title: Effects of benzoic acid (VevoVitall®) on the performance and jejunal digestive physiology in young pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As a organic acid, benzoic acid has become one of the most important alternatives for antibiotics, and its beneficial effect on performance in animals has been proven for a decade. However, knowledge of the effects of benzoic acid on jejunal digestive physiology, especially the antioxidant capacity and mucosal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentrations is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 barrows [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight (BW) of 18.75 ± 0.2 kg were used in a 14-d trial to determine the potential mechanisms of benzoic acid supplementation on the performance, nutrient digestibility and jejunal digestive physiology in young pigs. All pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 diets supplemented with 0 or 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative to the control, benzoic acid supplementation increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily gain (ADG) in young pigs (P < 0.05), improved the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), gross energy (GE) and crude ash (P < 0.05), and enhanced the activities of trypsin, lipase and amylase in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Similarly, relative to the control, supplementing benzoic acid in the diet resulted in a trend to reduce the pH values of the digesta (P = 0.06), decreased crypt depth and increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in the jejunum of pigs. Finally, benzoic acid supplementation increased the mRNA expression and concentration of glucagon-like peptide 2 and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the jejunal mucosa of young pigs (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, supplementation with 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid improved the performance of young pigs through promoting nutrient digestion, improving jejunal antioxidant capacity, and maintaining the jejunal morphology in young pigs.
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zengbing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhiqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Daiwen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Xinkang Road 46#, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014 People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiangbing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
keywords: Benzoic acid; Glucagon-like peptide 2; Nutrient digestibility; Performance; Young pigs