Growth, Serum Chemical Values and Carcass Composition of Pitman-Moore Miniature Pigs During the First Eight Weeks of Life

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Abstract
Carcass composition of 62 Pitman-Moore miniature pigs was determined: four males and four females at birth, 7, 14 and 21 days of age and five males and five females at 28, 42 and 56 days of age. The pigs were nursed in litters of two (one litter) to five (seven litters). Serum chemical values were determined at each age except birth. Although the mean body weights of male pigs were greater than those of females at each age, statistically significant sex-related differences in growth or carcass composition were not detected. Activity of alkaline phosphatase in serum decreased significantly with increasing age, presumably reflecting the greater rate of bone growth of the younger animals. Mean concentrations of cholesterol and urea nitrogen were significantly greater in sera of female than of male pigs. Percentage of fat in the carcass increased rapidly with increasing age—from approximately 1.7% at birth to 11% at age 7 days and 24% at age 28 days. Thereafter, percentage of fat in the carcass declined slightly. In fat-free carcasses percentage of water was significantly greater and that of protein significantly less at birth than at age 56 days. Percentages of calcium and sodium in the fat-free carcass decreased after birth, reaching minimal concentrations at age 21 days. Concentration of potassium in fat-free carcass increased rapidly during the first 14 days after birth. Data concerning sow-reared Pitman-Moore miniature pigs have been compared with published data concerning conventional and miniature sow-reared pigs.