Fat nutrition and metabolism in piglets: a review

Fat digestion and absorption in the stomach and small intestine, metabolism of fatty acids in the liver and effects of dietary fat composition (carbon chain length, odd-even number of carbon atoms, distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols and degree of saturation of fat) in piglets are reviewed. At the same time, the nutritional factors which affect fat metabolism in piglets are discussed. The nutritional factors included betaine, choline, methionine, carnitine, lecithin, and dietary fat level for sows and milk fat content. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.