Effect of supplementation of L-arginine during early and late gestation on nutrient digestibility of large white Yorkshire sows

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of L-arginine during early and late gestation on nutrient digestibility of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) sows. Twenty four sows were selected at the day of breeding and randomly distributed into four dietary treatment groups viz., a control group (A) receiving un-supplemented basal diet throughout the gestation, late supplemented group (B) receiving 1 per cent L-arginine during last thirty days of gestation, early supplemented group (C) receiving 1 per cent L-arginine during first thirty days of gestation and combined group (D) receiving 1 per cent L-arginine during first and last thirty days of gestation. A digestibility trial of three-day duration was conducted from 105-107th days of gestation. Nutrient digestibility and estimated total digestible nutrients were similar among all treatment groups. Supplementation of 1 per cent L-Arginine during early and late gestation to sows was observed not to influence the digestibility of any nutrients.