Impacts of replacing soybean meal with processed soybean meal on intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli

Deng, Zixiao; Choi, Hyunjun; Kim, Sung Woo

doi:.0.0.0

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.24.0566 [Accepted] Published online October 28, 2024.

Impacts of replacing soybean meal with processed soybean meal on intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli

Zixiao Deng¹

, Hyunjun Choi¹

, Sung Woo Kim^1,*

Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Correspondence: Sung Woo Kim, Tel: +1-919-513-1494, Fax: +1-919-515-6884, Email: sungwoo_kim@ncsu.edu

Received: 9 August 2024 • Revised: 9 September 2024 • Accepted: 15 October 2024

Abstract

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 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 to measure parameters related to intestinal health. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure in SAS.
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-alpha 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.

Keywords: F 18+ Escherichia coli; Intestinal Health; Nursery Pigs; Soybean Meal