Original scientific paper

CHANGES IN PIG CARCASS COMPOSITION DURING GROWTH

Dragutin Vincek ; Varazdin County, Department of Agriculture, Franjevacki Trg 7, Varazdin, Croatia
Goran Kušec ; Faculty of Agriculture, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Trg Sv. Trojstva 3, Osijek, Croatia
Zlata Maltar ; Faculty of Agriculture, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Trg Sv. Trojstva 3, Osijek, Croatia
Ivona Đurkin ; Faculty of Agriculture, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Trg Sv. Trojstva 3, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of present study was to investigate the changes in carcass composition of pigs during growth. The study was performed on 60 pigs (30 gilts and 30 barrows) aged 49 to 215 days. During the experiment every animal was weighed once a week. Every three weeks according to average group weight four representative animals were slaughtered at slaughterhouse. Main parts of the carcasses (ham, shoulder, loin, ribs and neck) were dissected into muscles, bones, intramuscular (IMF) and subcutaneous fat with skin. Muscle growth was most intense when pigs aged between 83 and 167 days. Differences in tissue composition of pigs within a breed are markedly influenced by sex. Gilts had higher muscle tissue percentage in relation to distribution of the other tissues in carcasses. At the end of fattening period muscle growth slows down; the time and the rate at which this occurs are dependent on sex and genetic structure of the animal. Significant accumulation of fat tissue starts at higher live weight.

Keywords

growth; pigs; tissue composition

Hrčak ID:

112832

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/112832

Publication date:

17.9.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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