ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of energy concentration on the efficiency of
betaine and chromium picolinate as dietary
supplements for fattening pigs
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Research Institute of Animal Production,
Department of Animal Nutrition,
32-083 Balice, Poland |
Publication date: 2001-08-07
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2001;10(3):471–484
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The influence of feed energy concentration on the effect of betaine and chromium picolinate
added to feeds, either separately or together, on fattening performance, carcass quality and some
blood biochemical indicators was investigated in an experiment involving 128 pigs fattened from
about 30 to 113 kg body weight assigned to 4 groups.
The animals given feed with an increased energy content achieved 38 g better daily weight gains
in the first period of fattening, and at the end of fattening their carcasses were similar to those of
animals that received the diet with a lower energy concentration.
The results of the experiment showed that the supplements improved fattening performance,
especially in animals given chromium picolinate (902 g vs 857 g of body weight gain in the experimental and control groups, respectively). This effect was especially distinct in pigs fed diets with
higher energy concentrations. They also improved their leanness from 56.0 to 57.5% and slightly
decreased their backfat thickness. The combined supplement of betaine and chromium picolinate
proved inefficient both for fattening and slaughter traits, although it decreased blood cholesterol,
especially its LDL fraction by 9%.
Gilts had lower weight gains than barrows and better results of post-slaughter evaluation regardless of the supplement used.
CITATIONS (1):
1.
The Nutritional Biochemistry of Chromium (III)
Merlin D. Lindemann