title: Effect of recombinant porcine somatotropin on body composition and meat quality in growing pigs; Interactions with genotype, sex and slaughter weight.
abstract: Body composition in 96 pigs and meat quality in 36 pigs treated with porcine somatotropin (rpST) were investigated. Animals included both barrows and gilts from Pietrain, F(1) (Dutch Yorkshire × Dutch Landrace) and Duroc and were slaughtered at either 100 or 140 kg live weight. Treatment consisted of either 14 mg rpST or placebo twice weekly and started at 60 kg. Treatment with rpST enhanced the proportion of lean parts (on average +2·8% at 100 kg and + 5·5% at 140 kg) and reduced the proportion of fatty parts (-10·1% and -12·9% respectively). The latter tended to be more apparent in fatter animals (Duroc -14·5% and -13·3%, barrows -12·0% and -13·7%). Most organs increased in weight, especially kidneys (+14·8% at 100 kg and +17·6% at 140 kg). Meat quality parameters appeared to be not significantly affected, though intramuscular fat percentage was slightly decreased. Administration of rpST led to less fat and more uniformity in carcasses and meat quality among genotypes and sexes. No serious adverse effects were detected.
authors: Departments of Animal Breeding, Animal Husbandry and Animal Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: G J
authors: GJ
authors: Nieuwhof
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kanis
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Van der Hel
authors: M W
authors: MW
authors: Verstegen
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Huisman
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Van der Wal