Tanino condensado de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii) na dieta de leitões de creche

Abstract

Phytogenic additives are examples of potential alternatives to decrease the digestive upsets in the first weeks after weaning piglets. Tannin is a polyphenolic compound which form complex molecules and may be a solution for weaning piglets diarrhea and gut health negative effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Black-wattle condensed tannin extract inclusion in simple and complex diets on performance, fecal consistency score and serum haptoglobin level in weaned piglets. A total of 88 commercial breed weaning piglets, with initial body weight of 8.02 ± 1.21 kilograms (kg), were housed in a masonry facility and pens equipped with a feeder and a biteball drinker. The experimental period was 28 days, and the feeding program consisted of three diets (pre-starter I, pre-starter II and starter), with nutritional levels adjusted according to the phase. The animals were distributed in four treatments in a 2² factorial experiment: simple diet (DS), simple diet + tannin (DS+T), complex diet (DC) and complex diet + tannin (DC+T), with 11 replications and two piglets per pen. The design was a randomized block design according to the initial body weight. The animals were weekly weighed, and feed intake and leftovers were measuring. The faecal consistency score was determined twice a day, by two trained evaluators, by three weeks after weaning. Blood samples for serum haptoglobin concentration were collected at 7 and 14 days of the experiment. The addition of condensed tannin had no effect (P>0.05) on weaned piglets performance variables. The complexity of the diet also did not result in differences (P>0.05) in piglet performance. However, piglets fed DC+T diet had a lower incidence of liquid faeces in experimental period. And the piglets fed DS+T diet had a lower blood haptoglobin concentration level.