title: Effect of porcine somatotropin (pST) treatment and withdrawal on performance and adipose tissue cellularity in finishing swine.
abstract: A 10-wk trial was conducted with 60 barrows and 60 gilts (initial weight = 47 kg) to investigate the effect of pST treatment (3 mg/d) for wk 0 to 5, 5 to 10, or 0 to 10 on performance, carcass traits, and adipose tissue cellularity of finishing hogs. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of 5 wk of pST treatment followed by 5 wk of withdrawal on performance and carcass traits relative to a control or to pigs treated for the entire period. After 5 wk, pST-treated pigs exhibited improved (P < .001) gain (11%) and efficiency (22%) and decreased (P < .001) feed intake (-22%) and 10th rib backfat accretion (-93%, P < .001). There was an increase in adipose cell number/gram of tissue (control, 2.57 vs pST, 3.36 x 10(6)/g; P < .005) and a decrease in cell diameter (control, 72.4 vs pST, 67.2 microns; P < .005). Backfat thickness and cell diameter increased in control pigs from wk 5 to 10. During the last 5-wk period, pST-treated animals continued to exhibit improved performance and maintained adipose cell size distribution and number similar to the pST-treated pigs at wk 5. Pigs treated for the first 5 wk and withdrawn from treatment for the second 5 wk had decreased efficiency (-12%, P < .05) and a twofold increase in backfat accretion (P < .001) relative to control. The increase in backfat thickness was accompanied by an increase in adipocyte diameter, indicative of lipid filling. Most of the benefits of pST observed during the first 5 wk were lost during the withdrawal period. Reductions in carcass fat in response to pST treatment are at least partially accounted for by inhibition of lipid filling in adipose tissue, an effect that is reversed upon cessation of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Animal and Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Azain
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hardin
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards; D024510:Muscle Development; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone