Type of Milk Consumed Can Influence Plasma Concentrations of Fatty Acids and Minerals and Body Composition in Infant and Weanling Pigs

Manuscript received 22 April 1998. Initial reviews completed 30 June 1998. Revision accepted 17 September 1998.

Acie C. Murry Jr.^*, , Seyoum Gelaye, John M. Casey^**, Timothy L. Foutz^**, Brou Kouakou, and Deepa Arora

^* Department of Animal and Dairy Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602,  Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, 31030, ^** Department of Biological Agricultural Engineering, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA 30602 and  Department of Biology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, USA 31030.

Two experiments using 42 crossbred neonatal pigs to compare the effects of caprine and bovine milk on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility and body composition were conducted. At age 72 h, pigs were removed from their dams and randomly divided into two groups, housed separately in stainless steel metabolism cages and were fed a predetermined amount (300 mL/kg body weight) of pasteurized, nonfortified whole, caprine or bovine milk. Body composition was determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In Experiment 1, 22 intact male pigs were used for a 31-d experimental period. There was no significant (P > 0.05) dietary effect on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility or body composition. Significant differences (P < 0.05), however, were observed in plasma of C 8:0, C 10:0 and C 12:0 concentrations. In Experiment 2, 20 pigs (10 intact males and 10 females) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment for 52 d. Pigs fed caprine milk had higher (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of C10:0 and C12:0 as well as Na, Mg and Zn than those fed bovine milk. At Day 52, pigs fed caprine milk had less body fat (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.06) bone mineral density than those fed bovine milk. Drymatter, N and total mineral intake of male pigs was higher (P < 0.05) than female pigs. Also, male pigs had higher (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of C12:0 than females. This study demonstrates that the type of milk consumed can influence plasma concentrations of fatty acids, minerals and body composition in pigs.

The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 129 No. 1 January 1999, pp. 132-138
Copyright ©1999 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

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