Evaluation of the digestibility of Lathyrus sativus in growing pigs

Abstract

The EU ban on meals of animal origin and the rejection by some States, including Italy, of genetically modified organ- isms (e.g. soybean), have resulted in the need for novel protein sources. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the digestibility of rations where soybean was partially replaced with Lathyrus sativusL. Twelve hybrid growing pigs were fed three diets formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic according to a Latin square design, each for 22 days. In the two experimental diets soybean was replaced by 10% or 20% L. sativus.Subjects were about 78 kg live weight at base- line. After 10 days of adaptation to each diet, faeces samples were collected from the rectum at the same time of day for 3 days. At the end of the administration of each diet, animals were weighed and blood was collected to determine some protein metabolism parameters. Feed and faeces were analysed for nutrients and AIA in order to calculate the coef- ficients of digestible utilisation of nutrients. Results were analysed by ANOVA using JMP (SAS system). The growth per- formance data (ADG and FCR) did not demonstrate differences attributable to the substitution of soybean with L. sativus. The coefficients of digestible utilisation indicate that soybean can be replaced with this legume seed. Low plasma urea in animals receiving 20% L. sativusconfirmed the good metabolic efficiency of protein.

Keywords

• Pigs, Digestibility, Legumes, Lathyrus sativus