The effect of oligosaccharides and lactitol on the ileal digestibilities of amino acids, monosaccharides and bacterial populations and metabolites in the small intestine of weanling pigs

An experiment was carried out to examine the effects of supplementing diets for weanling pigs with oligosaccharides and LAC on nutrient digestion and bacterial populations and metabolites in the small intestine. Twelve barrows, weaned at 28 d, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum. The BW of the pigs at weaning and at the conclusion of the experiment were 9.1 and 13.8 kg, respectively. The pigs were fed four diets based on barley, wheat and soybean meal according to a two-period change-over design. The diets were formulated to contain 18% CP. Transgalactosylated oligosaccharides (0.2%), GUO (0.2%) and LAC (1%, 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-sorbitol) were included at the expense of corn starch. Supplementation with oligosaccharides or LAC had little effect on the apparent ileal digestibilities of AA and monosaccharides. Supplementation of diets with oligosaccharides or LAC did not affect (P > 0.05) the monosaccharide concentrations in ileal digesta except for galactose which was higher (P 0.05). Therefore, the supplementation of diets for weanling pigs (9.1–13.8 kg) with oligosaccharides or LAC at these levels does not affect nutrient digestibilities and bacterial populations in the small intestine. Key words: Pigs, oligosaccharides, lactitol, digestibility, bacteria