PSX-A-11 - Late-Breaking: Effects of phytogenic supplementation on growth performance and intestinal barrier function in nursery pigs challenged with E. coli

The objective of this study was to investigate the health-promoting effects of red osier dogwood (ROD) extract as an alternative to antibiotics in weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Twenty-eight weaned piglets (9.15±0.95 kg BW) confirmed to genetically susceptible to ETEC were individually assigned to one of the four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were, negative control (NC), corn-wheat soybean meal diet with no additives; positive control (PC), NC plus antibiotics; ROD1, NC plus 0.1% ROD extract; ROD2, NC plus 0.2% ROD extract. Piglets were orally challenged on d 7 with ETEC F4. Feed disappearance, body weight, fecal score, and rectal temperature were recorded. On d 14, piglets were euthanized to collect intestinal tissue samples for histomorphology and Ussing chamber analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS using individual piglet as the experimental unit. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in histomorphology and intestinal permeability. Piglets fed the NC diet tended (P < 0.10) to have higher average daily gain, post-inoculation than those fed ROD1 or ROD2. Fecal score of piglets fed the PC diet tended to (P < 0.10) or was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than for piglets fed ROD1 or ROD2 on 0 and 2 days post-inoculation (dpi), respectively. On 0 dpi, piglets fed the ROD1 diet had significantly higher (P < 0.05) body temperature than those fed PC or ROD2. In conclusion, ROD extract supplementation might have some health-promoting effects on ETEC challenged piglets but could not improve gut health to the same extent as antibiotics.