Spray-dried porcine plasma improves piglets’ performance and modulates gut immune-related genes in the first week postweaning

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in pre-starter feed of piglets on performance, fecal consistency, gut integrity biomarkers, and gene expression patterns related to intestinal function. Methods: Ninety piglets (18 pens; 5 pigs/pen; 8.16±1.29 kg initial body weight) were offered pre-starter feed with either soy protein concentrate (control) or SDPP for 14 d postweaning, and a common commercial starter feed between 14 and 35 d. Pigs’ performance was recorded at 0, 7, 14 and 35 d of trial and their fecal consistency was assessed on the first 2 weeks. At 7 d, one piglet per pen (18 in total) was sampled for blood, intestinal mucosa, and bile. Blood serum calprotectin and citrulline and bile sIgA were quantified with ELISA, and gene expression in the mucosa from ileum, jejunum, and caecum was analyzed with high-throughput microfluidic technology. Results: Relative to control, SDPP improved feed intake (215 vs 280 g/d; p<0.05), weight gain (133 vs. 205 g/d; p<0.05) and gain-to-feed ratio (0.61 vs. 0.74; p<0.05) between d 0 to 7. Serum calprotectin and citrulline, and bile sIgA at d 7 were not affected. Piglets fed SDPP had higher expressions of IL-1β (p = 0.033) in jejunal mucosa, and of IL-1β (p = 0.018), IL-8/CXCL8 (p = 0.010), GBP1 (p = 0.014) and TGF-β1 (p = 0.015) in ileal mucosa, at 7 d post-weaning. No effects on fecal scores were observed. Conclusion: It is concluded that the administration of SDPP during the pre-starter phase improves piglet’s performance during the first week post-weaning. These SDPP associated benefits appear to have been achieved through the modulation of gut homeostasis, potentially involving the regulation of inflammatory factors in the small intestinal mucosa.