Pancreatic secretion differs according to the genotype of growing pigs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and antibacterial activity in weaned pigs of three pure breeds, Pietrain, Duroc and Polish synthetic line 990, to look for eventual differences related to the genotype. Six male pigs of each breed, about 24 kg mean body weight, were equipped with chronic pancreatic duct catheters and duodenal cannulas to assess pure pancreatic juice, and jugular vein catheters for blood withdrawal. Pancreatic juice was collected before and after the morning feeding. Protein output and enzyme activities revealed two distinct profiles: strong manifestation of the prandial phase in Pietrain and line 990 pigs, and weak manifestation in Duroc. The antibacterial activity did not follow the enzyme kinetics, and it was the strongest in pancreatic juice from Pietrain pigs. Postprandial insulinaemia was reduced in the order of: line 990>Pietrain>Duroc. A slight (not significant) tendency towards a reduction of leptin after feeding in synthetic line 990 corresponded with elevated secretion of pancreatic enzymes and plasma insulin. The presented results suggest that the prandial secretion of pancreatic juice differs according to genotype, and the differences may be in part related to release of insulin.

Differential induction of transcription factors and expression of milk protein genes by prolactin and growth hormone in the mammary gland of rabbits.

Previously we demonstrated that administration of lactogenic hormones - prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) - to pregnant rabbits differentially induces expression of casein and whey proteins in the mammary gland. Now we extend these observations to transcription factors (TFs) that are responsive for differential induction of milk protein genes. Analysis of correlation between the number of putative TF binding sites in 5'-upstream sequences and the levels of induction of milk protein genes allowed preselection of the TFs involved. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay with nuclear proteins derived from rabbit mammary glands showed changes in the patterns of Stat5, MAF, NF1 and Oct1 DNA-protein binding during progression of pregnancy and transition to lactation. Administration of lactogenic hormones - PRL or GH - to early-pregnant rabbits induced DNA-protein complexes similar to those formed by nuclear proteins from the mammary glands of lactating (Stat5, MAF, NF1) or late-pregnant (Oct1) animals. Induction of milk protein genes by PRL was several-fold greater than that by GH. However, PRL and GH similarly induced MAF DNA-protein complexes, thus suggesting that the amount of MAF factor in the mammary gland can be limiting for expression of these genes. Our study for the first time provided the evidence that in the mammary gland both PRL and GH can induce DNA-binding activity of transcription factors other than Stats.

In vivo effect of growth hormone on DNA synthesis and expression of milk protein genes in the rabbit mammary gland.

The aim of this work was to show whether growth hormone (GH) is able to directly induce growth and functional differentiation of the mammary gland. We have shown that i.m. injections of prolactin and to lesser extent injections of growth hormone increased DNA synthesis in the mammary gland of pregnant rabbits. Injections of pituitary and recombinant bovine growth hormone (GH), similarly to prolactin, could also induce the expression of milk protein genes--caseins alpha S1 and beta and whey acidic protein (WAP). However, in contrast to prolactin, growth hormone failed to induce the synthesis of casein proteins. Lactogenic hormones act through binding to receptors in target tissues. Prolactin receptors were shown to be abundant in the rabbit mammary glands but no specific binding sites for 125I-labelled GH have been found in membranes isolated from mammary glands of pregnant or lactating rabbits. The specificity of hormone binding was examined using unlabelled hormones as competitive inhibitors of 125I-labelled prolactin. Bovine and recombinant bovine growth hormone did not displace prolactin from its receptors, thus excluding the possibility of action of GH through lactogenic receptors. Our results support the hypothesis that GH may act directly on the mammary gland and independently from prolactin; however, the mechanism of its action is still unknown.

The apparent ileal and faecal digestibilities of amino acids and carbohydrates of rye, barley and triticum grains in pigs.

Six pigs of initial weight 40 +/- 1.7 kg with a T-piece cannula fitted at the terminal ileum were given diets composed of 96.3% of rye, barley or triticum grains ground to pass the 2.6 mm mesh, 3.3% mineral and vitamin mixture and 0.4% Cr2O3. Each diet was given to all pigs in a Latin square design, and faeces and ileal digesta were collected on 7, 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 day of feeding each diet, respectively. The grains varied widely in the content of pentosans, polyuroids, beta-glucan and monosaccharides. The antitrypsin activities were 0.84, 2.73 and 1.62 TUI/g in barley, rye and triticum, respectively. Ileal and faecal apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and amino acids were higher (P less than or equal to 0.01) in Triticum than in barley and rye. The digestibility of carbohydrates (pentosans, beta-glucan, polyuroids and non-structural carbohydrates) were lower in pigs fed a rye diet than of those fed a Triticum diet. The results are discussed with respect of the role to non starch polysaccharides, especially pentosans in digestibility of nitrogen and energy in animals receiving a rye diet.

Determining of nitrogen absorption and nitrogen secretion in different sections of the pig's intestine by digesta exchange between 15N labelled and unlabelled animals.

In an experiment with 3 pigs (initial live weight 30 kg, each fitted with 2 re-entrant fistulas in duodenum and ileum, one labelled with 15N), the duodenal and ileum digesta was exchanged. The N and 15N contents were estimated in faeces, urine, duodenal and ileum digesta of all experimental animals as well as in special organs and in the contents of different tract sections. The 15N excess (15N') of N compounds secreted into the gut lumen was determined using the 15N' in pancreas, gut mucosa and TCA-soluble blood serum. From measuring the digesta passage through the 3 sections of the digestive tract: 1. mouth ... duodenum, 2. duodenum ... ileum, 3. ileum ... after (Krawielitzki et al., 1989) the absorption and secretion rates of nitrogen were calculated. Secretion into the 1st section amounted to 5.3 g N/d (= 15% of intake) and the absorption to approximately 1% of intake. In the 2nd section the corresponding dates were 8.9 resp. 38.6 g N/d (= 25 resp. 110% of N intake), and in the 3rd one 1.9 resp. 8.4 g N/d (= 5.6 resp. 24% of N intake). Total absorption amounted to 134% of N intake and the over all re-absorption of endogenous N compounds secreted into the gut lumen to about 90%. During the passage the amount of endogenous N (g/d) decreased from 5.3 at the duodenum to 3.8 at the ileum to 1.6 in the faeces, but the relative portion increased (13 resp. 35 resp. 39%). An incorporation into body proteins occurred only from N compounds absorbed in the 1st and in the 2nd section. N (or 15N) absorbed in the large intestine was almost quantitatively excreted by urine. The method of digesta exchange between cannulated labelled and unlabelled pigs seems to be a suitable method to estimate absorption and secretion of exogenous and endogenous N portions in various sections of the digestive tract.

Determination of the transit rates in different sections of the pig's intestine.

An experiment was carried out using pigs weighing approximately 30 kg. The animals were fitted with two re-entrant cannulas in duodenum and ileum. During a 5 day period the passage of digesta through duodenum and ileum as well as the excretion by urine and faeces was estimated, taking an aliquot of 5% for N analysis. Transit of digesta amounted to 12.4 ... 13.2. kg/d in the duodenum and 2.7 ... 3.6 kg/d in the ileum. The appertaining N passage rates were 36.8 ... 42.4 resp. 8.7 ... 11.2 g N/d, corresponding to 108 ... 120% and 27 ... 32% of the N intake. The transit rate of duodenal digesta was highest immediately after feeding (1.4 ... 1.5 kg/h), decreased thereafter strongly, reaching a second lower maximum of 0.85 ... 1.0 kg/h 2 ... 3 h after feeding and then going down to 0.3 ... 0.4 kg/h just before the next feeding. The daily mean value was about 500 g/h. Endogenous N content of duodenal digesta varied between 10% after feeding and 50% 6 ... 12 h after feeding, with an average of 18.1%. In contrast the endogenous N content of ileal digesta was relatively constant amounting about 42% during the whole day. These findings correspond with those found by other authors using other rations and other live weights of the pigs. They refer to a clear diurnal rhythm of digesta transit and to the enormous dynamics of absorption and secretion processes in the intestinal tract of pigs during digestion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of different heat treatments during processing on nutrient digestibility of soybean meal in growing swine.

Four soybean meals (SBM) were prepared in a commercial solvent-extraction plant to give a much wider range in heat treatment than is usually found among commercially available SBM. The meals were designated in ascending order of heat treatment as Under, Normal, Over and Rumen Escape. The Normal meal was processed using standard operating conditions. The Under meal received less heat treatment by reducing the steam pressure and retention time in the desolventizer-toaster. Over and Rumen Escape meals received further heat treatment in an additional four-compartment toaster. The Over meal received less heat treatment than the Rumen Escape meal by reducing steam pressure and retention time in both toasters. Crude protein content was similar for the four meals, but lysine tended to decrease with increasing heat treatment. In general, urease activity, trypsin inhibitor, protein dispersibility index and nitrogen solubility index decreased with increasing heat treatment. The +a Hunterlab color values increased as heat treatment increased. Apparent ileal digestibility of N and amino acids were similar for all meals (P greater than .05); however lysine digestibility for the Rumen Escape meal was 3.3 percentage units lower than the average of the lesser-heated meals. Energy digestibilities and nitrogen balance data were also similar (P greater than .05) for the four meals, but the apparent biological value of the Rumen Escape meal was 4.5 percentage units lower than the average of the other meals. There were no differences in nutritional value among the Under, Normal and Over meals, which represent the range in heat treatment usually found among SBM. The Rumen Escape meal, which received more severe heat treatment, tended to have lower nutritional value than the lesser-heated meals.

The influence of diets based on whole wheat, wheat flour and wheat bran on exocrine pancreatic secretion in pigs.

Six pigs, initially 40 kg live weight, were prepared with a duodenal pouch for collection of pancreatic juice to assess the influence of the type and amount of dietary fiber on exocrine pancreatic secretion. Four isonitrogenous diets were fed to each pig: W (whole wheat); WBS (whole wheat, wheat bran, wheat starch); WFS (whole wheat, wheat flour, wheat starch); and FC (wheat flour, wood cellulose). Wheat and wheat fractions came from the same batch of wheat. Crude fiber and dietary fiber (nonstarch polysaccharide) contents of diets W, WBS, WFS and FC (g/kg), respectively, were 40.8, 101.8; 63.7, 201.2; 20.5, 50.3; and 39.0, 60.7. Mean volumes of pancreatic juice (mL/24 h) for diets W, WBS, WFS and FC, respectively, were 4108, 4560, 2556 and 1757. Total enzymic and electrolyte concentrations were not significantly affected by diet changes, but mean protein and amylase outputs were lower for diet FC than for the others. It was concluded that the principal effect of increasing the dietary fiber content of the diets was to increase the volume of pancreatic juice and that this may have been due to noncellulosic components of the dietary fiber.

Studies on the secretion of amino acids and of urea into the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. 3. Secretion of urea determined by continuous intravenous infusion of 15N-urea.

Three pigs, of 34 kg live weight, were each fitted with re-entrant cannulas both in the duodenum and terminal ileum and catheters in the jugular vein and in the carotid artery. Pigs received a diet based on wheat and dried skimmed milk in equal amounts at 12 h intervals. During the preliminary period the digesta flowing from both duodenal and ileal cannulas were collected over 12 h after feeding on two consecutive days and half of them were reintroduced into the gut and half were stored at -20 degrees C. During the experimental period 15N-urea was infused into the jugular vein for 12 hours starting with the morning meal. Total amount of urea infused was 5 g containing 1.22 g 15N-excess. The digesta from both proximal duodenal and ileal cannulas were collected and stored, while the digesta from the preliminary period were reintroduced into the respective distal cannulas. Blood samples were taken at different time of infusion. At the end of infusion period the animals were sacrificed and samples of the contents of the digestive tract and tissues were taken. Urea flux calculated according to atom-% 15N-excess of urea N in plasma was 1.23 to 2.37 g/kg body weight/day. In the duodenal digesta 94.5 +/- 0.2 and in ileal digesta 57.1 +/- 7.39 per cent of 15N were in the TCA soluble fraction. The total amount of 15N in the duodenal digesta was 1.7 to 6.3 times greater than in the ileal digesta. Only small amount of 15N was found in the caecum and almost none in the contents of colon and rectum. It is concluded that urea is secreted into all parts of the digestive tract, the main sites of urea secretion being pancreatic juice and/or bile as well as the small intestine. The total amount of urea secreted is assumed to be similar to the daily urea excretion.

Studies on the secretion of amino acids and of urea into the gastro intestinal tract of pigs. 2. Net secretion of leucine into the small and large intestines.

The experiment was carried out on 3 pigs of 34 kg body weight equipped with re-entrant cannulas both in the duodenum and terminal ileum. Furthermore, catheters were inserted into the external jugular vein and into the carotid artery. During a preliminary period digesta from both cannulas were collected and stored. This digesta was than reintroduced during a 12 hours period of intravenous infusion of 14C-leucine while outflowing digesta from the proximal parts of the cannulas were collected, stored and analyzed for leucine content, 14C-radioactivity and specific radioactivity of leucine. This paper reports the net secretion of 14C-activity and of 14C-leucine by the small intestine and the recovery of both in the content of the digestive tract at the end of the infusion. It was concluded that endogenous leucine enters the lumen of the small intestine through the intestinal wall mainly in a protein bound form. Free leucine is secreted, however, only in small amounts. Metabolites of leucine were also secreted into or formed in the lumen of the small intestine. A proportion of endogenous leucine was reabsorbed during the passage of digesta along the small intestine.

Studies on the secretion of amino acids and of urea into the gastro intestinal tract of pigs. 1. Secretion of leucine into the stomach and upper part of the duodenum during continuous intravenous infusion of 14C-leucine.

Three pigs of 34 kg live weight were fitted with a re-entrant cannula in the duodenum, and with two catheters placed in the jugular vein and carotid artery. They were fed 1.2 kg/d of wheat-dried-skimmed milk diet. Digesta from the proximal duodenal cannula were collected for 12 h on 2 consecutive days; 50% were reintroduced into the respective distal cannula and 50% were stored at -20 degrees C. Three days later 14C-leucine was infused into the jugular vein for 12 h, starting with the morning meal. During this period the digesta from the proximal cannula were collected and stored for analysis while the digesta collected previously were reintroduced into the distal cannula. Blood samples were taken from the carotid artery. The total flow of duodenal digesta in 12 h was 5760 +/- 530 g. On average 70 percent of the radioactivity in digesta was associated with the TCA-precipitable fraction. During hours 0-3 and 11-12 of infusion 60-70% and 96-98% of the radioactivity in the TCA precipitable fractions was in leucine. In the TCA soluble fraction only 30-40 per cent of the radioactivity was associated with leucine. At the plateau 2.1 and 3.3% of infused 14C-leucine and of radioactivity were recovered in the duodenal digesta. The calculated amount of endogenous protein passing the duodenum was 20.4 g/d/pig. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies on protein synthesis and secretion in which 14C- and 15N-amino acids were used.

Effect of guar gum on glucose and water absorption from isolated loops of jejunum in conscious growing pigs.

Four pigs initially of 30 kg live weight were surgically prepared with two re-entrant cannulas in the jejunum 1.0 m apart which allowed an isolated loop to be formed through which solutions were perfused. 51Cr-EDTA was used as a marker for measuring net secretion or absorption. A new Ringer solution was made, the ionic content of which resembled more closely that found in the jejunum of pigs given similar diets, than Krebs-Ringer solution. The absorption of glucose and water from Krebs-Ringer and new Ringer solutions was compared. The effect of guar gum on the absorption of glucose and water from solutions of glucose and maltose was studied. There was a trend (not significant) for greater absorption of glucose and water from the new Ringer solution than from the Krebs-Ringer solution. Guar gum significantly reduced the net absorption of glucose from glucose or maltose solutions from 74.2 to 41.4% (P less than 0.001) and 71.1 to 35.0% (P less than 0.001) respectively. Guar gum significantly reduced the net absorption of water from the glucose solution from 42.7 to 8.3% (P less than 0.01) and from the maltose solution from 49.2 to 5.1% (P less than 0.001). The lack of differences between the absorption of glucose from solutions of glucose or maltose suggested that maltase (EC 3.2.1.20) activity was not inhibited to the extent that this limited the rate of glucose absorption.

[Absorption and use of amino acids infused into the cecum of growing pigs. 4. Comparative studies on oral or cecal administration of 15N-lysine and 15N-urea, respectively]. / Untersuchungen über Resorption und Verwertung von ins Zäkum wachsender Schweine infundierten Aminosäuren. 4. Mitteilung. Vergleichende Untersuchungen bei oraler bzw. zäkaler Verabfolgung von 15N-Lysin bzw. 15N-Harnstoff.

12 pigs were divided into 4 groups. All animals received an identical basal diet deficient in lysine and additional isonitrogenous amounts of 66.4 mmol N in the form of 15N-lysine and 15N-urea resp. orally or caecally. Caecal application was carried out as permanent infusion through caecal cannulae. N- and 15N-balances were ascertained of all animals and the remain of the labelled nitrogen was determined. From the comparison of the N-balances the conclusion can be drawn that though caecally applied N-compounds, whether they were infused as amino acids or as non-amino acid-N, disappear in the large intestine, i.e. are digested, do not, however, improve the N-balance but are excreted as additional urine-N. Subsequent to oral application, lysine or urea are almost quantitatively absorbed in the small intestine. Absorbed lysine is used in the synthesis of body protein, absorbed urea, however, is almost completely excreted in urine (83% of the 15N-amount absorbed). 15N-excretion in faeces after the oral application of 15N-lysine and 15N-urea resp. was less than 1% of the 15N-amount applied, after caecal infusion, however, it was approximately 6%, the biggest part of which (70-77%) was incorporated in bacteria protein. After caecal infusion the main quota of the infused 15N-amount (greater than or equal to 80%) was excreted in urine, most of it in the form of urea. After the oral application of 15N-lysine this could be detected in both the TCA-soluble fraction of the serum and the serum protein. After caecal infusion 15N in the TCA-soluble fraction of the serum could mainly be found as NPN, absorption and incorporation of intact 15N-lysine were considerably lower. An calculation showed that the maximum of the absorbed 15N-amount in the form of lysine was 3% and that of the infused amount was 1.8%. It can generally be doubted that the absorption of lysine in the large intestine is significant in the protein metabolism. The absorption of utilizable lysine is practically completed at the end of the ileum. In the large intestine mainly the ammonia by the catabolic activity of the intestinal flora is absorbed and subsequently excreted through the intestines.

Studies on gastric digestion of protein and carbohydrate, gastric secretion and exocrine pancreatic secretion in the growing pig.

Six pigs, initially of 35 kg mean live weight, were each fitted with a re-entrant cannula. This was formed on either side of a short pouch of duodenum into which the pancreatic duct opened and which contained a simple cannula linked to the centre of the re-entrant cannula. Each pig received two diets: diet A was based on wheat starch, sucrose and casein, while diet B was based on barley and soya-bean meal. The diets were given in equal amounts at 12 h intervals. Digesta and pancreatic juice were collected continuously during three 12 h periods for each pig on each diet. Mean duodenal output: dietary intake values for diets A and B respectively were: digesta 1.80, 2.86; dry matter 1.05, 1.03; nitrogen 1.05, 1.06; trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble N 7.69, 9.10; glucose 0.97, 0.89. For diet A the proportion of TCA-soluble N in total N rose from 13 to 50% during 12 h, while it was approximately 50% throughout 12 h for diet B. Mean total pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) activities (units/24 h) were 760449 (diet A) and 1 466 571 (diet B). Salivary and gastric secretions were calculated to be approximately 4 and 8 kg/24 h for diets A and B respectively. Mean flows in pancreatic juice (g/24 h) for diets A and B respectively were: juice 1204, 2182; protein 10.94, 12.10; N 1.98, 2.14; ash 9.46, 17.31; sodium 3.88, 6.91; potassium 0.23, 0.54; calcium 0.031, 0.046; phosphorus 0.024, 0.026. Mean total enzyme activities (units x 10(-3)/24 h) for diets A and B respectively were: trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) 138, 114; chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) 84, 84; carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.2.1) 5, 4; carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.2.2) 15, 17; amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) 1061, 981. It was calculated that the minimum amount of endogenous N from saliva and gastric secretion was 0.3-0.6 g in 24 h. This assumes no absorption of N occurred anterior to the duodenal cannula.

Investigations on the amino acid secretion and absorption in the stomach of the growing pig.

Two pigs of 35 kg live weight were fitted with re-entrant duodenal cannulas anterior to the pancreatic duct and fed barley-soya or casein-wheat starch diets prior to the experiment. After 24 hours fasting they were given a single meal of 15N-labelled free amino acids-wheat starch (A) or 15N-labelled wheat (B) diets and digesta leaving the stomach was collected during 12 hours. The proportion of TCA soluble N in total N of digesta increased with time from 10 to 40% with diet B and decreased from 90 to 47% with diet A. Total N leaving the stomach within 12 hours accounted for 96% and 106% of N ingested on diet A and B, while the amount of 15N accounted for only 66 and 86% of 15N given in diets A and B, respectively. The content of endogenous N in the digesta was 1.22 g/12 h after feeding diet A and 1.67 g/12 h after feeding diet B. It was concluded that considerable amounts of N are secreted and absorbed in the part of the digestive tract proximal to the opening of the pancreatic duct.

Studies on the range of tissue protein synthesis in pigs: the effect of thyroid hormones.

The effects of thyroid hormones on the range of tissue protein synthesis in growing pigs using the constant infusion technique with [14C]lysine were studied. 2. During a 6 h infusion, samples were taken from blood and, at the end of the infusion, from liver, pancreas, stomach, small and large intestines, kidney cortex, kidney medulla, muscle and skin. 3. Lower relative specific radioactivities of free leucine and lysine in several tissues were observed in the hormone-treated group than in the untreated one. 4. The range of protein synthesis rate and the daily amount of protein synthesized in tissues was higher in all tissues after application of thyroid hormones. 5. Assuming that the organs analysed represented 70% of the total trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein of the pig, the estimated range of daily protein synthesis was 251-490 and 312-880 g in untreated and hormone-treated pigs respectively.

Flow of endogenous and exogenous amino acids along the gut of pigs.

Digesta were collected from 5 pigs of 33 kg live weight fitted with re-entrant cannulas in the duodenum (within 20-30 cm of the pylorus) and terminal ileum. The pigs received a diet of barley, soya bean oilmeal and a vitamin and mineral mixture. The flow rates of digesta, total nitrogen and the individual amino acids were measured at different time after feeding and during two 24 h periods. A marked increase in the flow of digesta, nitrogen and amino acids was seen in the duodenum after feeding. Total flow during 24 h of nitrogen and amino acids except His, Val, Leu, Phe and Met exceeded intake. Output of nitrogen and amino acids from the duodenal cannula was 117 and 108% of intake, respectively. A method to calculate the ratio of endogenous amino acids in digesta based on the amino acid composition of digesta, diet and endogenous secretions was developed. The calculated amounts of endogenous amino acids passing the proximal duodenum and terminal ileum were 32.2 and 21.9 g per 24 h, respectively. The greatest amount of endogenous amino acids passed through the duodenal cannula in the first two hours after feeding (2-3 g/h) and then gradually decreased to 1 g per hour. The results are discussed in relation to other studies on the secretion of endogenous protein and its amino acid composition.

Nutrient digestibility and performance of pigs fed sorghums varying in tannin concentration.

Four sorghums, ranging widely in tannin content, and yellow corn were evaluated in two 5 x 5 Latin square digestion trials and a growth trial. All grains were grown in the same field under similar conditions. The sorgums and their tannin contents (milligrams of catechin/100 mg of dry matter, as determined by a modified vanillin-HCl method) were: Ga615, 3.40; NK300, 3.17; TAM680, .83, and G766-W, .88. Diets were supplemented with casein to provide .70 and .60% lysine in digestion trials 1 and 2, respectively. In trial 1, conducted with noncannulated, 25-kg pigs, digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy and N averaged for the low tannin sorghums (TAM680 and G766-W) were higher (P greater than .01) than the corresponding digestibilities averaged for the high tannin sorghums (Ga615 and NK300). N balance data indicated that utilization of absorbed N was not reduced in pigs fed the high tannin sorghums. Corn and the low tannin sorghums had similar digestibilities. In trial 2, conducted with 50-kg pigs fitted with T-cannulas at the terminal ileum, digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy, N and all amino acids again averaged higher (P greater than .01) for the low tannin sorghums than for the high tannin sorghums, whether measured at the end of the small intestine or over the total digestive tract. The one exception was methionine digestibilities at the terminal ileum, which did not differ between the high and low tannin sorghums. Among the amino acids, digestibilities of glycine, proline and histidine appeared to be the most depressed in the high tannin sorghums, as compared to the low tannin sorghums. Digestibilities of most nutrients were higher for NK300 than Ga615, suggesting a difference in type of tannin, or other compound, between grains. Corn and the low tannin sorghums, averaged together, had similar digestibilities for most nutrients. In the growth trial, 10 pigs, individually fed form 20 to 94 kg, received grain-soybean meal diets based on each grain except NK300. Gains were not affected by diet, but feed consumption was 9% higher (P greater than.05) and feed efficiency 10% (P greater than .01) poorer for pigs fed Ga615 than for those fed low tannin sorghums. Performance was similar (P greater than .10) for animals fed the low tannin sorghums and those fed corn.