Fattening pigs with tannin-rich source (Ceratonia siliqua l.) and high doses of vitamin e: effects on growth performance, economics, digestibility, physiology, and behaviour

Bottegal, Diego Nicolas ; Latorre, María Ángeles (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lobón, Sandra ; Verdú, Marçal ; Álvarez-Rodríguez, Javier

Resumen: This study aimed to assess the impact on growth, economic results, apparent nutrient digestibility (CTTAD), physiological variables, and animal behaviour when 214 fattening pigs (78 ± 8.5 kg of initial body weight and 130 ± 4.5 days of age) of both sexes (gilts and boars) were fed two levels of carob pulp (Cp, 0 vs. 20%) and two doses of vitamin E (Vit E, 30 vs. 300 IU/kg) for 40 days. No interaction effects between factors studied (Cp, Vit E, and sex) were observed on the variables. Most productive traits were unaffected by Cp or Vit E inclusion. However, the Cp increased the feed conversion ratio during the first 20 days. The Cp group showed a higher CTTAD of ether extract and hemicellulose but lower CTTAD of crude protein. Pigs fed Cp had a lower plasmatic urea content than the control group. The high Vit E doses increased the CTTAD of every nutrient and the plasmatic α-tocopherol content. The pigs fed Cp tended to spend more time eating in the early morning, likely to mitigate tannins’ astringent effects. Dietary inclusion of 20% Cp in finishing high-conformation pigs is possible without affecting overall performance though it reduces nutrient CTTAD and increases feeding cost. Supra-nutritional doses of Vit E do not affect pig performance but increase the α-tocopherol deposition with potential antioxidant effects.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/ani14131855

Año: 2024

Publicado en: Animals 14, 13 (2024), 1855 [20 pp.]
ISSN: 2076-2615

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/801586/EU/International Doctoral Programme for Talent Attraction to the Campus of International Excellence of the Ebro Valley/IberusTalent

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Producción Animal (Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali.)