Effects of African Sausage Tree Fruit Pulp on Production and Response to E-COLI Endotoxin in Grower Pigs

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the potential of African Sausage Tree Fruit Pulp (ASTFP) in modulating the effects of E.coli endotoxin in grower pigs. Twenty weanling pigs from five litters/dams were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments consisting of a basic diet with 0 or 2% ASTFP. The basic diet was a farm made feed formulation fed to weanling pigs. After 14 days on basic diet, the study pigs were fed experimental diets for 42 days. The diets were fed to the study animals in the morning at 8 hours daily. On Day 42, pigs were injected with soy broth or 20 µg/kg body weight endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide from E coli stereotype 057:B5). Body weights were monitored, rectal temperatures measured and blood samples collected before injection (0 hour) and at 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours post injection (PI). Blood samples were analysed for Urea nitrogen, Total protein, Albumin, Glucose, Cholesterol and white blood cell counts. Body weights and growth rate were not affected by diet. The pigs fed the diet containing 2% ASTFP had higher urea nitrogen, albumin, glucose and white blood cell counts than pigs fed 0% ASTFP (P ≤ 0.05). The concentration of total protein and cholesterol were the same in both 0 and 2% ASTFP. Endotoxin challenge increased body temperature (P ≤ 0.01) and white blood cells (P ≤ 0.01). The results of this study indicate that the feed supplement of ASTFP at 2% in diets of grower pigs was beneficial in protecting pigs against the infection induced by E.coli endotoxin.