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A 25-day trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary mixture alfalfa hay: peas powder as partial replacement of sunflower meal (SFM) on plasma energetic profile and microbial populations of growing pigs. Ten barrows (30.28±0.53 kg, body weight; 81±3 aged) were allocated to two diets. Control (C) based on corn-SFM and soybean meal, and experimental (LP) where the dietary mixture partially replaces the SFM. At 7 and 25-days, the blood samples (N=10) were used to determine the plasma energetic profile (Spotchem EZ SP-4430, Arkray, Japan). The feed and faeces microbial populations were established by counting the colonies on selected media for each microorganism. Results showed that the LP diet maintains appropriate glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol content to C diet (P>0.05) while improved the HDL-Cholesterol (13%, P=0.91) and LDL-Cholesterol (9%, P=0.08) content vs. C diet. In the pig's faeces, the LP diet increased the Lactobacillus (+23.33%; P<0.05) while decreased the abundance of Escherichia coli; as an effect, the total germ counts increased (+11%; P<0.05) while the Lactobacillus: Escherichia coli ratio was significantly improved vs. C diet. In conclusion, the dietary mixture alfalfa hay: peas powder had positive effects on gut health and plasma metabolite profiles of growing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 21 days trial was conducted to evaluate the performance and plasma biochemical markers on 40 pigs (8.14 ± 1.08 kg of average body weight and 30 ± 3 days of age) when 25% of triticale was replaced with millet in weaned diets. The group C (n = 20) received a conventional diet based on corn-triticale-soybean meal and in the M group (n = 20), 25% millet cv. ʻMariusʼ replaced triticale (2 replicates per group). At 7 days post-weaning, the performances and plasma profiles (lipid, protein, mineral, enzyme) were evaluated. The blood samples collected from the piglets jugular vein (n = 10) were determined by a chemistry analyser Spotchem EZ SP-4430, Arkray, Japan. The performances of piglets fed either M or C diet were comparable (P>0.05). No effect (P>0.05) of dietary treatment on plasma metabolites was observed. However, the inorganic phosphorus (IP) decreased (-15%; P0.04) in the M vs. C diet. The present study revealed that the replacement of 25% millet to the piglet's diet, even in the most critical period of their lives, maintains the performances and blood plasma parameters within the normal reference ranges, beneficial to the health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]