Effects of konjac flour inclusion in gestation diets on the nutrient digestibility, lactation feed intake and reproductive performance of sows

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of konjac flour (KF) inclusion in gestation diets of sows on nutrients digestibility, lactation feed intake, reproductive performance of sows and preweaning performance of piglets. Two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous gestation diets were formulated: a control diet and a 2.1% KF-supplemented diet (KF diet). Both diets had the same NDF and insoluble fiber (ISF) levels, but the KF diet had higher soluble fiber (SF) level. The day after breeding, 96 multiparous sows were assigned to the two dietary treatments. Restrict-fed during gestation, in contrast, all sows were offered the same lactation diet ad libitum. Response criteria included sow BW, backfat depth, lactation feed intake, weaning-to-estrus interval, litter size and piglet's weight at parturition and day 21 of lactation. On day 60 of gestation, 20 sows were used to measure nutrient digestibility. Results showed that the digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude fiber and ADF were not affected by the dietary treatments. The inclusion of KF in gestation diets increased NDF digestibility (P < 0.05) and tended to increase the digestibility of CP (P = 0.05) compared with the control diet group. In addition, dietary treatment during gestation did not affect litter size, BW and backfat gain during gestation, lactation weight, backfat loss or weaning-to-estrus interval of sows. However, sows fed the KF diet consumed more (P < 0.05) lactation diet per day than sows in the control group. Accordingly, sows fed the KF diet showed greater average piglet weights on day 21 of lactation (P = 0.09), and the litter weight of sows fed the KF diet on day 21 of lactation increased by 3.95 kg compared with sows fed the control diet (not significant). In conclusion, the inclusion of KF in gestation diets increased lactation feed intake of sows and tended to improve litter performance.

Effects of dietary fibers with high water-binding capacity and swelling capacity on gastrointestinal functions, food intake and body weight in male rats

“…This was in line with our previous study in that the inclusion of 2.1% KF in the gestation diet of sows did not increase the diet viscosity [46]. …”

Soluble Fiber with High Water-Binding Capacity, Swelling Capacity, and Fermentability Reduces Food Intake by Promoting Satiety Rather Than Satiation in Rats

“…Konjac flour (KF) is a water soluble, viscous dietary fiber with a high water-binding capacity (15.5 mL H 2 O/g) [13,14]. KF mainly contains konjac glucomannan (KGM), which is composed of β-1,4-linked d -mannosyl and d -glucosyl residues at a molar ratio of 1.6:1.0 as the main chain with a small number of branches through β-1,3 mannosyl units [15].…”

Inclusion of Konjac Flour in the Gestation Diet Changes the Gut Microbiota, Alleviates Oxidative Stress, and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Sows

“…Moreover, the transition from pregnancy to lactation is characterized by physiological and metabolic changes, such as a progressive decrease in insulin sensitivity during late gestation and lactation (5,6), which may unfortunately result in decreased lactation feed intake of sows (7,8). Our previous studies showed that sows provided with konjac flour (KF) during gestation significantly increased their voluntary feed intake during lactation and demonstrated improved litter weight at weaning (9)(10)(11), probably as a result of insulin sensitivity improvement. However, the mechanism by which dietary KF exerts the benefit is poorly understood.…”