Effects of fat sources on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum traits and intestinal morphology in weaning pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fat sources on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum traits and intestinal morphology in weaning pigs. A total of 128 weaning pigs (Landrace x Large White x Duroc, 21 +/- 2 days of age, 5.82 +/- 0.13 kg of average initial body weight) were allotted in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with four treatments: 1) corn oil, 2) soybean oil, 3) tallow and 4) fish oil. Each treatment had 8 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. During phase I period (d 0 to 14), pigs fed corn oil or soybean oil diet tended to show higher ADG and FCR than any other treatments although there was no significant difference. During phase II period (d 15 to 28), pigs fed corn oil diet showed better ADG and ADFI than pigs fed soybean oil, tallow or fish oil. For overall period, growth performance of weaning pigs was improved (p<0.05) when pigs were fed soybean oil or corn oil. Apparent digestibility of energy and fat was improved when pigs were fed corn oil diet (p<0.05). Supplementation of corn oil resulted in higher serum triglyceride concentration than the other treatments (p<0.05). However, there was a lower cholesterol concentration when corn oil was provided compared to tallow or fish oil. Pigs fed corn oil tended to have increased villus height compared with soybean oil, tallow or fish oil treatment (p<0.05). This experiment suggested that vegetable oils such as corn oil or soybean oil, were much better fat source for improving growth performance of weaning pigs.