RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of dietary nontoxic sulfur (NTS) on growth performance, immune response, sulfur amino acid composition and meat characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. METHODS: A total of 140 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight of 34.73±0.66 kg were used for the 12-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to one of 5 treatments in 4 replicates of 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The experimental treatments were as follows (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% NTS levels): i) Control, corn soybean meal (SBM)-based diet; ii) NTS 0.1, basal diet + NTS 0.1%; iii) NTS 0.2, basal diet + NTS 0.2%; iv) NTS 0.4, basal diet + NTS 0.4%. RESULTS: Body weight increased linearly as dietary NTS levels increased up to 0.2% (linear; p = 0.04) in the early finishing phase (9 weeks). During the whole experimental period, body weight and average daily gain linearly increased as the dietary NTS level increased in the diet (linear; both p = 0.01), but quadratic responses in body weight and average daily gain were observed with the addition of NTS 0.4% (quadratic, both p = 0.01). In the late finishing period, the IgG concentration increased linearly (linear; p = 0.01) as the dietary NTS level increased up to 4%. In the finishing period, a linear response was observed as a dietary NTS level was added (linear; p = 0.03), and supplementation with 0.2% NTS resulted in a higher methionine content than the other treatments (quadratic; p = 0.01). NST 0.2% had a lower value of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (quadratic; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Consequently, supplementation with dietary NTS up to 0.2% could improve growth performance, amino acid composition in hair and meat antioxidation capacity.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) source and level on the physiological response, reproductive performance, serum Se level, and milk composition in gestating sows. METHODS: A total of 54 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with average body weight (BW), backfat thickness (BF), and parity were assigned to one of five treatments with 10 or 11 sows per treatment using a 2×2 factorial arrangement with one additional treatment in a completely randomized design. Inorganic or organic Se (IS or OS) sources were added to the diet at 0.30 ppm and 0.50 ppm Se. A non-Se-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet served as a negative control. Treatments were as follows: i) Control: corn-soybean based diet, ii) IS30: control+inorganic Se 0.30 ppm, iii) IS50: control+inorganic Se 0.50 ppm, iv) OS30: control+ organic Se ppm, and v) OS50: control+organic Se 0.50 ppm. RESULTS: At day 21 of lactation, piglet weight and weight gain in the OS treatments were higher than those in the IS treatments (p<0.05). Meanwhile, adding 0.5 ppm Se also resulted in the same significant differences in piglet BW and weight gain (p<0.05). Colostrum and milk Se concentrations increased (p<0.05) with Se level for both Se sources but were greater when sows were fed organic Se (p<0.05). Except for 24 hours postpartum, the Se concentrations were higher when sows were fed organic Se (p<0.05). Sow serum Se content was greater as Se levels increased from 0.3 ppm to 0.5 ppm at day 110 of gestation, 24 hours postpartum and day 21 of lactation (p<0.05). The pig serum Se concentration increased as the dietary Se level increased (p<0.05) and was higher when the sow dietary Se source was organic (p<0.05). Organic Se 0.5 ppm also had the highest serum Se level at two measured points (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Consequently, supplementation with organic Se or 0.5 ppm Se in a gestating diet could improve piglet performance, the Se status of sows and piglets and milk composition, but organic Se at 0.5 ppm is optimal.