The effect of cereal type and exogenous enzyme supplementation on intestinal microbiota and nutrient digestibility in finisher pigs

• Published in: Livestock science 2010-09, Vol.133 (1), p.148-150
• Main Authors: Smith, A.G., Reilly, P., Sweeney, T., Pierce, K.M., Gahan, D.A., Callan, J.J., O'Doherty, J.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: barley; beta-glucanase; Bifidobacterium; cecum; Cereals; colon; digestibility; digestive enzymes; energy content; Enterobacteriaceae; Enzyme; feces; feed grains; feed rations; feed supplements; ileum; intestinal microorganisms; Lactobacillus; metabolizable energy; Microbiota; nitrogen; nutrient availability; Nutrient digestibility; oats; Pigs; swine; swine feeding; xylanases
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2010.06.049

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between cereal type (oats vs. barley) and exogenous enzyme supplementation (with or without) on intestinal microbiota and nutrient digestibility in finisher pigs. Twenty eight boars (59 kg live weight) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: T1) barley-based diet; T2) barley-based diet plus an enzyme supplement; T3) oat-based diet and T4) oat-based diet plus an enzyme supplement. The enzyme supplement used contained β-glucanase and β-xylanase. Oat-based diets were associated with an increase in the population of Bifidobacteria in the ileum ( P < 0.05), and colon ( P < 0.01), increase Lactobacilli population in the caecum ( P < 0.01) and colon ( P < 0.05), as well as increased Enterobacteria ( P < 0.001) population in the colon compared to barley-based diets. However, pigs offered oat-based diets also demonstrated a lower apparent gross energy digestibility ( P < 0.001) and a higher nitrogen digestibility ( P < 0.05) compared to barley-based diets. Enzyme-supplemented diets demonstrated a significant negative effect on Lactobacilli population ( P < 0.01) in the ileum and an increased faecal nitrogen digestibility. In conclusion, un-supplemented oat-based diets increased the population of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the large intestine compared to barley-based diets but had a negative effect on the nutrient digestibility of the diets.