Impacts of replacing soybean meal with processed soybean meal on intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs challenged with F18+ Escherichia coli.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different level of soybean meal (SBM) replaced by soy protein concentrate on intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs under F18+ Escherichia. coli (E. coli).

Methods: Forty-eight newly weaned pigs (6.6 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments arranged by 2 × 2 factors using randomized complete block design with initial body weight and sex as blocks. Two factors were F18+ E. coli challenge (0 or 2.1 × 1010 CFU) and the level of SBM (24% or 12% in phase 1 and 26% or 14% in phase 2). Pigs were fed for 25 d in 2 phases (phase 1 for 11 d and phase 2 for 14 d). At the end of study, all pigs were euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa and tissues to measure parameters related to intestinal health. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure in SAS.

Results: The F18+ E. coli challenge decreased (p<0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and decreased (p<0.05) gain to feed ratio on d 7 to 11. The High SBM tended to have a greater overall ADG (p=0.054) and ADFI (p=0.078) compared with low SBM under F18+ E. coli challenge, but not in unchallenged conditions. The F18+ E. coli challenge increased (p<0.05) fecal score on d 7 to 18. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1β in jejunal mucosa were decreased (p<0.05) in High SBM treatments. The High SBM tended to increase (p=0.085) occludin expression in jejunum. High SBM increased crypt depth in jejunum under F18+ E. coli challenge, but not in unchallenged conditions (p<0.05).

Conclusion: High SBM in nursery diets could alleviate the detrimental effects of F18+ E. coli challenge on growth performance of pigs under compared to low SBM inclusion, which might be attributed to decreased intestinal inflammation and improved intestinal integrity.