Impact of Dietary Fiber from Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) on Digestive Efficiency and Nutrient Utilization in Gestating Sows

• Grant number: 25/21998-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 12, 2026
• End date: July 11, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
• Grantee: Jose Alfonso Echavarria Martinez
• Supervisor: Crystal Lynette Levesque
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: South Dakota State University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/15899-3 - ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF METHIONINE FOR GROWING AND FINISHING PIGS, BP.MS

Abstract

Maternal nutrition during gestation is crucial for offspring growth, development, and overallhealth, as well as for sow reproductive performance. Dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) are a by-product of cereal-based ethanol production, providing a versatile sourceof energy, protein, and fiber, and representing an alternative to soybean meal and corn.Although most DDGS are derived from corn, they can also be produced from wheat, barley,or sorghum. Dietary fiber, a key component of DDGS, plays a crucial role in gestating sowsby enhancing gastrointestinal function, reducing constipation, and shortening farrowingduration. It also supports feed intake and satiety during lactation, improving overall healthand performance. Furthermore, high-fiber diets, especially those rich in soluble fiber,promote natural behaviors and reduce stereotypic activities, enhancing animal welfare andmanagement during gestation. Despite these benefits, a precise nutritional matrix forgestating sows is lacking. Determining the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of aminoacids and the metabolizable nutrient content of DDGS is essential for accurate dietformulation. This study will involve twelve sows fitted with T-cannulas in a randomizedcomplete block design across four experimental periods and four dietary treatments. Ilealdigesta, feces, and urine will be collected to assess amino acid digestibility, energyutilization, and nutrient metabolizability. The results will provide specific data to optimizefeed formulation, improve nutrient efficiency, and support sustainable and productive swinemanagement practices.