Utilization of glucosev. lactose in an isolated soya bean protein diet by neonatal piglets reared artificially

Abstract

ABSTRACTForty-eight 1-day-old pigs were used to compare lactose and glucose as the carbohydrate source for piglets from 1 to 22 days of age. Average daily gains, gain over feed ratios and the apparent digestion coefficients for crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, ash, energy and dry matter were similar for the two groups. Apparent net protein utilization was greater with the glucose diet than with the lactose diet (P<0·05), although their apparent biological values and metabolizable energy values were similar. The serum levels of total glucose, total protein and urea nitrogen were also similar for both groups. Serum levels of total protein and urea nitrogen declined with age while the trend for total glucose was inconsistent. Subsequent nursery performance from 22 to 64 days of age when all pigs were fed the same diet was not influenced by the previous neonatal dietary treatment.