Effect of different spray dried plasmas on growth, ileal digestibility, nutrient deposition, immunity and health of early-weaned pigs challenged with E. coli K88

A total of 96 piglets were weaned at 19 and 13 days in Esp. 1 and 2, respectively, and allotted to one of four diets: three with different spray dried plasmas (SPs) and one with hydrolysed casein (IIC). SPs were from pigs (SPP), mixed origin (SMP), and mixed origin with standardized level of immunoglobulins (SMPIG). All the diets contained 1.7% total lysine, 25% of the test protein source, 45% com starch. 15% lactose, 2% sucrose, 7% soybean oil. At d 4 and d 2 in Esp. I and 2. respectively. piglets were perorally challenged with 10(10) CFU E. coli K88. Growth performance. immunity, and health condition were measured for 15 days and 14 days in Exp. 1 and 2. respectively. To investigate apparent ileal digestibility and nutrient deposition, all piglets were sacrificed at d 14 in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1.3 piglets died in HC diet and 1 in SPP diet. HC dirt showed higher mortality (p <0.01) than other diets. In Exp. 2, no clinical sign of infection was detected, no difference for the content of E coli K88 was found in feces at 4 and 6 days after the infection, and no E coli K88 was found in the jejunum at the end of experiment. In both experiments, feed intake was lower for IIC diet and ADG was 96, 106, 122 and 155 for HC, SPP SMP and SMPIG diet, respectively (HC vs others, p <0.05: SMPIG vs other SI: p <0.01). Ileal apparent digestibility of nitrogen in sacrificed piglets was higher for HC diet (p <0.05). After the challenge, K88-specific IgA titers in saliva (Exp. 1) and in plasma (Exp. 2) were reduced in SMP and SMPIG. The piglets positive to the adhesion of the used 6 coli strain to the intestinal brush borders had a significantly reduced growth (p <0.01) and a higher K88-specific IgA titer in plasma, in comparison with negative ones. This effect was independent of the diet. The data show the relevance of spray dried plasma sources and particularly of SP with standardized level of immunoglobulins for the feeding of early-weaned pigs at the risk of infection by enterotoxigenic bacteria.