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Two different experiments were conducted (Exp 1 and Exp 2). In the Exp 1, 48 gilts were submitted to following treatments: a corn-soybean meal diet (control (C); 1.16% soluble fibre (SF) and 9.98% insoluble fibre (ISF)); a 30% oat bran high in SF (HS; 3.02% SF and 10.06% ISF); a 12% wheat straw diet high in ISF (HIS; 1.08% SF and 18.09% ISF); and a 21% soybean hull diet (HS+HIS; 2.46% SF and 24.55% ISF). After first mating, gilts were fed the experimental diets according to their initial BW to meet their nutrient requirements. Between days 28 and 35 of gestation, pregnant gilts were sacrified and reproductive tract of each animal was removed for examination and counts. In the Exp 2, a total of 716 sows were used in 3 concurrent trials. In trial 1, diets included a corn-soybean meal control (C; 0.43% SF and 10.50% ISF) or a 31% oat bran diet (HS; 1.93% SF and 8.87% ISF). In trial 2, diets included a C or a 13% wheat straw diet (HIS; 1.10% and SF, 17.67% ISF), and in trial 3 sows were fed a C or a 21% soybean hull diet (HS+HIS; 1.50% SF and 17.77% ISF). The experimental treatments were offered ad libitum after the 2nd day post-mating. Total number of piglets born, born alive, as well as their weight was recorded. Moreover, daily feed intake and lactation length were also recorded.
In Exp. 1, no differences were observed in ovulation rate among gilts fed the different experimental diets. However, the number of live embryos was lower for HIS and HS+HIS gilts compared with those fed C and HS diets (9.9 and 9.1 vs. 11.9 and 10.6, respectively; P < 0.05). In Exp 2, no interaction between the experimental diet and main effect neither for parity group, genetic line, nor season was observed. The dietary inclusion of SF and ISF during gestation did not affect litter size. However, sows fed the HS+HIS diet showed a higher ADFI and lower BW loss during lactation (P < 0.01) than sows fed C.
It is concluded that the inclusion of high levels of dietary fibre may be used during the gestating phase without reducing sow productivity and performance. Feeding increased levels of SF and ISF gestating sows does not improve litter size.
J. A. Renteria-Flores; L. J. Johnston; G. C. Shurson; R. L. Moser and S. K. Webel, 2008, Journal of Animal Science, 86, 2576-2584.
