The effect of graded levels of melatonin on performance and gastric ulcers in pigs

Ayles, H. L.
Ball, R. O.
Friendship, R. M.
Bubenik, G. A.

Canadian Journal of Animal Science

Journal Article

1996

76

4

607

611

10.4141/cjas96-089

Health Management

To induce gastric ulcers, finely ground (578±1.89 µm), maize-wheat-based diets containing melatonin 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, were offered to 64 Yorkshire barrows and gilts (mean weight 22.2±2.0 kg) assigned to 16 pens (4 per pen), until they reached 105 kg. At postmortem, ulcers were scored from 0 (no ulcer) to 3 (severe ulcer). Volume, percent moisture, pH and bile acid concentration of stomach digesta were determined. Melatonin supplementation was associated with a decreasing severity of ulcers Show moreTo induce gastric ulcers, finely ground (578±1.89 µm), maize-wheat-based diets containing melatonin 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, were offered to 64 Yorkshire barrows and gilts (mean weight 22.2±2.0 kg) assigned to 16 pens (4 per pen), until they reached 105 kg. At postmortem, ulcers were scored from 0 (no ulcer) to 3 (severe ulcer). Volume, percent moisture, pH and bile acid concentration of stomach digesta were determined. Melatonin supplementation was associated with a decreasing severity of ulcers (P<0.05). There were no differences in average daily gain between melatonin treatments, although 10 mg/kg diet caused a reduction in feed intake. Bile acid levels in stomach digesta were highest in pigs fed on the melatonin-free (control) diet (P<0.05); pigs with severe ulcers had higher bile acid levels than those with no ulcers (P<0.05). The results showed that pigs supplemented with melatonin had significantly fewer ulcers and less severe ulcers than those not supplemented with melatonin. Show less

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