The Soy Effect…
…when you can impact PRRS-related mortality with a nutritional approach.
A new way of thinking about soybean meal and its impact on Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD)
Bioactive Compounds: Modulating immunity and improving disease resilience
Soybean meal has long been the cornerstone of swine diets, serving as a high-quality protein source with a balanced amino acid profile. But emerging research now indicates that soybean meal also contains bioactive compounds, such as isoflavones (ISF) and saponins, that can have an impact on SRD, including the more severe and prevalent strains of PRRSv.
Mechanism of Action
Research has identified two bioactive compounds that help reduce viral loads and modulate immunity.
Soy isoflavones reduce days to full viral clearance and pathogen-related mortality in growing pigs infected with PRRSv2
Presentations
Documented benefits of dietary SBM for respiratory disease-challenged pigs from the commercial sector
Paul Yeske, R. Dean Boyd
Mechanistic insights into key soy-derived bioactives (isoflavones, saponins): Modulating immunity and improving disease resilience in swine
Ryan Dilger
Key SBM functional compounds reduced pathogen-related mortality in growing pigs infected with PRRSv: Results and clinical description
Brooke Smith
Related News
Leman Swine Conference: Soy bioactive compounds show promise in cutting PRRS-related mortality
The Pig Site, Interview with Brooke Smith and Ryan Dilger
Swine Health Blackbelt podcast – Soybean meal as a strategic PRRSv management tool
Swine Health Blackbelt podcast with Brooke Smith and Ryan Dilger
1Dilger, R. Mechanistic insights into key soy-derived bioactives: Modulating immunity and improving disease resilience in swine. 2025 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.
2Smith et al. 2020. J. Anim. Sci. Dietary soy isoflavones reduce pathogen-related mortality in growing pigs under porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viral challenge.