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Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs

La Van Kinh, William W. Riley, James G. Nickerson, Doan Vinh, Nguyen Van Phu, Nguyen Thanh Van, La Thi Thanh Huyen, View ORCID ProfileGraham W. Burton
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.07.241174
La Van Kinh
†Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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William W. Riley
‡Ateneo University, Health Sciences Program, Quezon City, Philippines
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James G. Nickerson
§Avivagen, Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6
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Doan Vinh
†Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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Nguyen Van Phu
†Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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Nguyen Thanh Van
†Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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La Thi Thanh Huyen
†Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, Binh Duong, Vietnam
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Graham W. Burton
§Avivagen, Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0R6
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  • ORCID record for Graham W. Burton
  • For correspondence: g.burton@avivagen.com
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Abstract

The discovery that a naturally occurring, biologically active β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound is the main product formed in spontaneously oxidized β-carotene has stimulated interest in its potential health benefits. The copolymer, formed in nature or synthetically by the air-oxidation of β-carotene, possesses beneficial immune modulating activities that previously had been attributed to β-carotene itself. Support for these benefits is provided by previous studies showing that supplementation in feed with low parts-per-million levels of copolymer-rich, fully oxidized β-carotene (OxBC) helped reduce the negative impact of subclinical necrotic enteritis in broilers and improved growth in weaned piglets. To further assess these potential benefits, two trials were conducted in swine raised under commercial conditions in Vietnam. Trial 1, a 140-day full-grow, post-wean study with 500 28-day-old pigs, compared 2, 4 or 8 ppm OxBC against both an unsupplemented and an antibiotic control group. OxBC and antibiotics each improved growth rate, feed efficiency, and body weight compared to the control (P<0.001). Animals receiving 4 and 8 ppm OxBC performed better than did animals on antibiotics (P<0.001). In starter pigs, OxBC reduced the occurrence of diarrhea dose-dependently (4 and 8 ppm) and to a greater extent than did antibiotics (P<0.001). Trial 2, a 49-day study with 420 piglets, was conducted in two-stages. In Stage 1 (pre-wean), OxBC in the transition (creep) feed produced a dose-dependent trend toward increased body weight over 21 days, reaching significance at the highest inclusion level (16 ppm) (P<0.001). In Stage 2 (post-wean), body weight gain showed a dose-dependent trend and was significant for both 8 ppm OxBC and the antibiotics at 28 days post-wean (P<0.001). Feed conversion was better at 8 ppm OxBC and for the antibiotic group (P<0.001). These findings support the concept that β-carotene-oxygen copolymers help optimize immune function, and provide validation for the effectiveness of this strategy in enhancing animal performance in the absence of in-feed antibiotics.

Competing Interest Statement

JGN and GWB are employees of, and WWR is a consultant to, Avivagen Inc. GWB and WWR own shares in Avivagen Inc. Avivagen Inc. sells two products based on oxidized beta-carotene for use 1) as a companion animal supplement, Vivamune Health Chews for dogs, marketed online in the US, and 2) OxC-beta Livestock 10%, a non-antibiotic, immune-supporting alternative feed additive for livestock. LVH, DV, NVP, NTV and LTTH have declared that no competing interests exist.

Footnotes

  • Minor corrections.

  • Abbreviations

    OxBC
    oxidized β-carotene
    AB
    antibiotic diet
    ADG
    average daily growth
    ADFI
    average daily feed intake
    BW
    body weight
    CD14
    cluster of differentiation receptor 14
    CP
    crude protein
    DCP
    dicalcium phosphate
    DDGS
    dried distillers grains with solubles
    F/G
    feed/gain
    ME
    metabolizable energy
    NE
    net energy
    OxBC
    fully oxidized β-carotene
    PPRR
    pathogen pattern recognition receptor
    PRRS
    porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
    TLR
    toll-like receptor
  • Copyright 
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    Posted September 11, 2020.
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    Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs
    La Van Kinh, William W. Riley, James G. Nickerson, Doan Vinh, Nguyen Van Phu, Nguyen Thanh Van, La Thi Thanh Huyen, Graham W. Burton
    bioRxiv 2020.08.07.241174; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.07.241174
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    Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs
    La Van Kinh, William W. Riley, James G. Nickerson, Doan Vinh, Nguyen Van Phu, Nguyen Thanh Van, La Thi Thanh Huyen, Graham W. Burton
    bioRxiv 2020.08.07.241174; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.07.241174

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