194 Efficacy of a Multicarbohydrase Containing Alpha-galactosidase in Lactating Sows: Impact on Progeny Weight and Uniformity

Abstract Modern lactating sows are under high energetic demand due to increasing prolificity. Significant body weight (BW) losses during lactation may impair sows’ reproductive life and longevity, and the readiness for weaning of the offspring. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of a multicarbohydrase containing alpha-galactosidase (CAG; AlphaGal™280P, Kerry) on a low energy dense lactation diet. Two-hundred and eight sows (218 ± 25.2kg) were blocked by parity and BW to one of 4 treatments, in which a corn-soybean meal diet was formulated to have graded levels of added fat (0, 1.5% and 3%) to titrate an energy density model (T1–T3). T4 replicated the 0% added fat formulation with CAG supplementation at 250 g/MT. Sows were weighed individually on entry, post-farrow (by calculation) and at weaning. Daily feed intakes (ADFI) were used for calculation of sow feed conversion ratio (FCR). Litter performance was characterized at birth, and size was standardized within 24h of farrow and within treatment to ensure uniform litter sizes (LS). Average wean weight (WWt) and pre-weaning mortality were determined. Litter weight distribution was also evaluated via individually weighed piglets, with consideration for pigs < 4.1kg BW. Data were analyzed as a RCBD, using sow as the experimental unit, treatment as the main effect, and standardized average weight and LS as covariates where appropriate. CAG tended to increase sow ADFI (P < 0.10) and yielded significant improvements in sow FCR (P < 0.01), comparable to T3. Although CAG group had lower standardized LS (P < 0.001), WWt was higher and equivalent to T3 upon use of standardized LS as a covariate. CAG tended to reduce the proportion of light pigs within the litter, when compared to T1. CAG improved the efficiency of sows, while increasing WWt of the offspring, suggesting an improvement in nutrient digestion and/or post absorption metabolic efficiency from typical lactation diets.