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The effect of subclinical nematode parasitism on digestion and performance in growing pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

H. D. Pattison ,
R. J. Thomas  and
W. C. Smith
H. D. Pattison
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
R. J. Thomas
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
W. C. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
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Abstract

A preliminary trial established a subclinical level of infection with Oesophagostomum dentatum capable of affecting the performance of growing pigs. Thereafter a slightly higher level of infection (100 000 larvae) was administered to each of 24 individually- and scale-fed pigs to investigate the effect of O. dentatum on performance, digestibility and nitrogen retention over the live-weight range 32 to 64 kg. Worm-free but otherwise similar pigs served as controls. Infection reduced growth rate (12·9 %) and decreased efficiency of feed conversion to body weight (14·9%). There was no effect on killing-out percentage or area of eye muscle in cross-section, but infected pigs had relatively lower backfat depths (5·5 to 12·5 %). Infection did not influence nitrogen retention, but apparent digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, gross energy and crude fibre was reduced. Possible explanations for these effects are discussed in relation to tissue changes associated with larval development in the large intestine.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , April 1980 , pp. 285 - 294
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1980

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References

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