Nutrient digestibility of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds and effects on the small intestine of weaned piglets

A study involving three groups of six piglets weaned at 28d of age was conducted to determine the effect of two legume seeds (white versus black chickpea) on total tract (TTAD) and ileal (IAD) apparent digestibility, and their impact on intestinal tissues sampled at slaughter. TTAD was measured between 32 and 39 days of age and IAD was measured between 53 and 60 days on the same piglets anastomosed ileo-rectally. The piglets were fed at a similar DM intake a control diet (C) based on casein or a diet in which 50% of crude protein (CP) was supplied by white (WCP) or black chickpea (BCP). TTAD of dry matter (DM) and energy was lower (P < 0.001) with the BCP diet than with the WCP and C diets. TTAD and IAD of CP were significantly lower (P < 0.01) with the WCP and BCP diets than with C (0.844. 0.830 versus 0.914, respectively, for TTAD and 0.848. 0.848 versus 0.912, respectively, for IAD), the difference between chickpea diets being non significant (P > 0.05). The main effects observed on gut morphology with the legume diets were moderate villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. Villus height at the ileum was smaller with the BCP diet than with WCP and C (P < 0.05). Crypt depth at the duodenum and width at the duodenum and jejunum were greater with the WCP diet than with C (P < 0.05). The duodenal specific activities of aminopeptidases A and N, lactase, sucrase and alkaline phosphatase measured in mucosal homogenates were lower (P < 0.05) with the legume-containing diets. To conclude. differences in the digestibility value of the legume-based diets were moderate as well their effects on the morphology and function of intestinal tissues. Both white chickpea and black chickpea seem to be satisfactory protein and energy sources for the weaned piglet. (Résumé d'auteur)