets from each of the 16 litters were exposed to recommended IR temperature conditions at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of age, with a mild offset (4°C) in IR temperature during the first experiment and a more challenging offset (8°C) during the second experiment. Digital photos were taken when all piglets had settled in the creep area, and the lying posture and huddling behaviour were analysed. A lying posture score and a huddling score was calculated by multiplying the number of piglets in each category with a given value for each category, based on different lying postures and different degrees of huddling behaviour. With a 4°C change in IR temperature, the piglets tended to alter their lying posture, while an 8°C change had a significant effect on lying posture (P < 0.01). A change in IR temperature of 4°C had no effect on the degree of huddling. The huddling score decreased significantly with 8°C change in IR temperature (P < 0.05). Postural changes, rather than changes in degree of huddling were the preferred thermoregulatory strategy for suckling piglets.     

Promoting positive states: the effect of early human handling on play and exploratory behaviour in pigs

It is known that tactile stimulation (TS) during ontogeny modifies brain plasticity and enhances the motor and cognitive skills. Our hypothesis was that early handling including TS would increase play and exploratory behaviour in commercial pigs under standardized test conditions. Piglets from 13 litters were subjected to three handling treatments from 5 to 35 days of age: all the piglets were handled (H), none of the piglets were handled (NH) or half of the piglets in the litter were handled (50/50). At 42 days of age, the pigs’ behaviour was observed in pairs in a novel pen with a ‘toy’ (tug rope). The main results were that more locomotor play was performed by pigs from litters where all or half of them had been handled, whereas social exploratory behaviour was more pronounced in pigs from litters where half of them had been handled. Although behaviour was affected by the interaction of treatment with sex or with weight category, we propose that the handling procedure does seem to have acted to increase locomotor skills and that handling half of the piglets in the litter may have triggered a series of socio-emotional interactions that were beneficial for the whole group.     

刺五加提取物对早期断奶仔猪肠道微生物多态性的影响

选用21日龄断奶的三元杂交仔猪60头,随机分为3个处理,处理1饲喂添加0.1%刺五加提取物日粮,处理2饲喂添加0.02%硫酸粘杆菌素日粮,处理3饲喂基础日粮。分别于添加后第7、14和28 d从各处理随机取5头试猪,处死后无菌采集空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物,采用体外培养计数法和PCR/DGGE技术,测定其中乳酸杆菌和大肠杆菌的数量及细菌菌群的变化。结果表明,第7 d时,提取物组回肠内容物大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组;各肠段内容物乳酸杆菌数量均显著高于其它2组。第14 d时,提取物组各肠段内容物大肠杆菌数量均显著低于其它2组;空肠和回肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于其它2组,且盲肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于对照组。第28 d时,提取物组空肠和回肠内容物大肠杆菌数量显著低于其它2组,盲肠内容物大肠杆菌数量也显著低于对照组;回肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于其它2组。各时间点提取物组盲肠内容物细菌DGGE条带数较对照组多,第28 d时空肠内容物细菌DGGE条带数比对照组多;3个处理间各肠段内容物DGGE图谱间的相似性均达56.9%以上。提示刺五加提取物有助于提高肠道内容物乳酸杆菌的数量,抑制大肠杆菌增殖,显著增加肠道微生物的多样性,这可能是其防治断奶仔猪腹泻、促进生长的机理之一。     

Response of piglets weaned from sows fed diets supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to an Escherichia coli K88+ oral challenge

Seventy-eight Cotswold piglets weaned from sows receiving 0% or 2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-supplemented rations from day 85 of gestation through lactation were allocated to nursery diets (ND) according to their dam's lactation ration (LR) as follows (1) 0%-0% (0% CLA LR: 0% CLA ND, n = 17); (2) 0%-2% (0% CLA LR: 2% CLA ND, n = 17); (3) 2%-0% (2% CLA LR: 0% CLA ND, n = 23); and (4) 2%-2% (2% CLA LR: 2% CLA ND, n = 21). At 28 ± 2 days of age all piglets received an oral Escherichia coli K88+ (enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, ETEC) challenge and were subsequently monitored for scour development and overall health until 36 ± 2 days of age, after which blood and tissue samples were collected. Piglet BW was not affected by dietary CLA supplementation to LR (P > 0.05). However, by day 36 piglets receiving 2% CLA-supplemented ND were significantly lighter (P < 0.05) than piglets receiving control diets. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected by CLA supplementation. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was greater for piglets weaned from 2% CLA-supplemented sows from day 17 to 28 (P < 0.05), otherwise ADFI was unaffected by dietary CLA supplementation (P > 0.05). The development of scours was less severe in piglets weaned from 2% CLA-supplemented sows at 8, 24, 48 and 56 h after ETEC challenge (P < 0.05). Intestinal coliform and lactic acid bacteria populations post challenge were not affected by CLA supplementation. However, cecal ammonia-N was numerically greatest in 0%-0% piglets compared to the other treatment groups, and the total volatile fatty acid production was numerically lower in 0%-0% and 0%-2% piglets compared to 2%-0% and 2%-2% piglets. In addition, piglets weaned from 2% CLA-supplemented sows had increased serum immunoglobulin A (P < 0.001) and G (P < 0.05) levels and reduced (P < 0.05) intestinal mucosal inflammation compared to piglets weaned from control sows. Although there were no obvious additional health effects observed when CLA was provided in ND, supplementing sow rations with 2% CLA from mid-gestation through weaning appears to have immune-stimulating carry-over effects post weaning. Thus, supplementing sow rations with CLA may be a practical strategy for enhancing passive immune transfer and improving the immune status and overall gut health of nursery piglets.     

The Weaning Process of Free-ranging Domestic Pigs: Within- and Between-litter Variations

To determine variations within and between litters in the weaning process and behavioural development, the behaviour of four focal piglets from each of nine litters was recorded at the ages of 4, 6, 8 and 10 wk in a 12.5-ha semi-natural environment. The piglets were weighed at birth, at 7–11 d and at 7 wk. Activities and nearest-neighbour distances were recorded instantaneously and social interactions continuously during 4 times 11 min/piglet at all ages. Within-litter comparisons were obtained by transforming raw data to standard scores within litters. There were significant age effects on all behavioural variables except aggression, which, however, was very rare. There were also significant effects of sow and boar on several behavioural variables, as well as interactions between sow/boar and age, indicating a possible genetic influence on the behavioural development. Within-litter variations did not relate to sex or weight. Within litters, some individuals tended to be more associated with their families and to rely more on milk for nutrients whereas others tended to affiliate with other families and spend more time feeding on solids. The latter group could be conceived of as piglets starting the weaning process earlier.     

益生菌Lactobacillus amylovorus S1对仔猪后肠菌群的影响

结合PCR/DGGE(Denaturinggradientgelelectrophoresis,变性梯度凝胶电泳)和16SrDNA序列分析技术,研究添加益生菌LactobacillusamylovorusS1后仔猪从7至35日龄(断奶后两周)后肠菌群的变化。6窝新生仔猪被随机分成两组:对照组和处理组,处理组仔猪于7、9和11日龄口服L.amylovorusS1菌液(活菌数5×109CFU/mL)。分别于7、14、21、24和35日龄,每窝随机屠宰一头仔猪,收集肠道样品。比较不同日龄仔猪后肠菌群DGGE图谱表明,断奶后图谱中多数高GC含量细菌条带消失,至断奶后两周又逐渐出现。序列分析显示,这些高GC含量细菌主要为乳酸杆菌。统计分析表明,仔猪口服益生菌S1对其盲肠和结肠菌群的多样性指数无显著影响。通过比较处理组和对照组图谱发现,处理组14日龄出现一特异条带,与其匹配的序列的最相似已知菌为Clostridiumdisporicum,相似性为95%;而35日龄对照组有一特异优势条带,该条带被鉴定为猪链球菌(Streptococcussuis),相似性为99%。     

Early social contact alters the community structure and functions of the faecal microbiome in suckling-growing piglets

Social contact during suckling, in an enriched social environment, can reduce the aggressive behaviours of piglets during regrouping at weaning, and improve their production performance and welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of suckling social contact on gut microbes. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing to measure the faecal microbial structure and function in piglets experiencing social contact. Eighteen-litter piglets were allocated to two treatments: an early continuous social contact (CSC) group where piglets from adjacent pens shared a mutual pen starting at 14 days postpartum and a control (CON) group where piglets had no contact with individuals from adjacent pens during the suckling period. The piglets were regrouped at 36 days of age. The litter weights at 35 and 63 days of age were measured. Faecal samples were randomly collected at 16, 35, 42, and 63 days of age and faecal DNA was determined. The results showed that the litter weight of piglets in the CSC group was significantly decreased at 63 days compared with the CON group. Continuous social contact also significantly decreased the microbial richness at 16 and 35 days of age (P < 0.05). Firmicutes was the most abundant bacterial phylum in both groups at all detected time-points and the abundance increased with social contact. At the genus level, Lactobacillus was the most abundant bacterium after weaning and the abundance increased in the piglets with social contact. Compared with the faecal microbiota of control piglets, a total of 22 genera at 16 days, 20 genera at 35 days, 12 genera at 42 days, and 27 genera at 63 days in the faeces of CSC piglets were observed to be significantly different in abundance (linear discriminant analysis score > 3, P < 0.05). Furthermore, functional analysis of the microbial composition showed that the changes induced by early CSC mainly altered the relative abundance of metabolic and related pathways. The social contact notably had an effect on the abundance of microbial pathways for amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. In conclusion, CSC changed the microbial composition in the faeces of piglets, which might have a negative effect on nutrient metabolism for the suckling-growing piglets. Our study provided new insight into the influence of social contact on the suckling-growing piglets.     

The effect of two teeth resection procedures on the welfare of piglets in farrowing crates. Part 1

Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in farrowing crates.

Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation.

Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P < 0.001). I piglets had higher facial lesion scores than C and G piglets (F = 10.58, P < 0.001). A smaller proportion of piglets in I litters than C and G litters and a smaller proportion of piglets in G litters than C litters had at least one mouth lesion (F = 4.74, P < 0.001). During 30 min post-procedure, I piglets were active on the heatpad in more observations than C and G piglets (F = 3.49, P < 0.05). During 5 min post-procedure C piglets spent longer chomping than I piglets (F = 5.92, P = 0.05). On day 21, I piglets were active in more observations than G piglets (F = 2.11, P < 0.05). On day 26, G piglets were inactive in more observations than C and I piglets (F = 5.02, P < 0.05). On days 14 and 26, C piglets were sleeping in more observations than G piglets (F = 2.87, P = 0.05). There was a tendency for a larger proportion of I than C piglets to die due to overlying (F = 2.68, P = 0.08).

In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.     

Effect of accommodating sucking and nosing on the behaviour of artificially reared piglets

Neonatal piglets are often used in biomedical research applications that require artificial rearing. Social housing can be problematic because the piglets develop belly nosing, navel and ear sucking that can result in injury. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of using feeding devices that provide various opportunities for sucking and nosing behaviour on reducing piglet-directed behaviour of group-housed laboratory piglets. Fifteen piglets were used in each of four trials. The piglets nursed their dam for approximately 72 h to obtain passive immunity before transfer to a laboratory facility where they were allotted, five per group, to one of three stainless steel isolator units. Each unit featured a different style of feeding system for the delivery of milk replacer: a plastic trough (T), a nipple (N) mounted on a smooth plexiglass wall, or a nipple mounted on a pliant bag of sterile water (artificial udder [AU]). Each system had five feeding spaces so that all piglets fed simultaneously. Milk was provided at 6-h intervals, and behaviour was recorded on alternate days for 12 days post-weaning. Although trough-fed piglets began to eat much sooner than those piglets fed from nipples, time spent nosing, chewing or sucking on pen-mates and belly nosing were markedly higher in T piglets than in either N or AU, overall (mean: P<0.05) and over time (quadratic: P<0.05). Over time, N piglets developed a stereotypic snout rubbing on the wall behind the nipples, while AU piglets massaged and often fell asleep in contact with the udder from day 2 of the trial. Resting patterns were also affected. N and AU piglets settled down to rest more quickly (P<0.01) and spent significantly more time resting in the hour following feeding than T piglets (P<0.05). A feeding device that accommodates both sucking and massage can significantly reduce piglet-directed behaviour and may facilitate social housing of artificially reared piglets.     

土著发酵床对商品猪生产性能和血液生化指标的影响

目的采集徐州当地土著微生物作为原始菌株制作发酵床,考察土著发酵床对商品猪生产性能及血液生化指标的影响。方法选择60头杜×长×大三元配套系仔猪进行实验,仔猪断奶日龄为21 d。实验组商品猪饲喂于发酵床猪舍,对照组饲喂于水泥地面猪舍。每组设3个重复,每个重复随机选取健康仔猪10头。仔猪饲喂125 d后考察土著发酵床对商品猪生产性能和血液生化指标的影响。结果土著发酵床具有一定提高商品猪日增重的效果,并可显著降低料重比（P〈0.05）,但对猪酮体品质未产生显著影响。在血液生化指标方面,实验组商品猪血液中的总蛋白、白蛋白、碱性磷酸酶含量均显著高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论土著发酵床可以提高猪的生长性能和免疫机能。     

Effect of milk deprivation during the lactation period on performance and digestive enzyme activities of the piglets following weaning

Post-weaning performance of piglets from systems where lactation is disrupted (e.g. from multisuckling systems) is superior to conventionally reared piglets. The objective of this study was to establish whether restricted growth prior to weaning caused by disruption of suckling was an important factor in post-weaning performance and also whether there were related changes in gastro-intestinal development. Ten litters of eight piglets were used in a split-plot design. Half of each litter (limited suckling, LS) had suckling disrupted by separation from their dam for 7 h/day from day 14 to 28 after farrowing. The remainder of each litter was allowed to suck normally (normal suckling, NS). The same amount of creep feed was offered to LS piglets as consumed by NS littermates on the previous day. There were no differences in weight between LS and NS piglets at 14 days of age, but restricting access to the sow reduced weaning weight at 28 days of age (7.96 v. 9.00 kg; LS v. NS; P < 0.01; s.e.d. 0.23). Feed intakes were greater for LS than NS piglets over the first 28 days post weaning, particularly in the 1st week after weaning when feed efficiency was also improved (0.91 v. 0.62 kg gain per kg feed; P < 0.01; s.e.d. 0.08). As a result, LS piglets grew more rapidly in the first 28 days post weaning, particularly in the first 7 days after weaning. Subsequent performance to 8 weeks was similar for both groups. Digestive organ weights were not different at 2 and 9 days after weaning; nor were small intestine specific enzyme activities significantly different ( P>0.05). Pancreatic trypsin activity was, however, greater ( P < 0.01) for LS pigs on both days 2 and 9 post weaning. In conclusion the restriction of growth as a result of limited suckling itself is an important factor in determining post-weaning performance and may be related to development of pancreatic trypsin activity.     

Early life feeding accelerates gut microbiome maturation and suppresses acute post-weaning stress in piglets

Early life microbiome perturbations can have important effects on host development, physiology and behaviour. In this longitudinal study, we evaluated the impact of early feeding on gut microbiome colonization in neonatal piglets. Early-fed (EF) piglets had access to a customized fibrous diet from 2 days after birth until weaning in addition to mother's milk, whereas control piglets suckled mother's milk only. Rectal swabs were collected at multiple time points until 6 weeks of age to investigate microbiota development using 16S rRNA gene profiling. The dynamic pre-weaning microbiota colonization was followed by a relatively stable post-weaning microbiota, represented by Prevotella, Roseburia, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Megasphaera, Catenibacterium and Subdoligranulum. EF piglets showed an accelerated microbiota maturation, characterized by increased microbial diversity, pre-weaning emergence of post-weaning-associated microbes and a more rapid decline of typical pre-weaning microbes. Furthermore, the individual eating behaviour scores of piglets quantitatively correlated with their accelerated microbiome. Importantly, EF piglets displayed a smoother relative weight gain and tended to reach a higher relative weight gain, in addition to reduced diarrhoea scores in the first week post-weaning. Overall, these findings demonstrate the beneficial impact of early feeding on microbiota development as well as pig health and performance during the weaning transition.     

复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响

目的观察复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响。方法选择长白二元杂交断奶仔猪90头进行实验,断奶日龄为35 d。共分为5个组,每组设3个重复,每个重复随机选取健康仔猪6头。实验组一:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,罗伊乳杆菌),实验组二:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,干酪乳杆菌),实验组三:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,嗜酸乳杆菌),实验组四:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,罗伊乳杆菌,干酪乳杆菌,嗜酸乳杆菌),对照组:饲喂基础日粮。其中复合制剂中益生菌活菌数为109CFU/g。饲养30 d后观察复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响。结果在日增重、饲料效率及血清溶菌酶方面,实验组一和二显著高于对照组(P0.05);在腹泻率方面,实验组均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论在仔猪日粮中添加复合活菌制剂可提高每头断奶仔猪平均日增重及饲料效率,降低腹泻的发病率,且增高仔猪血清溶菌酶含量,提高仔猪的免疫机能,从而提高经济效益。