LYSINE FOR PRIMIPAROUS LACTATING SOWS AND EFFECT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PIGLETS

Abstract

The present study aimed to determinate optimum lysine levels to be used in the ration of primiparous sows in lactation, in relation to piglets performance at weaning. Fifty primiparous sows in lactation were used, and distributed among five treatments (10 animals per treatments), and each treatments contained different levels of digestible lysine in the ration, corresponding to 0.88; 0.99; 1.04; 1.08 e 1.24%, with the same relations between the remaining amino acids. The litters were standardized with 11 piglets. These animals were distributed in a completely randomized blocks experimental design, and each litter was considered an experimental unit, in a total of 10 repetitions. The results were evaluated through statistical variance models, using linear regression or quadratic corresponding to the adjustment. The analysis of variance demonstrated that there was no statistic difference concerning the piglets weaning weights, and number of embryos in second parturition. It was concluded, that the different lysine levels did not influence the performance of piglets, and so, it is possible to use the lower studied level (0.88% of digestible lysine) in the diet of primiparous sows in lactation.