Dietary vitamin E and aspirin supplementation influence the performance and incidence of post-weaning colibacillosis in pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli

摘要

Increased biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from arachidonic acid, caused by immune system activation, negatively affects the performance and health of pigs (Wright et ah, 2000). Xu et ah (1990) reported that supplementation of 125 ppm aspirin,an anti-inflammatory agent, improved the daily gain and feed conversion ratio of weaner pigs. Furthermore, in chickens, a combined supplementation of aspirin and vitamin E (Vit E) synergistically depressed PGE2 biosynthesis and reduced mortalities afteran E. coli infection (Likoff et ah, 1981). The current experiment tested the hypothesis that Vit E and aspirin supplementation would have a synergistic effect on reducing post-weaning colibacillosis (PWC) and improving performance in pigs experimentallyinfected with an enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli (ETEC).