The role of dietary fibre in pig production, with a particular emphasis on reproduction

Abstract

Fibres from a variety of sources are a common constituent of pig feeds. They provide a means to utilise locally-produced plant materials which are often a by-product of the food or drink industry. The value of a high fibre diet in terms of producing satiety has long been recognised. However the addition of fibre can reduce feed intake, which is clearly detrimental during stages of the production cycle when nutrient needs are high, for example in growing piglets and during lactation. More recently, fibre has been found to promote novel benefits to pig production systems, particularly given the reduction in antimicrobial use world-wide, concern for the welfare of animals fed a restricted diet and the need to ensure that such systems are more environmentally friendly. For example, inclusion of dietary fibre can alter the gut microbiota in ways that could reduce the need for antibiotics, while controlled addition of certain fibre types may reduce nitrogen losses into the environment and so reduce the environmental cost of pig production. Of particular potential value is the opportunity to use crude fibre concentrates as ‘functional’ feed additives to improve young pig growth and welfare. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for the use of high fibre diets is to improve the reproductive efficiency of pigs. Increased dietary fibre before mating improves oocyte maturation, prenatal survival and litter size; providing a consumer-acceptable means of increasing the amount of saleable meat produced per sow. The mechanisms responsible for these beneficial effects remain to be elucidated. However, changes in plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of key hormones and metabolites, as well as effects of the hypothalamic satiety centre on gonadotrophin secretion and epigenetic effects are strong candidates.

Adding Appropriate Fiber in Diet Increases Diversity and Metabolic Capacity of Distal Gut Microbiota Without Altering Fiber Digestibility and Growth Rate of Finishing Pig

“…Total dietary fiber (TDF) is the sum of a wide range of carbohydrates known as non-starch polysaccharides including pectins, cellulose, hemicellulose, β-glucans, and fructans as well as oligosaccharides and starch that are resistant to hydrolysis in the small intestine (Jarrett and Ashworth, 2018). According to its solubility, TDF can be divided into soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) (Zhang et al, 2013).…”

Chicory fibre improves reproductive performance of pregnant rats involving in altering intestinal microbiota composition

“…Indeed, a variety of factors are responsible for the formation and stabilization of intestinal microbiota, including dietary fibre (Zhou et al . 2017, Jarrett and Ashworth 2018).…”

Fibre supply for breeding sows and its effects on social behaviour in group-housed sows and performance during lactation

“…This leads to increased feed motivation and competition during feeding [12]. The postprandial satiation is increased by the consumption of bulky fibre [17,18]. Optimising the fibre supply was tackled by analytically characterising various fibre carriers (Analytical trial), comparing the digestibility of the test diet produced on the basis of these results (Digestibility trial), and finally recording the behaviour of sows during pregnancy as well as performance parameters for the duration of a reproduction cycle and a comparable feeding trial in practice (Field trial).…”

“…This leads to a high motivation for food [14,15] and decreased resting time [16]. The postprandial satiation is increased by the consumption of bulky fibre [17,18]. A stable body condition is important for the fertility and longevity [19].…”