Effect of feeding organic acids on selected intestinal content measurements at varying times postweaning in pigs.
Pigs weaned at 21 d of age (n = 72) were fed a 20% CP corn-soybean meal-based diet (control) with 1.5% fumaric or 1.5% citric acid added to observe the effect of these acids on the pH, chloride ion concentration (Cl-), VFA profile, and microflora population in the stomach, jejunum, cecum, and lower colon contents at -2, 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 d postweaning. Feeding organic acids had no appreciable effect (P greater than .10) on stomach jejunum, cecum, or lower colon pH, Cl-, VFA profile, or microflora populations, except for increasing the concentration of fumaric acid in the stomachs of pigs fed fumaric acid. The pH of the gastrointestinal tract generally decreased from -2 to 21 d postweaning with no corresponding change in Cl- over time. No age effects on total anaerobic culture counts were observed except in the stomach, where counts decreased from -2 to 3 d postweaning. Clostridia counts generally decreased after weaning in all intestinal sections. Lactobacillus counts were usually lower at d 0 and 3 and greatest at d 7 postweaning in the stomach, jejunum, and lower colon, but no age effect was observed for concentration of cecum lactobacilli. Escherichia coli counts generally increased after weaning to 3 and 7 d postweaning. Intestinal content measurements were affected by postweaning age but were not affected by feeding organic acids.
Risley
C R
CR
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
Kornegay
E T
ET
Lindemann
M D
MD
Wood
C M
CM
Eigel
W N
WN
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D002951:Citrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D019343:Citric Acid; D003013:Clostridium / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005650:Fumarates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D014886:Weaning
D002712:Chlorides; D002951:Citrates; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005650:Fumarates; D019343:Citric Acid; C032005:fumaric acid