Mer. Dugan et al., THE EFFECTS OF PORCINE SOMATOTROPIN, GENDER AND PORCINE STRESS SYNDROME ON GROWTH, CARCASS COMPOSITION AND PORK QUALITY, Canadian journal of animal science, 77(2), 1997, pp. 233-240
Lacombe breed pigs (72 gilts, 72 barrows) of three genotypes with resp
ect to the porcine stress syndrome (normal, heterozygous, or homozygou
s for the halothane gene), were treated from 57 to 106 kg body weight
with daily injections of 0.9% saline containing 0 or 3 mg of recombina
nt porcine somatotropin (pST) in a randomized block design. Pigs recei
ving pST had lower average daily feed intakes (ADF), greater average d
aily gains (ADG) and lower feed conversion efficiencies (FCE). Gilts r
elative to barrows had lower ADG, ADF and higher FCE. Gilts versus bar
rows and pigs treated with PST had reduced fat depths and greater loin
depths at the 10th rib. Pigs homozygous for the halothane gene had re
duced loin lean structure and color scores, greater light reflectance
(L), and lower soluble protein contents as expected, and these genoty
pic effects did not interact with pST treatment. Sex by pST treatment
interactions (P < 0.05) were found for loin depth, moisture content, c
olor score and L values indicating barrows respond more favorably to
pST treatment than gilts. Generally, pST treatment, gilts relative to
barrows, and possession of the halothane gene increased carcass lean a
nd reduced subcutaneous fat levels. Sex by pST treatment interactions
were found for picnic lean (lower shoulder; P < 0.05), ham lean (P < 0
.05), and total carcass lean (P = 0.09) further supporting the theory
that barrows benefit more than gilts to pST treatment. No significant
interactions were found between genotype and pST treatment for any qua
litative muscle traits. Thus, pST treatment had no direct effect on me
at quality and was not found to interact with the halothane gene. Howe
ver, pST interactions with sex indicated barrows respond quantitativel
y and qualitatively more favorably than gilts to pST treatment.