Volume 182, Issues 1–4, 12 June 2013, Pages 111–120
- a CEER, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
- b CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Received 21 January 2013, Revised 12 April 2013, Accepted 15 April 2013, Available online 15 May 2013
Abstract
Twenty-four
piglets, with a mean weight of 6.11 kg, were allocated to three
experimental diets (8 piglets per diet). The starch content of the
experimental diets was 39% consisting either of 100% wheat starch (CD),
50% wheat starch and 50% chestnut starch (CN50) or 100% chestnut starch
(CN100). The piglets received these diets for 35 days. Total tract
apparent digestibility (TTAD) was measured when piglets were aged 32–39
days and 46–53 days. Afterwards, the animals were sacrificed, their
gastrointestinal compartments weighed, and the contents of their caecum
and colon collected. Diet did not influence the feed intake or growth
rate of the piglets, but had a significant effect on their feed
conversion ratio which was 1.27, 1.30 and 1.37 for diets CD, CN50 and
CN100, respectively (P=0.042). Piglets receiving the CN50 diet exhibited
lower faecal scores compared to CD and CN100 groups (χ2 = 39.31,
P<0.001). There was a trend (P=0.067) towards an increase in the
TTAD of dry matter (DM) in the two chestnut-containing diets, but only
when piglets were younger (32–39 days). The TTAD of crude protein (CP)
was decreased (P<0.001) in CN100 group relative to CD and CN50
groups, independently of age. Relative to the CD group, the coefficient
of TTAD of NDF was increased by 0.18 units in the CN50 group and 0.25
units in the CN100 group, when the piglets were aged 32–39 days. These
differences were reduced to 0.09 and 0.17 units, respectively, when the
piglets were aged 46–53 days. There were tendencies (P<0.10) towards
increases in the full and empty weights of the large intestine in CN100
group. Moreover, diet had no significant effect on villus height and
width. In the jejunum, crypt depth was reduced in CN100 group (P=0.006),
while the villus height:crypt depth ratio was increased with the CN50
and CN100 diets (P=0.018). Diet had no significant effect on DM and pH
of the caecal or colonic contents. In the caecum, the concentration
(mmol l−1) of propionic acid was 5.15, 9.43 and 14.7 (P=0.042) for diets CD, CN50 and CN100, respectively. The concentration (mmol l−1)
of butyric acid was 3.50, 4.90 and 9.84 (P=0.025). Conversely, diet had
no significant effect on the concentration of short chain fatty acids
in the colon. In conclusion, chestnuts could be used as an alternative
source of RS in the diet of weaned piglets, although their feed
conversion ratio (FCR) may be worsened.
Abbreviations
- ADFom, acid detergent fibre expressed exclusive of residual ash;
- ADL, acid detergent lignin;
- aNDFom, neutral detergent fibre assayed with heat stable amylase and expressed exclusive of residual ash;
- CD, control diet;
- CN50, diet containing 50% wheat starch and 50% chestnut starch;
- CN100, diet containing 100% chestnut starch;
- CP, crude protein;
- CTTAD, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility;
- DM, dry matter;
- FCR, feed conversion ratio;
- LR, Landrace;
- NDF, neutral detergent fibre;
- NSP, non-starch polysaccharides;
- RDS, rapidly digestible starch;
- RS, resistant starch;
- SCFAs, short chain fatty acids;
- SD, standard deviation;
- SDS, slowly digestible starch;
- TDF, total dietary fibre;
- TTAD, total tract apparent digestibility
Keywords
- Bacterial activity;
- Chestnuts;
- Digestibility;
- Intestinal morphology;
- Piglets;
- Resistant starch
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