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Virginia Tech

The Effects of Genotype, Chromium Picolinate Supplementation, Sex, and Their Interactions on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Muscle Quality in Pigs

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Two trials (n = 160) were conducted to evaluate the effects of the halothane gene, chromium picolinate supplementation, and sex on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in pigs. Halothane negative (NN) and halothane carrier (Nn) pigs (barrows, gilts) were supplemented with either 0 or 200 ppb chromium picolinate from 28.7 to 107.3 kg. There were no differences between genotypes for ADG or G/F. Chromium had no significant effect on any growth, carcass, or muscle quality characteristics, although chromium-fed pigs were slightly fatter. Barrows gained faster (P < .001) and consumed more feed (P < .001) than gilts, yielding heavier (P < .001) carcasses, and heavier (P < .05) wholesale cuts. Gilts had less backfat (P < .001) and larger (P < .01) LMA, and tended to gain more efficiently than barrows. Carrier pigs had lower pH values, higher CIE L* values, higher drip loss, and lower protein solubility (P < .05), all indicators of decreased quality. Chromium supplementation resulted in pork with higher (P<.05) CIE a*, CIE b*, and Chroma C values. Halothane carrier barrows and all gilts that were not fed chromium had lower lipid muscle content than NN barrows (P < .05). Gilts had higher CIE L* and a* values (P < .001), less lipid, and higher moisture percentage (P < .02) than barrows. Chromium picolinate did not negatively affect pork muscle quality.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Animal and Poultry Sciences
Department dc:contributor.department
Animal and Poultry Sciences
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1997

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Green, Brent Kenneth II
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Wood, Cynthia M.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Claus, James R.
  • Harper, Allen F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11298-162233
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35853

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Green, Brent Kenneth II. The Effects of Genotype, Chromium Picolinate Supplementation, Sex, and Their Interactions on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Muscle Quality in Pigs. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35853