Intestinal responses to dehulling and level of inclusion of Australian sweet lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) in weaner pig diets

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2009

Conference Title

Twelfth Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association

Place of Publication

Cairns

ISBN

978-0-9806880-0-9

ISSN

1324 9177

Keywords

pigs, swine, nutrition

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Meat Science

Abstract

The change from sow’s milk to solid feed at weaning causes marked alterations in the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and makes pigs more susceptible to the proliferation of enteric pathogens such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, which can cause post-weaning colibacillosis (PWC). Diet composition and form have major effects on PWC (Pluske et al., 2002), hence it is important to consider the effects of ingredients on nutrient digestibility, since a diet of lower digestibility can result in an increase in the supply of nutrients to pathogenic bacteria in the hind gut. Previous research has demonstrated that a small amount of insoluble fibre ameliorates the incidence of PWC (Kim et al., 2008), while some soluble fibres lead to proliferation of enteric pathogens (Pluske et al. 2002). We hypothesise that increasing concentrations of whole or dehulled Australian sweet lupins in place of milk products in weaner pig diets will alter the GIT responses and plasma metabolites.

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