Effects of Kelp Enzymatic Hydrolysate on Growth Performance,Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota Composition of Weaned Piglets
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of kelp hydrolysate on growth performance,in-testinal morphology and microbiota composition of weaned piglets.A total of 230 Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire weaned piglets at 28 days of age with body weight of(8.44±1.50)kg were randomly divided into 5 groups:antibiotic free control group(basic diet),antibiotic group(basic diet+50 mg/kg kelp enzymatic hydroly-sate),low level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group[basic diet+25 g/(head·d)kelp enzymatic hydrolysate],medium level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group[basic diet+50 g/(head·d)kelp enzymatic hydrolysate],and high level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group[basic diet+75 g/(head·d)kelp enzymatic hydrolysate].Each group had 6 replications(5 replications with 8 pigs per pen,and 1 repetition with 6 pigs).The experi-mental period lasted for 28 days.The results were as follows:1)there was a significant difference in feed/gain(F/G)of weaned piglets among different groups(P=0.09),and the F/G of high level kelp enzymatic hy-drolysate group was the lowest.2)Compared with the antibiotic free control group,the jejum crypt depth of weaned piglets in the high level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),but there was no significantly difference compared with antibiotic group(P>0.05).The villus height in ileum of weaned piglets in the high level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group was significantly higher than that in antibiotic free control group and antibiotic group(P<0.01);compared with the antibiotic free group and antibiotic group,the villus height and crypt depth of jejunum and ileum of weaned piglets were significantly increased in the high level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group(P<0.01).3)There was no significant difference in volatile fatty acid(VFA)content in cecum and colon of weaned piglets under different treatments(P>0.05).4)The composition and abundance of microorganisms in the ileum of weaned piglets in the high level kelp enzymatic hydrolysate group were similar to those in the antibiotic group,and the dominant bacteria in both groups were Streptococcus,indicating that the kelp enzymatic hydrolysate had similar regulatory effects on ileal microbiota and antibiotics.In conclusion,kelp enzymatic hydrolysate supplementation[75 g/(head·d)]can improve intestinal morphology and regulate intestinal microbial composition in weaned piglets.[Chinese Journal of Ani-mal Nutrition,2024,36(9):5566-5580]