Effect of Wheat Middlings on Fiber Digestibility, Serum Cholesterol and Glucose and Fecal Bile Acids in Pigs

Abstract

Corn in corn-soybean meal starter, grower and finisher diets was replaced at 0, 10, 20 and 30% on a weight basis with standard wheat middlings. Fiber component digestibility studies were conducted with swine initially averaging 12.3 kilograms. Acid detergent fiber and cellulose values of the diets increased only slightly as the percentage of wheat middlings increased. Acid detergent fiber digestibility decreased with increasing wheat middlings with only the starter and finisher diets. Increasing wheat middlings had no effect on serum cholesterol levels; however, serum glucose levels were depressed with 10 to 20% wheat middlings in the diet of male pigs. Apparent absorption of phosphorus and calcium was depressed with added wheat middlings; however, plasma phosphorus and calcium concentrations were not depressed. Plasma zinc concentrations were not significantly different. No significant effect was seen on excreted fecal bile acids with added wheat middlings.