| Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding increased levels of dietary soluble (SF) and insoluble (ISF) fiber to gestating sows on digestibility of nutrients, ovulation rate, embryo survival, and sow performance. In experiment one 24 pregnant sows (12 nulliparous and 12 multiparous) were assigned randomly to one of four experimental diets. Experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal control (C; 1.20% SF, and 9.78% ISF); corn-soybean meal-34% oat bran which was high in SF (HS 3.02% SF, 10.11% ISF); corn-soybean meal-12% wheat straw which was high in ISF (HIS; 1.11% SF, 17.86% ISF); and corn-soybean meal-16% sugar beet pulp (HS + HIS; 2.32% SF; 16.08% ISF). Feeding high levels of dietary ISF decreased energy, nitrogen, and SF digestibility. Feeding high levels of SF increased energy, SF, and ISF digestibility, and decreased digestibility of nitrogen. Multiparous sows demonstrated greater ability to digest diets with increased levels of dietary fiber than nulliparous sows. In the second experiment, 43 gilts were assigned randomly to four experimental diets. The C, HS, and HIS diets used in this experiment had a dietary fiber profile similar to those used in the previous experiment. For the HS + HIS diet (2.46% SF, 24.55% ISF), soy hulls (21%) replaced sugar beet pulp. Feeding gilts elevated levels of dietary SF and(or) ISF did not affect ovulation rate or embryo survival. In a third experiment, 716 sows were used in three concurrent trials. Diets were similar to those used in experiment two. Sows were fed either the C or one of the high fiber diets (i.e HS, HIS, or HS + HIS) in each trial. Feeding sows increased levels of dietary SF and(or) ISF beginning two days after mating to day 106 of gestation did not affect litter size at farrowing. Feeding sows increased levels of SF and ISF from soy hulls during gestation increased feed intake and reduced weight loss of sows during lactation. Gestating sows can be fed increased levels of dietary SF and(or) ISF without compromising sow or litter performance if daily energy requirements are satisfied. |
