ALLOMETRIC GROWTH OF TISSUES IN PIG HAMS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of MHS genotype on growth and development of muscle and fatty tissue in pig hams. The investigation was performed on 72 barrows divided into 4 groups according to genotype (NN and Nn) and feeding regime (standard and intensive). The data for analyses were collected by MRT imaging; the coefficients of allometric growth were calculated using simple allometric function. The allometric growth coefficients of muscle and fatty tissue showed that muscle tissue grow proportionally with the increase of live weight (b≈1), while fatty tissue grow faster compared to the live weight increase (b>1). The differences in allometric growth coefficients calculated for muscle and fatty tissues in the hams of investigated pigs were not statistically significant between the feeding groups and between the genotypes either (P>0.05).

Keywords

• pigs
• growth
• MHS-genotype
• allometry