Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

Therefore, we investigated the effects of HS on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles in finishing pigs. A total of 12 finishing pigs (n = 12) were raised in thermal neutral (TN; 25℃) conditions for a 3-d adaptation period. After the adaption, 6 pigs were exposed to HS at 33℃ (HS33) for 5 d. The pigs were fed the same diet based on corn and soybean meal. Chromic oxide was added to all the diets at a level of 2 g·kg-1 as an indigestible marker for the determination of the apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and amino acids. Blood samples were collected after the adaptation and heat treatment to verify the blood profiles. The HS33 pigs had a lower (p < 0.01) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and higher (p < 0.05) rectal temperature compared to the TN pigs. However, there was no difference in the ATTD of nutrients and amino acids. The HS33 pigs had reduced (p < 0.05) levels of serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total protein, albumin, and calcium compared to the TN pigs. However, the level of total bilirubin was increased (p < 0.05) in the HS pigs. In conclusion, HS reduced the feed intake and had an adverse effect on health. Altered blood profiles as a result of a negative energy balance are expected to be biomarkers of HS in finishing pigs.