Impact of lactose substitution by dextrose on piglet performance in the post-weaning period
Caroline GARD1, Pierre-Stéphane REVY2, Christian DELPORTE1, Laetitia GUERIN-DEREMAUX1
1ROQUETTE, 62080 Lestrem, France - 2CALCIALIMENT-VILOFOSS, Z.I. de la Gare, 22690 Pleudihen, France
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Whey powder is commonly included in piglet diets as a source of lactose. Dextrose, the crystalline form of glucose, is also used as a totally digestible energy source for young piglets.
The objective of this trial is to test partial and total substitution of lactose, provided by whey powder, by dextrose in post-weaning piglet diets.
Methodology
• Animals:
- 1000 male and female piglets, weaned at 23±1 days old Housed in 28 collective pens
- Initial weight at 28 days: 7.2kg Final weight at 44 days: 12.2kg
• Treatment groups:
- “Reference Lactose diet”
- “Test diet with 50% whey powder substitution by dextrose”
- “Test diet with 100% whey powder substitution by dextrose”
• Clinical observations: Over the whole trial period, 1 piglet died and 2 others were removed because of weight loss without any relation with a particular diet.
No phenomenon of diarrhoea was recorded.
• Zootechnical performances:
- The initial weight of the piglets was 7.2kg at day 28 compared to a final weight of 12.2kg at day 44.
- During the study period, from day 28 to day 44, the average feed intake was 331g/day (Fig.1), the average daily weight gain was 308g/day (Fig.2) and the feed conversion ratio was 1.08 (Fig.3).
>> No significant differences were observed among the 3 diets.
Study design
Diet composition
400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
Reference Lactose Diet Test diet - 50%
substitution by Dextrose Test diet - 100%
substitution by Dextrose
Consumption (g/d) (±R.S.D)
Figure 1: Feed intake between 28 and 44 days old
323±16 335±16 335±16
350 310±16 309±16
305±16 300
250 200 150 100 50
0 Reference Lactose Diet Test diet - 50%
substitution by Dextrose Test diet - 100%
substitution by Dextrose
Average daily gain (g/d) (±R.S.D)
Figure 2: Average Daily Gain between 28 and 44 days old
1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00
Reference Lactose Diet Test diet - 50%
substitution by Dextrose Test diet - 100%
substitution by Dextrose Feed conversion ratio (g of feed/g of weight gain) (±R.S.D)
Figure 3: Feed conversion ratio between 28 and 44 days old
1.05±0.05 1.09±0.05 1.10±0.05
Day 0 Day 23
Day 44 Day 28
Piglet Age
Prestarter diet
“Reference Lactose Diet”
“ Test diet with 50% Lactose substitution by Dextrose”
“ Test diet with 100% Lactose substitution by Dextrose”
approx. 1000 piglets
n=320 n=320 n=319
Composition (%) Reference
Lactose diet Test diet - 50%
substitution by Dextrose Test diet - 100%
substitution by Dextrose Cereals and derivatives (barley, wheat,
wheat middlings, biscuit meal) 69.4 69.9 67.8
Proteins and oils (extruded soybean, pea protein, soybean meal, whey protein concentrate, rapeseed oil)
15.7 17.1 19.2
Whey powder 10.3 4 -
Dextrose - 4 8
Premix (minerals, vitamins, amino acids) 4.6 5 5
Nutritional characteristics Reference
Lactose diet Test diet - 50%
substitution by Dextrose Test diet - 100%
substitution by Dextrose
Crude protein (%) 17.5 17.5 17.5
Fat (%) 5.59 5.57 5.57
Starch (%) 34.3 34.7 33.4
Total sugar (%) 12.5 12.5 13.7
Lactose (%) 7.1 3.6 1.35
Total lysine (%) 1.46 1.46 1.46
Total phosphorus (%) 0.63 0.64 0.64
Total calcium (%) 0.67 0.67 0.67
Net energy (MJ/kg) 10.6 10.6 10.6
Conclusion
Dextrose can fully substitute lactose provided by whey powder in post weaning diets without impairing piglet performances.
The information contained in this document is to the best of our knowledge true and accurate but all instructions, recommendations or suggestions are made without guarantee. Since the conditions of use are beyond our control, we disclaim anyliability for loss and/or damage suffered from use of these data or suggestions. Furthermore, no liability is accepted if use of any product in accordance with these data or suggestions infringes any patent.
No part of this document may be reproduced by any process without our prior written permission.
© Roquette Frères S.A. - D3C - 01/2015
47th “Journées de la Recherche Porcine” – February 3rd and 4th, 2015 – Paris
