Effect of dietary crude glycerin on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and hormone levels of Iberian crossbred pigs from 50 to 100 kg body weight

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of crude glycerin addition on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood hormone levels of Iberian crossbred pigs kept under intensive conditions. The study was carried out with 80 crossbred pigs (Iberian gilts×Duroc boars) of both sexes over a 101-d period (54±3 kg initial BW). Treatments were arranged in a 2×2 factorial design, the factors being dietary treatment (control or 10% glycerin) and gender (barrow or gilt). Crude glycerin was included as a replacement for wheat in diets formulated to provide equal net energy and digestible lysine levels. Glycerin-fed pigs had higher average daily gain and average daily feed intake than pigs fed the control diet ( P P P =0.058). Also, gilts showed increased concentrations of acyl-ghrelin and lower insulin compared with barrows ( P , 100 g/kg of glycerin can partially replace wheat without affecting feed efficiency or nutrient digestibility in Iberian crossbred pigs. However, further research is needed to clarify the potential relationship between glycerin inclusion levels in the diet and the plasmatic levels of hormones related to feed intake and energy balance control.