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. 2020 Feb 3;4(2):531–547. doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa014

Table 4.

Database analysis and characterization of compensatory growth categories in grow-finish pigs1,2,3

Item4 Complete compensatory growth Incomplete compensatory growth No compensatory growth
n 4 12 28 17
Restriction period
 Initial BW, kg 27.7 29.9 24.2
 Degree of Lys restriction, %5 30 35 33
 Lys to calorie ratio, g/Mcal6 2.53 2.38 2.34
 CP, % 15.1 14.8 14.8
 Duration, % overall duration7 37 45 44
Recovery period
 Initial BW, kg 53.6 58.6 55.7
 Lys to calorie ratio, g/Mcal6 2.47 2.68 2.50
 CP, % 15.2 16.0 15.3
 Duration, % overall duration7 63 55 56
 Recovery to restriction ratio8 1.8 1.4 1.5
Restriction period growth performance
 ADG, % difference −6.3 −15.2 −12.8
 ADFI, % difference 6.9 0.3 0.0
 G:F, % difference −11.4 −15.4 −12.6
 Final BW, % difference −3.2 −7.9 −7.4
Recovery period growth pserformance
 ADG, % difference 8.0 4.4 −5.1
 ADFI, % difference 1.2 2.5 −3.9
 G:F, % difference 9.7 2.4 1.2
 Final BW, % difference 2.5 −2.6 −6.5
Overall period growth performance
 ADG, % difference 3.4 −2.9 −9.1
 ADFI, % difference 1.2 1.8 −3.8
 G:F, % difference 2.2 −4.3 −5.3
Carcass characteristics
 Yield, % difference 2.1 −0.2 −0.7
 Leanness, % difference −2.5 0.1 4.5
 Longissimus muscle area, % difference 2.6 0.3 0.7
 Backfat thickness, % difference 3.7 −0.1 −3.4

1Compensatory growth categories were defined by the distribution of all 57 database comparisons by plotting the ADG in the recovery period against the final BW in the recovery period as a relative difference between restricted pigs compared to nonrestricted pigs. Complete compensatory growth indicates an increase in both ADG and final BW in the recovery period. Incomplete compensatory growth indicates an increase in ADG in the recovery period but a decrease in final BW. No compensatory growth indicates a decrease in both ADG and final BW in the recovery period.

2For values listed as percentage difference, the comparisons were performed as relative differences between restricted pigs compared to nonrestricted pigs. The values of restricted pigs were divided by the values of nonrestricted pigs, multiplied by 100 to convert to relative values, and subtracted from 100 to indicate the relative difference from nonrestricted pigs.

3Restriction period is defined as a period of Lys restriction induced by decreasing Lys alone, Lys with other amino acids, or CP in diets offered to restricted pigs only. Recovery period is defined as a period of Lys sufficiency following the period of Lys restriction induced by providing the same diet to restricted and nonrestricted pigs.

4Number of comparisons conducted. Comparisons were conducted between restricted pigs and nonrestricted pigs within 14 publications for a total of 57 comparisons, except for carcass characteristics, which were not determined in all publications.

5Estimated by dividing the dietary Lys to calorie ratio of restricted pigs by the dietary Lys to calorie ratio of nonrestricted pigs.

6Expressed as a ratio of standardized ileal digestible Lys to net energy in grams per megacalorie.

7Estimated by dividing the duration of each period by the overall duration in days.

8Estimated by dividing the duration of recovery period by the duration of restriction period in days.