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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #117666
Title: SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMIN C AND BETA-GLUCAN ALTER GROWTH AND THE LPS-INDUCED IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN YOUNG PIGS

Author
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item Eicher, Susan
item MCKEE, CARRIE - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item Matteri, Robert
item ZANELLI, M - ENDOGEN
item BEAUSANG, L - ENDOGEN

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study evaluated the potential benefit of supplementing the neonatal pig with Vitamin C (VC) and/or Beta-glucan (BG). Pigs (n=32) were selected at birth and assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups (n=8/group). Beginning on the day of birth, pigs received their treatments by daily oral gavage until weaning at 2 wk of age. Dietary groups included control (Cont; no VC or BG), VC (75 ppm), BG (.312 g/kg body weight) and VC+BG. At weaning, pigs were placed on a starter ration containing their respective dietary treatments for 2 wk. Body weights were recorded every 3d to adjust dietary treatment doses. On d14 post weaning, blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals for 1h followed by an iv injection of LPS (150ug/kg lipopolysaccharide). Blood samples were then collected for an additional 3-h period and analyzed for serum cortisol (CS), ACTH and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). A time x treatment interaction (P=.0002) was observed for body weight such that VC+BG pigs had greater body weights than Cont (P<.017) and VC (P=.009) pigs and BG pigs tended to have greater body weights than Cont (P=.09) and VC (P=.05) pigs. There was no effect of dietary treatment on serum ACTH. The CS response was lower (P=.005) in the VC group as compared to the Cont group, and the CS response tended (P<.09) to be lower in the BG and VC+BG groups as compared to the Cont group. A time x dietary treatment effect (P<.028) was observed for the TNF response to the LPS challenge which can be primarily attributed to the more rapid decline in TNF for the VC group. Additional investigations are needed to elucidate the potential immunological benefit of including these supplements in the young pig's diet. The present data demonstrates that inclusion of VC or BG alters growth and the LPS response in young pigs.