Effects of Dietary Fermentable Carbohydrates on the Empty Weights of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Growing Pigs

摘要

In two experiments, different types and levels of dietary fermentable carbohydrates were fed to group-housed, growing pigs. The experiments showed that increasing the amounts of dietary fermentable carbohydrates mainly increased the empty weight of the stomach and colon. Addition of straw to the diet increased the empty weight of most parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but in particular that of the stomach. Fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract mainly increased the empty weight of the colon. Type of dietary fermentable carbohydrates did not affect the empty weight of the gastrointestinal tract.