Effects of structural and non-structural polysaccharides in the diet of the growing pig on gastric emptying rate and rate of passage of digesta to the terminal ileum and through the total gastrointestinal tract.

Six experiments were made in growing pigs to investigate the effects of substituting bran, oatmeal byproduct, pectin and guar gum for barley on gastric emptying rate, pH and dry matter of digesta and on the dry matter content and rate of passage of digesta to the terminal ileum and overall. Twelve pigs with cannulas sited at the pyloric/fundic junction of the stomach were used to measure gastric emptying. Seventy-two pigs were kept in metabolism cages for the total collection of faeces and nine pigs were fitted with simple cannulas 150 mm cranial to the ileo-caecal junction. For the overall transit measurements the barley was ground through a 4.68 mm screen (C) and for the other studies either through this screen or a 1.56 mm screen (F). Gastric emptying rates were significantly faster for F diets than for C diets, but bran and oatmeal by-product substitutions were without significant effect on this variable or on rate of passage to the terminal ileum. Guar gum and pectin significantly speeded up gastric emptying and transit to the terminal ileum in C diets. Guar gum and pectin did not significantly affect overall transit time, but bran accelerated it. The results are discussed in relation to the depressive effects on nutrient utilization which have been recorded for the four polysaccharides: it is postulated that gastric emptying rate and transit time to the terminal ileum are likely to have a minimal effect on overall transit time.