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In this document are presented some results obtained from a series of works that permit to determine general concepts. First concept to keep in mind is that high dietary concentrations of lactose are mostly beneficial right after weaning, being the benefit of the inclusion very low at 10-12 Kg of body weight. Content of lactose in the diet may vary depending on the production system considered. When considering piglets raised under above-average, unlikely to be susceptible to general pathogenic infections, the content of lactose will vary basically on the cost-benefit that it represents and also considering the health conditions; low cost production systems will inevitably determine low lactose contents. On the other hand, highest contents of lactose will only be possible under high-health conditions, when it might determine high performance in the piglets. In the case of situations in which piglets are being raised under below average conditions usually do not include more than 5-10% of lactose. Finally it is said that the optimal concentration of lactose in the diet may be determined by the feed intake of the animals, when high feed intake is presented the levels of lactose in the diet can be lower.
Mavromichalis, I. (2006) Pig International, October: 23-25
