Effects of Yam on Blood Biochemical Indicators of Weaned Piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of diets containing yam on blood biochemical indicators of weaned piglets.A total of 132 piglets at 28 days old were selected and assigned randomly into four groups,four replicates in each group and eight pigs in each replicate (half male and half female).The piglets in each group had statistically nonsignificantly different body weight (P 0.05).The piglets in control group were fed basal diet.The piglets in group I,group II and group III were fed the basal diet supplemented yam at 5,10 and 20 g/kg·Diet,respectively.The trial period was 28 d.The results showed that serum levels of total protein,albumin and globulin rose with the increasing level of yam in diet,but they were not significantly different between the groups.The diets supplemented yam at 10 and 20 g/kg·Diet enhanced the GSH-Px activity significantly,enhanced SOD activity to some extent,reduced the MDA concentration and significantly decreased urea nitrogen concentration.No significant difference was found between the group II and group III.On the whole,the diets supplemented yam at 10 g/kg·Diet had the best effects on the weaned piglets.It has a broad development prospect to use yam as a Chinese herbal feed additive.