Energy partitioning in growing pigs: the use of a multivariate model as an alternative for the factorial analysis

To quantify the utilization of ME by growing pigs, a factorial analysis method is often used in which the ME intake is regressed on protein (PD) and lipid deposition (LD) rates. The approach has been criticized because there often is a strong correlation between PD and LD, which makes accurate estimation of model parameters difficult. The current study describes a nonlinear multivariate analysis procedure in which PD and LD are the result of variation in ME intake. The approach requires a hypothesis concerning the partitioning of ME intake above maintenance between PD and LD. The method was evaluated using data for growing pigs of different genotypes and sex and weighing between 20 and 107 kg that were offered a diet close to ad libitum. Energy, nitrogen, and fat balances were determined at regular intervals over the growing period. The maintenance energy requirement was expressed as a function of BW (with group-specific parameters) or as a function of muscle and visceral mass. The maintenance energy requirements ranged from 913 to 1,070 kJ ME/((kg BW).60.d) for obese castrates and boars of a synthetic line, respectively. Viscera contributed 1,558 kJ ME/ ((kg tissue).70.d) to the maintenance energy requirement, whereas muscle contributed only 555 kJ ME/ ((kg tissue).70.d). It was assumed that the proportion of ME intake (above maintenance) designated for PD declined linearly with increasing BW. At 20 kg of BW, 49% of ME intake above maintenance was designated for PD in lean genotypes, whereas this was only 34% in obese genotypes. In general, with increasing BW, less energy was designated for PD, but this relationship depended on genotype and sex. Extremely lean male genotypes maintained a constant partitioning of energy between PD and LD for all BW. The energetic efficiencies varied (depending on the model used to express the maintenance requirement) between .58 and .60 for PD and .77 and .82 for LD. Extrapolation of results suggested that animals fed at maintenance energy level would still deposit protein at the expense of body lipid. It is argued that this finding requires nonbiological efficiencies of lipid catabolism and protein synthesis and illustrates the limitation of the maintenance concept for growing animals. The multivariate analysis method proposed here circumvents many of the problems associated with the factorial regression analysis of ME intake on PD and LD. The method can be used to further refine nutritional models describing growth in pigs.