Tissue fatty acid profiles, plasma biochemical characteristics and cecal biogenic amines in piglets fed diets containing flaxseed and carbohydrase enzymes

We investigated tissue fatty acids (FA) profiles, systemic and portal plasma biochemical characteristics, and cecal digesta biogenic amines in piglets fed diets containing flaxseed (FS) and a multi-carbohydrase enzyme supplement (C). Enzyme supplement provided 500 U pectinase, 50 U cellulase, 400 U mannanase, 1200 U xylanase, 450 U glucanase and 45 U galactanase per kg of diet. Ninety-six pigs were weaned at 17 d of age and based on a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement allotted to 4 diets in a completely randomized design to give 6 pens per diet (4 pigs per pen). The diets contained wheat, barley, peas, soybean meal and canola meal with 0 or 12% FS and fed without or with C. Diets were fed for 28 d after which time fresh fecal samples were collected and one pig per pen was held under surgical plane of anesthesia to sample systemic jugular vein) and portal blood. Pigs were then euthanized to sample liver and loin area (comprised: longissimus thoracis + back fat + skin) tissues and cecal digesta. There was no interaction (P>0.05) between FS and C on any response criteria. Pigs fed FS diets had higher (P<0.01) omega-3 FA and lower (P<0.01) omega-6 FA contents in both the liver and loin area which resulted in lower omega-6:omega-3 ratios in these tissues. There was higher (P<0.05) docosapentaenoic acid (DPA [C22:5n-3]) in the liver of pigs fed diets with C than pigs fed diets without C. In the loin area, pigs fed FS diets had lower (P<0.01) unsaturated and total FA contents than those fed non-FS diets. Piglets fed FS diets had lower (P<0.05) levels of systemic K+. portal acetic acid, cecal amine and fecal fat digestibility but higher (P<0.05) portal lactate levels than pigs fed non-FS diets. Enzyme supplementation increased (P<0.05) systemic glucose content. In conclusion, FS with or without C supplementation lowered tissues omega-6:omega-3 FA ratio, supported lactate fermentors and reduced biogenic amine levels in the caecum. Enzyme supplementation increased plasma glucose independent of FS. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.