Supplemental Cap-Met in diet to promote growth performance and immune response of nursery pigs

This study was conducted to compare the effect of Colistin and Cap-Met supplementation in nursery pig diets on growth performance, fecal score, short chain fatty acids in the caecum and gut immunity. Seventy-two crossbred pigs (Duroc x Large White x Landrace; initial weight 6.76 ± 0.22 kg) were divided into 3 groups with 6 replications of 18 piglets each. There were 3 dietary treatments: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet + Colistin 40 ppm and 3) basal diet + 0.2% Cap-Met. The supplementation of 0.2% Cap-Met improved FCR of piglets during 24-38 days of age. At 66 days of age, supplementing Colistin or Cap-Met increased the concentration of lactic acid in the caecum, while the IL-1 beta level in the jejunum declined. In conclusion, Cap-Met supplementation improved the FCR and showed positive immune and inflammatory responses of piglets.