Abstract
Two studies were carried out with 56 Landrace x Large White weanling female pigs to assess the effect of dietary protein and hydrocyanic glucosides in cassava peel-based diets on their serum estradiol concentration. In the first study, there were eight experimental diets of 20, 15, 10 and 5% dietary protein levels with and without cassava peels; and in the second study animals were fed six diets with two protein levels (20% and 10%) and three added dietary cyanide levels (0, 112 and 445 mg kg-1). Average daily weight gain was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the diets. The serum estradiol concentration was increased significantly (P < 0.01) with advancing maturity of the animals. Lower dietary protein reduced (P < 0.01) the serum concentration of the hormone. Serum estradiol was not affected by dietary cyanide level up to 445 mg kg-1.
