Dietary betaine increases ileal and fecal digestibilities of several nutrients in piglets.

Publication Type

Contribution to conference

Authors

Eklund, M., Wamatu, J., Piepho, H.P., Tafaj, M. and Mosenthin, R.

Year of publication

2005

Published in

Berichte der Gesellschaft für Ernährungsphysiologie

Editor

H. Martens

Pubisher

DLG-Verlag , Frankfurt a.M.

Series/labeling

Proc. Soc. Nutr. Physiol.

Page (from - to)

79

Conference name

59. Tagung

Conference location

Stuttgart-Hohenheim

Conference date

08.-10.03.2005

Keywords

betaine, digestibility, nutrients, piglet

Betaine (BET) is known to support cell functions and bacterial activity due to its osmoprotective properties. The intestinal microflora often has to cope with various osmotic situations along the digestive tract. Therefore, the effect of dietary BET supplementation on microbial fermentation of dietary crude fibre (CF) was investigated in two consecutive experiments with piglets. Results and Conclusion: Exp. I: The inadequate MD supply of the NC reduced the fecal digestibilities of CF, NDF and ADF by 9.4, 7.3 and 9.7 percentage units (p<0.05), respectively, when compared to the PC treatment. This decline was compensated by supplemental BET or CMS (p<0.05). The enhanced fecal CF digestibility compared to the NC was associated with an increase in ash absorption of 6.3, 5.9 and 5:7 percentage units (p<0.05) for PC, BET and CMS treatments respectively. Increased mineral absorption as a result of intensive bacterial fibre fermentation has been reported previously. Additionally, for the NC the fecal digestibilities of TRP and CYS were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and for most other AA the digestibilities tended to be reduced (p<0.15) when compared to the PC. Supplemental BET attenuated the decrease in the fecal digestib. of ARG, THR, TRP (p<0.15) and increased the digestib. of HIS and CYS significantly (p<0.05). However, it remains open, whether the higher fecal AA digestibility values of BET and PC compared to the NC treatment reflect actually an improved CP digestibility or if they reflect enhanced microbial protein degradation resulting in the formation of NPN compounds such as ammonia. Exp. II: Dietary supplementation of BET or CMS resulted in an increase in ileal and fecal digestibilities of CF, NDF, ADF and ash as well (p<0.05). Despite a numerical increase in fecal CP and AA digestib. the addition of BET resulted in significant lower ileal digestib. for most AA (p<0.05). These AA may have been used for microbial protein synthesis. Consequently ....