Effect of sex on growth performance, nutrient utilizationand carcass characteristics in cross bred pigs

Abstract

A study was carried on 24 piglets (Large White York Shire × Desi) of an average initial weight of 20 kg of three gender groups, barrows, boars and gilts consisted of eight pigs each, of comparable body weight fattened from 20-48 kilograms (growing) to 49-96 kilograms (finishing) to see the effect of gender on growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass traits. When comparing feed intake at the growing stage, gilts consumed significantly more (P<0.05) feed than boars and barrows. There was no significant difference in average daily weight gain among barrows, boars and gilts in growing and finishing stage. Gilts had significantly higher (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio than boars in growing period and barrows in finishing period. Nutrient digestibility was similar except crude protein among groups. Fasting weight and weight after bleeding was significantly lower (P<0.05) in gilts with nonsignificant difference between barrows and boars. Sex has no significant effect on evisceration weight, dressing percentage and carcass length in pigs. Carcass backfat of barrows was significantly thicker (P<0.05) than that of boars and gilts, however, the loin eye area was significantly larger (P<0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows. There were no significant differences among groups concerning the proportions of ham, under cut, bacon and rib chop however, shoulder and loin percentages were higher (P<0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows.

The Indigenous Prestice Black-Pied Pig Breed Differs from a Commercial Hybrid in Growth Intensity, Carcass Value and Meat Quality

“…Also, the drip loss values were lower, which is in accordance with the statement that a lower drip loss is related to higher pH values [30]. Muhlisin et al [34] found more stable pH 24 (5.62 vs. 5.56) and a lower drip loss in Korean Native Black pigs than in their hybrids with Duroc. This trend was also observed in the Japanese breed of Agu and the Large White × Landrace × Duroc hybrid (pH 48 5.61 vs. 5.53; drip loss 2.03% vs. 2.75%) [30].…”

“…Our findings are in accordance with other studies [5,23] where a significantly higher growth intensity was found in barrows than in gilts. For example, following the same breeding principles and age of pigs at slaughter, Peinado et al [23] reported a higher ADG in barrows than in gilts, by 113 g. However, in a significant number of studies, the differences in growth intensity between sexes are not so pronounced, in fact, they are often negligible, which suggests that this characteristic can differ depending on various factors, such as breeding systems, feeding strategies as well as genetic effects [24][25][26].…”

Full-Fat Insect Meal as a Protein and Energy Source for Weaned Piglets: Effects on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gastrointestinal Function and Microbiota

“…Gilts showed higher AID and ATTD of CP, CF, and ash, as well as for AID of several amino acids, compared to barrows. Higher ATTD of CP in gilts is previously reported by [59], including a nonsigni cant increase in ATTD of ether extract. The use of wood shavings as bedding material also increased the numerical ATTD except for NDF.…”

Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Models to Determine the Growth Curves of Weaned Piglets and the Effect of Sex on Growth

“…Even so, Ref. [17] did not find differences in ADG between barrows, boars, and gilts during the phases of growing (from 20 to 48 kg) and finishing (from 49 to 96 kg).…”

“…The authors of [16] studied the influence of sex on growth before birth and found that male conceptuses grew faster than female conceptuses before the attachment to the uterine lining. Other authors such as [17] found that sex had no significant effect on evisceration weight, dressing percentage and carcass length in adult pigs. However, there is scarce information available on the influence of sex on piglet growth during the postweaning phase (6-20 kg BW), which is common in countries like Spain.…”