This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary β-glucan supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal characteristics in weaner pigs. A total of 140 weaner pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight of 6.37±1.14 kg were allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) negative control (NC, basal diet); 2) positive control (PC, basal diet supplemented with 39 ppm Tiamulin); 3) basal diet supplemented with 0.1% β-glucan (G1); 4) basal diet supplemented with 0.2% β-glucan (G2). During days 22 to 42 and 1 to 42, pigs offered PC and G2 diets grew faster than those offered NC diet (P<0.05). Additionally, during the same periods, pigs fed G2 and PC diets exhibited improved gain:feed ratio compared to pigs receiving NC and G1 diets (P<0.05). Pigs fed G2 diet exhibited higher coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter than those fed NC diet (P<0.05). There were no differences on blood profiles, fecal scores, fecal moisture, and fecal pH (P>0.05). Fecal lactic acid bacteria counts in G2 treatment were higher compared with PC and NC treatments (P<0.05). Coliform bacteria concentrations were decreased in pigs fed PC and G2 diets compared with those fed NC diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that dietary supplementation of 0.2% β-glucan can improve growth performance and dry matter digestibility, increase fecal lactic acid bacteria concentration but decrease fecal coliform bacteria concentration in weaner pigs.
Keywords
- β-glucan
- digestibility
- growth performance
- weaner pigs
Lactobacillus casei (IBRC-M 10,711) ameliorates the growth retardation, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression induced by malathion toxicity in goldfish (Carassius auratus )Differences and changes: an evaluation of the genetic diversity of Arabian mares from Polish state studs born between 1996 and 2013 Bio-active components in medicinal plants: A mechanistic review of their effects on fish growth and physiological parameters Evaluating local strains of soybean and corn cultivars in the diets of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ): growth and insulin-like growth factor 1, intestinal health, and inflammation featuresEffects of different carbon sources on water quality, biofloc quality, and the productivity of Nile tilapia reared in biofloc-based ponds Tomato pomace waste as safe feed additive for poultry health and production – a review Different dietary ratios of arginine, methionine and lysine for turkeys: effects on whole-body composition and nutrient utilization efficiency in the early growth stage Evaluating the growth of genetically improved tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared at different temperaturesThe effects of different stocking densities on nursery performance of Banana shrimp ( Fenneropenaeus merguiensis ) reared under biofloc conditionNew long-non coding RNAs related to fat deposition based on pig model The effect of supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) to pregnant sows on the mucosal structure, immunolocalization of intestinal barrier proteins, VIP and leptin in the large intestine in their offspring Effects of broiler chicken age and dietary protease on the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids in seeds from two lupin species The effects of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) seeds on the growth performance, growth hormone, antibacterial capacity, and immune response of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax )Why Osteoglossomorpha is one of the most peculiar groups of fish - a review Dietary L-glutamine affects eggshell quality in the post-peak laying period Aquamimicry system: a sutiable strategy for shrimp aquaculture – a review The use of artemia for aquaculture industry: An updated overview Rapeseed meal as a feed component in monogastric animal nutrition – a review Effect of serum starvation and contact inhibition on dermal fibroblast cell cycle synchronization in two species of wild felids and domestic cat Dietary Sargassum angustifolium (Macro-Algae, Sargassaceae) extract improved antioxidant defense system in diazionon-exposed common carp,Cyprinus carpio Effects of dietary halloysite supplementation on broiler chicken’s blood parameters, carcass and meat quality, and bone characteristics: a preliminary study Effects of higher plasma growth hormone levels on subclinical ketosis in postpartum Holstein cows Embryo production by in vitro fertilization in wild ungulates: progress and perspectivesThe quality of duck meat – from the perspective of physical measurements and expert judgment Fibrolytic enzymes increases fermentation losses and reduces fiber content of sorghum silage How potentially sustainable solutions may be unsustainable in practice: carrot pomaces in common carp nutrition