# Effects of Olive Cake on the Performance, Digestibility, Blood Parameters, and Intestinal Villi of Bísaro Pigs

## TL;DR

This study found that adding up to 15% olive cake to Bísaro pig diets is safe and does not harm their growth or health.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using olive cake as a feed additive for pigs without negative effects on performance.

## Key findings

- Up to 15% olive cake inclusion did not affect weight gain or feed conversion ratio.
- Daily feed intake increased with olive cake inclusion but was offset by reduced nutrient digestibility at 25%.
- Intestinal morphology remained unchanged, and blood parameters were normal except for increased lymphocytes at 25%.

## Abstract

This study evaluated using two-phase olive cake (OC) as a potential additive in pig feed. Pigs were fed diets incorporating 0, 15, and 25% OC, and the effects on growth performance, digestibility, intestinal villi, and blood parameters were assessed. The results showed that the inclusion of OC in the diet of Bísaro pigs did not affect weight gain or the feed conversion ratio but did increase daily feed consumption. Nutrient digestibility was reduced with 25% OC, but the increase in intake compensated for this fall. Intestinal morphology was not altered, and blood parameters remained normal, except for an increase in lymphocytes in the 25% OC group. Including up to 15% OC is feasible without compromising the animals’ performance.

Olive oil production generates by-products, such as olive cake (OC), which can be used in animal feed, reducing the environmental impact. This study assessed the effects of OC in pig diets on intestinal morphometry and blood parameters. Twenty-four Bísaro pigs were randomly assigned to three treatments: OC0 (control), OC15 (15% dehydrated OC), and OC25 (25% dehydrated OC) for 93 days. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), and fiber (NDF) was evaluated through total feces collection. No significant differences in average daily gain (ADG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) were found (p > 0.05). However, average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased from 2.84 kg (control) to 3.46 kg (OC15) and 3.64 kg (OC25). OC inclusion increased the ADFI of CF (90.8 g to 171.5 g and 169.2 g) and NDF (586.8 g to 896.6 g and 1115.4 g). The ATTD of all parameters decreased with 25% OC. The digestible intake of DM, OM, and CP was unaffected, but CF intake was higher in OC-fed groups (p = 0.005). Histomorphometric analysis revealed no significant differences in villi size. Lymphocyte counts were higher in OC25 (p < 0.05). This study suggests that up to 15% OC inclusion is feasible without compromising the pigs’ performance.