Influence of dietary β-glucan on growth performance, nonspecific immunity, and resistance to Streptococcus suis infection in weanling pigs

• DOI: 10.2527/1995.73113341x
• Publication Date: 2016-08-09T16:21:41Z
• Authors: S. S. Dritz; J. Shi; T. L. Kielian; R. D. Goodband; J. L. Nelssen; M. D. Tokach; M. M. Chengappa; J. E. Smith; F. Blecha
• Keywords: Weanling; Streptococcus suis; Beta-glucan; Haptoglobin

Three experiments, using 344 pigs, were conducted to evaluate the influence of β-glucan on growth performance, neutrophil and macrophage function, haptoglobin production, resistance Streptococcussuis challenge in weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 144 pigs used .1% dietary a soybean meal- or milk protein-based diet performance function. Pigs fed from d 7 14 after weaning had lower ADFI (P < .01) and, although not significant, ADG was for than control diets. However, no differences observed function diets containing 35 weaning. Experiment 2 28-d assay which with without β-glucan, 7.5% spray-dried plasma protein 25% dried whey 0 then corn-soybean meal-based 2.5% blood meal 10% whey. No observed. 3 35-d concentration. challenged 28 postweaning intravenous S. suis. 3, .025 .05% β-glucan. Dietary did .025% increased .05) heavier diet. feed efficiency (G/F) detected between treatments. decreased .10) 14, 21, Fisher's Exact test revealed that more .04) died by 12 conclusion, these data suggest existence complex interaction involving suis