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Muscle cellularity and postnatal growth in the pig
C M Dwyer1, J M Fletcher, N C Stickland
1Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, U.K.
Journal of Animal Science
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Higher muscle fiber number in pigs is linked to faster and more efficient growth during later growth stages. This finding is crucial for understanding animal growth determinants.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fast-growing animal strains typically exhibit a greater number of muscle fibers compared to slow-growing strains.
- The relationship between muscle fiber number and growth rate requires further investigation within genetically similar populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between muscle fiber number and growth performance in pigs of the same strain.
- To determine if muscle fiber number influences average daily gain and feed efficiency during different growth phases.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-six pigs from seven litters were weighed monthly from birth to approximately 80 kg.
- Muscle samples were analyzed to estimate total fiber number and the secondary:primary fiber ratio.
- Growth was divided into three phases, with average daily gain and gain:feed ratio calculated.
Main Results:
- Average daily gain in early growth phases correlated with birth weight, not fiber number.
- In the third growth phase (25 kg to slaughter), average daily gain was significantly correlated with muscle fiber number (r = .4149, P < .001).
- Gain:feed ratio in the third phase also correlated with muscle fiber number (r = .4191, P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Muscle fiber number is a significant determinant of postnatal growth in pigs.
- Pigs with a higher muscle fiber count exhibit faster growth rates and improved feed efficiency in later developmental stages.
- These findings have implications for selective breeding and optimizing animal production.