This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding enzymatic complex (EC) containing carbohydrases to diets for lactating sows and their litters. A total of 264 genetically homogeneous crossbred sows were used. They were blocked by farrowing order and randomly allotted to four treatments, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (lactating diet (LD) x pre-starter diet (PD)), with two levels per factor (with or without EC). The following variables were measured in the sows: weaning weight; weaning weight variation; backfat; backfat variation; body condition; feed consumption and milk composition. The following variables were measured in the litter: feed consumption; post-natal weight; weaning weight; and average weaning weight. No interaction was found among LD and PD for any of the variables studied. Additionally, no effect was observed for either, female weight, backfat, body condition score or milk composition (fat content, crude protein, lactose and dry matter). Litter weaning weight and average litter weaning weight were higher when LD was supplemented with EC in comparison to the piglets from sows fed with diets without EC (74.6 vs 72.9kg and 6.32 vs 6.47kg, respectively). Litters from female fed with CE were 1.7kg heavier at weaning and showed a 0.15kg increase in the average weaning weight (P=0.06; P=0.07, respectively). This resulted in an estimate 2.27kg increase in the body weight at slaughter. Lactating sows fed with diets containing enzymatic complex with carbohydrases had heavier litters at weaning.
enzyme supplementation; piglets; animal nutrition; sow; swine
