Effects of supplementing varying levels of 1,3-diacylglycerol (DAG) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and selected fecal microbial populations in growing pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of 1,3-diacylglycerol (DAG) supplementation on growth performance, apparent digestibility and selected fecal microbial populations in growing pigs. A total of 80 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 27.52 ± 0.20 kg were used in a 6 week feeding trial. Pigs were allotted to 4 dietary treatments based on their initial BW and sex (5 replications; 4 pigs per pen with 2 barrows and 2 gilts). Dietary treatments included: 1) CON, basal diets; 2) CON+0.075% 1,3-DAG; 3) CON+0.10% 1,3-DAG; 4) CON+0.15% 1,3-DAG. The final BW was linearly increased (P=0.0056) by 1,3-DAG supplementation. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was improved (cubic, P=0.0312) by feeding 1,3-DAG during week 1-3. Overall (week 1-6), dietary 1,3-DAG supplementation led to a linearly increase in ADG (P=0.0042) and G:F (P=0.0235). In addition, dietary supplementation of 1,3-DAG linearly improved (P=0.0004) the apparent digestibility of gross energy and had a tendency (linear, P=0.0725) to improve the apparent digestibility of crude fat. Pigs fed 1,3-DAG supplemented diet also linearly decreased (P=0.0065) fecal E. coil populations at week 3 and linearly increased (P=0.0348) fecal Lactobacillus populations at week 6. In conclusion, these results show that 1,3-DAG can be used as a potential functional feed additive and exerts positive effects on growth performance, apparent energy digestibility and fecal microbiota in growing pigs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of 1,3-diacylglycerol (DAG) supplementation on growth performance, apparent digestibility and selected fecal microbial populations in growing pigs. A total of 80 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 27.52 ± 0.20 kg were used in a 6 week feeding trial. Pigs were allotted to 4 dietary treatments based on their initial BW and sex (5 replications; 4 pigs per pen with 2 barrows and 2 gilts). Dietary treatments included: 1) CON, basal diets; 2) CON+0.075% 1,3-DAG; 3) CON+0.10% 1,3-DAG; 4) CON+0.15% 1,3-DAG. The final BW was linearly increased (P=0.0056) by 1,3-DAG supplementation. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was improved (cubic, P=0.0312) by feeding 1,3-DAG during week 1-3. Overall (week 1-6), dietary 1,3-DAG supplementation led to a linearly increase in ADG (P=0.0042) and G:F (P=0.0235). In addition, dietary supplementation of 1,3-DAG linearly improved (P=0.0004) the apparent digestibility of gross energy and had a tendency (linear, P=0.0725) to improve the apparent digestibility of crude fat. Pigs fed 1,3-DAG supplemented diet also linearly decreased (P=0.0065) fecal E. coil populations at week 3 and linearly increased (P=0.0348) fecal Lactobacillus populations at week 6. In conclusion, these results show that 1,3-DAG can be used as a potential functional feed additive and exerts positive effects on growth performance, apparent energy digestibility and fecal microbiota in growing pigs.