Utilization of intravenously administered glucose-oligosaccharides in growing miniature pigs

The ability of intravenously administered glucose or glucose oligosaccharides to supply 12% of the energy requirement of the growing miniature pig was determined. All pigs were fed a stock diet from days 5-28 of life, and a central venous catheter was inserted at 29 days. For the next 30 days, all pigs were fed both enterally and parenterally. Positive control pigs were fed the stock diet with infusions of an isotonic balanced electrolyte solution. Negative control and test animals were fed a diet containing cellulose to replace 12% of energy. Negative control animals received the balanced electrolyte solution intravenously, while test animals received either intravenous glucose of glucose oligosaccharides at levels providing 12% of energy. Carbohydrate utilization was measured by urinary loss of carbohydrate, as well as by growth and body composition. Chemical analyses of the urine indicated utilization of both glucose and glucose oligosaccharides. Glucose oligosaccharides were utilized less well (85%) than glucose (greater than or equal to 99%). No statistically significant differences in weight gain were noted between groups, although weight gain in negative control animals and those animals infused with glucose oligosaccharide solutions were lower than those in the other groups. Body fat analyses also indicated that glucose oligosaccharide solutions were less effective than glucose as an energy source.