The effects of gender and slaughter weight on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics of heavy pigs

Crossbred pigs (n = 192) from Piétrain x Large White sires mated to Landrace x Large White dams, with a mean BW of 75 +/- 1.3 kg, were used to investigate the effects of gender and slaughter weight (SW) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Pens of pigs (eight pigs/pen) were assigned randomly to one of six treatments arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial design with two genders (barrows or gilts) and three SW (116, 124, or 133 kg). Each treatment was replicated four times. Over the entire trial, barrows had higher (P < 0.001) ADFI (as-fed basis) and ADG than gilts; however, gilts had higher (P < 0.05) gain-to-feed ratios (G:F) than barrows. Barrows had lower (P < 0.01) dressing percents than gilts and produced fatter (P < 0.001) carcasses that had lower trimmed shoulder (P < 0.10) and ham (P < 0.001) yields than gilts. There was a trend for the semimembranosus muscle (SM) from barrows to have a higher (P < 0.10) 45-min pH than that of gilts, but 24-h pH was 0.11 pH unit higher (P < 0.01) in the SM of barrows than gilts. Gender had no (P > 0.10) effect on the moisture and lipid content of the longissimus muscle (LM), nor did gender affect (P > 0.10) LM color, myoglobin content, or thaw loss percentage. However, the LM from barrows had lower (P < 0.05) cooking loss percentages and tended to have lower (P < 0.10) shear force values than the LM from gilts. Pigs slaughtered at 116 kg had higher (P < 0.05) ADG than pigs slaughtered at 124 and 133 kg. Daily feed intake (as-fed basis) was not (P > 0.10) different among SW; however, pigs slaughtered at 116 and 124 kg had higher (P < 0.001) G:F than those slaughtered at 133 kg. Dressing percent, backfat depth, carcass length, and ham and shoulder weights increased (P < 0.001) as SW increased from 116 to 133 kg. The initial (45-min) pH of the SM from pigs slaughtered at 133 kg was higher (P < 0.05) than from pigs slaughtered at 116 or 124 kg; however, 24-h pH was not (P > 0.10) affected by SW. The LM from pigs slaughtered at 133 kg was darker (lower L* values; P < 0.001), redder (higher a* value; P < 0.01), and had more (P < 0.001) myoglobin than the LM of pigs slaughtered at 116 and 124 kg. Barrows and gilts of this particular crossbreed can be used to produce acceptable quality fresh pork when slaughtered at 116 kg; however, increasing SW to 124 kg, or more, decreased live pig performance and carcass leanness without any additional benefits to pork quality attributes.     

胆囊收缩素主动免疫对猪生产性能、胴体品质及肉质的影响

为了研究胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)主动免疫对猪生产性能、胴体品质、肉质的影响,将12头体重为23.2±0.3kg的长荣猪随机分为2个处理,试验组和对照组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复2头猪,其中试验组猪注射CCK-8 人血清白蛋白(HSA),对照组猪则只注射HSA,测定猪的日采食量、日增重、料重比、屠宰率、胴体斜长、背膘厚、眼肌面积、pH、肉色评分、大理石纹、失水率、肌间脂肪等指标。试验期78d。整个试验期,与对照组相比,试验组的日增重低5.53%(P>0.05),日采食量高0.6%,料重比高6.64%(P>0.05),这表明,500μgCCK-8主动免疫有降低猪整个试验期生产性能的趋势,CCK-8免疫对猪胴体品质和肉质无显著影响,但对肉质有改善的趋势。     

斜发沸石添加水平对育肥期苏淮猪生长性能、屠宰性能和肉品质的影响

本试验研究基础日粮中添加不同水平的斜发沸石对育肥期苏淮猪生长性能、肉品质的影响,旨在获得苏淮猪育肥期斜发沸石的适宜添加量。选择体重相近(50 kg左右)、健康的苏淮阉公猪40头,随机分为对照组、试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组、试验Ⅲ组共4个处理组,每组10头。预试期10 d,所有猪自由采食对照组基础日粮;正试期64 d,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ至Ⅲ组分别在基础日粮中添加0.5%、1.0%和2.0%的斜发沸石。于试验结束屠宰全部试验猪,用于屠宰测定和肉质检测。结果表明:1)第1阶段(体重56~68 kg)和第2阶段(体重83~98 kg),终末体重、平均日增重、料重比均无显著差异;但斜发沸石水平对第1阶段和第2阶段平均日采食量影响显著(P<0.05)并呈线性(P=0.02,P=0.047)二次方升高趋势(P=0.01)。2)对照组、试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组苏淮猪的生长曲线拐点分别是:第50.26天86.06 kg、第40.22天87.15 kg、第38.27天89.69 kg和第45.98天89.02 kg;最大日增重分别是0.702、0.743、0.814和0.855 kg/d,说明在饲料中添加斜发沸石后,可延长育肥猪到达生长曲线拐点体重。3)斜发沸石水平对眼肌面积和肌内脂肪影响显著(P<0.05),眼肌面积随斜发沸石添加水平的升高,呈二次方(P=0.01)变化;肌内脂肪呈线性(P=0.01),二次方(P=0.03)升高;胴体重和系水力分别随斜发沸石添加水平的升高,呈线性(P=0.07,P=0.09)升高趋势。试验表明:苏淮育肥猪采食量、胴体重和肌内脂肪随日粮斜发沸石添加水平增加呈线性升高,系水力呈线性升高趋势,但眼肌面积随斜发沸石添加水平的升高,呈二次方变化,先升高后降低。因此,添加2%斜发沸石有利于采食量、胴体重和肌内脂升高,有助于系水力降低;但从增加眼肌面积的角度考虑,斜发沸石的适宜添加比例为1%。     

烟台黑猪不同杂交组合猪肥育性能、胴体品质及肉质研究

研究测定了烟台黑猪与鲁育杜洛克、鲁育大约克和长白猪杂交商品猪的生长肥育性能、胴体品质及肉质。结果表明,大约克×烟黑组合日增重最高为717.37 g,料重比最低为2.97,与杜洛克×烟黑、长白×烟黑和烟黑×烟黑相比,日增重分别提高7.93%（P〉0.05）、16.22%（P〈0.05）和21.31%（P〈0.01）,料重比分别降低11.08%、3.88%、21.43%。4个组合的胴体性能及肉品质差异显著。其中,屠宰率以杜洛克×烟黑最高,比大约克×烟黑提高11.69%（P〈0.05）;眼肌面积也以杜洛克×烟黑最大,比烟黑×烟黑提高31.33%（P〈0.05）;瘦肉率以大约克×烟黑最高为60.24%,比烟黑×烟黑提高22.09%（P〈0.01）;大理石纹评分以烟黑×烟黑最高,其次是杜洛克×烟黑,分别比大约克×烟黑、长白×烟黑提高10.67%（P〉0.05）、38.02%（P〈0.05）和9.15%（P〉0.05）、36.12%（P〈0.05）;pH1以大约克×烟黑最高为6.66,其次是烟黑×烟黑组合为6.29,分别比杜洛克×烟黑、长白×烟黑提高14.63%（P〈0.01）、17.25%（P〈0.01）和8.26%（P〈0.01）、10.74%（P〈0.01）;失水率以杜洛克×烟黑最低,比长白×烟黑降低51.49%（P〈0.05）。4个组合的背最长肌氨基酸总量、鲜味氨基酸含量和必需氨基酸含量都以烟黑×烟黑组合最高,分别比大约克×烟黑和长白×烟黑提高10.07%（P〈0.01）和6.17%（P〈0.05）、9.55%（P〈0.01）和6.17%（P〈0.05）、11.18%（P〈0.01）和6.79%（P〈0.05）。背最长肌棕榈酸含量以杜洛克×烟黑最高,比大约克×烟黑提高10.59%（P〈0.05）;硬脂酸也以杜洛克×烟黑最高,分别比大约克×烟黑、长白×烟黑和烟黑×烟黑提高18.62%（P〈0.01）、20.5%（P〈0.01）和20.20%（P〈0.01）;油酸以烟黑×烟黑最高,比杜洛克×烟黑提高11.96%（P〈0.05）。     

Effect of carbohydrate source on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of substituting a more available dietary carbohydrate (CHO) for portions of corn or fat in the diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum or plasma metabolites in growing-finishing pigs. A three-phase feeding program was used with corn-soybean meal diets formulated to provide 105% of the Lys requirement for barrows or gilts gaining 325 g of lean daily in Exp. 1 or gilts gaining 350 g of lean daily in Exp. 2. Diets were isoenergetic within experiments. All other nutrients met or exceeded suggested requirements. In Exp. 1, pigs were allotted to three dietary treatments (0, 7.5, or 15.0% sucrose), with three replications of barrows and three replications of gilts, and with three or four pigs per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 25.2 and 106.7 kg. In Exp. 2, gilts were allotted to two dietary treatments (waxy [high amylopectin] or nonwaxy [75% amylopectin and 25% amylose] corn as the grain source), with five replications of four gilts per replicate pen; average initial and final BW were 37.7 and 100.0 kg. In Exp. 1, ADG and gain:feed ratio increased linearly (P < 0.02) as dietary sucrose increased. Minolta color scores, a* and b*, and drip loss (P < 0.06) also increased linearly with added sucrose. In Exp. 2, ADG, carcass weight and length, and the Minolta a* value were greater for pigs fed waxy corn (P < 0.08) than for those fed nonwaxy corn. Feed intake, longissimus muscle area, 10th-rib and average backfat thickness, dressing percentage, fat-free lean, percentage of lean and muscling, lean gain per day, total fat, percentage fat, lean:fat ratio, serum or plasma metabolites (Exp. 1: serum urea N; Exp. 2: serum urea N, and plasma nonesterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and total protein), pH of the longissimus muscle, and subjective muscle scores (color, firmness-wetness, and marbling) were not affected by diet in either experiment. In summary, increasing availability of dietary CHO in growing-finishing pig diets improved growth performance, but it did not affect carcass traits.     

甜菜碱和B族维生素对商品猪生长性能及同体肉品质影响

许多研究表明,甜菜碱可以促进肥育猪生长,改善饲料利用率,降低背膘厚,减少胴体脂肪沉积,增大眼肌面积和提高瘦肉率。日粮中添加B族维生素,可     

营养水平对鲁农2号生长猪屠宰性能和肉品质的影响

试验选用108头鲁农2号生长猪(49.58±1.49)kg,随机区组,分为3个处理组,每处理4个重复,每重复(圈)9头猪,在保持日粮消化能/粗蛋白质比例不变的情况下,分为高、中、低3个营养水平组,研究日粮不同消化能和粗蛋白质水平对鲁农2号生长猪屠宰性能和肉品质的影响。试验分50～80 kg和80～100 kg两个体重阶段饲养,当试验猪平均体重达到100 kg时进行屠宰,测定屠宰性能和肉品质。结果表明:3个处理组的背膘厚、眼肌面积、后腿重、后腿比例、脂肪率、屠宰率和瘦肉率均差异不显著(P>0.05);除大理石纹外,3个处理组的肉品质差异也不显著(P>0.05)。这预示着低能量和粗蛋白质日粮饲喂鲁农2号生长猪可以获得与高能量粗蛋白质日粮相近的屠宰性能和肉品质。     

Regrouping of pigs by body weight at weaning does not affect growth performance,carcass quality or uniformity at slaughter of heavy weight pigs

We studied the influence of pen uniformity at weaning (7.5 ± 0.6 kg vs. 7.5 ± 1.2 kg body weight (BW ± SD)) and sex on growth performance during the nursery (7.5 to 27.3 kg BW) and the fattening (27.1 to 130.5 kg BW) phases and carcass quality of barrows and castrated females (CF). During the nursery phase, pigs from the more uniform pens had lower feed efficiency (P = 0.05) than pigs from the less uniform pens. Also, barrows had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.05) and average daily gain (P < 0.001) and better feed efficiency (P < 0.001) than CF. During the fattening phase, initial pen uniformity did not affect growth performance of the pigs but barrows tended (P = 0.08) to have higher ADFI and worse feed efficiency than CF. Trimmed primal cut yield tended to be higher for the more uniform pigs and better for barrows than for CF (P = 0.09). It is concluded that regrouping of the pigs at weaning according to uniformity of BW did not affect growth performance or carcass quality of the pigs at slaughter. Castrated females might be used as an alternative to barrows for the production of carcasses destined to the dry‐cured industry.     

The effects of halothane sensitivity on carcass composition and meat quality in HAL-1843-normal pigs

Objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of halothane sensitivity in pigs that are homozygous normal at the ryanodine receptor nucleotide 1843 (HAL-1843-normal) and the relationships between halothane sensitivity and carcass composition or meat quality. In Exp. 1, piglets (Lines A, B, C, and D; n = 168, 170, 168, and 169, respectively) were obtained from mating a HAL-1843-normal sire line to four HAL-1843-normal dam lines. In Exp. 2, piglets from Lines A and B (n = 87 and 90, respectively) were included with piglets (Lines E, F, G, and H; n = 94, 92, 89, and 89, respectively) obtained from mating four HAL-1843-normal sire lines to a single HAL-1843-normal dam line. Pigs were subjected to 3% halothane at approximately 9 wk of age. In Exp. 1, limb rigidity, blotching of the skin, and muscle tremors were visually assessed, and based on these criteria, halothane sensitivity (HS) was observed in 48% of the pigs. To better characterize this response, a scoring system was developed and used in Exp. 2. Using this system, 25, 42, and 33% of the pigs in E and 40, 33, and 27% of the pigs in Line G were categorized as HS-low (HS-L), HS-intermediate (HS-I), and HS-high (HS-H), respectively. In Lines F and H, 13 and 18% of the pigs were HS-I, and 0 and 2% were HS-H, respectively. No consistent effects due to HS were observed in carcass composition or meat quality; however, when a subset of pigs from Exp. 2 were subjected to more extensive handling and transportation before slaughter, ultimate pH was lower and drip loss was higher in LM from HS-H compared with HS-L pigs (P < 0.05; n = 71). These results demonstrate that some pigs are sensitive to halothane anesthesia even in the absence of the known HAL-1843 polymorphism. Additionally, halothane sensitivity may be associated with inferior pork quality under adverse antemortem conditions.     

Dietary mulberry leaf powder affects growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mulberry leaves as an alternative source of protein on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in finishing pigs. A total of 180 Xiangcun Black pigs were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with six pens of six pigs per pen. The pigs were provided with a basal diet or a diet contained 3%, 6%, 9% or 12% of mulberry leaf powder during a 50‐day experiment period. The results showed that dietary mulberry leaf powder had no negative effect on growth performance in Xiangcun Black pigs, except in the 12% mulberry group, where final body weight and average daily gain decreased (p < .05) and feed to gain ratio of the pigs increased (p < .05). Dietary mulberry inclusion decreased (quadratic, p < .05) the back fat thickness, fibre mean cross‐sectional area (CSA) in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIb in LD and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, while increased (linear or quadratic, p < .05) the plasma concentration of albumin, levels of crude protein (CP), inosine monophosphate (IMP) and several amino acids in muscle tissues. When compared with the other groups, the 9% mulberry diet increased (p < .05) loin‐eye area and contents of CP and IMP in muscles, while decreased (p < .05) plasma activity of cholinesterase and concentrations of uric acid and urea. The 6% mulberry diet had the lowest fibre mean CSA and shear force and increased total fibre number of the LD muscle, when compared with the other groups. These results suggest that including mulberry in the diet at <12% is an effective feed crop to improve meat quality and the chemical composition of muscle without negatively affecting growth performance.     

非淀粉多糖酶对生长育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉品质的影响

本研究主要通过生长育肥猪的饲养试验,观察日粮中添加非淀粉多糖酶(Non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzyme,NSP酶)对生长育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状和肉品质的影响。试验选择体质量约为40kg的杜长大三元杂交猪48头,公母各半。本试验随机分为2个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复8头猪,对照组饲喂基础日粮,NSP酶组饲喂基础日粮+0.6%NSP酶。结果表明:(1)生长性能方面,NSP酶组的平均日增重和平均日采食量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),分别提高了9.8%和4.7%;NSP酶组的料重比显著低于对照组(P<0.05),降低了5.0%;(2)在胴体性状和背最长肌化学组成方面,NSP酶组眼肌面积比对照组显著提高(P<0.05),提高了9.8%;与对照组相比,滴水损失和剪切力2个指标分别降低了2.0%和14.6%,但在统计学上未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。结果显示,基础饲粮中添加NSP酶能有效提高生长育肥猪生长性能,并在一定程度上改善肉品质。     

小肽复合剂对育肥猪的生长性能及胴体和肉质性状的影响效应研究

试验旨在研究小肽复合剂对育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状及肉质性状的影响效果。将72头同批次健康的65日龄的(长×大)二元杂交商品猪随机分为试验组和对照组,每组设3个重复,每重复12头猪。试验组在正常饲粮中添加0.2%的小肽复合剂,对照组为正常饲粮。试验结果发现:育肥阶段饲喂0.2%的小肽复合剂能够显著提高育肥猪生长性能和改善肉质性状。表现为提高育肥猪的日增重(P<0.05),增加育肥猪的采食量,提高饲料转化效率,提高育肥猪群的成活率,降低生病率和腹泻率。肉质性状方面,显著降低滴水损失(P<0.05),增加了肌肉的保水力,生长性能和肉质性状的改善显著地提高了育肥猪的综合经济效益。     

复合维生素添加剂对肉猪肥育性能、胴体性状和肌肉品质的影响

<正>国内外先进养猪技术的应用,使猪胴体瘦肉率、生长速度和饲料报酬有了较大幅度的提高,这种提高却是以猪肌肉品质下降为代价的,因此如何利用营养     

Evaluation of recombinant porcine somatotropin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and muscle biochemical properties of Belgian Landrace pigs.

The dose related effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on growth, carcass characteristics, muscle properties, and meat quality were investigated in lean Belgian Landrace finishing pigs. Ninety-six pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts) were injected daily with either vehicle, 1.5, 3, or 6 mg of rpST from 60 to 97.5 kg live weight. Each treatment group consisted of six pens of four pigs each (two of each sex). Pigs were given ad libitum access to a high-protein (20.4% CP) cereal-based diet. Administration of rpST increased (P less than .05) growth rate (16.3 to 25.4%) and improved (P less than .05) feed efficiency (16.9 to 29.4%). Feed consumption was reduced (12%; P less than .05) only in the 6 mg of rpST group. Liver, kidney, and heart weights were increased (P less than .05) in the 3 and 6 mg of rpST groups. Although the Belgian Landrace pigs are bred for superior carcass quality, rpST further improved (P less than .05) carcass composition at all dose levels as evidenced by a reduction (10 to 50%) in a number of subcutaneous fat depth measurements, an increase (10 to 20%) in longissimus muscle area, and an improvement in the lean cut:fat cut ratio. Rate of pH decline in the gluteus and longissimus muscles was similar, but rapid, in all groups (pH after 30 min = 5.74 to 5.94); the ultimate (24 or 72 h) pH was .15 to .2 pH units higher (P less than .05) in the pigs that received the 3 and 6 mg of rpST doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of diet composition and slaughter weight on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition in veal calves

The effect of true milk use in the diet of Spanish Brown Swiss male calves on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acids composition was studied. In experiment 1, the effect of milk intake [ad libitum continuous (ADLIB) feed vs. restricted 0.7 during 75 days followed by ad libitum feed (RESTR)] and slaughter endpoint (225 kg vs. 5 month) were studied. In experiment 2, ad libitum concentrate feeding [grain-fed (GF)] was compared with milk supplementation until slaughter [milk-fed (MF)] in calves slaughtered at 345 kg. As regards to milk intake, carcass weight and degree of fatness were higher in the ADLIB group (P<0.05). The RESTR group revealed a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (P<0.05). In experiment 2, the MF group exhibited a higher fat percentage (P<0.05), lower press and cooking losses (P<0.05), and higher scores for tenderness and juiciness (P<0.05) than the GF group. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher in the MF group (P<0.05). The results suggest that true milk use in veal production could be an advantageous alternative in terms on production costs, animal performance, and carcass and meat quality.     

Fermented mixed feed alters growth performance,carcass traits,meat quality and muscle fatty acid and amino acid profiles in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented mixed feed(FMF) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition and mRNA expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. In the present study, 144 finishing pigs(Duroc × Berkshire × Jiaxing Black) were randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments with 4 replicate pens per group and 12 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments included a basal diet(CON), a basal di...     

植物提取物对育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状、猪肉品质及抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究植物提取物对育肥猪生长性能、胴体性状、肉品质及猪肉抗氧化能力的影响。选用20头体重相近[(83.75±5.83 kg)]的PIC猪,随机分为对照组(基础日粮)和试验组(基础日粮中额外添加0.04%植物提取物),每个处理5个重复,每个重复2头猪。结果表明,两组间育肥猪采食量、日增重、料肉比和胴体性状差异不显著(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,试验组肉色a*45min值显著提高(P<0.05),L*96 h值极显著降低(P<0.01);4℃下储存0、3 d和7 d猪肉,试验组肉样中丙二醛(MDA)的含量显著降低,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著提高(P<0.05)。因此,饲粮中添加植物提取物有利于储存中猪肉品质的改善。     

补饲精料对乌珠穆沁羊生产性能、屠宰性能和肉品质的影响

试验旨在研究草颗粒和草颗粒补饲精料对乌珠穆沁羊生产性能、屠宰性能和肉品质的影响。选取20只6月龄体重为(28.83±0.19) kg乌珠穆沁羊,采用随机区组设计,随机分为2组,每组10只。设计2种日粮饲喂乌珠穆沁羊,分别为草颗粒(对照组)和草颗粒补饲精料(试验组)。结果表明:补饲精料未能显著影响羊的日增重(P>0.05),日增重分别为56.33和60.00 g。对照组和试验组的3项屠宰性能指标(宰前活重、胴体重、屠宰率)、6项化学成分指标(粗蛋白、粗脂肪、有机物、干物质、钙、磷)、6项肉品质指标(pH1、pH24、大理石纹、亮度、熟肉率、剪切力)、16项脂肪酸指标和15项氨基酸指标差异均不显著(P>0.05)。试验组羊4项屠宰性能指标(净肉重、净肉率、眼肌面积、GR值)、4项肉品质指标(红度、黄度、胆固醇、失水率)、6项脂肪酸指标(十三碳酸、肉豆蔻酸、珍珠酸、γ-亚麻酸、α-亚麻酸、花生酸)和3项氨基酸指标(异亮氨酸、酪氨酸、精氨酸)均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。对照组7项主要脂肪酸(丁酸、月桂酸、肉豆蔻烯酸、十五碳酸、十五碳烯酸、棕榈酸、棕榈油酸、硬脂酸、油酸、n-6/n-3)、苏氨酸和谷氨酸显著高于试验组(P<0.05)。饲喂草颗粒补饲精料对乌珠穆沁羊生长性能影响不大;天然草地草颗粒饲喂能满足家畜营养需求,在促进乌珠穆沁羊生产性能、屠宰性能和肉品质方面具有重大潜力。     

The effect of dietary protein supply on carcass composition, size of organs, muscle properties and meat quality of pigs

This study investigated the effect of dietary protein supply on growth performance, carcass composition and size of organs in pigs slaughtered at the age of 165 ± 2 d. In addition, we analysed muscle fibre properties and glycolytic potential of light muscles longissimus lumborum (LD), semimembranosus (SM), and gluteus superficialis (GS), and dark muscles infraspinatus (IS) and masseter (M) of 20 gilts and 20 barrows. Of these pigs, 16 were Finnish Landrace, 16 were Finnish Yorkshire, and 8 were crosses of these breeds. The pigs were fed low-or high-protein diets formulated to contain 6.0 and 9.5 g of apparent ileal digestible lysine/feed unit (1 fu = 9.3 MJ NE), respectively. The pigs were fed according to a restricted weight-based feeding scale (13–30 MJ NE/d). Lean meat, fat, bones, and skin of the carcasses as well as organs were dissected and weighed. The pH value was measured 45 min post mortem from LD, and 24 h post mortem from LD, SM and GS. Drip loss, lightness (L) and redness (a) were measured from LD, SM and GS. Pigs with a low-protein supply showed a lower growth rate (P < 0.01), carcass weight (P < 0.01), and carcass lean meat content (P < 0.01), but higher carcass fat content (P < 0.01) and smaller kidneys (P < 0.01) than did pigs with a high-protein supply. In LD, the differences in cross-sectional areas in all muscle fibre types (P < 0.05) between the feeding groups were significant; in GS we found significant differences in cross-sectional areas of type IIA and type IIB (P < 0.05), while in SM we found no differences in muscle fibre cross-sectional areas between the feeding groups (P > 0.05). We found no such differences in the dark muscles studied. We also took into account the effect of both the breed and sex on the studied properties. The low-protein diet increased glycolytic potential in porcine LD and SM, and decreased the pH value measured 45 min post mortem from LD. The dietary protein supply affected no other meat quality traits studied. A more rapid drop in pH in LD resulted in a lighter and less red meat with higher drip loss.     

Impact of dietary energy level and ractopamine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing pigs

A total of 54 finishing barrows (initial BW = 99.8 ± 5.1 kg; PIC C22 × 337) reared in individual pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels of ractopamine (0 and 7.4 mg/kg) and 3 levels of dietary energy (high, 3,537; medium, 3,369; and low, 3,317 kcal of ME/kg) to determine the effects of dietary ractopamine and various energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing pigs. High-energy diets were corn-soybean-meal-based with 4% added fat; medium-energy diets were corn-soybean meal based with 0.5% added fat; and low-energy diets were corn-soybean meal based with 0.5% added fat and 15% wheat middlings. Diets within each ractopamine level were formulated to contain the same standardized ileal digestible Lys:ME (0 mg/kg, 1.82; and 7.4 mg/kg, 2.65 g/Mcal of ME). Individual pig BW and feed disappearance were recorded at the beginning and conclusion (d 21) of the study. On d 21, pigs were slaughtered for determination of carcass characteristics and meat quality. No ractopamine × energy level interactions (P > 0.10) were observed for any response criteria. Final BW (125.2 vs. 121.1 kg), ADG (1.2 vs. 1.0 kg/d), and G:F (0.31 vs. 0.40) were improved (P < 0.001) with feeding of ractopamine diets. Feeding of the low-energy diet reduced (P = 0.001) final BW and ADG compared with the high- and medium-energy diets. Gain:feed was reduced (P = 0.005) when the medium-energy diets were fed compared with the high-energy diets. Additionally, G:F was reduced (P = 0.002) when the low-energy diets were compared with the high- and medium-energy diets. Feeding ractopamine diets increased (P < 0.05) HCW (93.6 vs. 89.9 kg) and LM area (51.2 vs. 44.2 cm(2)). The LM pH decline was reduced (P ≤ 0.05) by feeding ractopamine diets. The feeding of low-energy diets reduced (P = 0.001) HCW when compared with the high- and medium-energy diets and reduced (P = 0.024) 10th-rib backfat when compared with the high- and medium-energy diet. These data indicate that feeding ractopamine diets improved growth performance and carcass characteristics, while having little or no detrimental effect on meat quality. Reductions in energy content of the diet by adding 15% wheat middlings resulted in impaired ADG, G:F, and 10th-rib backfat. There were no ractopamine × energy level interactions in this trial, which indicates that the improvements resulting from feeding ractopamine were present regardless of the dietary energy levels.