Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A031
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A031
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A031 (2025)
Ascophyllum nodosum as a potential modulator of tibia bone properties in weaned piglets
Katarzyna Woś1,2*, Karol Pachciński1,2, Marianna Wacko1,2, Fabian Domański1, Anna Czech1
1 Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Biochemistry Section of the Student Scientific Club of Animal and Bioeconomy Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: katarzyna.wos00@wp.pl
Abstract
Natural feed additives are gaining attention for their potential benefits in animal nutrition. Marine algae, including Ascophyllum nodosum, are rich in bioactive compounds that may influence bone development. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Ascophyllum nodosum to the piglet diet on the structural and biomechanical properties of the tibia. The experiment was conducted on 150 piglets (Landrace and Yorkshire Hybrid × Duroc and Pietrain Hybrid crosses). After weaning (day 28), the piglets were divided into three groups: C (control – standard diet), A-0.6 (standard feed with 0.6 % Ascophyllum nodosum), and A-1 (standard feed with 1% Ascophyllum nodosum). The experiment continued until day 64. At the end, six piglets per group were humanely sacrificed for tibia analysis. The right tibiae were used for densitometry and bone geometry measurements, while the left tibiae underwent a three-point bending test. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined. Mean relative metacarpal bone wall thickness (MRWT), cortical index (CI), cross-sectional area (CSA), and cross-sectional moment of inertia (Ix) were cal-culated. The Seedor index was also assessed. Structural parameters such as yield strength, elastic work, fracture load, fracture work, and stiffness were analyzed. Based on these data, Young’s modulus, elastic strain, and fracture strain were calculated together with bone geometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 5 software. Piglets receiving 0.6% algae (A-0.6) showed favorable changes in densitometric and biome-chanical parameters compared to the control group (C). BMD and BMC were significantly higher in A-0.6, while these values decreased in A-1. The Ix index was significantly lower in A-0.6 compared to C and A-1 (p = 0.005). Biomechanical analysis showed that 0.6% algae supplementation increased Elastic Work and Yield Stress, which was quadratically correla-ted (p = 0.022 and p = 0.011). Work to Fracture was higher in both A-0.6 and A-1 compared to C. Elastic Strain increased in A-0.6 but decreased in A-1, showing a linear relationship (p = 0.002). The results indicate that 0.6% Ascophyllum nodosum positively affects tibia mineralization and strength, promoting skeletal development. In contrast, 1% supplementation did not pro-vide additional benefits and even reduced some parameters. Thus, 0.6% appears to be the optimal dose for supporting bone health in piglets.
Keywords: Ascophyllum nodosum, tibia bone, weaned pigs
How to cite
K. Woś, K. Pachciński, M. Wacko, F. Domański, A. Czech, 2025. Ascophyllum nodosum as a potential modulator of tibia bone properties in weaned piglets. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A031