Leman Swine Conf.: Soy bioactive compounds show promise in cutting PRRS-related mortality

Dr. Ryan Dilger, professor at the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and Dr. Brooke Smith, veterinary nutrition lead at Cargill Animal Nutrition, recently spoke to The Pig Site’s Sarah Mikesell at the Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. 

Dr. Dilger, can you share the information from your presentation with our readers?

I presented information about bioactive compounds in soy and how they have immunomodulatory effects. Bioactive compounds can regulate how the immune system works in a pig that's experiencing a respiratory disease. 

One of our goals is to minimize the frequency, duration and magnitude of the immune response using bioactive compounds in natural ingredients like soy to shape the immune response before, during and after a disease challenge. 

What are the specific bioactive compounds we should be aware of, and what's their potential impact on the immune system? 

Isoflavones and saponins are naturally occurring and complementary modulators, called secondary metabolites. Both are very minor fractions in soy and are not nearly at the level of protein or other carbohydrates found there. However, they have profound effects when it comes to how inflammation occurs in a pig that is sick with respiratory disease. 

Isoflavones are absorbed, circulate and act in the lung and immune cells. They support adaptive immunity while reducing viral load. 

Saponins are not absorbed but act locally in the gut, indirectly influencing systemic immunity. Saponins also help to maintain the integrity of the intestines and strengthen the epithelial barrier in the gut, so pigs don't get secondary infections.

Isoflavones and saponins provide anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-oxidative benefits.