Effects of dietary stevioside/rebaudioside A on the growth performance and diarrhea incidence of weaned piglets

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of stevioside/rebaudioside A on the growth performance and diarrhea incidence among weaned piglets. Two experiments were carried out each unit, 216 weaned hybrid piglets (Duroc x Landrace x Large White) at 28 +/- 1 d of age. Pigs were randomly assigned to 6 experimental dietary groups (6 pens/diet with 6 piglets/pen). The piglets were fed ad libitum the following experimental diets: 0 (control), 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg of stevioside/kg. The results indicated that the average daily gain was increased linearly (P <= 0.05). Piglets fed a diet supplemented with 300 mg stevioside/kg had the greatest average daily gain among all of experimental piglets. The average daily feed intake was increased linearly (P<0.05). The feed:gain ratio decreased linearly (P<0.05). According to the broken-line regression model, the lowest incidence of diarrhea was observed at 251 mg stevioside/kg. The optimum dosage for dietary stevioside supplementation in weaned piglets' diets ranged from 200 to 250 mg/kg. With rebaudioside A, the results showed that the average daily gain linearly (P<0.05) as the doses of rebaudioside A increased. The broken-line regression model indicated that the greatest ADFI of weaned piglets was observed at a dose of 213 mg/kg, and the lowest diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets was observed at a dose of 191 mg/kg. The F:G decreased linearly (P<0.05). The optimum dosage for dietary rebaudioside A supplementation in weaned piglets' diets ranged from 191 to 213 mg/kg. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.