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

In a Latin square experiment with six ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) piglets the effect of alpha-galactosides (27.5 g/kg) in piglet feed with and without alpha-galactosidase (7.1 U/g) on ileal digestive physiology was studied. Ileal digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and nitrogen free extract was reduced approximately 20 per cent by a-galactosides in the feed. Ileal starch digestion was only 3 per cent lower. The presence of alpha-galactosides in the diet caused fluid retention and enhanced microbial fermentation in the gut as measured by adenosine 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 and decreased hydrolysis of nutrients resulting in a diminished digestion. The increase in fermentable substrate in the lower part of the digestive tract might lead to disturbance of the existing microbial balance increasing the chance of diarrhoea. Addition of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase to the experimental diet could not overcome these phenomena.