Potential Benefits of Different Plant Extracts for Management of Heat Stress in Swine: A Review

Abstract

Global meat consumption has led animal production to increase milk and meat production. This has led to the intensification of swine production in several countries, some of which are regions where animals are exposed to long periods of warm and humid conditions. Intensive management practices have further entailed strategies to address significant interactions between climate change and the impacts of heat stress. As swine production faces performance, production, reproduction, feed conversion, health, and welfare problems. Innovations in nutritional studies have attributed the use of plant extracts and their potential benefits in alleviating heat stress management in swine. Studies have shown promising results in the use of these phytobiotics as alternatives and have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and growth-promoting effect; with further research and development, these plant extracts and bioactive compounds poses as beneficial to swine production.