The impact of replacing barley by dehydrated orange pulp in finishing pig diets on performance,carcass quality,and gaseous emissions from slurry

Using agricultural by-products such as dehydrated orange pulp (DOP) in animal feeds is of interest to increase pig sector sustainability. With this aim, an assay was carried out to assess the effects of increasing inclusion levels of DOP in pig diets regarding animal performance, carcass quality, and environmental impact. Four experimental diets were designed, a control diet (T1) and three more diets with increasing levels of DOP with 80, 160, and 240 g/kg of DOP for diets T2, T3, and T4, respectively. One hundred and sixty growing pigs were used in the experiment. Growth performance (average daily gain, ADG; average daily feed intake, ADFI and feed conversion ratio, FCR) and in vivo backfat thickness (BF) and loin depth (LD) gain were recorded during the finishing phase (from 70 to 130 kg BW). Faecal samples were incubated for bacteria enumeration. At slaughter, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were measured, and subcutaneous fat was sampled to analyse the fatty acid (FA) profile. Additionally, the slurry excreted by the animals was measured, characterised and subjected to a gaseous emission assay during its storage. The final BW and overall ADFI, ADG and FCR were similar among treatments. In vivo final LD and BF gain decreased (P ≤ 0.10) as the inclusion level of DOP increased. No differences were observed in carcass characteristics with the inclusion of DOP, except carcass weight that decreased linearly (P = 0.05) with DOP. Regarding the FA profile of the subcutaneous fat, the ratio of total monounsaturated to saturated FA increased with the inclusion level of DOP. Neither slurry excretion and characterisation nor bacterial counts from faeces showed any significant difference among treatments. The inclusion of DOP led to greater CH₄ emissions in mg per L of slurry and hour, whereas these differences disappeared when expressed in mg per animal and day. In all, it has been demonstrated that the inclusion of DOP up to 240 mg/kg in pig diets had minor effects on growth performance, carcass quality traits or gaseous emissions from slurry, favouring the circular economy strategy and pig sector sustainability.     

Housing of growing rabbits in individual,bicellular and collective cages: growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality

During growth (from 27 to 75 days of age), 384 rabbits were kept in different types of wire-net cages: 72 individual cages (72 rabbits; 10 animals/m²), 48 bicellular cages (96 rabbits; 2 rabbits/cage; 18 animals/m²) and 24 collective cages (216 rabbits; 9 rabbits/cage; 18 animals/m²). The rabbits housed in individual cages showed higher daily weight gain both during the fattening period (from 52 to 75 days of age) and during the whole period of growth (43.0 v. 41.8 and 41.5 g/day; P < 0.05), and they had a higher final live weight at 75 days of age (2678 v. 2619 and 2602 g; P < 0.05) compared with the rabbits in the bicellular and collective cages, respectively. Rabbits in individual cages ingested more feed (133 v. 127 and 126 g/day; P < 0.01), but the feed conversion did not differ significantly among rabbits housed in the three types of cages. At slaughter, the carcass traits and meat quality were weakly affected by the housing system. The transport losses were higher in rabbits kept in individual and bicellular cages compared with those reared in collective cages (3.1% and 2.9% v. 2.2%; P < 0.01). In rabbits kept in individual cages, the hind leg muscle to bone ratio was higher (6.35 v. 6.19 and 5.91; P < 0.05) compared with the bicellular and collective cages, respectively. The pH and colour of the longissimus lumborum did not change with the housing system, while the b* index of the biceps femoris was lower (3.04 and 3.32 v. 4.26; P < 0.001) in the rabbits kept in individual and bicellular cages, respectively, than in those kept in collective cages. In conclusion, the rabbits housed in individual cages showed higher daily growth than rabbits kept in bicellular or collective cages, but they had a similar feed conversion and carcass quality. Differently, neither in vivo performance nor slaughter results differed among the rabbits kept in bicellular cages or in collective cages. The meat colour may be affected by the housing system, but to an extent that is hardly perceivable by the final consumer.     

Developmental changes of carcass composition, meat quality and organs in the Jinhua pig and Landrace

The present study was aimed to compare the developmental changes of carcass composition, meat quality characteristics and organ weight in pigs of different breeds. Six pigs (sex balance) of each breed were slaughtered at 35, 80 and 125 days of age, respectively. The carcass was chilled and the left carcass side was dissected into bone, lean meat, fat and skin; additionally, organ weight and meat quality parameters were observed. Carcasses of the Jinhua pig were lighter (P < 0.001), contained less lean meat percentage (P < 0.01) and more carcass fat percentage (P < 0.05) than did carcasses of the Landrace. L*-values were lower in Jinhua pigs than in Landrace at 125 days of age (P < 0.05), but the Jinhua pig had higher a*-values compared with Landrace at the age of 80 days (P < 0.01) and 125 days (P < 0.01), respectively. In addition, Jinhua pigs showed lower colour scores (P < 0.05), higher intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage (P < 0.05), less marbling scores (P < 0.05) and lower drip loss (P < 0.05) than Landrace. For organ weight, Jinhua pigs had higher relative heart weight at the age of 80 days (P < 0.05) and 125 days (P < 0.001), and higher relative liver weight at 125 days of age (P < 0.01) than that of Landrace. In addition, the relative kidney weight was heavier (P < 0.001) in the Jinhua pig than in the Landrace during the whole experiment. These results indicated that developmental changes of carcass composition, meat quality parameters and organ weight displayed breed differences. Jinhua pigs were fatter than Landrace but the former had better quality characteristics in the meat.     

Repercussions of growth path on carcass characteristics,meat colour and shear force in Alentejana bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass and meat characteristics of eight muscles from bulls with distinct growth paths. A total of 40 Alentejana male calves were allocated to two distinct feeding regimes. In the continuous growth (CG) system, the animals were fed concentrates plus hay and were slaughtered at 18 months of age. On the other hand, in the discontinuous growth (DG) system, the animals were fed hay until 15 months of age; the cattle were then fed the same diet provided to the CG group from 15 to 24 months of age. The DG reduced hot carcass weight, fatness and dressing %, but the proportions of fat, bone and muscle tissues in the leg were not affected. In contrast, there was a positive impact of compensatory growth on supraspinatus, triceps brachii, semitendinosus, biceps femoris muscle tenderness, overcoming the negative effects of age at slaughter. The reasons for such improvement in meat tenderness were not related to intra-muscular fat content or myofibrillar protein degradation values. An association between tenderness and muscle collagen properties was not established. The results indicate that the compensatory growth has a muscle-dependent effect.     

Transient effect of single or repeated acute deoxynivalenol and zearalenone dietary challenge on fecal microbiota composition in female finishing pigs

Mycotoxins are a major contaminant of pig feed and have negative effects on health and performance. The present study investigated the impact of single or repeated acute challenges with a diet naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) on growth performances of finishing pigs and their fecal microbiota composition. A total of 160 pigs (castrated males and females) in two successive batches were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 40 pigs each. The control group received a control finisher diet from 99 to 154 days of age. Challenged groups were subjected to a 7-day acute challenge by being fed a DON- and ZEN-contaminated diet (3.02 mg DON/kg feed and 0.76 mg ZEN/kg feed) at 113 days (group DC), 134 days (group CD) or both 113 and 134 days (group DD). Microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing from fecal samples collected from the 80 females at 99, 119, 140 and 154 days. Challenged pigs (i.e. groups DC, CD and DD) reduced their average daily feed intake by 25% and 27% (P < 0.001) and feed efficiency by 34% and 28% (P < 0.05) during the first and second mycotoxin exposure, respectively. Microbiota composition was affected by mycotoxin exposure (P = 0.07 during the first exposure and P = 0.01 during the second exposure). At the family level, mycotoxin exposure significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae and Veillonellaceae and increased that of Erysipelotrichaceae at both 119 and 140 days of age. After the 7-day DON/ZEN challenge, the relative abundance of 6 to 148 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) differed among the treatment groups. However, none of these OTUs changed in all treatment groups. Using 27 functional pathways, pigs exposed to DON/ZEN challenges could be distinguished from control pigs using sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis, with a 15% misclassification rate. Regarding the functionality of these predictors, two pathways were involved in detoxifying mycotoxins: drug metabolism and xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450. In challenged pigs, microbiota composition returned to the initial state within 3 weeks after the end of a single or repeated DON/ZEN challenge, highlighting the resilience of the gut microbiome. The feeding and growth performances of the pigs during challenge periods were significantly correlated with biological pathways related to health problems and modifications in host metabolism. To conclude, short-term DON/ZEN challenges resulted in transient modifications in the composition and functions of fecal microbiota.     

Effects of deep-bedded finishing system on market pig performance, composition and pork quality

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of finishing environment on growth performance, pork quality and lipid composition of pork. Environments compared were standard confinement (CON) and deep-bedded semi-outdoor systems. The deep-bedded method employed in the current study was the use of hoop structures. Hoops are large, tent-like shelters with cornstalks or straw for bedding. Gilts ranging in weight from 59 to 71 kg were randomly assigned to treatments of Hoop (n = 50) and CON (n = 18) environments. Gilts were fed a two-phase dietary sequence, ad libitum for 45 days. Six gilts per treatment were selected for carcass composition and quality evaluation. The experiment was replicated a total of five times. Pigs raised in the Hoop environment gained significantly less and required significantly more feed for growth than pigs raised in the CON environment. Carcasses from CON-finished pigs were significantly fatter at the 10th rib, which lowered carcass percentage fat-free lean(FFL) and they also had greater loin marbling scores compared with carcasses from Hoop-finished pigs (P < 0.05). Significant replication effects were noted on beginning weight, live weight, carcass weight, percentage FFL, backfat, lipid content and adipose firmness. Carcasses from Hoop pigs had lower proportions of palmitic acid (P < 0.05), and higher proportions of oleic and linoleic acid (P < 0.05) in the inner layer of adipose tissue. The proportion of saturated fatty acid was lower, and that of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acid was higher in the inner layer of the adipose tissue of Hoop pigs. Variations in fatty acid composition and lipid deposition may have been caused by environmental temperature, since decreases in environmental temperature accompanied compositional variation of the adipose, leading to higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid and lower proportions of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid in adipose tissue, regardless of treatment. Volatile profile analysis revealed that adipose tissue of Hoop pigs had significantly higher amounts of 3-butanal and heptanal compared with CON pigs, which may be related to the amount of oleic and linoleic acids composing the adipose tissue. These data indicate finishing pigs in hoop structures allows for exposure to fluctuating temperatures, which may influence the growth of pigs, as well as fatty acid composition and firmness of pork products.     

Effect of compensatory growth on performance, carcass composition and plasma IGF-1 in grower finisher pigs

A total of 48 female pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc cross) were used to determine whether a compensatory feed regime influenced performance, carcass composition and the level of plasma IGF-1. Pigs of initial age 73 days were fed a commercial diet at 0.70 of ad libitum (R) for 40 days followed by a return to ad libitum feeding for a further 42 days. The control group was fed ad libitum (A) throughout. Groups of animals on R and A feed regimes were slaughtered at the end of restriction period (SL1), 2 days after refeeding ad libitum (SL2) to establish the more immediate effects of refeeding on IGF levels, and after 42 days refeeding (SL3; n = 8 for each group). As expected, during the restriction period, average daily live weight gain in all the slaughter groups of R pigs was significantly lower than A pigs (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference in feed conversion ratios. In the re-alimentation period of SL3, R pigs grew 12.9% faster (P = 0.033), indicating compensatory growth. At SL1, there was a trend for carcass weight (P = 0.108) of A pigs to be higher than R pigs, but at SL2 live weight and carcass weight of A pigs were significantly heavier than R pigs (P < 0.05), but not at SL3. For killing-out percentage, there was no difference in SL1. After refeeding for 2 days (SL2) and 42 days (SL3), R pigs had significantly lower killing-out percentage than A pigs (P < 0.05). As a proportion of live weight, R pigs had smaller heart, kidney and liver (P < 0.05) than A pigs at SL1. At SL2, only the kidney was smaller in the restricted group (P < 0.05) and there were no significant differences in SL3. As a proportion of carcass weight, Longissimus dorsi was heavier in the R pigs at SL1 (P = 0.108) and SL2 (P < 0.05), but not at SL3. At SL1, there was a trend for intramuscular fat of A pigs to be higher than R pigs. The plasma IGF-1 level was lower in R pigs than A pigs (P = 0.010) at SL1, and slightly lower at SL2 (P = 0.110), with no significant differences at SL3. Dietary restriction period influenced plasma IGF-1 levels, which returned to the ad libitum group levels when animals were refed, as did live weight and carcass weight. It appears that the internal organs and possibly fat, but not muscles, underwent a compensatory response when animals were refed.     

Effects of caponization on growth performance,carcass composition and meat quality of males of a layer line

The present experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of caponization on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of males of a layer line reared until the 34th week of age. Two hundred and fifty males of a layer line were purchased and randomly divided in two equal groups: intact males and capons. Caponization was conducted at 45 days of age. Three slaughters were performed at the ages of 26, 30 and 34 weeks of age. Caponization did not affect feed intake and final live weight. Capons had a heavier breast and lighter leg than intact males. Lipid accumulation was enhanced by the caponization and fat was stored mainly at the fat pad and the skin of the commercial parts excluding the drumstick. The Pectoralis major muscle of capons had higher intramuscular fat content, lightness (L) and yellowness (b*) values and lower redness values (a*). In conclusion, caponization could be applied to a layer genotype in order to produce commercial chicken meat.     

The effect of immunocastration and a diet based on granulated barley on growth performance and carcass,meat and fat quality in heavy gilts

A total of 48 Duroc×(Landrace×Large White) gilts of 33.2 kg BW were used to investigate the influence of immunocastration and diet on growth performance and carcass, meat and fat quality. Four treatments were arranged factorially (2×2) with two sexes (immunocastrated gilts: IG v. entire gilts: EG) and two dietary treatments (a commercial feedstuff as control v. granulated barley as a single major ingredient) provided during the finishing period (from 103 to 126 kg BW). There were four replicates of three pigs per treatment. At the end of the trial, the IGs grew faster (P<0.05) and ate more feed (P<0.05) than the EGs. Carcasses from the IGs had thicker backfat depth than those from the EGs (P<0.01) and carried out a lower percentage of rejected carcasses (P<0.05) at slaughterhouse owing to lack of fat. Meat from the IGs tended to have higher intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle than that from the EGs (P=0.09). In addition, immunocastration increased the total saturated fatty-acid proportion in subcutaneous fat and IMF (P<0.001) and decreased the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) percentages in subcutaneous backfat (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) and in IMF (P<0.01 and P=0.06, respectively). The use of a diet based on granulated barley during the finishing period had no effect on growth performance but tended to increase IMF content in the LT muscle (P<0.06), and increased MUFA (P<0.05) and decreased PUFA (P<0.01) proportions in omental fat. It is concluded that immunocastration of gilts intended for dry-cured ham industry improved some aspects of growth performance and carcass and meat quality, whereas granulated barley had scarce effect on productive traits and fatty-acid profile but tended to improve IMF content.     

Effect of the inclusion of food waste in pig diets on growth performance, carcass and meat quality

Food waste from fish and fruit shops was used as an alternative to the grain in grower-finisher pig diets. Two diets were formulated on an iso-nutrient basis (14 MJ digestible energy per kg, 160 g crude protein per kg on a dry-matter basis) to contain 0 g of food waste per kg in the control diet and 50 g of fish-shop waste per kg and 120 g of fruit-shop waste per kg in the experimental diet. In the study, 28 pigs per diet (seven pigs per pen) were fed ad libitum from 20 kg to 100 kg, then, they were slaughtered and the carcass characteristics determined. The inclusion of food waste in the diet had no significant effect (P>0.05) on average daily feed intake (2.12 v. 2.20 kg/day), average daily gain (0.74 v. 0.78 kg/day), or gain/feed (0.35 v. 0.35 kg per kg). In the case of the experimental diet, backfat thickness was significantly lower (18.0 v. 21.3 mm, P < 0.01). The results of the taste test indicated that the meat from food waste-fed pigs had acceptable organoleptic quality although a very light aroma to fish was observed in the bacon (P < 0.01).It was concluded that food waste from the fish and fruit shops could be included in grower-finisher pig diets without any detrimental effect on growth performance and only minor effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality.     

Effects of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium on growth performance,carcass yield and antioxidant status of broiler chicks

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a putative essential nutrient and redox modulator in microorganisms, cell and animal models, has been recognized as a growth promoter in rodents. Growth performance, carcass yield and antioxidant status were evaluated on broiler chickens fed different levels of PQQ disodium (PQQ.Na₂). A total of 784 day-old male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were randomly allotted into seven dietary groups: negative control group (NC) fed a basal diet without virginiamycin (VIR) or PQQ.Na₂; a positive control group (PC) fed a diet with 15 mg of VIR/kg diet; and PQQ.Na₂ groups fed with 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40 or 0.80 mg PQQ.Na₂/kg diet. Each treatment contained eight replicates with 14 birds each. The feeding trial lasted for 6 weeks. The results showed that chicks fed 0.2 mg PQQ.Na₂/kg diet significantly improved growth performance comparable to those in PC group, and the feed efficiency enhancement effects of dietary PQQ.Na₂ was more apparent in grower phase. Dietary addition of PQQ.Na₂ had the potential to stimulate immune organs development, and low level dietary addition (<0.1 mg/kg) increased plasma lysozyme level. Broilers fed 0.2 mg PQQ.Na₂/kg diet gained more carcasses at day 42, and had lower lipid peroxide malondialdehyde content and higher total antioxidant power in plasma. The results indicated that dietary PQQ.Na₂ (0.2 mg/kg diet) had the potential to act as a growth promoter comparable to antibiotic in broiler chicks.     

Effects of feeding and rearing systems on growth, carcass composition and meat quality in pigs

Animal growth performance and quality of pork depend on the interactive effects of pig genotype, rearing conditions, pre-slaughter handling, and carcass and meat processing. This paper focuses on the effects of feeding and rearing systems (feeding level and diet composition, housing, production system, etc.) on growth performance, carcass composition, and eating and technological qualities of pork. The feeding level and protein : energy ratio can be used to manipulate growth rate or composition of weight gain. Restricted feed allowance strongly reduces growth rate and carcass fatness and also intramuscular fat (IMF) level, resulting in decreased meat tenderness or juiciness. Expression of compensatory growth due to restricted followed by ad libitum feeding modifies the composition of weight gain at both carcass and muscle levels, and may improve meat tenderness due to higher in vivo protein turnover. Decreasing the protein : energy ratio of the diet actually increases IMF and improves eating quality, but gives fatter carcasses. In contrast, a progressive reduction in the protein : energy ratio leads to similar carcass composition at slaughter but with higher IMF. Technological meat traits (pH1, pHu, colour, drip loss) are generally not affected by the level or protein : energy in feed. Modification of fatty acid composition and antioxidant level in meat can be obtained through diet supplementations (e.g. vegetable sources with high n-3 fatty acids), thereby improving the nutritional quality of pork. Influences of pig rearing system on animal performance, carcass and meat traits result from interactive effects of housing (floor type, space allowance, ambient temperature, physical activity), feeding level and genotype in specific production systems. Indoor enrichment (more space, straw bedding) generally increases growth rate and carcass fatness, and may improve meat juiciness or flavour through higher IMF. Outdoor rearing and organic production system have various effects on growth rate and carcass fatness, depending on climatic conditions and feed allowance. Influence on meat quality is also controversial: higher drip and lower pHu and tenderness have been reported, whereas some studies show improved meat juiciness with outdoor rearing. Discrepancies are likely due to differences between studies in rearing conditions and physiological responses of pigs to pre-slaughter handling. Specific production systems of the Mediterranean area based on local breeds (low growth rate, high adiposity) and free-range finishing (pasture, forests), which allows pig to express their genetic potential for IMF deposition, clearly demonstrate the positive effects of genotype × rearing system interactions on the quality of pork and pork products.     

Dried artichoke bracts in rabbits nutrition: effects on the carcass characteristics,meat quality and fatty-acid composition

In this study, the effects of the inclusion of artichoke bracts (AB) in rabbit diets on the carcass characteristics and rabbit meat quality were studied. A total of 120 rabbits aged 38 days were used and divided into three groups that were fed with different isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets supplemented with AB at 0%, 5% and 10%. The animals were single housed in wire cages at a temperature of 22±2°C and had free access to clean drinking water. At 96 days of age, 12 rabbits/group were slaughtered in an experimental slaughterhouse without fasting. The carcass was weighed and the weights of the skin and full gastrointestinal tract were recorded. Carcasses were chilled at +4°C for 24 h in a refrigerated room. The chilled carcass weight (CCW), dressing out percentage (CCW as percentage of slaughter weight), and the ratio of the head and liver were determined as a percentage of CCW. The reference carcass weight was also calculated. Carcasses were halved and the two longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were excised. The left LD muscle was divided into two parts. The fore part was used to measure pH, colour and cooking losses. The hind part of the left LD was vacuum-packed, frozen at –20°C and then freeze-dried. Proximate composition, fatty-acid profile and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values were determined on freeze-dried samples. Results showed that carcass characteristics, LD muscle traits and its oxidative status were not affected by the AB supplementation, except for the meat ether extract content that increased from 0.68% to 0.94% on fresh matter basis with the increase of the AB supplementation (P<0.01). The α-linolenic acid proportion decreased with the increase of the AB supplementation from 3.58% to 2.59% in the LD muscle and from 4.74% to 3.62% in the perirenal fat, whereas the n-6/n-3 ratio increased significantly with increasing AB inclusion from 7.15 to 10.20 in the LD muscle and from 6.68 to 9.35 in the perirenal fat (P<0.01). Furthermore, no significant difference was found in preference among meat samples from each group. The enrichment of the rabbit’s diet with AB allows the production of rabbit meat with a good degree of unsaturation and low saturation, even if the n-6/n-3 ratio was slightly worse.     

The effect of granulated barley as single major ingredient in the growing or finishing diet on productive performance,carcass, meat and fat quality of heavy pigs

A total of 48 Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) gilts of 46.8 kg BW (86 ± 3 days of age) were used to investigate the effect of diet during the growing and finishing periods on growth performance and carcass, meat and fat quality. The control diet consisted of a commercial feedstuff and the granulated barley diet had that cereal as the single major ingredient. There were three treatments: (i) control diet provided from 45.6 to 127.8 kg BW (C group), (ii) control diet from 47.0 to 91.8 kg BW and granulated barley from 91.8 to 129.7 kg BW (C + GB group) and (iii) granulated barley from 47.9 to 93.1 kg BW and control diet from 93.1 to 135.1 kg BW (GB + C group). Each treatment was replicated eight times, with two pigs per replicate. The C group grew faster (P < 0.001) and had a better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001) than the GB + C group, with C + GB being intermediate. Carcasses from C + GB gilts had higher backfat depth than those from C gilts, with GB + C being intermediate (P < 0.05). Also, the main joints (ham + shoulder + loin) had a higher (P < 0.01) yield in carcass in the GB + C group than in the C group, with C + GB being intermediate. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher (P < 0.001) in loin from C + GB and GB + C gilts than in C gilts. The IMF of loin from C + GB gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) proportions than that from C gilts, whereas the C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA percentages were lower (P < 0.05) in C + GB gilts than in the remaining gilts. The total saturated FA percentage was lower (P < 0.05) in loin from GB + C than in that from C gilts. Hams from C + GB and GB + C gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated FA proportions and lower C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA contents than those from C gilts. We can conclude that granulated barley provided during the growing or the finishing period improved some carcass and meat characteristics of heavy gilts desirable for dry-cured ham production.     

Effect of high fibre diets formulated with different fibrous ingredients on performance,nutrient digestibility and faecal microbiota of weaned piglets

The aim of the experiment on 180 weaned piglets (8.9 kg body weight) was to investigate the influence of high fibre diets formulated with different fibrous ingredients on performance, nutrient digestibility, diarrhoea incidence and numbers of faecal microbiota. The dietary treatments included a Control diet and five high fibre diets formulated with different fibre sources including wheat bran, soybean hulls, naked oat hulls, palm kernel expeller and bamboo fibre. The high fibre diets averaged 14.6% neutral detergent fibre with different non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) components and were fed ad libitum for 28 d. Faecal samples were collected during the last 3 d of the experiment and the apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and fibre components were determined. Pigs fed the Control and wheat bran diets had a higher (p ≤ 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than pigs fed the palm kernel expeller and bamboo meal diets. The reduced ADG for pigs appeared to be related to reductions in the digestibility of gross energy and dry matter, respectively. The feed-to-gain ratio was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) for pigs fed the fibre diets. The digestibility of NSP components was different among the treatments. The diarrhoea incidence was not affected by treatments. The abundance of faecal bifidobacteria was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) for pigs fed the wheat bran diet than for pigs fed the bamboo meal diet. It was concluded that the diets formulated with different fibre sources when fed to weaned piglets have different effects on pig performance, nutrient digestibility and numbers of faecal microbiota. The wheat bran diet rich in arabinoxylans enabled a better performance than the other tested diets with fibre addition.     

Results of a whole-genome quantitative trait locus scan for growth, carcass composition and meat quality in a porcine four-way cross

A whole-genome quantitative trait locus (QTL) scan for 31 phenotypes related to growth, carcass composition and meat quality was conducted using 1187 progeny of a commercial four-way cross. Animals were genotyped for 198 microsatellite markers that spanned the entire porcine genome. QTL analysis was conducted to extract information from paternal and maternal meioses separately using a rank-based nonparametric approach for half-sib designs. Nine QTL exceeded genome-wide significance: one QTL affecting growth (average daily gain on SSC1), two QTL influencing carcass composition (fatness on SSC3 and muscle mass on SSC15) and six QTL influencing meat quality (tenderness on SSC4 and SSC14; colour on SSC5, SSC6 and SSCX; and conductivity on SSC16). All but one of these coincided with previously reported QTL. In addition, we present evidence for 78 suggestive QTL with a combined false discovery rate of 40%.     

Evaluation of the Chinese indigenous pig breed Dahe and crossbred Dawu for growth and carcass characteristics, organ weight, meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid and amino acid composition

The objectives of the experiment were to evaluate growth and carcass characteristics, organ weight, meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid (FA) and amino acid composition between the Chinese indigenous pig breed Dahe and the crossbred Dawu. The Dahe pigs had lower average daily gain (P < 0.001) and a higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001) compared with the Dawu pigs. The Dahe pigs contained less lean meat percentage (P < 0.001) and more carcass fat percentage (P < 0.001) compared with the Dawu pigs. For organ weight, the Dahe pigs had lower relative heart weight and small intestine weight, respectively, compared with that of the Dawu pigs (P < 0.001). In addition, the Dahe pigs showed higher pH values (at 45 min and 24 h, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), higher Marbling score (P < 0.05), lower Minolta L values (at 45 min and 24 h, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) and lower muscle fiber area (P < 0.05) than did the Dawu pigs. C18:1, C16:0, C18:0 and C18:2 were the main FAs and nine essential amino acids were found in the Longissimus dorsi of the two breeds.     

Effect of average litter weight in pigs on growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality of the offspring as depending on birth weight

Offspring born from normal litter size (10 to 15 piglets) but classified as having lower than average birth weight (average of the sow herd used: 1.46 ± 0.2 kg; mean ± s.d.) carry at birth negative phenotypic traits normally associated with intrauterine growth restriction, such as brain-sparing and impaired myofiber hyperplasia. The objective of the study was to assess long-term effects of intrauterine crowding by comparing postnatal performance, carcass characteristics and pork quality of offspring born from litters with higher (>1.7 kg) or lower (<1.3 kg) than average litter birth weight. From a population of multiparous Swiss Large White sows (parity 2 to 6), 16 litters with high (H = 1.75 kg) or low (L = 1.26 kg) average litter birth weight were selected. At farrowing, two female pigs and two castrated pigs were chosen from each litter: from the H-litters those with the intermediate (H_I = 1.79 kg) and lowest (H_L = 1.40 kg) birth weight, and from L-litters those with the highest (L_H = 1.49 kg) and intermediate (L_I = 1.26 kg) birth weight. Average birth weight of the selected H_I and L_I piglets differed (P < 0.05), whereas birth weight of the H_L- and L_H-piglets were similar (P > 0.05). These pigs were fattened in group pen and slaughtered at 165 days of age. Pre-weaning performance of the litters and growth performance, carcass and meat quality traits of the selected pigs were assessed. Number of stillborn and pig mortality were greater (P < 0.05) in L- than in H-litters. Consequently, fewer (P < 0.05) piglets were weaned and average litter weaning weight decreased by 38% (P < 0.05). The selected pigs of the L-litters displayed catch-up growth during the starter and grower–finisher periods, leading to similar (P > 0.05) slaughter weight at 165 days of age. However, H_L-gilts were more feed efficient and had leaner carcasses than H_I-, L_H- and L_I-pigs (birth weight class × gender interaction P < 0.05). Meat quality traits were mostly similar between groups. The marked between-litter birth weight variation observed in normal size litters had therefore no evident negative impact on growth potential and quality of pigs from the lower birth weight group.     

Effects of fermented oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreats) by-product supplementation on growth performance, blood parameters and meat quality in finishing Berkshire pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of fermented oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreats) by-production (FOMP) supplementation on the growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits and meat quality in finishing Berkshire pigs. FOMP was made by mixing oyster mushroom by-production with rice bran and barley bran and this mixture was fermented for 60 days. The experimental diets were 0, 3, 5 and 7% of FOMP added to C, T1, T2 and T3 in the basis diet for 7 weeks. Average daily gain (kg/day) was higher in C and T1 than in T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). Average daily feed intake (kg/day) and feed conversion increased by the addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). Total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in T3 than other treatments ( P < 0.05). Carcass weight (kg) was higher in C and T1 than in T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). Dressing (%) was higher in C than in T3 ( P < 0.05). Crude protein was lower in T3 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Crude fat was higher in T2 and T3 than in C ( P < 0.05). pH₂₄ was higher in C than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Cooking loss (%) was higher in T1 than T2 ( P < 0.05). Water-holding capacity (%) was higher in C than in T1 ( P < 0.05). In meat colour, CIE a* was lower by the addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). CIE b* was higher in C than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). In backfat colour, CIE L* was lower in T3 than other treatments ( P < 0.05). CIE b* was lower by addition of FOMP ( P < 0.05). Palmitoleic and oleic acid were higher in T3 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). Linoleic and arachidonic acids were higher in T2 than in other treatments ( P < 0.05). The results indicate that 3% of FOMP affected the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid in contrast to addition of 5% of FOMP for Berkshire pigs during the finishing period.