Phytobiotics: The Power of Biomarkers in Swine Production
However, the true test of IQs' efficacy lies not just in subjective experiences or performance metrics but in the measurable changes it brings about at the animal level, facilitated through the use of biomarkers.
Understanding biomarkers
Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes, conditions, or responses to a treatment. In swine production, they can serve as a tool for assessing the physiological impact of nutritional interventions. By monitoring specific biomarkers, producers can gain insights into how products affect the animals' health, growth, and overall well-being. For instance, when isoquinoline alkaloids are included in the diet, a reduction in inflammatory and stress markers can be expected, which is crucial for supporting optimal growth and health. This is particularly important in high-density production systems where stress and inflammation can lead to suboptimal performance.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of IQs via biomarkers in swine production
Pigs face multiple stressors throughout their lives, such as farrowing, weaning, and transportation, which are linked to animal welfare and food safety. Nutritional interventions targeting these stressors can be valuable to add to profit to the bottom line. Stress triggers a physiological response that elevates levels of catecholamines (such as adrenaline) and glucocorticoids (like cortisol), disrupting gastrointestinal function. This alteration affects gut microflora, allowing pathogens like salmonella to flourish and posing food safety risks.
Additionally, the stress response is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, which further compromise gut barrier integrity. Sows experience significant stress during farrowing, while piglets face weaning stress from separation and environmental changes. This stress leads to inflammation and can result in structural changes in the small intestine, reduced digestion, decreased feed intake, increased diarrhea risk, and stunted growth. Transportation is also a major stressor for growing pigs, requiring them to adjust quickly to unfamiliar settings.
Numerous studies conducted in both university settings and the field have demonstrated that isoquinoline alkaloids (IQs) positively impact stress and inflammation. These findings highlight their effectiveness not only in enhancing traditional performance parameters, such as daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but also in providing robust biomarker data that supports these results.
In a field trial conducted at a commercial farm in Spain, we assessed the impact of a standardized blend of IQs (Sangrovit®) on specific biomarkers known for their association with inflammation and stress. The trial involved 1,200 Piétrain piglets, with 600 in the control group and 600 in the treatment group, all aged 35 days and lasting for 28 days. Two sampling timepoints were established: 5-7 days after the trial began and 0- 2 days before its completion. Key parameters evaluated included inflammation markers such as calprotectin and myeloperoxidase (MPO), as well as the stress marker cortisol.
The results indicated that the group receiving IQs showed a decrease in all these biomarkers compared to the control group. In the initial sampling period, a trend suggested that IQs reduced calprotectin levels (figure 1), indicating decreased inflammation in newly weaned piglets. In the second sampling period, notable reductions in both MPO (Figure 2) and cortisol (Figure 3) were observed in the treatment group, reflecting a positive effect of IQs on inflammation and stress management. These reductions align with improved weight gain and FCR, affirming the product’s role in promoting health and performance.
It is evident that biomarkers offer an invaluable safety net in research scenarios where data collection may face challenges. For example, if a feed intake monitoring system malfunctions, compromising FCR data, biomarkers can still validate IQs impact. By demonstrating shifts in biological markers, we can confidently assert that the product is effectively enhancing animal health.
Conclusion
The application of biomarkers in swine production presents a transformative opportunity for validating the effectiveness of innovative products such as Sangrovit®. By bridging the gap between clinical performance and biological response, biomarkers empower producers to make informed decisions that enhance herd health and productivity, with solid scientific evidence, paving the way for a more productive and sustainable future in swine production.
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