Effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on growth performance,carcass trait,meat quality,and plasma metabolites in pigs of different genotypes

Background： The protein/energy ratio is important for the production performance and utilization of available feed resources by animals. Increased protein consumption by mammals leads to elevated feed costs and increased nitrogen release into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and plasma metabolites of pigs of different genotypes. Methods： Bama mini-pigs and Landrace pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups （Chinese conventional diet with low protein/energy ratio or National Research Council diet with high protein/energy ratio; n = 24 per treatment） in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Blood and muscle samples were collected at the end of the nursery, growing, and finishing phases. Results： We observed significant interactions （P 〈 0.05） between breed and diet for total fat percentage, intramuscular fat （IMF） content, protein content in biceps femoris （BF） muscle, and plasma urea nitrogen （UN） concentration in the nursery phase; for average daily gain （ADG）, average daily feed intake （ADFI）, dry matter, IMF content in psoas major （PM） muscle, and plasma total protein and albumin concentrations in the growing phase; and for drip loss and plasma UN concentration in the finishing phase. Breed influenced （P 〈 0.05） growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality, but not plasma metabolites. Throughout the trial, Landrace pigs showed significantly higher （P 〈 0.0_5） ADG, ADFI, dressing percentage, lean mass rate, and loin-eye area than did Bama mini-pigs, but significantly lower （P 〈 0.0.5） feed/gain ratio, fat percentage, backfat thickness, and IMF content. Dietary protein/energy ratio influenced the pH value, chemical composition of BF and PM muscles, and plasma activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and plasma concentration of UN. Conclusions： Compared with Landrace pigs, Bama mini-pigs showed slower growth and lower carcass performance, but had better meat quality. Moreover, unlike Landrace pigs, the dietary protein/energy ratio did not affect the growth performance of Bama mini-pigs. These results suggest that, in swine production, low dietary protein/energy ratio may be useful for reducing feed costs and minimizing the adverse effects of ammonia release into the environment.

Intestinal tryptophan metabolism in disease prevention and swine production

Tryptophan(Trp)is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by animals.It has been characterized into two different isomers,levorotation-Trp(L-Trp)and dextrorotation-Trp(D-Trp),based on their distinct molecule orientation.Intestinal epithelial cells and gut microbiota are involved in metabolizing L-Trp in the gut via the activation of the kynurenine,serotonin,and indole pathways.However,knowledge regarding D-Trp metabolism in the gut remains unclear.In this review,we briefly update the current understanding of intestinal L/D-Trp metabolism and the function of their metabolites in modulating the gut physiology and diseases.Finally,we summarize the effects of Trp nutrition on swine production at different stages,including growth performance in weaned piglets and growing pigs,as well as the reproduction performance in sows.

Exploring polyamines:Functions in embryo/fetal development

Polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine, spermine and agmatine are aliphatic polycationic compounds present in all living cells, and are derived from amino acids, intestinal bacteria, exfoliated enterocytes and supported from diet. Polyamines as the key compounds play essential role in cell proliferation, growth and differentiation. They also exert significant effects on embryonic development,implantation, embryonic diapause, placentation, angiogensis and fetal development. This review paper summarizes the functions of polyamines and embryo/fetus development and its regulatory mechanism which should help to provide some evidences for clinic.

Dietary glutamine,glutamate,and aspartate supplementation improves hepatic lipid metabolism in post-weaning piglets

A previous study has demonstrated that early weaning significantly suppressed hepatic glucose metabolism in piglets.Glutamate(Glu),aspartate(Asp)and glutamine(Gln)are major metabolic fuels for the small intestine and can alleviate weaning stress,and therefore might improve hepatic energy metabolism.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of Glu,Asp and Gln on the expression of hepatic genes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism in post-weaning piglets.Thirty-six weaned piglets were assigned to the following treatments:control diet(Control;basal diet+15.90 g/kg alanine);Asp,Gln and Glu-supplemented diet(Control+AA;basal diet+1.00 g/kg Asp+5.00 g/kg Glu+10.00 g/kg Gln);and the energy-restricted diet supplemented with Asp,Gln and Glu(Energy^-+AA;energy deficient diet+1.00 g/kg Asp+5.00 g/kg Glu+10.00 g/kg Gln),Liver samples were obtained on d 5 and 21 post-weaning.Piglets fed Energy^-+AA diet had higher liver mRNA abundances of acyl-CoA oxidase 1(ACOX1),succinate dehydrogenase(SDH),mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)and sirtuin 1(SIRT1),as well as higher protein expression of serine/threonine protein kinase 11(LKB1),phosphor-acetyl-CoA carboxylase(P-ACC)and SIRT1 compared with piglets fed control diet(P<0.05)on d 5 post-weaning.Control+AA diet increased liver malic enzyme 1(ME1)and SIRT1 mRNA levels,as well as protein expression of LKBl and P-ACC on d 5 post-weaning(P<0.05).On d 21 post-weaning,compared to control group,Glu,Gln and Asp supplementation up-regulated the mRNA levels of ACOX1,ME1 and SIRT1(P<0.05).These findings indicated that dietary Glu,Gln and Asp supplementation could improve hepatic lipid metabolism to some extent,which may provide nutritional intervention for the insufficient energy intake after weaning in piglets.

Regulatory role of L-proline in fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation

L-proline(Pro)is a precursor of ornithine,which is converted into polyamines via ornithine decarboxylase(ODC).Polyamines plays a key role in the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.The study investigated the effect of Pro on polyamine metabolism and cell proliferation on porcine enterocytes in vivo and in vitro.Twenty-four Huanjiang mini-pigs were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups and fed a basal diet that contained 0.77%alanine(Ala,iso-nitrogenous control),1%Pro or 1%Pro+0.0167%α-difluoromethylornithine(DFMO)from d 15 to 70 of gestation.The fetal body weight and number of fetuses per litter were determined,and the small and large intestines were obtained on d 70±1.78 of gestation.The in vitro study was performed in intestinal porcine epithelial(IPEC-J2)cells cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium-high glucose(DMEM-H)containing 0μmol/L Pro,400μmol/L Pro,or400μmol/L Pro+10 mmol/L DFMO for 4 d.The results showed that maternal dietary supplementation with 1%Pro increased fetal weight;the protein and DNA concentrations of the fetal small intestine;and mRNA levels for potassium voltage-gated channel,shaker-related subfamily,member 1(Kv1.1)in the fetal small and large intestines(P<0.05).Supplementing Pro to either gilts or IPEC-J2 cells increased ODC protein abundances and polyamine concentrations in the fetal intestines and IPEC-J2 cells(P<0.05).In comparison with the Pro group,the combined administration of Pro and DFMO reduced the expression of ODC protein and spermine concentration in the fetal intestine,as well as the concentrations of putrescine,spermidine and spermine in IPEC-J2 cells(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the percentage of cells in the S-phase and the mRNA levels of proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc were increased in response to Pro supplementation,whereas depletion of cellular polyamines with DFMO increased tumor protein p53(p53)mRNA levels(P<0.05).Taken together,dietary supplementation with Pro improved fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation via enhancing polyamine synthesis.

4-Phenylbutyric acid accelerates rehabilitation of barrier function in IPEC-J2 cell monolayer model

As the first line of defence against pathogens and endotoxins crossing the intestine-blood barrier,the intestinal epithelial barrier plays a determinant role in pigs’health and growth.4-Phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA),an aromatic fatty acid,was reported to benefit homeostasis of endoplasmic reticulum and protein synthesis.However,whether 4-PBA affects intestinal epithelial barrier function in pigs is unknown.This study aimed to explore the effects of 4-PBA on the intestinal barrier function,using in vitro models of well-differentiated intestinal porcine epithelial cell(IPEC-J2)monolayers in the transwell plates.Cell monolayers with or without 4-PBA(1.0 mmol/L)treatment were challenged with physical scratch,deoxynivalenol(DON,2.0μg/mL,48 h),and lipopolysaccharide(LPS,5.0μg/mL,48 h),respectively.Transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran(FD-4)permeability were measured to indicate barrier integrity and permeability.Real-time PCR and Western blot were conducted to determine relative gene and protein expressions of tight junction proteins.As expected,physical scratch,DON,and LPS challenges decreased TEER and increased FD-4 permeability.4-PBA treatment accelerated cell mitigation and rehabilitation of the physical scratch-damaged intestinal epithelial barrier but did not alleviate DON or LPS induced barrier damage.However,once 48-h DON and LPS challenges were removed,rehabilitation of the epithelial barrier function of IPEC-J2 monolayer was accelerated by the 4-PBA treatment.Also,the relative gene and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),occludin,and claudin-1 were further upregulated by the 4-PBA treatment during the barrier rehabilitation.Taken together,4-PBA accelerated the IPEC-J2 cell monolayer barrier recovering from physical scratch,DON-,and LPS-induced damage,via enhancing cell mitigation and expressions of tight junction proteins.