Effects Of Three Kinds Of Insect Powder On Serum Levels Of Hormones, Cytokines And Biochemical Parameter In Weaned Piglets

With the rapid development of large-scale swine production, the diet consumption is daily increasing, and the gap of protein feedstuff is growing. Therefore, the exploitation of renewable resources, especially, protein feedstuff become a very urgent task. Insect is a kind of biological resources containing high-quality protein, and presents great potential for development and application. This study evaluated the effects of the powder of yellow mealworm, fly maggots and barley insect on serum levels of hormones, cytokines and biochemical parameters in piglets weaned at14days of age, in order to provide the basis for insect protein application in pig production. The results are as follows:During the56-d experimental period, the serum level of GH in weaned piglets presented a upward trend (P>0.05); dietary addition with barley insects or fly maggots reduced (P>0.05) the serum levels of SS in the piglets; the serum levels of IGF-1in piglets from yellow mealworm, fly maggots and barley insects groups were higher (P<0.01) than the control group.Compared with the control group, fly maggots and barley insects improved (P<0.05) the serum level of IL-2, and barley insects increased (P<0.01) the serum level of IL-10. The serum levels of TNF-a in barley insects and fly maggots groups were higher (P>0.05) than the control group.Compared with the control group, yellow mealworm and barley insect reduced (P<0.01) the serum activity of CK; the serum activities of GGT in three experimental groups were lower (P>0.05); the serum activities of CHE in fly maggots and barley insects groups were obviously higher (P<0.01), indicating a promoting effect on liver function and health. The serum levels of GLU in three experimental groups were higher (P<0.05), while the serum levels of UA (P<0.01) and urea (P>0.05) were lower than the control group. After4-week addition, the activity of lipid metabolism in piglets from yellow mealworm group is active (P<0.05).In conclusion, three insects had promoting effects on the secretion of GS, SS and IGF-1in weaned piglets, and the effects of fly maggots and barley insects were better; three insects had promoting effects on the secretion of IL-2、IL-10and TNF-α in weaned piglets, and the effect of barley insects was better; three insects had a positive effect on the biochemical parameter in weaned piglets, which indicated that they could alter the metabolism status in the weaned piglets.