Evaluation of lactulose on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, fecal microbial shedding and fecal noxious gas emission in the growing-finishing pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lactulose on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, fecal microbial shedding and fecal noxious gas emission in the growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (80) with the average BW of 20.82 (SD = 3.27 kg) and age of 10 weeks were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicate pens / treatment and 5 pigs (3 gilts and 2 borrows) / pen. Dietary treatments included: CON, basal diet; L05, CON + 0.05% lactulose; L10, CON + 0.10% lactulose; L15, CON + 0.15% lactulose. Pigs fed L10 and L15 diets had greater average daily gain (ADG) throughout the overall period when compared with CON diet. The N and DM digestibility were greater for L10 and L15 treatments than CON treatment at wk12 and 18, respectively. Pigs on L15 supplementation treatment had increased lymphocytes and IgG than CON treatment at 12 wk. WBC and RBC counts were improved in L15 treatment at the end of study. Pigs fed with L10 and L15 diets increased fecal Lactobacillus and reduced E. coli count compared with CON diet. Fecal NH3 gas emission was lower in the lactulose supplemented treatments compared with CON treatment on d 3 and 5, respectively. Moreover, fecal H2S was reduced in L10 and L15 diets compared with CON diet on d 5. In conclusion, L10 and L15 supplementation improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and fecal Lactobacillus count but reduced fecal E. coli, NH3 and H2S gas emission in growing-finishing pigs.