Nutrient digestibility and physiological implication of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in growing pigs under tropical environment

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate nutrient digestibility and physiological impact of feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation in pigs reared in tropics. Unsexed, 8 weeks old mixed breed pigs (54) with mean body weight of 5.5±0.2 kg were arranged in a 3×3 factorial layout. The pigs were grouped on weight equalization into 9 treatments of 3 replicates with 2 pigs per replicate. Vital signs data were obtained on weekly basis. Three pigs from each treatment group were selected at tenth week and arranged in clean disinfected metabolic cages for a 7 day adaptation and a 5 day quantification of feed intake and faecal output. Faeces collected were dried in a forced air cabinet and analysed for proximate composition. About 5 ml blood sample was collected, 2.5 ml each was placed in EDTA and sterile bottles for haematological and biochemical indices evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance. The feed withdrawal period had no impact on nutrient digestibility. Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly influenced excreted faeces, faecal dry matter output, dry matter and ash digestibility. Neutrophils increased with increasing period of feed withdrawal while lymphocytes decreased significantly with increasing period of feed withdrawal. Feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation had no influence on serum biochemical parameters. It can be concluded that feed withdrawal periods influenced neutrophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio whereas ascorbic acid enhanced nutrient digestibility of pigs but had no impact on vital signs and blood indices.