Table 3.
Effect of supplementation with a docosahexaenoic-rich microalgae (AURA) at 1% of diet on performance parameters and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs
| Item | Control | 1% AURA1) | Standard error | p-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||||
| Treatment effect2) | Sex effect2) | T×S interaction2) | ||||
| Performance parameters3) | ||||||
| Weight d 0 (kg) | 117.7 | 116.5 | 2.89 | 0.69 | 0.08 | 0.90 |
| Weight d 28 (kg) | 141.2 | 140.3 | 2.89 | 0.75 | 0.11 | 0.82 |
| Average daily gain (g) | 838.3 | 847.7 | 40.5 | 0.82 | 0.73 | 0.37 |
| Daily feed intake (kg) | 3.405 | 3.392 | 0.02 | 0.51 | 0.56 | 0.70 |
| Daily water intake (kg) | 19.58 | 20.48 | 0.92 | 0.34 | 0.87 | 0.50 |
| G:F ratio | 4.10 | 4.05 | 0.01 | 0.74 | 0.66 | 0.48 |
| Carcass characteristics4) | ||||||
| Backfat thickness (mm) | 30.31 | 30.33 | 1.53 | 0.99 | 0.09 | 0.57 |
| Longissimus lumborum thickness (mm) | 51.86 | 50.14 | 2.42 | 0.48 | 0.33 | 0.27 |
| Lean meat content (%) | 51.00 | 50.80 | 0.91 | 0.82 | 0.06 | 0.40 |
| Dressing (%) | 76.92 | 76.59 | 0.43 | 0.59 | 0.17 | 0.08 |
1)
AURA, unextracted Aurantiochytrium limacinum algae containing 18.0 g DHA/100 g.
2)
Effect of treatment, sex and the treatment×sex interaction reported from the general linear model investigating the effect of treatment on performance parameters and carcass characteristics.
3)
Performance parameters analysed on a per pen basis (12 replicates, 6 castrated males, and 6 females).
4)
Carcass characteristics analysed for 3 pigs per pen (72 replicates, 36 castrated males, and 36 females).