Recombinant somatotropin for finishing swine under different climatic conditions

Abstract

Braña VD, Angeles L, Loeza LR, Angeles MAA, Cuarón IJA. Téc Pecu Méx 2001,39(3)215-228. A total of 48 gilts and 48 barrows were used to measure the effects on productive performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in pigs exposed to different environments (temperate or tropical). Pigs were treated or not with exogenous recombinant porcine Somatotropin (STp, 3 mg.pig- 1×d-1). Treatment, Location and Sex were considered as factors in a 23 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design. Pigs initial weight was 53.8 ± 2.11 kg, and performance was followed upon an average body weight of 104.2 ± 1.7 kg. Somatotropin reduced feed intake by 6 % (2.95 vs STp, 2.77 kg.d-1, P<0.005), but improved growth rate (0.82 vs STp, 0.94 kg.d-1, P<0.001). Efficiency of feed utilization was greater for pigs in the temperate environment (temperate, 0.317 vs 0.299, P<0.004). Location and STp interacted for the yield of 5 primal cuts (P<0.02): The STp effect was greater under tropical conditions (+14 %) than under the temperate environment (+7 %). Fat free lean tissue was increased by STp (10 %, P<0.001). A higher environmental temperature (i.e., tropical) is an important limitation of the productive response. However, the STp effects (to a lesser extent than in tropical) were noticed. It is suggested that STp effects on energy utilization should be considered in the promotion of muscular protein synthesis. It was clear that STp is a useful tool to correct factors that prevent greater protein deposition or the efficiency of the process in finishing pigs.