Dietary fenugreek seed extract improves performance and reduces fecal E. coli counts and fecal gas emission in lactating sows and suckling piglets

Abstract

Hossain, M. M., Begum, M., Nyachoti, C. M., Hancock, J. D. and Kim, I. H. 2015. Dietary fenugreek seed extract improves performance and reduces fecal E. coli counts and fecal gas emission in lactating sows and suckling piglets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 561–568. This study evaluated the efficacy of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) in sows and suckling piglets. The trial was conducted with 78 multiparous sows and their litters in a 28-d feeding trial, and one of three diets: CON (control, basal diet); FSE1 (basal diet+0.1% FSE), and FSE2 (basal diet+0.2% FSE). Piglets suckling sows fed the FSE1 and FSE2 diets had higher average daily gain compared with those suckling sows fed the CON from week 2 to weaning (linear, P<0.05). At weaning, sows fed the FSE1 and FSE2 diets had higher immunoglobulin G and lower low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol concentrations compared with those fed the CON diet (linear, P<0.05). Sows fed the FSE2 diet linearly reduced total cholesterol concentrations at weaning (P<0.05). Piglets suckling sows fed the FSE2 diet had higher immunoglobulin G and red blood cell concentrations compared with those suckling sows fed the CON diet (linear, P<0.05). Sows fed the FSE2 diet had higher apparent total tract digestibility of N and gross energy and reduced fecal E. coli counts and ammonia gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet at weaning (linear, P<0.05). In conclusion, results indicate that feeding sows a diet supplemented with FSE in late gestation and lactation improved performance in sows and suckling piglets.