ORIGINAL PAPER
A note on the effect of caprylic acid and
triacylglycerols of caprylic and capric acid on
growth rate and shedding of coccidia oocysts in
weaned piglets
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1
Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences,
CZ-142 20 Praha 4, Czech Republic
2
Research Institute of Animal Production, Uhříněves,
CZ-104 01 Praha 10, Czech Republic
3
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, Zoohygiene and Plant Products,
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno,
CZ-612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
Publication date: 2004-04-09
Corresponding author
M. Marounek
Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences,
CZ-142 20 Praha 4, Czech Republic; Research Institute of Animal Production, Uhříněves,
CZ-104 01 Praha 10, Czech Republic
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2004;13(2):269-274
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are efficient antimicrobial compounds. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the effect of caprylic acid (C8:0), and an oil containing triacylglycerols of caprylic
and capric acid (C10:0), on growth rate of piglets and shedding of coccidia oocysts. Piglets, weaned
at 28-32 days of age, were fed a basal diet (Group 1), the same diet supplemented with caprylic
acid at 5 g/kg (Group 2), or supplemented with the MCFA-containing oil at 10 g/kg (Group 3). The
experiment was carried out on a commercial farm and lasted for 3 weeks. In the course of this period
piglets of groups 1, 2 and 3 gained on average 3.64, 4.98 and 3.95 kg, respectively. The effect of
caprylic acid on weight gains was statistically significant (P<0.05). Almost all piglets were infected
with Cryptosporidium parvum and some of them also with Isospora suis. In treated piglets, shedding
of cryptosporidial oocysts was one week delayed and the patent period was shorter. This suggests
that a certain coccidiostatic effect of MCFA exists.
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