February 5, 2009
US scientists find DDGS beneficial to piglet immune system
Feeding DDGS to piglets can enhance the animals' immune systems, according to studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.
The research team divided weanling pigs into four groups and fed them either a standard control diet or diets supplemented with DDGS, soy hulls or citrus pulp. A week later, the researchers observed an increase in cytokine expression in the pigs' small intestine, which they linked to DDGS consumption. Cytokines are chemical messengers that are essential for proper immune function.
This reinforced earlier findings that pigs consuming DDGS-supplemented diets exhibited reduced levels of ileitis, a common inflammation of the small intestine.
Researchers also found that while adult pigs can be fed with a corn and soymeal feed that is up to 40 percent DDGS, piglets should be given feed with a maximum DDG content of 7.5 percent as their growth may be reduced if they consume too much fibre.
The US ethanol industry produces about 10-14 million tonnes of DDGS per year, with the majority fed to beef and dairy cattle. Livestock producers also use DDGS to supplement the diet of older pigs.
ARS is the scientific research arm of the USDA.
