Gut Microenvironment for Improved Swine Production
Optimization of the Gut Microenvironment for Improved Swine Production and Health
Published:December 18, 2012
By:David Bravo (Pancosma)
The increasing need for animal-based food products is not a new challenge for Animal Producers, since during the last 30 years the human population has doubled. However, the current issues associated with this increase in demand are slightly more complicated. Specifically, the area of Animal Nutrition has been affected dramatically during the past 15 years by the ban on the usage of antibiotics growth promoters in some countries (Europe, Korea), the initiation of regulations to decrease antibiotic use at the farm level (The Netherlands), and the increased use of corn by-products by the fuel industry. In addition, with the pressure to improve production efficiency, meeting basic nutritional needs may no longer be sufficient to meet production goals. Fundamental research on feed additives is essential for the development of efficient and innovative strategies to promote animal health and growth, and to provide us with a better understanding of the efficiency and mode of action of the product. Research that contributes to our understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying animal nutritional and health may facilitate the discovery and development of novel feeding strategies. It is particularly relevant and exciting that modern tools and technologies have vastly improved our knowledge of gut function and the factors that regulated it.
In the swine industry, piglets are weaned and exposed to solid feed as early as 3 to 4 weeks of life. Early weaning can often be a stressor to the piglets; one of the most common problems that occurs immediately post-weaning is a dramatic drop in feed intake, which can last several hours or even days. This drop in feed intake not only limits the amount of energy and nutrients that the piglets receive, but it also depletes the gut mucosa of nutrients at a time when its growth and development are critical. This, in turn, creates a vicious cycle: nutrient intake is decreased; gut mucosa growth and development is stunted; and therefore the area available for the absorption of nutrients is decreased so that whatever nutrients are taken in are not absorbed efficiently. The negative impact of early weaning on gut development and nutrient absorption has several implications for producers. First, decreased feed intake after weaning is associated with an increase in susceptibility to disease and is also considered a risk factor for diarrhea. During bouts of diarrhea, nutrient absorption is further impaired, and the lack of nutrients has a marked negative impact on the immune system. Therefore, the health of the gut and the strength of the immune system are intimately linked. In the case that nutrient absorption and immunity are compromised, growth of the animal becomes sub-optimal, and this has serious economic consequences since body weight around the time of weaning is highly correlated with body weight at finishing and there does not appear to be growth compensation when animals are thrifty just after weaning. The impairment of nutrient absorption and consequent compromise in immunity is one of the main causes of piglet mortality even in leading pig producing countries. Although there are strategies available for counteracting post-weaning stress, few of them consider the physiology of gut development or factors that might stimulate gastrointestinal development in the neonate. Therefore, new strategies that exploit the normal physiology and development of the gut, should be developed. In addition, the discovery and development of new feed additives must be accompanied by basic research so that there is a mechanistic understanding of how the product influences animal growth and health.
In this review the process of discovery and innovation in nutritional strategies, and the development of novel feed additives, based on recent understanding of normal gut physiology will be discussed. In particular, this paper will be focused on appreciating the intestine as a highly complex organ with its own sensory system and apparent autonomy. Finally, the use of an intense sweetener as a feed additive for promoting feed intake of the weaning piglet will be discussed.
Hello to all of you. Don´t know why, but the engormix mail came into my email box just today when I see your comments dated in March (?). Anyway here a couple of comments. In my opinion probiotics do have a space and a role in weaning piglets, they can certainly help, but more than as improvers of performance - FC - (which indirectly will come), I would seek for a product which could compete and exclude with some of the more pathogenic bacteria around that period in the gut. So basically the idea would be to promote a microflora which would dominate the environment. Besides this, weaning requieres, in my experience, a highly digestible feed; the gut requieres lots of easy digestible energy right after weaning. Quality of ingredients and highly digestible as said, are paramount. This together with good management will certainly help. Greetings from Madrid.
Sorry for the delay in responding. I also have to tell you I dont know the exact biology in the starter kits I used as it is proprietary. I have used commercial EM but not achieved these sort of results. This much I can tell you. The main ingredient is a strain of lactic acid bacteria that is found in the intestinal tract of healthy pigs. The starter kit comes as a dormant powdered form to which water, antioxidant, sugar and starter feed to added. As the brew is used it is "fed" by adding more sugar and feed and topped up with water. This is done when the 200 litre tank is half full. The brew is back up to full strength again in three days. I run two 200 litre tanks. I have a system of 4 by 1,000 litre water tanks that gravity feed the nipple drinking system. Those tanks all are dosed with the pure "mother culture" at a rate of 1 litre per tank, 1:1,000. Smells were eliminated within two weeks, it is very noticeable as a farmer, your sty has a smell like yoghurt. The bacteria building up in the pigs colon. My farm is a small farrow to finish operation and all the pigs receive the same water treatment. It is quite safe for all size pigs. The reaction is the same. Obviously the weaned piglets benefit most as the change in diet is helped by replacing the LAB from the sow's milk.
Randall maybe I could sent a sample to try. I am in Sisaket
Loretto, there is a pig farmer in The Philippines who markets similar probiotics. Sorry have not the details but I found him on a google search. Perhaps you could get product from him.
In feed I use the Brew to "ferment" the organic materials. This breaks down crude protein and improves digestability and nutrient takeup. I use molasses as a binder in low temperature pelleting which also feeds the bacteria.
The store the culture, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three years so I'm told or it can be blended into molasses 1::1 and cupboard stored for the same time like commercial EM.
Tony, I would like to know if the probiotic is ok to administer to pig fatterners and sows. If so then please share the formula on how to make your probiotics. I tried to made a home maid LABS before and administer to my herds but I could not see the effect on the FCR and also on the smell elemination. Perhaps my formulas was not good enough so please be so kind to share your formula on how to make probiotic. I run Balbas Farm here in Ilocos Norte province, Philippines. I would be greatful to hear from you Mr. Tony Mcdonald
Tony, I would love to know your formula for the probiotic and how you administer the mixture. I run Surin Farm in Chiang Mai and any help with FCR and smell elimination is appreciated. Randall Ellis
David, Enjoyed your description of piglet gut issues. We brew a probiotic on-farm which is LAB based. Using this in the drinking water for the whole herd has helped greatly with FCRs, general health and disease resistance, and has all but eliminated any smells. I have also made some fermented feed pellets using the same priobiotic. These use farm grown protein sources and are designed to reduce cost of weaned pigs feed. It is a fascinating subject which as a layman I do not fully understand, but the evidence of it working is right in front of my eyes. The scientific community can make some enormous contributions to the swine growers and their animals on this subject.
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