Fattening pigs with tannin-rich source (Ceratonia siliqua L.) and high doses of vitamin E: Effects on growth performance, economics, digestibility, physiology, and behaviour

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact on growth, economic results, apparent nutrient digestibility (CTTAD), physiological variables, and animal behaviour when 214 fattening pigs (78±8.5 kg of initial body weight and 130±4.5 days of age) of both sexes (gilts and boars) were fed two levels of carob pulp (Cp, 0 vs. 20%) and two doses of vitamin E (Vit E, 30 vs. 300 IU/kg) for 40 days. No interaction effects between factors studied (Cp, Vit E, and sex) were observed on the variables. MostproductivetraitswereunaffectedbyCporVitEinclusion. However,theCpincreased the feed conversion ratio during the first 20 days. The Cp group showed a higher CTTAD of ether extract and hemicellulose but lower CTTAD of crude protein. Pigs fed Cp had a lower plasmatic urea content than the control group. The high Vit E doses increased the CTTAD of every nutrient and the plasmatic α-tocopherol content. The pigs fed Cp tended to spend more time eating in the early morning, likely to mitigate tannins' astringent effects. Dietary inclusion of 20% Cp in finishing high-conformation pigs is possible without affecting overall performance though it reduces nutrient CTTADandincreasesfeedingcost. Supra-nutritionaldosesofVitEdonotaffectpigperformancebut increase the α-tocopherol deposition with potential antioxidant effects.

This work was supported by the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Sklodowska-Curie (grant number No. 801586) and by the Technology Transfer Operation of the Rural Development Program of Catalonia 2014–2020 (Government of Catalonia and the European Regional Development Funds. Grant code 01.02.01).