title: Evaluation of recombinant porcine somatotropin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and muscle biochemical properties of Belgian Landrace pigs.
abstract: 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)
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Center, Gembloux, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fabry
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Demeyer
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Thielemans
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deroanne
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van de Voorde
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deroover
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Dalrymple
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D024510:Muscle Development; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014867:Water; D013006:Growth Hormone