The effect of alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) addition in mixtures for sows and piglets on the total tract digestibility of the basic nutrients and detergent fiber fractions

KRZYSZTOF PIETRZAK

Instytut Żywienia Zwierząt i Bromatologii Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin

EUGENIUSZ R. GRELA

Instytut Żywienia Zwierząt i Bromatologii Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin



Abstract

Digestibility of nutrients in pig diet is affected by many factors, including feed additives used. One of these additives may be alfalfa protein concentrate (APC). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of APC in feeding sows (pregnancy and lactation) and rearing piglets (up to 84 days) on the total tract digestibility of basic nutrients and detergent fiber fractions (NDF and ADF). Two digestibility trials were conducted on the Polish Landrace breed and their piglets. In experiment I, two levels of APC additive (1.5% and 3%) were tested, during pregnancy, lactation and piglet rearing. In experiment II 3.0 % addition of APC was used in mixtures for sows only during pregnancy or during lactation, while for piglets the amount of APC in the prestarter and starter mixtures was at the same level (3%). The use of 3% APC in mixtures for sows in the lactation period makes it possible to receive better digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and NDF(p ≤ 0.05). In groups of piglets in the second week after weaning, there were no significant differences between digestibility of nutrients, including fiber and its fractions (NDF, ADF). In older pigs (78–83 days) the addition of 3% of APC contributed to a higher value of the total tract apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein and ether extract (p ≤ 0.05).

Keywords:

alfalfa protein concentrate (APC), sows, piglets, digestibility of nutrients

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Published
2015-03-30



KRZYSZTOF PIETRZAK 
Instytut Żywienia Zwierząt i Bromatologii Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin
EUGENIUSZ R. GRELA 
Instytut Żywienia Zwierząt i Bromatologii Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin



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From 2022 articles are made available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0). Articles published before 2022 are available under Creative Commons Attribution – Non-commercial use – No derivative works  4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

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