Effects of a high-fat diet on growth performances and carcass characteristics of Alentejano pigs.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effects of a high-fat diet (6% of sunflower oil) on growth performances and carcass characteristics of finishing Alentejano pigs. 20 Alentejano pigs (castrated female and male) were housed in individual pens (1 x 2 m) in an outdoor area. The animals were divided in two groups with an average live weight of 60 kg. Group 1 was fed a commercial diet (3150 Kcal DE, 14% CP and 1,7% CF) and group 2 an experimental diet with 6% of sunflower oil (3375 Kcal DE; 14% CP and 7,9% CF). The diets were offered at 85% ad libitum. All pigs were slaughtered with 100 Kg LW. The addition of sunflower oil resulted in a decrease of 8% in feed intake, a 5% increase in average daily gain (P<0,05) and a 10% decrease in gain:feed ratio (P<0,05). No significant differences were found in carcass weight, carcass length, dressing percentage, backfat thickness and loin muscle depth between the two groups. Absolute weight and percentage of primal cuts were similar between the two treatments. Addition of sunflower oil to the diet of finishing Alentejano pigs may result in improved growth performances. Further analyses of carcass composition are currently being conducted to determine changes in fatty acid profiles of different muscles and fat depots.