Different levels of an alternative source of phosphorus replacing dicalcium phosphate for growing-finishing pigs

• Grant number: 23/11156-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
• Grantee: Guilherme Cunha Gottschall
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for the proper development of swine, playing a crucial role both from an economic and nutritional standpoint in the diet of production animals. Metabolically, phosphorus plays a key role in various functions, including the formation of cell membranes, synthesis of nucleic acids, energy metabolism, and the development of teeth and bones. Therefore, it is essential for the development, as well as improved performance of swine. However, its efficient use, through dietary supplementation, is associated with its availability. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the performance of growing-finishing pigs, as well as to investigate the efficacy of incorporating an alternative source of phosphorus at various inclusions levels in their diets. Furthermore, the utilization of dietary nutrients originating from this alternative source is intended to be examined. Additionally, the economic feasibility of integrating these additives into pig diets will be addressed. A total of 144 piglets (72 females and 72 castrated males) of approximately 63 days of age and an average weight of 25 kg will be used, distributed in a randomized block design (initial weight and sex). The animals will be divided into six dietary treatments, with different inclusions of an alternative source of phosphorus in the diet, containing eight repetitions and the pen being considered the experimental unit (three animals). The treatments are positive control - phosphate (T1), phosphoric acid - 0.300 kg/ton (T2), phosphoric acid - 0.350 kg/ton (T3), phosphoric acid - 0.400 kg/ton (T4), phosphoric acid - 0.450 kg/ton (T5) and phosphoric acid - 0.500 kg/ton (T6). The study will cover a period of 91 days, divided into four phases: growth 1 (0 - 21 days), growth 2 (22 - 39 days), finishing 1 (40 - 61 days) and finishing 2 (62 - 91 days). Every day, the feed supply, as well as leftovers will be weighed to assess daily feed intake. Additionally, the animals will be weighed individually on days 0, 21, 39, 61, and 91, to perform performance analyses, such as daily weight gain and feed conversion. For digestibility analysis, a blend of feces from each experimental unit will be collected on days 21 and 91 of the experiment, at the end of the growth 1 and finishing 2 phases, respectively, using the titanium dioxide indicator. The collected data will be submitted to statistical analyses using SAS software (9.1).