scholarly journals The Facilitating Effect of Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids and Lactobacillus plantarum on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Antioxidant Capacity, and Fecal Microbiota of Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Cui ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Shiqin Wang ◽  
Qiyu Diao ◽  
Naifeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Lactobacillus Plantarum ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Tartary Buckwheat ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Colistin Sulfate

Natural plant extracts and probiotics has been proved as the most preferred and effective alternatives for antibiotics in animal feeding. The current study aimed to investigate the facilitating effect of tartary buckwheat flavonoids and Lactobacillus plantarum on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and microbiota of weaned piglets. Fifty 35-day-old weaned piglets (7.85 ± 0.67 kg) were randomly divided into five treatments with 10 piglets per treatment. Piglets in the negative control (NC) group were fed a basal diet, and others were fed basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg of colistin sulfate (positive control, PC), 109 CFU/kg Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), 40 mg/kg of tartary buckwheat flavonoids (BF), and a combination of 109 CFU/kg Lactobacillus plantarum and 40 mg/kg of tartary buckwheat flavonoids (LB). Supplementation of BF increased the average daily gain of piglets in the BF group (p < 0.05). The nutrient digestibility of piglets in the NC group was lower than that in other groups, while the digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, organic matter, and phosphorus of piglets in the LB group was higher than the other four groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the NC and pC group, supplementation of Lp increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and catalase (CAT), while the BF increased the content of IgA and IgM (p < 0.05). Supplementation of colistin sulfate decreased the alpha diversity index, including chao and observed species, while the addition of Lp or combination of Lp and BF increased the abundance of Selenomonas or Mitsuokella in fecal samples, respectively. The results indicated that supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum can improve the antioxidant capacity, while tartary buckwheat flavones can increase the growth performance and immune ability of weaned piglets. Moreover, in combination, they promote nutrient digestibility.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Dietary Probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Fecal Gas Emission, and Fecal Microbiota in Weaning Pigs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2232
Author(s):  
Huan Wang ◽  
In-ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Lactobacillus Plantarum ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Blood Profile ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Weaning Pigs

A total of 180, 4-week-old crossbred weaning piglets ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc; 6.67 ± 1.40 kg) were used in a 42 day experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emission. All pigs were randomly allotted to one of four treatment diets in a completely randomized block design. Each treatment had nine replicates with five pigs/pen (mixed sex) Designated dietary treatments were as: (1) basal diet (NC), (2) NC + 0.2% antibiotics (chlortetracycline) (PC), (3) NC + 0.1% L. plantarum BG0001 (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) (NC1), (4) NC + 0.2% L. plantarum BG0001 (NC2). On d 42, BW and G:F were lower (p < 0.05) in pigs fed NC diet compared with PC diet and probiotic diets. Throughout this experiment, the average daily gain increased (p < 0.05) in pigs when fed with PC and probiotic diets than the NC diet. The average daily feed intake was higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed PC diet during day 0–7 and 22–42, and probiotic diets during day 0–7 compared with NC diet, respectively. The Lactobacillus count was increased and Escherichia coli count was decreased (p < 0.05) in the fecal microbiota of pigs fed probiotic diets, and E. coli were decreased (p < 0.05) when fed a PC diet compared with the NC diet on day 21. Moreover, the apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and the concentration of noxious gas emission had no negative effects by the probiotic treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with L. plantarum BG0001 significantly improved the growth performance, increased fecal Lactobacillus, and decreased E. coli counts in weaning pigs.

scholarly journals The Effects of Different Levels of Citric Acid on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Gastrointestinal pH of Weaned Piglets

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Wenying ◽  
Lu Chunlian ◽  
Li Shang ◽  
Song Jiachun ◽  
Cao Hongzhan
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Gastrointestinal Ph ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Levels

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of citric acid (CA) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal pH of weaned piglets. Methods: A total of 120 weaned piglets with an initial BW of 7.15±0.01 kg, were randomly divided into four groups including control treatment each with three replicates of 10 piglets each. Each group was supplemented with 0.5% (control group), 1%, 1.5% and 2% CA in the basal diet, respectively. Result: The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of added 1% CA group were significantly higher than that of 0.5% group (P less than 0.05). Dietary CA significantly improved the utilization rates of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus (P less than 0.05), while there was no significant difference between adding 1% and 1.5% CA (P greater than 0.05). Compared with the control group, adding CA effectively reduced the pH of the stomach, duodenum jejunum and ileum contents and adding 2% CA were significantly lower than those in other groups (P less than 0.05). Therefore, the addition of 1.0% CA in the diets of weaned piglets is suitable.

scholarly journals Effects of Forsythia Suspense Extract as an Antibiotics Substitute on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Serum Antioxidant Capacity, Fecal Escherichia coli Concentration and Intestinal Morphology of Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long ◽  
Liu ◽  
Liu ◽  
Mahfuz ◽  
Piao
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
E Coli

The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency of Forsythia suspense extract (FSE) as an antibiotics substitute on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant capacity, fecal Escherichia coli concentration and intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. A total of 108 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets (28 days (d) weaned, average body weight of 8.68 ± 1.36 kg) were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments, six pens per treatment, three barrows and three gilts per pen. The treatments contained a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CTR), an antibiotic diet (basal diet + 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline; CTC), and an FSE diet (basal diet + 200 mg/kg FSE; FSE). The experiment included phase 1 (d 1 to 14), phase 2 (d 15 to 28) and phase 3 (d 29 to 35). Compared with CTR, piglets fed FSE show improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake in phase 2, as well as enhanced (p < 0.05) ADG from day 15 to 35 and day 1 to 28. Piglets supplemented with CTC and FSE showed a reduced (p < 0.05) diarrhea rate in phase 1, while piglets fed FSE showed enhanced (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy, as well as lower (p < 0.05) nitrogen output in phase 2 compared with CTR and CTC. The content in the form of Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) of fecal E. coli on day 14 and 28 was lower (p < 0.05) in piglets fed FSE in comparison with CTR. The contents of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum are enhanced (p < 0.05) compared with CTR and CTC, whereas the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum was decreased (p < 0.05) for piglets fed FSE on day 28 compared with CTC. The villus height to crypt depth ratio in ileum was numerically higher (p < 0.05) in piglets fed FSE in comparison with CTR. In conclusion, dietary FSE supplementation could substitute CTC in improving antioxidant capacity, nutrients digestibility and reducing fecal E. coli content, so as to reduce nitrogen output and diarrhea rate, and eventually improve performance in weaned piglets.

Effects of dietary supplementation of exogenous multi-enzyme mixture containing carbohydrases and phytase on growth performance, energy and nutrient digestibility, and selected mucosal gene expression in the small intestine of weanling pigs fed nutrient deficient diets

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lu ◽  
A. Preynat ◽  
V. Legrand-Defretin ◽  
P.A. Geraert ◽  
O. Adeola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Efficiency Gain ◽  
Gut Health

Effect of carbohydrases and phytase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and gut health of nursery pigs was evaluated. Pigs were blocked by body weight (BW) and sex and allocated to four treatments. Treatments were a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) deficient in metabolizable energy (ME), crude protein (CP), Ca, and non-phytate P (nPP), NC plus Rovabio® Max AP enzyme mix, at 0.05 and 0.075 g kg−1. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined in faecal samples. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was determined in ileal digesta samples collected after euthanasia. Lower final BW and average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) were observed in NC compared with PC. Enzyme at 0.05 g kg−1increased (P < 0.05) BW on d 14 and d 41, respectively, and also increased ADG. Enzyme at 0.075 g kg−1increased BW on d 14 and ADG on d 0 to d 14 (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency [gain to feed ratio (G:F)] was greater (P < 0.05) in PC than NC from d 15 to d 41 and from d 0 to d 41. No difference in G:F was observed with enzyme supplementation. Higher (P < 0.05) serum Ca and bone ash were observed in PC than NC. Enzyme increased the ATTD of Ca and P (P < 0.05) compared with NC.

scholarly journals Encapsulated Mixture of Methyl Salicylate and Tributyrin Modulates Intestinal Microbiota and Improves Growth Performance of Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1342
Author(s):  
Yusen Wei ◽  
Jiangdi Mao ◽  
Jingliang Liu ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Zhaoxi Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Methyl Salicylate ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Animal Blood

Tributyrin and essential oils have been used as alternatives to antimicrobials to improve gut health and growth performance in piglets. This study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement with two encapsulated products containing different combinations of tributyrin with oregano or with methyl salicylate on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters related to the physiological status, intestinal microbiota and metabolites of piglets. A total of 108 weaned crossbred piglets (Yorkshire × Landrace, 21 ± 1 d, 8.21 ± 0.04 kg) were randomly divided into three groups. Piglets were fed with one of the following diets for 5 weeks: a basal diet as the control (CON); the control diet supplemented with an encapsulated mixture containing 30% of methyl salicylate and tributyrin at a dosage of 3 kg/t (CMT); and the control diet supplemented with an encapsulated mixture containing 30% of oregano oil and tributyrin at a dosage of 3 kg/t (COT). At the end of the feeding trial, six piglets from each group were slaughtered to collect blood and gut samples for physiological status and gut microbiological analysis. The study found that the CMT group was larger in feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.09), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (p < 0.05), blood total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), and crypt depth in the ileum (p < 0.05) compared with the CON group. The genus abundance of Tissierella and Campylobacter in the CMT group was significantly decreased compared with the CON group. The CMT group also resulted in significantly higher activity in amino acid metabolism and arginine biosynthesis compared with the CON group. The COT group was larger in T-AOC, and the genus abundance of Streptophyta and Chlamydia was significantly increased in the ileum compared with the CON group. Data analysis found a significantly high correlation between the genus abundance of Chlamydia and that of Campylobacter in the ileum. The genus abundance of Campylobacter was also positively correlated with the sorbitol level. In general, the results indicated that the supplementation of both encapsulated mixtures in diet of weaned piglets could improve the animal blood antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the encapsulated mixture of methyl salicylate plus tributyrin improved the growth performance and resulted in certain corresponding changes in nutrient metabolism and in the genus abundance of ileum microbial community.

Effect of phytogenics on growth performance, fecal score, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K88

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 557-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mohana Devi ◽  
S.I. Lee ◽  
I.H. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Blood Profiles

Abstract Phytogenic feed additives have become attractive alternatives for use in animal diets. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic-based feed additive on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal noxious gas emission, and intestinal morphology of weaning pigs after dietary challenge with E. coli K88. A total of 120 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc)] with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.09 ± 0.96 kg (21 d of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments. Each pen housed 5 pigs, and there were 6 pens/treatment. Treatments included: T1, negative control (without antibiotics); T2, T1 + antibiotic; T3, T1 + 0.05% phytogenics; and T4, T1 + 0.2% commercial mix of organic acids. Overall, the average daily gain (ADG) with the T3 treatment was higher (P<0.05). At wk 1, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) was increased (P<0.05) with T4 treatment. The ATTD of ash with T3 and T4 treatments was greater (P<0.05). At wk 3, pigs fed with the T4 diet had a significantly higher (P<0.05) ATTD of DM. The ATTD of ash and calcium (Ca) was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T4 treatment. Pigs fed with the T3 diet had a higher (P<0.05) ATTD of phosphorus (P). At wk 6, the ATTD of ash was significantly increased (P<0.05) with the T1 and T3 treatments. The data indicate that phytogenics positively affect growth performance of weaning pigs, indicating that their use as an alternative in the diets of weaning pigs can significantly improve ADG, under challenge with E.coli K88.

scholarly journals Influences of Enzyme Blend Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Meat-Quality in Grower-Finisher Pigs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian ◽  
Jae Hong Park ◽  
Sureshkumar Shanmugam ◽  
In Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Positive Effects

The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of an enzyme blend on growth performance, apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), gross energy (GE), fecal microbial population, noxious gas emissions and meat quality of pigs fed corn–soybean meal-based diets for a 16-week feeding trial. A total of 180 growing pigs (body weight of 23.3 ± 2.51 kg) were used and randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (positive control (PC, basal diet); negative control (NC, −150 kcal/kg of PC); A1 (NC + 1% enzyme blend)). Overall, dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased (p < 0.05) body weight, average daily gain and gain:feed ratio without effecting average daily feed intake. An increase was observed in ATTD of DM (p = 0.027) and GE (p = 0.026) at week 16 and 6, respectively. Dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased the beneficial effects on fecal microbiota counts such as Lactobacillus with a reduced presence of E. coli during the entire experiment (p < 0.05). Further, positive effects (p < 0.05) were observed on back-fat thickness and carcass weight of pigs, along with the results of reduced levels of NH3 emissions (p = 0.032) at week 16. Thus, the study suggested that the dietary enzyme blend supplement had improving effects on growth performance, ATTD of nutrients, fecal microbial counts and meat quality in pigs.

PSVI-2 Effects of natural capsicum extract as a substitute for chlortetracycline on growth performance, nutrient utilization, antioxidant status, immune function, and meat quality in broilers

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 397-398
Author(s):  
Sujie Liu ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Tengfei He ◽  
Hansuo Liu ◽  
Xiangshu Piao
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Growth Hormone Level ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility

Abstract A total of 168 one-day old broilers (average BW 46.4 ± 0.6 g) were selected to determine effects of natural capsaicin extract (NCE) as a substitute for chlortetracycline (CTC) on performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function and meat quality of broilers [Founded by NSFC (31772612)]. Broilers were randomly allotted into 3 dietary treatments (n = 7) including a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON), a basal diet + 75 mg/kg CTC (CTC), and a basal diet + 80 mg/kg NCE (NCE). The experiment contained phase 1 (day 1 to 21) and 2 (day 22 to 42). Compared with CON, broilers from NCE showed higher average daily gain at all stages (P &lt; 0.05). On day 42, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy digestibilities of broilers from NCE were higher than those from the other two groups (P &lt; 0.05). Higher percentage of bursa of Fabricius was observed in broilers fed NCE diets compared with CON (P &lt; 0.05). Trypsin and lipase activities in the pancreas of broilers from NCE were higher than those from CON (P &lt; 0.05). Breast muscle of broilers fed NCE diets showed lower L* values compared with CON (P &lt; 0.05). Broilers from NCE also showed higher levels of serum total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, lower levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α compared with broilers offered CON diets (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with CON, lower concentrations of serum urea-N, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, higher growth hormone level were observed in broilers fed NCE diets (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing 80 mg/kg of NCE to diets could improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant and immune function, and meat quality of broilers. Moreover, broilers fed NCE diets exhibited similar growth performance and health status to those offered chlortetracycline (CTC) diets.

Comparative effects of low zinc oxide dose with or without probiotics relative to high zinc oxide dose on the performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, and noxious gases emission in weaned piglets

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 881-889
Author(s):  
Huan Shi ◽  
Santi Devi Upadhaya ◽  
In Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
High Zinc

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of low-dose zinc oxide (ZnO) supplemented with or without probiotic complex compared with pharmacological ZnO (3000 mg kg−1) on the performance, digestibility, blood metabolites, fecal Lactobacillus and enterobacteria counts of weaned piglets. One-hundred and twenty crossbred piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments based on their initial body weight (BW). Treatments consisted of corn–soybean-meal-based basal diet supplemented with 3000 mg kg−1 ZnO as positive control (ZH), basal diet supplemented with 300 mg kg−1 ZnO as negative control (ZL), and ZL + 0.1% probiotic complex (ZLP). At the end of the experiment, fecal samples were collected by direct rectal massage to determine nutrient digestibility, Lactobacillus and enterobacteria counts, and gas emission, whereas blood samples were taken via jugular venipuncture for determination of blood metabolites. The BW of piglets at week 6, and the average daily gain (ADG) at week 6 and during overall period were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed ZH diet compared with those fed ZL diet. The supplementation of ZLP increased the ADG during week 6 and overall making it comparable with ZH diet (P < 0.05). However, other parameters described above were comparable with ZH in pigs fed ZLP diet.

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yang ◽  
Yexin Yin ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xuetai Bao ◽  
Lina Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Crypt Depth

Abstract Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21-d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P &lt; 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008 respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039 respectively), and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005 respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.

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