• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1213-1220
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• 2010

This experiment evaluated the effects of dietary lysine restriction and energy density on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of finishing pigs. A $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized in a randomized complete block (RCB) design, and factor 1 was lysine restriction and factor 2 was energy density. The control diet was formulated to contain 3.265 Mcal of ME/kg, 0.75% lysine in the early-finishing phase and 3.265 Mcal of ME/kg, 0.60% lysine in the late-finishing phase and other nutrients met or exceeded NRC (1998) standards. Compared to the control diet (CON), lysine levels of experimental diets were restricted to 15% (treatment EL, EEL) or 30% (treatment ELL, EELL), whereas energy level of experimental diets was increased by 0.100 or 0.200 Mcal of ME/kg. A total of 100 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace]${\times}$Duroc), with average initial body weight of $58.47{\pm}1.42\;kg$, were allotted to 5 dietary treatments based on sex and body weight. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 4 pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. ADG, ADFI and feed efficiency were calculated in an 8-week growth trial. In the late finishing period (5-8 weeks), pigs fed ELL or EELL diets had decreased ADG and feed efficiency (p<0.01), however, when the EEL diet was provided, a similar growth performance was observed compared to those fed the CON diet during the whole experimental period (p>0.05). In a metabolic trial, 15 pigs were used to evaluate the effect of dietary lysine restriction and energy density on nutrient digestibility. The digestibility of dry matter, crude fat and crude ash was not improved by restricting dietary lysine or energy density. However, crude protein digestibility was decreased (p<0.05) as dietary lysine was restricted. When dietary lysine was restricted, fecal nitrogen was increased whereas nitrogen retention was decreased. BUN concentration was affected by dietary lysine restriction; treatments ELL and EELL had higher BUN values than other treatments (p<0.01). Carcass characteristics and meat quality were measured when average body weight of pigs reached $107.83{\pm}1.50\;kg$. Treatment ELL had higher last rib backfat depth (p<0.05) than treatment CON, but ELL and EEL did not differ significantly. The ELL and EEL treatments had higher (p<0.05) subjective marbling score than treatment CON. Treatment EEL showed higher longissimus fat content than treatment EL and CON (p<0.01). The results indicated that finishing pigs fed a diet with 15% lysine restriction and 3.465 Mcal of ME/kg energy density had no detrimental effects on growth performance and N utilization, and could achieve substantial increases in marbling and longissimus fat content of pork.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.597-602
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• 2010

In this study, pigs [n=117; (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) ${\times}$ Duroc; $64{\pm}0.5$ Kg initial body weight] were used to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of lacquer (Rhus verniciflua Stokes) meal on performance, carcass traits and quality of meat kept under refrigeration at $3{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The pigs were randomly allotted to 3 treatments on the basis of body weight and sex and each treatment was replicated 3 times (13 pigs in each replicate). Lacquer meal in sawdust form obtained from the stem bark and heartwood of sun-dried lacquer trees was added to the grower and finisher diets at 0, 20 and 40 g/kg diet. The experimental diets were fed for 8 wk. Inclusion of lacquer meal had no influence (p>0.05) on growth performance of pigs. Improvement in carcass traits and decreased back fat thickness were noticed in pigs fed diets added with 20 and 40 g/kg lacquer meal. Longissimus muscle obtained from pigs fed lacquer meal had higher moisture and lower fat content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and water holding capacity. Meat from lacquer fed pigs was also darker and redder. The data indicates that lacquer meal can be incorporated up to 40 g/kg in the diet of fattening pigs without affecting growth performance. Also, lacquer meal increases carcass lean content and improves the oxidative stability of the meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1445-1449
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• 2000

A total of one hundred twenty pigs ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$, $50{\pm}0.78kg$) were employed for a 7-week feeding trial to determine the effect of inclusion levels of vitamin and mineral (VTM) premixes on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and pork stability in finishing pigs. Treatments were 100% (Control), 150%, 200%, and 250% of NRC (1998) requirements. Increasing dietary VTM premixes in finishing pigs had a linear (p<0.05) effect on ADG. It also had a linear effect (p<0.05) on the digestibility of calcium and a linear and quadratic effect (p<0.05) on the digestibility of phosphorus. As dietary VTM levels were increased from 100 to 250% NRC (1998), TBARS values of pork samples were linearly (p<0.05) lowered when stored at $1^{\circ}C$ for 2 or 3 weeks. There was also a trend reducing POV of pig meat as dietary VTM level was increased. In conclusion, it would appear that inclusion of VTM premixes at the level of 200-250% of NRC (1998) requirements gave positive effects on growth performance and pork stability in finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1759-1767
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• 2012

This study was performed to determine the effects of dietary fat sources, i.e., beef tallow, soybean oil, olive oil and coconut oil (each 3% in feed), on the growth performance, meat quality and gene expression in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 72 crossbred pigs (Landrace${\times}$Large White${\times}$Duroc) were used at $71{\pm}1$ kg body weight (about 130 d of age) in 24 pens ($320{\times}150$ cm) in a confined pig house (three pigs per pen) with six replicate pens per treatment. The growing diet was given for periods of $14{\pm}3$ d and the finishing diet was given for periods of $28{\pm}3$ d. The fat type had no significant effect either on growth performance or on chemical composition or on meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. Dietary fat type affected fatty acid composition, with higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in the olive oil group. Microarray analysis in the Longissimus dorsi identified 6 genes, related to insulin signaling pathway, that were differentially expressed among the different feed groups. Real time-PCR was conducted on the six genes in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM). In particular, the genes encoding the protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, regulatory, type II, alpha (PRKAR2A) and the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1, beta isoform (PPP1CB) showed the highest expression level in the olive oil group (respectively, p<0.05, p<0.001). The results of this study indicate that the type of dietary fat affects fatty acid composition and insulin signaling-related gene expression in the LM of pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.37.1-37.9
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the effects of the low plane of nutrition on growth and meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 136 crossbred barrows and gilts weighing approximately 55 kg were allotted to 8 pens, with 17 animals housed per pen, in a 2 (sex) ${\times}$ 2 (nutrition) factorial arrangement of treatments. The animals allotted to a medium plane of nutrition (MPN) received a finisher phase 1 (P1) diet containing 3.47 Mcal DE/kg and 0.92 % lysine and a P2 diet containing 3.40 Mcal DE/kg and 0.78 % lysine for 35 d and 36/43 d, respectively; the animals allotted to the low plane of nutrition (LPN) received only a P2 diet containing 3.00 Mcal DE/kg and 0.68 % lysine 7 d longer than MPN. The animals were slaughtered following the feeding trial, after which the loin, ham, Boston butt, and belly were taken from a total of 24 animals, with the average live weight being 120 kg, and their physicochemical and sensory quality traits were analyzed. Average daily gain did not differ between MPN and LPN during either P1 or P2. Average daily feed intake was greater (P < 0.05) in LPN vs. MPN during both phases whereas the opposite was true for the gain:feed ratio. Backfat thickness (BFT) was less in LPN vs. MPN (21.7 vs. 24.1 mm at 115 kg). The plane of nutrition influenced no effect on any of the physicochemical characteristics of fresh loin, ham, or Boston butt analyzed in the present study. Fresh hams from LPN exhibited superior aroma and odor scores than those from MPN; however, sensory quality traits were not influenced by the plane of nutrition in other fresh primal cuts or cooked meat. Instead, fresh primal cuts and cooked meat from gilts rendered superior physicochemical characteristics and sensory scores, respectively, than those from barrows. Results suggest that the low plane of nutrition may be useful to increase the slaughter weight of finishing pigs with a moderately high BFT by virtue of its BFT-lowering effect with or without exerting a slightly positive influence on pork quality.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2011

This study was designed to determine the effect of season and split-sex feeding on performance, stress and carcass quality of finishing pigs. Two hundred and seventy cross-bred finishing pigs $(82.1{\pm}0.82kg)$ were randomly divided into six groups in 2 seasons (summer and winter) ${\times}$ 3 split-sex feeding (female only, castrated male and mixed) factorial arrangement of treatments. In winter, feed intake and weight gain of finishing pigs were better than summer (p<0.05). Split-sex feeding was affected the feed conversion, feed conversion of finishing pigs were superior in winter and mixed groups. Plasma concentrations of cortisol as a stress indicators was greater in the mixed groups vs female only and castrated male groups. There were no interactions between the season and split-sex feeding in their effects on these blood variables. The season was affected the carcass characteristics and PSE incidence of the finishing pigs, PSE incidence was low in winter and mixed groups. Meat quality did not show any significant difference due to the difference of season and split-sex feeding of finishing pigs. There was no significant difference in the pH, drip loss and meat color of pork loin between the season and split-sex feeding of finishing pigs. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that we need more precise on-farm management practice in summer and application of split-sex feeding skills to reduce the stress and improve welfare status of finishing pigs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.929-942
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, pork quality, pork flavor, and economic benefit in growing and finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 140 growing pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) were assigned to five treatments considering sex and initial body weight (BW) in 4 replications with 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.05% or 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 12 weeks (phase I, 0 to 3; phase II, 3 to 6; phase III, 6 to 9; phase IV, 9 to 12). The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase. Four pigs from each treatment were selected and slaughtered for meat quality. Economic benefit was calculated considering the total feed intake and feed price. Pork flavor was analyzed through inosine monophosphate analysis. Results: The average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved compared to the control when β-glucan or vitamin E was added. Supplementing 0.05% β-glucan significantly increased the lymphocyte concentration compared to the addition of 0.1% β-glucan and the content of vitamin E in the blood increased when 0.02% vitamin E was added. The treatment with 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E showed the most economic effect because it had the shortest days to market weight and the lowest total feed cost. The addition of β-glucan or vitamin E had a positive role in improving the flavor of pork when considering that the content of inosine monophosphate was increased. However, carcass traits and meat quality were not affected by β-glucan or vitamin E. Conclusion: The addition of 0.1% β-glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in growing and finishing pig diets showed great growth performance and economic effects by supplying vitamin E efficiently and by improving the health condition of pigs due to β-glucan.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.211-222
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• 2011

The present review was aimed to assess the feasibility of increasing the slaughter weight (SW) of finishing pigs. Growth performance, including ADG, ADFI and gain:feed, does not change significantly with increasing SW between 110 and $135{\pm}5kg$ in lean-genotype pigs, whereas in non-lean pigs, ADG and gain:feed decrease with increasing SW within the similar range of BW. Backfat thickness (BFT) and marbling of the carcass, which are greater in barrows than in gilts, increase with the increase of SW. The SW could be increased by using a low-energy diet and thereby reducing the rate of fat deposition per weight gain. The yield of the belly increases with the increase of SW, which may be economically significant in Korea. However, yields of some other primal cuts do not change so much as to affect the carcass value. The redness and fat content of the muscle increase slightly with the increase of SW whereas moisture content is minimally influenced by SW. Muscular protein content rarely changes, but sometimes increases slightly, with increasing SW. Other physicochemical characteristics, including lightness, pH, drip loss, and cooking loss of the muscle, are barely influenced by SW. Marbling of fresh loin and ham increases with increasing SW. Sensory characteristics of fresh loin, ham, and belly, including color, aroma, off-flavor, drip, and acceptability, are not influenced significantly by SW. The eating quality of cooked pork also has almost no relation to SW. In conclusion, it is thought that the current SW for moderately lean barrows and gilts can be raised up to 125 and 135 kg, respectively, with BFT at these weights predicted to be approximately 24 mm near the last rib, without compromising the meat quality.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2010

A total of 96 non-lean-type (Yorkshire $\times$ Landrace) $\times$ Duroc gilts and barrows weighing approximately 80 kg were randomly allocated to 24 pens under a 2 (sex) $\times$ 3 [diet; 3.4, 3.2, and 3.0 Mcal DE/kg {'high'-, 'medium'-, and 'low'-energy diets (HE, ME, and LE), respectively}] factorial arrangement of treatments. All animals were slaughtered approximately at 115 kg, after which carcass quality traits and grades and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the loin related to meat quality were analyzed. The ADG and gain:feed were not affected by the sex or dietary treatment, whereas ADFI was greater in the ME vs HE group. Backfat thickness was greater in barrows vs gilts and also in ME and HE vs LE only in barrows. Enumerated carcass marbling and quality grade, which were highly correlated (r=0.56; P<0.01), were greater in barrows vs gilts. Physicochemical characteristics including the color, pH, drip loss and contents of moisture, protein, and fat of fresh loin, as well as sensory characteristics of fresh and cooked loin, were not affected by the sex or dietary treatment, except for shear force for cooked loin which was greater (P<0.05) in LE and ME vs HE. In conclusion, it is thought that ME is comparable to HE in terms of the effect on growth and carcass quality of finishing pigs, but that the relative effect of LE vs ME needs to be further studied.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1763-1770
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• 2011

Fifty-six [(Duroc${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Landrace] pigs with an average initial BW of 19.3${\pm}$0.17 kg were used in this 15-wk growth experiment to investigate the effects of grape pomace fermented by Saccharomyces boulardii on pig growth performance, nutrient digestibility and quality attributes of pork. Pigs were allotted to 2 dietary treatments (7 replications) based on their initial BW in a randomized complete block design. The experimental treatments were: i) control (CON; basal diet), ii) FGPP (CON+30 g/kg fermented grape pomace product). Dietary FGPP improved (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), coefficient apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) during 35-70 d of the experiment. Similarly, pigs fed the FGPP supplemented diet had a higher N digestibility (p<0.05) in the finisher phase (day 71-105). Dietary FGPP increased (p<0.05) the marbling score, the redness ($a^*$) and yellowness ($b^*$) values, as well as the anti-oxidative ability (lower TBARS). The inclusion of FGPP reduced palmitic acid (C:16:0), stearic acid (C:18:0), arachidic acid (C:20:0) and SFA levels (p<0.05) in subcutaneous fat. An increased (p<0.05) linoleic acid (C18:2n6), total PUFA and PUFA/SFA ratio were observed in the FGPP group. Dietary FGPP supplementation decreased the arachidic acid (C:20:0) level in longissimus muscle (LM). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of FGPP at the level of 30 g/kg improved the growth performance, nutrients digestibility and altered the fatty acid pattern in the subcutaneous fat as well as some attributes of pork meat.