EFFECT OF GENOTYPE AND DIET ON RECTAL DIGESTIBILITY OF NUTRIENTS AND FAECAL OUTPUT IN CUBAN CREOLE PIGS

Abstract

Four Cuban Creole pigs and four improved, Cuban CC21 pigs, male individuals of 30 kg initial live weight were used according to a change over design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement to study the effect of genotype and of one diet based on cereals and grains containing either 6 or 12% crude fibre, on rectal digestibility and faecal output of materials. Feed intake was aequal to 0.10 kg MS/kg0.75 per day given at 9:00 am in one ration and the source of fibre was royal palm (Roystonea regia H.B.K. Cook) nuts introduced dried and ground in the feed. The Cuban Creole pigs were from a genetic reservoir located in the centre of Cuba (Cabaiguán) and were not subjected to any program of genetic improvement. There was not significant (P>0.05) effect of the genotype x diet interaction in any measurement. It was observed that CC21 pigs were more efficient in rectal digestibility of DM, ash, organic matter, crude fibre and N than creole pigs, but this effect was not significant (P>0.05) probably due to the existing great individual variability. In these four indices, values were as high as 5.5, 4.0, 7.4 and 7.7% respectively favouring CC21 pigs. In a similar manner, it was found that the diet containing 12% crude fibre determined either a not significant (P>0.05) increase in rectal digestibility of crude fibre, or a non significant (P>0.05) depression in DM, organic matter and N rectal digestibility with respect to the diet without royal palm nut meal. Faecal output of fresh material was greater in the Cuban Creole pigs (675 and 570 g/kg DM intake) and in the diet with 12% crude fibre, but without significant (P>0.05) effect. It is considered that rectal digestibility of diets based on grains and cereals containing 20% royal palm nut meal could be better in Cuban Creole as well improved, exotic pigs, as compared to diets given ad libitum to this animal species fed on sugar cane molasses. Besides, dietary N digestion may be poorer when growing pigs are given 20% royal palm nut meal in the feed.