Jw. Schrama et al., ENERGY-METABOLISM IN RELATION TO PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY IN GROWING PIGS ASAFFECTED BY TYPE OF DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE, Journal of animal science, 74(9), 1996, pp. 2220-2225
The effect of dietary carbohydrate source on physical activity in rela
tion to metabolic rate in pigs was studied. Six groups of 12 pigs (50-
kg, castrated males) were fed one of two diets: a starch diet or a non
-starch polysaccharide (NSP) diet. Both diets had a similar calculated
net energy content. The starch diet contained 13% tapioca, and the NS
P diet contained 17% sugar beet pulp silage. Pigs were housed in group
s and fed at approximately two times maintenance (approximately 900 kJ
ME . kg(-.75). d(-1)). Nitrogen and energy balances were measured per
group during a 7-d experimental period, which was preceded by a 2-wk
adaptation period. Heat production and physical activity were measured
during successive discrete 9-min intervals. Metabolizability of gross
energy was 79.4% and 78.2% for the starch-fed and NSP-fed pigs, respe
ctively (P < .10). Activity differed between treatments. Activity-rela
ted heat production tended to be higher for the starch-fed pigs than f
or those fed the NSP diet (P < .10); 118 and 90 k.J . kg(-.75). d(-1),
respectively. During the dark phase of the day (from 2000 to 0800) ac
tivity-related heat production was 8 kJ.kg(-.75). d(-1) higher for the
starch-fed pigs than for those fed the NSP diet (P > .1), whereas dur
ing the light phase, this difference was 48 kJ . kg(-.75). d(-1) (P <
.10). Retained energy was similar for both treatments. These results s
how that dietary composition can change physical activity of pigs and
thereby affect their energy utilization.