Effect of Replacing Maize with Boiled Sweet Potato on Performance Characteristics and Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Gene in Pigs
Effect of Replacing Maize with Boiled Sweet Potato on Performance Characteristics and Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Gene in Pigs
Adimabua Mike Moemeka1, Ufuoma Godstime Sorhue1*, Sylvanus Ikenna Omeje2, Lawrence Bratte2, Raphael Onainor1, Okpara Oghenesuvwe2
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the effects of boiled red sweet potato meal on performance and gene expression of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in growing pigs. Total of 45 growing pigs weighing 4.90 - 9.25kg were randomly allotted into five treatments of nine pigs each. Treatment one (T1) had 100% maize based diet as control, treatment two (T2) had 100% boiled red sweet potato meal, treatment three (T3) had 50% boiled red sweet potato meal + 50% maize, treatment four (T4) had 25% boiled red sweet potato meal + 75% maize, while treatment five (T5) had75% boiled red sweet potato meal + 25% maize. Chemical analysis showed higher nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and lower crude protein content in boiled red sweet potato meal than in the maize. Nutrient digestibility was significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments. The average total weight gain ranged from 13.22kg in T2 to 17.18kg in T1 followed closely by 16.44kg in T3. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatments for all the performance characteristics studied, except average daily weight gain and feed conversion rate. Average daily weight gain was 0.24kg in T1 and 0.17kg in T2, while T3 had the highest gross margin. IGF-1 expression patterns were significantly different (P<0.05) between treatments, increased inclusion of sweet potato meal increased expression of IGF-1 gene. This study therefore suggests that inclusion of 75% boiled red sweet potato meal in diet of growing pigs might be used, but supplementation of 50% maize with 50% boiled red sweet potato meal is recommended for optimal performance.
Keywords | Insulin, Sweet Potato, Gene Expression, Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance
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