Energy metabolism of growing pigs

Abstract

Four llttermate groups of four pigs each, averaging 8.1 kg body weight and 7 weeks of age, were used In a comparative slaughter experiment lasting for 28 days to determine the utilization of energy from wheat bran. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was formulated to provide a11 nutrients, except energy, at twice the NRC (1979) recommendations for 8-10 kg pigs and was fed to all pigs at 3% of body weight dally. In addition to the basal diet, wheat bran was fed at 0, 1 or 2% of body weight dally. At these feeding levels, wheat bran was Included In the diet at 0, 25 or 40%. Addition of wheat bran to the basal diet Improved ADG (P .05). The apparent digestibility of DM, N, and GE decreased linearly (P<.01) with addition of wheat bran to the basal diet. Digestible energy (DE) and ME of the diets decreased linearly (P<.01) with addition of wheat bran. Addition of wheat bran to the diet Improved ME:DE (P<.05). Metabolizable energy as a percent of DE averaged 94.7 for all the diets and 95.2 for wheat bran. Addition of wheat bran to the basal diet increased heat production linearly (P<.05). Digestibility of NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose in the diets decreased linearly (P<.01) as wheat bran was added to the basal diet. Addition of wheat bran to the diet increased ME intake (P<.01) and this resulted in a linear increase (P<.01) in daily gain components including indispensable amino acids (AA). Increases in ME intake linearly increased (P<.05) efficiency of indispensable AA utilization. Total VFA production in the cecum increased linearly (P<.01) with addition of wheat bran. The average energy values (kcal/g DM) for wheat bran were, GE, 4.57; DE, 3.36; ME, 3.20; MEn, 3.19; and NE, 1.10. These results confirm previous studies