Abstract #W108

# W108
Effects of organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids on gut health of nursery pigs.
Marco M. Lima*1, Maria C. Thomaz1, Fabricio F. Castro1, Rosemeire S. Filardi3, Daniela J. Rodrigues1, Maryane S. F. Oliveira1, Manuela V. Marujo1, Dana M. van Sambeek2, Thomas E. Burkey2, 1Univesidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 3Universidade Estadual Paulista, Illha Solteira, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

To investigate the effects of a blend of organic acids and medium chain fatty acids on gut health, 96 weaned barrows (21 d; BW 5.2 kg) were housed (3 pigs/pen) with ad libitum access to feed and water over a 28-d study. The diets were comprised primarily of corn, soybean meal and a source of lactose, with inclusion of 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45% of blend (acetic acid, citric acid, formic acid, lactic acid, caprylic acid and caproic acid). For sample collection, piglets (n = 16) were euthanized at 14 and 28-d study. Two-cm segments of duodenum and jejunum were collected for the determination of villous height (VH), crypt depth (CD), villous height:crypt (VH:CD) depth ratio and count goblet cell by methods of Schiff-PAS and Alcian Blue. Images were recorded using an Olympus BX41 camera. Cell Sense standard software was used for measurement of the respective morphological aspects. For each intestinal sample, a minimum of 20 to 30 full villi and crypts were measured and in assessing the number of goblet cells, 15 counts were performed. ANOVA was generated using the mixed-model procedure of SAS. Linear, quadratic and cubic polynomials were used to detect the response to dietary inclusion of the blend. Was observed a cubic effect in duodenal VH:CD (P < 0.0001) ratio and jejunal goblet cell count (P = 0.0034) by method of Schiff-PAS at 14-d study. Was observed a cubic effect on CD (P = 0.0009), goblet cell count (P = 0.0014) by method of Schiff-PAS, goblet cell count (P = 0.006) by method of Alcian Blue, and an increasing linear effect on the VH:CD (P = 0.0006) ratio in jejunum of pigs at 28-d study. Results indicate the blend had little effect at 14-d study; however, positive effects of blend were observed at 28-d of study. In conclusion, the blend may contribute to intestinal restitution.

Key Words: health, organic acid, pig