EFFECT OF ALPHA-GALACTOSIDES AND ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE IN FEED ON ILEALPIGLET DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY

In a Latin square experiment with six ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) pig lets the effect of alpha-galactosides (27.5 g/kg) in piglet feed with and without alpha-galactosidase (7.1 U/g) on ileal digestive physiolog y was studied. Ileal digestibility of organic matter, crude protein an d nitrogen free extract was reduced approximately 20 per cent by a-gal actosides in the feed. Ileal starch digestion was only 3 per cent lowe r. The presence of alpha-galactosides in the diet caused fluid retenti on and enhanced microbial fermentation in the gut as measured by adeno sine triphosphate (ATP) an volatile fatty acid (VFA) content of chyme. Fluid retention and increased microbial activity might cause systemic and local effects such as stimulated gut motility, gut wall damage an d decreased hydrolysis of nutrients resulting in a diminished digestio n. The increase in fermentable substrate in the lower part of the dige stive tract might lead to disturbance of the existing microbial balanc e increasing the chance of diarrhoea. Addition of the enzyme alpha-gal actosidase to the experimental diet could not overcome these phenomena .