Abstract
The growth rate of the young pig is generally much less than it's potential and may be constrained by endocrine status as well as nutrient intake. Growth factors are present in relatively high quantities in colostrum and play an important part in gut development. It is possible that supplementation of colostrum protein isolate may stimulate gut and whole body growth in the pig. Eight male and 8 female (Large White×Landrace) piglets were weaned at 1 d of age after each pig had obtained colostrum from their dam, and were trained to consume one of two liquid diets. The two diets were based on either a colostrum protein isolate (n = 4 males and 4 females) or whey protein concentrate (n = 4 males and 4 females) and were formulated to contain equal levels of crude protein and amino acids. Pigs were fed their diets ad libitum for 28 days after which time 12 pigs were euthanised and various tissues and organs weighed. Pigs were bled for IGF-I analyses at 21 and 28 days of age. Daily gain was higher in pigs consuming the colostrum isolate (171 vs. 216 g/d, p = 0.010), particularly between 2 and 4 weeks of age (212 vs. 298 g/d, p = 0.010). Pigs tended to consume more of the liquid feed containing colostrum isolate (25.5 vs. 29.1 kg, p = 0.074) and gained more live weight per unit of liquid feed (0.203 vs. 0.223 g/g, p = 0.056). There were no effects of sex on growth performance. Pigs consuming the diet supplemented with colostrum isolate had higher (p<0.05) full gut weight (445 vs. 554 g, p = 0.026), empty gut weight (356 vs. 463 g, p = 0.008), stomach weight (42.2 vs. 54.4 g, p = 0.001), small intestine weight (222 vs. 275 g, p = 0.025) and large intestine weight (63.7 vs. 98.0 g, p = 0.005). Plasma IGF-I (99 vs. 150 ng/ml, p<0.001) and IGF-II (265 vs. 406 ng/ml, p<0.001) were higher in pigs fed colostrum isolate. Pigs consuming colostrum protein isolate ate more, grew faster and had higher plasma IGF-I concentrations than pigs consuming a diet with similar macronutrient
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
