ARS | Publication request: Granulated lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics improves growth performance and small intestinal morphology of 10-day-old pigs

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2010
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Citation: May, K.D., Wells, J., Maxwell, C.V., Oliver, W.T. 2011. Granulated lysozyme as an alternative to antibiotics improves growth performance and small intestinal morphology of 10-day-old pigs [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science Supplement. 89(E-Supplement 2):71-72. Abstract # 83.

Technical Abstract: Lysozyme is a 1,4-ß-N-acetylmuramidase that has antimicrobial properties. The objective of this experiment was to determine the efficacy of granulated lysozyme, compared to antibiotics, on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and Campylobacter shedding in 10-d-old pigs. Forty-eight pigs (n=16), with an initial weight of 4.0±0.1 kg (P>0.40) were weaned at 10 d of age, blocked by litter and gender, and assigned to pens (8 pigs/pen). Each block was randomly assigned to consume one of three liquid dietary treatments for 14 d; Control (C), C + lysozyme (100 mg/kg diet, L), or C + neomycin and oxytetracycline (16 mg/kg diet, A). Pigs were weighed and bled on d 0, 7, and 14. Blood was analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). After 14 d of treatment, pigs were killed and jejunum and ileum samples were collected and fixed to measure villi height and crypt depth. Rectal swabs were taken on d 0 and 7 of treatment, and ileum, cecum, and rectal swabs were taken at d 14 to determine the presence of Campylobacter. L and A pigs gained at a faster rate than C pigs over the course of the study (402±12 and 422±14 vs. 364±14 g/d; P<0.02), resulting in heavier ending BW (9.9±0.3, 9.9±0.3, and 9.0±0.2 kg for L, A, and C pigs, respectively; P<0.03). IgA decreased and PUN increased over the course of the study (P<0.1), regardless of dietary treatment (P>0.6). Crypt depth was increased in L and A pigs, compared to C pigs, in both jejunum (60.0±2.8 and 62.2±3.0 vs. 50.7±3.1 µm; P<0.03) and ileum (76.0±7.5 and 72.2±5.0 vs. 52.4±3.5 µm; P<0.02). Villi height did not differ in the jejunum (P>0.2), but was increased in the ileum of L and A pigs, compared to C pigs (312±20 and 314±10 vs. 263±15 µm; P<0.4). Campylobacter was detected in 27% of C samples, but in only 5% of A samples and 8% of L samples (P<0.01). Thus, granulated lysozyme is a suitable alternative to antibiotics for 10-d-old pigs consuming manufactured liquid diets.