Feeding level in the period previous to the late fattening phase influences fat composition at slaughter in free-ranged Iberian pigs

Arch Anim Nutr. 2005 Aug;59(4):227-36. doi: 10.1080/17450390500216902.

Abstract

A group of 11 pigs was fed with 70 g feed per kg of metabolic weight (H pigs) and another group of 11 pigs was fed with 50g feed per kg of metabolic weight (L pigs). In both experimental groups (H and L pigs), it was observed that the higher initial proportion of C16:0, C18:0 and C18:2 (n-6) in backfat at the beginning of the free-range feeding period, the greater decrease rate of these fatty acid proportions regarding weight gain during the free-range fattening period took place. On the other hand, the greater initial proportion of C18:1 (n-9), the smaller increase rate in the concentration of this fatty acid was observed. The intramuscular neutral lipids from L pigs had higher C18:3 (n-3) and lower proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than those from H pigs, while intramuscular polar lipids from L pigs had significantly higher proportions of C18:0, PUFA, C18:3 (n-3) and (n-3) and significantly lower MUFA and C18:1 (n-9) proportions than those from H pigs. The alpha-tocopherol concentration found in Longissimus dorsi from L pigs was significantly higher (p < 0.012) than those from H pigs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / chemistry
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animal Feed*
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Animals
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Random Allocation
  • Swine / growth & development*
  • Weight Gain
  • alpha-Tocopherol / analysis
  • gamma-Tocopherol / analysis

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • gamma-Tocopherol
  • alpha-Tocopherol