TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of Oral Administration of Spermine on the Development of Small Intestine and Growth Performance of Weaned Pigs AU - Hou, Yongqing AU - Kang, Ping AU - Wang, Meng AU - Yin, Yulong AU - Ding, Binying AU - Zhu, Huiling AU - Liu, Yulan AU - Qiu, Yinsheng AU - Yi, Dan AU - Wang, Lei AU - Gong, Joshua JO - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances VL - 11 IS - 15 SP - 2782 EP - 2787 PY - 2012 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1680-5593 DO - javaa.2012.2782.2787 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2012.2782.2787 KW - Piglets KW -spermine KW -growth performance KW -intestinal morphology KW -intestinal protein/DNA KW -D-xylose AB - The effects of spermine on the development of small intestine and growth performance of newly weaned pigs were investigated. Thirty pigs were used and the treatment of spermine was through oral administration for the 1st 3 days after weaning with the dose of 0, 300, 600, 900 or 1200 μmol per pig daily. The administration of spermine improved Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) and Average Daily Gain (ADG) in the periods 0-14 (p<0.05) but had no significant effects on the ratio of Feed to Gain (F/G) and protein/DNA contents of the duodenal or ileal mucosa. The protein/DNA content of the jejunum was significantly increased at the doses of 300 and 600 μmol day-1 spermine but was declined at the higher doses. The villus height in the duodenum (p<0.01) and ileum (p<0.05) increased with an increase in spermine doses. The crypt depth was reduced by spermine in the jejunum and the ratio of villus height/crypt depth was increased by spermine in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p<0.05). Additionally, the treatment of spermine at tested doses showed no effect on D-xylose absorption by the small intestine. These results indicate that oral administration of spermine for 3 days after weaning increased ADG and ADFI, enhanced the development of the small intestinal mucosa and improved intestinal morphology. ER -