Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(9):420-429 | DOI: 10.17221/6316-CJAS

Effect of herbal extracts on piglet performance and small intestinal epithelial villi

E. Hanczakowska, M. Swiatkiewicz
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Balice, Poland

The effect of a mixture of herbal extracts on piglet performance was estimated on 178 piglets allocated to 3 groups comprising 6 litters each. Group I (control) was fed with the standard barley-wheat-soybean mixture. Group II received the same mixture supplemented with a blend of formic and propionic acids. Group III received the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of water extracts from sage, lemon balm, nettle and coneflower (20, 30, 30, and 20%, respectively) at 500 mg/kg feed. The experiment lasted for 84 days but on day 56 six piglets from each group were slaughtered and their gastrointestinal tract was removed. Apparent digestibility was estimated using the Cr2O3 indicator method. Acidity of digesta was measured in the stomach, ileum, and caecum, and volatile fatty acid content was evaluated in the ileum and caecum. Amounts of bacteria and morphological structure were evaluated in the ileal digesta and epithelium, respectively. In the experimental groups less dead and culled piglets were observed than in the control group. Piglets in the herb-supplemented group grew faster than control animals and showed significantly higher final average body weights. There was no significant difference in feed utilization. Acetic acid content was higher in both groups receiving supplements. The amount of propionic acid in the caecum of animals from the herb-supplemented group was lower than in animals from groups I and II. There were no significant differences in bacteria population in ileum chyme. The herbal extract improved the structure of the ileal epithelium by significantly increasing villus height. Better digestibility of nutrients could be due to higher villi in this group.

Keywords: piglet nutrition; ileum; intestine morphology; plant extracts

Published: September 30, 2012  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Hanczakowska E, Swiatkiewicz M. Effect of herbal extracts on piglet performance and small intestinal epithelial villi. Czech J. Anim. Sci.. 2012;57(9):420-429. doi: 10.17221/6316-CJAS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. AOAC (2005): Official Methods of Analysis. 18 th Ed. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, USA.
    2. Asfar A., Abdeen S., Dashti H., Khoursheed M., Al-Sayer H., Mathew T., Al-Bader A. (2003): Effect of green tea in the prevention and reversal of fasting-induced intestinal mucosal damage. Nutrition, 19, 536-540. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Bozin B., Mimica-Dukic N., Samajlik I., Jovin E. (2007: Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of rosemary and sage (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) essential oils. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 55, 7879-7885. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Canibe N., Steien S.H., Øverland M., Jensen B.B. (2001): Effect of K-diformate in starter diets on acidity, microbiota, and the amount of organic acids in the digestive tract of piglets, and on gastric alterations. Journal of Animal Science, 79, 2123-2133. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Castillo M., Martin-Orúe S.M., Roca M., Manzanilla E.G., Badiola I., Perez J.F., Gasa J. (2006): The response of gastrointestinal microbiota to avilamycin, butyrate, and plant extracts in early-weaned pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 84, 2725-2734. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. EN ISO 7937 (2004): Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens. Colony-count technique. European Standard. 3rd Ed. BSI, London, UK.
    7. EN ISO 16654 (2001): Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the detection of Escherichia coli 0157. European Standard. 1 st Ed. BSI, London, UK.
    8. Fang J., Yan F.Y., Kong X.F., Ruan Z., Liu Z.Q., Huang R.L., Geng M.M., Yang F., Zhang Y.Z., Li P., Gong J., Wu G.Y., Fan M.Z., Liu Y.L., Hou Y.Q., Yin Y.L. (2009): Dietary supplementation with Acanthopanax senticosus extract enhances gut health in weaning piglets. Livestock Science, 123, 268-275. Go to original source...
    9. Fevrier C., Gotterbarm G., Jaghelin-Peyraud Y., Lebreton Y., Legouevec C., Aumaitre A. (2001): Effects of adding potassium diformate and phytase excess for weaned piglet. In: Lindberg J.E., Ogle B. (eds): Digestive Physiology of Pigs. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 136-138. Go to original source...
    10. Goel V., Lovlin R., Chang C., Slama J.V., Barton R., Gahler R., Bauer R., Goonewardene L., Basu R. (2005): A proprietary extract from the Echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold. Phytotherapy Research, 19, 689-694. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Grela E.R., Semeniuk V., Matras J., Gruszczyk M. (2006): Influence of herbs additive in sow diets on their reproduction and some blood parameters. Annals of Animal Science, 6 (Suppl. 2/1), 167-171.
    12. Hanczakowska E., Swiatkiewicz M., Szewczyk A. (2007): Efficiency of herb preparation and gallic acid in pig feeding. Annals of Animal Science, 7, 131-139.
    13. Hanczakowska E., Szewczyk A., Okoñ K. (2011): Caprylic, capric and/or fumaric acids as antibiotic replacements in piglet feed. Annals of Animal Science, 11, 115-124.
    14. Hoffmann L., Schiemann R. (1980): Von der Kalorie zum Joule: Neue Grössenbeziehungen bei Messungen des Energieumsatzes und bei der Berechnung von Kennzahlen der energetischen Futterbewertung. Archiv für Tierernährung, 30, 733-742. Go to original source...
    15. ISO 15213 (2003): Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of sulfite-reducing bacteria growing under anaerobic conditions. International Standard. 1 st Ed. Geneva, Switzerland.
    16. Kong X.F., Wu G.Y., Liao Y.P., Hou Z.P., Liu H.J., Yin F.G., Li T.J., Huang R.L., Zhang Y.M., Deng D., Kang P., Wang R.X., Tang Z.Y., Yang C.B., Deng Z.Y., Xiong H., Chu W.-Y., Ruan Z., Xie M.Y., Yin Y.L. (2007a): Effect of Chinese herbal ultra-fine powder as a dietary additive on growth performance, serum metabolites and intestinal health in early-weaned piglets. Livestock Science, 108, 272-275. Go to original source...
    17. Kong X.F., Yin Y.L., He Q.H., Yin F.G., Liu H.J., Li T.J., Huang R.L., Geng M.M., Ruan Z., Deng Z.Y., Xie M.Y., Wu G. (2009): Dietary supplementation with Chinese herbal powder enhances ileal digestibilities and serum concentrations of amino acids in young pigs. Amino Acids, 37, 573-582. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Kong X., Yin Y., Wu G., Liu H., Yin F., Li T., Huang R., Ruan Z., Xiong H., Deng Z., Xie M., Liao Y., Kim S. (2007b): Dietary supplementation with Acanthopanax senticosus extract modulates cellular and humoral immunity in weaned piglets. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science, 20, 1453-1461. Go to original source...
    19. Kuhn G., Ender K., Thomann R., Tuchscherer M., Tuchscherer A., Stabenow B., Krûger M., Schrõdl W. (2005): Einsatz von Echinacea-Extrakt bei tragenden and säugenden Sauen. Archiv für Tierzucht, 48, 270-282. Go to original source...
    20. Mahady G.B., Pendland S.L., Stoia A., Hamill F.A., Fabricant D., Dietz B.M., Chadwick L.R. (2005): In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy Research, 19, 988-991. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Manzanilla E.G., Perez J.F., Martin M., Kamel C., Baucells F., Gasa J. (2004): Effect of plant extracts and formic acids on the intestinal equilibrium of early-weaned pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 82, 3210-3218. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Mekbungwan A., Yamauchi K.E., Thongwittaya N. (2002): Intestinal morphology and enteral nutrient absorption of pigeon pea seed meal in piglets. Animal Science Journal, 73, 509-516. Go to original source...
    23. Mellor S. (2000): Herbs and spices promote health and growth. Pig Progress, 16, 27-30.
    24. Mroz Z. (2005): Organic acids as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters for pigs. Advances in Pork Production, 16, 169-182.
    25. Namkung H., Li M., Gong J., Yu H., Cottrill M., Lange C.F.M. (2004): Impact of feeding blends of organic acids and herbal extracts on growth performance, gut microbiota and digestive function in newly weaned pigs. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 84, 697-704. Go to original source...
    26. Nyachoti C.M., Omogbenigun F.O., Rademacher M., Blank G. (2006): Performance responses and indicators of gastrointestinal health in early-weaned pigs fed lowprotein amino acid-supplemented diets. Journal of Animal Science, 84, 125-134. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Oetting L.L., Utiyama C.E., Giani P.A., Ruiz U.S., Miyada V.S. (2004): Efficacy of antimicrobials and herbal extracts as growth promoters of weanling pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 82 (Suppl. 1), M108.
    28. Pappenheimer J.R., Michel C.C. (2003): Role of villus microcirculation in intestinal absorption of glucose: coupling of epithelial with endothelial transport. Journal of Physiology, 553.2, 561-574. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    29. Partanen K., Mroz Z. (1999): Organic acids for performance enhancement in pig diets. Nutrition Research Reviews, 12, 117-145. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Paschma J. (2004): Effect of using herbs in diets of periparturient sows on the course of parturition and reproductive performance. Annals of Animal Science, 4 (Suppl. 1), 293-295.
    31. Polish Pharmacopoeia VI (2002): Polish Pharmaceutical Society. 6th Ed. Warsaw, Poland, 148-150. (in Polish)
    32. Ray E.C., Avissar N.E., Sax H.C. (2002): Growth factor regulation of enterocyte nutrient transport during intestinal adaptation. American Journal of Surgery, 183, 361-371. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Re R., Pellegrini L., Proteggente A., Pannala A., Yang M., Rice-Evans C. (1999): Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 26, 1231-1237. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. Reuter J., Jocher A., Hornstein S., Mönting J.S., Schempp C.M. (2007): Sage extract rich in phenolic diterpenes inhibits ultraviolet-induced erythema in vivo. Planta Medica, 73, 1190-1191. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Rice-Evans C.A., Miller N.J., Paganga G. (1997): Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds. Trends in Plant Science, 2, 152-159. Go to original source...
    36. Roth F., Kirchgessner M. (1998): Organic acids as feed additives for young pigs: nutritional and gastrointestinal effects. Journal of Animal Feed and Sciences, 7, 25-35. Go to original source...
    37. Schnitzler P., Schuhmacher A., Astani A., Reichling J. (2008): Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses. Phytomedicine, 15, 734-740. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. Singleton V.L., Rossi J.A. (1965): Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphotungstic-phosphomolybdic acid reagents. American Journal of Enology Viticulture, 16, 144-158. Go to original source...
    39. StatSoft (1996): STATISTICA (Data analysis software system). Version 5.1. StatSoft® Inc., Tulsa, USA.
    40. Strompfová V., Lauková A. (2009): Enterococci from piglets - probiotic properties and responsiveness to natural antibacterial substances. Folia Microbiologica, 54, 538-544. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    41. Swiatkiewicz M., Hanczakowska E. (2006): Effect of crude fiber concentrate supplementation on some characteristics of piglet intestine. Polish Journal of Natural Sciences, Suppl. 3, 377-382.
    42. Szewczyk A., Hanczakowska E., Swiatkiewicz M. (2006): The effect of nettle (Urtica dioica) extract on fattening performance and fatty acid profile in the meat and serum lipids of pigs. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 15 (Supl. 1), 81-84. Go to original source...
    43. Thompson J.L., Hinton M. (1997): Antibacterial activity of formic and propionic acids in the diet of hens on Salmonellas in the crop. British Poultry Science, 38, 59-65. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    44. Utiyama C.E., Oetting L.L., Giani P.A., Ruiz U.S., Miyada V.S. (2004): Antimicrobials, probiotics, prebiotics and herbal extracts as growth promoters on performance of weanling pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 82 (Suppl. 1), M103.
    45. Velazques G., Borbolla A.G., Mariscal-Landin G., Reis de Souza T., Pinelli A. (2005): Intestinal morphology of weaned pigs fed diets containing herbal extracts as growth promoters. Journal of Animal Science, 83 (Suppl. 1), M87.
    46. Viegi L., Pieroni A., Guarrera P.M., Vangelisti R. (2003): A review of plants used in folk veterinary medicine in Italy as basis for databank. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89, 221-224. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    47. Viveros A., Chamorro S., Pizarro M., Arija I., Centeno C., Brenes A. (2011): Effects of dietary polyphenol-rich grape products on intestinal microflora and gut morphology in broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 90, 566-578. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content