Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on the nutrient digestibility and ileal digesta characteristics of cannulated growing pigs fed corn- or barley-sorghum-based diets

This study investigated the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) on nutrient digestibility and ileal digesta characteristics of cannulated growing pigs fed corn- or barley-sorghum-based diets. Eight ileal-cannulated barrows randomized in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design were fed four diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, in which the first factor was diet type (corn- or barley-sorghum-based diet), and the second factor was dietary SCPF treatment (supplemented with or without 5 g/kg SCFP). The cannulated barrows (35.63 ± 0.76 kg) fitted with a T-cannula in the terminal ileum were housed in metabolism cages in an environmentally controlled room. The results show that compared with the corn-based diet, the barley-sorghum-based diet reduced the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP), the AID of all amino acids, amylase activity, trypsin activity, and pH in the ileal digesta of growing pigs (P 0.05). In conclusion, compared with the corn-based diet, the barley-sorghum-based diet reduced the activities of digestive enzymes and the digestive absorption of CP and amino acids in growing pigs. Dietary 5 k/kg SCPF supplementation had beneficial effects on the energy and ADF digestibility of growing pigs. However, the nutrient digestibility and ileal digesta characteristics of the pigs were unaffected by diet type × SCFP interaction.