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Xylose metabolism in the pig
Nichole F Huntley1, John F Patience1
1Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Pigs can metabolize xylose, but less efficiently than glucose. With increased dietary xylose, retention efficiency decreased, though pigs showed some adaptation over time.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Metabolic Pathways
- Digestive Physiology
Background:
- Xylanase enzymes release free xylose in the pig small intestine.
- Understanding xylose utilization is crucial for animal feed optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effects of dietary xylose levels and adaptation time on pig metabolism.
- To assess xylose retention efficiency, diet digestibility, and hindgut fermentation.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight pigs were fed diets with 0%, 2%, 4%, or 8% D-xylose for 22 days.
- Fecal and urine samples were collected across three periods to assess adaptation.
- Targeted metabolomics analyzed urine xylose and metabolite excretion.
Main Results:
- Dietary xylose did not impact dry matter, energy, or protein digestibility, nor hindgut fermentation parameters.
- Xylose retention efficiency decreased with increasing dietary concentrations (60% to 41%).
- Pigs showed improved xylose retention in later collection periods, suggesting adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Pigs can metabolize xylose, but less efficiently compared to glucose.
- D-threitol is identified as a major urinary metabolite of xylose.
- Adaptation over time may enhance xylose utilization in pigs.
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