Impact of a Phytogenic Feed Additive on Diarrhea Incidence, Intestinal Histomorphology and Fecal Excretion of F4-Fimbriated Enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Post-Weaning Piglets
This study investigated the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) containing a blend of herbs, plant extracts and essential oils from the <i>Lamiaceae</i>, <i>Schisandraceae</i>, <i>Zingiberaceae</i> and <i>Fabaceae</i> families on the fecal scor...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Stresses |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7140/5/1/8 |
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| Summary: | This study investigated the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) containing a blend of herbs, plant extracts and essential oils from the <i>Lamiaceae</i>, <i>Schisandraceae</i>, <i>Zingiberaceae</i> and <i>Fabaceae</i> families on the fecal score, intestinal histomorphology and fecal excretion of F4-fimbriated enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (F4-ETEC) in post-weaning piglets. Thirty 31-day-old weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatment groups. The positive control (PC) group received colistin via drinking water from d 8 to 14 post-weaning and the same basal diet as the negative control (NC) group; the treatment group received the basal diet with PFA supplementation (1 g/kg of feed). The experiment lasted 21 days. At day 9 post-weaning, all piglets were orally administered 3.0 × 10<sup>10</sup> CFU/piglet of the F4-ETEC strain. The PC piglets had higher fecal consistency than the NC and PFA piglets. PFA supplementation resulted in a lower percentage of piglets excreting F4-ETEC in the feces on days 4–7 post-challenge than in the NC group (<i>p</i> < 0.05) but a higher percentage versus the PC group on day 3–7 post-challenge (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The number of goblet cells (GCs) in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was higher than the NC and PC piglets (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The GC density in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was larger than in the PC piglets (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and similar to the NC piglets (<i>p</i> > 0.10). Mucus thickness in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was similar to the NC piglets and PC piglets (<i>p</i> > 0.10). In conclusion, PFA supplementation to the F4-ETEC-challenged piglets reduced the prevalence of fecal <i>E. coli</i> excretion and improved jejunal histomorphology. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-7140 |