PSVII-18 The influence of mealworm levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immune response in weaning pigs

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this trial was to determine the optimal supplementation mealworm on growth performance, apparent total tract retention of nutrients, hematological traits, immune response, and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs. A total of 180 weaned pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc; 6.27 ± 0.15 kg) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments and 6 replicates on the basis of initial body weight and sex. The dietary treatments included a corn-based diet supplemented with 0, 2.5, or 5 % mealworm in 2 phases (0–14 and 15–28 d). The gain to feed ratio (G:F) was higher in pigs fed 2.5% mealworm compared with 2.5% during the first phase. Overall ADG was improved in pigs fed 2.5% mealworm compared with pigs fed 5% mealworm. No improvement in overall ADFI and G:F were observed. No digestibility responses were observed by adding mealworm to the diet, but the digestibility of DM and GE were tended to be higher in pigs fed 2.5% mealworm compared with control in phase 1. The number of monocytes tended to be increased in pigs fed 5% mealworm. The concentration of plasma IgG was higher in pigs fed mealworm, however, the plasma IL-6 was tended to be decreased when mealworm was added to the diet (P = 0.052). There was no change in intestinal morphology with increasing dietary levels of mealworm. The results showed that the dietary supplementation of 2.5% mealworm had beneficial effects on growth performance and immune system, however, no effects were detected on growth performance when 5% mealworm was added to the diet.