Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 23230

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Trouw Nutrition, The Netherlands
Interests: dietary fiber; digestibility; feed evaluation; kinetics; nutrition; pigs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Current feed ingredient evaluation for pigs and poultry depends primarily on nutrient digestibility values. These values are based on experimentally determined ileal and total tract measurements, which result in static digestibility coefficients for nutrients in different feed ingredients. The use of digestible nutrients in feed formulations has resulted in significant improvements in feed efficiency and reductions in nutrient excretion into the environment. Digestible nutrients, however, do not provide information on the rate of nutrient digestion nor the exact location of digestion along the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, evaluating feed ingredients for both the extent of nutrient digestion and the rate of nutrient digestion may be vital to further improving nutrient utilization by pigs and poultry. Furthermore, nutrient digestion kinetics may be used to improve the gut health of pigs and poultry because attention is paid to the nutrient needs of specific sections of the digestive tract, the dynamic nature of these nutrient needs, and the interaction with the gut microbiome.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight nutrient digestion kinetics in feed ingredient evaluation for pigs and poultry through contributions in the form of original research articles, meta-analyses, and literature reviews. We welcome studies on techniques (in vitro, in vivo, other) for determining nutrient digestion kinetics in feed ingredients and diets, specific locations of nutrient digestion along the gastrointestinal tract, and rate of passage in pigs and poultry. We also welcome studies on the growth performance and gut health of pigs and poultry fed ingredients or diets that differ in nutrient digestion kinetics. 

Dr. Neil Jaworski
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • digestibility
  • feed evaluation
  • gut health
  • kinetics
  • nutrients
  • pigs
  • poultry

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1262 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dietary Pomelo Peel Powder on Growth Performance, Diarrhea, Immune Function, Antioxidant Function, Ileum Morphology, and Colonic Microflora of Weaned Piglets
by Yan Zeng, Xinrui Dai, Qingju Chen, Yubo Liu, Ziema Bumbie Gifty, Weizhong Sun and Zhiru Tang
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223216 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2400
Abstract
This trial evaluated how dietary-accommodated pomelo peel powder (PPP) affected average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG), diarrhea, antioxidation, and colonic microbial in weaned piglets. Thirty piglets weaned at 28 d were divided into three groups: a basal diet (CON); [...] Read more.
This trial evaluated how dietary-accommodated pomelo peel powder (PPP) affected average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG), diarrhea, antioxidation, and colonic microbial in weaned piglets. Thirty piglets weaned at 28 d were divided into three groups: a basal diet (CON); a CON containing 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC); and a CON containing 8 g/kg (PPP). This trial had a period of 28 days. Piglets supplemented with PPP had higher ADFI and ADG than piglets in CTC and CON (p < 0.05). The diarrhea rate in PPP and CTC was lower than in CON in the 3rd and 4th weeks (p < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities, and total antioxidant capacity in PPP were higher than those in CON (p < 0.05). Serum interleukin (IL)-4, insulin-like growth factor-I, immunoglobulin (Ig)A, and IgG concentrations in the PPP and CTC groups were higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). Serum IL-1β, IL-8, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ concentrations and the cecal pH in PPP were lower than those in CON (p < 0.05). Serum IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IgA concentrations of piglets in PPP were lower than in CTC (p < 0.05). The villus height and villus height/crypt depth of the ileum of piglets in PPP and CTC were higher than those in CON (p < 0.05), but there was no difference between PPP and CTC (p > 0.05). The Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria relative abundances in PPP and CTC (p < 0.05) were lower than those in CON, whereas the Bacteroidetes relative abundances in PPP and CTC were higher than those in CON. The Prevotellaceae relative abundance in CTC was higher than in CON (p < 0.05), whereas the Lactobacillaceae relative abundance in CTC was lower than in CON (p < 0.05). The Ruminococcaceae relative abundance in PPP was higher than in CON (p < 0.05), whereas the Veillonellaceae relative abundance in PPP was lower than in CON (p < 0.05). PPP can improve ADFI and ADG, relieve diarrhea, and enhance the colonic microflora of weaned piglets. Therefore, PPP is expected to replace CTC as a feed additive to alleviate weaning stress and ensure normal growth and development of piglets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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13 pages, 1003 KiB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Fiber Type on Growth Performance, Serum Parameters and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Weaned and Growing-Finishing Pigs
by Zhiqian Lv, Zeyu Zhang, Fenglai Wang, Jiyu Guo, Xiaogang Zhao and Jinbiao Zhao
Animals 2022, 12(12), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12121579 - 19 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2302
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different SDF to IDF ratios on growth performance, serum indexes and fecal microbial community in pigs. Weaned and growing-finishing pigs were fed a diet containing five different ratios of SDF to IDF [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different SDF to IDF ratios on growth performance, serum indexes and fecal microbial community in pigs. Weaned and growing-finishing pigs were fed a diet containing five different ratios of SDF to IDF from 1:5 to 1:9 and from 1:3 to 1:7, respectively. Results showed a linear tendency that average daily gain (ADG) of weaned pigs decreased but the feed intake to weight gain ratio (F/G) increased as the ratio of SDF to IDF increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p = 0.06). The ADG of growing-finishing pigs showed quadratic changes (p < 0.05) as ratios of SDF to IDF increased from 1:3 to 1:7. The Shannon index of fecal microbial diversity increased first and then decreased as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:5 to 1:9 (p < 0.05). The Shannon and Chao indexes of fecal microbial diversity in growing-finishing pigs showed significant incremental linearly as the SDF to IDF ratio increased from 1:3 to 1:7 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the recommended inclusion ratios of SDF to IDF in weaned and growing-finishing pigs diets are 1:7 and 1:5. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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16 pages, 1552 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Fermented Feeds on Production Performance, Cecal Microorganisms, and Intestinal Immunity of Laying Hens
by Lijuan Guo, Jing Lv, Yinglu Liu, Hui Ma, Bingxu Chen, Keyang Hao, Jia Feng and Yuna Min
Animals 2021, 11(10), 2799; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102799 - 25 Sep 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3390
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different compound probiotics on the performance, cecal microflora, and intestinal immunity of laying hens. A total of 270 Jing Fen No.6 (22-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: basal diet (CON); basal diet supplemented [...] Read more.
This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different compound probiotics on the performance, cecal microflora, and intestinal immunity of laying hens. A total of 270 Jing Fen No.6 (22-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 groups: basal diet (CON); basal diet supplemented with 6% fermented feed A by Bacillussubtilis,Lactobacillus, and Yeast (FA); and with 6% fermented feed B by C. butyricum and L. salivarius (FB). Phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, β-glucan concentrations, and pH value in fermented feed were lower than the CON group (p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the experimental groups was decreased, while albumen height and Haugh unit were increased, compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). Fermented feed could upregulate the expression of the signal pathway (TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB) to inhibit mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05). Fermented feed promoted the level of Romboutsia (in the FA group) Butyricicoccus (in the FB group), and other beneficial bacteria, and reduced opportunistic pathogens, such as Enterocooccus (p < 0.05). Spearman’s correlations showed that the above bacteria were closely related to albumen height and intestinal immunity. In summary, fermented feed can decrease the feed conversion ratio, and improve the performance and intestinal immunity of laying hens, which may be related to the improvement of the cecal microflora structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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17 pages, 1020 KiB  
Article
Replacement of Palm Oil with Soybean Acid Oil in Broiler Chicken Diet: Fat Digestibility and Lipid Class Content along the Intestinal Tract
by Beatriz Jimenez-Moya, Ana C. Barroeta, Francesc Guardiola, María Dolores Soler, Raquel Rodriguez-Sanchez and Roser Sala
Animals 2021, 11(9), 2586; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092586 - 3 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4421
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of palm oil (P) with increasing levels of soybean acid oil (SA), a by-product of soybean oil (S) refining, on lipid class content and fatty acid (FA) digestibility in the intestine and excreta of chickens at [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of palm oil (P) with increasing levels of soybean acid oil (SA), a by-product of soybean oil (S) refining, on lipid class content and fatty acid (FA) digestibility in the intestine and excreta of chickens at 11 and 35 days (d). Five experimental diets were obtained by supplementing a basal diet with 6% of P (P6), 6% of SA (SA6), 4% of P + 2% SA (P4-SA2), 2% of P + 4% of SA (P2-SA4) and 6% of S (S6). A total of 480 one-d-old female broiler chickens (Ross 308) were housed in metabolic cages (6 cages/treatment, with 16 birds/cage). Replacing P with SA improved fat absorption at 11 and 35 d (p < 0.05), but not feed AME values and saturated FA (SFA) digestibility at 11 d. As age increased, the absorption of SFA and free fatty acids (FFA) improved, and the contribution of the upper ileum to FA absorption increased (p < 0.05). At 35 d, SA6 (56% FFA) and P2-SA4 (40% FFA, 2.6 unsaturated-to-saturated FA ratio) could replace S6 without impairing fat utilization. The replacement of P with SA represents a suitable strategy to use this by-product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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Review

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30 pages, 602 KiB  
Review
Effect of Fiber Fermentation and Protein Digestion Kinetics on Mineral Digestion in Pigs
by Charlotte M. E. Heyer, Neil W. Jaworski, Greg I. Page and Ruurd T. Zijlstra
Animals 2022, 12(16), 2053; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162053 - 12 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2539
Abstract
Nutrient kinetic data and the timing of nutrient release along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), are not yet widely used in current feed formulations for pigs and poultry. The present review focuses on interactions between fermentable substrates (e.g., starch, fiber, and protein) [...] Read more.
Nutrient kinetic data and the timing of nutrient release along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), are not yet widely used in current feed formulations for pigs and poultry. The present review focuses on interactions between fermentable substrates (e.g., starch, fiber, and protein) and selected minerals on nutrient digestion and absorption to determine nutritional solutions to maximize animal performance, principally in the grower–finisher phase, with the aim of minimizing environmental pollution. For phosphorus (P), myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) (InsP6), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), no standardized methodologies to assess in vitro mineral digestion exist. The stepwise degradation of InsP6 to lower inositol phosphate (InsP) forms in the GIT is rare, and inositol phosphate4 (InsP4) might be the limiting isomer of InsP degradation in diets with exogenous phytase. Furthermore, dietary coefficients of standardized total tract digestibility (CSTTD) of P might be underestimated in diets with fermentable ingredients because of increased diet-specific endogenous P losses (EPL), and further clarification is required to better calculate the coefficients of true total tract digestibility (CTTTD) of P. The quantification of fiber type, composition of fiber fractions, their influence on digestion kinetics, effects on digesta pH, and nutrient solubility related to fermentation should be considered for formulating diets. In conclusion, applications of nutrient kinetic data should be considered to help enhance nutrient digestion and absorption in the GIT, thereby reducing nutrient excretion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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25 pages, 875 KiB  
Review
The Dynamic Conversion of Dietary Protein and Amino Acids into Chicken-Meat Protein
by Shemil P. Macelline, Peter V. Chrystal, Sonia Y. Liu and Peter H. Selle
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082288 - 3 Aug 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6096
Abstract
This review considers the conversion of dietary protein and amino acids into chicken-meat protein and seeks to identify strategies whereby this transition may be enhanced. Viable alternatives to soybean meal would be advantageous but the increasing availability of non-bound amino acids is providing [...] Read more.
This review considers the conversion of dietary protein and amino acids into chicken-meat protein and seeks to identify strategies whereby this transition may be enhanced. Viable alternatives to soybean meal would be advantageous but the increasing availability of non-bound amino acids is providing the opportunity to develop reduced-crude protein (CP) diets, to promote the sustainability of the chicken-meat industry and is the focus of this review. Digestion of protein and intestinal uptakes of amino acids is critical to broiler growth performance. However, the transition of amino acids across enterocytes of the gut mucosa is complicated by their entry into either anabolic or catabolic pathways, which reduces their post-enteral availability. Both amino acids and glucose are catabolised in enterocytes to meet the energy needs of the gut. Therefore, starch and protein digestive dynamics and the possible manipulation of this ‘catabolic ratio’ assume importance. Finally, net deposition of protein in skeletal muscle is governed by the synchronised availability of amino acids and glucose at sites of protein deposition. There is a real need for more fundamental and applied research targeting areas where our knowledge is lacking relative to other animal species to enhance the conversion of dietary protein and amino acids into chicken-meat protein. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Digestion Kinetics in Pigs and Poultry)
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