Performance, organs morphometry and intestinal histology of pigs in the late finishing fed cane sugar

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, organ morphology and intestinal histology of growing pigs in late termination, fed sugar cane instead of corn. Thirty six barrows with approximately 153.5 days of age were used, with an average initial weight of 103.86kg and final mean weight and age of 126.89kg and 179.5 days. The experimental design was a randomized block with repeated treatments, with 3 treatments, 3 blocks and 2 replicates per treatment block, completing 6 repetitions. The treatments were: conventional diet; conventional diet, with 30% replacement of corn by sugar cane, and conventional diet, with 30% replacement of corn by sugar cane and the corrected nutrients except energy. Pigs fed diets with sugar cane instead of corn partially consumed more feed and had lower feed efficiency, but there was no difference in weight gain observed in animals subjected to the treatments. The cost of feed per kg of pig produced was lower with the use of 30% sugar cane instead of corn, with the correct nutrients. Treatments did not affect the morphology of organs. There was greater villi height in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and increased crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum of animals fed diets containing sugar cane. In pigs in the late finishing fase is recommended to use 30% of whole sugar cane replacement of corn with the correct nutrients, it promotes better economic efficiency.