Evaluation of digestibility of Lathyrus sativus in growing pigs

The EU ban on meals of animal origin and the rejection by some States, including Italy, of genetically modified organisms (e.g. soybean), have resulted in the need for novel protein sources. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the digestibility of rations where soybean was partially replaced with Lathyrus sativus L. Twelve hybrid growing pigs were fed three diets formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic according to a Latin square design, each for 22 days. In the two experimental diets soybean was replaced by 10% or 20% L. sativus. Subjects were about 78 kg live weight at baseline. After 10 days of adaptation to each diet, faeces samples were collected from the rectum at the same time of day for 3 days. At the end of the administration of each diet, animals were weighed and blood was collected to determine some protein metabolism parameters. Feed and faeces were analysed for nutrients and AIA in order to calculate the coefficients of digestible utilisation of nutrients. Results were analysed by ANOVA using JMP (SAS system). The growth performance data (ADG and FCR) did not demonstrate differences attributable to the substitution of soybean with L. sativus. The coefficients of digestible utilisation indicate that soybean can be replaced with this legume seed. Low plasma urea in animals receiving 20% L. sativus confirmed the good metabolic efficiency of protein. Key words: Pigs, Digestibility, Legumes, Lathyrus sativus.