J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1988. 66:3112-3123.
© 1988 American Society of Animal Science
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The Effect of Tropical Ambient Temperature on Growth and Metabolism in Pigs1

R. Christon

Station de Recherches de Nutrition, INRA 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France

Abstract

Three experiments involving 34 individually fed pigs were conducted in Guadeloupe (16° Lat. N., 61° Long. W.) to determine the effects of environmental temperature (tropical, 22 to 32°C, vs thermoneutral, 17 to 21°C) and feeding method (restricted vs ad libitum) on performance, carcass characteristics and physiological and metabolic responses of pigs at three weight ranges (8 to 25, 29 to 50 and 54 to 79 kg live weight). Compared with the control environment, the tropical climate increased rectal temperature and respiratory rate but depressed growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization. In addition, in the heaviest weight group, feed intake was reduced and body fat increased. Changes in metabolic status, such as increased concentrations of plasma free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity were observed in pigs housed in the tropical environment. Moreover, in these pigs, there was a decreased plasma concentration of thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine and thyroxine). These results indicate that tropical ambient temperature markedly affects the metabolism of pigs and, therefore, probably influences their nutritional requirements.

Footnotes

1 The author thanks G. Saminadin, F. Hédreville and D. Vincent for their technical assistance. G. Cabello, B. Pileire and J. Bangou, K. Rérat and A. Gondouin are also gratefully acknowledged for determination of thyroid hormones and some blood parameters, translation into English and typing, respectively.






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Copyright © 1988 by the American Society of Animal Science.