Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187033

Title: EVALUATION OF NON-NUTRIENT ADDITIVES AS IMMUNOMODULATORS IN NURSERY PIGS

Author
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item HAYDON, KEITH - PRINCE AGRI PRODS., INC

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2005
Publication Date: 7/9/2006
Citation: Carroll, J.A., Haydon, K. 2006. Evaluation of non-nutrient additives as immunomodulators in nursery pigs [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 84:27(Suppl. 2). Abstract #84.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Following outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalitis throughout the world, and concerns about subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics in animal production, opportunities exist for the evaluation of non-nutrient additives as immunomodulators in livestock diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate three non-nutrient additives as potential modulators of the acute phase immune response following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Pigs (n = 32; 6.7 ± 0.2 Kg) were weaned at 20.5 ± 0.3 d of age and moved to an off-site nursery where they were weighed, blocked by BW, and assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) Control pigs (Cont; n=8) fed a non-medicated starter ration, 2) Pigs supplemented with 0.4% Yucca (Y, n=8), 3) Pigs supplemented with 0.4% Yucca Plus (YP, n=8), and 4) Pigs supplemented with 0.4% Neutro Max (NM, n=8). Pigs were individually housed and allowed ad libitum intake of their respective diets for 12 d. Feed intake and body weights were collected on d 6 and 12. On d 12, all pigs were non-surgically fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter. On d 13, all pigs received an i.v. dose of LPS (25 ug/Kg BW) at time 0 and blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals from -2 h until 4 h post-LPS, after which catheters were removed and the pigs maintained on their respective diets for an additional 12 d. Whole blood samples were utilized for hematological measurements and serum samples were analyzed for cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and IL-6. Initial body weights and ADG prior to the LPS challenge did not differ among treatment groups (P > 0.20). However, after the LPS challenge, ADG was greater (P < 0.03) in the Y and YP treatment groups as compared to the Cont group. While serum cortisol and IL-6 were not affected by dietary treatment, there were Time x Diet interactions (P < 0.001) for serum interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Additionally, lymphocyte counts following the LPS challenge were lower (P < 0.04) in the Y and NM groups as compared to the Cont and YP groups. Collectively, these data clearly demonstrate that non-nutrient additives can have significant effects on the immune system of young pigs.