As an industry, we know digestive issues or gut health in pigs is the most impactful problem pork producers face. To seek a better understanding of the issues contributing to gut health, Kemin established a Gut Health Solutions platform to create helpful products for the industry. Collectively, Kemin Gut Health Solutions provides a comprehensive approach to improving gut integrity for pigs by strengthening the intestinal integrity, healthy microbial balance and supporting immune functions. In order to maintain pig health and productivity, we must change the way we address gut health; it starts with Kemin Gut Health Solutions.
Indicators of Poor Gut Health
- Diarrhea
- Body condition
- Anorexia
Balancing Microbiota for Improved Gut Health
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract hosts a microbial ecosystem containing thousands of bacterial species in a symbiotic relationship with the host (or the animal). The host provides a protected, nutrient-rich environment in which the microbiota can thrive. In return, the microbiota provide resistance to pathogens, aid in the development and maintenance of intestinal and systemic immunity and support intestinal structure development. Shifts in the microbial population due to dietary changes or pathogens can be detrimental to the host.
Understanding Intestinal Integrity
The epithelial barrier, or the gut integrity for pigs, is the second factor of gut health and has the largest task of absorbing nutrients. This barrier is also busy protecting the host from invading pathogens, toxins and antigens. It is common to find many pathogens, including Clostridium difficile and others, as part of the microbiota of the hind gut. Under challenging conditions, pathogens migrate through the small intestine, multiplying exponentially, creating an imbalance in the microbial ecosystem. The toxins produced by pathogens create lesions in the small intestine, reducing the digestion and absorption capacities of the pig. An important component of maintaining the intestinal barrier are tight junctions, which are made up of multifunctional protein complexes.
Tight junctions seal the space between epithelial cells, thus, preventing the translocation of microorganisms and other antigens across the epithelium, also known as "leaky gut." A breakdown of the barrier would result in illnesses such as bacterial infection. Fighting intestinal infections requires the intestinal immune system to draw nutrients that would otherwise be used for growth and production.
The Immune System at Work
The third factor of gut health in pigs is the intestinal immune system. It plays a huge role in overseeing the interactions between the host pig and its microbiota. This is done through a network of immune cells, cytokines, chemokines and other mediators. The intestinal immune system must balance between tolerance from continual exposure of microbiota and responding to challenges.
Kemin Gut Health Solutions for Swine
What has Kemin done to promote healthy activity in each of these gut elements? Since its founding in 1961, Kemin has strived to improve the health and performance of livestock and poultry worldwide. Building on the science and product successes forged throughout multiple production industries, Kemin brings the same spirit of science and innovation to the swine market with the following gut health solutions:
Acid LAC™ is a unique combination of effective organic acids. It has been proven to control a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water. By reducing the pathogen load in the water, there are fewer challenges presented to the animal, which helps maintain gut health.
Ammo CURB® 85 is a low-cost feed preservative for processed feed ingredients, complete animal feeds and total mixed rations (TMR). It may be added directly to complete feed, feed ingredients and TMR to help maintain stability during short-term storage.
CURB® AF is a formaldehyde solution that maintains quality of complete feed and ingredients.
CURB® RM Extra is a blend of formaldehyde and propionic acid designed to protect feed and feed ingredients from mold development.
ENDOX® was formulated specifically to protect finished feeds by safeguarding fat-soluble vitamins against degradation, protecting complete feeds from fat oxidation, vitamin loss and more.
FORMYL™ is a free-flowing micro-encapsulated source of formic and citric acid. Formic acid, which helps reduce GI tract pH while reducing bacterial contamination.
KALLSIL™ reduces caking in swine feed by absorbing moisture. This results in improved flow in feed ingredients to prevent feed from hanging to the sides of the bins or feeders.
KEM-GEST™ is a blend of organic and inorganic acids designed to provide an economical means to acidify swine feed. This multi-acid approach helps protect a pig's GI tract from growth-limiting pathogens. Inhibition of pathogens promotes better gut health and production efficiency.
KemTRACE® Chromium — the first product of its kind on the market— is a safe, proven trace mineral. This highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium propionate helps to reduce the negative effects of stress and improve glucose utilization.
Myco CURB® is a mold inhibitor for feed, formulated to inhibit mold growth in processed feed ingredients, complete feed and TMR. Myco CURB contains propionic acid blended with sorbic and benzoic acids and is buffered for improved equipment and employee safety.
RENDOX® stabilizes animal fats and protein meals during the rendering process with antioxidants to maintain product freshness, protect product quality, and increase product shelf life.
References
1Peng, L. et al. 2009. Butyrate Enhances the Intestinal Barrier by Facilitating Tight Junction Assembly via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers. J. Nutr. 139:1619-1625.
2Ma, X. et al. 2012. Butyrate promotes the recovering of intestinal wound healing through its positive effect on the tight junctions. J. Anim. Sci. 90:266-268.
3Katouli, M. et al. 1999. The effect of zinc oxide supplementation on the stability of the intestinal flora with special reference to composition of coliforms in weaned pigs. J. of Applied Microbiology. 87:564-573.
4Zhang, B. et al. 2012. Zinc prevents Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium-induced loss of intestinal mucosal barrier function in broiler chickens. Avian Pathology. 41:361-367.
