A comparison of the composition of milks from Meishan and crossbred pigs

Because of low energy reserves at birth, piglets are dependent on the sow’s milk for survival. Breed differences can influence milk composition. The objective of this study was to examine litter characteristics, milk composition including calcium and the water holding capacity of casein, solvation, between the highly prolific Meishan breed and lean crossbred pigs. Samples were collected by hand-milking at early (days 3–5) and late (days 20–21) lactation. Milk fat percentage for Meishans was higher than for the crossbred, especially during early lactation (10.72±0.5>8.91±0.4 (crossbred); P 6.49±0.39 (crossbred); P>0.05. No differences were observed between breeds for lactose or protein at either sampling time. Calcium concentration (mg/dl) was higher in Meishan milk than in crossbred milk at early lactation (0.204±0.01>0.178±0.01; P 11.1±0.7; P