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Excess Crude Protein for Nongravid Gilts¹

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803 and North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695

Abstract

Twenty-five nongravid crossbred gilts (avg initial wt, 126 kg) were placed on either a high (38%) or a low (13%) crude protein (CP) diet and fed either at the rate of 1.82 kg/d or had ad libitum access to feed. In addition, a fifth group was pair-fed the 13% CP diet to the average intake of the gilts fed high CP ad libitum. The experimental period lasted 30 d. Corn-soybean meal diets were used and CP levels were varied by altering the corn:soybean meal ratio. Gain and gain/feed were reduced (P < .01) in gilts fed 1.82 kg/d compared with the gilts fed ad libitum or pair-fed gilts. Gain (P < .03) and feed intake (P < .01) of gilts with ad libitum access to the 13% CP diet were higher than those of gilts with ad libitum access to the 38% CP diet. Gain/feed was not different (P > .10) between the two groups, however. Rate of gain and feed efficiency of gilts pair-fed the 13% CP diet were similar (P > .10) to those of gilts with ad libitum access to the 38% CP diet. Plasma total free amino acids, NH₃ and total protein were not (P > .10) affected by treatment. Plasma urea-N and urinary total N, urea-N and orotic acid were increased (P < .01) in gilts fed the high CP diet regardless of feed intake level. However, urinary NH₃ was higher (P < .01) in gilts fed the low-protein diet. These results indicate that excess dietary CP for nongravid gilts decreases gain and feed intake and has no effect on efficiency of feed utilization, but it increases plasma urea-N and urinary total N, urea-N and orotic acid.

¹ Approved for publication by the Director of the Louisiana Agric. Exp. Sta. as manuscript no. 87-11-1184.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci., Louisiana Agric. Exp. Sta.

³ Dept. of Vet. Microbiol. and Parasitol., Louisiana State Univ. School of Vet. Med.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Raleigh 27695.

⁵ Address reprint requests to Dr. L. Lee Southern, Dept. of Anim. Sci., Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge 70803.