Pig feed and methods for improving energy utilization in low-energy feeds.

Abstract

The invention relates to a feed for pigs containing a guanidinoacetic acid-containing preparation for fattening pigs with low-energy feed to improve the energy utilization of the feed in pigs, where the low-energy feed has an energy content ranging from 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg during the fattening period. The invention also relates to a method for improving the energy utilization of low-energy feed in pigs.

Description

[0001] USE OF GUANIDINOACETIC ACID IN LOW-ENERGY FEED FOR PIGS

[0002] DURING THE FATTENING PHASE

[0003] Description

[0004] The present invention relates to the use of a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid in fattening pigs with low-energy feed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for improving the energy utilization of a low-energy feed by pigs by adding guanidinoacetic acid, and to a feed for pigs comprising a low-energy feed and guanidinoacetic acid. Feed can be optimized from many perspectives. Firstly, all nutrients required by an animal must be available in sufficient quantities in the feed. In addition to nutrient requirements, animal health is another factor that determines optimal feed composition. In addition, numerous other factors must be considered, such as environmental aspects, regulations on fertilization in feed production, and emissions.Given all these requirements, feeding plays a central role in animal husbandry, especially in fattening pigs.

[0005] To meet the requirements of modern feed, various feed additives are now used. Primarily, deficiencies in the feed mixture are compensated for by the targeted addition of essential and growth-limiting nutrients. Examples include essential amino acids such as lysine or methionine, calcium and other metal salts, or vitamins. However, flavorings or endogenous substances that influence cell metabolism are also used. In contrast, the use of creatine or guanidinoacetic acid has so far played a rather minor role in pig fattening, in contrast to poultry. Guanidinoacetic acid (syn. glycocyamine, N-guanylglycine, N-amidinoglycine; C3H7N3O2; CAS No. 352-97-6) has been available on the market as a feed additive in poultry feed for some time.

[0006] In contrast to creatine or creatine monohydrate, guanidinoacetic acid and its salts are significantly more stable in acidic aqueous solutions and are only converted into creatine under physiological conditions. Guanidinoacetic acid is only converted into creatine after absorption, primarily in the liver. Thus, in contrast to creatine, the majority of the administered or fed compounds, guanidinoacetic acid and / or guanidinoacetic acid salts, are not degraded by instability reactions, e.g., in the stomach, but are actually available for the corresponding physiological metabolic reactions.

[0007] For example, WO 2005 / 120246 A1 describes that supplementation of the precursor compound of creatinyl phosphate, namely guanidinoacetic acid, in predominantly vegetarian diets contributes to improving feed intake, increasing fattening performance, muscle meat growth, meat quality and / or reproductive performance in chickens.

[0008] WO 2006 / 092298 A1 describes salts of guanodinoacetic acid which have increased water solubility and bioavailability.

[0009] The use of guanidinoacetic acid in pig fattening to reduce caudophagia or to reduce the aggressiveness of pigs is disclosed in the published patent application WO 2021 / 175677 A1.

[0010] A study by Weber et al. (published in A. Zeyner, H. Kluth, M. Bulang, M. Bochnia, and M. Bachmann (eds.), 14th Conference on Pig and Poultry Nutrition, November 21-23, 2017, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle-Wittenberg) investigated the effect of guanidinoacetic acid in a common feed. The study found a slightly improved feed utilization, albeit only a slight daily increase at the threshold of significance. According to the study, a slightly lower feed intake of pigs was shown when guanidinoacetic acid was added to high-energy feed. The effect of guanidinoacetic acid on energy utilization in pigs, particularly when low-energy feed was used, was not investigated by Weber et al.

[0011] The energy-rich components of feed are often in limited supply compared to low-energy components. Reducing the energy content while maintaining performance could therefore make it possible to feed animals in a more resource-efficient manner. However, reducing the energy content of the ration generally leads to an increase in feed intake, which usually negates the benefits of a low-energy diet or even further increases resource consumption per kg of weight gain. In summary, no economical method exists yet to fully offset the disadvantages of a low-energy diet for pigs.

[0012] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a feed additive for pigs which, when fed low-energy feed, significantly increases the weight of the animals at the end of fattening compared to feeding with a low-energy feed alone, and which, as far as possible, achieves the weight achieved when feeding with a balanced high-energy diet.

[0013] This object is achieved by a use according to claim 1. Thus, according to a first embodiment, the use of i) a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and ii) a low-energy feed for pigs with a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed) and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg (based on the total weight of the feed) during the fattening of the pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg per pig, to improve the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs, is the subject of the present invention.

[0014] Energy utilization is defined as the amount of metabolizable energy (metabolic energy ME) that results in a one-kilogram weight gain for the animal. An improvement in energy utilization is therefore defined by a reduction in the ratio of metabolic energy of the feed consumed per kilogram of weight gain for the animal.

[0015] The wording “based on the total weight of the feed” or “based on the entire feed” refers the corresponding values ​​to a feed with 88% dry matter.

[0016] When guanidinoacetic acid is mentioned below, this refers not only to the free acid but also to its salts, unless the free acid is explicitly referred to in the text.

[0017] The present invention particularly relates to the use of guanidinoacetic acid in the fattening of pigs, wherein a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and a low-energy feed are used. According to the present invention, a low-energy feed is understood to mean a feed that preferably has a crude protein content in the range of 14.0 to 18.0 wt.% (based on the total feed) and an energy content of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg.

[0018] The crude protein content is determined using the VDLIIFA method for determining crude protein (VDLIIFA Methods Book III, 3rd Supplement 1993: Crude Protein, 4.1.1). The nitrogen content of the feed is determined by sulfuric acid digestion, distillation, and titration of the released ammonia. Protein contains an average of 16% nitrogen. Therefore, the crude protein content is determined by multiplying the nitrogen content by 6.25.

[0019] The metabolizable energy (ME) content of the feed is calculated using the following formula (Society for Nutritional Physiology, 2008: Prediction of metabolizable energy of compound feeds for pigs. Proceedings of the Society of Nutrition Physiology 17, 199-204):

[0020] ME (MJ / kg) = 0.021503 (MJ / g) x XP (g / kg) + 0.032497 (MJ / g) x XL (g / kg) - 0.021071 (MJ / g) x crude fiber (g / kg) + 0.016309 (MJ / g) x starch (g / kg) + 0.014701 (MJ / g) x “digestible residue” (g / kg)

[0021] The formula therefore includes the analyzed contents of crude protein (XP), digestible crude fat (XL), crude fiber, starch and the “digestible residue” (difference between the organic mass and the sum of XP, XL, crude fiber and starch, each in g / kg).

[0022] For commercially available feeds, the crude protein content, crude fat content, crude fiber content, and starch content are usually stated, so that the metabolizable energy content can be calculated directly. The crude protein content, crude fat content, crude fiber content, and starch content can also be determined using common VDLUFA methods (VDLUFA Methods Book III: 3rd Supplement 1993, Section 4.1.1 (Crude Protein Determination); 2nd Supplement 1988, Section 5.1.1 (Crude Fat Determination); 8th Supplement

[0023] 2012, Section 7.2.1 (starch determination); 3rd suppl. 1993, Section 6.1.1 (crude fiber determination)).

[0024] Furthermore, it is provided that the composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and the low-energy feed is used during the fattening of pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg, preferably > 50 kg, particularly preferably over 60 kg per pig (hereinafter also referred to as the fattening phase). Thus, the use according to the invention takes place outside the first growth phase of the piglets up to a weight of 27 kg per pig (hereinafter also referred to as rearing) and preferably also outside the pre-fattening phase of the pigs, which, within the meaning of the present invention, is characterized by a live weight of up to 60 kg per pig (hereinafter also referred to as pre-fattening).

[0025] According to the present invention, a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid is used.

[0026] Surprisingly, feeding trials in pigs have now shown that administering a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid leads to the desired benefit, namely achieving a fattening performance when feeding low-energy feed that would otherwise only be achievable with a high-energy feed. The feeding study showed that an energy content difference of 0.3 MJ ME / kg feed can be completely compensated by the addition of guanidinoacetic acid. The use of guanidinoacetic acid preferably compensates for an energy deficit of 0.1 MJ ME / kg feed and more, particularly preferably 0.1-0.5 MJ ME / kg feed, and most preferably 0.2-0.4 MJ ME / kg feed.

[0027] Furthermore, it has been shown that the balancing of the energy content of the feed only becomes fully apparent during the fattening phase. The use of guanidinoacetic acid during this phase led to an improvement in energy utilization compared to a negative control group with analytically identical energy content. This means that less feed or metabolizable energy was needed to achieve at least the same or even a higher fattening performance. Fattening performance is defined here as the daily increase in body mass. The groups fed with guanidinoacetic acid even achieved a performance level that was better than that of a positive control group fed with significantly more energy. Although guanidinoacetic acid itself has no appreciable energy content, an energy deficit in the feed can be compensated for by improving the supply of guanidinoacetic acid and thus also creatine to the animals.

[0028] The use of guanidinoacetic acid in low-energy feed to improve the energy utilization of the feed by pigs in order to compensate for an energy deficit of at least 0.1 MJ ME / kg compared to a corresponding feed without guanidinoacetic acid is therefore a further subject of the present invention, as is the use of guanidinoacetic acid in low-energy feed to improve the energy utilization of the feed by pigs compared to the low-energy feed alone. According to the present invention, it is provided that the low-energy feed for the pigs has a crude protein content of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.%, preferably 14.0 to 18.0 wt.% According to a further preferred use, it is provided that the low-energy feed for the pigs has a crude protein content of at least 14.5 wt.%, even more preferably of at least 15.0 wt.%, even more preferably of at least 15.6 wt.%, particularly preferably of at least 16.0 wt.-% and most preferably at least 16.2 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed). At the same time or independently, the low-energy feed for the pigs may have a crude protein content of at most 17.8 wt.%, more preferably at most 17.6 wt.%, even more preferably at most 17.4 wt.%, and most preferably at most 17.2 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed).

[0029] Thus, according to a further preferred use, the low-energy feed for the pigs has a crude protein content in the range of 15.0 to 17.8 wt.%, more preferably in the range of 15.6 to 17.8 wt.%, even more preferably in the range of 16.0 to 17.8 wt.%, and even more preferably in the range of 16.2 to 17.8 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed). Even more preferred is a feed that has a crude protein content in the range of 16.8 to 17.6 wt.% and very particularly preferably 17.2 ± 0.2 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed).

[0030] According to the present invention, it is provided that the feed has an energy content of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg based on the total feed. According to a preferred use, it is provided that the low-energy feed for pigs used has an energy content of at least 11.4 MJ ME / kg, more preferably of at least 11.8 MJ ME / kg, even more preferably of at least 12.0 MJ ME / kg, even more preferably of at least 12.2 MJ ME / kg and most preferably of at least 12.4 MJ ME / kg (in each case based on the total weight of the feed). At the same time or independently thereof, the low-energy feed for the pigs can have an energy content of at most 12.9 MJ ME / kg, more preferably of at most 12.8 MJ ME / kg and most preferably of at most 12.7 MJ ME / kg (in each case based on the total feed).

[0031] Thus, according to a further preferred use, it is provided that the low-energy feed for pigs has an energy content in the range of 12.0 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg (based on the total feed), more preferably in the range of 12.2 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg, even more preferably in the range of 12.4 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg, even more preferably in the range of 12.6 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg and very particularly preferably of 12.7 ± 0.05 MJ ME / kg (in each case based on the total feed).

[0032] The use of guanidinoacetic acid in combination with low-energy feed is particularly beneficial during the fattening phase, once the pigs have reached a weight of 60 kg. Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation is particularly beneficial up to a pig weight of 110 kg. However, the use of guanidinoacetic acid can also improve the animals' energy utilization beyond this period, even though the protein requirement in the diet decreases with increasing age and weight. Guanidinoacetic acid can also be given during the pre-fattening phase, when the animals weigh approximately 27-60 kg, to support energy utilization.

[0033] It has been shown that the use of guanidinoacetic acid according to the invention is not limited to the substance itself. Rather, both guanidinoacetic acid as such, namely as the free acid, or a salt of guanidinoacetic acid can be used.

[0034] A particularly preferred salt is a salt selected from the group of alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of guanidinoacetic acid. Sodium guanidinoacetate, potassium guanidinoacetate, magnesium guanidinoacetate, or calcium guanidinoacetate are particularly preferred.

[0035] However, it is particularly preferred to use a composition which contains guanidinoacetic acid as the free acid, and particularly preferred is a composition which contains only the free acid and not its salts.

[0036] The guanidinoacetic acid-containing composition is preferably used as a solid in powder or granule form, but can also be used in the form of an aqueous solution, as pastilles, capsules, pellets, or jelly. For the purposes of this invention, a guanidinoacetic acid-containing composition also includes the use of guanidinoacetic acid as a pure substance without any further additives.

[0037] The composition containing guanidinoacetic acid may contain other nutritionally active substances, for example, from the group of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, methyl group donors, as well as derivatives of these substances and mixtures thereof. Amino acids, especially lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine, are preferably included in the composition. Furthermore, the composition may contain vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and beta-carotene. The aforementioned substances can, of course, also be added directly to the feed.

[0038] Guanidinoacetic acid is preferably used in the form of granules containing at least one binder. Suitable binders include, in particular, nutritionally active substances that have a binding effect and enable good granulation of the composition, such as glycine, starch, or sugar. Other suitable binders include, for example, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxyethylcellulose, carboxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, ethylmethylcellulose and other cellulose derivatives, hydroxypropyl starch, pregelatinized or modified starch, sugar syrup, dextrin, gelatin, propylvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, xanthan gum, gum arabic, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and glycerin, as well as mixtures thereof.To improve the flowability of the granules, it may be advantageous for them to contain a flow aid, in particular a hydrophilic and / or hydrophobic silica and / or silicate-based additives and / or fatty acids and / or their salts, such as stearic acid or palmitic acid as well as their sodium, potassium and calcium salts.

[0039] The binder is preferably present in the granulated guanidinoacetic acid composition in amounts of 0.05 to 15 wt.%, in particular 0.1 to 1.5 wt.%. The grain size of suitable granules is preferably between 100 and 850 μm, with preferably less than 10 wt.% of the particles being below 100 μm and less than 10 wt.% of the particles being above 850 μm. Accordingly, the moldings preferably have a guanidinoacetic acid or guanidinoacetic acid salt content of 85 to 99.95 wt.%, in particular 95 to 98.5 wt.%. Flow agents and other additives can be present in the granules at up to 5 wt.%.

[0040] Guanidinoacetic acid is preferably used in an amount of at least 0.01 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 0.02 wt.%, further preferably at least 0.03 wt.%, and most preferably at least 0.04 wt.%. The upper limit for the guanidinoacetic acid used is preferably 0.20 wt.%, further preferably at most 0.15 wt.%, further preferably at most 0.12 wt.%, particularly preferably at most 0.10 wt.%, and most preferably at most 0.08 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed).

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, it is therefore provided that the guanidinoacetic acid is used in an amount of 0.01 to 0.20 wt.%, preferably 0.02 to 0.15 wt.% and particularly preferably 0.04 to 0.10 wt.% (in each case based on the total weight of the low-energy feed).

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the use can be such that the composition containing guanidinoacetic acid is provided as a solid preparation mixed with the low-energy feed for the pigs. Further preferably, the composition is provided as a solid preparation mixed with the low-energy feed for the pigs, wherein the composition contains the guanidinoacetic acid in an amount of 0.01 to 0.20 wt.%, preferably 0.02 to 0.15 wt.%, and particularly preferably 0.04 to 0.10 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed).

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the use is such that the composition is provided as a solid preparation mixed with the low-energy feed for the pigs, wherein the composition consists of guanidinoacetic acid in an amount of 0.03 to 0.08 wt.% (based on the total weight of the feed).

[0044] According to the present invention, a low-energy feed is used which, with regard to the parameters of crude protein and energy content, is adjusted according to the ranges described herein. This low-energy feed can consist of a base feed and other feed additives. It has been shown that particularly good results can be achieved if the low-energy feed comprises, as a base feed, a) at least one plant component, in particular a grain, a grain flour, a grain meal, a grain extraction meal, a grain semolina, a grain bran, or a grain semolina bran, and b) a fat or oil of plant or animal origin.Further preferred is a use in which the basic feed comprises at least one vegetable component selected from groups a1) to a6), in particular a cereal, a cereal flour, a cereal semolina, a cereal meal, a cereal extraction meal, a cereal bran or a cereal semolina bran and / or an oilseed product and b) animal or vegetable fat and / or oil, where: a1) wheat, wheat flour, wheat semolina, wheat meal, wheat bran, wheat semolina bran made from these, a2) barley, barley flour, barley meal, barley bran made from these, a3) maize, maize flour, maize meal made from these, a4) soy, soy meal, soy meal or a soy extraction meal made from these, a5) rapeseed, rapeseed meal, rapeseed meal or rapeseed extraction meal made from these, and / or a6) sunflower, sunflower meal, sunflower meal or a sunflower extraction meal made from these.

[0045] Other feed additives may be added to this basic feed. In particular, the low-energy feed may contain another feed additive from the group of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, trace elements, or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, this feed additive can be selected from the group of lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and vitamins, as well as mixtures thereof. Furthermore, creatine or methyl group donors, such as methionine, betaine, and choline, may also be added to the feed.

[0046] Many of these ingredients are added to the feed in the form of a mixture (premix), in particular to ensure that the animals receive an adequate supply of essential nutrients.

[0047] Preferred low-energy feedstuffs comprise a) at least one carbohydrate-rich component selected from the group consisting of wheat, wheat meal, barley, barley meal, maize and maize meal; and b) a protein-rich component selected from the group consisting of oilseeds, such as soybean meal, soybean meal, rapeseed, rapeseed meal, rapeseed meal, sunflower, sunflower meal and sunflower meal; and c) optionally a low-energy component selected from the group consisting of brans, in particular wheat bran, wheat semolina bran, barley bran and maize bran; and d) a fat selected from the group consisting of animal or vegetable fats and oils.

[0048] The proportion of carbohydrate-rich components in the preferred low-energy feeds is typically between 30 and 90 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 40 to 80 wt.%. The proportion of protein-rich components is preferably between 2 and 30 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 4 to 15 wt.%. The proportion of added fat is preferably between 0.5 and 10 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 1 to 8 wt.%, and most preferably from 3 to 6 wt.%, always based on the total weight of the feed. The weight proportions of the feed components must be weighted such that the energy content of the entire feed is in the range from 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed.

[0049] Energy reduction in feed can be achieved in different ways. Basically, starting with a high-energy feed, one component of the feed can be replaced to a certain extent with a lower-energy component.

[0050] Energy reduction can be achieved, for example, by reducing the proportion of added animal or vegetable fat, with the weight proportion of protein-rich, carbohydrate-rich, and / or low-energy components being increased accordingly. Low-energy feeds with a reduced added fat content preferably have a fat content in the range of 0.5 to 5 wt.%, in particular between 1 and 4.5 wt.%, and particularly preferably between 1 and 3.5 wt.%.

[0051] If energy reduction is achieved by reducing the weight proportion of protein-rich components, the weight proportion of carbohydrate-rich and low-energy components is increased. When reducing the protein-rich components in the feed, amino acids from the group lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine are preferably added to the feed, so that the energy content of the feed is reduced without causing an amino acid deficiency. Such feeds preferably have a proportion of protein-rich components of 2 to 15 wt.%, preferably 3 to 10 wt.%. The proportion of additionally added amino acids is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 5 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range of 0.1 to 2 wt.%.

[0052] Furthermore, the low-energy feed may contain a small proportion of carbohydrate-rich components, which are replaced by low-energy components, such as bran.

[0053] Vegetarian diets are preferred, which may contain only animal fats as the sole animal component; purely vegetarian diets are also preferably fed.

[0054] The invention further relates to a feed for pigs comprising i) a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and ii) a low-energy feed for pigs having a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed.

[0055] The feed is intended in particular for administration during fattening of pigs with a live weight of > 27 kg per pig, preferably > 60 kg per pig.

[0056] According to the invention, a low-energy feed has proven particularly advantageous which contains the following components: a) crude protein in an amount of 14 to 18% by weight, in particular 16 to 17.5% by weight, b) guanidinoacetic acid in an amount of 0.01 to 0.20% by weight, preferably 0.04 to 0.10% by weight, and a metabolic energy content ME in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed, preferably 12.4 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg feed.

[0057] Guanidinoacetic acid, for example, can be produced by reacting glycine and cyanamide in an aqueous solution. Guanidinoacetic acid is also commercially available under the name Creamino® (AlzChem Trostberg GmbH).

[0058] The invention further relates to a method for improving the energy utilization of a low-energy feed by pigs, wherein pigs are administered a low-energy feed for pigs with a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed during the fattening of the pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg per pig and further a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid.

[0059] The preferred embodiments of the features of the method according to the invention are as previously set forth herein.

[0060] The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention. Examples:

[0061] In a 39-day feeding trial, three different feed concepts were fed to fattening pigs with an initial weight of approximately 65 kg. For each feed concept, 80 pigs were tested in 16 pens (5 animals per pen). The pens were exclusively occupied by animals of the same sex, i.e., females or uncastrated boars, in a 1:1 sex ratio.

[0062] The three different feed groups were optimized for metabolic energy (ME) and other crude nutrient content based on the NRC (National Research Council of the National Academies, 2012: Nutrient requirements of Swine / Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Swine, Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Division on Earth and Life Studies. - 11th rev. ed. p. cm.). A positive control group meeting energy needs with 13.0 MJ ME was compared to a negative control group with 12.8 MJ ME reduced by 0.2 MJ. In a group supplemented with 600 g / t guanidinoacetic acid, an energy content of 12.7 MJ ME was established.

[0063] The fattening period lasted 39 days. On day 40, the animals that had already reached slaughter weight of -108 kg were slaughtered. For this reason, data were collected on this day.

[0064] The detailed rations of the three treatments across both feeding phases are shown in Table 1. The rations were based on wheat, wheat semolina bran, rapeseed meal, and soybean meal. Animal fat was also added in relevant amounts. The diets were isonitrogenous, meaning the crude protein and digestible amino acid content was identical in all three treatment groups.

[0065] Table 1 : Ration composition of feed fed during the fattening phase

[0066] The performance of the three treatment groups is shown in Table 2. At the beginning of the fattening phase, the animals in the guanidinoacetic acid group weighed 63.9 kg, on average approximately 1.8 kg lighter than the animals in the two control groups. This was due to the randomized allocation of the animals to the test groups. On the last day of data collection, the animals weighed an average of just over 96 kg. The animals in all groups therefore reached approximately the same average final weight. At the beginning of the fattening phase, the animals in the guanidinoacetic acid group were around 1.8 kg lighter than the two control groups. The resulting daily weight gain of the guanidinoacetic acid group during the fattening phase was therefore significantly higher at approximately 830 g / d, compared to the positive control group at approximately 800 g / d, and the negative control group at approximately 800 g / d. The addition of guanidinoacetic acid to a feed with a lower energy content could therefore compensate for the energy deficit.

[0067] The effect of guanidinoacetic acid was particularly evident in the different daily feed intakes of the three treatment groups. The animals in the positive control group and the GAA group consistently ate approximately the same amount of feed per day. In contrast, the feed intake of the negative control group was generally increased by over 100 g / day. Since feed intake in pigs is controlled by the animal's energetic status, this observation is due to the different energy contents of the feeds of the three treatment groups. The energy content of the negative control group was reduced by 0.2 MJ ME. To compensate for this energy deficit, the animals increased their daily feed intake. The animals in the GAA group had the same daily feed intake as the positive control.The addition of 600 g / t guanidinoacetic acid was thus able to compensate for the energy deficit of 0.2 MJ ME, although guanidinoacetic acid itself does not have any significant energy content.

[0068] During the fattening phase, a slightly improved feed conversion ratio of 2.69 kg feed per kg weight gain was observed, compared to the positive control, by 6 points and 23 points compared to the negative control. This ratio again shows that the animals in the negative control group compensated for the energy deficit by increasing feed intake to maintain their performance level, whereas the animals receiving guanidinoacetic acid were even able to achieve improved performance with less feed. The feed intake of the animals in the guanidinoacetic acid group was similar to the positive control; no increase in feed intake was observed with the administration of guanidinoacetic acid in this example.

[0069] The animals' energy utilization also improved with the administration of very small amounts of guanidinoacetic acid. The animals in the guanidinoacetic acid group required 2.1 MJ ME (positive control) and 4.3 MJ ME (negative control) less energy per kg of weight gain during the fattening phase. It was shown that when low-energy feed was used in combination with guanidinoacetic acid, the animals' energy utilization improved more than their feed utilization compared to the positive control. In this example, feed utilization improved by only approximately 2.2%, but energy utilization improved by approximately 5.8%.

[0070] The results are summarized in Table 2.

[0071] Table 2

[0072] Feed conversion is defined as the amount of feed consumed that results in an animal gaining one kilogram of weight. Energy conversion is defined as the energy intake per one kilogram of weight gain.

[0073] The feeding trial was able to prove that the addition of 600 g / t guanidinoacetic acid to the feed of fattening pigs is sufficient to compensate for an energy deficit of around

[0074] 0.3 MJ ME / kg. The animals fed with guanidinoacetic acid achieved comparable, and in some cases even improved, performance compared to the positive control, which met their energy needs, while maintaining the same level of feed intake. Feed intake is controlled, among other things, by the animals' energetic status. This was observed in the negative control animals. Although they achieved similar gains to the positive control, they had to increase their daily feed intake by over 100 g.

[0075] The animals were slaughtered from day 40 to day 74, when they reached a slaughter weight of approximately 108 kg, while maintaining the same diets. Here, too, it was shown that the administration of guanidinoacetic acid completely compensated for an energy deficit in the feed of approximately 0.3 MJ ME / kg. The average number of fattening days until slaughter remained the same.

Claims

Claims: Use i) of a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and ii) of a low-energy feed for pigs with a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg of feed during the fattening of pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg per pig, to improve the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the improvement in the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs compensates for an energy deficit of at least 0.1 MJ ME / kg compared to a corresponding feed without guanidinoacetic acid. Use according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs is improved compared to the low-energy feed alone.Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that composition i) is provided as a solid preparation mixed with the feed for the pigs. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that composition i) contains guanidinoacetic acid as a free acid or in the form of a salt of this acid. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guanidinoacetic acid is used in the form of a salt of guanidinoacetic acid, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth salts of guanidinoacetic acid, in particular sodium guanidinoacetate, potassium guanidinoacetate, magnesium guanidinoacetate, or calcium guanidinoacetate. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guanidinoacetic acid is present in an amount of 0.01 to 0.

20. % by weight, preferably 0.02 to 0.15 % by weight, based on the total weight of the feed. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guanidinoacetic acid is used in an amount of 0.04 to 0.10 % by weight based on the total weight of the feed. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composition i) containing guanidinoacetic acid and / or the feed ii) contains amino acids from the group consisting of lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, or glycine, or mixtures thereof, as additives. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy content of the low-energy feed ii) is in the range of 12.2 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg feed.Use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composition containing guanidinoacetic acid i) is used in combination with the low-energy feed ii) in the fattening of pigs from a live weight of 60 kg, preferably at a live weight of > 60 kg up to a live weight of 110 kg. Method for improving the energy utilization of a low-energy feed by pigs, wherein pigs are given a low-energy feed for pigs with a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed during the fattening of pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg per pig and furthermore a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid.The method of claim 12, wherein the improvement in the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs compensates for an energy deficit of at least 0.1 MJ ME / kg compared to a corresponding feed without guanidinoacetic acid. 19 14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs is improved compared to the low-energy feed alone.

15. Method according to one of claims 12-14, wherein the composition i) is provided as a solid preparation mixed with the feed for the pigs.

16. Method according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the composition i) contains guanidinoacetic acid as a free acid or in the form of a salt of this acid.

17. A method according to any one of claims 12-15, wherein the guanidinoacetic acid is used in the form of a salt of guanidinoacetic acid, the salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth salts of guanidinoacetic acid, in particular sodium guanidinoacetate, potassium guanidinoacetate, magnesium guanidinoacetate or calcium guanidinoacetate.

18. Method according to one of claims 12-16, wherein the guanidinoacetic acid is used in an amount of 0.01 to 0.20 wt.%, preferably 0.02 to 0.15 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the feed.

19. Method according to one of claims 12-18, wherein the guanidinoacetic acid is used in an amount of 0.04 to 0.10 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed.

20. Method according to any one of claims 12-19, wherein the composition i) containing guanidinoacetic acid and / or the feed ii) contains amino acids from the group consisting of lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine or glycine or mixtures thereof as additives.

21. Method according to one of claims 12-20, wherein the energy content of the low-energy feed ii) is in the range of 12.2 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg feed.

22. Method according to one of claims 12-21, wherein the composition containing guanidinoacetic acid i) in combination with the low-energy feed ii) is used in the fattening of pigs from a live weight of 60 kg. 20, preferably for pigs with a live weight of > 60 kg up to a live weight of 110 kg. Feed for pigs comprising i) a composition containing guanidinoacetic acid and ii) a low-energy feed for pigs with a crude protein content in the range of 10.0 to 20.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed. Feed for pigs according to claim 23 for administration during the fattening of pigs from a live weight of > 27 kg per pig. Feed according to one of claims 23 or 24 for improving the energy utilization of the feed by the pigs. Feed according to one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the low-energy feed has a crude protein content in the range of 14 to 18 wt.%, in particular from 16 to 17.5 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed and an energy content in the range of 11.4 to 12.9 MJ ME / kg feed, in particular from 12.4 to 12.8 MJ ME / kg feed and Guanidinoacetic acid in an amount of 0.01 to 0.20 wt.%, in particular 0.04 to 0.10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the feed.