Compensatory growth feeding strategy does not overcome negative effects on growth and carcass composition of low birth weight pigs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the compensatory growth feeding strategy could be a suitable solution for overcoming the negative effects on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of low birth weight pigs. Forty-two Swiss Large White barrows from 21 litters were selected at weaning and categorized into either being light (L; > 0.8 and < 1.3 kg) or heavy (H; > 1.7 kg) birth weight pigs. From 27.8 kg BW, pigs were assigned within birth weight group to one of three feeding groups: AA: ad libitum access to the grower and finisher diet, RR: restricted access to the grower and finisher diet or RA: restricted access to the grower diet and ad libitum access to the finisher diet. At slaughter, the longissimus (LM) and semitendinosus (STM) muscles were removed from the right side of the carcass. Weight, girth and length of the STM and the LM area were determined after muscle excision. Carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were assessed. Using mATPase histochemistry, myofibre size and myofibre type distribution were determined in the LM and STM. Because of longer days on feed, total feed intake was greater (P < 0.01) and feed efficiency was lower (P < 0.01) in L than H barrows. Regardless of the birth weight group, AA and RA barrows grew faster (P < 0.05) than RR barrows. During the compensatory growth period, RA barrows grew faster (P < 0.05) than AA or RR barrows. Growth efficiency did not differ between RA and RR barrows but was greater (P < 0.05) compared with AA barrows. Carcasses of L barrows were fatter as indicated by the lower (P ⩽ ≤ 0.05) lean meat and greater (P ⩽ 0.02) omental and subcutaneous fat percentage. Lean meat percentage was lower (P ⩽ 0.05) in AA and RA than RR barrows. These differences caused by ad libitum feed access tended to be greater (feeding regime × birth weight group interaction; P < 0.08) in L than H barrows. In L barrows, slow oxidative, fast oxidative glycolytic and overall average myofibre size of the LM and the fast glycolytic myofibres and overall average myofibre size of the dark portion of the STM were larger (P ⩽ 0.03) than in H barrows. The study revealed that the compensatory growth feeding strategy was inadequate in overcoming the disadvantages of low birth weight.

Are Larger Litters a Concern for Piglet Survival or An Effectively Manageable Trait?

“…Although sows have the capacity to conceive larger litters, uterine space and blood supply are limited resources. [9][10][11]. On average, pregnancy is initiated in sows with the presence of approximately 15-20 viable embryos [11].…”

Invited review: Pre- and postnatal adipose tissue development in farm animals: from stem cells to adipocyte physiology

“…This is thus an area of very active research with specific concerns on adipose tissue development . After birth, a catch-up fat growth has been observed in low birth weight piglets compared with their normal BW siblings (Morise et al, 2009), so that pigs having being small at birth may have an increased subcutaneous fat thickness and percentage at peripubertal age when compared with their larger littermates (Poore and Fowden, 2004;Gondret et al 2006;Madsen and Bee, 2015). However, others did not find any differences in adiposity at commercial slaughter between low and normal pig littermates (Gondret et al, 2005;Bérard et al, 2008;Beaulieu et al, 2010).…”

“…Even though the impact on adipocyte features suggests some changes at the metabolic levels, the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. Finally, a compensatory growth feeding strategy during the growing-finishing period in pigs was Adult stem cells and adipocytes in farm animals inadequate in overcoming the disadvantages of low birth weight on long-term adiposity (Madsen and Bee, 2015). Altogether, inadequate nutrition during gestation and suckling periods may promote adipocyte proliferation (thus favoring the establishment of a greater number of ADSCs), delay adipocyte differentiation, and results in catch-up fat growth during later life.…”

Effect of Dextrose Supplementation in the Pre-Ovulatory Sow Diet to Reduce Seasonal Influences on Litter Birth Weight Variation

“…An increased within-litter heterogenicity is associated with increased piglet death and increased variation in weaning weights [1,2]. This last point may translate to impacts on time to slaughter, carcass weight variability and even meat quality [3]. Thus, effects on birth weight and birth weight variation are far-reaching across the production chain [4].…”