Effect of feeding level and linseed oil on some metabolic and hormonal parameters and on fatty acid profile of meat and fat in growing pigs

J Więcek,A Rekiel,J Skomiał

doi:10.5194/aab-53-37-2010

Abstract

Abstract. In an experiment with 56 pigs, the effects of feeding level and linseed oil supplement on fattening and slaughter parameters, the weight of internal organs, the concentration of hormones and indicators of protein and lipid metabolism, and the fatty acid profile of m. semimembranosus and backfat were investigated. During the growing period, all animals received a feed supplemented with 4 % linseed oil. At the end of the growing period (23–61 kg body weight), compared to semi-ad libitum fed animals, animals that were fed restrictively (25 % less feed) during this period were characterized by lower daily gains (P≤0.001), greater meatiness (P≤0.01), lower weight of internal organs, higher level of growth hormone (P≤0.05), lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and blood urea nitrogen (P≤0.05), and dietetically more beneficial profile of fatty acids (more polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA]). During realimentation (61–104 kg body weight), when all animals were fed semi-ad libitum diets with 0 or 4 % linseed oil, daily feed intake and daily weight gains of the pigs that had previously been restrictively fed, were greater than in animals fed semi-ad libitum throughout fattening. Compensatory growth was found for the internal organs. Animals that received linseed oil diets throughout fattening were characterized during the finishing period by a higher rate of growth (P≤0.001), higher concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin (P≤0.05), and a greater proportion of n-3 PUFA in the fatty acid profile of m. semimembranosus and backfat (P≤0.001).

Highlights

Feeding level and diet composition affect the animal’s growth rate, the body’s hormonal metabolism and the quantity and quality of fat deposited during growth
The response of animals varies according to the body weight at which feed restriction was started, the duration of restricted feeding and realimentation, and the extent to which feeding is restricted (SKIBA 2005, BEE et al 2006a, 2006b, DAZA et al 2006, HEYER and LEBRET 2007)
The linseed oil supplemented to feed had a significant effect on the duration of fattening (P≤0.05), daily gains (P≤0.001), total feed intake (P≤0.05) and feed conversion (P≤0.001)

Summary

Introduction

Feeding level and diet composition affect the animal’s growth rate, the body’s hormonal metabolism and the quantity and quality of fat deposited during growth. During the period of limited feed supply, a considerable decrease in the weight of internal organs (WIĘCEK et al 2006), a low serum concentration of thyroid hormones (SAGGAU et al 2000, SAWOSZ et al 2005), and a high serum concentration of the growth hormone (HORNICK et al 2000) were found. It was shown that restricted feeding may affect the relationships between the intake of fatty acids and their level in individual tissues (WIĘCEK and SKOMIAŁ 2004, DAZA et al 2006, WIĘCEK et al 2008). The fatty acid profile of animal tissues is influenced to a greater extent by the type of feed than the quantity of feed consumed (LEIBETSEDER 1996, WIĘCEK and SKOMIAŁ 2004, PEINADO et al 2009). The response of animals varies according to the body weight at which feed restriction was started, the duration of restricted feeding and realimentation, and the extent to which feeding is restricted (SKIBA 2005, BEE et al 2006a, 2006b, DAZA et al 2006, HEYER and LEBRET 2007)

Objectives

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Conclusion