Effects of Recombinant Human Lactoferrin on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Index of Weaned Piglets

【Objective】The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of recombinant human lactoferrin (rHL) on the growth performance and serum biochemical index of weaned piglets.【Method】One hundred and eighty 28-dayold weaned piglets (with uniform weight), were assigned randomly to 6 treatment groups and there were 3 replicates in each group with 10 piglets per replicate (5 males and 5 females). The control group A were fed with a basal diet, and group B piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (1 g/kg 10% bacitracin zinc + 200 mg/kg 10% colistin). Groups C, D, E and F were fed with basal diets supplemented with 160, 320, 480 and 640 mg/kg rHL, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days.【Result】The results showed as follows: (1) the final weight and average daily gain(ADG) of groups B, C, D, E and F were higher than those of group A (P ＜ 0.05). The daily intake of groups B and E was significantly higher than that of group A(P ＜ 0.05). The ratio of weight gain to intake of groups B, D, E and F was significantly lower than that of groups A(P ＜ 0.05). The diarrhea index of groups B, D, E and F was lower than that of groups A and C(P ＜ 0.05). (2) The concentrations of serum albumin and TP of group E were higher than that those of group A(P ＜ 0.05). The urea nitrogen of groups B and E was higher than that of group A(P ＜ 0.05). (3)The T-AOC level of groups C, D, E and F was higher than that of group A(P ＜ 0.05). The GSH-Px activity of groups D and F was higher than that of group A(P ＜ 0.05). The T-SOD level of group E was higher than that of groups A and B(P＜ 0.05). The MDA content of group A was lower than that of groups C, D, E and F(P＜ 0.05).【Conclusion】 The above data showed the supplemented rHL could improve the growth performance, serum biochemical index and antioxidant ability of weaned piglets. The optimum level of rHL was 480 mg/kg based on the test results.