PubMed1983
The effect of nutritional restriction and rehabilitation imposed between 5 and 35 d and 35 and 166 d of age, respectively, on body and tissue growth were investigated in 96 Yorkshire pigs from 12 litters. One-half of the pigs were allowed to suckle continuously until weaning (fully fed, FF); the remainder were removed from the sow for 16 h of each 24 h period (1600 to 0800 h), during which time they received only water (restricted feeding, RF). All pigs were fed ad libitum from 35 d of age. Although significantly lower body and tissue (liver, kidney and gastrocnemius muscle) weights were observed in the RF pigs at 35 and 70 d of age, by 166 d, because of compensatory growth between 35 and 166 d, the difference in body and muscle weights between the two groups of pigs (RF and FF) was reduced to 5%, but the difference in kidney and liver weight remained as high as 15 and 9%, respectively. Total DNA, RNA and protein in the tissues examined were also lower in the RF pigs at 35 and 70 d of age, but increased after ad libitum feeding to more than 90% of the corresponding value in the FF pigs by the time they reached 166 d of age. The results of these measurements and the comparison of the protein: DNA ratios of the tissues indicated that growth retardation in the RF pigs was associated with reduced cell proliferation in liver and kidney and nuclear proliferation in muscle rather than any decrease in cell (or fiber) volume. Percentage of fat was lower while percentage of protein was higher (on a dry matter basis) in the RF pigs than in the FF pigs at 35 d of age. No significant difference in fat and protein content in the carcasses between the RF and FF pigs at 70 or 166 d of age or 90 kg body weight was noted. The carcass of intact males had more protein and less fat than that of females.