Evaluación de diferentes niveles de fibra en la digestibilidad de cuyes (Cavia porcellus).

Abstract

The objective of this research focuses on the evaluation of the different levels of crude fiber in the digestibility of guinea pig (cavia porcellus). Carried out at the National University of Loja, 32 type 1 male guinea pigs were used; with an average weight of 600 gr. Moreover, 32 metabolic cages of 35 x 25 x 20 cm of galvanized mesh were used with their respective feeders and drinkers. For the study, a completely randomized design was applied, with 8 repetitions and an experimental unit size of one animal per cage. The food used was a feed with a crude fiber content of (8, 11, 14 and 17%), prior to the field phase, the respective proximal analysis of the diets was carried out with the AOAC 2000 regulations, these were supplied to the livestock for a period of 7 days, for later the digestibility "in vivo" that consists in the collection of feces for 4 consecutive days to make the respective analyzes. The experimental results were subjected to an analysis of variance (ADEVA), to the separation of medians by means of TUKEY with a significance level of (P≤0.05) and to a regression analysis, reporting that the variables of dry matter digestibility, Organic Matter and Crude Protein had highly significant differences (P≤0.01), while crude fiber digestibility was only significant (P<0.05). It is concluded by relating the bromatological composition of the diets with the digestibility that the different treatments were used optimally, as well as that the different levels of fiber did not affect the digestibility, despite having values that differ statistically, these percentages are not considered negative within the digestibility of nutrients. It is recommended to use food with a fiber content since guinea pigs have the ability to digest this type of food and take advantage of it.