Creole Pigs Research Articles

PUNTOS ANATÓMICOS DE REFERENCIA PARA LA CRANEOTOMÍA EN CERDOS.

The objective of this study was to determine the anatomic reference points to perform a craniotomy in pigs. Forty four heads of Landrace, Pietrain, and creole pigs of 22-89 kg of body weight (males = 2, females = 22, castrated males = 20) were used. The four anatomic points under evaluation were P1: at a distance “a” from the external occipital protuberance (OP) to cranial; P2: at a distance “b” from the OP point to cranial; P3 and P4: equidistant, at a distance “c” to intersection point formed by imaginaries lines between supraorbitary apophysis (SA) and the frontal bones half line (LmhF). A 11 mm perforation drilling (cutting) was used in order to enter inside P1 and P2, and a hand piece was used for P3 and P4. The variables under evaluation were the length between the OP to the end of the nose, between both AS, P1 depth, between P1 and P3-P4, P2 and P3-P4. No statistical difference between castrated males and females was found. It is recommended four anatomic reference points to perform a craniotomy in the pig: P1 in females and castrated males was at 2.73 and 2.98 cm from OP respectively; P2 in females and castrated males was 7.72 and 7.51 cm respectively; and P3 and P4 at 3.8 cm from the intersection point formed by imaginaries lines between SA and the LmhF.

Effect of heat challenge on peripheral blood mononuclear cell viability: comparison of a tropical and temperate pig breed

We evaluated the effect of heat challenge on cell viability, concanavalin A-induced proliferation and heat shock protein (HSPs) mRNA expression in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) isolated from Creole (CR) and Large White (LW) pigs. The PBMCs were cultured for 9 h at 37 °C before being subjected to heat challenge: (1) at 42 °C or 45 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 9 h to monitor cell viability;(2) at 45 °C for 2 and 9 h followed by stimulation for 24 h at 37 °C with concanavalin A to evaluate mitogen-induced proliferation; and (3) at 45 °C for 3, 6 and 9 h to measure induction of HSP70.2 and HSP90 mRNA. Cell viability was affected by breed and temperature (P < 0.01), and the viability decrease caused by heat challenge was greater for LW than CR pigs. For mitogen-stimulated PBMCs, incubation at 45 °C reduced lymphoblastogenesis equally in both breeds (P < 0.01). Although heat challenge for 3 and 6 h at 45°C induced expression of HSP70.2 and HSP90 mRNA, no breed difference was observed. In conclusion, differences in heat resistance between these two breeds at the whole organism level are reflected at the cellular level. Neither HSP70.2 nor HSP90 mRNA expression levels explain this effect.

Diversidad genética en cerdos criollos mexicanos con genes candidatos asociados a características productivas

El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar la variabilidad, diversidad y distancias genéticas entre cerdos criollos, Pelón Mexicano (CPM) y Cuinos (CC), con Yorkshire, cuanto a los genes candidatos CAST, DECR1, HAL, HFABP4, LEP, LIPE, MCR4, MYOG, RN y CHX, a través de analysis por PCR-RFLP. Se evaluaron 180 cerdos: 59 CPM, 65 CC y 56 Yorkshire. Se analizaron las frecuencias génicas y genotípicas, heterocigosidad, distancias genéticas y árboles filogenéticos entre grupos raciales. Para CAST, DECR1, HFABP4, LEP, MCR4 y CHX las frecuencias génicas y genotípicas fueron diferentes al comparar las tres razas. En LIPE, los CC fueron iguales a los Yorkshire; en cuanto a MYOG, los CPM fueron iguales a los Yorkshire. No hubo diferencias entre poblaciones criollas y Yorkshire en las frecuencias génicas y genotípicas para HAL y RN. Los cerdos Yorkshire presentaron mayor frecuencia en alelos favorables para CAST, LIPE, MCR4 y MYOG, menor frecuencia de DECR1, HFABP4, CHX, y moderada en LEP. La heterocigosidad promedio para todos los genes fue mayor en CPM (0,42±0,05) y similar en CC (0,33±0,06) y Yorkshire (0,35±0,05). Al calcular distancias genéticas con todos los genes, los CC se encuentran más distantes de los Yorkshire.

Utilización de amaranthus dubius (amaranthaceae) como alternativa alimentaria en cerdo criollo mestizado

Este trabajo se llevó a cabo con el objetivo de evaluar el desempeño productivo de cerdos alimentados con Amaranthus dubius. Se evaluaron dietas a base de materiales alimenticios producidos en la región, con la adición de Amaranthus dubius (bledo de puerco), durante la ceba de cerdos criollos mestizados. Se utilizaron 12 doce animales, con peso medio de 18 Kg distribuidos en tres tratamientos, según diseño estadístico bloques completos al azar. Los animales alimentados con una dieta compuesta de maíz, premezcla mineral y vitamínica, pastoreo y A. dubius presentaron mayor ganancia de peso (0,278 g/día) que los que recibieron yuca en lugar de maíz (208 g/día). Los animales del grupo control (manejo tradicional) presentaron la menor ganancia de peso (133 g/día). Se destaca el potencial de uso de A. dubius como forraje alternativo en la ceba de cerdos en la región.

Effects of the level of sugarcane molasses on growth and carcass performance of Caribbean growing pigs reared under a ground sugarcane stalks feeding system

The influence of the level of sugarcane (SC) molasses on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in Creole (CR) growing pigs fed with ground sugarcane stalks (GCS)-based diet was studied in a mixed farming system context. The aim of the study was to optimize the growth performance of CR pigs with SC-molasses as an energy source in this unconventional feeding. A total of 32 CR pigs were used from 30 to 60 kg of body weight (BW). The experimental dietary treatments consisted of four levels of inclusion of SC-molasses (200, 400, 600, and 800 g DM/d/pig) into a GCS diet, for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The GCS allowance was based on live BW (170 g/kg BW/d) and the diets were supplemented with a soya-bean meal supplement (350 g/d of a 49.2% CP and 16.6 MJ DE/kg). All the pigs were slaughtered at 60 kg BW. Increasing the level of molasses did not affect (p > 0.05) average BW gain (254 g/d), CP intake (154 g/d) and sugar extraction rate from the total ration (85%). A gradual inclusion of molasses in a GCS-based diet did not affect the carcass and meat quality of CR pigs. In conclusion, molasses supplementation does not allow the increase of growth performance in GCS fed pigs.

Effect of sugarcane diets and a high fibre commercial diet on fresh meat and dry-cured ham quality in local Caribbean pigs

The effects sugar cane (SC) diets and a milling by product diet on meat quality characteristics of fresh meat and dry-cured ham were studied on a total of 48 Creole (CR) pigs. Pigs were fed with a control soya-bean meal corn diet (C1), a soya-bean meal wheat diet (C2), a SC fresh juice diet (SC-J), or a ground cane diet (SC-G). Average BW gain was 657, 530, 546, and 200 g/d for diets C1, C2, SC-J and SC-G, respectively. Lean cuts (i.e., ham and loin) were significantly higher in SC-G than in C1 pigs (472 vs. 424 g/kg; P < 0.01); intermediate values were found for C2 and SC-J pigs (427 and 412 g/kg, respectively). The ultimate pH in LD muscle was lower in SC-J than the other groups (5.44 vs. 5.65; P < 0.01). The intra muscular fat (IMF) content in LD was significantly higher in SC-J diet and lower in SC-G diet (1.9% and 1.0%, respectively); intermediates values were found for C1 and C2 diets (1.4% on average). Ham weight losses during 6 months drying period were lower for SC-G fed pigs (9.7% vs. 12.4%; P < 0.05) whereas weight losses during the 12 months drying period were not affected by diet. The TBA value in dry-cured ham was not affected by diet ( P > 0.05) whereas the fatty acids profiles of subcutaneous fat in SC-J and SC-G pigs contained more mono-unsaturated and less polyunsaturated fatty acids than in C1 and C2 groups. Significant effects of dietary treatment were found for dry-cured ham sensory quality parameters.

Growth-hormone-releasing peptide 6 (GHRP6) prevents oxidant cytotoxicity and reduces myocardial necrosis in a model of acute myocardial infarction

Therapies aimed at enhancing cardiomyocyte survival following myocardial injury are urgently required. As GHRP6 [GH (growth hormone)-releasing peptide 6] has been shown to stimulate GH secretion and has beneficial cardiovascular effects, the aim of the present study was to determine whether GHRP6 administration reduces myocardial infarct size following acute coronary occlusion in vivo. Female Cuban Creole pigs were anaesthetized, monitored and instrumented to ensure a complete sudden left circumflex artery occlusion for 1 h, followed by a 72 h reperfusion/survival period. Animals were screened clinically before surgery and assigned randomly to receive either GHRP6 (400 microg/kg of body weight) or normal saline. Hearts were processed, and the area at risk and the infarct size were determined. CK-MB (creatine kinase MB) and CRP (C-reactive protein) levels and pathological Q-wave-affected leads were analysed and compared. Evaluation of the myocardial effect of GHRP6 also included quantitative histopathology, local IGF-I (insulin-growth factor-I) expression and oxidative stress markers. GHRP6 treatment did not have any influence on mortality during surgery associated with rhythm and conductance disturbances during ischaemia. Infarct mass and thickness were reduced by 78% and 50% respectively, by GHRP6 compared with saline (P<0.01). More than 50% of the GHRP6-treated pigs did not exhibit pathogological Q waves in any of the ECG leads. Quantitative histopathology and CK-MB and CRP serum levels confirmed the reduction in GHRP6-mediated necrosis (all P<0.05). Levels of oxidative stress markers suggested that GHRP6 prevented myocardial injury via a decrease in reactive oxygen species and by the preservation of antioxidant defence systems (all P<0.05). Myocardial IGF-I transcription was not amplified by GHRP6 treatment compared with the increase induced by the ischaemic episode in relation to expression in intact hearts (P<0.01). In conclusion, GHRP6 exhibits antioxidant effects which may partially contribute to reduce myocardial ischaemic damage.

A comparison of carcass and meat quality characteristics of Creole and Large White pigs slaughtered at 90 kg BW

The effect of breed in combination with sex (gilts or barrows) on carcass composition and meat quality characteristics were studied in two replicates involving a total of 40 Creole (CR) and 40 Large White (LW). This trial was conducted in the experimental facilities of INRA in Guadeloupe (French West Indies, 16° Lat. N. and 61° Long. W). All the pigs were slaughtered at about 90 kg BW. No interaction between breeds and sex was found for all criteria studied. Carcass dressing weight was higher in CR than in LW (832 vs. 810 g/kg, P < 0.001) in connection with their lower internal organs weight (34.0 vs. 41 g/kg; P < 0.001). Fat cuts weight (i.e., back and leaf fat) was higher in CR than in LW (192 vs. 90 g/kg; P < 0.001). Creole pigs showed higher intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle than LW pigs (4.72% vs. 2.29%, 50.2% vs. 45.0% and 7.9% vs. 13.8%, respectively). Whatever the muscle considered the ultimate pH was higher ( P < 0.05) in CR than in LW pigs. The drip and cooking losses of LD muscle were lower in CR than in LW (8.2% vs. 9.7% and 28.9% vs. 30.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). Whatever the breed, the females were leaner than barrows ( P < 0.01) but the effect of sex was significant only on a few parameters.

Acclimation to high ambient temperature in Large White and Caribbean Creole growing pigs1

The effect of breed [Creole (CR) vs. Large White (LW)] on performance and physiological responses during acclimation to high ambient temperature was studied in 2 experiments involving 24 (12/breed) growing pigs each. Pigs were exposed to 24 degrees C for 10 d (d -10 to -1) and thereafter to a constant temperature of 31 degrees C for 16 d (d 1 to d 16) in Exp. 1 and for 20 d (d 1 to d 20) in Exp. 2. For both experiments, the temperature change was achieved over 4 h on d 0. The first experiment began at 105 d of age, and the average BW of CR and LW pigs was 36.6 +/- 2.5 kg and 51.7 +/- 3.0 kg, respectively. The second experiment was designed to compare both breeds at a similar BW (about 52 kg on d 0). Pigs were individually housed and given ad libitum access to feed. At 24 degrees C, ADG was lower (P < 0.01) in CR than in LW (602 vs. 913 g/d and 605 vs. 862 g/d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively), but the ADFI was not affected by breed (190 and 221 g x d(-1) x kg(-0.60) in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). Short-term thermoregulatory responses during the 4-h transition from 24 to 31 degrees C (d 0) were analyzed according to a linear plateau model to determine the break point temperature, above which rectal temperature (RT), cutaneous temperature (CT), and respiratory rate (RR) began to change. The CT increased linearly with temperature increase (0.22 degrees C/ degrees C) and was less (P < 0.05) in CR than in LW (by -0.3 degrees C on average). In both experiments, the break point temperature for RT was not affected by breed (27.6 degrees C on average), whereas for RR it was greater (P < 0.05) in CR than in LW (27.5 vs. 25.5 degrees C, P < 0.01). On average, ADFI declined by about 50 g x d(-1) x kg(-0.60) from d -1 to d 1 (P < 0.01), and thereafter at 31 degrees C, it gradually increased (23 g x d(-1) x kg(-0.60); P < 0.05), suggesting an acclimation to high exposure. This response was not influenced by breed. After the day that marked the beginning of the acclimation response (i.e., the threshold day), RR, CT, and RT declined over the duration of exposure to 31 degrees C (P < 0.05) in both experiments. During this period, RT and CT were less in CR than in LW pigs (39.6 vs. 39.9 degrees C and 37.9 vs. 38.2 degrees C, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas RR was not affected by breed. The threshold day at which RT began to decline was less in CR than in LW pigs (0.18 vs. 1.17 d and 0.39 vs. 0.93 d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests that short- and long-term physiological reactions during heat acclimation differed when CR and LW pigs were compared at the same age or BW.

Effect of Breed (Lean or Fat Pigs) and Sex on Performance and Feeding Behaviour of Group Housed Growing Pigs in a Tropical Climate

The effects of breed and sex on individual growth performance and feeding behaviour were studied between 45 and 90 kg BW in two replicates of forty group-housed pigs. The first and the second replicates were carried out during the warm season (i.e. between February and April 2003) and during the hot season (i.e. between August and October 2003), respectively. During the warm season, ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged 25.3°C and 86.0%. The corresponding values for the hot season were 27.9°C and 83.6%. The pigs were grouped in pens of 10 animals on the basis of breed (Creole or Large White) and sex (gilt or castrated male) and given ad libitum access to a grower diet (9.0 MJ/kg net energy and 158 g/kg crude protein) via feed intake recording equipment (Acema 48). An ear-tag transponder was inserted into each pig and this allowed the time, duration, and size of individual visits to be recorded. The growth performance and feeding pattern were significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. The Creole pigs (CR) had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (642 vs. 861 g/d, p 0.10). Consequently, the food:gain ratio was higher in CR than in LW (3.65 vs. 2.58; p 0.05). Average feeding time per meal and meal size decreased during the hot season (10.9 vs. 13.2 min/meal and 316 vs. 396 g/meal; p<0.01) whereas the rate of feed intake was not affected by season (p = 0.83). On average, 0.69 of total feed intake was consumed during the diurnal period. However, this partition of feed intake was significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. In conclusion, the breed, sex and season significantly affect performance and feeding pattern in growing pigs raised in a tropical climate. Moreover, the results obtained in the present study suggest that differences observed in BW composition between CR and LW are associated with difference in feeding behaviour, in particular, the short-term regulation of feed intake. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 4 : 593-600)

A comparison of carcass and meat quality characteristics of Creole and Large White pigs slaughtered at 150 days of age

The effects of breed in combination with sex (female vs. castrated male) on carcass com- position and meat quality characteristics were studied in a factorial arrangement of treatments involv- ing 32 Large White (LW) and 32 Creole (CR) pigs. The pigs were slaughtered at 150 d of age; the slaughter weights were 90 and 60 kg for LW and CR pigs, respectively, which corresponded to the practical commercial slaughter weight in the French West Indies for both breeds. No interaction between breed and sex was found for all criteria studied. Creole pigs had a lower killing out percentage (82.9 vs. 80.9%, P < 0.001) and higher backfat thickness at 150 d of age (17.5 vs. 11.3 mm, P < 0.001) than the LW pigs. Higher pH 24 h post mortem were observed in the semimembranosus (SM), longissimus dorsi (LD), and semispinalis (SS) muscles of the CR than of the LW breeds (P < 0.01). The drip and cooking losses of meat measured in the LD muscle were lower in the CR than in the LW pigs (5.9 vs. 10.6% and 30.2 vs. 33.1%, respectively, P < 0.10). Creole pigs showed higher intra- muscular fat percentage in LD muscle (3.45 vs. 2.46%, P < 0.001), more saturated (40.0 vs. 37.9%) and monounsaturated (40.6 vs. 38.4%) fatty acids and lower concentration of C18:2 and C18:3 in backfat than LW pigs (17.3 vs. 21.1% and 0.96 vs. 1.31%, respectively). Whatever the breed, the females (F) were leaner (P < 0.05) than the castrated males (C). The females showed higher drip and cooking losses in LD muscle and lower pH 24 h post mortem in LD and SM muscles. The sat- urated fatty acid concentrations were lower in F than in C. These results emphasise the reduced car- cass performance of CR breed in intensive management and its superiority as far as the criteria of technological and sensory qualities of the fresh meat are concerned.

Valuing genetic resources in peasant economies: the case of ‘hairless’ creole pigs in Yucatan

We report the results of a choice-experiment study to model preferences over a selection of breed traits of ‘creole’ pigs. The study was conducted amongst households of backyard producers and small farmers rearing this local breed in Yucatan, Mexico. Hypothetical choice data were collected to estimate the preference of households over alternative pigs profiles whose attributes distinguish creole pigs from the potentially more productive, yet less adapted exotic breeds currently threatening to severely displace this locally adapted animal genetic resource (AnGR). The observed choices are employed to estimate a series of random utility models whose results are first tested for preference equality between households and small farmers, then endogenous segmentation is allowed within households by means of latent class models. Stated-preference based estimates are found to be of the same magnitude as revealed-preference producers costs. As a consequence the method is deemed to be appropriate for the valuation of non-market functions in production. Estimates conditional on household characteristics are then presented and discussed.

Creole pigs in Guadeloupe and Cuba: a comparison of reproduction, growth performance and meat quality in relation to dietary and environmental conditions.

Abstract Little information is available about the reproductive and growth performance of local pigs in the tropics. The present paper reviews studies on the Creole pigs of Guadeloupe and Cuba which both originate from an Iberian breed. It was found that Creole sows reached puberty at a younger age than exotic breeds, but Guadeloupe and Cuban Creole sows weaned, respectively, 0.7 and 1.3 piglets per litter fewer than imported females of improved breeds, resulting in fewer pigs weaned/sow/year. Creole pigs had a 14 to 17% lower average daily gain than exotic pigs, and their feed:gain ratio and fat percentage in the carcass were 0.8 and 6-8 percentage units higher, respectively. The higher body fatness in native pigs was accompanied by a 40% lower daily rate of muscle deposition. The effect of breed on postmortem pH, as a criterion of the technological quality of pork, was unclear. When the daily energy intake was sub-optimal, Guadeloupe Creole pigs had a lower average daily gain and a fatter carcass than Large White pigs. In terms of average daily gain and digestibility of fibre, Cuban Creole pigs showed no ability to take advantage of a fibrous diet, but finishing Creole pigs were not adversely affected by a sub-optimal level of dietary crude protein, suggesting that they could be used under conditions of limited protein resources. Guadeloupe Creole pigs benefited from sprinkling and shading to alleviate heat stress under the tropical climate. It is suggested that the indigenous pigs of the Caribbean and Latin America areas would be most useful for the production of high quality transformed products or where conditions of feeding and management were poor.

Valuing Animal Genetic Resources in Peasant Economies: The Case of the Box Keken Creole Pig in Yucatan

We report the results of a choice-experiment study to model preferences over a selection of breed traits of 'creole' pigs. The study was conducted amongst households of backyard producers and small farmers rearing this local breed in Yucatan, Mexico. Hypothetical choice data were collected to estimate the preference of households over alternative pigs profiles whose attributes distinguish creole pigs from the potentially more productive, yet less adapted exotic breeds currently threatening to severely displace this locally adapted animal genetic resource. The observed choices are employed to estimate a series of random utility models whose results are tested for preference equality between households and small farmers. Stated-preference based estimates are found to be of the same magnitude as revealed-preference producers costs. As a consequence the method is deemed to be appropriate for the valuation of non-market functions in production. Estimates conditional on household characteristics are then presented and discussed.

Digestibility and nitrogen retention in Creole pigs fed with feedstuffs available in peasant systems in south of Mexico

Peasant pig production in South of Mexico consist in kept pigs in the backyard. This is a complementary activity for the family income. The pigs are a significant source of protein, but their real meaning lay in their role as a “peasants’ savings bank”, an asset that could easily be tapped into when cash is needed. In this system Creole pigs are used mainly. The Creole pig is descendent from Iberico and Celtico pigs carried from Spain after the conquest of Mexico five hundred years ago. The Creole pig is fatter, have a reduced liveweigth gain and less fertility in comparison to selected breeds of pigs. However, these characteristics are an advantage for the peasant pig system, due to low nutrient requirements of Creole pigs that match very well with the feed available from the agriculture such as maize, Mucuna beans (Stilozobium deerengianum) and forages. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate digestibility and nitrogen retention in Creole pigs fed with feedstuffs obtainable from agriculture in peasant systems in comparison with a diet utilised commonly in commercial pig production systems.

Digestion of a diet very high in fibre in Cuban Creole pigs

In two groups of eight Cuban Creole pigs and twelve pigs of an improved breed (CC21), 60 kg liveweight, studies were made of apparent digestibility of a diet very high in fibre with 300.0 g kg −1 diet of plantain foliage meal. The crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre contents of the diet were 144.6 and 246.4 g kg −1 DM, respectively. Daily faecal output of water and short chain fatty acids was significantly greater in Creole pigs than in CC21 pigs. Digestion of a diet very high in fibre does not appear to be greater in Creole pigs. Improved pigs digested most of the diet components better than the Creole pigs.

Relationship between slaughter weight and growth as well as carcass traits in creole pigs

Relationship between slaughter weight and growth as well as carcass traits in creole pigs