Interaction of CP levels in maternal and nursery diets, and its effect on performance, protein digestibility, and serum urea levels in piglets

Reduced protein levels in nursery diets have been associated with a lower risk of postweaning diarrhea, but the interaction CP maternal diet on performance offspring remains unclear. The objective this study was to determine effect content sow gestation and piglet piglets until slaughter. This studied 2 × factorial trial (35 sows, 209 piglets), higher or (H L) dietary (168 vs 122 g CP/kg) during late gestation. A standard lactation feed provided for all sows (160 CP/kg). For both treatments, half litters received (210 166 resulted four possible treatment combinations: HH, HL, LH LL, as first second letter. each phase, were iso-energetic had similar level essential amino acids. Ps*p is p-value between treatment. In phase (3.5–9 weeks age), tendency toward treatments efficiency (Ps*p = 0.08) observed HH having highest gain:feed ratio (G:F) (0.74 ± 0.01), lowest (0.70 0.01) other two groups intermediate. growing-finishing an decreased G:F 0.04) increased daily intake 0.07). showed long-lasting dressing percentage meat thickness offspring, which progeny H (Ps < 0.01 Ps 0.02, respectively). At 23 weeks, serum urea concentrations tended be LL Fecal consistency scores at day 10–day 14 after weaning from L 0.03 0.01, 7 weaning, fecal score fed (Pp 0.01). 8 age, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTDCP) interacted 0.02), showing values. conclusion, late-gestation efficiency, ATTDCP phase.