The inclusion of either levan or apramycin increased
(Po0.05) the ATTD of DM, N and gross energy of pigs at d
14, but no effects were detected at d 28 (Table 3). In
agreement with our results, Hahn et al. (2006) reported that
the digestibility of DM and gross energy was increased
by apramycin addition in weanling pigs. Zhao et al.
(2012) reported that dietary supplementation with
1 g levan/kg increased the ATTD of DM compared with nonsupplementation
treatment in weanling pigs. The improvements
in nutrient digestibility with levan inclusion may be
attributed to the beneficial effects of levan on gut health and
morphology (Rehm, 2009). It may be explained by the acid
hydrolysis of levan in the stomach, which is subsequently
utilized as substrates by the intestinal beneficial bacteria