Abstract
Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil is a sustainably sourced insect-derived lipid that is notably high in lauric acid. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of BSFL oil on nursery pig growth performance, and serological and hematological indices. This study was conducted using newly weaned nursery pigs (n = 143; BW = 6.70±0.09 kg) that were randomly assigned within BW blocks to 22 mixed sex pens (5 to 7 pigs/pen; 10 to 12 replicated per treatment). Dietary treatments consisted of a control diet with 4% poultry fat or a diet with 4% BSFL oil replacing poultry fat. Treatment diets were fed in 3 phases of 14 d each, for a total study period of 42 d. Pigs fed BSFL oil had greater ADG for Phase 1 (P < 0.001), 2 (P < 0.001), 3 (P = 0.036), and overall (P < 0.001; 484 vs. 409 g/d), resulting in a greater BW at the end of the study (P = 0.005). Feed intake was greater for pigs fed BSFL oil during Phase 2 (P = 0.007) and overall (P = 0.022; 710 vs. 626 g/d), and gain:feed was improved only during Phase 1 (P=0.004). Supplemental BSFL oil did not affect (P > 0.06) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, urea N, creatinine, glucose, Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, triglycerides, amylase, lipase, cholesterol, or creatine phosphokinase, but decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.023) and increased serum Cl concentrations (P = 0.046). White blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and platelet count were not affected (P >0.07) by BSFL oil. Blood analytical results were within normal expected ranges. Results indicate that BSFL oil effectively improved growth performance of nursery pigs without impacting serological and hematological parameters.