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The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing hot carcass weight (HCW) on pork ham and belly processing characteristics. Pigs (n = 85) were slaughtered and divided into 3 HCW categories: Average (99 to 109 kg), Heavy (116 to 126 kg), and Very Heavy (134 to 144 kg). Fresh hams were fabricated and further processed as 3-piece (inside, outside, and knuckle) boneless cured hams. Fresh belly quality measurements were taken before bacon processing. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS including the main effect of weight class, with sex and sire line as random blocking effects. Means were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. There were no differences (P = 0.08) in ham processing characteristics including pump uptake, retention, and cook yield. However, cured hams from heavier car- casses were less red and less yellow (P < 0.01). Heavier carcasses produced longer, thicker, and wider bellies (P < 0.01), but bellies did not differ in firmness (P = 0.16). Despite reduced pump uptake (P < 0.01), bellies from heavier carcasses had greater cooked yield than those from lighter carcasses (P < 0.01). Total area of sliced bacon increased with increasing carcass weight. Bacon slice lean area percentage decreased (P < 0.01) in bacon from Very Heavy carcasses compared to lighter carcasses. Iodine value was decreased (P = 0.04) approximately 2.5 units from 68.6 in fresh bellies from Average carcasses to 66.2 in bellies from Very Heavy carcasses. Overall, processing characteristics of hams and bellies were not impaired at heavier carcass weights, though the consumer acceptability of larger slices of bacon from heavier carcasses should be determined.

The objective was to characterize the effects of increasing carcass weight on pork carcass characteristics and yields from traditional and alternative fabrication methods, as well as evaluate the size of novel retail cuts. Pigs (n = 85) were slaughtered and divided into 3 hot carcass weight (HCW) categories: Average (99 to 109 kg), Heavy (116 to 126 kg), and Very Heavy (134 to 144 kg). Loin muscle area (LMA) and back fat depth were measured on all carcasses. Paired right and left sides were fabricated traditionally and alternatively (shoulder separation at the 4th/5th rib), respectively. From the alternative side, the serratus ventralis (SV) was removed from the cellar-trimmed butt, and the triceps brachii (TB) was removed from the picnic shoulder. All individual primals and subprimals were weighed for yield calculations. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS including the main effect of weight class, with sex and sire line as fixed blocking effects. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Regardless of fabrication method, whole primal and subprimal weights increased (P < 0.01) in heavier carcass weight classes compared with lighter classes, but when expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight, these increases did not often translate into meaningful differences in distribution of carcass weight. While the alternative shoulder-loin separation reduced loin and belly length, loins and bellies from heavier carcasses weighed more than those from carcasses typically produced in the U.S. pork industry today. Serratus ventralis weight was increased (P < 0.01) approximately 0.28 kg from Average to Very Heavy, while the TB weight was increased (P < 0.01) approximately 0.24 kg from Average to Very Heavy. At heavier weights, alternative fabrication of carcasses yielded novel cuts from the shoulder including the SV and TB that were of size to warrant further exploration as retail offerings.

Dissecting the genetics of production traits in livestock is of outmost importance, both to understand biological mechanisms underlying those traits and to facilitate the design of selection programs incorporating that information. For the pig industry, traits related to curing are key for protected designation of origin productions. In particular, appropriate ham weight loss after dry-curing ensures high quality of the final product and avoids economic losses. In this study, we analyzed data (N = 410) of ham weight loss after approximately 20 months of dry-curing. The animals used for ham production were purebred pigs belonging to a commercial line. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 29,844 SNP markers revealed the polygenic nature of the trait: 221 loci explaining a small percentage of the variance (0.3–1.65%) were identified on almost all Sus scrofa chromosomes. Post-GWAS analyses revealed 32 windows located within regulatory regions and 94 windows located in intronic regions of specific genes. In total, 30 candidate genes encoding receptors and enzymes associated with ham weight loss (MTHFD1L, DUSP8), proteolysis (SPARCL1, MYH8), drip loss (TNNI2), growth (CDCA3, LSP1, CSMD1, AP2A2, TSPAN4), and fat metabolism (AGPAT4, IGF2R, PTDSS2, HRAS, TALDO1, BRSK2, TNNI2, SYT8, GTF2I, GTF2IRD1, LPCAT3, ATN1, GNB3, CMIP, SORCS2, CCSER1, SPP1) were detected.

In this work, we studied the backfat transcriptome of surgically castrated (C), intact (I) and intact fed an experimental diet (IE) outdoor-reared male Alentejano (AL) pigs. The experimental diet was a high-fiber diet with locally produced legumes and by-products associated with a boar taint reduction effect. At slaughter (~160 kg), backfat samples were collected for total RNA sequencing. Intact pigs presented leaner carcasses, more total collagen, and more unsaturated intramuscular fat content than C animals. A total of 2726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, |log2 FC|> 0.58, q < 0.05) were identified between C and I with overexpressed genes related to muscular activity (MYH1, ACTA1) or collagen metabolism (COL1A1, COL1A2) in I pigs. Between C and IE, 1639 DEGs of genes involved in lipidic metabolism (LEP, ME1, FABP4, ELOVL6) were overexpressed in C. Finally, only 28 DEGs were determined between I and IE. Clustering results indicated a drastic influence of the testis in the transcriptome of subcutaneous fat of AL pigs, while the diet had a marginal effect. Diet can reduce stress by increasing satiety in animals, and could have induced an increase of skatole degradation due to the higher expression of the CYP2A19 gene in the IE group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large ham weight losses (WL) in dry-curing are undesired as they lead to a loss of marketable product and penalise the quality of the dry-cured ham. The availability of early predictions of WL may ease the adaptation of the dry-curing process to the characteristics of the thighs and increase the effectiveness of selective breeding in enhancing WL. Aims of this study were (i) to develop Bayesian and Random Forests (RFs) regression models for the prediction of ham WL during dry-curing using on-site infrared spectra of raw ham subcutaneous fat, carcass and raw ham traits as predictors and (ii) to estimate genetic parameters for WL and their predictions (P-WL). Visible-near infrared spectra were collected on the transversal section of the subcutaneous fat of raw hams. Carcass traits were carcass weight, carcass backfat depth, lean meat content and weight of raw hams. Raw ham traits included measures of ham subcutaneous fat depth and linear scores for round shape, subcutaneous fat thickness and marbling of the visible muscles of the thigh. Measures of WL were available for 1672 hams. The best prediction accuracies were those of a Bayesian regression model including the average spectrum, carcass and raw ham traits, with R2 values in validation of 0.46, 0.55 and 0.62, for WL at end of salting (23 days), resting (90 days) and curing (12 months), respectively. When WL at salting was used as an additional predictor of total WL, the R2 in validation was 0.67. Bayesian regressions were more accurate than RFs models in predicting all the investigated traits. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimates of genetic parameters for WL and P-WL at the end of curing were estimated through a bivariate animal model including 1672 measures of WL and 8819 P-WL records. Results evidenced that the traits are heritable (h2 ± SE was 0.27 ± 0.04 for WL and 0.39 ± 0.04 for P-WL), and the additive genetic correlation is positive and high (ra = 0.88 ± 0.03). Prediction accuracy of ham WL is high enough to envisage a future use of prediction models in identifying batches of hams requiring an adaptation of the processing conditions to optimise results of the manufacturing process. The positive and high genetic correlation detected between WL and P-WL at the end of dry-curing, as well as the estimated heritability for P-WL, suggests that P-WL can be successfully used as an indicator trait of the measured WL in pig breeding programs.

This research aims at evaluating the effects of the dietary addition of a supplement containing 75% of chestnut tannins (CT) on growth performance, slaughter traits (Experiment 1) and on nutrient utilisation (Experiment 2) of Italian heavy pigs. Exp. 1 compared a control (C) diet with diets containing 0.15 or 0.30% of CT supplement. Forty-two barrows (91 ± 6 kg of BW) were divided into pairs and kept in 21 partially-slatted pens equipped with individual feeding (7 pens/diet). Animals were slaughtered at a BW of 174 ± 6 kg. The CT inclusion did not modify the performance and the slaughter traits but lowered the intensity of red colour (p

Two independent trials were carried out to test the effectiveness of different environmental enrichments in improving Italian heavy pigs’ welfare. Eighty undocked Landrace × Large White barrows (body weight range: 27.1–158.4 kg) were used. In Trial 1, group C1 received a metal chain and group WL wooden logs (placed inside a specifically designed metal rack). In trial two, the enrichments proposed were a hanging chain (C2), and a vegetal edible block (EB) inside the metal rack. General health, animal behaviour, hair cortisol, blood parameters and growth performance were recorded. In Trial 1, WL pigs interacted with the enrichment at a lower extent than C1 (p

The current nutrient recommendations focus on pigs fed ad libitum up to 140 kg in body weight (BW). It remains unclear whether this applies to pigs weighing above 140 kg in BW under different rearing conditions. This study aimed to estimate protein (Pd) and lipid (Ld) depositions and the metabolizable energy (ME), standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID lysine) requirement and partitioning in 224 C21 Goland pigs (90–200 kg in BW). The control pigs (C) received diets limiting ME up to 170 kg in slaughter weight (SW) at 9 months of age (SA); older (OA) pigs had restricted diets limiting ME and SID lysine up to 170 kg in SW at >9 months SA; younger (YA) pigs were fed nonlimited amounts of ME and SID lysine up to 170 kg in SW at 170 kg in SW. The estimated MEm averaged 1.03 MJ/kg0.60. An 11% increase in MEm was observed in OA pigs compared to the controls. Energy restriction had negligible effects on the estimated MEm. The marginal efficiency of SID lysine utilization for Pd averaged 0.725, corresponding to a SID lysine requirement of 9.8 g/100 g Pd.

Large ham weight losses (WL) in dry-curing are undesired as they lead to a loss of marketable product and penalise the quality of the dry-cured ham. The availability of early predictions of WL may ease the adaptation of the dry-curing process to the characteristics of the thighs and increase the effectiveness of selective breeding in enhancing WL. Aims of this study were (i) to develop Bayesian and Random Forests (RFs) regression models for the prediction of ham WL during dry-curing using on-site infrared spectra of raw ham subcutaneous fat, carcass and raw ham traits as predictors and (ii) to estimate genetic parameters for WL and their predictions (P-WL). Visible-near infrared spectra were collected on the transversal section of the subcutaneous fat of raw hams. Carcass traits were carcass weight, carcass backfat depth, lean meat content and weight of raw hams. Raw ham traits included measures of ham subcutaneous fat depth and linear scores for round shape, subcutaneous fat thickness and marbling of the visible muscles of the thigh. Measures of WL were available for 1672 hams. The best prediction accuracies were those of a Bayesian regression model including the average spectrum, carcass and raw ham traits, with R2 values in validation of 0.46, 0.55 and 0.62, for WL at end of salting (23 days), resting (90 days) and curing (12 months), respectively. When WL at salting was used as an additional predictor of total WL, the R2 in validation was 0.67. Bayesian regressions were more accurate than RFs models in predicting all the investigated traits. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimates of genetic parameters for WL and P-WL at the end of curing were estimated through a bivariate animal model including 1672 measures of WL and 8819 P-WL records. Results evidenced that the traits are heritable (h2 ± SE was 0.27 ± 0.04 for WL and 0.39 ± 0.04 for P-WL), and the additive genetic correlation is positive and high (ra = 0.88 ± 0.03). Prediction accuracy of ham WL is high enough to envisage a future use of prediction models in identifying batches of hams requiring an adaptation of the processing conditions to optimise results of the manufacturing process. The positive and high genetic correlation detected between WL and P-WL at the end of dry-curing, as well as the estimated heritability for P-WL, suggests that P-WL can be successfully used as an indicator trait of the measured WL in pig breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Agronomical biofortification increased Selenium (Se) in Iberian pig diets. • These Se-biofortified diets increased the antioxidant capacity of Iberian pork. • These biofortified diets increased Se in meat but not in blood plasma. • Main meat effects persisted for 2 months after biofortified diet withdrawal. • This biofortification was inexpensive, safe and had long-lasting effects. Due to its valuable high intramuscular fat content and lipid composition, Iberian pork is very prone to rancidity. Selenium (Se) supplementation delays meat post-mortem oxidation, but organic Se reaches tissues more efficiently and durably than the inorganic forms, which may even be toxic at high concentrations. Agronomical Se biofortification (incorporating Se to crops) provides organic Se, is not expensive and is effective and safe for producing animal feed and human food. This study aimed to: (1) Determine the effectiveness of Se-biofortification in triticale crops. (2) Evaluate the use of Se-biofortified triticale grain in Iberian pigs during the pre-finishing vs the pre-finishing + finishing periods to determine the permanence of Se and the effects on pork antioxidant capacity. A 4-ha triticale plot was sprayed with sodium selenate (10 g Se/ha) and a similar, control plot was not sprayed. Treated plot grain had greater Se concentration (430 ± 22 µg Se/kg) than that from the control one (<25 µg). Starting at 7 months of age (m), castrated Iberian pigs were fed with standard concentrate, containing 45 % of triticale, which was standard (Control; Ctrl , n = 10), or the Se-biofortified one (Treated groups; Trt), which were fed until they were 12 m (Se-1 ; n = 10) or until slaughter time (60 days later; Se-2 ; n = 10). Blood samples were collected at the end of the finishing period for Se content and metabolic parameters. Pre-slaughter loin and gluteal ultrasonography was performed. Carcass and prime cuts were weighed, and meat samples analyzed for Se content and meat quality (before or after 7-day maturation; d0 or d7 respectively). Meat Se content was greater in Trt vs Ctrl, and greater in Se-2 vs Se-1. Treatment did not affect body weight nor blood Se content, but it increased ultrasonographic subcutaneous fat thickness in Se-1 and triglyceride blood levels in Se-2. Compared with Ctrl, Se-1 and Se-2 had higher pH on d0 and lower L* and b* colors on d7. Cooking losses were lowest for Se-1. Loin TBARS was greatest (more oxidized pork) on d7 in Ctrl. Pork springiness and resilience at 20% compression were greatest for Se-2. These results suggest (for the first time, as far as we know) a great potential for this sustainable strategy to increase meat antioxidant capacity through agronomical Se biofortification for animal feeding and for Iberian pigs in particular, even after a 2-month period of concentrate withdrawal, which is required for montanera -finished (free-ranging, acorn-fed) animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides a narrative review of the available information on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs in the pre-slaughter phase (transport, lairage, and stunning). The meat from these pigs is used for specific PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products, and the production rules for these specialties require higher body weight (160–170 kg) and age (in general more than 9 months) at slaughter than in most other countries. This may lead to specific behavioral and physiological needs of pigs. The present paper summarizes the main research findings and knowledge gaps for each of the pre-slaughter phases. Studies are presented according to the four principles of the Welfare Quality assessment protocol (good feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior). The results of the literature review indicate a lack of knowledge on several aspects. Most of studies were carried out in a single slaughterhouse, making it difficult to identify risk factors and confounding effects. Moreover, animal-based measures were assessed using different protocols, reducing the possibility of comparison across studies. These findings may serve as a basis for the development of specific research studies and policies aimed at enhancing the animal welfare level and the ethical attributes of this renowned production, also in accordance with consumers’ expectations.

The present study aimed to evaluate animal welfare of pigs from the same farm, raised with two ventilation systems. The study involved 60 pens of fattening pigs, raised in two buildings: one naturally ventilated (NV) and the other mechanically ventilated (MV). Pigs were assessed on three observation days: at 40 kg (T1), 100 kg (T2), and 160 kg (T3) of live weight. Animal-based measures were used such as qualitative behavioral analysis (QBA), behavioral measures (BMs), and lesion and health measures (LHMs). Housing conditions (HCs) measured at each observation day were the number of pigs per pen, space allowance, temperature, light, and CO2. The association study was performed using a general linear model and analysis of variance. Ventilation effect was analyzed by performing computational fluid dynamics. Results showed that overall pigs raised in the MV were in a more positive affective state. Despite that, with hot temperatures, the higher occurrence of pig soiling indicated heat stress in pigs and consequent welfare impairment. The higher frequency of pigs showing dog sitting behavior at T2 and T3 suggest welfare worsening in the last phases of fattening. The study concludes that ventilation system influences animal behavior and overall animal welfare, especially during the warmer season.

Pigs slaughtered in European abattoirs must be submitted to antemortem inspection (AMI) and postmortem inspection (PMI), as required by the current European legislation in the matter of official controls. AMI and PMI are equally essential to guarantee food safety and to monitor swine health and welfare. However, little is known about the ability of AMI to predict conditions that are possibly found during PMI. In this study, such a correlation was explored together with the assessment of conditions typically found during AMI and PMI in heavy pigs slaughtered in two Italian slaughterhouses. An assessment scheme containing 13 variables for AMI and 34 lesions for PMI was used for the scope. The herd size was also considered as a variable and included in the study. A total of 24,510 pigs and 30,961 pigs were assessed during AMI and PMI, respectively. The most common conditions found were manure on the body covering more than 30% of the body (dirt >30%) and pluck lesions (‘pleurisy’, ‘pericarditis’, and ‘pneumonia’) for AMI and PMI, respectively. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) between some antemortem (AM) findings and postmortem (PM) conditions was found. In particular, the AM conditions ‘dirt >30%’and ‘skin lesions’ were positively related with PM conditions ‘skin wounds’ and ‘dermatitis’, while the complexes of respiratory and kidney lesions were predicted only by the condition ‘dirt >30%’. The variable ‘standardized herd size’ was negatively associated with ‘milk spot liver’ and positively associated with ‘arthritis/bursitis’. The results of this study show that findings reported during AMI can potentially be used to predict certain conditions found in pigs at PMI. These data can be useful for the competent authorities in characterizing swine farms using a risk-based approach and in developing systems and specific plans for official controls.

This study aimed at investigating the effects of growth rate (GR) on live performance, carcass and dressed green ham (DRHAM) traits of finishing heavy pigs managed in accordance with the regulations governing the production of Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) dry-cured hams. Data were obtained from 233 crossbred pigs restrictively fed from 90 to 165 kg BW. Individual BW, daily feed intake, and weights of carcass and main cuts were recorded. Thighs were measured for subcutaneous fat thickness, analysed for fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and dry-cured hams were weighed. Records were classified according to GR quartile, calculated using the residuals of a statistical model that included the effects of pen, sex and diet. Data were analysed using the same model with the addition of the effect of GR quartile. Average GR ranged from 578 in the first quartile to 748 g/d in the fourth. Final BW and weights of carcass, DRHAM and dry-cured ham increased as the GR quartile increased (p

The effect of diets containing corn silages (whole ear or high cut whole plant corn silages, WECS and HCCS, respectively) on fatty acid composition of back fat and the weight loss of thighs during the seasoning process were examined in Italian heavy pigs (from 90 to 160 kg of live weight). Two trials were conducted in the same farm, following an identical experimental protocol. In both trials, a control diet, based on dry corn, barley, wheat, extracted soybean meal, wheat bran and supplement (47, 23, 10, 9, 8 and 3% dry matter (DM), respectively) was compared with a diet containing 30% DM of WECS (trial 1) or 20% DM of HCCS (trial 2) in substitution of bran and part of the corn. The initial fresh weight of thighs was very homogeneous between the two trials and only at the end of seasoning the hams from pigs fed the corn silage diets were slightly lighter (of about 0.5 kg, p

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased pork hot carcass weights on consumer visual acceptability and purchase intent ratings of top loin chops cut to various thicknesses in a price labeled versus unlabeled retail display scenario. Pork loins (N = 200) were collected from 4 different hot carcass weight groups: light weight (LT; less than 111.8 kg), medium-light weight (MLT; 111.8 to 119. kg), medium-heavy weight (MHVY; 119.1 to 124.4 kg), and a heavy weight group (HVY; 124.4 kg and greater). Loins were fabricated into 4 pairs of chops of specified thicknesses (1.27, 1.91, 2.54, and 3.18 cm). One chop from each pair was assigned to be packaged with or without a label. Consumers assessed chops for appearance, desirability, and purchase intent. For both appearance and purchase intent ratings, chops from HVY carcasses were given more desirable (P < 0.05) ratings compared to LT chops. Consumers gave greater (P < 0.05) appearance ratings to thicker cut chops. There was a hot carcass weight × chop thickness interaction (P < 0.05) for the percentage of consumers that indicated the chop was desirable overall. Regardless of hot carcass weight group, chops with a thickness of 1.27 cm had the lowest (P < 0.05) percentage of consumers indicate they were desirable overall. A greater (P < 0.05) percentage of consumers indicated “yes” they would purchase chops cut to a thickness of 2.54 cm compared to all other thicknesses. Additionally, there was a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of consumers who indicated they would purchase unlabeled chops compared to labeled chops. These results, within the population sampled, indicate that carcass weight and chop thickness can affect consumer preference and thus should be considered by retailers when marketing fresh pork loin chops.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increased pork hot carcass weight on loin quality and palatability of top loin chops. Pork loins (N = 200) were collected from 4 different hot carcass weight groups: A light weight (LT; less than 111.8 kg), medium-light weight (MLT; 111.8 to 119.1 kg), medium-heavy weight (MHVY; 119.1 to 124.4), and a heavyweight group (HVY; 124.4 and greater). Following fabrication, chops were assigned to fat and moisture analysis, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), consumer sensory panels, or trained sensory panels. Chops from the HVY group were rated as more (P < 0.05) tender compared to chops from the LT carcasses. Additionally, chops from the HVY weight group had greater (P < 0.05) consumer overall like ratings compared to chops from both the LT and MLT groups. Carcass weight did not affect (P > 0.05) consumer flavor liking ratings. Hot carcass weight treatment did not contribute (P > 0.05) to the percentage of chops rated acceptable for flavor and overall liking. The greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of samples were rated acceptable for juiciness for chops from the HVY weight group, and the lowest (P < 0.05) percentage of acceptable ratings for tenderness were for chops from the LT weight group. Both initial and sustained juiciness from MHVY carcasses were rated as more (P < 0.05) juicy compared to chops from both MLT and LT carcasses by trained sensory panelists. Additionally, chops from the LT carcasses had the lowest (P < 0.05) myofibrillar tenderness ratings. Chops from MHVY and HVY carcasses were similar (P > 0.05), with greater (P < 0.05) overall tenderness ratings compared to chops from LT carcasses. These results indicate chops from heavier weight carcasses may have improved tenderness and juiciness compared to chops from lighter carcasses.

The objective was to characterize ham and loin quality of carcasses ranging from 78 to 145 kg (average ∼119 kg). Hot carcass weight (HCW), back fat depth, and loin depth was measured on 666 carcasses. Loin pH, instrumental and visual color and iodine value of clear plate fat (all 3 layers) was measured on approximately 90% of the population. Quality measurements of the ham, 14 d aged loin and chop, and loin chop shear force (SSF) were evaluated on approximately 30% of the population. Myosin heavy chain fiber type determination was completed on 49 carcasses. Slopes of regression lines and coefficients of determination between HCW and quality traits were calculated using the REG procedure in SAS and considered significantly different from 0 at P ≤ 0.05. As HCW increased, loin depth (b1 = 0.2496, P < 0.0001), back fat depth (b1 = 0.1374, P < 0.0001), loin weight (b1 = 0.0345, P < 0.0001), and ham weight (b1 = 0.1044, P < 0.0001) increased. Estimated lean (b1 = –0.0751, P < 0.0001) and iodine value (b1 = –0.0922, P < 0.0001) decreased as HCW increased, where HCW accounted for 24% (R2 = 0.24) of the variation in estimated lean and 7% (R2 = 0.07) of the variation in iodine value. However, HCW did not explain variation in ham quality traits (P > 0.15) and did not explain more than 1% (R2 ≤ 0.01) of the variation in 1 d loin color or pH. Loins from heavier carcasses were more tender (decreased SSF; b1 = –0.0674, P < 0.0001), although HCW only explained 9% of the variation in SSF. Hot carcass weight did not alter (P > 0.22) muscle fiber type percentage or area. These results suggest that increasing HCW to an average of 119 kg did not compromise pork quality.

This review aims to give an overview of the most significant available information on welfare issues of Italian heavy pigs on farms. These animals, whose meat is used to produce typical products, are characterized by much higher body weights and age at slaughter (approximately 160–170 kg, and 9 months of age) than most pigs reared in Europe, resulting in peculiar behavioral and rearing-related needs. To highlight the main findings and the areas in which additional research is needed, the paper was organized by allocating the studies on the basis of the Welfare Quality four principles framework, i.e., good feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior. The results indicate the possibility of improvement with regard to the management of feeding, watering, and some environmental parameters (light, thermal comfort, enrichments) and a lack of knowledge on the actual space requirements (and a corresponding regulatory gap). Moreover, deficiencies concerning the prevalence of injuries and disease and the relationship between lesions observed post-mortem and rearing conditions needs to be addressed. Lastly, the absence of research concerning the evaluation of the emotional state of animals has been highlighted. It is hoped that these findings will, in the future, serve as a basis for the development of specific policies for these animals in order to increase the ethical value of the entire production chain, in accordance with consumers’ demand and expectation for high animal welfare standards.

The effect of diets based on two different barley varieties, with or without non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) degrading enzymes was evaluated on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fresh thigh quality in Italian heavy growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (64) were assigned to four diets: two diets based on 85% of hulled normal-amylose barley (Cometa, with or without NSP enzyme complex) and two diets based on 85% of hulless low-amylose barley (Alamo, with or without NSP enzyme complex). The diets were formulated according to three growth phases with same lisyne:digestible energy ratio. The NSP enzyme complex did not improve the Cometa and Alamo diets in terms of pig growth performance, carcass characteristics and fresh thigh quality. Throughout the study, the Alamo group had greater (p

This research aims at evaluating the effects of the dietary addition of a supplement containing 75% of chestnut tannins (CT) on growth performance, slaughter traits (Experiment 1) and on nutrient utilisation (Experiment 2) of Italian heavy pigs. Exp. 1 compared a control (C) diet with diets containing 0.15 or 0.30% of CT supplement. Forty-two barrows (91 ± 6 kg of BW) were divided into pairs and kept in 21 partially-slatted pens equipped with individual feeding (7 pens/diet). Animals were slaughtered at a BW of 174 ± 6 kg. The CT inclusion did not modify the performance and the slaughter traits but lowered the intensity of red colour (p <.05) and brightness (p <.05) of the gastric mucosa. Exp. 2 measured digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen (N) balance and energy utilisation of a C diet compared with low protein diets containing 0 or 0.53% of CT supplement (low protein, LP and low protein plus tannins, LPT, respectively). Eighteen barrows (BW 153 ± 4 kg) were housed in 6 metabolic cages in 3 periods of 14 days, with 6 animals per diet. LPT pigs produced less urine than LP (2132 vs. 2561 g/d, p <.05) and both were lower than C (2978 g/d, p <.05). LP and LPT diets had similar digestibility (87.6 vs. 87.8% for DM, and 85.1 vs. 83.9% for CP). N and energy balance were similar among all diets (34.8, 39.0, 39.2% retained N, and 37.6, 35.7, 37.3% retained energy, for C, LP and LPT, respectively). In conclusion, tannins do not exert anti-nutritional effect at the concentrations applied. Dietary chestnut tannin (CT) addition (at 1.5–5.3 g/kg) does not modify digestibility, metabolic use of nutrients and performance of heavy pigs. Dietary CT addition reduces urine volumes of animals with potential impact on farm slurry management. Changes of colour and hypertrophy of gastric mucosa of pigs fed CT are proxy indicators of metabolic reactions to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two independent trials were carried out to test the effectiveness of different environmental enrichments in improving Italian heavy pigs' welfare. Eighty undocked Landrace × Large White barrows (body weight range: 27.1–158.4 kg) were used. In Trial 1, group C1 received a metal chain and group WL wooden logs (placed inside a specifically designed metal rack). In trial two, the enrichments proposed were a hanging chain (C2), and a vegetal edible block (EB) inside the metal rack. General health, animal behaviour, hair cortisol, blood parameters and growth performance were recorded. In Trial 1, WL pigs interacted with the enrichment at a lower extent than C1 (p <.01) and walked less (p <.05). In Trial 2, EB pigs spent less time in lateral recumbency and rooting/exploring the pen floor (p <.05 and p <.01, respectively), and interacted more with the enrichment (p <.001) than C2. Motivation to explore both WL and EB was maintained over time, conversely to what happened to C1 and C2. No differences were observed in hair cortisol concentration, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, skin lesions and growth parameters. Tail lesions were higher in WL than in C1 (p <.05) Minor, transient differences were found in plasma biomarkers. Overall, WL had limited effect on behaviour, whereas EB might have reduced floor over-exploration when compared to the chains. It is concluded that, although from an animal behaviour standpoint EB might be promising, regardless of the device used (C, WL or EB), all experimental groups showed similar welfare parameters levels, stimulating the necessity for wider research on enrichment design and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of diets containing corn silages (whole ear or high cut whole plant corn silages, WECS and HCCS, respectively) on fatty acid composition of back fat and the weight loss of thighs during the seasoning process were examined in Italian heavy pigs (from 90 to 160 kg of live weight). Two trials were conducted in the same farm, following an identical experimental protocol. In both trials, a control diet, based on dry corn, barley, wheat, extracted soybean meal, wheat bran and supplement (47, 23, 10, 9, 8 and 3% dry matter (DM), respectively) was compared with a diet containing 30% DM of WECS (trial 1) or 20% DM of HCCS (trial 2) in substitution of bran and part of the corn. The initial fresh weight of thighs was very homogeneous between the two trials and only at the end of seasoning the hams from pigs fed the corn silage diets were slightly lighter (of about 0.5 kg, p<.05). The dietary inclusion of corn silages determined a significant increase of the saturated fraction of the back fat (from 40.6 to 41.9%, p<.05), mainly due to the increase of the C 18:0 fatty acid (from 14.3 to 15.2%, p<.05). Overall, the calculated iodine value was favourable for the fat of pigs fed silages (62.63 vs. 64.24, p=.05). In conclusion, feeding corn silages to heavy pigs has limited impact on seasoning ham losses and can slightly improve backfat quality, in terms of fatty acid composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at investigating the effects of growth rate (GR) on live performance, carcass and dressed green ham (DRHAM) traits of finishing heavy pigs managed in accordance with the regulations governing the production of Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) dry-cured hams. Data were obtained from 233 crossbred pigs restrictively fed from 90 to 165 kg BW. Individual BW, daily feed intake, and weights of carcass and main cuts were recorded. Thighs were measured for subcutaneous fat thickness, analysed for fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and dry-cured hams were weighed. Records were classified according to GR quartile, calculated using the residuals of a statistical model that included the effects of pen, sex and diet. Data were analysed using the same model with the addition of the effect of GR quartile. Average GR ranged from 578 in the first quartile to 748 g/d in the fourth. Final BW and weights of carcass, DRHAM and dry-cured ham increased as the GR quartile increased (p<.01). An increase in GR improved feed efficiency linearly (p<.001) and tended to increase the thickness of subcutaneous fat of DRHAM, whereas seasoning losses decreased linearly with increasing average GR. In conclusion, targeting the GR of finishing pigs at a minimum of 750 g/d and consequently increasing final BW to around 175-180 kg may be a way to improve feed efficiency and some quality traits of DRHAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to determine the predictive abilities of HCW for loin, ham, and belly quality of 7,684 pigs with carcass weights ranging from 53.2 to 129.6 kg. Carcass composition, subjective loin quality, and ham face color were targeted on all carcasses, whereas in-plant instrumental loin color and belly quality were assessed on 52.0 and 47.5% of carcasses, respectively. Loin chop slice shear force (SSF), cured ham quality, and adipose iodine value (IV) were evaluated on at least 10% of the population. The slope of regression lines and coefficients of determination between HCW and quality traits were computed using PROC REG of SAS and considered significant at P = 0.05. As HCW increased, boneless loins became darker and redder, evidenced by lower L* (β1 = -0.0243, P < 0.001) and greater a* values (β1 = 0.0106, P < 0.001); however, HCW accounted for only =0.80% of the variability in loin L* and a* values. Similarly, subjective loin color score (β1 = 0.0024, P < 0.001) increased with increasing carcass weight, but subjective marbling score was not affected by HCW (β1 = -0.0022, P = 0.06). After 20 d of aging, HCW explained only 0.98% of the variability in loin L* values (β1 = -0.0287, P < 0.01). Heavier carcasses had lower SSF values (β1 = -0.1269, P < 0.001) of LM chops, although HCW explained only 4.46% of the variability in SSF. Although heavier carcasses produced loins that exhibited lower ultimate pH values (β1 = -0.0018, P < 0.001), HCW explained only 1.23% of the variability in ultimate loin pH. Interestingly, cook loss decreased (β1 = -0.0521, P < 0.001) as HCW increased, with HCW accounting for 5.60% of the variability in cook loss. Heavier carcasses resulted in darker, redder ham face color (P < 0.001), but HCW accounted for only =2.87% of the variability in ham face L* values and 0.47% of the variability in a* values. Heavier carcasses produced thicker and firmer bellies, with HCW accounting for 37.81% of the variability in belly thickness (β1 = 0.0272, P < 0.001), 20.35% of the variability in subjective flop score (β1 = 0.0406, P < 0.001), and 10.35% of the variability in IV (β1 = -0.1263, P < 0.001). Overall, the proportion of variability in loin and ham quality explained by HCW was poor (=5.60%), suggesting that HCW is a poor predictor of the primal quality of pigs within this weight range. Nonetheless, HCW was a moderate predictor of belly quality traits. The findings of this study suggest that increasing HCW did not compromise loin, ham, or belly quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-seven castrated male Duroc x (Landrace x Large White) pigs were used to determine fatty acids compositions from different adipose tissues. The outer subcutaneous backfat layer had a lower proportion of saturated and higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids than the inner layer. Liver fat had the highest proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Intramuscular fat followed by subcutaneous backfat had the highest monounsaturation indexes. Moreover, omental and hepatic fat had the highest amount of n-3 fatty acids. In conclusion, the fatty acid profile was depended on fat location, with intramuscular and outer backfat the most beneficial from the point of view of nutrition and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1) gene encodes the prohormone convertase 1/3 enzyme that processes prohormones into functional hormones that, in turn, regulate central and peripheral energy metabolism. Mutations in the human PCSK1 gene cause severe monogenic obesity or confer risk of obesity. We herein investigated the porcine PCSK1 gene with the aim of identifying polymorphisms associated with fat deposition and production traits in Italian heavy pigs. By re-sequencing about 5.1 kb of this gene in 21 pigs of different breeds, we discovered 14 polymorphisms that were organized in nine haplotypes, clearly distributed in two clades of putative European and Asian origin. Then we re-mapped this gene on porcine chromosome 2 and analysed its expression in several tissues including gastric oxyntic mucosa of weanling pigs in which PCSK1 processes the pre-pro-ghrelin into ghrelin, which in turn is involved in the control of feed intake and energy metabolism. Association analyses between PCSK1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and production, carcass and several other traits were conducted on five groups of pigs from three different experimental designs, for a total of 1221 animals. Results indicated that the analysed SNPs were associated (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) with several traits including backfat thickness and visible intermuscular fat in Italian Duroc (ID) and growth performances in Italian Large White (ILW) and in ILW × Italian Landrace pigs. However, the effects estimated in the ILW were opposite to the effects reported in the ID pigs. Suggestive association (P < 0.10) was observed with muscle cathepsin B activity, opening, if confirmed, potential applications to reduce the excessive softness defect of the green hams that is of particular concern for the processing industry. The results obtained supported the need to further investigate the PCSK1 gene to fully exploit the value of its variability and apply this information in pig breeding programmes.

A total of 48 Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) gilts of 46.8 kg BW (86 ± 3 days of age) were used to investigate the effect of diet during the growing and finishing periods on growth performance and carcass, meat and fat quality. The control diet consisted of a commercial feedstuff and the granulated barley diet had that cereal as the single major ingredient. There were three treatments: (i) control diet provided from 45.6 to 127.8 kg BW (C group), (ii) control diet from 47.0 to 91.8 kg BW and granulated barley from 91.8 to 129.7 kg BW (C + GB group) and (iii) granulated barley from 47.9 to 93.1 kg BW and control diet from 93.1 to 135.1 kg BW (GB + C group). Each treatment was replicated eight times, with two pigs per replicate. The C group grew faster (P < 0.001) and had a better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001) than the GB + C group, with C + GB being intermediate. Carcasses from C + GB gilts had higher backfat depth than those from C gilts, with GB + C being intermediate (P < 0.05). Also, the main joints (ham + shoulder + loin) had a higher (P < 0.01) yield in carcass in the GB + C group than in the C group, with C + GB being intermediate. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content was higher (P < 0.001) in loin from C + GB and GB + C gilts than in C gilts. The IMF of loin from C + GB gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated fatty acid (FA) proportions than that from C gilts, whereas the C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA percentages were lower (P < 0.05) in C + GB gilts than in the remaining gilts. The total saturated FA percentage was lower (P < 0.05) in loin from GB + C than in that from C gilts. Hams from C + GB and GB + C gilts had higher (P < 0.05) C18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated FA proportions and lower C18:2n-6 and total polyunsaturated FA contents than those from C gilts. We can conclude that granulated barley provided during the growing or the finishing period improved some carcass and meat characteristics of heavy gilts desirable for dry-cured ham production.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of long-term fat supplementation on the fatty acid profile of heavy pig adipose tissue. Fifty-four Large White barrows, averaging 25 kg LW, were randomized (matched weights) to one of three isoenergetic diets supplemented with either tallow (TA), maize oil (MO), or rapeseed oil (RO). The fats were supplement- ed at 3% as fed from 25 to 110 kg LW, and at 2.5 % from 110 kg to slaughtering. Following slaughter at about 160 kg LW, backfat samples were collected from ten animals per treatment and analyzed. Fatty acid composition of backfat close- ly reflected the fatty acid composition of the supplemented fats. The backfat of pigs fed TA had the highest saturated fatty acid content (SFA) (P

Foram utilizados 60 suínos machos castrados (89,1 ± 4,2 kg) para avaliar o uso de níveis (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%) de restrição qualitativa, resultando em valores de 3.407, 3.240, 3.060, 2.890 e 2.720 kcal de energia digestível por quilo de ração. Dez animais foram abatidos no início do experimento para determinação da composição corporal inicial, enquanto os demais foram alimentados com as dietas experimentais até atingirem 128 kg. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados para controle das diferenças de peso inicial, com dez blocos, cinco tratamentos (dietas experimentais) e um animal por unidade experimental. Dados de características de desempenho, de carcaça e parâmetros séricos dos animais foram submetidos à análise de variância com posterior desdobramento em regressão em função dos níveis de restrição qualitativa das dietas. O aumento nos níveis de restrição qualitativa não alterou o consumo diário de ração, mas reduziu linearmente o consumo diário de energia digestível e o ganho diário de peso, piorando a conversão alimentar e melhorando a eficiência de utilização de energia pelos animais. Os níveis de restrição qualitativa provocaram redução linear dos níveis séricos de triacilgliceróis e da espessura de toucinho e aumento da porcentagem e quantidade de carne magra e do índice de bonificação das carcaças, mas não alteraram o ganho diário de carne magra. A utilização de restrição qualitativa é eficiente para reduzir a ingestão energética e a deposição de gordura em suínos não reduz a capacidade de produção de carne magra.A total of 60 barrow pigs (89.1 ± 4.2 kg) was used to evaluate five levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of qualitative feed restriction, resulting in values of 3,407, 3,420, 3,060, 2,890, and 2,720 kcal/kg DE in the diet. Ten animals were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment to determine the initial body composition, while the others were fed with the experimental diets until reaching 128 kg of body weight. A randomly block design was used to control the initial weight differences, with ten blocks and five treatments (experimental diets) and one animal per experimental unit. Performance and carcass characteristics and serum parameters of pigs were submitted to analysis of variance and with posterior analysis of regression in function of qualitative restriction levels of diets. The increase of feed qualitative restriction levels did not affect the daily feed intake but linearly reduced the daily digestible energy intake and the daily weight gain, resulting in worse feed conversion and better efficiency of energy utilization by pigs. The levels of qualitative restriction produce a linear reduction of serum triacylglycerol levels and of back fat thickness, and an increase of percentage and amount of lean meat and bonus carcass index, but did not alter the daily lean meat gain of pigs. The use of qualitative feed restriction is efficient to reduce the pig energy intake and fat deposition, without change the capacity of lean meat production.

The effect of diets based on two different barley varieties, with or without non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) degrading enzymes was evaluated on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fresh thigh quality in Italian heavy growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (64) were assigned to four diets: two diets based on 85% of hulled normal-amylose barley (Cometa, with or without NSP enzyme complex) and two diets based on 85% of hulless low-amylose barley (Alamo, with or without NSP enzyme complex). The diets were formulated according to three growth phases with same lisyne:digestible energy ratio. The NSP enzyme complex did not improve the Cometa and Alamo diets in terms of pig growth performance, carcass characteristics and fresh thigh quality. Throughout the study, the Alamo group had greater (p < 0.05) final body weight, average daily gain and gain per megacalorie of digestible energy than the Cometa group. Higher (p < 0.05) carcass and thigh weights, and lower (p < 0.01) thigh chilling losses were observed for the Alamo group compared with the Cometa group. The Cometa diet decreased (p < 0.01) polyunsaturated fatty acids level, and increased (p < 0.01) monounsaturated fatty acid content and saturated fatty acids/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in subcutaneous fat of fresh thighs. No appreciable differences were observed in the color of subcutaneous fat andbiceps femorisof pigs fed the Cometa and Alamo diets. Feeding hulless low-amylose barley to growing-finishing pigs can be valuable to promote growth performance and carcass characteristics. No NSP enzyme complex is needed when hulled normal-amylose barley or hulless low-amylose barley are used in diets for heavy pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nutritional strategies are being researched in pigs to increase fatness and then to improve quality of dry-cured products. A total of 160 Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) pigs, 50% barrows and 50% gilts, were used in a trial. During the growing period (73–118 d of age), four feeds were formulated with decreasing levels of crude protein (CP; 21.6, 17.7, 14.7 and 13.5%) to achieve 1.10, 0.91, 0.78 and 0.52% of total Lysine, respectively. From 118 d until slaughter, at 123 kg (183, 181, 178 or 192 d of age, respectively), a common diet was provided (17.7% CP and 0.91% Lysine). Barrows had fatter carcasses than gilts but intramuscular fat (IMF) proportion was similar for both. Dietary CP restriction promoted wider backfat depth and pork with higher IMF percentage which was more monounsaturated and less polyunsaturated. We conclude that CP restriction during the grower period improves desirable carcass and meat traits in barrows and gilts intended for dry-cured products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A study was conducted to evaluate the quality and sensory properties of protected designation of origin (PDO) Parma ham and Piacentina neck obtained from heavy pigs (Italian Duroc ? Italian Large White) fed barley-based diets. Four diets were tested: 1) a corn-based diet (control), 2) the control diet with 80% of a normal-amylose hulled barley variety (Cometa), 3) the control diet with 80% of a normalamylose hulless barley variety (Astartis), and 4) the control diet with 80% of a low-amylose hulless barley variety (Alamo). All the meat products were analyzed for physicochemical and color parameters. The drycured hams and necks were also evaluated for sensory properties. The data of physicochemical, color, and sensory parameters were separately analyzed by multivariate factor analysis, and interpretation of each extracted factor was based on specific original variables loading on each one. The meat products obtained from pigs fed the barley-based diets differed from those obtained from the control pigs on the PUFA factors characterized by C18:2n-6 and omega-3:omega-6 ratio. In particular, the meat products obtained from pigs fed the barley-based diets had a lower content of C18:2n-6 and a higher omega-3:omega-6 ratio (P < 0.05) than the control. In fresh hams, iodine number and SFA (C16:0 and C18:0) in addition to PUFA and omega-3:omega-6 ratio loaded on the PUFA/SFA factor. The fresh hams produced from pigs fed the barley-based diets had subcutaneous fat (SC) with a lower iodine number and a higher SFA level compared with those produced from the control pigs (P < 0.05). A sex effect was measured for PUFA/SFA and oleic acid factors. In particular, the barrow SC had a lower SFA content, higher PUFA and C18:1n-9cis levels, and a higher iodine number (P < 0.05) than the gilt SC. There were no appreciable differences in the color and sensory properties of meat products obtained from pigs fed the different diets. The hams from barrows differed from those obtained from gilts on the lean properties factor describing properties related to aspect and odor of dry-cured hams. Indeed, the hams from barrows were depreciated compared with the hams from gilts for minor intensity, brightness, and uniformity of the lean, pinkish intermuscular fat and cured odor. In conclusion, barley could be used as a replacement for corn in heavy pig diets for the production of PDO Italian products without negative effects on the physicochemical, color, or sensory characteristics of meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key component of most European pig Salmonella control programmes is the classification of herds according to seroprevalence at slaughter. The objectives of this study were to estimate the true Salmonella seroprevalence, and investigate the association between the true status of infection and serology in slaughter heavy pigs. Blood of 3340 pigs was collected and tested with ELISA. From 385 pigs, also lymph nodes and cecal content were collected for bacteriology. Analysis was performed in a Bayesian framework. Results showed that a large proportion of pigs was serologically positive (herd seroprevalence 93% and within-herd seroprevalence higher than 81% in half of herds at cut-off 10 OD%). The association between the true status of infection and serology was not significant, and therefore the classification of heavy pig herds according to seroprevalence at slaughter would not be suitable to reduce the risk of introducing Salmonella into the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin supplementation is a widely extended practice in swine nutrition. Certain vitamins such as vitamins A and E are related to meat quality and have been reported as antagonists. Thus, their tissue levels are of interest for swine producers and consumers. This experiment was undertaken to study the effect of dietary vitamin A supplementation or withdrawal duration and timing on the evolution of vitamin A deposition in tissues, α-tocopherol accumulation and gene expression in heavy pigs. Eighty weaned Iberian piglets (16.3 ± 2.5 kg) were either fed a vitamin A-enriched diet (10,000 IU vitamin A/kg) ( CONTROL ) or given a diet without added vitamin A applied from the beginning of the trial at 16.3 kg (early restriction group, ER ) or from an average weight of 35.8 kg (late restriction group, LR ). Pigs fed ER and LR had lower ADG and worse feed efficiency than those from the CONTROL group at 101.4 kg (P=0.001 and P=0.034, respectively). However, final weight, average daily gain, average daily intake and feed conversion efficiency were not statistically affected by dietary treatment during the starter (<35.8 kg), fattening period (101.4–157.9 kg) or overall (16.3–157.9 kg). Retinol concentration in tissues reflected the dietary vitamin A level. Retinol and retinyl palmitate accumulation in hepatic and fat depots of control animals was more marked during the growing than during the finishing period. Retinol depots decreased in restricted groups and showed different sensitivity for mobilization between tissues, with faster retinol mobilization from the liver. The ER group had a higher hepatic α-tocopherol increase than the LR group (P<0.0001). However, in fat the increase in α-tocopherol levels were more marked in the LR than in the ER group (P<0.0001). ADH1C gene expression was higher (P=0.0237) in CONTROL than in ER at 101 kg and LRAT gene expression showed a dose-dependent decrease in the ER group at 101 and 158 kg LW (P<0.0001). There were no differences in RBP4 , ALDH1A1 , MTTP and TTP gene expression as affected by dietary treatment. Growth time influenced gene expression, with ADH1C and RBP4 genes being mainly expressed at 101 kg LW compared to pigs at 36 or 158 kg LW (P<0.05). Relative expression of MTTP and TTP was also affected by time and showed an opposite pattern to that observed for vitamin A-related genes. The results suggest that removing vitamin A from the diet for long or short periods in heavy pigs has the potential to reduce feed costs, increasing tissue α-tocopherol levels without affecting slaughter weight or feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TheGPR120gene (also known asFFAR4orO3FAR1) encodes for a functional omega-3 fatty acid receptor/sensor that mediates potent insulin sensitizing effects by repressing macrophage-induced tissue inflammation. For its functional role,GPR120could be considered a potential target gene in animal nutrigenetics. In this work we resequenced the porcineGPR120gene by high throughput Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing of amplified fragments obtained from 8 DNA pools derived, on the whole, from 153 pigs of different breeds/populations (two Italian Large White pools, Italian Duroc, Italian Landrace, Casertana, Pietrain, Meishan, and wild boars). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two synonymous substitutions and one in the putative 3′-untranslated region (g.114765469C > T), were identified and their allele frequencies were estimated by sequencing reads count. The g.114765469C > T SNP was also genotyped by PCR-RFLP confirming estimated frequency in Italian Large White pools. Then, this SNP was analyzed in two Italian Large White cohorts using a selective genotyping approach based on extreme and divergent pigs for back fat thickness (BFT) estimated breeding value (EBV) and average daily gain (ADG) EBV. Significant differences of allele and genotype frequencies distribution was observed between the extreme ADG-EBV groups (P < 0.001) whereas this marker was not associated with BFT-EBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of four dietary treatments characterized by 0 to 20% progressive reduction of the dietary crude protein (CP) and indispensable amino acid (AA) contents on carcass quality and uniformity of pigs fed restrictively and slaughtered around 165 kg body weight (BW). Carcass data from 233 pigs from a feeding study that involved 3 batches of 80 crossbred pigs each were used. Pigs, offspring of 12 boars, were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 pigs per pen, gilts and barrows, and 2 pens per treatment in each batch) with diets formulated to contain 146 to 117 and 133 to 108 g/kg of CP and 7.3 to 5.8 and 5.7 to 4.7 g/kg of total Lys in early (90 to 130 kg BW) and late (130 to 165 kg BW) finishing, respectively. After slaughter, the carcasses were processed and the weight of the commercial lean (neck, loin, shoulder, and ham) and fat cuts (backfat, belly, and jowl) was recorded. The coefficient of variation was used to describe uniformity of the most important carcass traits, and the corresponding confidence intervals were computed to make comparisons across dietary treatments. Carcass weight and midline backfat thickness averaged 137 kg and 31 mm, respectively, and were not affected by diets. Diets did not influence the weight of commercial cuts and their proportion on carcass weight, with the sole exception of loins. Pigs fed diets containing the 2 lowest CP content had a slight lower proportion of loins in the carcass compared with pigs fed the conventional CP diet ( P <0.05). Most carcass traits were affected by sex and by sire effects, but interactions between diet and sex or sire was only episodic. Uniformity of carcass weight, backfat thickness, and weight of loins and dressed hams was not influenced by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, the content of CP, Lys, and other indispensable AA of conventional diets for finishing heavy pigs may be reduced by 20% without impairing the weight of carcass and primal cuts and the yields of dressed hams. This feeding strategy will contribute to the heavy pig industry by reducing feed costs (i.e., decreasing the dietary provision of soybean meal and crystalline AA) and minimizing the nitrogen excretion, without affecting carcass quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to estimate covariance components for BW at 270 d (BW270) and carcass and ham quality traits in heavy pigs using models accounting for social effects and to compare the ability of such models to fit the data relative to models ignoring social interactions. Phenotypic records were from 9,871 pigs sired by 293 purebred boars mated to 456 crossbred sows. Piglets were born and reared at the same farm and randomly assigned at 60 d of age to groups (6.1 pigs per group on average) housed in finishing pens, each having an area of 6 m2. The average additive genetic relationship among group mates was 0.11. Pigs were slaughtered at 277 ± 3 d of age and 169.7 ± 13.9 kg BW in groups of nearly 70 animals each. Four univariate animal models were compared: a basic model (M1) including only direct additive genetic effects, a model (M2) with nonheritable social group (pen) effects in addition to effects in M1, a model (M3) accounting for litter effects in addition to M2, and a model (M4) accounting for social genetic effects in addition to effects in M3. Restricted maximum likelihood estimates of covariance components were obtained for BW270; carcass backfat depth; carcass lean meat content (CLM); iodine number (IOD); and linoleic acid content (LIA) of raw ham subcutaneous fat; subcutaneous fat depth in the proximity of semimembranosus muscle (SFD1) and quadriceps femoris muscle (SFD2); and linear scores for ham round shape (RS), subcutaneous fat (SF), and marbling. Likelihood ratio tests indicated that, for all traits, M2 fit the data better than M1 and that M3 was superior to M2 except for SFD1 and SFD2. Model M4 was significantly better than M3 for BW270 (P < 0.001) and CLM, IOD, RS, and SF (P < 0.05). The contribution of social genetic effects to the total heritable variance was large for CLM and BW270, ranging from 33.2 to 35%, whereas the one for ham quality traits ranged from 6.8 (RS) to 11.2% (SF). Direct and social genetic effects on BW270 were uncorrelated, whereas there was a negative genetic covariance between direct and social effects on CLM, IOD, RS, and SF, which reduced the total heritable variance. This variance, measured relative to phenotypic variance, ranged from 21 (CLM) to 54% (BW270). Results indicate that social genetic effects affect variation in traits relevant for heavy pigs used in dry-cured hams manufacturing. Such effects should be exploited and taken into account in design of breeding programs for heavy pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 200 Duroc cross (Landrace×Large White) pigs, 50% barrows and 50% gilts, of 26.3±0.55 kg body weight (BW) were used to study the effect of Lysine (Lys) restriction in the grower period on subsequent performance, serum metabolites and fatness. Four diets with Lys contents of 11.0, 9.1, 7.8 and 5.2 g/kg were offered to animals during the grower phase (45 d) in a two (sex)×four (diet) randomized block factorial design with five pens (replicates) per treatment and five pigs each. At the end of the restricted period, one pig per pen (five pigs per treatment) was slaughtered and the rest were fed a common finishing diet with 9.1 g/kg Lys until slaughter at 123 kg±2.35 kg BW. During the grower phase, Lys restriction reduced average daily gain (ADG) ( P <0.001), average daily feed intake (ADFI) ( P =0.008) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) ( P =0.003). The responses were quadratic and similar for both sexes. At the end of this period, restricted pigs showed lower backfat thickness ( P <0.001) because they were lighter (47 vs. 64±0.7 kg BW) but had higher serum concentrations of triglycerides (linear; P =0.001) and cholesterol (quadratic; P =0.039). Also, serum albumin decreased quadratically ( P= 0.004) with Lys restriction while urea increased with the highest level of restriction. During the finisher phase, ADG increased linearly ( P <0.001) in response to previous Lys restriction which was related with a trend to higher ADFI ( P= 0.0.97), resulting in a linear increase of FCR ( P =0.002). However, the compensatory growth was incomplete and, during the overall period, there was a reduction of ADG (quadratic; P= 0.041) and of FCR (linear; P =0.001) as dietary Lys content decreased, whereas fat depth at the gluteus medius (GM) muscle increased linearly ( P =0.004). This entailed a delay to reach the slaughter BW of 1.8±0.43 d per g Lys restriction/kg of diet which was related to worse FCR by 0.034±0.0095 and to an increase of fat thickness at GM muscle of 0.51±0.168 mm. At the end of the trial, barrows grew faster, ate more feed and were fatter than gilts ( P <0.001). These results confirm that the Lys restriction during the grower period promoted an incomplete compensatory growth and might be a useful strategy to increase the fatness albeit with a cost in terms of FCR in production systems of heavy barrows and gilts intended for dry-cured products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary study was carried out with 36 barrows to investigate the effect of slaughter weight (SW; 120, 130 and 140 kg) on chemical, instrumental and sensory characteristics of Teruel dry-cured ham. the intramuscular fat content tended to increase and salt, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite contents decreased as SW increased. the panelists detected wider subcutaneous fat and lower cured colour, saltiness, hardness and fibrousness in hams from heavier pigs but no difference was observed on overall quality assessment. In conclusion, pig SW affected some chemical and sensory traits of dry-cured ham, which contributes to increase the heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify copy number variants ( CNVs) in Italian Large White pigs and test them for association with back fat thickness ( BFT). Within a population of 12 000 performance-tested pigs, two groups of animals with extreme and divergent BFT estimated breeding values ( EBVs; 147 with negative and 150 with positive EBVs) were genotyped with the Illumina Porcine SNP60 BeadChip. CNVs were detected with penncnv software. We identified a total of 4146 CNV events in 170 copy number variation regions ( CNVRs) located on 15 porcine autosomes. Validation of detected CNVRs was carried out (i) by comparing CNVRs already detected by other studies and (ii) by semiquantitative fluorescent multiplex ( SQFM) PCR of a few CNVRs. Most of CNVRs detected in Italian Large White pigs (71.2%) were already reported in other pig breeds/populations, and 82.1% of the CNV events detected by penncnv were confirmed by SQFM PCR. For each CNVR, we compared the occurrence of CNV events between the pigs of the high and low BFT EBV tails. Sixteen regions showed significance at P < 0.10, and seven were significant at P < 0.05 but were not significant after Bonferroni correction (Fisher's exact test). These results indicated that CNVs could explain a limited fraction of the genetic variability of fat deposition in Italian Large White pigs. However, it was interesting to note that one of these CNVRs encompassed the ZPLD1 gene. In humans, a rare CNV event including this gene is associated with obesity. Studies identifying CNVs in pigs could assist in elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying human obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of decreasing dietary crude protein (CP) and indispensable amino acid (AA) content, relative to conventional diets, on growth performance of heavy pigs for dry cured ham production. Four dietary treatments (conventional: CONV, medium-high protein, medium-low protein, and low protein: LP) were formulated by replacing soybean meal with wheat grain to contain 146 to 117 and 133 to 108g CP/kg in early (90 to 130kg BW) and late finishing (130 to 165kg BW) periods, respectively. Within period, diets contained the same amounts of indispensable AA per unit of CP, and the standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys content was 42.2 and 35.5g/kg of CP in early and late finishing periods, respectively. A total of 240 crossbred pigs, grouped in 3 batches of 80 pigs each, were assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments according to BW and sex (10 pigs per pen, gilts and barrows, and 2 pens per treatment in each batch). Pigs were fed restrictively using a single-space electronic feeder, and feed allowance increased from 2.4 at the start (92±10kg BW) to 3.2kg/d at the end of the trial (167±10kg BW), irrespective of sex. Initial and final BW and backfat depth (P2) measures were used to estimate body composition, and lipid and protein retention (Lr and Pr, respectively). These estimates, along with feed intake data, were used to study the partitioning of ME and SID Lys among body functions. Nitrogen excretion (NEx) was estimated as actual N intake – N retention, and N retention was computed as Pr/6.25. Final BW, average daily gain and final P2 backfat averaged 167kg, 0.665kg/d, and 18mm, respectively. Diet had no effect on these traits, as well as on gain to feed ratio (0.253), Lr (265g/d), Pr (95g/d), and the ME available for maintenance (0.845MJ/kg BW0.60). From CONV to LP the SID Lys intake decreased from 137 to 122g/kg Pr, and NEx decreased by 22%. In this production system, a reduction of dietary CP and indispensable AA content is advisable, as no negative impact on growth performance was observed compared to CONV. A reduced inclusion of soybean meal with a minimal supplementation of AA reduces feed costs and NEx. This would increase the number of pigs raised per unit of land where a maximum N load/ha is constrained by law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]