The interactive effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation and dietary metabolizable energy levels in growing pigs

Abstract Text: Fenugreek seed extract (FSE) has been used for human health benefits, and is gaining attention for application in animal production. A total of 140 growing pigs (23.70 ± 2.80 kg) were used in a 6-wk trial to evaluate the effects of FSE supplementation in two different levels of energy, and density diets on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs. Pigs were randomly distributed into 1 of 4 treatments on the basis of body weight, and sex. There were 7 replicate pens per treatment with 5 pigs per pen (3 barrows, and 2 gilts). Treatments were (as-fed basis): 2 levels of FSE (FSE0, 0 or FSE0.2, 2 g/kg basal diet), and 2 levels of energy (LED, 3,160 or HED, 3,260 kcal/kg ME). All pigs were fed diets mixed with 2 g/kg of chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) to calculate apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Non-heparinized tubes and vacuum tubes containing K₃EDTA were used to determine the blood profiles. Fecal sample (1 g) from each pen was diluted with 9 mL of 10 g/L peptone broth to evaluate fecal microbiota. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using analysis for a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments, in the MIXED procedure of SAS. No interactions between density, and FSE supplementation were observed for any measurement in the whole study. Results show pigs in FSE0.2, and HED diets had higher (P < 0.05) final body weight (FBW, 54.71 vs. 53.14 kg; 54.88 vs. 52.97 kg), average daily gain (ADG, 737 vs. 701 g; 742 vs. 696 g), and gain/feed ratio (G:F, 0.398 vs. 0.377; 0.399 vs. 0.376) compared with in FSE0, and LED diets, respectively (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the FSE0.2, and HED diets had higher energy (E) digestibility compared with that fed FSE0, and LED diets, respectively (78.44 vs. 75.92%, 78.11 vs. 76.23%; P = 0.021, and 0.046). Pigs fed the FSE0.2 diet increased serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), and reduced total cholesterol (TC) concentration than the FSE0 diet (499 vs. 469 mg/dL; 95.8 vs. 106.6 mg/dL; P = 0.041, and 0.045, respectively). No significant differences were observed in fecal microbiota among treatments (P > 0.10). In conclusion, results indicated that dietary supplementation of FSE, and high energy diet improved performance in growing pigs.

Keywords: blood profile, gas emission, growth performance