Effects of dietary supplementation with pancreatic-like enzymes of microbial origin (PLEM) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) on the performance of piglets fed creep feed.

It is well known that during the suckling period pancreatic secretion is low. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with pancreatic-like enzymes of microbial origin (PLEM) and SiO2, as an antibacterial factor, on the performance of piglets fed creep feed during weaning and thereafter. The experiment was performed on piglets from 30 litters. The piglets were divided into 5 groups (n = 63-66) and weaned at the age of 28 d old. The control group received standard creep feed (Days 7-28), and groups P1 and P2 and groups PA1 and PA2 received creep feed with SiO2 supplemented with protease (P1 and P2) or with protease+amylase (PA1 and PA2) during Days 7-13 (P1 and PA1) or Days 14-20 (P2 and PA2) before weaning. Dietary supplementation with PLEM and SiO2 led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in ADG in the treated piglets compared to the control with the best results obtained in group P2. To summarize, creep feed supplemented with PLEM improves productivity parameters of piglets under standard rearing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]