Post-weaning diarrhea in piglets: Contributing factors related to husbandry practices and nutritional protection strategies

Weaning is one of the most challenging periods of the pig’s life. The stress typically causes a drastic reduction in feed intake which predisposes the animal to post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). Adopting better husbandry practices and having a dedicated nutritional strategy to support gut health and development during weaning can help minimize the incidence of PWD without using medication.

Estefania Perez Calvo, PhD
Global TS Swine EMEA Principal Scientist,
Animal Nutrition and Health
dsm-firmenich

Modern pig production comes with a number of persistent challenges, but the most challenging period of a pig’s life is weaning. The stress during this period causes a drastic reduction in feed intake which predisposes the piglet to disease and diarrhea. Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a widespread problem. Fortunately, PWD incidence can be reduced by ensuring only the best animal husbandry practices are implemented, and by having a dedicated nutritional strategy to support gut health and development in the piglets.

THE ROLE OF THE GIT GOES BEYOND DIGESTION
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a vital organ involved in the processing of feed materials into absorbable nutrients which are then used by the body for maintenance and growth. Aside from its digestive and absorptive function, the GIT is vital in maintaining immune homeostasis. Moreover, the porcine intestine houses many microorganisms that play a key role in intestinal mucosal immune competency development. Optimal gastrointestinal functionality is therefore critical for pig welfare and production efficiency.

Persistent challenges are evident in modern pig production, and weaning is one of the most challenging phases in a pig’s life.

During this phase, piglets have to cope with:
abrupt separation from the sow
mixing with other litters which usually takes place in a new environment
switching from highly digestible (liquid) milk to a less digestible, more complex solid feed

All these factors result in a drastic reduction in feed intake. Reduced feed intake is associated with significant GIT disturbances characterized by decreased digestive and absorptive capacity. This, in conjunction with immature digestive and immune systems, predisposes the piglets to poor growth and diarrhea, increasing the risk of disease, particularly from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC; Dong and Pluske, 2007).

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a widespread and worldwide disease with high morbidity. The associated productivity losses and mortality cause large economic losses for pig producers. The most common cause of PWD is by piglets ingesting ETEC from the environment (maternal and/or nursery room). However, PWD is considered a multifactorial disease. Many predisposing factors (e.g., genetics, weaning age) and other contributing factors associated with husbandry practices (Jayaraman and Nyachoti, 2017) as shown in Figure 1 are strongly related with GIT disturbances and contribute to PWD incidence.

Figure 1. Piglet husbandry factors contributing to post-weaning diarrhea (Source: dsm-firmenich, 2023)

PIGLET HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
AFFECTING GASTROINTESTINAL
FUNCTIONALITY

1. Diet composition
The quantity and quality of proteins and fiber included in the diet during the post-weaning phase have an important impact on the gastrointestinal functionality of piglets. Indigestible dietary protein that enters the large intestine is then available for microbial fermentation. The pH of the gut can rise due to the high buffering capacity of protein. These environmental changes within the GIT can favor the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria (ETEC), and the production of potentially toxic compounds such as ammonia and amines, which have been implicated in PWD (Pluske et al., 2022).

Soybean is the most common protein source used in pig diets, but it is often not produced locally to the pig unit, resulting in a high contribution to the carbon footprint of the production system. In the move towards more sustainable pork production, producers are choosing to incorporate more locally sourced protein sources such as rapeseed meal or sunflower seed meal in piglet diets. However, these protein sources might contain higher dietary fiber compared to soybean meal, which may act as an antinutritional factor. The presence of a high proportion of soluble fiber increases digesta viscosity and reduces the rate of nutrient absorption, promoting ETEC proliferation (Molist et al., 2009).

2. Sanitary conditions
In commercial swine production, pigs are exposed to various stressors, broadly classified as non-biological stressors (e.g., noxious gases, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide gases, carbon dioxide and dust particles) and biological stressors (e.g., bacteria, viruses). Low sanitary conditions (LSCs) are known to modify the intestinal microbiome composition and functionality of pigs, and it has been consistently reported that intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and disturbed intestinal integrity are consequences of poor sanitary housing in pigs (Le Floc’h et al., 2009). Moreover, LSCs alter nutrient and energy metabolism, leading to shifts in amino acid and maintenance energy requirements, and it is generally accepted that LSCs increase protein fermentation (Van der Meer et al., 2020). As a result of all the physiological changes caused by LSCs, the likelihood of PWD is much greater.

3. Temperature and ventilation
During the post-weaning period it is essential to provide the correct environmental temperature (26–28°C) to keep pigs in their thermo-neutral zone. A high ambient temperature reduces intestinal peristaltic activity due to a decrease of blood flow in the GIT and a reduction in the supply of oxygen. This leads to intestinal hypoxia, inflammation, oxidative stress and promotion of bacterial colonization. Low temperatures in weaner facilities appear to be responsible for a more severe form of PWD (Rouma et al., 2017). On the other hand, ventilation serves to remove water vapor and noxious gases and to some extent controls the temperature of the animal house. Ventilation determines air velocity at pig level and therefore plays an important role in the rate of heat loss, especially in young pigs. Eriksen et al. (2022) described an association between high ventilation index score and low PWD occurrence.

4. Stocking density
In weaned piglets, crowding is a stressor which adversely alters the gut barrier nutrient transport function and increases intestinal pH. In addition, a high stocking density leads to lower resistance to bacterial infection as well as an increase in fecal shedding of pathogens with higher proliferation of ETEC (Khafipour et al., 2014). Moreover, crowding stress also results in abnormal behavior and greater aggression which alters oxidative status and gut bacterial population (Correa et al., 2023), both of which are predisposing factors for gastrointestinal dysfunctions such as diarrhea.

NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTIONALITY
Post-weaning diarrhea is considered one of the main disorders contributing to the use of antibiotics and therapeutic levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) in pig production. The use of antibiotics and medical levels of ZnO in pig production has a detrimental impact on both human health and the environment. Moreover, factors other than pathogens (such as husbandry practices as described above) can also lead to diarrhea which indicates that antibiotics are not always the most appropriate solution for treating diarrhea in piglets. Thus, adopting better husbandry practices and administering dedicated nutritional solutions via the piglet feed should be considered to support the healthy functioning of the gut so as to avoid gut disturbances such as piglet diarrhea.

1. Protein/amino acid management
Reducing the protein content as much as possible (without compromising least cost and performance), balancing essential amino acids, and using highly digestible protein sources immediately after weaning have been presented as efficient and sustainable strategies to mitigate PWD (Heo et al., 2013). In addition, the use of feed enzymes such as proteases to improve protein digestibility (Song et al., 2022), and the inclusion of organic acids, such as benzoic acid, to reduce pH in the gut (Diao et al., 2014), exert a favorable effect on reducing PWD in piglets.

2. Carbohydrate management
The selection of specific dietary fiber fractions may prevent (insoluble fiber) or stimulate (soluble fiber) the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Thus, there is a need to identify dietary fiber fractions from raw materials to formulate diets (Canibe et al., 2022). Dietary inclusion of carbohydrases (xylanase, β-glucanase) which increase the in vivo availability of short-chain oligosaccharides has beneficial effects on gut health, and thus preventing PWD.

3. Boosting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity
Most of the husbandry practices mentioned above lead to disrupted redox balance and inflammation. Optimal levels of supplemental vitamins might protect piglets during the post-weaning period by regulating intestinal immune functions (vitamins A and D), neutralizing the extra- and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (vitamins C and E) or modulating the composition and function of the gut microbiota (vitamins B group; Lauridsen et al., 2021).

CONCLUSION
To achieve more sustainable pork production without relying on medications during the post-weaning period, the adoption of better husbandry practices including sanitary, environmental and density conditions, together with dedicated nutritional solutions, should be considered. These strategies support optimum gastrointestinal development and functionality, thus avoiding gut disturbances such as piglet diarrhea.

References
1. Canibe, N., Højberg, O., Kongsted, H., Vodolazska, D., Lauridsen, C., Nielsen, T.S. and Schönherz, A.A. (2022). Review on preventive measures to reduce post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets. Animals (Basel) 12(19), 2585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192585.
2. Correa, F., Luise, D., Palladino, G., Scicchitano, D., Brigidi, P., Martelli, P.L., Babbi, G., Turroni, S., Litta, G., Candela, M., Rampelli, S. and Trevisi, P. (2023). Influence of body lesion severity on oxidative status and gut microbiota of weaned pigs. Animal 17(6), 100818.
3. Diao, H., Zheng, P., Yu, B., He, J., Mao, X.B., Yu, J. and Chen, D.W. (2014). Effects of dietary supplementation with benzoic acid on intestinal morphological structure and microflora in weaned piglets. Livestock Science 167, 249–256.
4. Dong, G.Z. and Pluske, J.R. (2007). The low feed intake in newly-weaned pigs: problems and possible solutions. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 20(3):440e52.
5. Eriksen, E.Ø., Pedersen, K.S., Larsen, I. and Nielsen, J.P. (2022). Evidence-based recommendations for herd health management of porcine post-weaning diarrhea. Animals 12(14), 1737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141737.
6. Heo, J.M., Opapeju, F.O., Pluske, J.R., Kim, J.-C., Hampson, D.J. and Nyachoti, C.M. (2013). Gastrointestinal health and function in weaned pigs: a review of feeding strategies to control post-weaning diarrhoea without using in-feed antimicrobial compounds. Journal of Animal Physiololgy and Animal Nutrition 97(2), 207-237.
7. Jayaraman, B. and Nyachoti, C.M. (2017). Husbandry practices and gut health outcomes in weaned piglets: a review. Animal Nutrition 3(3), 205-211.
8. Khafipour, E., Munyaka, P.M., Nyachoti, C.M., Krause, D.O. and Rodriguez-Lecompte, J.C. (2014). Effect of crowding stress and Escherichia coli K88+ challenge in nursery pigs supplemented with anti-Escherichia coli K88+ probiotics. Journal of Animal Science 92(5), 2017-2029.
9. Lauridsen, C., Matte, J.J., Lessard, M., Celi, P. and Litta, G. (2021). Role of vitamins for gastro-intestinal functionality and health of pigs. Animal Feed Science and Technology 273. 114823.
10. Le Floc’h, N., Lebellago, L., Matte, J.J., Melchior, D. and Sève, B. (2009). The effect of sanitary status degradation and dietary tryptophan content on growth rate and tryptophan metabolism in weaning pigs. Journal of Animal Science 87(5), 1686-1694.
11. Molist, F., Gómez de Segura, A., Gasa, J., Hermes, R., Manzanilla, E., Anguita, M. and Perez, J.F. (2009). Effects of the insoluble and soluble dietary fibre on the physicochemical properties of digesta and the microbial activity in early weaned piglets. Animal Feed Science and Technology 149(3), 346–353.
12. Pluske, J.R., Pethick, D.W., Hopwood, D.E. and Hampson, D.J. (2002). Nutritional influences on some major enteric bacterial diseases of pig. Nutrition Research Reviews 15(2), 333–371.
13. Rhouma, M., Fairbrother, J.M., Beaudry, F. and Letellier, A. (2017). Post weaning diarrhea in pigs: risk factors and non-colistin-based control strategies. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 59, 31.
14. Song, M., Kim, B., Cho, J.H., Kyoung, H., Choe, J., Cho, J.Y., Kim, Y., Kim, H.B., and Lee, J.J. (2022). Modification of gut microbiota and immune responses via dietary protease in soybean meal-based protein diets. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 32(7), 885–891. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2205.05033.
15. Van der Meer, Y., Jansman, A.J.M. and Gerrits, W.J.J. (2020). Low sanitary conditions increase energy expenditure for maintenance and decrease incremental protein efficiency in growing pigs. Animal 14(9), 1811-1820.

About Estefania Perez Calvo
Dr. Perez Calvo, a Spanish national, holds a Veterinary Degree, a Master of Science and a PhD in Animal Production and Feed Science and Technology from the University of Zaragoza (Spain). Before moving to France to join dsm-firmenich in 2013, she worked for 2 years as a Research Veterinarian running monogastric animal trials in field conditions for a Spanish services company. At dsm-firmenich, she started as a Research Scientist and Designated Veterinarian for the dsm-firmenich Research Center of Animal Nutrition and Health. In her role as Global Innovation Scientist, she is involved as lead scientist in innovation projects developing new feed additives and investigating nutritional strategies for improved gut health and performance in a sustainable manner. She has published more than 30 peer reviewed scientific papers, holds more than 20 patents, and has participated in more than 50 international scientific conferences.