An experiment was conducted in order to investigate the digestibility of diets and metabolic balances of piglets fed diets containing 800ug kg-1 of aflatoxins. This study used eight with littermate barrows whith an average initial weight of 13kg, housed in metabolic cages in a semi-acclimatized environment. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with two treatments (control diet and control + 800ug kg-1 of aflatoxins) and four replications, with the animal as the experimental unit. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein and gross energy were not affected (P>0.05) by the addition of 800ug kg-1 of aflatoxins in the diet. The gross energy metabolization was 6% (P<0.05) higher when compared to the control diet. The N urinary losses increased (P<0.05) 52% and the retention related to absorption decreased (P<0.05) 31% in piglets fed diet containing aflatoxins. Concerning the energy balance, the gross energy digested was not influenced (P>0.05) by the addition of aflatoxins in the diet. Energy losses in urine increased (P<0.05) 52% in the pigs fed diets containing aflatoxins. The presence of an aflatoxin level of 800ug kg-1 in the diet did not affect the digestibility, but it altered the protein and energy metabolism of weaned piglets.
digestibility coefficient; nitrogen balance; energy metabolism
