Utilization of crude soybean lecithin as a native choline source in feed rations of fattening pigs

In a feeding experiment with six times eight Du x DL-barrows it was tested whether crude soybean lecithin is an useable source for choline in ordinary feed mixtures for fattening pigs. The animals alternatively received,diets with 2% soybean oil with or without choline chloride supplement or 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5% crude soybean lecithin, respectively. The groups receiving soybean oil with choline chloride as well as 1.5% soybean lecithin achieved the best fattening performance, but differences in growth and carcass values resp. meat condition were not significant. Lecithin supplements up to 2% in the ration provided an acceptable fat quality with contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids below 15% in carcass fat. The analyzed bloodparameters of the fat metabolism indicated that supplements of soybean lecithin decreased the cholesterol level resp. increased the level of free fatty acids with all parameters within the normal standard. Thus, the results show, that choline chloride as well as soybean lecithin can be used as an alternative source for choline in diets for fattening pigs.