The effects of dietary fiber level on nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of total dietary fiber level on nutrient digestibility and the relationship between apparent total tract digestibility of total dietary fiber, and soluble dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber and available energy. Sugar beet pulp was as the only fiber source. The experiment was designed as a 6 × 6 Latin square with an adaptation period of 7 d followed by a 5-d total collection of feces and urine. Feed intake tended to decrease (P =0.10) as total dietary fiber level increased. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy decreased (P <0.01) when total dietary fiber increased but the digestibility of soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber increased (P <0.01). The digestible energy and metabolizable energy content of diets decreased (P <0.01) as the total dietary fiber increased.     

日粮纤维对不同妊娠阶段松辽母猪养分消化率影响研究

本试验以松辽黑猪为研究对象,以妊娠前中后三个时期为研究重点,以苜蓿草粉为纤维来源,通过饲喂高纤维含量的日粮,研究日粮纤维对母猪繁殖性能的影响。通过测定采食高纤维日粮母猪的常规繁殖生产成绩、血液生化指标、血清抗氧化酶活性、养分消化率以及血清繁殖激素分泌水平,为日粮纤维在松辽母猪生产上的合理利用提供参考。试验基础日粮以玉米和豆粕为主要原料,采用单因子试验设计,将胎次、配种时间、体重、背膘厚度基本一致的松辽母猪10头,随机分为两个处理组,每个处理组5个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验组日粮纤维水平7.2%,对照组日粮纤维水平3.8%,其他成分试验组和对照组基本一致。试验期为150 d。试验结果表明:妊娠前期采食日粮纤维的母猪,粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、干物质以及粗纤维的消化率均降低,而对照组母猪与试验组母猪在各个指标存在显著性差异(P﹤0.05),对照组较试验组分别高3.12%、2.36%、4.90%、1.36%。妊娠中期母猪在采食大量日粮纤维后,对照组的消化率与试验组消化率存在显著性差异(P﹤0.05),对照组粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、干物质较试验组相比,分别高5.29%、2.49%、5.35%。妊娠后期采食高纤维日粮后,其粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、干物质、粗纤维的消化率明显低于妊娠前期和中期,对照组与试验组在各个指标上存在显著差异(P﹤0.05),分别高出5.81%、1.91%、1.32%、3.18%。     

牛至油对生长猪生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响

选用健康、体重25kg左右的荣×大×杜杂交猪60头,随机分到2个组,每组6个重复,每个重复5头猪,每圈为1个重复,研究添加牛至油对生长猪生产性能和养分消化率的影响。试验组在对照组的基础上添加100g/t的牛至油,测定猪的生产性能和养分表观消化率。试验结果表明,在生长猪日粮中添加100g/t的牛至油具有改善猪只生产性能、提高养分表观消化率的趋势,可降低单位增重饲料成本。     

浅谈日粮纤维在猪的生产中的应用

概括了粮纤维在猪生产中的重要实践意义，以及积极的和消极的影响，并提出了实际生产中应注意的问题。     

Dietary protein level affects nutrient digestibility and ileal microbiota structure in growing pigs

This study aimed to determine whether dietary protein content influences pig health as indicated by ileal microbiota structure and coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients. Seventy‐two gilts, with an initial body weight of 29.9 ± 1.5 kg, were used in this 42‐day feeding study. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments of corn‐soybean meal contained 14, 16 or 18% crude protein (CP). As dietary CP content decreased, the CTTAD of most essential amino acids (AAs), except for arginine and histidine, increased linearly, while those of most nonessential AAs decreased linearly. The concentration of total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) was higher in pigs fed the diet with 14% CP content than others. Ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary treatments. In particular, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Tenericutes in ileal digesta decreased as the dietary protein content reduced, while that of cyanobacteria increased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Weeksella, Phaseolus acutifolius, Slackia, Sulfurimonas and Aerococcus showed significant differences among the three dietary treatments. In conclusion, ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary protein content. Moderate reduction of protein intake can benefit gut health by enhancing the gut microbial fermentation and SCFA formation.     

不同能量水平日粮对深县猪生长性能、养分消化率和血液生化指标的影响

为了研究不同消化能水平日粮对深县猪生长性能、养分消化率和血液生化指标的影响,选用体重(15. 54±2. 25) kg的健康深县猪48头,随机分成3组,每组4个重复,每个重复4头猪,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组饲粮消化能水平分别为11. 20、11. 70、12. 20 MJ/kg,预试期7 d,正式期28 d。结果显示:试验Ⅲ组的平均日增重显著高于试验Ⅰ组15. 56%(P<0. 05),试验Ⅲ组的料重比(F/G)显著低于试验Ⅰ组(P<0. 05);试验Ⅲ组粗蛋白、总能与粗脂肪表观消化率均显著高于试验Ⅰ组9. 89%、7. 29%、7. 21%(P<0. 05)。综合各项指标,在本试验条件下,生长期深县猪适宜的消化能水平为12. 20 MJ/kg。     

Effects of space allocations and energy levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of different space allocations and different dietary metabolizable energy (ME) levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing and finishing pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 84 growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight (BW) of 27.10 ± 1.60 kg were used in a 5‐week trial. Pigs were blocked based on initial BW into a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: (i) 0.60 or 0.80 m²/pig space allocations; and (ii) 3,400 or 3,550 kcal/kg ME of diets. In experiment 2, a total of 84 finishing pigs with an initial BW of 67.43 ± 1.97 kg were used in a 10‐week trial. Pigs were allotted based on initial BW into a 2 × 2 factorial design with the following factors: (i) 0.81 or 1.08 m²/pig space allocations; and (ii) 3,300 or 3,450 kcal/kg ME of diet. In experiment 1, high ME diet improved gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F) in pigs with low space allocation but not in pigs in high space allocation (p < .05). Additionally, high ME diet increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen in low space allocation but decreased ATTD of nitrogen in high space allocation (p < .05). In experiment 2, high ME diet improved average daily gain (ADG) and G:F in early‐finishing pigs with low space allocation but not in pigs with high space allocation (p < .05). In conclusion, the provision of high ME diets was not enough to overcome the reduction in growth performance due to low space allocation but can improve feed efficiency in growing pigs and daily gain and feed efficiency early‐finishing pigs.     

不同膳食纤维来源对断奶仔猪生长性能和养分消化率的影响

文章旨在评价饲粮中不同纤维来源对断奶仔猪生长性能和养分消化率的影响。试验选择84头体重接近的28日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为4组,分别饲喂对照组饲粮以及添加5%玉米纤维(CB)、小麦纤维(WB)、大豆纤维(SB)的饲粮,处理28d。试验结果:相比于对照组,CB、WB组料肉比(FCR)分别下降8.5%、7.9%(P<0.05);CB组仔猪总能量(GE)、有机物(OM)、干物质(DM)消化率分别降低2.1%、2.1%、2.9%(P<0.05),粗纤维(CF)、磷(P)消化率分别增加7.8%、29.3%(P<0.05);WB组仔猪GE、OM、DM消化率较对照组分别降低1.8%、3.9%、3.4%(P<0.05),CF、P消化率分别增加8.8%、19.3%(P<0.05);此外,SB组CF、OM、P消化率分别增加9.9%、5.1%、4.5%(P<0.05)。表明,饲粮中纤维显著影响仔猪生长,不同纤维源对仔猪生长性能及养分消化率的影响不同。     

日粮纤维对烟台黑猪及其杂交配套系养分消化率和氮平衡的影响

为研究日粮纤维对不同品种猪养分消化率和氮平衡的影响,试验选取体重相近、健康去势的烟台黑猪、鲁农2号猪各6头,采用有重复的3×3拉丁方设计,分别为基础日粮组,10%大豆皮替代基础日粮组,10%地瓜蔓替代基础日粮组。结果表明,添加10%地瓜蔓组显著降低两个品种猪养分消化率和氮平衡(P<0.05或P<0.01),而10%大豆皮组则影响不显著(P>0.05);纤维性饲料对鲁农2号猪养分消化率和氮平衡的影响幅度大于烟台黑猪。     

Effects of dietary supplemental phytoncide instead of zinc oxide on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,and faecal microflora in growing pigs

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of phytoncide (PTC) instead of zinc oxide on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility and faecal microflora in growing pigs. A total of 120 growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with initial body weight 24.48 ± 1.62 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for a 6 weeks feeding trials, the treatments as follow: CON (base diet),ZO (CON + 0.03% Zinc Oxide), PTC1 (CON + 0.5% PTC), PTC2 (CON + 1.0% PTC). Compared to basal diet, during weeks 1–3, 3–6, and overall experimental period, the ADG of growing pigs fed phytoncide diet trend to be increased, and fed ZO diet was significantly increased (p < 0.05). During weeks 3–6 and overall experiment period, pigs fed the ZO diet showed improvement in feed intake compared to pigs fed basal diet as a trend. Compared with basal diet, the pigs receiving phytoncide diet significantly increased the digestibility of DM and reduced the concentration of aspartate transaminase in pigs receiving 1.0% phytoncide diet. These results suggested that dietary supplement of phytoncide, Korean pine extract, could be used as an alternative to zinc oxide by decreasing detoxify to soil and plants without influencing the performance of growing pigs. Further study is needed to determine the systemic estimation of the dose of phytoncide.     

低蛋白饲粮添加植酸酶和非淀粉多糖酶对生长猪生长性能和养分排泄量的影响

试验旨在研究低蛋白质饲粮添加植酸酶和非淀粉多糖(NSP)酶对生长猪生长性能、养分排泄量的影响。54头平均初始体重为(41.92±2.6)kg的杜长大三元杂交猪分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复6头猪。1组为对照组(饲粮粗蛋白质水平为17.4%),2、3组为试验组,2组在1组基础上,饲粮粗蛋白质水平降至14.3%、总磷水平降低0.1个百分点,添加植酸酶;3组在2组基础上添加NSP酶,试验期38 d。试验结果表明,2组的平均日增重、料重比比1组分别提高7.64%和1.94%(P0.05),其余各组间差异不显著(P0.05);粪N浓度2、3组比1组分别降低18.58%、23.01%(P0.05);粪P浓度2、3组比1组分别降低40.23%、39.08%(P0.01)。由此可见,将常规饲粮粗蛋白质水平降低3个百分点、总磷水平降低0.1个百分点,并添加植酸酶,能显著提高生长猪平均日增重,显著减少粪氮含量,极显著减少粪磷含量;在此基础上,继续添加NSP酶不影响生长猪生长性能和粪中养分含量。     

Chemical composition,energy and amino acid digestibility in double-low rapeseed meal fed to growing pigs

Background

The nutritional value of rapeseed meal may be variable due to the variation of its chemical composition. And a precise understanding of the nutritional value of an ingredient is beneficial for the accurate diet formulation and reduction of feed costs. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) for growing pigs. Thirteen solvent-extracted double-low rapeseed meal (DLRSM) samples were obtained from the main double-low rapeseed producing areas in China.

Methods

The DE and ME contents of the 13 DLRSM samples were measured in growing pigs (six pigs per DLRSM sample, average initial body weight (BW) = 48.3 kg). The AID and SID of AA of 10 DLRSM samples were determined in 12 crossbred barrows (average initial BW = 35.3 kg) by using two 6 × 6 Latin square designs. Each Latin square comprised one N-free diet and 5 DLRSM test diets.

Results

The chemical composition of DLRSM varied among samples, and the coefficient of variation was greater than 10 % for ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), calcium (Ca), and total glucosinolates. The AA content of DLRSM varied among samples especially for lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met). On a dry matter (DM) basis, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), the DE and ME and the ME:DE ratio of DLRSM averaged 62.39 %, 2862 kcal/kg and 2723 kcal/kg, and 94.95 %, respectively. The mean value of SID of Lys was 70.52 % which varied from 66.54–76.54 %. The SID of crude protein (CP), Met, and threonine (Thr) averaged 72.81 %, 82.41 %, and 69.76 %, respectively.

Conclusions

There was great variability in chemical composition especially in the concentration of EE, NDF and ADF, but no significant differences in energy content of the DLRSM samples were observed. In addition, the AID and SID of all AA were relatively similar among DLRSM samples except for that of Lys.     

Comparison of the regression analysis technique and the substitution method for the determination of true phosphorus digestibility and faecal endogenous phosphorus losses associated with feed ingredients for growing pigs

Two digestibility experiments were carried out to comparatively measure true phosphorus (P) digestibility and the faecal endogenous P loss associated with soybean meal (SBM) and wheat middling meal (WM) for growing pigs by the simple linear regression analysis technique and the substitution method. Eight barrows, with an average initial body weight 21 kg, were randomly divided into two groups of four pigs with each group being fed four test diets according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Eight maize starch-based diets containing four levels (on dry matter basis) of P (0.20, 0.24, 0.36 and 0.42%) and P (0.181, 0.26, 0.36, and 0.43%) were formulated from SBM and WM as a sole source of P, respectively. Chromic oxide (0.30%) was used as a digestibility marker. Each experimental period comprised 8 d with a 4-d adaptation and a 4-d collection of faecal samples. Levels of the assay ingredient substitutions had no effects (P > 0.05) on true P digestibility and the endogenous P loss associated with SBM and WM measured by the substitution method. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the regression technique and the substitution method in measuring the true P digestibility (SBM: 49.4 ± 3.51 vs. 50.6 ± 2.4; WM: 63.7 ± 5.0 vs. 63.2 ± 5.4%) as well as the faecal endogenous P loss (SBM: 0.62 ± 0.10 vs. 0.71 ± 0.11; WM: 0.65 ± 0.16 vs. 0.70 ± 0.17 g/kg dry matter intake) for the growing pig. Thus, true P digestibility and the faecal endogenous P loss in feed ingredients for pigs may be measured by using the regression analysis technique and the substitution method.     

Nutrient digestibility of extruded canola meal in ileal-cannulated growing pigs and effects of its feeding on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance in weaned pigs

Canola meal (CM) contains less crude protein (CP) and more fiber and anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates than soybean meal (SBM) and consequently has a lower nutrient digestibility. Therefore, processing strategies that may increase the feeding value of CM warrant study. In two experiments, the effects of extrusion of Brassica napus CM on apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) in growing pigs, and growth performance and diet digestibility in weaned pigs were assessed. Solvent-extracted CM was extruded using a single-screw extruder at three screw speeds: 250 (CM-250), 350 (CM-350), or 450 (CM-450) rpm. In exp. 1, in a double 4 × 4 Latin square, eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight [BW], 68.1 kg) were fed corn starch-based diets containing 50% CM or extruded CM. The CM sample contained 43.2% CP, 33.2% total dietary fiber (TDF), and 8.9 µmol of total glucosinolates/g on a dry matter (DM) basis. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the AID of CP, reduced (P < 0.05) apparent hindgut fermentation of CP, and decreased (P < 0.05) predicted net energy (NE) value of diets. Extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of most indispensable AA by 3.1 to 5.3%-units. In exp. 2, 200 weaned pigs (initial BW, 8.3 kg) were fed diets containing 20% SBM, CM, or extruded CM starting 2 wk postweaning for 3 wk. The CM sample contained 42.7% CP, 28.3% TDF, and 5.3 µmol total glucosinolates/g DM. Wheat-based diets provided 2.3 Mcal NE/kg and 5.1 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. Dietary inclusion of extruded CM replacing SBM decreased (P < 0.05) diet ATTD of DM, GE and CP, and DE value. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (G:F) of pigs did not differ between extruded CM and SBM diets and were not affected by extrusion, but increasing extruder screw speed linearly increased (P < 0.05) ADG for day 1 to 7 and G:F for the entire trial. In conclusion, extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of AA but not DE and predicted NE values of CM. However, increasing extruder speed did not further increase the SID of most of the AA of CM in growing pigs. Dietary inclusion of 20% CM or extruded CM did not affect the growth performance in weaned pigs.     

Effects of dietary fibre level and body weight of pigs on nutrient digestibility and available energy in high‐fibre diet based on wheat bran or sunflower meal

The objectives of this study were (a) to investigate the effect of body weight (BW) on available energy in fibre‐rich diets containing two NDF levels; and (b) to evaluate the effect of fibre type and NDF level on AA digestibility. In Exp. 1, barrows (24 at 33.4 ± 1.1 kg; 24 at 86.8 ± 3.3 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 diets containing a high protein basal (HPB), a low protein basal (LPB), 70% HPB + 30% wheat bran (WB) (HPB‐WB) and 70% LPB + 30% sunflower meal (SFM) (LPB‐SFM). In Exp. 2, barrows (24 at 33.5 ± 1.8 kg; 24 at 87.0 ± 3.8 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 diets containing no SFM with 12% NDF (SFM0LF), no SFM with 16% NDF (SFM0HF), 24% SFM with 12% NDF (SFM24LF) and 24% SFM with 16% NDF (SFM24HF). In Exp. 3, twelve barrows (35.5 ± 3.4 kg) fitted with T‐cannulas were allotted to two 6 × 4 Youden square design with 6 diets (4 same diets as in Exp. 2 and 2 nitrogen‐free diets). The concentration of DE, ME and ATTD of GE, CP, NDF and ADF in diets was greater (p < .01) when fed to 90 kg pigs compared with 30 kg pigs. The ME in ingredients was not affected by BW. The ATTD of NDF was negatively correlated with the CF (r = ?.98; p < .01), ADF (r = ?.99; p < .01) and ADL content (r = ?.96; p < .01). The ME of diets was negatively correlated with the ATTD of CF (r = ?.98; p < .01). The addition of SFM increased the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Met (p < .05). In conclusion, diets rich in fibre had different nutritional values at different pig weight stages. The AA digestibility depends mainly on chemical composition of diets.     

耐热素对猪饲粮养分消化率的影响

选取杜×长×大三元杂交肥育猪48头,随机分成3组,即对照组、试验1组和试验2组。对3组猪的试验处理如下:用基础饲粮直接喂对照组猪;在基础饲粮中加0.5%耐热素A后,喂试验1组的猪;将基础饲粮中食盐含量降到0.2%,再加0.5%耐热素B后,喂试验2组的猪。饲养试验期为54d。试验结果如下:试验1、2组猪的体温均在不同程度上低于对照组猪,但差异不显著(P>0.05);在高温下,耐热素能较好地维持猪健康状态;试验1组猪饲粮中的粗纤维(CF)、粗灰分(Ash)、钙、磷的消化率均显著地高于对照组(P<0.05),粗脂肪(EE)、粗蛋白(CP)、无氮浸出物(NFE)、干物质(DM)的消化率也比对照组高,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。试验表明,耐热素A在高温下对维持猪体健康和提高饲粮养分消化率有积极的作用。     

Effect of oat particle size on energy and nutrient utilization in growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the energy content of oats and to investigate the effects of oat particle size on nutrient and energy balance in growing pigs. Eighteen barrows (23.56 ± 0.94 kg initial body weight) were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment. Whole oats were ground with a hammermill fitted with 4.8- and 3.2-mm screens to make coarse and medium particle size oats, respectively. Medium oats were further ground with a rotary steel cutting grinder fitted with a 2.0-mm screen, and the further ground oats were mixed with medium oats in a 1:3 ratio to make fine oats. Three experimental diets consisted of 96.3% of the coarse, medium, or fine oats as a sole source of energy were used. Pigs were fed diets for 16 d, including 10 d for adaptation and 6 d for total fecal and urine collection. Pigs were then moved into indirect calorimetry chambers to determine 24-h heat production and 12-h fasting heat production. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the individual pig as the experimental unit. The geometric mean particle sizes for coarse, medium, and fine oats were 765, 619, and 569 μm, respectively. Pigs fed the medium oats diet tended to have (P < 0.10) greater apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of starch, neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy than those fed coarse oats diet. The medium oats diet contained greater (P < 0.05) digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) than the coarse oats diet. Pigs fed the fine oats diet had lower (P < 0.05) ATTD of Ca and P than those fed the coarse oats diet. The DE, ME, and NE contents of fine oats were comparable with those of coarse oats. The determined NE contents for coarse, medium, and fine oats were 2,335, 2,615, and 2,521 kcal/kg on a dry matter basis, respectively. The NE content in medium oats was greater (P < 0.05) than the NE values predicted using published equations. In conclusion, it was suggested to grind whole oats for 619 μm concerning energy utilization. Further grinding to 569 μm reduces Ca and P digestibility.     

不同添加水平的紫花苜蓿草粉对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率的影响

为探讨饲料中添加不同水平的紫花苜蓿草粉对育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率的影响,采用单因素设计试验,选择体重相近的健康三元杂交育肥猪120头,随机分成4组,每个组3个重复,每个重复10头。1组饲喂基础日粮为对照组,2、3、4组分别在基础日粮中添加2.0%、4.0%、8.0%紫花苜蓿草粉,预试验10 d,试验期60 d。试验期间测定育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化率。结果表明:(1)试验2、3、4组猪只的平均日采食量均高于1组(P > 0.05),试验2、3组平均日增重较1组分别提高9.84%、12.05%(P < 0.05),料重比分别降低4.33%、6.50%(P < 0.05);(2)试验2、3、4组干物质、粗灰分表观消化率均高于1组(P > 0.05),试验2、3组总能较1组分别提高5.46%、5.85%(P < 0.05),试验2、3组粗蛋白质、粗脂肪的表观消化率较1组分别提高7.24%、9.11%、6.50%、7.20%(P < 0.05)。综上,紫花苜蓿草粉可以提高育肥猪的生长性能和养分表观消化率,并以4.0%添加较为适宜。     

Apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in diverse barley cultivars fed to growing pigs

The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical composition, ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of barley varieties and to develop equations to predict the AA digestibility based on the chemical characteristics of individual barley. A wide selection of nine barley varieties in the main growing regions of China was used in the experiment. Ten crossbred pigs (30.9 ± 1.8 kg) were allotted to a 6 × 10 Youden Square. The treatments included a nitrogen‐free diet and nine barley test diets. Considerable variation was observed in the content of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein (CP) and all AAs among the barley samples. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of indispensable AAs with the exception of arginine, phenylalanine and threonine were different (P < 0.05) among the nine barley sources tested. With R² values exceeding 0.50, significant linear regression equations for CP and threonine were obtained. In conclusion, significant differences existed in the ileal digestibility of CP and AAs among barley varieties. It is difficult to predict the SID of most of the amino acids in barely based upon chemical characteristics.     

Effect of dietary supplemental medium chain fatty acids instead of antibiotics on the growth performance,digestibility and blood profiles in growing pigs

Antibiotics have great functions in farm animal. However, the harm of antibiotics can't be ignored. The effects of medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) supplementation to basal diet instead of antibiotics (CSP, Chlortetracycline, sulphonamide dimethazine and procaine penicillin, 1:1:1) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile in growing pigs were studied. A total of 140 growing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an average body weight of 27.84 ± 0.42 kg were allotted to four treatments of seven replicates/treatment and five pigs/replicate. The four experimental diets included: CON (basal diet, non‐antibiotic, negative control); CSP (CON + CSP 0.1%, positive control); M1 (CON + MCFA 0.15%) and M2 (CON + MCFA 0.3%). After 5 weeks, the fresh faecal and blood samples were collected from rectum and jugular vein respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was significantly improved for pigs fed 0.3% MCFAs in relation to basal diet. Meanwhile, CSP supplementation had comparable effect on ADG. The lymphocyte percentage and IgG concentration were higher in blood of pigs‐fed MCFAs in relation to that of CON and CSP treatment while white blood cell and red blood cell were not affected. In relation to basal diet and CSP treatment, the digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy (E) were unaffected with MCFAs supplementation. In conclusion, MCFAs improved growth performance on body weight gain and immune profile. Addition 0.3% MCFAs into the diet indicated that its partial positive effect as an alternative to antibiotic.