Effects of a phytogenic additve on gut health, immune modulation, and performance parameters in nursery piglets
Phytogenic, piglets, weaning, diarrhea, intestinal health
The strong social, environmental and nutritional changes related to weaning are factors that cause great stress and may frequently cause the manifestation of factors which can reduce or paralyze growth rates during the post-weaning period, mainly due to diarrhea (McCracken et al., 1995). All of that can lead to a reduction in the secretion of some enzymes, which consequently affects the digestive and absorptive capacity of the nutrients in the small intestine, besides important changes in their morphology (Araújo et al., 2010). The poorly digested food can be used as substrate for the growth of microorganisms, causing post-weaning diarrhea (Thompson, 2006). Due to this, feed additives have been widely used in swine farming as growth promoters (added in the diets) in order to minimize the incidence of diarrhea after weaning (Sobestiansky et al., 1999). Considering the severe restriction or total ban on the use of antibiotics and limited use of zinc oxide as growth promoters in swine production, different types of probiotics have been suggested as an alternative to support growth and performance. The present study aims to evaluate the use of a phytogenic additive (Agromed®ROI) on performance, Redox status, immune status and gut health in nursery piglets.