Efficiency of energy and protein deposition in swine during compensatory growth measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

摘要

Following a period of restricted dietary intake, young pigs exhibit compensatory growth that is characterized by an accelerated growth rate that usually includes more fat and less muscle than in pigs continuously fed ad libitum (Mersmann et al., 1987). Fat and lean deposition in growing pigs can also be influenced by the level of protein in the diet and by feeding the p-adrenergic agonist, ractopamine (Mitchell et al, 1990; Carr et al, 2005). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of controlled intake, dietary protein (CP) level, and ractopamine supplementation on growth, body composition, and the efficiency of energy and protein deposition in pigs during uninterrupted or compensatory growth from 60 to 100 kg.