Supplementation of NSP Enzyme Increased the Nutritive Value of Diets Fed to Lactating Sows

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing a non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) degrading enzyme in a standard lactation diet, on total tract digestibility of nutrients, milk yield and weight loss in late lactation, where feed intake is highest. A total of 20 first parity sows and their litters were included in the experiment from d 28 to 38 of lactation, including an adaptation period of three days. On d 28 of lactation sows were allotted, to two dietary treatments, a control diet or a diet with NSP enzyme addition, and fed for 10 days. The sows continued with their own piglets from the first part of the lactation, 12.1 and 12.3 piglets per litter for control and enzyme fed sows, respectively, throughout the experimental period. Sows and their litter were allotted according to BW and back fat. The experimental period lasted from d 31 to 38 of lactation, where feed consumption was recorded daily. Sow BW and back fat were measured on d 31 and 38 in lactation. In addition, piglets were weighed on d 31 and 38 to estimate milk production and litter weight gain. Milk and blood samples were collected at d 35. The milk samples were analyzed for the content of DM, fat, protein and lactose. The blood samples were analyzed for the concentration of glucose, lactate, triglycerides, NEFA and urea in plasma. Additionally a fecal sample was collected from the sows in the end of the experimental period to determine the digestibility of DM, GE and protein, using chromic oxide as internal marker. Data were analyzed using a general linear model procedure in SAS (version 9.4). The average daily feed intake for sows was 7.36 kg and 7.51 kg for control and enzyme treatments, respectively. The apparent total tract digestibility of energy (P < 0.01), N (P < 0.05) and DM (P < 0.01) were all increased by approximately two percent units and amounted to 82.9%, 80.6%, 81.9%, respectively, when sows were supplemented with enzyme. However, sow milk yield (P = 0.27) and sow weight loss (P = 0.49) were not affected by the enzyme supplementation. Energy status, as evaluated by plasma metabolites, was not affected by enzyme supplementation. In conclusion, the NSP degrading enzyme increased the apparent total tract digestibility of studied nutrients.