Effect of Grain Source and Dietary Level of Oat Hulls on Phosphorous and Calcium Utilization in the Growing Pig

Abstract

Three metabolism trials were conducted to determine the effect of grain source and dietary level of oat hulls on dry matter digestibility, P and Ca retention and intestinal phytase activity of growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbred pigs (39 kg) were used. Dry matter digestibilities of corn-based diets were greater (P<.01) than grain sorghum-based diets (74.7 vs 63.5%). Diets containing 10% oat hulls had lower (P<.01) dry matter digestibilities than diets containing no oat hulls (64.0 vs 74.2%). The reduction in dry matter digestibility was similar with the addition of oat hulls to the diet, regardless of the source of grain. P and Ca retentions were not affected by dietary treatments. Fecal excretion of P was higher (P<.10) for pigs fed 10% oat hulls than for those fed no oat hulls. Fecal excretion of Ca and urinary excretion of Ca and P were not affected by dietary treatment. Intestinal phytase activity was evident in all pigs, but the dietary treatments had no apparent influence on phytase production in the small intestine. Copyright © 1982. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1982 by American Society of Animal Science.