Evaluation of Berberine As an Alternative to Antibiotics in Nursery Pig Diets

A study was conducted to determine the effects of berberine (plant extract) on growth performance, electrophysiological properties of small intestine mounted in Ussing chambers, and small intestinal histomorphology of weaned pigs. Twenty-four 3 wk-old weaned pigs (average initial BW = 6.35 kg) were obtained in 2 batches of 12 pigs each, and assigned to 3 experimental diets within batch (4 pigs/diet/batch). The diets included a basal diet without or with antibiotics or 3% berberine. The experiment lasted for 7 days, and at the end, body weight gain and feed consumption were determined. The pigs were then euthanized to determine duodenal, jejunal, and ileal trans-epithelial resistance (TER) and small intestinal histomorphology. Data was analyzed using Mixed procedure of SAS with batch as block and pig as experimental unit. There was no effect of dietary treatment on average daily gain. The average final BW was 5.92 ± 0.34 kg. However, pigs fed antibiotic-containing diet had greater (P < 0.029) average daily feed intake than those fed the basal diet (0.156 vs. 0.123 kg). Inclusion of berberine in the basal diet decreased (P < 0.0001) ADFI from 0.123 to 0.056 kg. There was no difference in villous height and crypt depth in all sections of small intestine between pigs fed antibiotic-containing diet and basal diet. Inclusion of berberine in the basal diet decreased (P < 0.05) crypt depth in duodenum and ileum by an average of 35% and tended to decrease (P = 0.069) crypt depth in jejunum by 32%. Ileal villous height was decreased (P < 0.0001) by 28% due to inclusion of berberine in basal diet. However, there was no effect of including berberine in basal diet on villous height in duodenum and jejunum. Pigs fed antibiotic-containing diet and basal diet had similar TER values (which reflects intestinal mucosal barrier function) in all sections of the small intestine. Inclusion of berberine in basal diet tended to decrease (P = 0.078) TER in duodenum from 55.53 to 44.31Ω. Berberine in the basal diet reduced feed intake, and crypt depth and villous height in the ileum, and tended to decrease TER in doudenum. It can be concluded that inclusion of antibiotic had minimal impact on intestinal health parameters. Dietary inclusion of berberine appeared to have a negative effect on gut health; however, the influence of berberine is confounded by very low feed intake which can also negatively influence gut health.