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The inuence of nutrition in early life on growth and development

of the pig 2. Effects of rearing method and feeding level on growth
and development to 75 kg

R. G. Campbell and A. C. Dunkin

Animal Science / Volume 36 / Issue 03 / June 1983, pp 425 - 434

DOI: 10.1017/S0003356100010473, Published online: 02 September 2010

Link to this article: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0003356100010473

How to cite this article:

R. G. Campbell and A. C. Dunkin (1983). The inuence of nutrition in early life on growth and development of
the pig 2. Effects of rearing method and feeding level on growth and development to 75 kg. Animal Science, 36,
pp 425-434 doi:10.1017/S0003356100010473

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Anim. Prod. 1983, 36: 425-434 0003-3561Z83/22810425S02• (K)
© 1983 British Society of Animal Production

THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE ON GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PIG
2. EFFECTS OF REARING METHOD AND FEEDING LEVEL ON GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT TO 75 KG

R. G. CAMPBELL! AND A. C. DUNKIN

School of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia

ABSTRACT
1. Fifty-seven piglets were used to study the effects of rearing pigs on the sow or artificially on a low
or high level of feeding between 1-8 and 6-5 kg live weight and either a low or high level of feeding
between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight on growth and development to 75 kg live weight.
2. The artificially reared pigs fed at the higher level grew more rapidly (P < 0-05) and were fatter
(P < 0-05) at 6-5 kg live weight than their more restrictedly fed counterparts. The pigs reared on the
sow grew at the same rate as the artificially reared pigs fed at the low level but at 6-5 kg live weight
were as fat as the artificially reared pigs fed at the higher level.
3. Between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight the artificially reared pigs previously fed at the lower level grew
more rapidly (P < 0-05) than their more liberally fed counterparts which in turn, grew at a faster rate
(P < 0-05) than pigs previously reared on the sow. However, nutrition prior to 6-5 kg live weight had
no influence on performance or body composition subsequent to 20 kg live weight.
4. Raising the level of feeding between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight increased growth rate (P < 0-05) and
body fat content at the latter weight (P < 0-05). However, subsequent to 20 kg live weight, the pigs
previously fed at the lower level exhibited more rapid and efficient growth (P < 0-05) and at 75 kg live
weight were leaner (P < 0-05) than those fed more generously between 6-5 and 20 kg.
5. At 6-5 kg live weight the pigs reared on the sow contained less deoxyribonucleic acid (P < 0-05) in
the m. adductor than pigs from either of the two artificially reared groups. Muscle deoxyribonucleic acid
at 20 and 75 kg live weight was unaffected by nutrition before 6-5 kg live weight or level of feeding
between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight.

INTRODUCTION Although all these experiments involved

removed fr m th dams in
THE results of a previous experiment f.f ° f. l^ ^ f
and eared tl data
conducted at this centre (Campbell and ^ i ^ ^ . * °f
Dunkin, 1983) and those of Gilbreath and "e"ken' ^ and L
, enkeit (1963) and
Elsley (1 971)
Trout (1973) and Martin, Ezekwe, Herbein, . . infdicate ,,that . the

Sherritt, Gobble and Ziegler (1974) suggest
that protein deprivation in the early post-
natal period adversely affects the hyperplasic
development of muscle tissue and impairs
subsequent growth performance, at least to
45 ke live weieht
t Present address: Animal Research Institute, Princes artificially on protein-adequate diets in early
Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
P~teui : energy ratio of sow s milk dunng the
f i r s t 3 t O 4 w e e k s o f l a c t a t l o n 1S
| '"Equate
* P r o m o t e m ™ m muscle development in
th e
f y° u n S P * H ° w e v e r ' b e c a " s e o f * h e l a c k
f com
° P a f l v e d a t a o n t h e subsequent
growth performance and body composition of
pigs reared respectively on the sow or
life, it is difficult to assess the severity of the
425
426 CAMPBELL AND DUNKIN

protein deficiency probably suffered by sow- birth and were all fed the same liquid diet
reared pigs during their early development or until they weighed 1-8 kg, whereupon they
its longer term consequences. were fed a common liquid-milk diet at either
On the other hand, there is some evidence a low or high level of intake to 6-5 kg live
that pigs fed restrictedly in early life are weight.
capable of compensatory growth during On reaching a live weight of 6-5 kg, pigs
subsequent development. For example, Elsley from the SR group were weaned and three
(1963) and Nielsen (1964) reported that pigs
fed restrictedly between weaning at 3 to 4
weeks of age and 20 kg live weight exhibited TABLE 1
better growth performance subsequent to Composition of experimental diets
20 kg and were leaner at 90 kg live weight
Liquid diet fed between 1-8 and 6-5 kg live weight (g dry matter
than pigs offered ad libitum feeding prior to (DM) per kg)t
20 kg live weight. Indeed, on the basis of the
improvement in carcass quality at 90 kg both Ingredients
these authors recommended that growing pigs Ultra-filtered skim milk powder 499
Dextrose 272
should be fed restrictedly between weaning Soya bean oil 68
and 20 kg live weight. However, less Butter fat 161
information is available on the effects of level Analysis
of feeding in the period prior to 3 to 4 Gross energy (MJ/kg DM) 24-3
weeks of age on subsequent growth and Crude protein (g/kg DM) 334
development. The experiment reported here
Dry diets (g/kg air-dry diet)
was designed to compare the subsequent Live weight
growth and development of pigs reared either
on the sow or artificially to 6-5 kg live weight Ingredients (6 •5-20 kg) (20-75 kg;
and to investigate the effects of level of Wheat 625 770
Skim milk powder 150 —
feeding between 1-8 and 6-5 kg live weight Soya bean meal 130 100
and between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight, on Meat and bone meal 50 100
the performance and development of pigs Tallow 40
Soya bean oil — 25
grown to 75 kg live weight. Vitamin, trace mineral premixt
Analysis
MATERIAL AND METHODS Digestible energy (MJ/kg)K 16-5 15-6
Crude protein (g/kg) 218 185
Animals and experimental plan
t Diet constituted with water to 0-20 DM and the following
A total of 57 Large White piglets were micro nutrients added daily prior to feeding (mg per pig):
selected at 1 day of age and allocated in cholecalciferol, 0-12; D-a-tocopherol, 310; retinol, 0-85;
equal numbers on the basis of sex to either a menadione, 006; thiamin, 1-50; riboflavin, 2-50; nicotinic
acid, 20-0; pantothenic acid, 1000; pyridoxine, 2-50;
sow-reared treatment (SR) or to one of two cyanocobalamin, 002; biotin, 008; pteroylmonoglutamic
artificial rearing treatments (AR) to 6-5 kg acid, 1-00; ascorbic acid, 1000; Fe, 200; Zn, 10-0; Mn, 4 0 ;
live weight. The SR pigs were randomly Cu, 2 0 .
distributed among six sows (four piglets to $ Provided the following nutrients per kg air-dry diet:
Vitamins; retinol, 6-4 mg; calciferol, 8-3 mg; menadione,
one sow and three piglets to each of the 600 mg; riboflavin, 3-3 mg; D-a--tocopherol, 22 mg; niacin,
other five sows), and the size of each litter 16-5 mg; pantothenic acid, 5-5 mg; pyridoxine, 11 mg;
was equalized to nine pigs. cyanocobalamin, 17 mg; biotin, 56 mg; choline, 110 mg.
Minerals; Fe, 88 mg; Zn, 55 mg; Mn, 22 mg; Cu, 6-6 mg; I,
All observations and recordings were 0-22 mg; Se, 0 1 mg.
commenced when pigs reached 1-8 kg live H Calculated for the diet given between 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight from published values for the major ingredients and
weight. Pigs allocated to the AR treatments determined in a metabolism trial for the diet given between
were removed from their dams within 24 h of 20 and 75 kg live weight.
 INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE ON GROWTH IN THE PIG — 2
pigs (two male and one female) from each
treatment group were killed. The remaining
animals were allocated to one of two levels
of feeding of a common weaner diet to 20 kg
live weight. A further three pigs from each
treatment group were killed at 20 kg live
weight and the remainder were fed a
common grower-finisher diet in restricted
amounts to 75 kg live weight when they were
killed.
The experiment subsequent to 6-5 kg live
weight was analysed as a 3 x 2 factorial with
eight and five replicates, balanced for sex,
between 6-5 and 20, and between 20 and
75 kg, respectively. The respective factors
were (i) nutrition from 1-8 to 6-5 kg live
weight (SR v. AR pigs fed at either a low or
high level) and (ii) level of feeding between
6-5 and 20 kg live weight (low and high).
Diets and feeding
The liquid diet fed to the two AR groups
to 6-5 kg live weight was formulated to
contain 200 g total solids per kg, 25 MJ of
gross energy per kg dry matter (DM) and
14-3 g of crude protein per MJ of gross
energy (Table 1). The protein : energy ratio
was selected to be slightly in excess of that
reported as the requirement for pigs growing
to 6-5 kg live weight (Williams, 1976). The
diet was fed at either a low or high level of
intake. The low level of feeding provided a
daily DM intake equivalent to 58 g/kg W°75
and a gross energy intake of approximately
2-8 times energy for maintenance (M). This
level was selected so that pigs would grow at
a similar rate to 6-5 kg compared with those
reared on the sow.
The high level of feeding provided a daily
DM intake equivalent to 111 g/kg W075 and a
gross energy intake of approximately 5-2 M.
This level of feeding was selected so that pigs
would grow considerably faster than those
reared on the sow.
The diet given between 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight was based on wheat and was
formulated to contain 16-5 MJ of digestible
energy (DE) per kg and 218 g crude protein
427
per kg air-dry diet. It was also given at
either a low or high level of intake. The
lower feeding level was based on a scale
which allowed 356 g per pig daily at 6-5 kg
live weight and increased linearly to 826 g
per pig daily at 20 kg live weight. The
corresponding allocations on the higher
feeding scale were 572 and 1 350 g per pig
daily respectively. These scales were chosen
to provide respective DE intakes equivalent
to approximately 2-8 and 4-5 M. Thrice daily
feeding was adopted during this period to
ensure that pigs on the higher scale
consumed all their allowance and to reduce
food spillage.
The diet fed between 20 and 75 kg live
weight was formulated to contain 15-5 MJ DE
per kg and 180 g crude protein per kg.
Feeding subsequent to 20 kg live weight was
twice daily and was based on a scale which
increased linearly from 1-12 kg per pig per
day at 20 kg live weight to a maximum
allowance of 2-8 kg per pig per day at 67 kg
live weight. This scale was chosen to provide
a DE intake of 1-92 MJ per W075 per day, or
approximately 4 M.
The DE content of the grower-finisher diet
was determined in a metabolism trial
involving four entire male pigs (average live
weight = 46, s.d. 1-7 kg). The feeding and
collection procedures, were the same as those
described by Campbell and Dunkin (1983).
The composition and chemical analyses of
the experimental diets are presented in Table
1.
Housing and management
The AR pigs were housed in individual
pens in an insulated room in which the air
temperature was maintained at 30°C for the
first week of the experiment and at 25°C
thereafter. Between 1-8 and 6-5 kg live
weight the pigs were weighed daily and fed
twice daily at 08.00 and 16.00 h.
The SR pigs were weighed every second
day until reaching 6-0 kg live weight and
daily thereafter until 6-5 kg live weight, when
they were weaned on an individual basis.
428 CAMPBELL AND DUNKIN

TABLE 2
Effect of nutrition on the performance, body composition and
muscle cellularity of pigs growing from 1-8 to 6-5 kg live weight

1•8-6-5 kg live weight

LSD
SRt AR 2-8t AR 5-2t (P < 0-05)
Pig performance
Daily gain (g) 195 at 189a 313" 10-8
Food conversion ratio
a
(g DM per g) NAU 0-88 0-85" 0-04
Body composition (g/kg)
Water 654" 696b 650" 13-9
Protein 151" 168" 159" 7-4
Fat 164" 102" 159a 9-1
Ash 31" 34" 32" 2-9
Adductor muscle
Weight (g) 22-6" 26-4" 25-1" 1-6
DNA (mg) 14-8" 16-3" 16-7" 0-9

t SR, AR 2-8 and AR 5-2 denote sow-reared and artificially-reared pigs fed at 2-8
and 5-2 M respectively.
t Within rows, treatment means not followed by the same superscript letter differ
significantly (P < 005).
U Not available.

Between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight all pigs RESULTS

were housed in individual wire mesh cages Period 1-8 to 6-5 kg live weight
(0-4 x 0-9 X 0-33 m high) located in a fully
insulated weaner-room which was maintained The results pertaining to the initial
C
at a temperature of 24 C. Subsequent to treatment period, 1-8 to 6-5 kg live weight,
20 kg live weight the pigs were housed in are presented in Table 2. There was no
individual pens in an insulated shed in which
the temperature of 21°C was maintained.
TABLE 3
Subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight, pigs were
Main effects of nutrition to 6-5 kg live weight and
weighed and their daily food allowances were
subsequent feeding level on the daily gain of pigs
adjusted twice weekly.
growing between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight
Slaughter procedure
Daily gain from
The procedure at slaughter and the 6-5-20 kg
preparation of carcass material for chemical live weight (g)
analyses were as described by Campbell and Nutrition 1-8 to 6-5 kg
SR 358"t
Dunkin (1982). AR2-8 408"
AR5-2 380c
Statistical analysis LSD (P < 005) 19-6
Treatment effects were assessed by analysis Level of feeding 6-5 to 20 kg
of variance and a posteriori comparisons were Low 304"
made between all treatment means using the High 461"
multiple range test of Duncan (1955), or LSD (P < 005) 16-1
where appropriate, least significant differences t Treatment means not followed by the same superscript letter
(LSD). differ significantly (P < 0-05).
 INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE ON GROWTH IN THE PIG — 2 429

difference in the rate of growth of the SR The weight and deoxyribonucleic acid
pigs and those reared artificially on the lower (DNA) content of adductor muscle at 6-5 kg
level of feeding. However, both these groups live weight were lower for sow-reared pigs
grew at a slower rate than the AR pigs fed than those of either of the two AR groups.
at the higher level. Body composition at
Period 6-5 to 20 kg live weight
6-5 kg live weight was similar for the SR pigs
and the AR pigs fed at the higher level. There was no significant interaction
However, pigs from both these groups between the effects of nutrition before and
contained less protein and water and more subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight for daily
fat than those reared artificially and fed at gain during the live-weight phase 6-5 to
the lower level. 20 kg. The main effects are presented in
Table 3. The AR pigs fed at the lower level
initially grew faster than those fed at the
TABLE 4 higher level whilst the SR pigs grew more
Interaction between nutrition before and slowly (P < 0-05) than either of these two
subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight on the food groups.
conversion ratio of pigs growing between 6-5 and There was a significant (P < 0-05)
20 kg live weight interaction between the effects of nutrition
before 6-5 kg live weight and subsequent
Nutrition Level of feeding Food feeding level on the food conversion ratio
1-8 to 6-5 kg 6-5 to 20 kg conversion ratio (Table 4). When offered the lower level of
SR Low l-98 a t feeding subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight, pigs
High 2-30"
Low l-90 a from all three initial treatment groups
AR2-8
High 1-97" exhibited a similar food conversion ratio.
AR5-2 Low 1.97a However, when fed at the higher level
High 2-09c subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight the SR pigs
LSD (P < 005) between any two means 0-10 had a poorer food conversion ratio that the
AR pigs fed at the higher level which, in
t Treatment means not followed by the same superscript letter
differ significantly (P < 005). turn, exhibited a poorer food conversion ratio

TABLE 5
Main effects of nutrition before and subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight on the
body composition and weight and DNA content of the adductor muscle of
pigs at 20 kg live weight

Body composition (g/kg) Adductor muscle

Water Protein Fat Ash Weight (g) DNA(m

Nutrition 1-8-6-5 kg
SR 646 b t 168a 154b 32a 79-l a 35-l a
AR2-8 664a 168a 136" 32a 80-0a 35-5a
AR5-2 647 b 165a 156b 32 a 81-6a 35-2a
LSD (P < 005) 10-2 8-6 6-4 1-9 4.4 3-6
Feeding level 6-5-20 kg
Low 678a 171 a 114a 32a 82-5a 35-0a
High 628 b 164" 183 b 32 a 77-6b 35-5 a
LSD (P < 005) 8-4 5-4 5-2 1-2 3-2 2-9

t In this and all subsequent Tables, within columns, treatment means not followed by the
same superscript letter differ significantly (P < 0-05).
430 CAMPBELL AND DUNKIN

than their counterparts fed on the restricted Period 20 to 75 kg live weight

diet.
There was no significant interaction
between the effects of nutrition before or
subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight for any
measurement of body composition or for the
weight or DNA content of the m. adductor
at 20 kg live weight. The main effects are
presented in Table 5. The AR pigs fed at
the lower level to 6-5 kg live weight
contained less fat and more water in their
empty bodies at 20 kg live weight than those
reared either artificially on the higher level of
feeding or on the sow to 6-5 kg live weight.
Body protein and ash at 20 kg live weight
were unaffected by nutrition to 6-5 kg live
weight. Raising the level of feeding
subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight increased
body fat and reduced body protein and water
at 20 kg live weight but had no effect on
body ash. The weight of the m. adductor at
20 kg live weight was unaffected by nutrition
prior to 6-5 kg live weight but was lower
(P < 0-05) in pigs offered the higher level of
feeding subsequent to this latter weight.
Muscle DNA at 20 kg live weight was
unaffected by nutrition during either phase.
There was no significant interaction
between the effects of nutrition prior or
subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight for any
parameter of growth performance or body
composition subsequent to 20 kg live weight.
Consequently all the results presented are
main effects.
Growth performance. Nutrition prior to 6-5 kg
live weight had no significant effect on
performance subsequent to 20 kg live weight.
However, pigs fed at the lower level between
6-5 and 20 kg live weight exhibited more
rapid and efficient growth (P < 0-05)
subsequent to 20 kg than those fed at the
higher level between 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight. The results are presented in Table 6.
Overall performance and food usage. Nutrition
between 1-8 and 6-5 kg live weight had no
significant effect on rate or efficiency of live-
weight gain between 6-5 and 75 kg live
weight, whereas pigs fed at the lower level
between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight grew at a
slower rate (P < 0-05) but had a lower food
conversion ratio (P < 0-05) than those fed
more liberally between 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight.

TABLE 6
Effects of nutrition between 1 -8 and 6-5 kg live weight and level offeeding between 6-5
and 20 kg live weight on the average daily gain and food conversion ratio of pigs
growing from 20 to 75, 6-5 to 75 and 1-8 to 75 kg live weight

Daily gain (g) Food conversion ratio

20-75 kg 6-5-75 kg 1-8-75 kg 20-75 kg 6-5-75 kg 1-8-75 k

Nutrition (1-8-6-5 kg)

SR 778a 628a 550a 2-60a 2-48a NAt
AR2-8 785a 641 a 558" 2-55" 2-42a 2-35"
AR5-2 760" 630" 591" 2-65" 2-51" 2-41"
LSD (P < 005) 28-3 25-8 22-6 0-11 0-10 0-09

Feeding level (6-5-20 kg)

Low 816" 617 a 554a 2-48a 2-36a 2-23a
High 730b 652 b 581 b 2-71 b 2-59" 2.49b
LSD (P < 005) 23-1 20-9 18-6 0-08 0-09 0-07

t Not available for sow-reared pigs.

 INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE ON GROWTH IN THE PIG 431

Pigs reared artificially on the higher level the rate of deposition of any of the
of feeding before 6-5 kg live weight grew at a components of the empty body between 20
faster rate between 1-8 and 75 kg live weight and 75 kg live weight. However, pigs fed the
than their counterparts fed on the restricted lower level between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight
diet or those reared on the sow to 6-5 kg deposited protein, fat and water subsequent
live weight. Efficiency of food utilization to 20 kg live weight at a faster rate
between 1-8 and 75 kg live weight was (P < 0-05) than those given the higher level
unaffected by nutrition before 6-5 kg live of feeding during the earlier period. The
weight. The differences in growth rate and fat : protein ratio in the daily gain was also
food conversion ratio between pigs fed at the lower (P < 005) for pigs fed more
lower and higher levels between 6-5 and restrictedly between 6-5 and 20 kg. The
20 kg live weight were similar to those for results are presented in Table 7.
the period 6-5 to 75 kg live weight (Table 6). Adductor muscle at 75 kg. Neither the weight
Body composition and carcass characteristics at nor the DNA content of the m. adductor at
75 kg. Neither body composition nor carcass 75 kg live weight were affected by nutrition
measurements at 75 kg live weight were prior or subsequent to 6-5 kg live weight
affected by nutrition prior to 6-5 kg live (Table 8).
weight. However, compared with pigs fed the
higher level between 6-5 and 20 kg live DISCUSSION
weight, those fed more restrictedly during this The SR pigs grew at a similar rate but
period contained less fat and more protein deposited considerably more fat during the
and water (P < 0-05). Linear fat initial treatment period than the AR pigs fed
measurements at P, and P2 were also lower a protein-adequate diet at the lower level of
(P < 0-05) for pigs fed at the lower level intake. Conversely, the AR pigs fed the
during the period 6-5 to 20 kg live weight. higher level grew much faster than their
The results are presented in Table 7. counterparts fed on the more restricted diet
Rates of deposition of protein, fat and water but deposited more fat and at 6-5 kg live
between 20 and 75 kg. Nutrition prior to weight contained a similar amount of body
6-5 kg live weight had no significant effect on fat to the SR animals. This is consistent with

TABLE 7
Main effects of nutrition prior to 6-5 kg live weight and between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight on the body
composition and carcass measurements of pigs at 75 kg live weight and on the deposition rates of water,
protein and fat and the fat: protein ratio between 20 and 75 kg live weight

Carcass
measurements
Body composition (g/kg) (mm) Rates of deposition (g/day) Fat :
protein
Water Protein Fat Ash P, P2 Water Protein Fat in gain
Nutrition 1-8-6-5 kg
SR 503 a 169a 306a 22 a 22-3 a 26-0" 333a 124a 274a 2-20a
AR2-8 499" 168a 307a 26a 21-6a 25-4a 335a 127a 272a 2-16a
AR5-2 502a 165a 310a 23 a 22-2a 27-0a 325a 120" 270a 2-18a
LSD (P < 0-05) 17-1 4-7 18-3 3-4 1-9 2-3 13-7 7-9 19-4 0-18

Level of feeding 6-5-20 kg

Low 571 a 171" 295a 22a 20-9a 24-9a 349a 133a 280a 2-08a
High 489" 163" 320" 23 a 23-1" 27-2" 312" 116" 262" 2-28"
LSD (P < 005) 13-9 3-5 150 2-7 1-5 1-6 11-0 5-6 15-8 0-13
432 CAMPBELL AND DUNKIN

TABLE 8 protein deposition. However, unlike the AR

Main effects of nutrition before 6-5 kg live weight pigs, the SR pigs were weaned at 6-5 kg live
and between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight on the weightweight and the stress of the latter probably
and DNA content of the adductor muscle in pigs at also contributed to the poor growth
75 kg live weight performance exhibited between 6-5 and 20 kg
live weight.
Adductor muscle On the other hand, pigs given the protein-
Weight (g) DNA (rr
adequate diet at the lower level of intake
Nutrition 1-8-6-5 kg before 6-5 kg live weight exhibited more
SR 287-2a 98-9a rapid and efficient growth between 6-5 and
a
AR2-8 286-7 102-6* 20 kg live weight than those fed more
a
AR5-2 289-0 99-1"
LSD (P < 005) 17-8 8-7
liberally before 6-5 kg live weight.
Although the AR pigs fed the lower level
Level of feeding 6-5-20 kg
Low 291-5" 99-5 a to 6-5 kg live weight were less fat at 20 kg
High 284-0" 101-0a live weight than those previously reared on
LSD (P < 005) 14-5 7-1 the sow or artificially on the high level of
feeding, body composition at 20 kg was
influenced more by level of feeding
the results of a previous experiment (R. G. subsequent to 6-5 kg. Raising the level of
Campbell and A. C. Dunkin, unpublished feeding during the later period increased body
data) and demonstrates that even during this fat at 20 kg by 0-65. As expected, pigs fed
early period of development near maximum more liberally in this period also grew
growth performance cannot be achieved considerably faster than their more
without a substantial concomitant deposition restrictedly fed counterparts. However,
of fat. subsequent to 20 kg live weight, when all pigs
Although the SR pigs grew at the same received exactly the same nutrition, those
rate to 6-5 kg live weight as those reared previously fed at the lower level exhibited
artificially on the lower level of feeding, body more rapid and efficient growth than those
fat at 6-5 kg was 0-61 greater. This finding previously fed more generously. This
supports the view that the protein : energy compensatory growth response was unaffected
ratio of sow's milk during the first 3 to 4 by nutrition prior to 6-5 kg live weight and
weeks of lactation is inadequate to maximize was associated with the more rapid accretion
the growth of lean tissue in the young pigs, of water, protein and fat between 20 and
but promotes the rapid deposition of fat. The 75 kg live weight. Similar findings have been
lower level of muscle DNA exhibited at reported in grower-finisher pigs given
6-5 kg live weight by the SR pigs also restricted feeding between weaning at 3 to 4
suggests that their diet had been deficient in weeks of age and 20 kg by Elsley (1963) and
protein, and is consistent with the effect Nielsen (1964).
reported in artificially reared pigs given low Although this compensatory response was
protein diets in early life (Gilbreath and not complete by 75 kg live weight, the age
Trout, 1973; Martin et al., 1974). difference of 15-2 days between the two
The type of nutrition before 6-5 kg live groups at 20 kg live weight was reduced to
weight had a marked influence on growth only 6 days at 75 kg live weight.
performance between 6-5 and 20 kg live Additionally, the more efficient food
weight. The relatively poor performance utilization exhibited between 20 and 75 kg
during this period by SR pigs may have been live weight by pigs fed at the lower level
associated with a reduced number of muscle between 6-5 and 20 kg live weight reduced by
nuclei and a consequent lower capacity for 0-097 (15 kg per pig) the total food required
 INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE ON GROWTH IN THE PIG — 2
between 6-5 and 75 kg live weight relative to
that of pigs fed more liberally between 6-5
and 20 kg. Calculated over a commercial
enterprise, this would represent a considerable
reduction in annual food costs. Pigs fed at
the lower level between 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight were also leaner at 75 kg live weight
than those fed more generously in the earlier
period; and although the relative difference in
body fat had been reduced from 0-65 at
20 kg live weight to 0-11 at 75 kg live weight,
this was still significant and was reflected in
the respective linear carcass measurements at
Pi and P2. These results are consistent with
those of Elsley (1963) and Nielsen (1964) for
pigs grown to 90 kg live weight and suggest
that the use of restricted feeding between
weaning, at 3 to 4 weeks of age, and 20 kg
live weight, may have a number of
advantages over the more conventional use of
ad libitum feeding during this period.
The data for muscle cellularity showed that
food restriction, whether imposed between 1-8
and 6-5, 1-8 and 20, or 6-5 and 20 kg live
weight had no effect on muscle DNA at any
of the three live weights studied. It would
appear therefore that the hyperplasic
development of muscle tissue is unaffected by
the level of intake of a protein-adequate diet
regardless of the post-natal period in which
the differences are imposed. This finding is in
agreement with the results of a previous
experiment (R. G. Campbell and A. C.
Dunkin, unpublished data) in which reducing
the level of feeding between 1-8 and 6-5 kg
live weight from approximately 4-6 M to
1-8 M proportionately depressed growth rate
by 1-80 but had no effect on muscle DNA.
Our results differ from those of Robinson
(1969) and Lodge, Sarkar and Friend (1977),
who suggested that muscle DNA was reduced
in pigs subjected to a food restriction during
early development. This difference probably
arises because in both these latter studies
muscle DNA was assessed at constant age
and, consequently, at widely differing live
weights.
Our results also showed that the adverse
433
effect of sow's milk on muscle hyperplasia,
which was evident at 6-5 kg live weight, was
only transitory since muscle DNA at both 20
and 75 kg live weight was similar for pigs
from all the initial treatment groups. This is
not surprising since it is evident from the
marked increase in muscle DNA between 6-5
and 20 kg live weight and between 20 and
75 kg live weight that the hyperplasic
development of porcine muscle tissue is not
restricted to the early post-natal period.
Overall, the data indicate that the protein
content of sow's milk during the first 3 to 4
weeks of lactation is inadequate to promote
maximum muscle development in the young
pigs but suggest that this is unlikely to have
any adverse effects on growth and
development in the long term. On the other
hand, it appears that the pig has considerable
propensity for compensatory growth following
a period of restricted feeding and that this
phenomenon may be commercially
exploitable. In particular, our data suggest
that although a degree of food restriction in
the period from weaning (3 to 4 weeks) to
20 kg live weight may increase age at
slaughter it is likely to reduce overall food
usage and improve carcass quality and,
therefore, may have considerable practical
merit. However, all these parameters are
likely to be influenced by the severity and
duration of restriction and by subsequent
nutritional status. The latter factors require
further investigation before the practical
implications of manipulating food intake
during various phases of development can be
fully evaluated.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the technical staff at the University's Pig Research
Centre for their assistance and the Australian Pig Industry
Research Committee for their financial support.
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434 CAMPBELL AND DUNKIN
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(Received 12 May 1982—Accepted 7 September 1982)