Effect of incremental levels of red blood cells on growth performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs
ED Frugé, TD Bidner, and LL Southern. 2009. Journal of Animal Science. 87:2853–2859.
03-Nov-2009 (16 years 7 months 5 days ago)Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of incremental levels of red blood cells, by-products of the slaughter industry, (RBC; 0 to 4%, Exp. 1; 0 to 2%, Exp. 2 and 3) on growth performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs.
In Exp. 1, a total of 40 barrows and 40 gilts were distributed according to initial body weight and fed 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% RBC. Two barrows and two gilts per pen were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of carcass measurements. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1, except 0, 1, or 2% RBC were added. Each dietary treatment had 4 replicates per sex with 4 pigs per pen. One barrow and one gilt per treatment replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of carcass traits and viscera weights. Experiment 3 was similar to Exp. 2 except only barrows were used. Each dietary treatment had 4 replicates with 3 pigs per pen, and all pigs were slaughtered for collection of carcass traits and viscera weights.
In Exp. 1, final BW, ADG, and G:F were decreased linearly (P < 0.01 to 0.10) as RBC addition increased, but ADFI was not affected. With increased RBC addition, average backfat increased (P < 0.09) and fat free lean decreased (P< 0.04). There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.04) on dressing percentage (DP); the 2% RBC addition increased DP, but the 3 and 4% additions decreased DP. In Exp. 2, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.07) of RBC addition on average backfat; the 1% RBC addition decreased backfat, but the 2% addition returned backfat to the level of the control pigs. There was no effect (P > 0.10) on any other response variable. In Exp. 3, with increased RBC addition, average backfat linearly decreased (P < 0.04) and large intestine percentage increased (P < 0.09). There was no effect of RBC addition (P > 0.10) on any other response variable.
It is concluded that feeding 3 or 4% red blood cells decreases growth performance of finishing pigs. However, feeding 1 or 2% red blood cells to finishing pigs had no detrimental effects on growth performance and increased DP in one experiment.
In Exp. 1, a total of 40 barrows and 40 gilts were distributed according to initial body weight and fed 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4% RBC. Two barrows and two gilts per pen were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of carcass measurements. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1, except 0, 1, or 2% RBC were added. Each dietary treatment had 4 replicates per sex with 4 pigs per pen. One barrow and one gilt per treatment replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of carcass traits and viscera weights. Experiment 3 was similar to Exp. 2 except only barrows were used. Each dietary treatment had 4 replicates with 3 pigs per pen, and all pigs were slaughtered for collection of carcass traits and viscera weights.
In Exp. 1, final BW, ADG, and G:F were decreased linearly (P < 0.01 to 0.10) as RBC addition increased, but ADFI was not affected. With increased RBC addition, average backfat increased (P < 0.09) and fat free lean decreased (P< 0.04). There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.04) on dressing percentage (DP); the 2% RBC addition increased DP, but the 3 and 4% additions decreased DP. In Exp. 2, there was a quadratic effect (P < 0.07) of RBC addition on average backfat; the 1% RBC addition decreased backfat, but the 2% addition returned backfat to the level of the control pigs. There was no effect (P > 0.10) on any other response variable. In Exp. 3, with increased RBC addition, average backfat linearly decreased (P < 0.04) and large intestine percentage increased (P < 0.09). There was no effect of RBC addition (P > 0.10) on any other response variable.
It is concluded that feeding 3 or 4% red blood cells decreases growth performance of finishing pigs. However, feeding 1 or 2% red blood cells to finishing pigs had no detrimental effects on growth performance and increased DP in one experiment.