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Background An essential component in the development of sustainable pig production is the reduction of nitrogen excretion in fattening pigs. Pig feeds typically contain high levels of dietary crude protein, and due to incomplete conversion to muscle tissue, excess nitrogen is excreted, resulting in environmental problems such as nitrate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, improving protein efficiency (PE), i.e., the proportion of dietary protein that remains in the carcass, is desirable. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability (h 2 ) of PE and its genetic correlations with phosphorus efficiency, three performance, seven meat quality and two carcass quality traits when pigs were fed a 20% protein-restricted diet, using 1071 Swiss Large White pigs. To determine PE, the intake of feed with known nutrient content was accurately recorded for each pig and the nitrogen and phosphorus content of the carcass was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results We found an average PE of 0.39 ± 0.04 and a heritability of 0.54 ± 0.10. PE showed a high genetic correlation with phosphorus efficiency (0.61 ± 0.16), moderate genetic correlations with feed conversion ratio (− 0.55 ± 0.14) and average daily feed intake (− 0.53 ± 0.14), and a low genetic correlation with average daily gain (− 0.19 ± 0.19). While PE has favourable genetic correlations with the performance traits and some meat quality traits, there is a potentially unfavourable correlation of PE with meat colour (redness [r g  = − 0.27 ± 0.17]; yellowness [r g  = − 0.31 ± 0.18]) and intra-muscular fat (IMF; r g  = − 0.39 ± 0.15). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also showed unfavourable genetic correlations with meat lightness, redness yellowness, IMF and cooking loss. Conclusions PE is a heritable trait that can be considered in breeding programs to reduce the environmental impact of pig production. We found no strong negative correlation of PE with meat quality traits, and that there is potential to indirectly select for improved phosphorus efficiency. Selecting nutrient efficiencies might be a more suitable strategy to reduce nitrogen pollution from manure than focusing on FCR because the latter also shows genetic antagonism with some meat quality traits in our population.

An experimental model for postweaning diarrhea with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 (ETEC F4) was set up in piglets, and the efficacy of 1% chestnut-tannin extract in preventing diarrhea was subsequently assessed. In a first trial (infection model), 32 Swiss Large White piglets (age: 24 days; average BW: 7.8 ± 0.8 kg) were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (infected [INF], noninfected [NINF]). In a subsequent trial, 72 Swiss Large White piglets (age: 26 days; average BW: 7.4 ± 1.5 kg) were blocked by BW and assigned within block to four experimental groups: NINF-CO: not infected and fed a standard control starter diet (CO); INF-CO: infected and fed the CO diet; NINF-TA: not infected and fed the CO diet supplemented with 1% chestnut extract containing 54% of hydrolysable tannins (TA); and INF-TA: infected and fed the TA diet. Both diets (TA and CO) were formulated to be isocaloric and isoproteic and to meet or surpass the nutritional requirements. In both trials, four days after weaning, piglets assigned to the INF group received an oral suspension of ETEC F4. Fecal score, ETEC shedding in feces (only in trial 2), and growth performance traits were measured for the following 14 days post infection. In both trials, more than 50% of the INF piglets developed diarrhea within six days post infection. Tannins reduced (P < 0.05) the average fecal score, the percentage of piglets in diarrhea, and the duration of diarrhea, whereas feed intake and the average daily gain were unaffected.

The Capsule for Sampling (CapSa) is an ingestible capsule that collects small intestine content while transiting through the natural digestive pathway. In this study, 14 Swiss Large White pigs weighing less than 12 kg (Category < 12 kg) and 12 weighing between 12 and 20 kg (Category [12–20 kg]) were given two CapSas and monitored for three days. The animals were euthanized for post-mortem sampling, allowing us to directly obtain gut microbiota samples from the gastrointestinal tract. This post-mortem approach enabled a direct comparison between the microbial content from the gut and the samples collected via the CapSas, and it also facilitated precise identification of the CapSas’ sampling sites within the gastrointestinal tract. For the category under 12 kg, only 2.3% of the administered CapSas were recovered from the feces. In contrast, in the 12–20 kg category, 62.5% of the CapSas were successfully retrieved from the feces within 48 h. Of these recovered CapSas, 73.3%—equating to 11 capsules from eight pigs—had a pH > 5.5 and were therefore selected for microbiome analysis. Bacterial composition of the CapSas was compared with that of the three segments of the small intestine, the large intestine and feces of the corresponding pig. The results were tested using a PERMANOVA model (Adonis) including sample type as a factor, and then pairwise comparisons were made. The bacterial composition found in the CapSas differed from that of the large intestine and feces ( P  < 0.01), while it did not differ from the first segment of the small intestine ( P  > 0.10). This study provides evidence that the CapSa effectively samples the intestinal microbiota from the upper section of the small intestine in post-weaning pigs. Furthermore, it was found that the collection of CapSas could only be successfully achieved in pigs classified within the heavier weight category.

Tail biting is a damaging behaviour that impacts the welfare and health of pigs. Early detection of precursor signs of tail biting provides the opportunity to take preventive measures, thus avoiding the occurrence of the tail biting event. This study aimed to build a machine-learning algorithm for real-time detection of upcoming tail biting outbreaks, using feeding behaviour data recorded by an electronic feeder. Prediction capacities of seven machine learning algorithms (Generalized Linear Model with Stepwise Feature Selection, random forest, Support Vector Machines with Radial Basis Function Kernel, Bayesian Generalized Linear Model, Neural network, K-nearest neighbour, and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) were evaluated from daily feeding data collected from 65 pens originating from two herds of grower-finisher pigs (25-100kg), in which 27 tail biting events occurred. Data were divided into training and testing data in two different ways, either by randomly splitting data into 75% (training set) and 25% (testing set), or by randomly selecting pens to constitute the testing set. In the first data splitting, the model is regularly updated with previous data from the pen, whereas in the second data splitting, the model tries to predict for a pen that it has never seen before. The K-nearest neighbour algorithm was able to predict 78% of the upcoming events with an accuracy of 96%, when predicting events in pens for which it had previous data. Our results indicate that machine learning models can be considered for implementation into automatic feeder systems for real-time prediction of tail biting events.

We investigated the nutritional effects on carcass traits, gene expression and DNA methylation in a three generation Large White pig feeding experiment. A group of experimental (E) F0 boars were fed a standard diet supplemented with high amounts of methylating micronutrients whereas a control group (C) of F0 boars received a standard diet. These differentially fed F0 boars sired F1 boars which then sired 60 F2 pigs. Carcass traits were compared between 36 F2 descendants of E F0 boars and 24 F2 descendants of C F0 boars. The two F2 offspring groups differed with respect to backfat percentage (P = 0.03) and tended to differ with respect to adipose tissue (P = 0.09), fat thickness at the 10(th) rib (P = 0.08) and at the croup (P = 0.09) as well as percentages of shoulder (P = 0.07). Offspring from the experimental F0 boars had a higher percentage of shoulder and were leaner compared to the control group. Gene expression profiles showed significant twofold differences in mRNA level between 8 C F2 offspring and 8 E F2 offspring for 79, 64 and 53 genes for muscle, liver and kidney RNA, respectively. We found that in liver and muscle respective pathways of lipid metabolism and metabolic pathway were over-represented for the differentially expressed genes between these groups. A DNA methylation analysis in promoters of differentially expressed genes indicated a significant difference in DNA methylation at the IYD gene. If these responses on carcass traits, gene expression and DNA methylation withstand verification and can indeed be attributed to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, it would open up pioneering application in pork production and would have implications for human health.

Replacing cereals with food leftovers could reduce feed-food competition and keep nutrients and energy in the food chain. Former food products (FFPs) are industrial food leftovers no more intended for human but still suitable as alternative and sustainable feedstuffs for monogastric. In this study, omics approaches were applied to evaluate the impact of dietary FFPs on pig liver proteome and plasma peptidome. Thirty-six Swiss Large White male castrated pigs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments [control (CTR), 30% CTR replaced with salty FFP (SA), 30% CTR replaced with sugary FFP (SU)] from the start of the growing phase (22.4 ± 1.7 kg) until slaughtering (110 ± 3 kg). The low number of differentially regulated proteins in each comparison matrix (SA/SU vs. CTR) and the lack of metabolic interaction indicated a marginal impact on hepatic lipid metabolism. The plasma peptidomics investigation showed low variability between the peptidome of the three dietary groups and identified three possible bioactive peptides in the SA group associated with anti-hypertension and vascular homeostasis regulation. To conclude, the limited modulation of liver proteome and plasma peptidome by the SA and SU diets strenghtened the idea of reusing FFPs as feed ingredients to make pig production more sustainable.

It has been shown that the jejunum represents the most important site for the nutrient’s absorption in several species. However, in pigs, this information seems to be controversial and limited information are available about differences in intestinal physiology between female and castrated male pigs. The trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the active uptake of L-glutamate (L-Glu), L-arginine (L-Arg), L-methionine (L-Met) and D-glucose (D-Glu) in the jejunum and ileum of female (n = 5) and castrated male (n = 7) pigs fed a protein-restricted grower and finisher diet (128 and 112 g of crude protein/kg dry matter) were investigated. The intestine segments were collected at slaughter and mounted in Ussing chambers. Results were further investigated by protein expression analysis of the D-Glu transporter Sodium-dependent Glucose Transporter 1 (SGLT1) and using serum creatinine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and serum glucose concentrations measurements as indicators of muscle mass deposition and metabolic status of the animals. A linear mixed-effects regression (Lme4) model was used for data analysis. Independent of sex, the uptake of both L-Met and D-Glu was higher (p < 0.001) in the ileum than in the jejunum (2.1- and 3.6-fold increases, respectively). The L-Arg uptake was higher (p = 0.001) in females compared to castrates (1.9-fold increase). No significant differences were observed between the segments in the SGLT1 protein expression, regardless of sex. Serum measurements were also not significantly different between the female and castrates. This study suggests that the ileum has an important role in the active uptake of amino acids and D-Glu uptake and differences exist between female and castrated finishing pigs.

Hemicelluloses (HC) are polysaccharides constituents of the cell walls of plants. They are fermented in the gut to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA). The present study investigated the effects of decreasing HC level in a sow's lactation diet on sow performances, offspring development and milk composition. From 110 days (d) of gestation until weaning (26 ± 0.4 d post-farrowing), 40 Swiss Large White sows were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments: (1) T13 (HC: 127 g/kg), (2) T11 (HC: 114 g/kg), (3) T9 (HC: 94 g/kg) and (4) T8 (HC: 80 g/kg). Milk was collected at 3 and 17d of lactation. At birth, piglets were divided into two groups according to their birthweight (BtW): normal (N-BtW; BtW >1.20 kg) or low (L-BtW; BtW ≤1.20 kg). Decreased HC levels in the maternal diet linearly increased (p ≤ .05) the body weight of L-BtW piglets at two weeks post-weaning and linearly decreased (p ≤ .05) diarrhoea incidence and duration in this category. The concentrations of copper, threonine and VFA, as well as the proportion of butyrate, in milk linearly increased (p ≤ .05), whereas lactose content linearly decreased (p ≤ .05) with decreased HC in the maternal diet. The present study provides evidence that decreasing HC level in a sow's lactation diet can positively affect the composition and VFA profile of milk and ultimately favour the growth and health of L-BtW piglets. Highlights The results of this study showed that decreasing the level of hemicelluloses in a sow's lactation diet modified milk composition and had positive effects on the post-weaning performance of low birthweight piglets. This study highlighted the role of dietary fibres in the maternal diet to alleviate body weight variations at two weeks post-weaning. Nevertheless, before advising pig producers, further research should elucidate the optimal level of hemicelluloses for lactating sows.

Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects up to 30% of piglets in a litter. Piglets exposed to IUGR prioritize brain development during gestation, resulting in a higher brain-to-liver weight ratio (BrW/LW) at birth. IUGR is associated with increased mortality, compromised metabolism, and gut health. However, the dynamic metabolic and microbial shifts in IUGR-affected pigs remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effects of IUGR, defined by a high BrW/LW, on the composition of faecal microbiota and plasma metabolome in pigs from birth to slaughter. One day (± 1) after birth, computed tomography was performed on each piglet to assess their brain and liver weights. The pigs with the highest (IUGR = 12) and the lowest (NORM = 12) BrW/LW were selected to collect faeces and blood during lactation (day 16 ± 0.6, T1) and at the end of the starter period (day 63 ± 8.6, T2) and faeces at the beginning (day 119 ± 11.4, T3) and end of the finisher period (day 162 ± 14.3, T4). Results Faecal microbial Alpha diversity remained unaffected by IUGR across all time points. However, the Beta diversity was influenced by IUGR at T1 ( P  = 0.002), T2 ( P  = 0.08), and T3 ( P  = 0.03). Specifically, IUGR pigs displayed higher abundances of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 ( P adj  = 0.03) and Romboutsia ( P adj  = 0.05) at T1, Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group ( P adj  = 0.02), Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group ( P adj  = 0.03), and Alloprevotella ( P adj  = 0.03) at T2, and p -2534-18B5 gut group ( P adj  = 0.03) at T3. Conversely, the NORM group exhibited higher abundances of Ruminococcus ( P adj  = 0.01) at T1, HT002 ( P adj  = 0.05) at T2, and Prevotella _9 ( P adj  < 0.001) at T3. None of the plasma metabolites showed significant differences at T1 between the IUGR and NORM pigs. However, at T2, asparagine was lower in the IUGR compared to the NORM group ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions These findings show that growth restriction in the uterus has a significant impact on the faecal microbiota composition in pigs, from birth to the beginning of the finisher period, but minimally affects the plasma metabolome profile.

This study aims to investigate Capsa, an ingestible capsule designed to collect the contents of the small intestine as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract. Eight Swiss Large White pigs weighing between 52.5 and 71.3 kg were administered two capsules each and monitored for three days before euthanasia for post-mortem sampling. Samples were collected from six equally divided segments of the small intestine, along with separate sampling of the solid and liquid contents of each segment when feasible. Samples were also obtained from the large intestine and faeces to determine CapSa’s sampling location. Fifteen capsules were retrieved from faecal samples (93.75%), with 87.5% recovered on the first day post-administration. Only one capsule was not recovered. Comparative analysis of the bacterial composition of the capsules and post-mortem samples was conducted using a Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) model (Adonis), with sample type as a factor. The results revealed significant differences in bacterial composition between capsules and samples from the large intestine and faeces (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between capsule content and the liquid and solid parts of the fourth segment of the small intestine (p > 0.05). This study provides evidence that CapSa can effectively sample the intestinal microbiota of the middle part of the small intestine in growing pigs.