La texture et la granulométrie de la moulée influencent les concentrations d’acide propionique et butyrique de même que la prévalence d’Escherichia coli dans le tractus gastro-intestinal du porc d’engraissement
Natural approaches, such as dietary modifications, are now being considered to replace antimicrobials for the control of bacterial infections in pigs. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of feed size and texture on intestinal Volatile fatty acids profiles and concentrations, E. coli populations, and on growth performance. Fattening pigs (n=840) received one of six different diets: mash feed 500, 750 and 1250 µm and pellet feed 500, 750 and 1250 µm. Weight gain of pigs was monitored for each diet formulation over the fattening period. At the slaughterhouse, caecal and colon contents from 165 pigs were sampled for enumeration of E. coli by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for acetic, propionic and butyric acid quantification. The yccT gene was used to enumerate total E. coli. A decrease in feed conversion associated with pellet texture and/or 500 µm particle size was observed for each diet formulation. In addition, caecal and colon propionic acid concentrations and caecal and colon butyric acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Moreover, caecal (p=0,0208) and colon (p=0,0006) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1250 µm rather than 500 µm particle size. For total E. coli enumeration, caecal (p=0,01) and colon (p=0,04) yccT gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than for those receiving mash feed. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with favourable intestinal changes (VFA levels) and with a reduction of E. coli in the pig.
Texture Escherichia coli Feed size Feed texture Volatile fatty acids Pigs Escherichia coli