IMASDE has collaboration agreements with different farms adapted to carry out experimental trials covering the following animal categories: sows, piglets (suckling and weaned piglets) and pigs for fattening. We use large-size batches in order to assure a high homogeneity of the animals selected for the trials. The combination of high homogeneity and a large number of replicates gives better possibilities to detect statistical differences. It is worth mentioning that experimental protocols and final reports fulfil EFSA requirements for registration of additives. Our capacity for running trials for the different animal categories is described below:
- Sows and suckling piglets: 2 to 6 treatments with 20-40 sows per treatment (1 or 2 consecutive batches)
- Weaned piglets: 2 to 5 treatments with 12 replicates of 10 animals per treatment (2 or 3 consecutive batches delayed 1 or 3 weeks)
- Pigs for fattening and wean-to-finish: 2 to 5 treatments with 12 replicates of 10 pigs per treatment (2 or 3 consecutive batches delayed 1 or 3 weeks)
The most common parameters reported are performance (weight, growth, feed intake,feed conversion), but other possibilities are available. For example, gut health parameters: histomorphology, immunoglobulins, gene expression, etc, or slaughterhouse quality traits: carcass yield, subcutaneous fat depth, belly flop angle, loin sampling for further analysis, etc..
