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Effects of a blend of acidifiers added continuously to the drinking water of nursery piglets

Huillian Zecchin, Aline Carolina Tillmann, Bruna Camila Ladwig, Liliana Bury de Azevedo, Pedro Silva Careli, Damares de Castro Fidelis Toledo, Hellen Lazarino Oliveira Vilela, Silvana Carvalho, Leandro Costa, Daiane Carvalho, Jansller Luiz Genova , Paulo Levi de Carvalho

Abstract

Context. Organic and inorganic acids in the drinking water are a potential alternative to improve production results in nursery piglets, and a strategy for reducing the use of antimicrobials. Aims. Assess the effects of adding a blend of organic and inorganic acids through drinking water on the oxireduction potential (ORP) of water, growth performance, biochemical, antioxidant and blood gas profiles, intestinal morphometry, biometry of organs, and intestinal microbiome of nursery piglets. Methods. Experiment involved 1,080 female piglets assessed over 30 d (Landrace × Large White, weaned at 26 d-old, weighing 6.8 ± 0.29 kg) randomly assigned to 3 treatments: 1) natural pH of drinking water at 7.39 (pH7.39), 2) pH of drinking water at 5.31 (pH5.31), and 3) pH of drinking water at 3.40 (pH3.40), with 8 replicates and 45 piglets/stall. Piglets had ad libitum access to diet and water throughout the experiment, and received different diets in each phase. Key results. pH3.40 promoted higher ORP, and lower total water consumption was observed in starter II piglets with pH5.31. There was no treatment effect on the performance, but mortality was lower in starter piglets on pH3.40. Animals on pH3.40 drinking water had lower blood ALT and AST activities, differing to the result obtained on total cholesterol concentrations. Animals on pH3.40 showed a lower concentration of total protein compared to piglets with pH7.39. Piglets on pH3.40 had higher empty stomach, spleen, and liver with gallbladder weights than those with pH7.39. Animals on pH3.40 showed lower relative abundance of the Escherichia-Shigella genus and Enterobacteriaceae family compared to the pH5.31. Conclusion. Acidification of drinking water at pH3.40 for nursery piglets can be used to partially increase the ORP of the water, and promote greater weight of organs with metabolic and immune functions, while decreasing mortality. In addition, acidification of drinking water does not compromise performance or intestinal histology, but improves the profile of the intestinal microbiome in piglets. Implications. This research has provided new information on the effects of acidifiers in the drinking water for nursery piglet and has shown its potential use for bolstering general health.

AN23287  Accepted 06 April 2024

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