The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of raw seeds of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) in feed mixtures for grower-finisher pigs on growth performance, and biochemical and haematological parameters in their blood, as well as on the weight of the liver and the kidney. The experiment was performed on 96 grower-finisher pigs of (Polish Landrace × Polish Large White) × Pietrain, weighing from 25 to ca. 100 kg. The pigs were divided into four diet groups. The feed compound of the control group contained extracted soybean meal. In experimental groups soybean meal protein was replaced by raw grass pea seeds in quantities of 50% in grower and/or finisher diet, and 100% in both fattening period. The use of raw grass pea seeds amounting to 50% of protein feeds in finisher diet did not result in lower growth performance in comparison to the control group. However, the fatteners fed grass pea seeds amounting to 50% of protein feedstuffs in both fattening periods revealed the highest feed and energy intake per kg of live weight gain, compared to the group feed grass pea only in the second phase of the fattening period. A higher share of grass pea seeds in the mixture led to weaker growth performance and carcass characteristics. Hypertrophy of kidney and liver was noted in the animals which were fed with raw seeds of grass pea amounting to 100% of protein feeds. Also, hyperactivity of ALAT, ASAT and alkaline phosphatase was observed in the animals' serum. No negative influence of applying raw seeds of grass pea amounting up to 50% of protein feeds in grower and/or finisher periods on the parameters examined was noted.Key-words: Lathyrus sativus, grower-finisher pigs, growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters
IntroductionThe seeds of grass pea can provide a good and inexpensive source of protein for pigs. A factor which limits their usefulness is the presence of β-ODAP (β-N-oxalyl-diaminopropionic acid) neurotoxin which causes a disease known as lathyrism or neurolathyrism, occurring symptoms as paralysis of the leg muscles, muscular rigidity and weakness (Lambein et al. 1993, Jyothi et al. 1998, Getahun et al. 1999, Pratap Rudra et al. 2004, Kuo et al. 2007, as well as a range of other anti-nutrient substances, such as protease inhibitors, lectins, tannins and phytinians (Ramachandran et al. 2005, Sharma et al. 2003. Extrusion of the seeds results in limiting the activity of these toxins (Grela et al. 2001, Ramachadran andRay 2004), yet this is a costly procedure. Own studies (Winiarska-Mieczan 2002) revealed that an increased share of raw seeds of grass pea in the mixture for grower-finisher pigs led to poorer production effects, although raw seeds of grass pea may be used in the volume of 20% of the dose in the finisher period of fattening. Castell et al. (1994) observed that using up to 15% in the first stage, and no more than 20% of raw seeds of grass pea in the second stage of fattening does not lead to any significant decrease in the rate of grower-finisher pigs' weight gain or in...