Enzyme Mix in Gestating Sow Diets - Crome & Petry Research

Research by Thomas Crome and Dr. Amy Petry found that adding a single organism enzyme mix to gestating sow diets improved nutrient efficiency and reduced inflammation. In a study with 36 sows, this enzyme solution increased metabolizable energy by 2.8% and nitrogen retention by over 1 gram per day, regardless of whether the diet contained insoluble or soluble fiber. This shows that this range of enzymes has broad enzymatic activity and offers sustainability benefits through improved nutrient utilization and lower nitrogen excretion. It also reduced inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF by over 50%. This anti-inflammatory effect aligns with the improved survivability and reduced slaughter weight variability when feeding the enzyme additive to finishing pigs.

The research also provided additional insights on fiber type and gestation period. Fiber and energy digestibility improved substantially in late gestation while fecal water content increased. Soluble fiber led to a repartitioning of water from urine to feces. The data suggest fiber types may affect sow health differently. Overall, the studies demonstrate the enzyme solution improves sow nutrient efficiency and reduces inflammation, underscoring its value for swine producers. Please learn more: