Effects of Sarcocystis miescheriana infection on carcass quality and on the water-binding capacity of the meat of halothane-tested fattening pigs

Abstract

Ten halothane-positive pigs (stress sensitive, group A) and ten halothane-negative pigs (stress insensitive, Group C) with a mean body weight of 36 kg were each inoculated orally with 50 000 sporocysts of Sarcocystis meischeriana. Twelve halothane-positive pigs (Group B) and ten halothane-negative pigs (Group D) served as non-infected controls. Thirteen weeks post infection (p.i.) the lean:fat ratios of the pigs of the infected groups A and C were lower (A 1:041 ± 0.09; C, 1:0.50 ± 0.10) than those of the pigs non-infected groups B and D B, 1:0.50 ± 0.08; D, 1:0.55 ± 0.08). The back-fat thickness, the fat thickness ‘A’ and the fat thickness ‘B’ were thinner in infected pigs than in non-infected pigs. The difference in Lendenstärkespeckquotient (Loin Fat Thickness Quotient) (LSQ) between infected and non-infected pigs was not statistically significant. The values of the water-holding capacity were lower in infected pigs than in non-infected pigs, the difference being statistically significant only in the halothane-negative groups (C, 0.45 ± 0.02; D, 0.48 ± 0.04). The water-absorbing capacity was significantly higher in the infected groups (A, 5.92 ± 0.02; B, 2/26 ± 3/99%; C, 8.96 ± 2.90%; D, 4.97 ± 2.51%). In conclusion, it can be said that there was a slight tendency towards a better carcass quality and a better water-binding capacity in infected pigs, although this was combined with reduced growth rates.