Physiological Response of Weaned Pigs Fed Spondias Mombin Supplemented Diets in Humid tropics

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Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 2021, 48(4): 129 - 135
Nigerian Society for Animal Production
Nigerian Journal of Animal Production
©
Abstract
Physiological response of weaned pigs fed Spondias mombin supplemented diets in
humid tropics
1 2
Alaba, O., Ogunwumiju, B., Odu, O. and Lawal, T. T
1. Animal Physiology and Bioclimatology Unit, Department of Animal Science,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2. Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition Unit, Department of Animal Science,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Corresponding author:femialaba@gmail.com; mobile: +2347054634435
Heat stress is a situation in which the animal body has problems dissipating excess heat due
to breakdown in maintaining homeostatic body core temperature which resulting to
inadequate heat dissipation and discomfort. In this study, Spondias mombin leaf meal
(SMLM) rich in ascorbic acid was supplemented in feed aimed at determining effect on
selected physiological responses of growing pigs. Sixteen growing female pigs weighing 10.5
to14.0kg were randomly allotted to four treatment supplemented maize feed ingredient with
0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5% SMLM w/w in a completely randomized design with four animals and two
replicates per treatment as shown in table1. Results confirmed diurnal variation in
temperature-humidity index THI (morning and evening). This variation affects respiratory
rate, animal thermal stability and heartbeat rate. There was positive and strong relationship
in ameliorating temperature changes in housing environment as animals cope better in diet
supplemented with SMLM than control. Respiratory rates were similar across all treatments
both morning and evening measurements. However, from table 2, there was significant
difference (p<0.05) between control and other treatments with T2 and T3 been similar.
Highest values of heart rates were observed in T3 indicating some contribution to
involuntary physiological actives in pigs which may be effect of some biocomponents of
Spondias sp to cerebella actions in animal brain controlling such involuntary muscle
activities. Supplementation of SMLM up to 5% maize in growing female pigs diet have
potential to confer thermal stability on animals during high temperature periods notable in
humid tropics.
Keywords: Heat stress, Spondias mombin, THI, ascorbic acid, thermal stability,
physiological response
Réponse physiologique des porcs sevrés nourris avec des régimes complémentaires
de Spondias mombin dans les régions tropicales humides
Résumé
Le stress thermique est une condition dans laquelle le corps de l'animal a des problèmes pour
dissiper l'excès de chaleur en raison de la dégradation du maintien de la température interne
du corps homéostatique, ce qui entraîne une dissipation thermique et une gêne insuffisantes.
Dans cette étude, la farine de feuilles de Spondias mombin (SMLM) riche en acide
ascorbique a été complétée dans des aliments destinés à déterminer l'effet sur certaines
réponses physiologiques des porcs en croissance. Seize porcs femelles en croissance pesant
de 10,5 à 14,0 kg ont été attribués au hasard à quatre ingrédients alimentaires de maïs
supplémentés par traitement avec 0, 2,5, 5 et 7,5% de SMLM p / p dans une conception
complètement randomisée avec quatre animaux et deux répétitions par traitement, comme

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indiqué dans le tableau 1. Les résultats ont confirmé la variation diurne de l'indice
température-humidité THI (matin et soir). Cette variation affecte la fréquence respiratoire,
la stabilité thermique de l'animal et la fréquence cardiaque. Il y avait une relation positive et
forte dans l'amélioration des changements de température dans l'environnement de
logement, car les animaux réagissent mieux avec un régime alimentaire complété avec du
SMLM que le témoin. Les fréquences respiratoires étaient similaires pour tous les
traitements, les mesures du matin et du soir. Cependant, à partir du tableau 2, il y avait une
différence significative (p <0,05) entre le contrôle et les autres traitements avec T2 et T3
étaient similaires. Les valeurs les plus élevées de fréquence cardiaque ont été observées dans
T3 indiquant une certaine contribution aux actifs physiologiques involontaires chez les porcs
qui peuvent être l'effet de certains biocomposants de Spondias sp sur les actions cérébrales
dans le cerveau animal contrôlant ces activités musculaires involontaires. La
supplémentation en SMLM jusqu'à 5% de maïs dans le régime alimentaire des porcs femelles
en croissance peut conférer une stabilité thermique aux animaux pendant les périodes de
températures élevées notables dans les régions tropicales humides.
Mots clés: Stress thermique, Spondias mombin, THI, acide ascorbique, stabilité thermique,
réponse physiologique
Introduction
Optimal production in swine is largely
affected by housing, environment as well as
climatic c o n d i t i o n s like a m b i e n t
temperature, relative humidity, wind speed
and solar radiation which varies according
to seasonal changes may confer stresses in
various forms to livestock. In the swine
industry, economic losses associated with
heat stress are mainly explained by reduced
and inconsistent growth, decreased feed
efficiency, decreased carcass quality
(increased lipid deposition and decreased
protein accretion), poor sow performance,
increased mortality (especially in sows and
market hogs) and morbidity, and decreased
facility efficiency (Baumgard and Rhoads,
2013; Ross et al., 2015). Heat stress is a
situation in which the animal body has
problems dissipating excess heat due to
breakdown in maintaining homeostatic
body core temperature which results to
inadequate heat dissipation leading a range
of discomfort to symptoms of heat rash,
heat syncope, heat cramps, heat exhaustion
and heat stroke. Indices like Black Globe-
Humidity Index, temperature humidity
index (THI) is used to measure heat stress.
Scientists Buffington et al., (1981), Marai
(2000), Ogunjimi (2008) have worked on
va rio us animals to co me up wi th
characteristic equations that best describe
effect of humidity and ambient temperature
on farm animals.
Several researchers have shown that high
environmental temperature adversely
affects swine growth and feed intake. In
recent times there seems to be global
climatic fluctuation in the tropics with
al rea dy hig h amb ien t temperature.
However, Nigeria is close to the equator and
characterized by high ambient temperature
between 27- 44 °C, which might be
detrimental to the performance of animals
(I yeg he- Erakpoto bor et al., 2 012).
Maintenance of a homeostatic body core
temperature is a critical brain function
accomplished by a central neural network.
This orchestrates a complex behavioral and
autonomic repertoire in response to
environmental temperature challenges or
declining energy homeostasis and in
support of immune responses and many
behavioral states. Swine exhibit a strong
thermostatic r egu latory me chanism
(Nienaber et al, 1994), with feed intake
reduction as a control variable and body
Physiological response of weaned pigs fed Spondias mombin supplemented diets

131
temperature as a feedback, this ultimately
affect production. Under heat stress
conditions, the decline in the rate of heat
production is much more rapid than the
decline in body temperature. Thus, heat
storage within the body (elevated body
temperature) appears to be a feedback
mechanism to effectively delay additional
eating activity (Eigenberg et al., 1995).
Normally, adjusting voluntary feed intake is
one of the main adaptations employed to
modify metabolic heat production in
response to ambient temperature changes.
Therefore, when ambient temperature
increases, euthermia is maintained mainly
by increasing heat loss and reducing heat
production (Collin et al., 2001). Strategies
to reduce heat produ cti on in clu de
decreasing feed intake and its associated
thermic effect of feeding (Quiniou et al.,
2002), along with decreased physical
activity and reducing basal metabolic rate
(Collin et al., 2001).
In recorded history, medicinal
plants have been in use for the treatment of
man and animal diseases (Osai, 1998;
Ibewike et al., 1997). A plant becomes a
medicinal plant only when its biological
activity has been ethnobotanically reported
or scientifically established (Elujoba,
1997). Spondias mombin is a fructiferous
tree having habitat in Nigeria, Brazil and
several other tropical forests in the world.
This plant is readily common around us in
South West of Nigeria (Iyeye in Yoruba) and
is commonly used in folk medicine. Various
cultures frequently maintain within their
col lecti on of trad i tion al medi c ine
substances valued as drugs for treating
diseases (Elizabetshy, 1992). The entire
dependence of man on plants and plant
Ogunjimi et al. (2008)
repor t e d tha t the relati o n s h ip o f
en vironme ntal te mperature, rel ative
humidity, energy intake and heat production
in growing animal is fundamental factor
that must be considered in designing and
managing of an efficient livestock
production.
products directly for his basic needs as food,
clothing and shelter and indirectly for their
beneficial influence on the climate and
maintenance of his immediate and remote
environment make plants vital to his
survival and the basis of his continued
existence. Very rich in vitamins C and B-
complex. Njoku and Akumefula (2007)
reported ascorbic acid content is about
19.35mg/100g.
Materials and methods
Experimental location
The study was carried out at the Teaching
and Research Farm (TRF) of the University
of Ibadan, Ibadan located between latitudes
60°10” and 90°10” north of the equator and
longitudes 30° and 60° of the Greenwich
during hot dry season (February to March,
2020). A total of sixteen (16) female
weaned pigs with average weight of 10.5 to
Preliminary researches
reported the plant to have a wide range of
antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal
properties (Castner et al., 1998). It was
reported to have abortifacient and uterine
muscle contraction effects (Nworu et al.,
2008). On the other hand, Kramer et al.
(2006) recommended its use for pregnant
woman but only after five months of
pregnancy. They noted that the observed
cytotoxic effects of the plant may have
some benefits in protecting the foetus from
pathogens. Furthermore, they claimed that
its high level of cytotoxicity, is indicative of
analgesic properties. Thus they concluded
that the use of the plant to ease pain during
childbirth supports this evidence. Raji et al.,
(2006) showed that the aqueous leaf extract
of the plant has a dose-dependent anti-
fertility action, but with full recovery
achieved within four weeks after cessation
of treatment with the extract. This
experiment is designed to investigate effect
of S. mombin supplemented diet to reduce
heat stress and enhance thermal stability in
replacement gilts raised in hot humid
season.
Alaba, Ogunwumiju, Odu and Lawal

132
14.3kg were allotted to four treatments in a
completely randomized design with two
replicates per treatment which lasted for
four weeks. The experimental pen was
thoro u g h l y cleaned, w a s hed a n d
disinfected prior to the arrival of the
animals. Water was served ad libitum. The
animals randomly assigned into their four
(4) experimental units with diets containing
0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% S. mombin
replacement of maize in each treatment.
Composition of diets as shown in Table 1,
clean drinking water was sourced from
farm borehole was provided ad libitum for
experimental animals throughout the period
of experiment.
Physio log ica l d ata co lle cti on and
measurement
The rectal temperature (RT) of pigs was
taken with a clinical thermometer, while
respiratory rate (RR) and heart beat rate
(HR) were taken as the number of breaths
per minute. Parameters were monitored
twice daily (7:30am in the morning and 4pm
in the evening) while weekly average was
calculated for each animal per pen.
Table1: Ingredient and Nutrient Composition of Diets Fed to growing pigs
Supplemented with Spondias mombin
leaf meal (SMLM) Electrolytes and Ascorbic Acid
Feed ingredients (%) T1
T2
T3
T4
Maize 45 42.5
40
37.5
SMLM - 2.5
5.0
7.5
Soya bean meal
20
20
20
20
Corn bran
3
3
3
3
Palm kernel cake
25
25
25
25
Fish meal
2
2
2
2
Dicalcium phosphate
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
Oyster shell
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
Broiler starter premix
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
Lysine
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Methionine
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
Calculated nutreint levels
Crude protein (CP)
17.0
17.46
18.0
18.51
Metabolizable energy (ME)
2603.84
2591.7
2580.4
2569.1
Crude fiber (CF)
6.0
7.0
7.4
7.7
Calorie: protein
153:1
148:1
143:1
138:1
Thermoregulation
Statistical analyses
Physiological data obtained were analyzed
Equations of THI according to Ogunjimi et
al., (2008) are;
THI= t-[(0.31-0.31RH/100)]-(t-14.4)
Where: t °C = ambient temperature and RH
= relative humidity %.
From the thermo comfort level of an animal
environment according to LPHSI (1990),
the THI values were classified as follows:
<27.8 = absence of heat stress; 27.8 to 28.9
= moderate heat stress; 29.0 to 30.0 = severe
heat stress; > 30.0 = very severe heat stress.
using one way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) procedure of SAS (2011)
program. Means were compared using the
Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) option
of the same software. Also relationship
between THI and average physiological
measurements for each treatment were
assessed.
Results
The results of effects of Spondias mombin
leaf meal on some physiological parameters
both in the morning and evening are
presented in Tables 2 and 3. Relative
humidity values range of 53 to 90% and
Physiological response of weaned pigs fed Spondias mombin supplemented diets

133
ambient temperature values of 24.4 to
33.7? with calculated THI ranging
between 22.94 to 33.10 were obtained in the
piggery house during the experimental
period. Animals in treatments 2 and 3, were
similar in values of rectal temperature
which significantly differ (P<0.05) from T1
and T4 both during morning and evening
observations. Respiratory rates values of
pigs across treatments were similar for both
morning and evening assessments, though
higher in T2 and T3 (evening). Mean values
for morning heart rates in T1 significantly
differ from other treatments which almost
follow the same pattern for evening
measurement except for mean value of T3
which does not differ (P>0.05) from T1.
However, highest values of heart rates was
observed i n T3 i n d i c a t i ng s o m e
contribution to involuntary physiological
actives in pigs which may be effect of some
biocomponents of Spondias sp to cerebella
actions in animal brain controlling such
involuntary muscle activities
Table 2: Effect of Spondias mombin Leaf meal on some physiological parameters in the
morning
Parameter T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM
Rectal temperature 38.40ab 38.32b 38.20b 38.62a 0.055
Respiratory rate 46.09 41.18 42.0 42.46 0.822
Heart rate 92.18b 102.18a 99.36a 101.86a 1.443
a, b: means on the same row with different superscripts are significantly different(p<0.05)T1-
Control, T2- 2.5% suplimented SMLM, T3- 5% suplimented SMLM, T4- 7.5% suplimented
SMLM, SEM-Standard error of mean.
Table 3: Effect of Spondias mombin Leaf meal on some physiological parameters
in the evening
Parameter T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM
Rectal temperature 39.50c 39.95ab 39.64bc 40.20a 0.0923
Respiratory rate 42.00 44.770 43.687 42.187 0.7749
Heart rate 101.81b 105.51ab 101.81b 108.58a 1.500
a, b: means on the same row with different superscripts are significantly different(p<0.05)T1-
Control, T2- 2.5% suplimented SMLM, T3- 5% suplimented SMLM, T4- 7.5% suplimented
SMLM, SEM-Standard error of mean.
Discussion
Rectal temperature
In the present study, results show the
average daily temperature values indicated
a range above the thermo neutral zone for
weaned pigs (24-30?) pushing weaners
into war m z one of en vir onmenta l
temperature beyond which hyperthermia
sets in. However, from Table 1, it is
observed that SMLM supplemented diet in
T2 and T3 does not significantly differ
(P<0.05) from control in rectal temperature
assessed in morning period. Higher RT vale
in T4 maybe as a result of heat increment
conferred by extra heat produced through
digestion and metabolism of SMLM in fed.
These observations put together confirms
the positive relationship between THI and
RT as shown in Table 3. At evening time,
ambient temperature tend to be higher but
the same trend as observed in the morning
period played out. Although, pigs generally
reduce feed intake and spend more time
cooling off which have made breeders to
develop various housing methods like high-
Alaba, Ogunwumiju, Odu and Lawal

134
pressure fogging systems, rain-makers
system and desiccant system demonstrated
by Gates et al., (2001).
Respiratory rate
Means obtained for both morning and
evening breathing rate do not differ across
treatments. Although, variation in values
may emanate from handling which cause
some level of fright to animals. Table 3
shows inverse relationship between
changes in THI and breathing rate except in
T3. Scientific research works have been
done to correlate diet with breathing. As one
of the numerous body activities, breathing
require fuel which is provided in feed
intake. Except in disease condition,
temperature variation/changes may not
have so much effect of respiration. This is
evident in Tables 1 and 2. Zander (1990)
repo r t ed a neg a t ive i nflue n c e o f
malnutrition on respiration for a short time.
Respiratory muscles demand for animals
for more oxygen when the is a pulmonary
muscle infection and evident in increased
breathing (Berthon and Wood, 2015).
Heart rate
Sameh et al., (2017) rep orted the
antioxidative and cytoprotective effect of
Spondias sp, having potential to reduce
oxidative stress in cardiac muscles. In
addition, bioactive components like methyl
gallate and gallic acid, have inhibitory
effect on cells that causes cardiac cells
degenerative disease. Although, diets with
SMLM supplementation significantly
differ from control, results from this study
shows that heart beats and rates of pigs are
within range of heart beat which has a
strong relationship with THI. This may
indicate effects of secondary metabolites
bioactive component of SMLM with
portion of animal brain concerned with
regulation of the heart and its functionality,
that is its medulla.
Conclusion
The study showed diurnal variation in
temperature humidity index (THI) and
housing environment of growing pigs with
the highest THI in the evening period for
each day, which has a marginal pulsation on
the physiological performance of animals.
Also, optimal relative humidity and
t e m p e r a tur e a l o n gsi d e w i th 5 %
supplementation Spondias mombim leaf
meal help maintain thermal stability and
physiological adaptation to environment
during temperature conditions that can
cause heat stress, therefore enhancing
productivity of replacement gilts reared in
high humid period of the year.
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Received: 10 November, 2020
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Accepted: 5 February, 2021
Alaba, Ogunwumiju, Odu and Lawal