Isotopic carbon turnover in pig hoof and rib

ABSTRACT

The objective ofthisstudy was to evaluatethebehavior of carbon incorporation andturnoverin hoof and ribs of pigsat different periodsof development in the search fortissuesthat reflectlongerthe formerdiet.We used132commercial hybrids (barrows and females), weaned atan average age of21 days,distributed ina completely randomized designwithfour treatmentsondifferent daysof substitution of corn(C4cycleplantgrain) dietswithbrokenrice (C3 cycleplantgrain) at 21, 42, 63 and 110 daysof age tochangethe carbon-13 isotope signal.By means ofisotopicdilution curves, we observedthat animalswhose C4dietwasreplaced withC3dietat 21, 42, 63and 110days of age,for hoof and rib,reached anew levelof isotope equilibrium. Bone samplesare better choicesto reflect theformer diet, due to conservation of the isotopic signal for longer.(AU)