Effects of silicate derived from quartz porphyry supplementation in the health of weaning to growing pigs after lipopolysaccharide challenge

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of silicate (SIL) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight, immune traits, fecal microbiota, rectal temperature, and diarrhea score in weaning to growing pigs with challenged lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In experiment 1, a total of 72 piglets [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with initial body weight (BW) of 7.53 ± 0.1 kg were used in 14 weeks. Treatment groups: (1) Basal diet (CON), and (2) Basal diet + 0.1% silicate (SIL). In experiment 2, after reaching an average BW of 28.12 ± 0.79 kg at end of this experiment, 24 piglets in each treatment (12 pigs per treatment and 2 pigs per pen) were challenged with 100 μg/kg LPS. In experiment 1, SIL diets improved (P < 0.05) growth performance, crude protein (CP) digestibility and reduced (P < 0.05) NH₃ emission compared to CON diet. In experiment 2, after piglets were fed SIL diets, numbers of white blood cells (WBCs) such as WBC, neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte were increased (P < 0.05). SIL diets decreased (P < 0.05) cortisol level, Escherichia coli count, diarrhea incidence, and rectal temperature compared to CON diet.