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Simple Summary: The present study aimed to determine the effects of maternal dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol and n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA) from day 35 to day 100 of gestation on the fatty acid (FA) composition of the offspring tissues of the Iberian pig. No effects were found in the plasma FA composition of the dams but higher levels of n3-PUFA were found in the plasma and different tissues (muscle, liver, and brain) of the supplemented fetuses. These findings may have important implications for piglets' health and may offer guidance for achieving human dietary n3-PUFA recommendations. Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a major problem in pig production and different strategies, mainly maternal supplementation with different agents, are currently being studied. The combination of hydroxytyrosol and n3-PUFA seems to be a promising treatment to counteract IUGR, since the combination may help improve n3-PUFA composition and lower the inflammatory status of IUGR piglets. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a maternal supplementation, from day 35 to day 100 of pregnancy, with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol on the fetal FA composition. The results showed higher n3 levels, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic FA in the offspring from treated gilts, which showed lower n6-PUFA/n3-PUFA (n6/n3) ratios. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were also affected by treatment, especially in the muscle and brain. Thus, a maternal supplementation with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol affected the fetal FA tissue composition, which could have implications in pig production due to the improvement of the piglets' health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • New data on the use of electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) are reported. • Only one native ESR signal was found in all types of cheese. • In irradiated cheeses, a new ESR signal is detected. • The storage time effect in free radicals accumulation and decay are studied by ESR. • ESR could be a suitable technique to detect irradiation treatments on cheese. Abstract The generation, accumulation and decay of free radicals in six varieties of cheese, irradiated (0–4 kGy) in an electron accelerator, have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Remarkably, the ESR spectra of all untreated cheeses showed only one singlet signal with a g-factor of 2.0064 ± 0.0005. Surprisingly, the ESR spectra of irradiated samples presented a new signal with g - factor of 2.0037 ± 0.0003 which was independent of the type of cheese, and which might be due to free radicals from the radiolysis of proteins. Surface regression models (P < 0.0001) established the relationship among signal intensity, absorbed dose (0, 1, 2 and 4 kGy) and storage time (0–180 days) for the different types of cheese. Results suggested that the analysis by ESR (or electron paramagnetic resonance, EPR) is suitable to evaluate, either qualitatively or quantitatively, the irradiation treatment of different types of cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pigs lack functional sweat glands, hence being very susceptible to heat stress. The optimum temperature in which pigs would thrive is around 20 °C, depending on age and weight. Pigs could achieve higher heat dissemination, e.g., by increasing body contact with the cooler ground and panting, but also through an undesirable reduction in feed intake. In addition, under conditions of severe heat stress, animals may become more susceptible even to immune challenges due to damage to the structure of the intestinal wall. Thus, heat stress can affect the proper functioning of metabolism, which, in addition to having implications on animal welfare, also affects the quality of meat and meat products. Cooling systems are not yet commonly seen on farms. Sprinkler systems are the most used cooling system, followed by water pads and fogging systems, for finishing pigs. As our climate continues to warm, monitoring daily feed intake and water consumption levels, along with the implementation of cooling systems, must become tools to minimize the adverse effects of hot weather. Heat stress is a significant environmental problem that has a detrimental impact on animal welfare and production efficiency in swine farms. The current study was conducted to assess the effect of low-intensity showers, provided during critical high-temperature hours daily, on body external temperature, feeding pattern, and carcass and meat quality characteristics in fattening pigs. A total of 400 animals (200 barrows and 200 gilts) were randomly allotted in 40 pens. A shower nozzle was installed over 20 pens (half barrows and half gilts) where pigs received a low-intensity shower for 2 min in 30 min intervals from 12 to 19 h (SHO group). Another group without showers was also considered (CON). Feeder occupancy measurement, thermographic measures, and carcass and meat quality parameters were studied. In the periods with higher environmental temperatures, SHO animals showed an increase in the feeder occupancy rate compared to the CON group. A decrease in temperature was observed after the shower, regardless of the anatomical location (p < 0.005). The treatment with showers led to higher values than in the CON group of 4.72%, 3.87%, 11.8%, and 15.1% for hot carcass weight, lean meat yield, and fat thickness in Longissimus Dorsi (LD) and Gluteus Medius muscles, respectively (p < 0.01). Pork from CON showed a 14.9% higher value of drip loss, and 18.9% higher malondialdehyde concentration than SHO (p < 0.01); meanwhile, intramuscular fat content was 22.8% higher in SHO than in CON (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the CON group exhibited higher L* (2.13%) and lower a* and b* values (15.8% and 8.97%) compared to the SHO group. However, the pH20h of the CON group was significantly lower than that of the SHO group (p < 0.001), indicating a softer pH decrease. Related to fatty acids in subcutaneous outer and inner layers and intramuscular fat, the CON group showed higher ΣSFA and lower ΣMUFA and Δ9-desaturase indexes than SHO (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the amelioration of heat stress through showers at critical times should be considered an interesting tool that improves both carcass and meat quality, as well as animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The breaking strength (σ) and stress–strain relation of several muscles [biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST) and semimembranosus (SM)] and the subcutaneous fat (SF) from a Spanish dry cured ham (Protected Designation of Origin of white ham from “Teruel”) have been analysed by the uniaxial tensile test in order to predict the mechanical behaviour of this meat product. Thirty pieces were analysed and the stress–strain curves were obtained. A great dispersion of the σ values was observed. This leads to the necessity of employing statistical analyses to illustrate the extent to which strength values may vary. The Weibull analysis was applied to estimate the fracture probability. SM and SF showed the highest characteristic strength. The low values of the Weibull modulus indicate that dry-cured ham tissues behave as brittle materials. The stress–strain curves present characteristic forms for BF, ST and SM, which may be associated with their composition and the extent to which they are affected by the curing process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The generation, accumulation and decay of free radicals in muscle and fat fractions from three varieties of Spanish dry-cured ham treated (0–4kGy) in an electron accelerator have been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. In the ESR spectra from fat fractions, a well-resolved triplet signal corresponding to an alkyl radical was found only in treated samples. Linear regression models (P <0.05) were obtained for ESR signal intensity estimation using the absorbed dose and storage time at 4°C (from 0 to 28days). Several ESR signals were observed in the spectra from muscle fractions related to the presence of metalloprotein complexes. However, no significant (P >0.05) differences were found between ESR spectra from untreated (0kGy) and treated (0–4kGy) samples. Results suggest that the analysis of ESR spectrum in fat samples can be used to evaluate the E-beam treatment of dry-cured ham. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: Creep feeding is a common management tool on pig farms designed to encourage dry feed intake and supply piglets with essential nutrients by providing a highly palatable and easily digestible diet. Currently, research results on the efficacy of creep feeding vary, possibly because numerous factors may influence its benefits during lactation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain a deeper insight into the consequences of creep feeding on short- and long-term growth, carcass quality, meat characteristics, and microbiome composition as a function of piglet birth weight. During the study, we did not observe any long-term effects of creep feeding on these parameters. The short-term impacts of this nutritional management technique were mainly concentrated on lactation and potentially in the early postweaning stages. These short-term effects were influenced by birth weight, as piglets with higher birth weights seemed to benefit more from creep-feeding practices. Fifty-eight litters (16 from primiparous gilts and 42 from multiparous sows) were used, with a total number of 750 piglets involved in the study. Birth weight was stratified into three groups: low (<1.02 kg; LBW), normal (1.02–1.62 kg; NBW), and high (>1.62 kg; HBW). A creep feeding diet was offered to piglets in a creep feeder in 29 litters from day 7 until their weaning. Piglet mortality was recorded daily. Traceability was ensured up to the point of carcass splitting and subsequent meat analysis. Each carcass was eviscerated and weighed individually. Sixty-nine piglets were selected for the microbiome analysis (35 from the control group and 34 from the creep feeding group). Feces samples from the rectum were obtained at three time points (three days prior weaning, a week after weaning, and before the slaughtering of the pigs). Mortality during lactation was influenced by birth weight, with LBW piglets exhibiting a six-fold higher mortality rate than HBW. Creep feeding did not impact piglet mortality. Heavier piglets demonstrated greater weight gain when subjected to creep feeding, while the growth potential of lighter piglets was reduced. Variation in creep feeding consumption based on birth weight also affected microbiome composition, with high-birth-weight piglets displaying higher alpha diversity than low- and normal-birth-weight piglets seven days after lactation. Alpha diversity is indicative of gut health, with higher values suggesting greater stability and adaptability to different feed sources. In conclusion, the immediate impacts of creep feeding appear to be most prominent during lactation and potentially early postweaning. These short-term effects are modulated by birth weight, with HBW piglets demonstrating the greatest benefits from the implementation of creep-feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota of the pig is being increasingly studied due to its implications for host homeostasis and the importance of the pig as a meat source and biomedical model of human diseases. However, most studies comparing the microbiome between different breeds do not consider the influence of maternal environment during the colonization of the microbiota. The aim of the present study was to compare the gut microbiota during postnatal growth between two pig genotypes (purebred Iberian vs. crossbreds Iberian x Large White pigs), gestated in a single maternal environment (pure Iberian mothers) inseminated with heterospermic semen. Postnatally, piglets were maintained in the same environmental conditions, and their microbiota was studied at 60 and 210 days old. Results showed that age had the greatest influence on alpha and beta diversity, and genotype also affected beta diversity at both ages. There were differences in the microbiome profile between genotypes at the ASV and genus levels when jointly analyzing the total number of samples, which may help to explain phenotypical differences. When each time-point was analyzed individually, there were more differences at 210 days-old than 60 days-old. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were also affected by age, but not by genotype. These results may be a basis for further research on host genotype interactions with the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nebulized liposomal amphotericin B (NLAB) is being used in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) prophylaxis, no clinical trial has shown its efficacy as a therapeutic strategy. NAIFI is the inaugural randomized, controlled clinical trial designed to examine the safety and effectiveness of NLAB (dosage: 25 mg in 6 mL, three times per week for 6 weeks) against a placebo, in the auxiliary treatment of IPA. Throughout the three-year clinical trial, thirteen patients (six NLAB, seven placebo) were included, with 61% being onco-hematological with less than 100 neutrophils/μL. There were no significant differences noted in their pre- and post-nebulization results of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and oxygen saturation between the groups. Neither bronchospasm nor serum amphotericin B levels were reported in any patients given NLAB. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET-TC) was carried out at the baseline and after 6 weeks. A notable decrease in median SUV (standardized uptake value) was observed in NLAB patients after 6 weeks (−3.6 vs. −0.95, p: 0.039, one tail). Furthermore, a reduction in serum substance galactomannan and beta-D-Glucan was identified within NLAB recipients. NLAB is well tolerated and safe for patients with IPA. Encouraging indirect efficacy data have been derived from image monitoring or biomarkers. However, further studies involving more patients are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Increasing prolificity in swine reduces the opportunities of pigs to obtain enough amount of colostrum, which may lead to negative short- and long-term consequences. This is especially important for piglets with a low birth weight. Removing the heaviest piglets from the litter for a short period during suckling (split-suckling) may allow the smallest and less viable piglets to have access to the udder during the critical initial hours after farrowing. This experiment has shown that mortality is not altered by split-suckling. Moreover, estimation of colostrum intake suggests that the heaviest piglets subjected to split-suckling ingest a lower amount and show a lower weight gain during lactation than their litter mates. We have not observed differences in final weight, but split-suckling increases carcass leanness, especially in piglets of low birth weight. Differences in the fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids because of split-suckling were also observed. Long-term response to split-suckling, particularly in low-birth-weight piglets, suggests an alteration in adiposity and metabolic regulation which may be related to higher colostrum intake. Forty-eight litters were used, with a total number of 645 piglets involved in the study. The split-suckling technique was applied to half of the litters at the end of farrowing by removing the heaviest piglets over three periods of 1 h. The piglets were individually weighed at 0, 1 d, and at weaning. Piglet losses were recorded daily. Traceability was maintained until the carcass splitting and meat analysis took place. Carcasses were eviscerated and weighed individually. Total mortality at weaning was affected by body weight, where the low-body-weight piglets showed a mortality rate almost four times higher than that of the normal-weight piglets. Mortality was highest in the first days of life, especially in the low-body-weight piglets. At weaning, split-suckling treatment caused a slight increase in mortality compared to the control group piglets (25% vs. 17.1%). Split-suckling had a positive effect on weight gain during the first 24 h of life (p = 0.014), and there was an interaction between treatment and parity (p = 0.007), with split-suckling being more effective in the primiparous sows compared to the multiparous sows. The piglets from litters receiving the split-suckling treatment had a lower average daily gain during the lactation period (p < 0.001) than the piglets from the control group. Weight gain during the first 24 h of life of the piglets subjected to split-suckling was higher than those of the control group. A lower IgG and α-tocopherol in plasma in the heavier piglets subjected to split-suckling treatment was observed in comparison to their respective control. The piglets from litters receiving the treatment showed a lower average daily gain during the lactation period (p < 0.001) than the piglets from the control group. No difference in slaughter weight was observed according to treatment. The pigs which received split-suckling treatment showed lower subcutaneous fat thickness (p < 0.0013) and higher lean meat yield (p < 0.0027), this effect being more marked in pigs from primiparous sows. Intramuscular fat concentration was higher in the Longissimus Dorsi muscle of the low-body-weight piglets. In the pigs that received split-suckling treatment, a higher concentration of C18:3n-3 (p = 0.036) and a tendency towards a higher concentration of C18:2n-6 (p = 0.107) and unsaturation index (p = 0.113) was observed in intramuscular fatty acids at slaughter, together with a lower concentration of C16:0 (p = 0.053) and SFA (p = 0.064). In conclusion, long-term response to split-suckling, particularly in low-birth-weight piglets, suggests an alteration in adiposity and metabolic regulation in these piglets that receive high levels of colostrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we analyzed the exudate of beef to evaluate its potential as non invasive sampling for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomic analysis of meat samples. Exudate, as the natural juice from raw meat, is an easy to obtain matrix that it is usually collected in small amounts in commercial meat packages. Although meat exudate could provide complete and homogeneous metabolic information about the whole meat piece, this sample has been poorly studied. Exudates from 48 beef samples of different breeds, cattle and storage times have been studied by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The liquid exudate spectra were compared with those obtained by High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HRMAS) of the original meat pieces. The close correlation found between both spectra (>95% of coincident peaks in both registers; Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.945) lead us to propose the exudate as an excellent alternative analytical matrix with a view to apply meat metabolomics. 60 metabolites could be identified through the analysis of mono and bidimensional exudate spectra, 23 of them for the first time in NMR meat studies. The application of chemometric tools to analyze exudate dataset has revealed significant metabolite variations associated with meat aging. Hence, NMR based metabolomics have made it possible both to classify meat samples according to their storage time through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and to predict that storage time through Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Neonatal piglet viability is decreasing as a consequence of the selection for increasing numbers of piglets born per sow per year. Several strategies have been proposed to reduce neonatal mortality, which involve all aspects of swine production. Early management intervention has proven effective to reduce piglet mortality particularly in low-birth-weight piglets, although this practice, in some cases, increases production costs. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of body weight at birth and individual neonatal care provided to piglets on preweaning mortality, and the long-term effects on growth and carcass and meat characteristics. The results of this research showed that early neonatal care may be a useful practice to reduce mortality, especially in low-birth-weight piglets. Moreover, neonatal care could affect meat quality, fat content, and fatty acid profile, thus suggesting long-term effects on metabolism. Swine industries worldwide face a loss in profit due to high piglet mortality, particularly as a consequence of the marked increase in prolificity and low birth weight (BW) of piglets. This research studied the effect of BW and individual neonatal care provided to piglets on preweaning mortality, and the long-term effects on growth and carcass and meat characteristics. Litters from seventy-one crossbred sows (PIC 34) were included in the trial. Half of each litter did not receive any further management, and the remaining half received the pre-established management protocol of early assistance of neonatal care (NC). Along lactation, the low-BW piglets (weight equal to or less than 1.1 kg) showed a threefold higher mortality rate than piglets of higher weights (32 vs. 10%; p = 0.001), with mortality particularly concentrated within the first week after birth. No effect of NC treatment was observed on mortality ratio caused by crushing, but a significant effect was observed in low-BW piglets who died of starvation (p < 0.01). The effect of NC on growth is dependent on BW, and heavier piglets at birth benefit from NC treatment to a higher extent than low-BW piglets. Low-BW piglets showed a higher fatness (p = 0.003), lower lean cut yield (p = 0.002) in carcasses, and higher intramuscular fat (IMF) content (2.29% vs. 1.91%; p = 0.01) in meat. NC treatment increased the lean content in carcasses from low-BW piglets (p < 0.01). The monounsaturated fatty acids concentration was higher in lower-than-normal-BW piglets (48.1% vs. 47.1%; p = 0.002) and the opposite effect was observed for polyunsaturated fatty acids (13.6% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.002). NC treatment induced a higher concentration of n-7 fatty acids. In conclusion, NC treatment may be a useful practice to reduce mortality in low-BW piglets. Moreover, NC could affect carcass fatness and meat quality, thus suggesting a long-term effect on metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The suitability of the non-symmetrical chelating agent DCHA (2-{2-[(2-hydroxybenzyl)amino]ethylamino}-2-{2-hydroxyphenyl}acetic) to improve Fe nutrition in plants is investigated in order to confirm the good results deriving from its chemical reactivity in agronomic systems achieved by analytical and modeling studies. Moreover, the factors affecting the efficacy of this new Fe chelate, that it is predicted to combine a good stability in nutrient solution and calcareous soils, are explored. Methods: The role of DCHA/Fe as substrate for the Fe chelate reductase (FCR) activity in cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L. cv. Ashley) plants and its efficacy to provide Fe to chlorotic soybean ( Glycine max L. cv. Stine 0408) plants in both hydroponic and soil culture were determined. Results: The chelate DCHA/Fe presented an intermediate behavior between o,oEDDHA/Fe and o,pEDDHA/Fe as substrate of the FCR. In the hydroponic experiment, nutritional indexes indicated a faster and higher re-greening of the plants treated with DCHA/Fe and o,pEDDHA/Fe than with o,oEDDHA/Fe. In the soil experiment, plants treated with o,oEDDHA/Fe showed the highest Fe concentration in leaves and no differences were observed between o,pEDDHA/Fe and DCHA/Fe. Conclusions: The chelate DCHA/Fe has adequate fertilizer properties since it is able to correct the Fe chlorosis and to maintain good nutritional status of plants over time both in hydroponic and soil cultures. This is related to its ability to serve as substrate for the FCR and its good stability in solution and in soil conditions observed in this and previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new procedure for the synthesis of macrocyclic embedded bis-α-amino acids and their use as cation-ligands is described. These compounds are able to form stable Cu(ii), Zn(ii) and Ni(ii) complexes as long as they have a flexible tether between the two nitrogen atoms. For a given macrocycle, the X-ray diffraction studies revealed diastereomerically pure complexes having different geometries depending on the metal ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Food-responsive enteropathy is the most common diagnosis given for dogs with chronic enteropathy, and there are no tests that can replace treatment trials. Furthermore, there is a lack of information on the specific nutritional status of these patients regarding the lipid profile that could relate them to the state of health/disease. This study evaluated differences in short-chain fatty acids and the total fatty acid profile of faeces and plasma as possible indicators of food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), as well as its relationship with body condition and the chronic enteropathy activity index. Changes in the long-chain fatty acid of plasma, and short-chain, branched and odd-chain fatty acids of faeces were detected in sick dogs, and high correlations were observed between some of these compounds and the existing calculated indices. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the total fatty acid profile of faeces or plasma as possible indicators of FRE in comparison with healthy dogs. FRE dogs had a lower concentration (p = 0.026) of plasma α-tocopherol as an indicator of the oxidative status of the animal, and lower C20:5n-3 (p = 0.033), C22:5n-3 (p = 0.005), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (p = 0.021) and n-6 (p = 0.041) when compared with the control dogs; furthermore, sick dogs had higher proportions of plasma C20:3n-6 (p = 0.0056). The dogs with FRE showed a decrease in the production of faecal levels of SCFAs, mainly propionic acid (C3) (p = 0.0001) and isovaleric acid (iC5) (p = 0.014). FRE dogs also had a lower proportion of C15:0 (p = 0.0003), C16:1n-9 (p = 0.0095), C16:1n-7 (p = 0.0001), C20:5n-3 (p = 0.0034) and monounsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.0315), and tended to have lower n-3 (p = 0.058) and a reduced desaturase activity index in the stool when compared with the control group. However, the dogs with chronic enteropathy tended to have greater C20:4n-6 (p = 0.065) in their faeces as signs of damage at the intestinal level. The faecal parameters were better predictors than plasma. The highest correlations between faecal odd-chain, medium- or long-chain fatty acids and SCFAs were observed for C15:0 that correlated positively with faecal acetic acid (C2) (r = 0.72, p = 0.004), propionic acid (r = 0.95, p = 0.0001), isobutyric acid (iC4) (r = 0.59, p = 0.027) and isovaleric acid (r = 0.64, p = 0.0136), as well as with total SCFAs (r = 0.61, p = 0.02). Conversely, faecal C20:4n-6 showed a high inverse correlation (r = −0.83, p = 0.0002) with C2 and C3 (r = −0.59, p = 0.027). Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity (CIBDAI) index correlated negatively mainly with faecal measurements, such as C3 (r = −0.869, p = 0.0005) and C15:0 (r = −0.825, p = 0.0018), followed by C16:1/C16:0 (r = −0.66, p= 0.0374) and iC5 (r = −0.648, p = 0.0310), which would indicate that these fatty acids could be good non-invasive indicators of the chronic inflammatory status, specifically FRE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fat content and the degree of fatty acid unsaturation in meat are two major concerns for consumers. Fat concentration and its molecular structure (fatty acid positional distribution) are related to the nutritional fat value and tissue rheological properties. Changes in fat concentration and/or fatty acid profile related to modifications of dietary treatments are well described in the literature. Nevertheless, studies aimed to control fatty acid positional distribution by dietary intervention in pigs are scarce, and studies have shown that the internal sn-2 position is highly regulated and resistant to dietary manipulation. However, this study demonstrated that heavy pigs fed on free-range with high levels of oleic acid can alter the fatty acid composition of the internal position of the triglyceride, thus affecting the nutritional value of their fat as well as their physicochemical properties. The nutritional value of fat consumption depends on both the fatty acid composition and the positional distribution of fatty acids within the triglyceride molecule. This research studies the effect of feeding with three different diets (4% lard-enriched; 11.5% high-oleic sunflower-enriched; and extensive feeding mainly with acorns) on the composition of fatty acids in the sn-2 position (and sn-1,3) of triglycerides and the textural properties of subcutaneous fat in heavy Iberian pigs (n = 210 castrated males). A moderate dietary enrichment with oleic acid in mixed diets did not alter the regulation of the sn-2 position of triglyceride (69.9% and 13.9% of palmitic and oleic acids, respectively), but the extremely high intake of oleic acid in pigs fed mainly on acorns changed the proportions of palmitic and oleic acids at the sn-2 position in the subcutaneous fat of pigs (55.0% and 27.2%, respectively). Hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness showed the least values in EXT pigs, and the greatest values in LARD-fed barrows. SUN cohesiveness and gumminess did not differ from those fed LARD. In addition, Iberian pigs raised in free-range conditions had a more favorable nutritional lipid profile for human health compared to pigs fed conventional diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]