The objective of this study was to examine the effects of feeding laminarin (LAM) and fucoidan (FUC) enriched seaweed extracts up to d35 post-weaning on measures of animal performance, intestinal ...microbial and transcriptome profiles. 75 pigs were assigned to one of three groups: (1) basal diet; (2) basal diet + 250 ppm fucoidan; (3) basal diet + 300 ppm laminarin with 7 replicates per treatment group. Measures of performance were collected weekly and animals sacrificed on d35 post-weaning for the sampling of gastrointestinal tissue and digesta. Animal performance was similar between the basal group and the groups supplemented with FUC and LAM (
> 0.05). Pigs fed the basal diet had higher alpha diversity compared to both the LAM and FUC supplemented pigs (
< 0.05). Supplementation with LAM and FUC increased the production of butyric acid compared to basal fed pigs (
< 0.05). At genus level pigs fed the LAM supplemented diet had the greatest abundance of
,
and the lowest
of the three experimental treatments (
0.05). While neither extract had beneficial effects on animal performance, LAM supplementation had a positive influence on intestinal health through alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiome and increased butyrate production.
Dietary supplementation with 300 ppm of a laminarin rich macroalgal extract reduces post-weaning intestinal dysfunction in pigs. A comprehensive analysis of the impact of laminarin on the intestinal ...microbiome during this period is essential to inform on the mode of action of this bioactivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diet of newly weaned pigs with 300 ppm of a laminarin rich extract, on animal performance, volatile fatty acids, and the intestinal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pigs fed the laminarin-supplemented diet had higher average daily feed intake, growth rate, and body weight compared to pigs fed the control diet (
< 0.05). Pigs fed the laminarin-supplemented diet had reduced abundance of OTUs assigned to
and increased abundance of OTUs assigned to the genus
(
< 0.05) compared to pigs fed the control diet.
had negative relationships (
< 0.05) with average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and butyric acid concentrations. In contrast,
were positively correlated (
< 0.05) with ADFI, ADG, total VFA, acetic, propionic, butyric acids, and negatively correlated with isovaleric acid. Hence supplementation with a laminarin enriched extract potentially improves performance during the post-weaning period by promoting the proliferation of bacterial taxa such as
that favourably enhance nutrient digestion while reducing the load of potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa including
.
This study examined the effects of maternal and/or post-weaning Bacillus altitudinis supplementation on the microbiota in sow colostrum and faeces, and offspring digesta and faeces. Sows (n = ...12/group) were assigned to: (1) standard diet (CON), or (2) CON supplemented with probiotic B. altitudinis spores (PRO) from day (d)100 of gestation to weaning (d26 of lactation). At weaning, offspring were assigned to CON or PRO for 28d, resulting in: (1) CON/CON, (2) CON/PRO, (3) PRO/CON, and (4) PRO/PRO, after which all received CON. Samples were collected from sows and selected offspring (n = 10/group) for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Rothia was more abundant in PRO sow colostrum. Sow faeces were not impacted but differences were identified in offspring faeces and digesta. Most were in the ileal digesta between PRO/CON and CON/CON on d8 post-weaning; i.e. Bacteroidota, Alloprevotella, Prevotella, Prevotellaceae, Turicibacter, Catenibacterium and Blautia were more abundant in PRO/CON, with Firmicutes and Blautia more abundant in PRO/PRO compared with CON/CON. Lactobacillus was more abundant in PRO/CON faeces on d118 post-weaning. This increased abundance of polysaccharide-fermenters (Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Prevotellaceae), butyrate-producers (Blautia) and Lactobacillus likely contributed to previously reported improvements in growth performance. Overall, maternal, rather than post-weaning, probiotic supplementation had the greatest impact on intestinal microbiota.
The objective was to evaluate the effect of dietary Bacillus altitudinis spore supplementation during day (D)0-28 post-weaning (PW) and/or D29-56 PW compared with antibiotic and zinc oxide (AB + ZnO) ...supplementation on pig growth and gut microbiota. Eighty piglets were selected at weaning and randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments: (1) negative control (Con/Con); (2) probiotic spores from D29-56 PW (Con/Pro); (3) probiotic spores from D0-28 PW (Pro/Con); (4) probiotic spores from D0-56 PW (Pro/Pro) and (5) AB + ZnO from D0-28 PW. Overall, compared with the AB + ZnO group, the Pro/Con group had lower body weight, average daily gain and feed intake and the Pro/Pro group tended to have lower daily gain and feed intake. However, none of these parameters differed between any of the probiotic-treated groups and the Con/Con group. Overall, AB + ZnO-supplemented pigs had higher Bacteroidaceae and Prevotellaceae and lower Lactobacillaceae and Spirochaetaceae abundance compared to the Con/Con group, which may help to explain improvements in growth between D15-28 PW. The butyrate-producing genera Agathobacter, Faecalibacterium and Roseburia were more abundant in the Pro/Con group compared with the Con/Con group on D35 PW. Thus, whilst supplementation with B. altitudinis did not enhance pig growth performance, it did have a subtle, albeit potentially beneficial, impact on the intestinal microbiota.
In young pigs, the challenge of weaning frequently leads to dysbiosis. This predisposes pigs to intestinal infection such as post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). Dietary interventions to reduce PWD have ...centred on dietary inclusion of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) and antimicrobials in pig diets, or high concentrations of zinc oxide. These interventions are under scrutiny because of their role in promoting multidrug resistant bacteria and the accumulation of minerals in the environment. There are significant efforts being made to identify natural alternatives. Marine polysaccharides, such as laminarin and fucoidan from macroalgae and chitosan and chito-oligosaccharides from chitin, are an interesting group of marine dietary supplements, due to their prebiotic, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. However, natural variability exists in the quantity, structure, and bioactivity of these polysaccharides between different macroalgae species and harvest seasons, while the wide range of available extraction methodologies and conditions results in further variation. This review will discuss the development of the gastrointestinal tract in the pig during the post-weaning period and how feeding marine polysaccharides in both the maternal and the post-weaned pig diet, can be used to alleviate the negative effects associated with weaning.
This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with laminarin or chitosan on colonic health in pigs challenged with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Weaned pigs were assigned to: (1) a ...basal diet (n = 22); (2) a basal diet + laminarin (n = 10); and (3) a basal diet + chitosan (n = 10). On d35, the basal group was split, creating four groups: (1) the basal diet (control); (2) the basal diet + DSS; (3) the basal diet + laminarin + DSS; and (4) the basal diet + chitosan + DSS. From d39-42, the pigs were orally challenged with DSS. On d44, colonic tissue/digesta samples were collected. The basal DSS group had reduced growth, higher pathology score and an increased expression of
,
and
compared with the controls (
< 0.05); these parameters were similar between the DSS-challenged groups (
> 0.05). In the basal DSS group, the relative abundance of beneficial taxa including
and
were reduced while
were increased, compared with the controls (
< 0.05). The relative abundance of
was reduced and the molar proportions of acetate were increased in the laminarin DSS group compared with the basal DSS group (
< 0.01), suggesting that laminarin has potential to prevent pathogen proliferation and enhance the volatile fatty acid profile in the colon in a porcine model of colitis.
Three Lactococcus lactis strains from the nasal microbiota of healthy pigs were identified as candidates for reducing MRSA in pigs. The safety of nasal administration of a cocktail of these strains ...was examined in new-born piglets. Six days pre-farrowing, twelve sows were assigned to the placebo or cocktail group (n = 6/group). After farrowing, piglets were administered with either 0.5 mL of the placebo or the cocktail to each nostril. Health status and body weight were monitored at regular time points. Two piglets from three sows/treatment group were euthanised at 24 h, 96 h and 14 d after birth, and conchae, lung and tonsil samples were collected for histopathological and gene expression analysis. Health scores were improved in the cocktail group between d1–5. Body weight and daily gains did not differ between groups. Both groups displayed histological indications of euthanasia and inflammation in the lungs, signifying the findings were not treatment related. The expression of pBD2, TLR9 and IL-1β in the nasal conchae differed between groups, indicating the cocktail has the potential to modulate immune responses. In summary, the L. lactis cocktail was well tolerated by piglets and there was no negative impact on health scores, growth or lung histopathology indicating that it is safe for administration to new-born piglets.
•Reducing crude protein (CP) level did not compromise growth performance.•Reducing CP negatively affected the expression of genes related to intestinal health.•Laminarin improved growth and faecal ...scores under unsanitary conditions.•Laminarin increased faecal lactobacilli under unsanitary conditions.•Laminarin may have a role in supporting pig intestinal health and growth.
A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to examine the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) concentration and/or supplementation with zinc oxide (ZnO) or laminarin on the growth performance and intestinal health in pigs reared under sanitary (Exp. 1) and unsanitary (Exp. 2) conditions, for 35 days post-weaning (PW). Pigs were assigned to: (T1) 21 % standard CP diet (SCP); (T2) SCP + ZnO; (T3) SCP + laminarin; (T4) 18 % low CP diet (LCP); (T5) LCP + ZnO; (T6) LCP + laminarin (n = 8 replicates/treatment). In Exp. 1 intestinal tissue and digesta were collected on day 9 PW. Under sanitary conditions, there was an effect of CP and additive on the incidence of diarrhoea in the first 14 days PW. Pigs offered the LCP diet had a higher incidence of diarrhoea than those offered the SCP diet (P < 0.01). Supplementation with laminarin or ZnO reduced the incidence of diarrhoea compared with the unsupplemented pigs (P < 0.001). Reducing CP downregulated nutrient transporter and upregulated inflammatory marker expression in the ileum and increased Enterobacteriaceae in the colon compared with the SCP diet (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, reducing CP or supplementation with ZnO or laminarin improved overall (faecal score) FS (P < 0.001). There was a CP concentration x additive interaction on the incidence of diarrhoea in the first 14 days PW (P < 0.01). Pigs offered the LCP diet with ZnO had a lower incidence of diarrhoea compared with pigs offered the LCP or LCP LAM diets, however, there was no effect of additive on the on the incidence of diarrhoea in pigs offered the SCP diets. Supplementation with ZnO increased daily gains (P < 0.01) and there was a tendency for laminarin to increase daily gains. Laminarin supplementation increased the abundance of faecal Lactobacillus spp. relative to the unsupplemented and ZnO supplemented pigs (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the LCP diet did not compromise performance, likely due to the LCP diet providing sufficient concentrations of essential amino acids to maintain growth performance. However, it increased the incidence of diarrhoea between days 0−14 PW, reduced the expression of nutrient transporter genes and increased the expression of inflammatory genes under sanitary conditions. Thus, further investigation into the effects of lower CP diets are necessary. Laminarin and ZnO reduced the incidence of diarrhoea in the first 14 days PW under sanitary conditions. Under the unsanitary conditions, laminarin and ZnO also improved FS and performance, with both additives effective at either CP concentration. Thus, laminarin warrants further investigation as a dietary supplement for weaned pigs.
Abstract
Marine macroalgal derivatives such as laminarin have been considered as potential bioactive compounds in swine nutrition to improve post-weaning pig performance. However, a comprehensive ...understanding of the impact of these extracts on the intestinal microbiome and its subsequent influence on performance is not well characterized. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diet of newly weaned pigs with laminarin, on animal performance and the intestinal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At 28 days of age, newly weaned pigs (n = 54) were assigned to one of two dietary groups: 1) basal diet and 2) basal diet + 300 ppm laminarin for a 14-day period. On day 15, nine pigs per treatment (one from each pen) were humanely euthanized and high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina MiSeq. Pigs fed the laminarin-supplemented diet had increased average daily feed intake, growth rate and body weight compared to pigs fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the laminarin supplemented diet had reduced abundances of Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed the control diet. Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacteraceae had negative relationships with average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and butyric acid concentrations. In contrast, the beneficial Prevotellaceae were positively correlated with ADFI, ADG, total VFA, acetic, propionic, butyric and negatively correlated with isovaleric acid. Hence, supplementation with laminarin may accelerate the adoption of pigs to a post-weaning diet by promoting the proliferation of bacterial species that favourably enhance nutrient digestion and reduce the load of pathogenic bacteria impacting pig performance.
A 2 × 3 factorial design experiment was conducted to examine the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) concentration and/or supplementation with zinc oxide (ZnO) or laminarin on faecal ...scores (FS) and the large intestinal microbiota post‐weaning (PW). One hundred and forty‐four pigs were assigned to (T1) 21% standard CP diet (SCP); (T2) SCP + ZnO (SCP ZnO); (T3) SCP + laminarin (SCP LAM); (T4) 18% low CP diet (LCP); (T5) LCP + ZnO (LCP ZnO); and (T6) LCP + laminarin (LCP LAM; n = 8 replicates/treatment). The LCP diet had no effect on FS (p > .05), it increased two measures of alpha diversity, reduced Bacteroidetes and increased Enterobacteriaceae and Helicobacteraceae in the colon relative to the SCP diet (p < .05). ZnO supplementation reduced FS and increased Ruminococcaceae compared with unsupplemented pigs (p < .05). ZnO supplementation increased the genera Frisingicoccus (p < .001), Lachnoclostridium (p < .05) and Peptoclostridium (p < .05) in the colon and reduced total caecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations compared with the unsupplemented and laminarin‐supplemented pigs. Laminarin supplementation reduced FS compared with unsupplemented pigs but had no major effect on the microbiota compared with the unsupplemented pigs. There were CP concentration × additive interactions on both Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Firmicutes were increased in the LCP ZnO group compared with the LCP group, but there was no difference between the SCP groups. Proteobacteria were reduced in the LCP ZnO group compared with the LCP and LCP LAM groups (p < .05), but there was no difference between the SCP groups. In conclusion, reducing CP did not improve FS; it increased the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae; however, it also increased bacterial diversity. Supplementation with ZnO and laminarin improved FS, although all groups had scores within the healthy range. ZnO altered the large intestinal microbiota and VFA concentrations; however, laminarin did not enhance these parameters, suggesting these compounds have differing modes of action.
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