Dietary Bovine Colostrum Increases Villus Height and Decreases Small Intestine Weight in Early-Weaned Pigs (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT : This experiment examined the effect of dietary spray-dried bovine colostrum on intestinal histology and organ weights in early-weaned pigs. In a randomised complete block design, twelve 14-day-old weaner pigs were offered a diet containing either 5% spray-dried bovine colostrum or no colostrum (control). Diets were formulated to contain 14.8 MJ/kg DE, 1.26% available lysine and to meet or exceed requirements for other nutrients. Piglets were offered the diets for a period of 14 days. No effect of diet on growth rate or feed intake was observed (p0.10). Small intestine weight was reduced by 12% in piglets consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p 0.05). Villous height and crypt depth were increased and decreased, respectively, in the proximal jejunum, mid jejunum and distal ileum of pigs consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p0.05). Mid-jejunal lamina propria CD[4.sup.+] and CD[8.sup.+] T lymphocyte density was increased by 28 and 37%, respectively, in piglets consuming dietary bovine colostrum (p0.05). Diet did not affect thickness of tunica muscularis externa or tunica submucosa (p0.10). Collectively, these results suggest a positive effect of dietary bovine colostrum on intestinal morphology and immune status in early-weaned pigs. (Key Words : Spray-Dried Bovine Colostrum, Intestinal Histology, Weaner Pigs, Nutrition) INTRODUCTION