Effects of partial and total substitution of dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) with spray-dried krill hydrolysate (SDKH) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and noxious gas emission in weaning piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of spray-dried porcine protein (SDPP) with spray-dried krill hydrolysate (SDKH) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, noxious gas emission, fecal score, blood profile of post-weaning piglets during the first 2 weeks, and the subsequent impact of these criteria on weaned piglets. A total of 200 crossbred piglets [(Duroc × Yorkshire) × Landrace] weaned at day 21with an initial BW of 6.85 ± 1.00 kg was allocated into 1 of the following 5 dietary treatments: 1) CON, Phase 1(Basal diet without plasma protein); TRT1, Phase 1 (4% Plasma protein); 3) TRT2, Phase 1 (3% Plasma protein + 1% SDKH); 4) TRT3, Phase 1 (2% Plasma protein + 2% SDKH); 4) TRT4 (4% SDKH) in this 6-week feeding trial. During phase 2, all the piglets were fed the same diets. (Phase 1: 0–2nd week; Phase 2: 3rd-6th week). For each treatment, 8 replication pens consisting of five pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen were used in a randomized complete block design. In phase 1, the weaned piglets fed the diets containing 4% SPDD had greater BW than the ones fed other treatment diets (P < 0.05), and the weaned piglets fed the diets formulated with 1, 2 or 4% SDKH showed bigger BW than that fed CON diet (P < 0.05). In phase 1 and the end of this trial, the highest ADG was found in Trt 1 and the lowest ADG was detected in CON treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ADG in piglets fed other diets (P > 0.05). Similarly, in phase 1, the piglets fed the 4% SDPP showed a better nitrogen digestibility compared to the ones fed other dietary treatments (P < 0.05). Trt.2 and Trt.3 revealed a greater nitrogen digestibility than Trt.4 and CON (P < 0.05). The Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) concentration decreased with increasing SDPP inclusion level (P < 0.05). SDKH treatment showed a lower BUN concentration than CON (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in fecal score, intestinal E. coli and Lactobacilli and noxious gas emission throughout the trial (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary SDPP could not be partially or totally replaced by SDKH because of the negative effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaning pig.