Some Effects of Lactose on Protein Utilization in the Baby Pig

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of lactose on the efficiency of soybean protein in supplying the amino acid needs of pigs from 3 to 8 weeks of age, as compared with dried skim milk protein. Pigs receiving diets containing additions of lactose gained weight at a significantly faster rate than pigs consuming diets containing isolated soybean protein without lactose. No significant differences were observed in the gains of pigs receiving diets containing lactose from various sources. Pigs fed diets containing isolated soybean protein plus lactose required less feed per pound of gain than pigs receiving a diet containing soybean protein without lactose. Significant increases in apparent protein digestibility were obtained for diets containing lactose as compared with the basal diet containing soybean protein without lactose. Digestibility of the ether extract fraction of the diets was likewise improved by supplementation with lactose. Results of these experiments indicate that lactose plays a physiologically important role in nutrient absorption and utilization by the very young pig and accounts for at least a part of the difference in response to protein from a skim milk source as compared to soybean protein. Copyright © 1965. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1965 by American Society of Animal Science