A fermented rapeseed meal additive: Effects on production performance, nutrient digestibility, colostrum immunoglobulin content and microbial flora in sows

Eugeniusz R Grela; Anna Czech; Martyna Kiesz; Łukasz Wlazło; Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek

doi:10.1016/j.aninu.2019.05.004

A fermented rapeseed meal additive: Effects on production performance, nutrient digestibility, colostrum immunoglobulin content and microbial flora in sows

Anim Nutr. 2019 Dec;5(4):373-379. doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2019.05.004. Epub 2019 Jun 22.

Authors

Eugeniusz R Grela¹, Anna Czech², Martyna Kiesz², Łukasz Wlazło³, Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
² Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.
³ Department of Animal Hygiene and Environment, Faculty of Biology and Animal Breeding, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, 20-950, Poland.

Abstract

This study was to assess the effect of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) in the diet of sows, taking into account the physiological period (pregnancy or lactation) and reproductive cycle (primiparous or multiparous sows), on production performance, nutrient digestibility, colostrum immunoglobulin content, and microbial flora in sows. The experimental material included 30 primiparous gilts and 30 multiparous sows after their second lactation. The animals in the control groups C_G (gilts) and C_S (sows) received a standard diet for pregnant or lactating sows, depending on the reproductive period. Experimental groups E_G and E_S comprised gilts and multiparous sows, respectively, receiving a diet with a 4% share of FRSM in place of soybean meal up to 100 d of gestation. In addition, from 100 d of gestation to 7 d of lactation, the sows in experimental groups received a diet with a 9% share of FRSM, and then again a diet with a 4% share of FRSM until the end of lactation. The addition of 4% to 9% share of a FRSM component in feed significantly improves production parameters, mainly in primiparous gilts, leading to an increase in litter size and in litter weight at 28 d of age. It also helps to improve the digestibility of crude protein, fat, and crude fiber, and positively affects the gut microbiota of sows. Fermentation of rapeseed meal is an effective way to reduce anti-nutrients and to increase the level of lactic acid in the diet. It also stimulates the immune system, which improves piglet health, reducing the severity of diarrhoea and mortality.

Keywords: Colostrum; Digestibility; Fermented rapeseed meal; Microbiota; Sows.