ABSTRACT The intestinal gene expression of RelA/p65 (NF-κB), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and Na+/dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) were evaluated in response to benzoic acid, yeast culture, L-glutamine, and oregano essential oil, using an ex vivo model. Six piglets weighing approximately 20 kg each were sacrificed, and their jejunum was collected and segmented into five 2-cm explants. Each explant was immersed in cell culture medium according to one of the following treatments: control (without additive), 0.5% benzoic acid, 1% yeast culture, 1% L-glutamine, and 0.015% oregano oil. Gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR. Yeast culture up-regulated the gene expression of RelA/p65, IGF-1, GLUT2, and SGLT1 in comparison with control. In addition, jejunal exposure to L-glutamine and oregano oil increased mRNA levels of GLUT2 compared with the control treatment. Exposure to oregano oil increased intestinal SGLT1 gene expression, while benzoic acid reduced SGLT1 expression compared with the control. Feed additives can differently modulate the gene expression of immune response, gut development, and glucose absorption in jejunal explants. These findings can contribute for a better understanding of the trophic action of these feed additives into the diets to optimize animal performance.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar o uso de programas de luz sobre o desempenho, concentração plasmática de melatonina e comportamento de suínos em fase de terminação. O experimento foi conduzido no setor de suinocultura da UFLA, utilizando-se 32 suínos em fase de terminação, por 48 dias. Os animais foram alojados em grupos de dois em cada baia (unidade experimental), distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, de acordo com o peso inicial com quatro tratamentos e quatro blocos. Foram utilizados quatro programas de luz (tratamentos), sendo T1: luz natural (LN); T2: 15 horas de luz e nove de escuro por dia (15L: 9E); T3: 19 horas de luz por dia (19L: 5E); T4: 23 horas de luz por dia (23L: 1E). As variáveis analisadas foram o desempenho (consumo de ração médio diário, ganho de peso médio diário e conversão alimentar), concentração plasmática de melatonina e o comportamento (bebendo, fuçando, ócio e comendo). A alteração no fotoperíodo não alterou o desempenho ou a concentração plasmática de melatonina nos suínos. As variáveis comportamentais “fuçando”, “comendo”, “bebendo”, não diferiram em nenhum dos períodos estudados, porém o comportamento ócio foi mais ocorrente nos suínos que receberam 15 horas de luz. O aumento no fotoperíodo não permitiu expressivas alterações de desempenho ou de comportamento dos animais.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of lighting programs on performance, plasma concentration of melatonin and behavior of finishing pigs. The experiment was conducted in the pig farming sector UFLA, using 32 pigs in the finishing phase, for 48 days. The animals were housed in groups of two in each pen (experimental unit), distributed in a randomized block design, according to the initial weight. Four light periods were used (treatments): T1: natural light (LN); T2: 15 hours of light and dark by day nine (15L: 9E); T3: 19 hours light per day (19L: 5E); T4: 23 hours of light per day (23L: 1D). The variables analyzed were the performance (average daily feed consumption, average daily gain weight and feed conversion), the plasma concentrations of melatonin and the behavior (drinking, sniffing, leisure and eating). The change in photoperiod did not affect performance or melatonin concentration in pigs. The behavioral variables "digging", "eating", "drinking", did not differ in any of the periods studied, but leisure behavior was more occurring to the pigs receiving 15 hours of light. The increase in photoperiod showed no significant changes in performance or behavior of the animals.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a adição do prebiótico mananoligossacarídeo (MOS 0,2%), probiótico (Bacillus subtilis 30g/tonelada) e antibiótico (bacitracina de zinco 125g/tonelada) em rações para leitões na fase de creche. Utilizaram-se 80 leitões (Danbread x Agroceres), sendo 40 machos e 40 fêmeas, com peso inicial de 7,1±0,0175kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições: 1 - controle; 2 - prebiótico; 3 - probióticos; e 4 - antibiótico. As variáveis avaliadas foram ganho de peso diário (GPD), consumo de ração diário (CRD), conversão alimentar (CA), consistência fecal e leucometria global. Aos 43 dias de idade, os animais apresentaram o mesmo ganho de peso (P>0,05), porém, a dieta contendo prebiótico aumentou o consumo (P>0,05); a conversão alimentar foi melhor na dieta controle (P<0,05). No período de 54 dias de idade dos animais, não houve diferença para ganho de peso diário (P>0,05), consumo de ração diário (P>0,05) e conversão alimentar (P>0,05). Não houve diferença para consistência fecal (P>0,05). O número de leucócitos aumentou aos 32 dias de idade, quando as dietas contendo prebióticos e probióticos foram utilizadas (P>0,05). A ração contendo prebiótico aumentou o número de monócitos (P<0,05) e a dieta contendo antibiótico proporcionou maior número de basófilos (P<0,05), aos 36 dias de idade dos animais; o número de linfócitos não foi alterado pelas dietas experimentais (P>0,05). As dietas não promoveram alterações nas imunoglobulinas IgA, IgM e IgG (P>0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de prebióticos, probióticos e antibióticos não influenciou o desempenho dos animais dos 22 aos 54 dias de idade.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of the prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide (MOS 0.2%), probiotic (Bacillus subtilis30g/ton) and antibiotic (Bacitracin zinc 125g/ton) to piglets' feed in the post-weaning phase. Eighty (Danbread x Agroceres) pigs were used, that is, 40 males and 40 females, with initial weight of 7.1 ± 0.0175 kg. A randomized block design was used with four treatments and five replicates: 1 - Control; 2 - Prebiotic; 3 - Probiotic; 4 - Antibiotic. The variables evaluated were average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion (FC) fecal consistency and leukocyte count. At 43 days of age, the animals presented the same weight gain (P> 0.05); however, there was increased intake of the diet containing prebiotic (P> 0.05), and feed conversion was better for control diet (P <0 05). In the period of 54 days of age of the animals, there were no differences in daily weight gain (P> 0.05), daily feed intake (P> 0.05) and feed conversion (P> 0.05), and also no differences in fecal consistency (P> 0.05). The number of leukocytes increased at 32 days of age when the diets containing prebiotics and probiotics were used (P> 0.05). The diet containing prebiotics increased the number of monocytes (P <0.05), and the diet containing antibiotic provided greater number of basophiles (P <0.05) at 36 days of age. The number of lymphocytes was not altered by the experimental diets (P> 0.05), the diets promoted no changes in the immunoglobulins IgA, IgM and IgG (P> 0.05). The use of prebiotics, probiotics and antibiotics did not influence the animals' performance from 22 to 54 days of age.

ResumoO objetivo com este trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça de suínos na fase de terminação de machos castrados e fêmeas, recebendo dietas contendo diferentes níveis de ractopamina. Foram utilizados 60 animais, com peso inicial de 84,27 ± 2,26kg, aleatoriamente distribuídos para uma das seis dietas experimentais compostas por diferentes níveis de ractopamina (zero; três; seis; nove; 12 e 15ppm) e cinco repetições por tratamento. Ao final do período experimental, foi avaliado o efeito dos diferentes níveis de ractopamina sobre o peso final (PF), consumo de ração médio diário (CRMD), ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD), conversão alimentar (CA) e rendimento de carcaça. Observou-se aumento linear (P<0,05) para peso final e ganho de peso médio diário, à medida que houve aumento dos níveis de ractopamina. Para a conversão alimentar (P<0,05), evidenciou-se decréscimo de 25,50% nos animais que receberam 15ppm de ractopamina na dieta. Para o consumo de ração médio diário e rendimento de carcaça, não foram observados efeitos significativos (P>0,05). A adição de ractopamina na dieta de suínos machos castrados e fêmeas em terminação proporcionou melhor desempenho aos animais, promovendo melhoras nos parâmetros produtivos.

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of finishing castrated males and females pigs, supplemented with diets containing different levels of ractopamine. Sixty animals were used, with initial body weight of 84.27 ± 2.26kg, distributed in a randomized block design, consisting of six levels of ractopamine (0; 3; 6; 9; 12 and 15ppm) and five repetitions per treatment. At the end of the trial period, it was evaluated the effect of different levels of ractopamine on the final body weight (FW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG), feed conversion (FC) and carcass yield. It was observed a linear increase (P<0,05) in the levels of ractopamine for final weight, as well as for the average daily weight gain. For feed conversion (P<0,05), it was evident a decrease of 25.50% in animals supplemented with 15ppm of ractopamine in the diet. For average daily feed intake and carcass yield there was no significant effect (P>0,05). The supplementation with ractopamine in the diet of finishing castrated males and females pigs, provides greater performance to the animals, improving production yield.

O objetivo do estudo foi determinar os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) aparente da glicerina bruta de biodiesel à base de gordura suína para suínos em terminação. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de quatro níveis de glicerina bruta (0, 5, 10 e 15%) a partir de uma dieta basal. Doze suínos foram alojados individualmente em gaiolas metabólicas e foram realizadas coletas de urina e fezes durante quatro dias. Foi determinada a energia bruta (EB) da glicerina bruta, das dietas, da urina e das amostras de fezes de cada animal. A glicerina bruta apresentou 74,74% de glicerina e 6.500 kcal de energia bruta kg-1. Os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) foram estimados por diferença, em que o conteúdo ED e EM da dieta basal foram subtraídos das dietas contendo o ingrediente teste. A quantidade de EB, ED e EM para suínos em terminação foi de 6.500, 5.839 e 5.509 kcal kg-1, respectivamente, com um coeficiente de 91,0% de ED e 94,0% de EM. A energia da glicerina bruta é baseada nos níveis de ácidos graxos e a EB depende da concentração de ácidos graxos e glicerina, sendo a EM um percentual da EB variando na média de 84,75%.

The aim of this study was to determine the values of apparent digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) for crude glycerin derived of biodiesel based on pork fat for finishing pigs. The diets consisted of a basal diet and four levels of crude glycerin (0, 5, 10 and 15%). Twelve pigs were housed individually in metabolic cages and after seven days of adaptation, total collections of urine and feces for four consecutive days were performed. Gross energy (GE) of crude glycerin, diets, urine and fecal samples from each animal was determined. The crude glycerin used in this experiment presented 74.74% glycerin and 6,500 kcal kg-1 gross energy. The values of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) were estimated by difference in the DE, and content of the basal diet was subtracted from the test diets containing the ingredient. The amount of GE, DE and ME for finishing pigs was 6,500, 5,839 and 5,509 kcal kg-1, respectively, with a coefficient of 91.0% of DE and 94.0% of ME. The energy of crude glycerin is based on the levels of fatty acids and GE depends on the concentration of fatty acids and glycerin, ME being a percentage of GE averaging is 84.75%.

A utilização de antimicrobianos melhoradores de desempenho na criação de frangos de corte é uma prática comum na indústria avícola e, no Brasil, seu uso deve ser feito de acordo com os limites determinados pelo Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA).Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho determinar o efeito da utilização da bacitracina de zinco, dentro dos níveis recomendados pelo Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), em dietas para frangos de corte sobre o desempenho de aves e criadas de 1 a 42 dias de idade. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 5 tratamentos, distribuídos em 10 repetições de 25 pintos machos de corte da linhagem Cobb 500®, totalizando 1250 aves. Os tratamentos experimentais foram constituídos de cinco níveis de inclusão de bacitracina de zinco (0, 10, 25, 40 e 55ppm). As variáveis analisadas foram consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e avaliação econômica das dietas. Para o período total de criação, avaliou-se também a viabilidade dos frangos de corte. A bacitracina de zinco foi eficiente como beneficiador do desempenho de frangos de corte criados no período de 1 a 21, 1 a 35 e 1 a 42 dias. Para o período de 1 a 21 dias, o uso de 55 e 29,3ppm de bacitracina de zinco resultou em menor consumo de ração e maior ganho de peso, respectivamente. No geral, a melhor conversão alimentar foi obtida quando se adicionou 55ppm de bacitracina de zinco na ração de frangos de corte.

The use of growth promoters in the broilers production is a common practice in the poultry industry and its use must be made accordance with limits in Brazil set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA).The main objective of this study was to verify the effect of the use of zinc bacitracin, within the levels recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), in broiler diets for the performance of birds from 1 to 42 days old. We used a randomized design with five treatments in 10 replications of 25 male chicks from Cobb cut 500®, totaling 1250 birds. The treatments consisted of five inclusion levels of zinc bacitracin (0, 10, 25, 40 and 55ppm). The variables studied were feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and economic evaluation of feed. For the breeding period as a whole, this study also evaluated the viability of broilers. Zinc bacitracin was effective as growth promoter of broilers reared during 1 to 21, 1 to 35 and 1 to 42 days. For the period 1-21 days, using 55 and 29.3ppm of zinc bacitracin resulted in a lower feed intake and increased weight gain, respectively. In general, the best feed conversion was obtained when 55ppm of zinc bacitracin was added to the feed of broilers.

This study evaluated the effect of ractopamine (RAC) on the performance of finishing pigs and the meat quality of these animals. Seventy crossbred pigs (35 barrows and 35 females) selected for high gain of lean meat, with initial weight of 77.1±0.32 kg were distributed in randomized blocks with five treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm RAC in the diet) and seven replications during 28 days. The experimental unit was represented by a male and a female pig. Regarding the performance variables, there was a linear increase in final weight with increasing levels of RAC, as well as in average daily weight gain. An improvement in feed conversion was observed for animals fed RAC, and the optimal level - estimated by the LRP model - was ~ 5 ppm. For feed intake, no significant effect on intake of digestible lysine and energy intake was observed. Carcass yield responses increased linearly with the RAC dose. Ash content, color component b* and loss drip linearly decreased with increasing doses of RAC. There was also a significant difference in the percentage of ether extract and crude protein in the loin, and treatment with 20 ppm RAC showed a lower amount of protein and larger amounts of lipids. Moisture content, color component L*, weight loss by cooking and defrosting, shear force and pH were not affected by the treatment. Concerning the lipid oxidation, there was no effect of RAC on the concentration of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) under cooling and under freezing. Thus, all ractopamine levels improve performance compared with control and do not negatively affect the quality of fresh, chilled or frozen pig meat.

The aim of this article was to evaluate the in vivo mechanism of action through which ractopamine reduces the amount of adipose tissue in carcass of animals fed diets supplemented with this drug. Literature search was carried out, using the keywords Ractopamine, lipogenesis, lipolysis, fatty acid and adipose tissue. The scoring system was designed for the adequacy of the methodology. A total of eight papers were found - all published in the English language. The determination of lipolysis and lipogenesis was carried out using different methods - from the quantification of non-esterified fatty acids in the blood to molecular analyses of adipose tissue. The review analysis suggested that, at least in the pigs, the use of this drug reduced lipid deposition in the carcass due to a greater inhibition of lipogenesis than an increase in lipolysis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reducing the crude protein (CP) with the use of amino acids in diets with the same amount of calories anddifferent levels of soybean oil (SO) for finishing pigs kept in two different ambient temperatures. A total of 120 barrows (initial weight of 68.0±1.9 kg) were utilized for the experiment. The design was of randomized blocks in a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (two levels of CP, 16.2 and 13.7%; three levels of SO, 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5%; and two ambient temperatures, 19 and 31 ºC), totaling twelve treatments with five replicates for thirty days. The heat reduced feed intake (FI) of the animals, regardless of the levels of CP and SO used, and reduced weight gain (WG) in diets with reduced CP and SO or higher SO. The increased level of CP and SO improved feed conversion (FC) when the animals were kept in thermoneutral environment and given a diet with higher protein content. The reduction in CP increased FI only in the thermoneutral environment. In the heat, WG increased in diets with higher levels of SO, without influencing FC. The manipulation of diet and temperature did not affect most carcass traits. The SO reduced backfat thickness (BT) only in diets with high CP and animals kept in thermoneutral environment. The reduction of CP increased the BT only in diets with high content of SO, both in hot and thermoneutral environments. Heat reduces FI and the inclusion of SO does not improve performance or carcass characteristics in these conditions. The reduction in CP improves WG only in diets with high oil content; however, it increases BT. In thermoneutral environment, increasing the SO is beneficial for performance and carcass characteristics, except when diets with reduced CP are used. The reduction in CP improves performance only in diets with low oil content.

Performance and carcass and cut yield of finishing pigs of three sexual categories fed diets with different levels of ractopamine were studied. Forty-eight hybrid animals (initial weight of 92.1±2.4 kg) were distributed in a completely randomised design in 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three sexual categories: surgically castrated males, two females and immunologically castrated males - with or without 10 ppm of ractopamine), totalling six treatments and eight repetitions with one animal per experimental plot during 28 days. Ractopamine improved weight gain and feed conversion of all sexual categories. The best results were obtained with immunologically castrated males, which, in turn, had lower carcass yield and backfat thickness in the belly. In the absence of ractopamine, depth and loin eye area were higher in females but no differences in these variables were observed between categories when this additive was used. Ractopamine increased the sirloin yield in all sexual categories. There was no difference in bonus index. Ractopamine improves the performance of pigs of 92 to 125 kg. Immunologically castrated males have the best performance responses to ractopamine, but with losses in carcass yield, loin characteristics and backfat thickness of the belly.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of piglets in the nursery phase submitted to activation of immune system with vaccine against Haemophilus parasuis and to different levels of metabolizable energy in the diets. It was used 160 barrows and females at 30 days of age, weaned at 23 days of age, with initial weight of 7.97 ± 0.54 kg, distributed in 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (with vaccination and without vaccination with four levels of metabolizable energy - 3,200; 3,300; 3,400 and 3,500 kcal/kg). Each combination was evaluated with five repetitions of four animals per experimental plot (two males and two females). Energy levels reduced linearly the intake, feed conversion and the total number of leukocytes in blood in the experimental period, regardless of the use of vaccine which in turn reduced daily average weight gain only in the first week after second application and it increased the number of limonocytes and spleen weight after three weeks. There was no difference in the C-reactive protein quantity in the blood in the periods when it was evaluated. The use of vaccine reduces performance immediatelly after its application but after it occurs recovery of performance with changes in the number of monocytes and spleen weight. Dietary energy levels do not smooth this reduction in the performance, but they influence intake, feed conversion and blood parameters in the total period of use.

Objetivou-se determinar a composição química e energética da espirulina (Spirulina platensis), os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes e os valores de energia metabolizável aparente (EMA) e aparente corrigida pelo balanço de nitrogênio (EMAn) em frangos de corte. Realizou-se um ensaio de digestibilidade utilizando-se a metodologia de coleta total de excretas com 90 pintos machos da linhagem Cobb 500, com peso inicial de 256 ± 5 g aos 11 dias de idade. As aves foram alojadas em gaiolas de metabolismo durante dez dias, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e seis repetições, cada uma com cinco aves. As dietas consistiram de uma ração-referência formulada à base de milho e farelo de soja e duas rações-teste, uma contendo espirulina (30%) e outra com farelo de soja (30%). A espirulina foi superior ao farelo de soja quanto aos conteúdos de matéria seca, energia bruta (9,60%), proteína bruta (26,56%), extrato etéreo (54,45%), matéria mineral (42,77%), cálcio (100%) e fósforo total (130,77%) e também para a maioria dos aminoácidos, exceto lisina, glutamato, histidina e prolina. No entanto, apresentou menores valores de fibra bruta (83,95%), fibra em detergente ácido (85,12%) e fibra em detergente neutro (6,15%). Os valores de EMA e EMAn (kcal/kg de MS) foram, respectivamente, 2.906 e 2.502 para a espirulina e 2.646 e 2.340 para o farelo de soja, e a EMAn da espirulina foi 6,92% superior à do farelo de soja.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical and energy composition of spirulina (Spirulina platensis), the nutrient metabolizability coefficients, and the values of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and the apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) in broilers. A digestibility trial was carried out by using total excreta collection method, with 90 Cobb 500 lineage chicks, with initial weight of 256 ± 5 g at 11 days of age. Birds were allotted in metabolic cages for 10 days, distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and six repetitions with five birds each. Diets consisted on a reference-ration based on corn and soybean meal and two test diets, one containing spirulina (30%) and the other one with soybean meal (30%). Spiruline was superior to soybean meal for contents of dry matter (DM), gross energy (9.60%), crude protein (26.56%), ether extract (54.45%), mineral matter (42.77%), calcium (100%) and total phosphorus (130.77%) and also for most amino acids, except lysine, glutamate, histidine and proline. Nevertheless, spiruline presented lower values of gross fiber (83.95%), acid detergent fiber (85.12%) and neutral detergent fiber (6.15). The AME and AMEn values (kcal/kg of DM) were, respectively, 2,906 and 2,502 for the spirulina and 2,646 and 2,340 for the soybean meal and AMEn of spirulina was 6.92% higher than soybean meal.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de aditivos à base de extratos vegetais associados ou não ao uso de simbióticos como alternativa aos antibióticos como promotores de crescimento para suínos na fase inicial. Foram utilizados 125 leitões de genética comercial, com peso inicial de 7,4 ± 1,1 kg, desmamados aos 20 dias, durante 50 dias. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados (peso inicial) com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições com cinco animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais foram uma ração basal, sem aditivo, e outras quatro, uma contendo antibiótico (colistina + óxido de zinco); outra com 0,3% de uma mistura simbiótica; outra com 0,3% da mistura simbiótica e 0,05% de uma mistura herbal (extrato de plantas e óleos essenciais microencapsulados) e outra com 0,3% da mistura simbiótica e 0,10% da mistura herbal. Foi observado que o uso da mistura simbiótica associada a 0,05% da mistura herbal teve resultados positivos e semelhantes aos obtidos com as dietas contendo antibióticos quanto ao peso final, ganho de peso, consumo médio diário, pH do estômago e incidência de diarreia. O uso de simbióticos promoveu menor relação vilosidade:cripta, exceto quando associado a 0,1% da mistura herbal, que se assemelhou à dieta sem aditivos. Não houve diferenças na conversão alimentar, na contagem de coliformes e lactobacilus no jejuno e no ceco e no pH do ceco. O uso de uma mistura herbal associada a simbióticos é uma alternativa viável para substituição ao uso de antibióticos como promotores de crescimento para suínos na fase inicial. No entanto, a concentração da mistura herbal é um fator importante a ser considerado.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of vegetable extract based addictives associated or not to symbiotics as an alternative for antibiotic as growth promoters for piglets at initial phase. It was used 125 pigs of commercial genetic line with initial weight of 7.4 ± 1.1 kg, weaned at 20 days of age, during 50 days. The experimental design used was randomized blocks (initial weight), with five treatments and five replicates with five animals per experimental unit. The experimental diets were a basal diet, without additive, and other four diets, one diet containing antibiotic (colistin + zinc oxide); diet with 0.3% of a symbiotic mixture; diet with 0.3% of a symbiotic mixture plus 0.05% of herbal mix (plant extracts and microencapsulated essential oils); and another diet with 0.3% of symbiotic mixture plus 0.1% of herbal mixture. It was observed that the use of the symbiotic mixture associated to 0.05% of herbal mixture showed positive results, similar to the ones obtained with diets containing antibiotics for the final weight, average weight gain, average daily feed intake and pH of stomach and diarrhea incidence. The use of symbiotics promoted smaller vilous:depth crypt ratio, except when associated to 0.1% of herbal mixture, which was similar to the diet without addictives. There was no differences in the feed conversion, coliform and lactobacillus count in the jejune and in the cecum and in the pH of cecum. The use of herbal mixture associated to symbiotic is a viable alternative for replacing the use of antibiotics as growth promoters for piglets in the initial phase. However, the concentration of the herbal mixture is an important factor to be considered.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar o desempenho, o balanço de energia e nutrientes e a viabilidade econômica da produção de suínos em crescimento alimentados com rações com níveis reduzidos e fitase. No experimento 1, 60 suínos machos castrados e fêmeas (peso inicial de 25 ± 1,72 kg) foram alojados em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com três dietas, dez repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental (macho e fêmea). Uma das dietas foi formulada com nível reduzido e com fitase e avaliada em comparação a uma dieta controle positivo, formulada conforme as recomendações nutricionais para animais da linhagem, e a uma dieta controle negativo, sem fitase. As dietas não influenciaram o consumo de ração, porém aquela com fitase promoveu melhor peso final, ganho de peso diário e conversão alimentar, embora não tenha diferido da controle positivo. No experimento 2, 27 suínos machos castrados (peso inicial de 49 ± 3,67 kg) foram alojados em blocos ao acaso com três dietas e nove repetições com parcela experimental representada por um animal. As dietas não afetaram o balanço de energia e nutrientes, mas tiveram efeito significativo na eficiência de utilização de cálcio e fósforo, que foi pior nos animais que receberam a dieta controle positivo. A viabilidade econômica melhorou com a redução de nutrientes e adição de fitase na ração. A suplementação de fitase (500 ftu/kg) em rações formuladas com níveis nutricionais reduzidos para suínos em crescimento melhora a produtividade da criação, além de ser economicamente viável.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance, the energy and nutrient balance and economic viability of production of growing pigs fed diets with reduced levels and phytase. In experiment 1, 60 barrows and gilts (initial weight 25 ± 1.72 kg) were housed in a randomized block design with three diets, ten replicates and two animals per experimental unit (one male and one female). One of the diets was formulated with a reduced level with phytase and evaluated in comparison to a positive-control diet that was formulated according to the nutritional recommendations for animals of this breed, and a negative-control diet without phytase. The different diets did not affect feed intake, but the diet with phytase promoted better final weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion, although it did not differ from the positive control diet. In experiment 2, 27 barrows (initial weight 49 ± 3.67 kg) were housed in random blocks with three diets and nine replicates with experimental plot represented by one animal. The diets did not affect the balance of energy and nutrients but had a significant effect on the efficiency of utilization of calcium and phosphorus, which was the lowest in animals that received the positive-control diet. Economic viability improved when nutrients were reduced and phytase was added in the ration. The addition of phytase (500 ftu/kg) in rations formulated with nutritional levels reduced for growing swines improves rearing productivity and it is economical viable.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do uso de probióticos em dietas para matrizes e leitões, sobre o desempenho, os parâmetros morfofisiológicos e a indicência de diarréia nos leitões durante 28 dias após o desmame. Foram utilizados 120 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias, provenientes de 24 leitegadas cujas matrizes (primíparas) receberam probióticos ou antibióticos a partir do 94º dia de gestação até o desmame. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 × 3 (probióticos ou antibióticos para matrizes e três dietas para leitões - antibióticos, probióticos ou associação antibiótico-probiótico) com quatro repetições de cinco animais para avaliação do desempenho e da incidência de diarreia. Aos 28 dias de experimento, dois animais de cada parcela foram sacrificados para mensuração de parâmetros histológicos do jejuno e pH do estômago e ceco. A associação probióticos + antibióticos na dieta dos leitões resultou em maior ganho de peso e consumo de ração nos animais filhos das matrizes que receberam probióticos durante as fases de gestação e lactação. Quando as fêmeas receberam antibióticos, os leitões que receberam apenas probióticos apresentaram maior consumo, porém não foram observadas diferenças na conversão alimentar. O uso de antibióticos + probióticos na dieta de leitões reduziu o pH do ceco e, quando associado ao uso de probióticos para matrizes, aumentou a relação vilosidade:cripta do jejuno. O uso de promotores de crescimento não influenciou o pH estomacal nem a incidência de diarreia. O fornecimento de probióticos na dieta das matrizes durante as fases de gestação e lactação em assossiação ao uso na dieta dos leitões após o desmame é eficaz em manter o desempenho dos animais, às condições histofisiológicas do trato gastrintestinal e o controle de diarreia durante a fase de creche.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of probiotics in diets for sows and piglets on performance and morphophysiologic parameters and the incidence of diarrhea in piglets during 28 days after weaning. A total of 120 pigs weaned at 21 days of age from 24 litters whose sows (primiparous) received probiotics or antibiotics from the 94th day of gestation until weaning. It was used a complete randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial (probiotics or antibiotics for sows and three diets for piglets - antibiotics, probiotics or probiotic-antibiotic combination) with four replicates of five animals to evaluate the performance and incidence of diarrhea. At 28 days of experiment, two animals from each plot were sacrificed for histological parameter measurement of the pH of the stomach, jejunum and cecum. The association antibiotics+ probiotics in the diet of pigs resulted in greater weight gain and feed intake in animals born from of sows which received probiotics during the gestation and lactation phases. When females received antibiotics, the piglets receiving only probiotics showed higher consumption, but there were no differences for feed conversion. The use of antibiotics + probiotics in diets for piglets reduced the pH of the cecum and, when associated with the use of probiotics for sows, villous:crypt ratio in the jejunum increased. The use of growth promoters did not affect stomach pH neither the incidence of diarrhea. Supply of probiotics in the diet of sows during the gestation and lactation phases associated to the use in the diet of piglets after weaning is effective in maintaining animal performance, to histophysiological conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and control of diarrhea during the nursery phase.