Digestibility of total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber of sows during gestation

Abstract

When the level of fiber is increased, it is important to evaluate the impact of this addition upon the nutrients digestibility. The present study evaluated the effect of variation in the amount of total dietary fiber in sow diets, provided from 74 to 87 days of gestation, on the digestibility of nutrients. Thirty three sows were used in a randomized experimental design. The amounts of total dietary fiber in three treatment diets were 15.6; 22.3 and 28.2%. To increase the amount of dietary fiber, rice grain and soybean meal were partially substituted for defatted rice bran and soybean hulls. The daily consumption of nutrients and energy was similar between the 74 to 87 days of gestation, differing only in the volume of ration consumed, which was 2.1; 2.2 and 2.4 kg/day. During gestation, the increase in total dietary fiber resulted in a significant decrease in the apparent total tract digestibility of total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber e soluble dietary fiber. Increasing the amount of total dietary fiber reduced the digestibility of nutrients, mainly of the total dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber.