Effects of the Mean Weight of Uniform Litters on Sows and Offspring Performance.

This study aimed to determine the effects of uniform litters of different mean birth weights on colostrum production of sows and piglets performance. The study involved 98 multiparous sows from a commercial lean genotype and their piglets. Simultaneous farrowing were supervised and the piglets were divided into experimental litters of 12 piglets each of heterogenous litters (HET, CV = 23.8%, n = 20), uniform light litters (ULL, CV = 9.8%, n = 27), uniform average litters (UAL, CV = 8.2%, n = 23) or uniform heavy litters (UHL, CV = 8.6%, n = 28) piglets and allowed to suckle. Piglets were re-weighed at 24 h and 21 d of life and deaths registered. Colostrum intake (CI) of the piglets and sow's colostrum yield (CY) was estimated using two prediction equations. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the CY of sows being higher in UHL, lower in ULL and intermediary in HET and UAL litters. CY was positively related to litter total weight at birth and litter weight gain in the first 24 h (p < 0.001). The CI differ between litter type being higher in UHL litters and lower in ULL litters. The coefficient of variation of CI in HET litters was higher than in uniform litters, regardless of their type. The mortality rate of piglets until 21 d was globally 9.6% and it was significantly higher in HET than in UAL (p = 0.033) and tended to be higher than in UHL litters (p = 0.052). No differences in piglet survival were observed between uniform litters. Results show the beneficial effect of uniformity in piglet survival and that the mean weight of uniform litter influences colostrum intake and piglet performance.

Outdoor Finishing of Intact Male Portuguese Alentejano Pigs on a Sustainable High-Fiber Diet: Impacts on Blood, Growth, Carcass, Meat Quality and Boar Taint Compounds.

This trial evaluated the effect of sex on the blood, growth, carcass, meat quality, and boar taint compounds in male Alentejano (AL) pigs (n = 30). From ~40 to 130 kg LW, castrated (C) and intact pigs (I and IExp groups) were fed commercial diets ad libitum. Between ~130 and 160 kg (slaughter), C and I pigs continued on commercial diets, while IExp were fed an experimental diet containing locally produced pulses and by-products aimed at reducing boar taint. At ~160 kg, blood urea levels were higher in IExp than C pigs, triacylglycerols were lower in both intact groups, and cortisol was lower in IExp. IExp pigs exhibited faster growth, improved feed conversion ratio, carcass higher commercial yield and leaner meat than C pigs. The loin intramuscular fat in intact pigs was lower, less saturated and more polyunsaturated, while total collagen was higher. Fat androstenone content was higher in intact pigs and skatole content was similar across treatments, although they were below threshold values for consumer detection. Finally, although boar taint compounds were low in intact AL pigs raised outdoors, adding pulses and by-products to the experimental diet did not result in a reduction in fat skatole content compared to pigs fed the commercial diet.

Physical Activity Effects on Blood Parameters, Growth, Carcass, and Meat and Fat Composition of Portuguese Alentejano Pigs.

This study evaluated the effects of physical activity on blood, growth, carcass, and meat quality of finishing Alentejano (AL) pigs. Pigs, reared from ~87 to 160 kg in individual pens (no exercise area, NE group, n = 9) or in an outdoor park (with exercise area, WE group, n = 9), were fed commercial diets (85% ad libitum). WE pigs were in a park (~400 m2) with a feeding area separated from the drinking area with an automatic waterer, forcing pigs to walk at least 800 m daily. Blood samples were obtained during the trial (weeks 2, 11, and 18) and at slaughter. The left-side carcass was submitted to commercial cuts, and samples from loin, tenderloin, and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) were analyzed. Plasma urea in WE pigs was higher in weeks 2 and 11, while cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol and LDL- to HDL-cholesterol ratios, and cortisol were lower in weeks 11 and 18. Final weight and average daily gain were higher and feed conversion ratio lower in WE pigs. DSF thickness and carcass weight were higher in WE pigs, leading to higher carcass yield. Finally, loin and tenderloin from WE pigs presented higher total protein content. These data show that allowing physical activity affects metabolism, growth, and carcass and meat quality of AL pigs.

Portuguese Local Pig Breeds: Genotype Effects on Meat and Fat Quality Traits.

This work investigated the contribution of cross-breeding between two local Portuguese pig breeds to the conservation of animal biodiversity and income of local pig producers. Quality traits of semimembranosus (SM), gluteus medius (GM) and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) were studied in Alentejano (AL), Bísaro (BI), AL × BI, and BI × AL (Ribatejano-RI) castrated male pigs. Pigs were reared outdoors, fed ad libitum, and slaughtered at ~65 (trial 1) and 150 kg BW (trial 2). In trial 1, AL pigs showed higher SM intramuscular fat, lower total collagen, and higher soluble collagen than BI pigs, while AL × BI and BI × AL pigs showed intermediate (NS) values. AL, AL × BI, and BI × AL pigs showed higher SM myoglobin content, and AL a more intense red colour than BI pigs. Finally, AL, AL × BI, and BI × AL showed higher total lipids in DSF than BI pigs. In trial 2, SM and DSF results were similar to those obtained in trial 1. In GM, AL and BI × AL showed higher intramuscular fat than BI and AL × BI pigs, while AL, AL × BI and BI × AL showed lower total collagen content than BI pigs. In conclusion, these results suggest that RI crosses are a productive alternative, with overall muscle and DSF traits statistically not different between AL × BI and BI × AL, and similar to those observed in AL pigs.

Long term betaine supplementation regulates genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of two muscles from an obese pig breed.

This study evaluates the effects of betaine supplementation (1gkg-1 for 20weeks) on the regulation of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris from obese Alentejano pigs. Betaine supplementation led to an increase in total cholesterol in both muscles, complementing results previously published indicating a significant increase on the intramuscular lipid content. The expression of twelve genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis/FA oxidation, FA transport, and cholesterol metabolism, as well as two transcription factors were also evaluated. Genes related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis plus FA transport were consistently up-regulated in both muscles of betaine fed pigs. On the other hand, genes related to lipolysis/FA oxidation were not affected or down-regulated by betaine supplementation. Our data suggest that the underlying mechanism regulating IMF and cholesterol accumulation in Alentejano pigs supplemented with betaine is associated with the up-regulation of genes involved in lipid synthesis, FA transport, and cholesterol synthesis.

Effect of long-term betaine supplementation on chemical and physical characteristics of three muscles from the Alentejano pig.

BACKGROUND: The use of betaine as a dietary supplement to reduce fat deposition and increase lean muscle mass in pigs is increasing. However, there is no available information on its effect on the physical and chemical (i.e. fatty acid (FA) profile) characteristics of pork. RESULTS: The effects of long-term betaine intake (1 g betaine kg(-1) diet for 20 weeks) on the chemical and physical characteristics of Musculus longissimus dorsi, M. biceps femoris and M. semimembranosus from the Alentejano pig were investigated. The contents of total protein, intramuscular lipids (neutral and polar), myoglobin and total collagen as well as the water-holding capacity, physical colour characteristics and FA profile of the three muscles were determined. With the exception of a significant increase in the intramuscular lipid content of M. longissimus dorsi and M. biceps femoris, betaine supplementation did not influence muscle chemical and colour characteristics or body fat deposition. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that long-term betaine supplementation selectively increases intramuscular lipid deposition (a trait related to meat quality) while not affecting other chemical (including the atheroprotective FA profile) and physical characteristics of the Alentejano pig muscles studied.