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Soybean meal (SBM) is a prevailing plant protein supplement in animal diets because of its nutritional value and availability. This review paper explores the significance of SBM and processed soy products, emphasizing their nutritional and bioactive components, such as isoflavones and soyasaponins. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with a reduced prevalence of chronic diseases. However, the presence of antinutritional compounds in SBM presents a significant challenge. The paper evaluates various processing methods, including ethanol/acid wash, enzyme treatment, and fermentation, which are aimed at enhancing the nutritional value of soy products. It highlights the significance to maintain a balance between nutritional enhancement and the preservation of beneficial bioactive compounds, emphasizing the importance of different processing techniques to fully exploit the health benefits of soy-based products. Therefore, this review illuminates the complex balance between nutritional improvement, bioactive compound preservation, and the overall health implications of soy products.

Background Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) is a threat to humans and animals that causes intestinal disorders. Antimicrobial resistance has urged alternatives, including Lactobacillus postbiotics, to mitigate the effects of enterotoxigenic E. coli . Methods Forty-eight newly weaned pigs were allotted to NC: no challenge/no supplement; PC: F18 +   E. coli challenge/no supplement; ATB: F18 +   E. coli challenge/bacitracin; and LPB: F18 +   E. coli challenge/postbiotics and fed diets for 28 d. On d 7, pigs were orally inoculated with F18 +   E. coli . At d 28, the mucosa-associated microbiota, immune and oxidative stress status, intestinal morphology, the gene expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRR), and intestinal barrier function were measured. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. Results PC increased ( P  < 0.05) Helicobacter mastomyrinus whereas reduced ( P  < 0.05) Prevotella copri and P. stercorea compared to NC. The LPB increased ( P  < 0.05) P. stercorea and Dialister succinatiphilus compared with PC. The ATB increased ( P  < 0.05) Propionibacterium acnes , Corynebacterium glutamicum , and Sphingomonas pseudosanguinis compared to PC. The PC tended to reduce ( P  = 0.054) PGLYRP4 and increased ( P  < 0.05) TLR4 , CD14 , MDA, and crypt cell proliferation compared with NC. The ATB reduced ( P  < 0.05) NOD1 compared with PC. The LPB increased ( P  < 0.05) PGLYRP4 , and interferon-γ and reduced ( P  < 0.05) NOD1 compared with PC. The ATB and LPB reduced ( P  < 0.05) TNF-α and MDA compared with PC. Conclusions The F18 +   E. coli challenge compromised intestinal health. Bacitracin increased beneficial bacteria showing a trend towards increasing the intestinal barrier function, possibly by reducing the expression of PRR genes. Lactobacillus postbiotics enhanced the immunocompetence of nursery pigs by increasing the expression of interferon-γ and PGLYRP4, and by reducing TLR4, NOD1, and CD14.

Antibiotics at subtherapeutic levels have been used in pig diets as antimicrobial growth promoters. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance have increased the demand for alternatives to these antimicrobial growth promoters. This review paper explores the mechanisms through which antimicrobial growth promoters and their alternatives exert their antimicrobial effects. Additionally, this systemic review also covers how modulation of intestinal microbiota by antimicrobial growth promoters or their alternatives affects intestinal health and, subsequently, growth of pigs. The mechanisms and effects of antimicrobial growth promoters and their alternatives on intestinal microbiota, intestinal health, and growth are diverse and inconsistent. Therefore, pig producers should carefully assess which alternative is the most effective for optimizing both profitability and the health status of pigs in their production system.

Background The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of different dietary soybean meal (SBM) levels on jejunal immunity in nursery pigs at different days post-weaning. Methods Forty-eight pigs (6.2 ± 0.3 kg), weaned at 21 days of age, were assigned to 2 dietary treatments ( n  = 12) in a randomized complete block design and fed for 20 or 42 d in 3 phases (10, 10, and 22 d, respectively). The dietary treatments consisted of low and high SBM diets. On d 20 and 42, jejunal mucosa and tissue samples were collected. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factors with dietary SBM levels (low and high SBM diets) and days post-weaning (20 d and 42 d post-weaning). Results Pigs fed high SBM diets had greater ( P  < 0.05) relative abundance (RA) of jejunal Prevotella , tended to have greater ( P  = 0.091) jejunal IgA, had greater ( P  < 0.05) crypt depth, and tended to have lower ( P  = 0.064) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) than pigs fed low SBM diets. Pigs at 20 d post-weaning had greater ( P  < 0.05) RA of jejunal Lactobacillus and had greater ( P  < 0.05) jejunal IL-8 and protein carbonyl than pigs at 42 d post-weaning. Pigs at 20 d post-weaning tended to have greater ( P  = 0.090) jejunal IgG, tended to have lower ( P  = 0.059) jejunal IgA, and had greater ( P  < 0.05) proportion (%) of Ki-67 + cells in the jejunal crypt than pigs at 42 d post-weaning. Conclusion Pigs fed high SBM diets showed greater RA of Staphylococcus , a greater immune response, and a decreased VH:CD in the jejunum than pigs fed low SBM diets. Pigs at 20 d post-weaning were more susceptible to jejunal inflammation and intestinal damage than pigs at 42 d post-weaning, but the negative impacts of high SBM diets on jejunal inflammation and intestinal damage were consistent compared to low SBM diets at 20 d and 42 d post-weaning. 

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a feed additive containing bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast on the intestinal health and growth of newly weaned pigs under chronic dietary exposure to fumonisin and aflatoxin. Newly weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of four possible treatments: a control diet of conventional corn; a diet of corn contaminated with fumonisin and aflatoxin; a diet of mycotoxin-contaminated corn with 0.2% of feed additive; and a diet of mycotoxin contaminated corn with 0.4% of feed additive. We observed lower average weight gain and average daily feed intake in pigs that were fed only mycotoxin-contaminated corn compared to the control group. Feed additive supplementation linearly increased both average weight gain and feed intake, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In the jejunum, there was an observed decrease in immunoglobulin A and an increase in claudin-1. Additionally, feed additive supplementation increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio compared to the control. In conclusion, feed additives containing bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast could mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on the growth performance of newly weaned pigs by improving intestinal integrity and positively modulating immune response.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different level of soybean meal (SBM) replaced by soy protein concentrate on intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs under F18+ Escherichia coli (E. coli).Methods: Forty-eight newly weaned pigs (6.6±0.3 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments arranged by 2×2 factors using randomized complete block design with initial body weight and sex as blocks. Two factors were F18+ E. coli challenge (0 or 2.1×1010 colony-forming units [CFU]) and the level of SBM (24% or 12% in phase 1 and 26% or 14% in phase 2). Pigs were fed for 25 d in 2 phases (phase 1 for 11 d and phase 2 for 14 d). At the end of study, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa and tissues.Results: The F18+ E. coli challenge decreased (p<0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased (p<0.05) gain to feed ratio on d 7 to 11. The high SBM tended to have a greater overall ADG (p = 0.054) and ADFI (p = 0.078) compared with low SBM under F18+ E. coli challenge, but not in unchallenged conditions. The F18+ E. coli challenge increased (p<0.05) fecal score on d 7 to 18. The tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in jejunal mucosa were decreased (p<0.05) in high SBM treatments. The high SBM tended to increase (p = 0.085) occludin expression in jejunum. high SBM increased crypt depth in jejunum under F18+ E. coli challenge, but not in unchallenged conditions (p<0.05).Conclusion: High SBM in nursery diets could alleviate the detrimental effects of F18+ E. coli challenge on growth performance of pigs under compared to low SBM inclusion, which might be attributed to decreased intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal integrity.

Background Soy protein supplements, with high crude protein and less antinutritional factors, are produced from soybean meal by different processes. This study evaluated the comparative effects of various soy protein supplements replacing animal protein supplements in feeds on the intestinal immune status, intestinal oxidative stress, mucosa-associated microbiota, and growth performance of nursery pigs. Methods Sixty nursery pigs (6.6 ± 0.5 kg BW) were allotted to five treatments in a randomized complete block design with initial BW and sex as blocks. Pigs were fed for 39 d in 3 phases (P1, P2, and P3). Treatments were: Control (CON), basal diet with fish meal 4%, 2%, and 1%, poultry meal 10%, 8%, and 4%, and blood plasma 4%, 2%, and 1% for P1, P2, and P3, respectively; basal diet with soy protein concentrate (SPC), enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESB), fermented soybean meal with Lactobacillus (FSBL), and fermented soybean meal with Bacillus (FSBB), replacing 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 of animal protein supplements for P1, P2, and P3, respectively. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4. Results The SPC did not affect the BW, ADG, and G:F, whereas it tended to reduce ( P  = 0.094) the ADFI and tended to increase ( P  = 0.091) crypt cell proliferation. The ESM did not affect BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F, whereas tended to decrease ( P  = 0.098) protein carbonyl in jejunal mucosa. The FSBL decreased ( P  < 0.05) BW and ADG, increased ( P  < 0.05) TNF-α, and Klebsiella and tended to increase MDA ( P  = 0.065) and IgG ( P  = 0.089) in jejunal mucosa. The FSBB tended to increase ( P  = 0.073) TNF-α, increased ( P  < 0.05) Clostridium and decreased ( P  < 0.05) Achromobacter and alpha diversity of microbiota in jejunal mucosa. Conclusions Soy protein concentrate, enzyme-treated soybean meal, and fermented soybean meal with Bacillus could reduce the use of animal protein supplements up to 33% until 7 kg body weight, up to 67% from 7 to 11 kg body weight, and entirely from 11 kg body weight without affecting the intestinal health and the growth performance of nursery pigs. Fermented soybean meal with Lactobacillus , however, increased the immune reaction and oxidative stress in the intestine consequently reducing the growth performance.

The objectives of this review are to identify the nutritional challenges faced by modern sows and present potential solutions to mitigate excessive maternal tissue loss and reproductive failure as it relates to recent genetic improvements. Current feeding programs have limitations to support the rapid genetic improvements in reproductive performance for modern sows. Since 2012, both litter size at birth and fetal weight have increased by 2.26 pigs per litter and 0.22 kg per piglet, respectively, thereby increasing the nutrient needs for sows during gestation and lactation. Prediction models generated in this review predict that modern sows would need 31% more lysine during gestation when compared with current feeding programs. Physiological challenges facing modern sows are also addressed in this review. High oxidative stress, pelvic organ prolapse, and lameness can directly affect the sow, whereas these physiological challenges can have negative impacts on colostrum and milk quality. In response, there is growing interest in investigating the functional roles of select bioactive compounds as feed additives to mitigate the severity of these challenges. Selenium sources, catechins, and select plant extracts have been utilized to reduce oxidative stress, calcium chloride and phytase have been used to mitigate pelvic organ prolapse and lameness, algae and yeast derivatives have been used to improve colostrum and milk quality, and fiber sources and probiotics have been commonly utilized to improve sow intestinal health. Collectively, this review demonstrates the unique challenges associated with managing the feeding programs for modern sows and the opportunities for revision of the amino acid requirements as well as the use of select bioactive compounds to improve reproductive performance.

Background This study investigated the effects of different non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) sources with NSP degrading enzymes (NSPases) and the influence on the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal immunity of nursery pigs, on growth performance and carcass traits at market weight. Methods One hundred and sixty newly weaned pigs at 7.0 ± 0.3 kg body weight (BW) were allotted in a 2 × 2 factorial with NSP sources and NSPases serving as factors. The 4 dietary treatments were: DDGS, corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles as source of NSP; DDGS + NSPases (DDGS +), DDGS with xylanase at 0.01%, 3,000 U/kg of feed and β-mannanase at 0.05%, 400 U/kg of feed; SHWB, soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing corn DDGS as the source of NSP; SHWB with NSPases (SHWB +), SHWB with xylanase at 0.01%, 3,000 U/kg of feed and β-mannanase at 0.05%, 400 U/kg of feed. Pigs were fed for 37 d and housed in groups of 4 pigs per pen. At d 37, the median body weight pig in each pen was euthanized for sampling to analyze intestinal health parameters. Remaining pigs were fed a common diet for subsequent phases to evaluate the carryover effect on growth and carcass traits. Results The SHWB decreased ( P  < 0.05) the relative abundance of Helicobacter , tended to increase ( P  = 0.074) the relative abundance of Lactobacillus , increased ( P  < 0.05) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the jejunal mucosa, tended to increase ( P  = 0.096) the villus height (VH) in the jejunum, and tended to improve ADG ( P  = 0.099) and feed efficiency ( P  = 0.068) during phase 1 compared to DDGS treatment. Supplementation of NSPases increased ( P  < 0.05) Shannon index of diversity, increased the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Acinetobacter , and tended to increase ( P  = 0.082) dry matter digestibility. The BW of pigs fed SHWB was more uniform ( P  < 0.05) at the end of the 120 d study. Additionally, hot carcass weight of pigs fed SHWB tended to be more uniform ( P  = 0.089) than DDGS treatment. Conclusion Soybean hulls and wheat bran replacing DDGS in nursery diets improved uniformity of pigs at market weight, which might be attributed to beneficial modulation of the mucosa-associated microbiota and enhanced intestinal morphology during the nursery phase. Supplementation of NSPases had beneficial effects on the intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota, digestibility, and intestinal immunity in SHWB treatment, whereas no carryover effects were overserved at market weight.

Background Milk protein is crucial for milk quality in sows and health of newborn piglets. Plasma amino acids (AA) in sows are important precursors for milk protein synthesis in the mammary gland. In order to study the regulation of AA transported in sow mammary glands and possible underlying mechanisms, we measured the expression of genes coding for milk proteins, AA transporter expressions, and plasma AA concentrations in sows at three different physiological stages (D-17, D1 and D17 of lactation), and then further investigated the regulation of AA transport across the cell membrane by adaptive mechanisms using pig mammary epithelial cells (PMEC) as an in vitro model. PMEC were cultured in DMEM:F12 with 4 amino acid concentrations (0 × AA complex, 1 × AA complex, 5 × AA complex, and 25 × AA complex). Classes of AA complexes evaluated in this study included neutral AAs ( L -Ala + L -Ser +  L -Cys), acidic AAs ( L -Asp, L -Glu) and neutral + basic AAs ( L -Ala + L -Ser +  L -Cys +  L -Lys). Results Our results indicated that mRNA expression of genes coding for milk protein (αs1-casein, αs2-casein, β-casein and κ-casein) increased significantly with the advance of physiological stage ( P  < 0.05), and plasma concentrations of most AAs including threonine, serine, glutamate, alanine, valine, cysteine, methionine, isoleucine and tyrosine were greater at D1 of lactation compared with D-17 and D17 of lactation ( P  < 0.05). Additionally, protein and gene expressions of AA transporters including excitatory AA transporter 3 (EAAT3), alanine/serine/cysteine/threonine transporter (ASCT1) and sodium-coupled neutral AA transporter 1 (SNAT2) were greater in lactating sow mammary glands compared with sow mammary glands in late pregnancy ( P  < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of SLC38A2 , SLC1A1, SLC6A14 increased significantly in the cell mediums supplemented with 5 × and 25 × of AA complexes compared with those cells cultured in DMEM/F12 cell medium ( P  < 0.05). The mRNA expressions of SLC38A, SLC1A4 , and SLC6A14 also increased in EBSS cell medium compared to DMEM/F12. However, only mRNA expression of SLC38A decreased when AA complex was added into EBSS ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion AA transportation was positively regulated in sow mammary glands with the advance of physiological stage from late pregnancy to peak of lactation and AA transporters in PMECs were adaptively regulated by changed AA concentrations.