IgY as a dietary supplement

They are several benefits of using IgY as a feed additive. Egg yolk or yolk plasma as a feed additive may improve the production results by two ways: 1) stimulation of growth rate through metabolism improvement and/or increasing feed intake; 2) stabilization and enhancing the gastrointestinal tract immune protection. The aim of the study was to compare two ways of IgY administration in the peri-weaning period (1 week before and 2 weeks after weaning) and to evaluate their influence on the production and health parameters in piglets.

Two experiments were carried out on the industrial farms. Exp.1(28 litters): into commercial feed there was added: 5% of the egg yolks from immunized hens (group II), 5% of egg yolk from non-immunized hens (group III), 1% addition of egg yolk plasma from immunized hens (group IV). Exp. 2 (21 litters): final mixes were balanced according to nutritional value with experimental additives: 1.5% of the egg yolk plasma from nonimmunized hens egg yolk (group II), 1% of the egg yolk plasma from immunized hens (group III). Hens were vaccinated with Porcilis Porcoli DF. In both experiments group I (control) was fed with basic mix without additives. Health status (Ig, acute phase proteins, mortality) and production parameters (daily gains, feed consumption) were estimated. Blood was collect on: weaning day, 2 weeks later (finish of experimental mixes) and on the day of moving into fattening sector.

Numerically higher daily gains were observed in experimental groups in both experiments. Daily gains during nursing period In Exp 1. were: 342; 380; 349; 379 g/d in I, II, III, IV groups, respectively. Differences were significantly different. In Exp. 2 daily gains were: 366; 367; 389 g/d in I, II and III groups respectively. In Exp.1 no differences occurred in morbidity and mortality rate between experimental and control piglets in contrast to the Exp.2 where they were higher in control group. Moreover it was found that the haptoglobin (Hp) concentration was the highest in both control groups two weeks after weaning. Also the highest differentiation were seen in those groups.

No balancing crude protein and fat in Exp.1 probably lead to overfeeding during peri-weaning period in experimental groups, and therefore no significant health improvement was noted. The effects of different amount of plasma additive were seen in Exp. 2 when the feed was balanced to nutritional value. Lower Hp concentration in all experimental groups confirm immunoprotective effect of used additives.

* This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland No N N311 265038

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.