The influence of microbial muramidase on growth and gut health of weaned piglets

Microbial muramidase (MUR) can hydrolyses bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) in the gut, thereby reducing PGN-induced mucosal inflammation and promoting intestinal homeostasis. Based on this, it was hypothesised that dietary supplementation with microbial MUR in weaned pigs would enhance growth performance and improve gut health and microbial balance. Ninety-six pigs (28 ± 0.2 days old) were assigned to either a control group (CTR, standard diet) or a treatment group (TRT, diet supplemented with 65,000 lysozyme specific units measured with a fluorescein assay (LSU(F)/kg) from day (d) 0 (weaning) to d44. Weekly assessments included body weight (BW), feed intake, faecal scores, and antibiotic treatments. Faecal samples were collected on d9 and d28. The MUR supplementation reduced antibiotic treatments up to d28 (p p = 0.01), average daily gain (d0–d44, p p p = 0.02) in TRT pigs, but no differences at d28. Beta diversity differed at both time points (R2 = 0.05; p Turicibacter (LDA > 3, p Colidextribacter (LDA > 3, p Muramidase improved feed efficiency and growth in weaned pigs.Muramidase supplementation reduced antibiotic use during the first 28 days.Muramidase supplementation affected gut microbiota composition of weaned pigs. Muramidase improved feed efficiency and growth in weaned pigs. Muramidase supplementation reduced antibiotic use during the first 28 days. Muramidase supplementation affected gut microbiota composition of weaned pigs.