Abstract
Two experiments involving 100 pigs were conducted to study the activity and specificity of pancreatic lipase and to determine the baby pig's ability to utilize tributyrin or lard. In vitro hydrolysis of tributyrin was significantly greater than that observed for butter, coconut oil or lard. Age had little effect on lipase activity. Addition of tributyrin to the diet resulted in a significant reduction in pig gains, significant improvement in fat digestibility and had little effect on feed/gain or serum lipase activity. Apparent digestibility of fat increased significantly with increasing levels of fat in 1 the diet and with increasing age. Serum lipase activity increased significantly only with increasing added fat levels. Plasma fatty acid patterns were not appreciably affected by source or level of fat or by age. Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.