This study aimed to explore the relationship between intestinal health biomarkers and nutrient digestion and metabolism in nursery pigs. Thirty-two weaned pigs were individually housed and fed a single experimental diet for 22 days. Feces and urine were collected on days 15 to 21 post-weaning to assess energy and protein digestibility and metabolizability. Blood samples were collected on day 22 to assess intestinal permeability, IgG, and IgA. Fecal samples were collected on the same day to quantify calprotectin, neopterin, lactoferrin, calcium-binding proteins, and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP). All pigs were euthanized on day 22 for intestinal tissue collection to determine villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione S-transferase, protein thiols, resistance to rupture, zonula occludens-1, and occludin. Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation, and classification and regression tree (CART) methods were applied. Fecal calcium-binding proteins and FABP levels were identified in the tree-based models (CART) as key predictors of dry matter digestion. On the other hand, fecal calprotectin and FABP levels were the primary determinants of protein and energy digestibility and metabolizability. Fecal calprotectin levels between 79.4 and 79.6 ng/mL served as the cutoff to distinguish nursery pigs with high and low digestibility in two different CART models. Similarly, the cutoff for FABP levels ranged from 70.5 to 87.4 ng/mL, indicating its role in differentiating groups with high and low efficiency. Our results support the potential of fecal biomarkers as non-invasive indicators of digestibility and metabolism in weaned pigs.

This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate a model for estimating the available phosphorus (aP) requirements of broilers. Databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched using the PICo methodology, including 90 studies from 1997-2023. The variables analyzed included performance (average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE)) and bone traits (tibia P, ash, and shear force), expressed relative to the highest response in each study. The aP levels were compared to the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine (BT), which were considered 100% aligned with the BT recommendations. Nonlinear regressions assessed the responses by phase (starter, grower, and finisher). In the starter phase, aP intake to maximize ADG and FE was 99% of the BT recommendations, with similar results for FE during the grower phase (99%), indicating slight overestimation. However, the ADG requirements in the grower and finisher phases were underestimated (102% of BT recommendations). The FE in the finisher phase matched BT recommendations (100%). Bone traits required a slightly higher aP intake (>100%) across all phases. The BT model reliably estimates aP needs, but may require additional supplementation to optimize bone mineralization.

A produção de suínos e aves desempenha papel central na segurança alimentar global, mas também apresenta desafios significativos do ponto de vista ambiental. Este capítulo oferece uma análise crítica e aprofundada da literatura científica sobre os impactos ambientais associados à alimentação desses animais, com ênfase nos estudos de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida. A alimentação é consistentemente identificada como o principal fator de impacto, respondendo por mais da metade das emissões de gases de efeito estufa, além de contribuir para eutrofização, acidificação e consumo de energia. O texto também discute o potencial da alimentação de precisão como alternativa promissora para mitigar impactos ambientais sem comprometer o desempenho zootécnico dos animais. São destacadas recomendações práticas para formuladores, pesquisadores e tomadores de decisão, com ênfase na importância de maior transparência metodológica, diversificação de ingredientes e integração entre nutrição, sustentabilidade e políticas públicas. A nutrição de precisão surge, assim, como ferramenta estratégica para promover cadeias produtivas mais eficientes, resilientes e ambientalmente responsáveis.

This study examined the effect of colostrum intake on pre-weaning mortality in piglets, focusing on neonatal vitality traits. Data from 2,050 piglets and 136 sows were collected from a commercial farm. Sows were monitored during gestation (parity, body condition, backfat thickness, weight gain, and gestation duration) and farrowing was monitored (duration, live births, mummified fetuses, stillbirths, maternal glucose, birth intervals, birth order, and sex). Neonatal traits (colostrum intake, meconium presence, umbilical rupture, rectal temperature, glucose, oxygenation, and heart rate) and performance measures (birth weight, weaning weight, and mortality) were recorded. Piglets that did not survive until weaning were born to sows with a longer farrowing duration (+26%; P<0.001), higher birth orders (+14%; P = 0.047), lower birth weights (-21%; P<0.001), reduced oxygenation (-1%; P = 0.019), lower rectal temperatures (-4%; P = 0.033), and significantly lower colostrum intake (-38%; P<0.001). Mortality was associated with rectal temperatures (<38.35 degrees C), colostrum intake (<172 g), birth weights (<897.5 g), and farrowing durations (>301 min), as identified by a tree-based model. Low colostrum intake correlated with longer farrowing durations (+7%; P = 0.044), longer birth intervals (+32%; P = 0.013), higher birth orders (+12%; P = 0.015), lower body weights (-5%; P = 0.005), reduced umbilical rupture rates (-11%; P = 0.049), lower rectal temperatures (-1%; P = 0.046), and lighter weaning weights (-10%; P<0.001). The model suggested that low colostrum intake was linked to birth weight (<990 g), sow body condition during gestation, and farrowing durations (>343 min). These results underscore the complex factors influencing colostrum intake and mortality, critical for sustainable swine production.

(1) Background: The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether the supplementation with a multi-species probiotic in the diet of laying hens can change the microbiota and health status of the oviduct. (2) Methods: A total of 60 cages housing lightweight laying hens (36 weeks old) were randomly assigned to the following two different treatments: a control group fed a diet without probiotic, and a treatment group receiving diets supplemented with 50 g/ton of probiotics. The trial lasted for 26 weeks, after which five layers were slaughtered per treatment for oviduct (magnum) assessment, focusing on microbiome composition, oxidant and antioxidant status, and morphological analyses. Additionally, intestinal (jejunum) samples were collected to determine oxidant and antioxidant status. (3) Results: Probiotic supplementation resulted in lower counts of organisms from the RB41 order (p = 0.039) and Burkholderia genus (p = 0.017), and a total reduction in Bacillus and Corynebacterium (p = 0.050) compared to the control treatment. Genera Burkholderia (p = 0.017), Corynebacterium (p = 0.050), and Bacillus (p = 0.050) were also lower with the probiotic supplementation in relation to the control. Genera Epulopiscium (p = 0.089), Flavobacterium (p = 0.100), Ruminococcus (p = 0.089), and Staphylococcus (p = 0.100) tended to be lower in the probiotic group compared to the control. No significant differences were found between treatments for oviduct lesions. Probiotic treatment resulted in a higher protein thiol level in the intestine compared to the control (p < 0.001). However, the use of probiotics tended to reduce glutathione S-transferase levels in the oviduct compared to the control (p = 0.068). (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotics can modulate the oviduct microbiota and improve the antioxidant status of laying hens, without causing tissue damage. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications of these changes on reproductive performance and egg quality.

A alimentação responde pela maior parte dos impactos ambientais associados à produção de suínos, sendo a excreção de nitrogênio um dos principais desafios no contexto da sustentabilidade. Neste capítulo, abordam-se as dietas com baixa proteína bruta como estratégia nutricional eficaz para mitigar perdas nitrogenadas e emissões atmosféricas, sem comprometer o desempenho produtivo dos animais. São discutidos os princípios fisiológicos e nutricionais que fundamentam a redução do teor proteico das dietas, bem como os limites práticos para sua implementação em escala comercial. Evidências científicas demonstram que a formulação com baixos níveis de proteína, aliada à suplementação com aminoácidos industriais, pode promover simultaneamente ganhos em eficiência nutricional e reduções significativas nos impactos ambientais. No entanto, os efeitos variam conforme o perfil de aminoácidos utilizado, a acurácia da formulação e o sistema de produção adotado. A adoção dessa abordagem exige, portanto, uma visão sistêmica que integre exigências nutricionais, viabilidade econômica, disponibilidade de ingredientes e critérios ambientais. O texto também explora dados baseados em modelagens e Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida, que reforçam o potencial das dietas de baixa proteína na transição para uma suinocultura mais eficiente e ambientalmente responsável.

The use of antibiotics in poultry farming has been associated with bacterial resistance in humans, leading to a ban on their inclusion in chicken diets. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effects of probiotics and β-mannanase on the growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens challenged by Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens. For this, 2100 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were used. The treatments were as follows: T1—Negative control (NC) unchallenged birds; T2—Positive control (PC) challenged with E. maxima + C. perfringens; T3—PC + Antibiotic (Enramycin 8%-125 g/ton); T4—PC + β-mannanase (HemicellHT; 300 g/ton); T5—PC + probiotic (ProtexinTM; 150 g/ton); T6—PC + β-mannanase + probiotic. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed from 1 to 42 days in the variables body weight, body weight gain and feed intake, and the NC treatment presented higher values compared to the PC and PC + probiotic groups. The villus/crypt ratio in the duodenum increased in the PC + β-man + prob treatment, differing from the NC, PC and PC + probiotic (p < 0.05) treatments. The use of β-mannanase, probiotics or both together is effective to mitigate the effects of production challenges, through the maintenance of the intestine by modulating action on the cecum microbiome and intestinal morphometry.

(1) Background: This study was performed to evaluate whether the addition of β-mannanase alone or combined with a multi-carbohydrase complex can improve diet digestibility, nutrient and energy metabolism, and the gut health of growing pigs. (2) Methods: Twenty-four pigs (35.56 ± 3.81 kg) were fed a control corn–soybean meal-based diet (no addition) or a control diet with β-mannanase (BM; 300 g/ton) or control diet β-mannanase plus a multi-carbohydrase complex including xylanase, β-glucanase, and arabinofuranosidases (BM + MCC; 300 + 50 g/ton) for 13 days. Total fecal and urine samples were collected from days 6 to 12. The feces samples were collected from all the pigs to determine fecal biomarkers using commercial ELISA tests. Blood samples were collected from all the pigs on day 13 to assess the serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins. All the pigs were euthanized on day 13 for intestinal tissue collection for morphometric analysis. Data were submitted to variance analysis and differences were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05 and a trend for 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10. (3) Results: The addition of BM and BM + MCC resulted in greater dry matter, protein, and energy digestibility coefficients, and protein (2.87% and 2.60%) and energy (2.61% and 1.44%) metabolizability coefficients compared to control (p < 0.05). A greater retention of nitrogen ratio and lower fecal energy were observed in BM and BM + MCC than in the control (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the addition of BM and BM + MCC resulted in lower manure production (29.78 and 49.77%, respectively) and fecal moisture (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The BM addition resulted in a greater villus area and villi height to crypt depth ratio compared to the control (p < 0.05). The addition of BM and BM + MCC diets also reduced the fecal calprotectin levels by 52 and 56% in relation to the control pigs. (4) Conclusions: The use of β-mannanase alone or associated with multi-carbohydrase complex improved nutritional digestibility, nutrient and energy metabolism, and gut health, and reduced the manure production of growing pigs.

Enzyme-supplemented diets can influence the intestinal microbiome in an intricate interplay with the immune system. The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase were investigated on cytokine profile and fecal microbiota in lactating sows (n = 60, 248.4 ± 2.4 kg) assigned in a randomized block design to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a control diet containing xylanase (valorization of 40 kcal of ME/kg diet, CD40), CD40 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg, valorization of 45 kcal ME/kg diet, CD85), and CD40 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg, valorization of 60 kcal ME/kg diet, CD100). Serum cytokines concentrations were determined on day 18 of lactation. On day 21, fecal microbiota composition was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Sows on CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness than CD100 based on the Simpson index. Acutalibacteraceae family was more abundant in sows fed CD100 than CD85 but CAG-508 and NSJ_53 families exhibited higher abundance in sows fed CD85 than CD100. Fimenecus genus exhibited lower abundance in sows on CD85 compared to CD40 or CD100. In conclusion, a diet supplemented with β-mannanase reduced by 85 kcal/kg containing xylanase during lactation can inhibit harmful bacteria, leading to changes in fecal alpha diversity in sows.

This study was conducted to evaluate whether adding β-mannanase alone or in combination with a multi-carbohydrase complex to simple and complex diets could improve diet digestibility, nutrient and energy metabolism, and gut health in weaned pigs. Thirty pigs (7.9 kg ± 0.851 kg) weaned at 28 days were randomly split into a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, considering a simple (corn and soybean meal-based diet) or complex diet (13% point reduction in inclusion of soybean meal, 5% of whey power, and 2.5% of spray-dried plasma compared to the simple diet) and diet without any addition (control) or the addition of β-mannanase (BM; 0.300 g/kg of the diet) or β-mannanase plus a multi-carbohydrase complex blend such as xylanase, β-glucanase, and arabinofuranosidases (BM + MCC; 0.300 + 0.050 g/kg of the diet) for 17 days post-weaned. Total fecal and urine samples were collected on days 11–17. Fecal samples were collected from all pigs to identify fecal biomarkers using commercial ELISA tests. Blood samples were collected from all pigs at the end of the experimental period to assess serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins. All pigs were euthanized on day 18 for intestinal tissue collection. The simple diet had greater (p < 0.05) protein digestibility and metabolizability coefficients than the complex diet. Greater (p < 0.05) energy digestibility and energy metabolizability coefficients were observed in the BM and BM+ MCC compared to the control diet. On average, BM improved by 64 kcal/kg and BM + MCC improved by 100 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy. Furthermore, the addition of BM and BM + MCC to the diets led to lower fecal moisture and fecal output. Moreover, the BM and BM + MCC diets also reduced fecal calprotectin concentrations by 29 and 46%, respectively, compared to control pigs (p < 0.001). We conclude that simple diets are a suitable alternative to complex diets, without compromising the nutrient digestibility and gut health of post-weaned pigs. The addition of exogenous enzymes improves nutrient and energy utilization, as well as the absorption area, and decreases calprotectin concentrations.

Maternal probiotic supplementation has been found to have a positive impact on the gut health of piglets, not only during the lactation period, but also after weaning. Providing probiotics to nursery pigs is also a common strategy for supplementation. The goal of this study was to evaluate which would be the most effective strategy to improve nutrient digestibility, energy metabolism, and intestinal health in weaned pigs considering the maternal or nursery options. A total of 32 newly weaned pigs were randomly split into a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement considering maternal probiotic supplementation (with or without) in gestation-lactation and probiotic supplementation in the nursery period (with or without). After weaning, experimental diets were provided for 22 days. Total fecal and urine collection was performed from day 15 to 21. Blood samples were collected from all pigs on days 3 and 22 of the experiment to assess serum biochemistry and intestinal permeability. All pigs were euthanized on day 22 for intestinal tissue collection. Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had greater (p < 0.05) total tract digestibility of dry matter (+1%) and gross energy (+1.3%), and greater (p < 0.05) metabolizable energy coefficient (+1.3%), which resulted in a 46 kcal/kg increase (p < 0.05) in the metabolizable energy content of the diet. Nitrogen intake (p = 0.035), uptake (p = 0.007), and retention (p = 0.012) were all increased in these pigs. Fecal moisture was reduced in pigs born from probiotic-fed sows and pigs fed the probiotic diet only in the nursery (p < 0.05). Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had reduced intestinal permeability by 16% (p < 0.05), whereas pigs fed the probiotic diet in the nursery only tended to improve this response (p < 0.10). The villus:crypt ratio of pigs born from probiotic-fed sows was greater compared to the control (p < 0.05), while serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were lower (p < 0.05). Pigs born from probiotic-fed sows had increased nutrient digestibility and improved gut health. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementing the sow diets with probiotics rather than just providing diets in the nursery phase is an advantageous strategy.

The intensification of production systems has resulted in detrimental effects on sow welfare, which can have an adverse influence on their offspring. Considering the relevance of the microbiota–gut–brain axis, probiotics can mitigate such impacts. To investigate the effects of the dietary inclusion of probiotics on the welfare of sows and piglets, 147 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group or a group supplemented with a multistrain probiotic from the beginning of pregnancy to the end of lactation. The human–animal relationship (HAR), stereotypic behavior, position changes, salivary cortisol, and plasma serotonin levels were assessed in the sows. The piglets’ back test behavior and organ weight were analyzed. The probiotic-supplemented sows exhibited a better HAR index (p = 0.017), which indicated reduced aversion towards humans. The frequency of stereotypies was not influenced by the treatments. However, the supplemented sows spent more time standing (p = 0.054) and less time lying down (p = 0.008). The cortisol level of the supplemented sows was 50% lower (p = 0.047) and the serotonin levels were 11% higher (p = 0.034) than control animals. The multistrain piglets were more passive and less resistant (p = 0.076) in the back test. The organ weights were not influenced by treatments. In conclusion, the sows supplemented with probiotics showed less fear and more motivation indicators, while their piglets showed less aggression behaviors.

Mannans in feed ingredients can cause a feed-induced immune response (FIIR), resulting in intestinal inflammation. The addition of beta-mannanase can limit this anti-nutritional action, reducing the cost of activating the immune response. In the same way, non-invasive biomarkers are important tools that can provide early diagnosis of low-grade inflammation by mannans. The objective of this study was to assess potential non-invasive biomarkers in nursery pigs reared in different scenarios of low-grade inflammation. Female piglets (n = 396; 6.86 ± 0.9 kg; Large white × Landrace) weaned at 21 days of age were used for this trial. Treatments were organized in a factorial design with two diet types (simple or complex feed formulas containing 25 and 12% of soybean-meal, respectively) and two enzyme supplementation plans (control without supplementation or supplemented with beta-mannanase at 0.4 kg per feed of 1,000 kg Hemicell HT, Elanco Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil). Fecal samples were collected from 10 pigs per treatment at the 21st experimental day. The fecal concentration of calprotectin, neopterin, free fatty acid, lactoferrin, and calcium binding proteins were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. Blood was sampled 6h after oral gavage of FITC-dextran at the 22nd experimental day to access intestinal permeability. The variables were subjected to the normality test (Shapiro-Wilk), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's test. Differences among treatments were considered at 5 and 10% significance levels. Piglets receiving beta-mannanase had reduced fecal levels of calprotectin (-41%; P = 0.048), neopterin (-43%; P = 0.019), and free fatty acid (-34%; P = 0.050) in relation to the control group. A tendency was observed for the reduction of novel lactoferrin (-1%; P = 0.072) and calcium binding proteins (-35%; P = 0.095) when comparing control with supplemented animals. In addition, beta-mannanase supplementation decreased intestinal permeability (-10%; P = 0.053) compared with control treatment. However, there was no effects of diet type or diet by enzyme interactions (P > 0.10). The addition of beta-mannanase in the nursery phase reduced fecal biomarkers associated with gut health inflammation. However, there was no difference between diets indicating a simple diet may be used to reduce diet cost without compromising the intestinal health of the animals.

The present study aimed to evaluate the use of dietary phytogenic additives (DPA) for pigs (nursery, growing, and finishing phases) through a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis. Studies were searched using keywords in English in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science reference search engines. A database containing all relevant information available in the studies was then developed. The selected studies compared the performance parameters of pigs fed control diets with or without antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) with those fed diets containing phytogenic additives. The meta-analysis was carried out following three sequential analyses: graphic, correlation, and variance-covariance. The database included 104 studies. A wide variety of compounds was evaluated in the selected studies, as most of them tested product blends. The most frequently phytogenic additives tested individually were oregano and garlic. However, neither influenced the analyzed performance parameters compared with the control treatments (with or without AGP). Phytogenic additives linearly reduced (P<0.01) weight gain and feed efficiency when lysine intake was higher than the requirements, i.e., their effects were more significant when the experimental diets were deficient in lysine. Other methodological limitations are listed, particularly the absence of essential details about the methodology and treatments in the experimental design, and few studies included health challenges. In summary, further studies in this field are needed; however, future trials should test the synergistic effects of phytogenic additives (experimental designs including individual and combined compounds), as well as their dose-response in pig performance.

Abstract The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase were investigated on performance, fecal score, carcass attributes, blood profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, and fecal microbiome in grower pigs (n = 40, 26.09 ± 0.96 kg) randomly assigned within 4 treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100). Performance was supported. Pigs with CD100 had lower serum IL-1β concentration, and lower IL-10 was observed in pigs on CD0 than those fed β-mannanase. Greater ATTD was evidenced in animals fed CD85 or CD100. Pigs with CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness but lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio. Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae were more abundant in pigs fed CD0, but lower for Christensenellaceae NSJ-63 and NSJ-63 sp014384805. Pigs in CD85 showed higher abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Prevotella, and lower of Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus. In conclusion, supplementation of β-mannanase in diets containing xylanase-phytase saved 85 kcal of ME/kg by supporting performance, improving nutrient digestibility and fecal microbiome in grower pigs.

The purpose of this study was to determine if adding β-mannanase to the diet can improve the quality of storage eggs from laying hens. Lightweight laying hens (36 weeks old), housed in cages with four birds each, were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: control group (diet without additives), or birds fed with 300 g/ton of β-mannanase. The experiment was carried out on a commercial farm (14 thousand birds). The study took 84 days to be completed, and each of its three productive phases lasted 28 days. On the final day of each phase, 125 eggs were randomly collected. The quality of the fresh eggs was assessed, and after each storage interval, the remaining eggs were kept and randomly divided to evaluate their quality (7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days). Analysis of variance was used to compare means considering differences at 5 and 10%. When compared to the control group, β-mannanase was able to prevent the loss of egg weight and albumen weight during storage (p < 0.05). Yolk color (palette) also improved by 2.5% (p < 0.001), while lightness, red intensity, and yellow intensity all increased in comparison to the control group by 1.9% (p < 0.001), 7.7% (p < 0.001), and 4.10% (p < 0.001). Additionally, compared to the control treatment, β-mannanase was able to lower the yolk pH and TBARS levels by 2.4% (p < 0.001). As a result, adding β-mannanase to laying hen diets is a successful method for enhancing egg quality.

The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase were investigated on growth performance, fecal score, ultra-sounded backfat thickness and loin depth, blood profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, and fecal microbiome in grower pigs (n = 40, 26.09 ± 0.96 kg) randomly assigned within 4 treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100). Growth performance was not affected in pigs fed ME-reduced diets containing β-mannanase. Pigs with CD100 had lower serum IL-1β concentration, and higher IL-10 was observed in pigs on CD0 than those fed β-mannanase. Coefficients of ATTD, and ATTD of DM and CP were higher in animals fed CD85 or CD100. Pigs with CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness but lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio. Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae were more abundant in pigs fed CD0, but lower for Christensenellaceae NSJ-63 and NSJ-63 sp014384805. Pigs in CD85 showed higher Bacteroidaceae and Prevotella abundance, and lower for Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus. In conclusion, supplementation of β-mannanase in diets containing xylanase-phytase saved 85 to 100 kcal of ME/kg by supporting growth performance and improving nutrient digestibility in grower pigs.

This study aimed to assess the effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase on performance, fecal score, blood biochemical and immunological profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, fecal microbiome, carcass traits and meat quality in finisher pigs (n = 40 entire male hybrid, 26.0 ± 0.9 kg) randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100), with 10 pen replicates. Pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater ADFI. However, pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.009) lower G:F than those provided CD70 or CD85 diets. A greater (P < 0.001) superoxide dismutase concentration was observed in pigs fed CD70 diet. Pigs fed CD85 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater digestible protein than pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets. Pigs fed CD70 diet showed an increase of 11.3% in digestible protein than those fed CD0 diet. In addition, greater (P < 0.001) digestible energy was observed in pigs fed CD85 diet. Pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets showed greater (P < 0.05) Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio than those fed CD85 diet. The Muribaculaceae was more abundant (P = 0.030) in pigs fed CD70 diet than in those fed CD0 diet. The Prevotella was more abundant (P = 0.045) in pigs fed CD85 diet than in those fed CD100 diet. In conclusion, β-mannanase supplementation in diets containing xylanase-phytase allows reducing 85 kcal of ME/kg because it improves gain to feed ratio, energy and protein usage, and backfat thickness without metabolic and intestinal ecosystem disorders in finisher pigs.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of β-mannanase and probiotic on the performance, serum biochemistry, gut morphometric traits, and fresh egg quality of laying hens. A total of 120 cages, housing light-weight laying hens (36 weeks old), were randomly assigned to four different treatments. These treatments included a control group fed non-supplemented diets; diets supplemented with 300 g/ton of beta-mannanase; diets supplemented with 50 g/ton of probiotic; or diets containing both 300 g/ton of β-mannanase and 50 g/ton of probiotics. The trial spanned a duration of 26 weeks and was divided into three productive phases, each lasting 28 days. The inclusion of β-mannanase resulted in a significant improvement in the laying rate by 11% (p < 0.05) compared to the control treatment. Similarly, the addition of probiotics also enhanced the laying rate by 7% (p < 0.05), as well as the supplementation with combined additives (11.5%). Combined additives showed an increase in egg masses, and additive association improved by 13.9% (p < 0.001) in contrast to the control treatment. Overall, β-mannanase and combined additives used during the supplementation period resulted in improvements in the weight of fresh eggs. These benefits were observed after a period of 14 weeks without supplementation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the serum biochemistry and egg masses of birds that were fed diets containing both additives (β-mannanase + probiotics) compared to the control group. Parameters such as uric acid, total cholesterol, and triglycerides displayed notable variations. The villi height: crypt depth showed differences with combined additives (β-mannanase + probiotics). The β-mannanase improved specific gravity, yolk height, length, and pH, and yolk color traits compared to the control treatment. The use of probiotics helped to improve yolk height, pH, and color score. Besides, combined additives (β-mannanase + probiotics) improve yolk height, length, weight, pH, and better traits in yolk color. Hence, incorporating β-mannanase and probiotics into laying hen diets proves to be a highly effective strategy for enhancing laying rate and overall health status, while simultaneously elevating certain quality attributes of fresh eggs.