Inflamove® for piglets
InflaMove® is a phytogenic feed supplement for supporting healthy gut function. Infl aMove...
Natural products known as phytogenics have been the focus of several animal studies in recent years. Phytogenics are a group of natural bioactive substances originating from plants, especially herbs, spices and berries. These substances are reported to have a wide range of activities, including modulation of the gut microbial population, antioxidant effect, immune stimulation, and stimulant for increased feed intake.
To investigate the effect of a new phytogenic feed supplement with the name InflaMove, a trial was conducted at a commercial German sow and piglet farm with a high incidence rate of Escherichia coli in post-weaning piglets (about 15%)*. The aim of the trial was to test the effect of the phytogenic supplement for its ability to reduce post weaning diarrhea (PWD) and improve production performance in piglets from weaning at day 25 to day 66 of age.
InflaMove contains selected parts from rosemary, grape, fenugreek seeds, olive leaves, quillaja bark and a natural flavouring extract. The phytogenic components in the product are selected for their rich sources of terpenes, polyphenols and saponins for ensuring a broad-spectrum gastrointestinal tract effect with emphasis on the microbial and anti-inflammatory effect for improving production performance.
Trial and results
- 150 weaned piglets (½ ♂ and ½ ♀, 10 replicates) were used for the 42-day trial
- 3 treatment groups: T1 control diets (no supplementation); T2 control + 400 ppm InflaMove; T3 control + 800 ppm InflaMove
- Feed: Weaner diet from day 1 – 14 and starter diet from day 14 – 42. (Isoenergetic and isonitrogenous basal diets)
Improvement in faecal scores
Faecal scores were generally higher, indicating soft to liquid faeces (see figure) during the first 14-day period in all three groups. However, InflaMove significantly improved the faecal score (P≤0.01). The number of piglets treated with antibiotics due to PWD was notably lower in the InflaMove supplemented groups (T2 and T3) compared to control (T1).
Figure: Faecal score: 0 = firm faeces; 1 = soft faeces; 2 = pasty faeces; 3 = liquid diarrhoea. Antibiotic treatments due to PWD (body temperature > 40.0⁰ C).
Table: production performance
Level of significance: (P≤0.001)
Daily weight gain was increased by more than 10% during the weaning period for the groups receiving InflaMove (T2 and T3) as compared to the control group (T1). This was statistically significant. The feed conversion rate was also significantly improved when InflaMove was added.
Overall results
The research demonstrated that inclusion of 400 ppm and 800 ppm InflaMove in weaning piglets’ diets significantly improves DWG and FCR of weaner piglets. The phytogenic product also improves faecal score with more than 50% during the first 14 days post weaning and reduces the need for antibiotic treatments due to post-weaning gut disorders. In conclusion, the phytogenic feed supplement InflaMove was demonstrated to be effective in helping piglets through the weaning period and enhancing piglet performance.
