conjugated linoleic acid, gilts, pigs, production performance
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in feed mixtures influences the parameters of production performance in gilts. The experimental work was realized in operating conditions of a production pig farm. Total number of 40 gilts (20 gilts in control group and 20 gilts in experimental group) of hybrid combination Czech Large White x Czech Landrace (CLW x CL) were included in the observation. During the experiment the gilts kept for rearing were fed with a control compound feed and an experimental compound feed suplemented with 2% of CLA for the time of 65 days. At the beginning and the end of the experiment, performance tests were conducted in accordance with the methodology of ČSN 466164 on Performance and progeny testing in pigs. The gilts in the experimental group reached higher weight 148.05 ± 15.80 kg versus 135.75 ± 17.60 kg (P < 0.05) at the end of the test. The evaluation of mean achieved daily gain for the time from birth to the end of the test confirmed higher values for the gilts in the experimental group 586.05 ± 66.64 g*day-1 against 539.00 ± 62.19 g*day-1 for the gilts in the control group (P < 0.05). Within other parameters of efficiency in gilts, i.e. lean meat content, backfat thickness and depth of MLLT muscle, no significant influence of CLA on their phenotypic manifestation was found. The results of study indicate, that the supplementation of feed mixture for rearing gilts with conjugated linoleic acid can influence the growth ability of gilts.
