Supplementation of dietary enzymes has varying effects on apparent protein and amino acid digestibility in reproducing sows

• Published in: Livestock science 2007-05, Vol.109 (1), p.122-124
• Main Authors: de Souza, A.L.P., Lindemann, M.D., Cromwell, G.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Digestibility; Enzymes; Sows
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.01.113

The effects of two enzyme (Enz) products on ileal and total tract digestibility (ID and TTD) were evaluated in sows ( n = 8) fed corn–soybean meal diets. Treatments were: 1) control diet; 2) control + Enz 1 (protease and cellulase activity); and 3) control + Enz 2 (xylanase activity). Ileal and fecal samples were collected at week 6–7 and 12–13 of gestation and week 2–3 of lactation. There were no improvements in digestibility during gestation. The ID% of dry matter (DM: 77.3, 79.3, 81.7) and N (81.2, 82.5, 84.3) as well as TTD% of DM (89.8, 90.7, 90.8) and N (89.0, 90.0, 90.6) during lactation were affected to varying degrees by the enzymes. The TTD of DM ( P = 0.05) and N ( P = 0.10) were positively affected by Enz 1. The ID of DM ( P = 0.01) and N ( P = 0.02) as well as TTD of DM ( P = 0.05) and N ( P = 0.02) were improved by Enz 2. The improvement in ID of N was not associated with any particular amino acids (AA) but represented small increases in ID of 8 of 10 essential AA with Enz 1 ( P = 0.04) and 10 of 10 for Enz 2 ( P = 0.01). The product containing xylanase activity, in particular, appears to have potential to increase digestibility of nutrients during lactation in sows.