Effect of Rapeseed Meal Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility in Gestating Sows

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation on nutrient digestibility in gestating sows. A total of 16 multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) with an initial body weight of 236.9 ± 1.24kg were used in a digestibility trial. Sows were allotted to one of four treatments with four replicates with one sow per metabolic crate in a completely randomized design by their body weight, backfat thickness, and their parity. Gestating sows were moved into individual farrowing crates (2.5m × 1.8m) for digestibility trial and housed until end of digestibility trial. After 5 days of adaptation period (50-55d gestation), sows were fed the experimental diet to each treatment during 4 days (56-59d gestation) with collecting the feces samples during 8 days (57-64d gestation). Four different levels of RSM (0, 3, 6 or 9%) were supplemented in experimental diet. Experimental diets contained 3,265 kcal ME/kg, 16.80% CP, 1.09% Lys, as fed basis. All other nutrients in experimental diet were met or exceeded the NRC requirement (1998). Each treatment diet was provided 2,400g/d once daily to sows. During the whole experimental period, supplementation of RSM had no influence to BW and BF thickness of gestating sows among treatments, and their changes during digestibility trial. In nutrient digestibility, dietary RSM levels showed no effect on digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude ash (P=0.60, P=0.65, P=0.25, and P=0.52, respectively). In blood profiles, there was no significant difference in glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations among treatments. Consequently, RSM supplementation up to 9% did not affect nutrient digestibility in gestating sows.