An experiment was carried out to study the effect of saponins on sows and their piglets performances. Thirty genetically homogeneous sows were distributed in two treatments: one control diet (CD) and a CD plus 160ppm of saponins. The experimental design was a completely randomized block. The studied variables in sows were feed supply, fecal characteristics (color and texture) and corporal score. In the piglets the studied variables were mummified fetuses, stillborn, born alive and total born, birth and weaning weights. Were not found differences in color in sows feces. The fecal texture for sows that received diets with saponins was about 11% more solid (P<0.05). In the end of nursing the sows fed with saponins presented a corporal score 12% higher (P<0.05), compared to the control females. The piglets of sows that received diets with saponins presented higher weights on birth (1.2 x 1.4kg) and at weaning (5.5 x 5.9kg) weights, both at P<0.05. Sows fed in the last 10 days of gestation and during the nursing period with diets containing 160ppm of saponins, had better corporal score in the end of nursing and their piglets had higher birth and weaning weights.
animal nutrition; piggery; piglets; vegetable extracts
