Effects of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus l.), a replacement of antibiotic, on growth performance, physical and biological changes of ileum and large intestine in weaning pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus Linn.) as and antibiotic substituted inthe diet on growth performance, both physically and biologically gastrointestial changes in weaning pigs. Forty castrated male and forty female weaned crossbred pigs of 7.08+-0.89 kg initial body weight were used in the experiment. Pigs were randomly allocated and fed according to 5 experimental diets arrangement, treatment diets were control (Control), 3%Jerusalem artichoke (3%artichoke), 6%Jerusalem artichoke (6%artichoke), 1% Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and Antibiotic. All pigs were fed with corresponded diet in ad libitum basis for five weeks, and growth performances were determined at the 2nd and 5th week. At the end of study intestines of euthanized pigs were anatomically separated into 5 sections. The length and weight of each intestinal section were measured. Content and tissue were collected for pH, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), DNA and RNA determinations. The remaining pigs were use for transit time determination by using Cr[subscript 2]O[subscript 3]. There was no significant difference in growth performance and all intestinal functionparameters among all arranged diets (P>0.05). Pigs fed on the control diet had the highest mortality rate. The 3% artichoke group tended to have better growth performance (P>0.05). The higher relative wet weight in 3% and 6%artichoke groups were corresponded with higher total SCFAs concentration in the colon. Dietary supplementation of FOS reduced the transit time of feed in the GI tract while other diets did not have any effect. Incorporation of Jerusalem artichoke powder as an antibiotic substituted in the pig diets may be beneficial in production efficiency. Further studies on the use of Jerusalem artichoke as prebiotic are needed