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Growth performance and enzyme development in weanling pigs injected with dexamethasone
S Gómez1, M L Angeles, J A Cuarón
1Centro Nacional de Investigación en Fisiología y Mejoramiento Animal, INIFAP, México.
Journal of Animal Science
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Dexamethasone (DEX) injections did not improve growth performance in weanling pigs. While DEX enhanced digestive enzyme activity, it did not overcome reduced feed intake, highlighting a critical factor for piglet performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Swine Nutrition
Background:
- Weanling pigs face significant physiological and nutritional challenges during the post-weaning period.
- Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, is sometimes used to modulate physiological responses, but its impact on digestive function and growth in piglets requires clarification.
- Understanding the interplay between hormonal treatments, digestive enzyme activity, and feed intake is crucial for optimizing piglet health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) administration on the growth performance of weanling pigs.
- To assess the impact of DEX on key digestive enzyme activities, including amylase, sucrase, and lactase, in weanling pigs.
- To determine the relationship between DEX treatment, digestive enzyme modulation, and feed intake in the context of piglet growth.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments involving weanling pigs were conducted, utilizing varying frequencies and dosages of DEX injections prior to weaning.
- Different dietary regimens (simple vs. semicomplex) were employed in conjunction with DEX treatments.
- Growth performance parameters (e.g., average daily gain) and digestive enzyme activities (amylase, sucrase, lactase) were measured, with pancreas weight also assessed.
Main Results:
- Dexamethasone treatment did not significantly affect overall growth performance in weanling pigs across different experimental conditions.
- Pigs fed a simple diet exhibited improved performance metrics after 15 days post-weaning compared to those on a semicomplex diet.
- DEX administration led to increased pancreas weight and enhanced total activity of amylase and sucrase, but decreased lactase activity.
Conclusions:
- While dexamethasone injection can enhance specific digestive enzyme activities in weanling pigs, it does not translate into improved growth performance.
- Reduced feed intake, potentially associated with DEX administration around weaning, appears to be a limiting factor overriding any digestive benefits.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind DEX-induced feed intake reduction and its implications for piglet post-weaning success.