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Sensory-specific satiety is a physiological phenomenon associated with the decrease in the specific hedonic value of the sensory properties of food. In pig production, the organoleptic properties of feed differ little between and within production periods. This lack of variety may lead to sensory-specific satiety, which can negatively affect pigs' feed intake, even when their diets meet all nutritional requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of sensory-specific satiety on feed intake and palatability in nursery pigs.
Methods: Thirty-two nursery pigs (tested in pairs) were exposed to short-term feeding trials for 6 days. In Trial 1, animals received for 90 min over three consecutive days three feeders: with different flavors; the same flavor; or a mixture of the three flavors in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. In Trial 2, with the same animals and different flavors, the three feeders were delivered successively (1 feeder every 30 min). Feed intake was measured in Trials 1 and 2. In addition, in Trial 2, video recordings were used to evaluate consumption time and the frequency of approaches to the feeder to assess palatability.
Results: In Trial 1, there was a day-by-diet interaction, where the different flavors diet was least consumed on the first day but most consumed subsequently. In Trial 2 a triple interaction between diet, day and delivery order modified pig’s intake, and consumption patterns, where the different flavors diet presented the highest values in the last delivery order on the third experimental day. The variety of flavors, between or within consumption episodes may improve feed intake and palatability in nursery pigs. However, is important to consider the effect of neophobia when pigs are exposed to a novel flavor to prevent a possible decrease in their feed intake.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that sensory varied diets might be used as a strategy to reduce sensory-specific satiety in nursery pigs in conventional industry.
Huenul E, Salazar L, Frias D, Videka M, Luna D, Dwyer DM, Figueroa J. Effects of flavour variety on the intake and palatability of commercial feed in nursery pigs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023; 10: 1218198. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1218198
