title: Effects of particle size and drying methods of corn on growth performance, digestibility and haematological and immunological characteristics of weaned piglets.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of particle size and drying methods of corn on growth performance of weaned piglets. Crossbreed weaned piglets (n = 192; Duroc × Landrace × Large White) were assigned to one of four treatments (2 × 2 factorial arrangement). All piglets were fed corn-soybean meal diets and treatments were (1) hot air-dried and coarsely ground corn, (2) hot air-dried and finely ground corn, (3) sun-dried and coarsely ground corn and (4) sun-dried and finely ground corn. The results showed that finely ground corn (FGC) improved the performance of piglets. Additionally, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and ether extract (EE) were increased by FGC, but the drying methods did not affect the performance of piglets or ATTD. Furthermore, smaller particle size significantly decreased the intestinal permeability, which was also not influenced by drying methods. FGC increased the total number of white blood cells, but not other blood parameters. Finally, the level of serum interleukin-1 was decreased by fine grinding and that of serum tumour necrosis factor α was decreased by sun drying. Conversely, these characteristics of weaned piglets can hardly have been affected either by the corn drying method or its interaction with grinding methods.
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre , China Agricultural University , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Peixia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Peixin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Jingshu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Dewen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pingli
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004063:Digestion / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
keywords: blood composition; corn; digestibility; drying methods; particle size; permeability; weaner piglets