Effects of Alkaloid Extracts on Growth Response and Gut Histology of Nursery Pigs

Weaning process causes a significant biological stress to piglets which lead to a detrimental effect on feed intake, growth rate, intestinal morphology and immune system. A mixture of quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids and protopine alkaloids (QBA+PA) possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. They also are known to improve endogenous digestive enzyme secretion, activate of the immune system and improve protein retention of farm animals.

A total of 240 three-way crossbred pigs (LW x LR x D) at 4 weeks of age were used to evaluate the effects of QBA+PA mixture on growth response and gut histology of nursery pigs. A completely randomized (CRD) design was used for this study. All piglets were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments including, control diet and control diet supplemented with QBA+PA mixture at 100, 150 and 200 ppm, respectively. Each treatment consisted of 6 replications with 10 pigs per replication (5 castrates and 5 females). Feed and water were provided Ad-libitum throughout the experimental period (4-9 weeks of age).

During 4-7 weeks of age, the supplementation of QBA+PA mixture significantly increased ADG of nursery pig (P< 0.05) when compared to that of the control group. The supplementation of QBA+PA mixture at the levels 100 and 150 ppm significantly improved FCR (P< 0.05). During 7-9 weeks of age, the supplement of QBA+PA mixture significantly increased FI, ADFI, ADG (P< 0.05) and improved FCR of nursery pig (P< 0.05). The results showed that QBA+PA mixture supplementation significantly increased piglet performance during 4 to 9 weeks of age. However, QBA+PA mixture supplementation had no effect on gut histology.

It could be concluded that the supplementation of QBA+PA mixture improves growth performance of nursery pig.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.