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Two different trials were conducted. The mean particle size (MPS) was 47 and 881 µm for the SBM and 41 and 778 µm for the FFSB, micronized and ground, respectively. In exp 1 a total of 120 piglets were selected the day of weaning. Pigs weighed and allotted to the experimental units according to sex and BW. There were four treatments and five replicates of six piglets per treatment. Animals had free access to feed and water throughout the trial and were individually weighed at 23, 33 and 45 days of age. Growth traits from 23 to 45 days of age and the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dietary components at 33 and 45 days of age were assessed. In the Exp 2, a total of 24 piglets, were used. Pigs were individually housed in digestibility cages. There were four treatments and six replicates of one pig each per treatment with all treatments having similar initial BW. On day 45 of the experiment, all the animals were euthanatized for sample collection. The stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver and spleen of all pigs were excised, cleaned, dried and weighed. The weight of the empty organs was expressed relative to live BW (g/kg). In addition, the small intestine was separated into three sections: duodenum (first section, about 1.5 m), jejunum (second section, about 2.0 m) and ileum (remaining section). The coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of dietary components, the pH of the gastro intestinal tract (GIT) and the weight of digestive organs and spleen were measured at 45 days of age.
From 23 to 33 days of age pigs fed SBM grew faster (253 g/d versus 213 g/day; P<0.05) and were more efficient (0.87 g/g versus 0.98 g/g; P<0.01) than pigs fed FFSB. For the entire experiment (23–45 days of age) pigs fed SBM tended to grow more (360 g/day versus 324 g/day) and to eat more feed (414 g/day versus 380 g/day) than pigs fed FFSB.
Dietary treatment did not affect the pH of the different segments of the GIT. Pigs fed SBM had heavier pancreas (2.3 g/kg versus 1.9 g/kg BW; P<0.05) and liver (35.9 g/kg vs 32.7 g/kg BW; P<0.01) than pigs fed FFSB. The MPS of the soya protein source did not affect organ weight (P>0.10).
Productive performance and digestibility of dietary components were higher in pigs fed diets based on soya bean meal than in pigs fed diets based on fullfat soya bean. Reducing the mean particle size of soya bean meal and fullfat soya bean by micronization did not have any beneficial effect on piglet performance and digestibility of dietary components
DG Valencia, MP Serrano, R Lázaro, MA Latorre, GG Mateos. 2008. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 147: 340-356
