Effect of Lignocellulosic Fiber Inclusion on Body Condition, Feed Intake, and Litter Performance in Gestating and Lactating Sows

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of including lignocellulosic fiber (Qualicel®) in diets for gestating and lactating sows. A total of 46 sows were assigned to five dietary treatments: a standard control diet (T1), fiber inclusion during lactation at 5 kg/ton (T2) or 8 kg/ton (T3), and fiber inclusion from day 85 of gestation plus lactation at 5 kg/ton (T4) or 8 kg/ton (T5). Productive variables evaluated included backfat thickness at farrowing and weaning, backfat loss, feed intake during lactation, number of piglets born and weaned, litter weight at birth and weaning, survival rate, and weaning-to-estrus interval. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed only for backfat thickness and feed intake during lactation, with the greatest values recorded in T5 and T4, respectively. No significant differences were found for backfat at farrowing, backfat loss, piglets born, piglets weaned, survival rate, or weaning-to-estrus interval, indicating that fiber inclusion did not impair reproductive performance. Treatments with fiber beginning at late gestation (T4 and T5) showed improved gastrointestinal comfort and greater metabolic stability, which likely contributed to enhanced feed intake and better preservation of body condition during lactation. Moderate inclusion of lignocellulosic fiber improved digestive function, supported sow welfare, and favored litter growth at weaning without negatively affecting key productivity indicators. This suggests that controlled inclusion of insoluble fiber is a viable nutritional strategy to enhance sow performance during the physiologically demanding gestation-to-lactation transition.