Caio Abércio da Silva

This study evaluated the effects of increasing inclusion levels of a bacterial phytase in diets with reduced calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on growth performance and carcass traits of pigs across nursery, growing, and finishing phases. A total of 250 pigs (21 days of age; 6.079 ± 0.744 kg) were assigned to a randomized complete block design with five treatments: a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC; −0.18% available P and −0.16% Ca), and NC diets supplemented with 600, 1,200, or 1,800 FYT/kg. During the nursery phase, pigs fed the NC diet showed reduced average daily gain (ADG) and poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with PC (p < 0.05), whereas phytase supplementation restored performance to levels comparable to PC. Average daily feed intake was not affected (p > 0.05). In the growing and finishing phases, performance variables were affected by treatment (p < 0.05), with NC pigs showing lower ADG and worst FCR, while phytase-supplemented pigs performed similarly to PC. Across periods, quadratic responses to phytase inclusion were observed for FCR (p < 0.001), with estimated optimal levels of 1,320 and 1,404 FYT/kg during nursery and growing–finishing phases, respectively. Carcass traits were also affected by dietary treatments (p < 0.05). Pigs fed the NC diet showed lower final body weight (FBW), hot carcass weight (HCW), carcass yield (CY), and lean meat percentage (LMP) compared with PC, whereas phytase supplementation restored these variables to values comparable to PC. Quadratic responses to phytase inclusion were observed for FBW (p = 0.004), HCW (p < 0.001), CY (p = 0.028), and LMP (p < 0.001), with estimated optimal inclusion levels of 1,377, 1,324, 1,416, and 1,246 FYT/kg, respectively. In conclusion, phytase supplementation effectively mitigated the negative effects of dietary Ca and P restriction, maintaining growth performance and carcass characteristics comparable to a nutritionally adequate diet across all production phases.

This study aimed to evaluate the extra-phosphoric effect of increasing doses of bacterial phytase (RONOZYME HiPhos) in corn- and soybean meal-based diets on performance, carcass yield, and meat quality in pigs during the nursery, growing, and finishing phases (GT). Two hundred and fifty pigs, castrated males and females, with an initial weight of 6.08 ± 0.748 kg and 21 days of age, were allocated to a randomized complete block design based on initial body weight, with five treatments and ten replicates per treatment: PC: positive control diets, supplemented with inorganic phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), meeting their full nutritional requirements; NC: negative control diets, with reduced available phosphorus (−0.18%) and calcium (−0.16%); 1000 FYT: NC + 1000 phytase units (FYT)/kg of feed; 2000 FYT: NC + 2000 FYT/kg of feed; 3000 FYT: NC + 3000 FYT/kg of feed. Average daily gain (ADG) in the nursery phase did not differ between the groups supplemented with 1000, 2000 and 3000 FYT/kg and PC, but was higher (p < 0.05) than NC. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the same phase was similar between PC and the groups supplemented with phytase, all being better (p < 0.05) than NC. The quadratic effect for phytase was verified for FCR in the phase, with the best inclusion of 2320 FYT/kg of feed. In the GF phases and in the overall experimental period (21 to 156 days), the results for average daily feed intake (ADFI), ADG and FCR favored PC and the groups supplemented with phytase compared to the NC (p < 0.05). A quadratic effect was observed for FCR considering the entire GF phase, with the best inclusion of 1923 FYT/kg of feed. Groups supplemented with phytase and PC obtained better carcass results compared to NC (p < 0.05). Linear effects were observed to percentage and quantity of lean meat in the carcass. There was no difference between treatments for meat quality. Supplementation with phytase in corn- and soybean meal-based diets with severely reduced inorganic P and Ca improved pig performance at all stages, with optimized inclusion values of approximately 2200 FYT/kg of feed, and dose-dependent benefits on carcass characteristics.

This study aimed to evaluate the extra-phosphoric effect of increasing doses of bacte-rial phytase (RONOZYME HiPhos) in corn and soybean meal-based diets on perfor-mance, carcass yield, and meat quality in pigs during the nursery, growing, and fin-ishing phases (GT). Two hundred and fifty pigs, castrated males and females, with an initial weight of 6.08 ± 0.748 kg and 21 days of age, were subjected to 5 treatments: PC: positive control diets, supplemented with inorganic phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), meeting their full nutritional requirements; NC: negative control diets, with re-duced available phosphorus (-0.18%) and calcium (-0.16%); 1000FYT: NC + 1,000 FYT/kg of feed; 2000FYT: NC + 2,000 FYT/kg of feed; 3000 FYT: NC + 3000 FYT/kg of feed. Average daily gain (ADG) in the nursery phase did not differ between the groups supplemented with 1,000; 2,000 and 3,000 FYT/kg (0.430 kg, 0.441 kg and 0.428 kg respectively) and PC (0.481 kg), but was higher (P< 0.05) than NC (0.398 kg). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the same phase was similar between PC (1.546) and the groups supplemented with phytase (1.516; 1.535; 1.519), all being better (P< 0.05) than NC (1.676). The quadratic effect for phytase was verified for FCR in the phase, with the best inclusion of 2,320 FYT/kg of feed. In the GF phases and in the overall experi-mental period (21 to 156 days), the results for daily feed intake (DFI), ADG and FCR favored PC and the groups supplemented with phytase compared to the NC (P< 0.05). A quadratic effect was observed for FCR considering the entire GF phase, with the best inclusion of 1,923 FYT/kg of feed. Groups supplemented with phytase and PC obtained better carcass results compared to NC (P< 0.05). Linear effects were observed to percentage and quantity of lean meat in the carcass. There was no difference be-tween treatments for meat quality. Supplementation with phytase in corn and soy-bean meal-based diets with severely reduced inorganic P and Ca improved pig per-formance at all stages, with optimized inclusion values of approximately 2,200 FYT/kg of feed, and dose-dependent benefits on carcass characteristics.

This study evaluated the effects of DL-methionine (DL-Met) and hydroxy–methionine (OH-Met) on the performance and meat quality of finishing pigs raised under intermittent hot environmental conditions. A total of 120 pigs (PIC337 × Camborough; 63.26 ± 4.49 kg initial body weight) were assigned to two dietary treatments in a randomized block design. Growth performance, carcass traits, and physicochemical meat parameters were assessed during the finishing period. Overall performance and carcass characteristics did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). However, during finishing phase II (141–168 days), pigs fed OH-Met showed higher average daily gain (ADG; 1.027 vs. 0.957 kg/day; p < 0.05) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR; 2.862 vs. 3.028; p < 0.05) compared with DL-Met. Meat from pigs receiving OH-Met presented a higher pH at 24 h postmortem (5.78 vs. 5.63; p = 0.022) and reduced water loss by pressure (26.14% vs. 28.78%; p = 0.047). No differences were detected for backfat thickness, longissimus dorsi depth, lean percentage, color parameters, or lipid oxidation (TBARS) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, under intermittent heat stress conditions during the late-finishing phase, diets formulated with OH-Met resulted in improved growth efficiency and reduced meat water loss compared with DL-Met diets.

In Brazil, more than 57 million pigs are transported annually to slaughterhouses, and approximately 0.02% (approximately 11,500 pigs) experience severe fatigue, indicating compromised animal welfare. This study assessed the hematological and biochemical parameters in pigs during the pre-slaughter period, comparing animals with non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI) syndrome with those without the condition upon arrival at the slaughterhouse. Blood samples were collected from 71 pigs (36 NANI and 35 non-NANI) to assess the indicators of stress. Both groups showed mean values for albumin, creatine phosphokinase (CK)-total, CK-MB, cortisol, fibrinogen, and leukocyte, segmented leukocyte, and erythrocyte counts above the established physiological reference ranges. The NANI pigs, however, exhibited significantly higher levels of CK-total (109,573.3 vs. 37,103.33 U/L), cortisol (11.83 vs. 8.94 mcg/dL), and lactate (15.49 vs. 11.85 mg/dL), as well as increased erythrocyte-related parameters (15.23 vs. 13.96 g/dL for hemoglobin; 44.93% vs. 41.96% for hematocrit), lymphocytes (39.5% vs. 31.61%), fibrinogen (677.78 vs. 444.44 mg/dL), and segmented cells (59.96% vs. 46.78%). Conversely, non-NANI pigs showed higher glucose levels (101.22 vs. 79.33 mg/dL). These findings suggest that pre-slaughter handling procedures, including loading, transport, and unloading, induce considerable physiological stress, particularly in pigs affected by NANI syndrome.

Spray-dried plasma (SDP) is widely used in nursery pig diets due to nutritional and functional benefits, including improved feed intake, gut health, and immune modulation. Although its short-term effects are well documented, its long-term impact on growth and health until market weight remains unclear. We evaluated the effects of increasing SDP inclusion levels during the nursery phase on subsequent performance, health status, and carcass traits in pigs. A total of 300 weaned piglets (PIC® Camborough × AG 415) were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with cumulative SDP intakes, differing in cumulative SDP intake: control (CON), 0 g SDP; low (L-SDP), 85 g; medium (M-SDP), 180 g; high (H-SDP), 340 g; and very high (VH-SDP), 610 g. Pigs were monitored across nursery, growing, and finishing phases. During the nursery, SDP inclusion had no effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion rate (FCR), or final body weight (FBW). However, pigs receiving SDP diets showed reduced diarrhea severity ( p < 0.05) and required fewer medical interventions for gastrointestinal disorders (p < 0.05). In the grow-finish phase, regression analysis revealed a linear increase in ADFI ( p = 0.074), ADG ( p = 0.062), and FBW ( p = 0.037) at slaughter with higher nursery SDP intake. Carcass trait evaluation indicated that increasing nursery SDP intake was associated with an increase in backfat thickness ( p = 0.052) and a reduction in carcass lean percentage ( p = 0.039), although lean meat yield (kg) was not different among treatments. Importantly, all SDP-fed groups exhibited a lower lung pneumonia index at slaughter compared with the control ( p < 0.001). These results support the strategic use of SDP in nursery diets, aiming to promote subsequent health and performance up to commercial slaughter age.

Phytase releases phosphorus from phytate and may confer extra-phosphoric benefits in sows. We tested whether Escherichia coli-derived 6-phytase during late gestation and lactation improves sow and litter outcomes. In a randomized complete block trial, 186 TN70 sows received a phytase-free positive control (adequate Ca and available P) or Ca- and P-reduced diets with 500, 1500, or 2500 FTU/kg. Outcomes included sow body condition, lactation feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR), farrowing duration and blood glucose, piglet weaning performance and diarrhea scores, maternal serum Ca and P (farrowing, weaning), and piglet glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; day 14). Phytase increased lactation intake by 4.4–5.6%; farrowing duration was shorter at all doses (−24.2, −23.8, and −14.8 min; up to −8.1%). Litter weaning weight rose by 6.1–8.2%, and piglet average daily gain increased by 9.1% at 2500 FTU/kg. Maternal Ca and P increased dose-responsively, especially at weaning (Ca +73% at 500–1500 FTU/kg; +140% at 2500; P +55%, +59%, +118%). Diarrhea counts declined at selected doses (e.g., scores 1–2: −17% at 500 FTU/kg), and piglet SOD decreased with dose (−8.6% to −39.3%); GPx showed modest modulation. Sow body weight, backfat, and the weaning-to-estrus interval were unchanged. In Ca- and P-reduced diets, conventional and super-dosed phytase enhanced mineral bioavailability and peripartum efficiency, supporting heavier litters without compromising sow condition.

Weaning and introduction to a solid diet result in physiological stress in piglets. This can be offset by using complex diets. The terms ‘complexity’ and ‘complex diets’ are used in practice and academia but are not precisely defined. The aim of this review was to identify the ingredients in weaner diets, their inclusion levels and how the number of ingredients or complexity of diets influences weaner performance, intestinal and systemic health, environmental sustainability and antibiotic use. Not all diets are formulated equally. Some prioritise meeting the weaner’s nutritional needs, while other diets seek to align health promotion and adaptation to the environment. As diet composition is of vital importance for young piglets, the components needed in these complex diets must be defined. Healthy, environmentally adapted pigs have excellent growth performance. We therefore recommend use of a new term, ‘gut health supporting diets’, to encompass the many concepts associated with diet complexity.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of condensed tannin from black acacia (Acacia mearnsii) as a substitute additive for zinc oxide and growth-promoting antibiotics on the performance, digestibility, and intestinal health of piglets in the nursery phase.Methods: A total of 200 PIC piglets that were 22 days old and weighed 6.0±0.9 kg were subjected to four treatments in the nursery phase (22 to 64 days of age): CONTR (control diet); ENR+ZnO (control diet + 10 mg/kg of enramycin + 2,500 mg/kg of zinc oxide during the first 21 days); BUT (control diet + 900 mg/kg of sodium butyrate) and TAN (control diet + 2,000 mg/kg of condensed tannin). The experimental design was a randomized block with 4 treatments and 10 replicates, with a pen of five animals each as the experimental unit. The zootechnical performance, diarrhea index score, dietary digestibility and metagenomics of the deep rectum microbiota were evaluated.Results: The TAN had greater weight gain in the nursery phase and final weight (p<0.05) than the CONTR (394 vs 360 g/d, and 22.6 vs 21.1 kg, respectively), with these values being intermediate for the ENR+ZnO and BUT (365 and 382 g/d, and 21.3 and 22.1 kg, respectively). There was no difference between treatments for semi-liquid diarrhea (score 2), but CONTR had more cases of severe diarrhea (score 3; p<0.05) than ENR+ZnO, BUT and TAN, with 42, 18, 29, and 21 cases, respectively. The treatments had no impact on rare taxa or the relative abundances of taxonomic groups (uniformity), but the use of TAN promoted an increase in the abundances of Brevibacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp. compared to the other treatments (p<0.05).Conclusion: The use of condensed tannin from black wattle as a performance-enhancing additive was effective, with effects on performance and intestinal health, demonstrating its potential as a substitute for zinc oxide and enramycin in the diets of piglets in nursery phase.

In this study, we evaluated the impact of yeast cell wall prebiotics and multispecies probiotics on the gut microbiota, immune response, and growth performance of weaned piglets, as alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs). A randomized complete block design was employed, involving 160 piglets divided into four treatment groups during the nursery phase. The treatments applied throughout the experimental period were as follows: CONT+ = basal diet with halquinol (AGP); YCW = basal diet with yeast cell wall (cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast); SIM+ = basal diet with yeast cell wall + multispecies probiotic (Bacillus subtilis (2.0 x 10⁹ CFU/g), Bacillus coagulans (5.0 x 10⁸ CFU/g), Clostridium butyricum (5.0 x 10⁷ CFU/g), and Bacillus licheniformis (2.0 x 10⁹ CFU/g)); SIM- = basal diet with yeast cell wall + multispecies probiotic (half dose). The parameters assessed included daily feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), diarrhea score, serum cytokine levels, and chemokine concentrations, as well as microbiota analysis. During the 21 to 63-day study period, only FCR differed significantly (p = 0.0076). CONT+ and PREB had superior FCRs of 1.543 and 1.585, while SIM- had the least favorable FCR at 1.654. At 35 days, IL-10 levels were greater in the SIM- group, showing a 271.25% increase over those in the other groups. By 49 days, the IL-8 concentration was lower in the PREB group than in the CONT+ group, with a reduction of 247%, while the IL-8 concentrations in the SIM+ and SIM- groups were not significantly different from those in the other groups. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio in the CONT+ group was lower than that in the PREB, SIM+, and SIM- treatment groups. The Lactobacillaceae family was more abundant in the SIM+ treatment, followed by the SIM- and PREB treatments. The CONT+ treatment had the lowest abundance. The abundance of the genus Lactobacillus differed between the CONT+ group and the PREB, SIM+, and SIM- treatment groups. Prebiotics, used either alone or combined with probiotics, serve as effective substitutes for AGPs, boosting piglets’ health and performance throughout the nursery phase.