Effect of Dietary Extruded Linseed and Walnut Meal Mixture (8:1) on Performance and Plasma Protein Profile in Weaned Piglets

The effects of dietary extruded linseed (ELS):walnut meal (WM) mixture (8:1) on performance and plasma protein profile in weaned piglets was evaluated for 21 d. Topigs piglets (n=40; BW=8.02±0.82 kg), age 30±3 days, were allotted into 2 groups and fed 2 diets: control [C, based on corn-triticale-soybean meal (SBM)] and experimental (ELS:WM, where the ELS:WM mixture (8:1) partially replace SBM). Blood samples were collected at 7d and 21d after weaning. The plasma protein profile (total protein, total bilirubin, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, urea nitrogen-BUN) were determined by a chemistry analyser. Dietary ELS:WM mixture improve the BW (P=0.047) and ADG (P=0.036) of piglets at 21d after weaning vs C, whereas ADFI and F:G ratio were increase (P>0.05). The plasma protein profile of piglets fed dietary mixture was not affected at 7d and 21d after weaning, except plasma BUN concentration that was decrease (P=0.027) at 21d after weaning. Lower BUN concentration indicated higher availability of dietary nitrogen reflected in a higher deposition of protein. We concluded that dietary ELS:WM mixture improve piglets performance and positively afect plasma protein profile, especially BUN in weaning period.