Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1996

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

Alan G. Mathew

Committee Members

John Waller, Mike Smith

Abstract

In three replicate trials, a total of 36 cannulated pigs were used to determine the effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture, included in a phase diet, on performance, ileal microflora, yeast, short- chain fatty acids, and IgG concentrations in the weanling pig. Pigs were weaned at 17 days of age and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) a pelleted, commercial phase-based diet (C), 2) a similar phase diet with the inclusion of a live S. cerevisiae culture at 1g/kg of the diet prior to pelleting (T1), and 3) a similar mash diet containing a live S. cerevisiae culture at 1g/kg of the diet (T2). Pigs were housed in individual cages in an environmentally controlled room and were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Ileal samples were collected at 17, 20, 24, 27, 31, 34, and 38 days of age and samples were analyzed for total E.coli, streptococci, lactobacilli, yeast, short-chain fatty acids, pH, and dry matter. Pigs were bled weekly for analysis of IgG. Pigs were weighed and feed was collected weekly for performance determination. At 41 days of age pigs were sacrificed and tissue and digesta samples collected from the stomach, duodenum, ileum, cecum, and spiral colon. Tissue samples were fixed and stained for histological examination and digesta samples analyzed as described above. Pelleting (T1) did not lower yeast concentrations compared to the nonpelleted yeast diet (T2). No yeast were found in the pelleted control (C). Over the 21 day trial, total intake was lower (P < .005) for C pigs (10.55 kg) compared with T1 and T2 pigs (12.77 and 12.71 kg, respectively). Over the same period, total gains tended to be greater (P < .09) for T1 pigs (8.68 kg) compared with C and T2 pigs (7.24 and 7.58 kg, respectively). T2 pigs tended to have higher (P < .08) feed/gain (1.82) compared with C and T1 pigs (1.52 and 1.51, respectively). Treatment differences were not observed for total ileal E. coli, streptococci, lactobacilli, yeast, or short-chain fatty acid concentrations. However, a treatment x day interaction was observed (P < .05) for ileal yeast concentrations. Ileal pH and dry matter did not differ between treatments. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were not different between treatments and no treatment differences were observed upon histological examination of tissue samples. No differences were observed in any of the intestinal sites when digesta was analyzed for E. coli, streptococci, lactobacilli, yeast, and short-chain fatty acids. However, a treatment x location interaction was observed for yeast concentrations. These data indicate that inclusion of S. cerevisiae in a pelleted diet increases intake and gain in weaned pigs but does not result in changes in intestinal microflora, short- chain fatty acids, or IgG concentrations.

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