Show Pig Nutrition

written by J. Arthington, Ph.D.

It is always an exciting time in every youngster's life when he or she goes out and selects his or her 4-H project. In most cases, much effort goes into selecting and obtaining the best animal possible. However, even though the selection is one of the most important aspects in a 4-H project, once you get the animal home, the feeding and managing of this animal takes all precedence. It is up to the youngsters and his or her family to ensure the project gets fed and managed correctly to enable the expression of the animal's true genetic capabilities.

Basic Nutrition

Before we get started, there are two points we need to discuss so you will have a common understanding on what happens when you bring your show animals (in this case pigs) home and put them on feed. First off, animals consume feed containing essential nutrients such as protein (amino acids which are mainly used for muscle development), fat (individual fatty acids which provide energy), vitamins, and minerals. After consumption, this feed is digested and eventually broken down into individual nutrients for absorption within the animal's body. After absorption, these nutrients are processed through different metabolic pathways where they are used first to meet daily maintenance requirements. Additional nutrients are used to support lean tissue gain in growing animals. First, an animal must meet daily maintenance requirements to support what it more or less already has. All nutrients available to an animal after these maintenance requirements are met are primarily used to support lean tissue gain, especially in young growing animals. One of the first requirement that must be met in the animals body is for energy. Quantitatively, energy is the most important item in a growing animal's diet, and all feeding standards and ration formulations are based on some measure of energy with additional inputs on protein and amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

The second important point, which we should discuss, is the difference between the energy and protein dependent phases of growth in pigs. After pigs are weaned from their mothers, they are placed on a dry diet. After pigs reach around 40 to 50 lbs., they become adapted to consuming a dry feed and are off and growing. At this time, they start to grow with a large portion of the weight gain being lean tissue (muscle mass). It is important to understand that energy and protein consumption are what drive the amount of lean tissue development in growing pigs. Unfortunately, research has shown from about 50 to 160 lbs. (in high lean genotypes), the energy required for maintenance and lean tissue gain is higher than the pig will consume when fed ad-lib (all they want). This is what we call the energy dependent phase of growth, where pig's genetic potential for protein deposition (muscle development) is dependent upon the amount of energy they consume. However, from about 160 lbs. to finishing, pigs start to eat enough feed to meet their energy requirement and thus, extra nutrients available to the animal after maintenance is met is primarily converted to fat. This is what is called the protein dependent phase of growth.

Knowing these basic concepts in swine nutrition, now lets discuss how two new cutting edge nutritional technologies, L-Carnitine and Chromium Picolinate, affect these phases of growth. Before we get into the synergistic effect that L-Carnitine and chromium have when fed together, lets first discuss what each product is and their influence on the animal's body.

What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine is a vitamin-like nutrient that is actively involved in fat metabolism. L-Carnitine is naturally manufactured in small amounts in the animal's body from two essential amino acids, methionine and lysine. Animal studies show that Carnitine is synthesized in the liver but primarily stored in skeletal muscle. The capacity for endogenous synthesis is considerably restricted in neonates and genetically advanced animals, such as extreme lean pigs and animals fed a restricted diet (such as holding an animal).

How does L-Carnitine work in the body?

As stated above, one of the first requirements that must be met in any growing animal's body is energy. This is done through a process called beta-oxidation, which occurs within the mitochondria of cells (for example, muscle cells). Beta-oxidation takes fatty acids and breaks them down and burns them for fuel. However, before fats are burned, they first must be carried from the outside of a cell (the cytosol side) to the inside of a cell (the mitochondria). Carnitine is what transports these fats from the outside to the inside of cells. Nothing explains the concept of how Carnitine works better than the illustration that likens Carnitine to a fuel filter on a car. In this example, let the outside of a cell (cytosol) represent the fuel tank on a car. Let the mitochondria represent the Engine in a car. Carnitine acts as a fuel filter, transporting fuel (fatty acids) from the gas tank (cytosol) to the engine (mitochondria) so the fuel can be burned. What happens when the fuel filter on your car is clogged? Your car doesn't run as efficient, if at all. Without Carnitine, no fuel is burned.

Thus, because the energy required for maintenance and optimal lean tissue gain is higher than young growing pigs (up to 160 lbs.) will consume when fed ad-lib, any factor that improves the utilization of dietary energy should improve both growth performance and lean muscle gain. Because of Carnitine's unique involvement in fatty acid metabolism, research experiments indicate that L-Carnitine increases lean gain potential by increasing the amount of energy a pig receives during this energy dependent phase of growth. Research trials conducted at major universities show growing-finishing pigs fed dietary L-Carnitine had a decrease in 10th rib backfat an average of 13.5%, an increase in longissimus muscle area an average of 11.3%, and an increase in feed utilization by 7.8% (Owen et al., 1993, Smith et al., 1994, Owen et al., 1994b, Smith et al., 1996 - Kansas State University, , Maxwell, 1996 - Oklahoma State University). At the same time, some of these trials have demonstrated that Carnitine can spare amino acids in muscle tissue. Research has also shown, during the protein dependent phase of growth, higher levels of dietary L-Carnitine increase the amount of fat being burned through beta-oxidation. This was shown in a metabolic trial conducted at Oklahoma State University. Results revealed how L-Carnitine influences fat and protein metabolism in finishing pigs (Owen et al., 1997). This trial showed that dietary L-Carnitine increased the breakdown of fat (in isolated mitochondria and hepatocytes) by 2.5 fold, increased protein synthesis rates (hepatocytes) by 1.9 fold, decreased 10th rib backfat by 12.2%, and increased percentage muscle and lean by 4.2 and 3.8%, respectively.

Chromium Picolinate

Now that we have discussed L-Carnitine, let's discuss the other key ingredient in Millennium Technologies, Chromium, in the form of Chromium Picolinate. Chromium is a trace mineral widely distributed throughout the body. It is involved in carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism. Chromium is most often associated with carbohydrate metabolism, being necessary for optimal insulin function and glucose uptake in cells. It has been speculated that chromium also increases the uptake of amino acids at the cellular level. This means there is more energy for growth and amino acids available to optimize muscle development.

It is important to realize that the only active source of chromium is the organic trivalent form. Inorganic sources of chromium are biologically inactive.

Current data suggest that dietary chromium Picolinate supplementation to growing-finishing pigs supports a positive (P < .10) reduction in tenth rib back fat in 11 of 15 published studies, positive (P < .10) increase in loin eye area in 5 of l5 published reports, positive (P < .10) increase in carcass protein in 2 of 2 published reports, and improved insulin sensitivity (Page, 1991; Page et al., 1993 Boleman et al., 1995; - Louisiana State University; Linemann et al., 1995a - University of Kentucky; Harris et al., 1995 - University of Missouri).

Now that we have discussed the effects L-Carnitine and chromium individually, let's discuss how they work synergistically when added together in a diet. The effects seen by feeding L-Carnitine and Chromium Picolinate together can be explained partially by the mechanisms of the additives. Chromium improves glucose and amino acid uptake to the animal's cells. Carnitine increases the amount of fatty acids that flow into the mitochondria, as well as, spares amino acids to enhance individual amino acid pools (stores) within muscle tissue. L-Carnitine and chromium simply improve how animals utilize energy and amino acids for growth and lean tissue gain during the energy dependent phase of growth. These nutrients work synergistically to reduce the amount of fat deposition during the protein phase of growth (from 160 to 280 lbs.).

Millennium Technologies is the Original Exclusive Formulation

Millennium Technologies is the first and ORIGINAL product to combine L-Carnitine and Chromium technologies together and offer them to the livestock show industry. University Research has shown, when combined in the correct amounts, one can expect results that are better than using the products by themselves. Additionally, research indicates pigs require a specific amount of L-Carnitine and chromium to meet daily metabolic and tissue requirements. This research was so overwhelming research results have not been released due to patenting possibilities.  Click here to find out more about Millennium.

Just as Good as Millennium Technologies?

Caution: COPIES ARE CURRENTLY BEING PRODUCED. We at Premier Nutrition Technologies know you are constantly bombarded with products and additives that promise improvements in growth performance and carcass enhancement. Claims are often too good to be true, therefore, the products can be best described as "magic potions." When evaluating new products, use common sense and ask to see the results of scientific testing. If scientific results cannot be delivered, we suggest looking elsewhere.

At Premier Nutrition, we stress that "Good, sound nutrition is not magic; it is an essential daily management tool for expressing an animals 'full genetic potential'. We would like to wish every 4-H and FFA feeder good luck with their 1998 projects.

References

Boleman, S.L., S.J. Boleman, T.D. Bidner, L.L. Southem, T.L. Ward, J.E. Pontif, and M.M. Pike, 1995. Effect of chromium picolinate on growth, body composition, and tissue accretion in pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 73:2033.

Harper, A.F., M.D. Lindemann, and E.T. Kornegay, 1995. Effect of dietary chromium on growth performance of weanling swine. J. Anim. Sci. 73 (Suppl 1): 194 (Abstr).

Harris, J.E., S.D. Crow, and M.D. Newcomb, 1995. Effect of chromium picolinate on growth performance and carcass characteristics in pigs fed adequate and low protein diets. J. Anim. Sci. 73 (Suppl 1): 194 (Abstr).

Lindemann, M.D., C.M. Wood, A.F. Harper, E.T. Kornegay, and R.A. Anderson, 1995a. Dietary chromium picolinate additions improve gain:feed and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs and increase litter size in reproducing sows. J. Anim. Sci. 73:457.

Maxwell, C.V. 1996. The effect of L-carnitine or betaine on growth and carcass characteristics in finishing swine on a commercial operation. (Unpublished data).

Owen K.Q., T.L. Weeden, J.L. Nelssen, S.A.Blum, R.D. Goodband. 1993. The effect of L-carnitine additions on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing swine. J Anim. Sci. 71 (Suppl 1): 62 (Abstr).

Owen K.Q., J.L. Nelssen, R.D. Goodband, M.D. Tokach, S.A. Blum, S.S. Dritz, R. Musser. 1994a. The effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth performance and tissue accretion rates in the early weaned pig. J. Anim. Sci. 72 (Suppl 2): 70 (Abstr).

Owen K.Q., J.W. Smith, II, J.L. Nelssen, R.D. Goodband, M.D. Tokach, K.G. Friesen, S.A. Blum. 1994b. The effect of L-carnitine on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 72 (Suppl 1): 274 (Abstr).

Owen, K.Q., H. Ji., C.V. Maxwell, J.L. Nelssen, R.D. Goodband, M.D. Tokach. G.C. Tremblay, S.I., Koo, and S.A. Blum. 1997. Effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth, metabolism, and carcass characteristics of swine. J. Nutrition. (Submitted for publication). Presented in abstract form in J. Anim. Sci. 75 (Suppl. 1): 63 (Abstr.).

Page, T.G., 1991. Chromium, tryptophan, and picolinate in diets for pigs and poultry. PhD Dissertation, Louisiana State University.

Page, T.G., L.L. Southern, T.L. Ward, J.E. Pontif, T.D. Binder, and D.L. Thompson, Jr. 1992a. Effect of chromium picolinate on growth, serum and carcass traits, and organ weights of growing-finishing pigs from different ancestral sources. J. Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl. 1.):235 (Abstr).

Page, T.G., S.L. Boleman, M.M. Pike, T.L. Ward, S.J. Boleman, L.L. Southern, T.D. Bidner, and J.E. Pontif, 1992b. Effect of chromium picolinate on carcass traits and aging on pork quality. J. Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl. 1):218 (Abstr.).

Page, T.G., L.L. Southem, T.L. Ward and D.L. Thompson, Jr. 1993. Effect of chromium picolinate on growth and serum and carcass traits of growing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 71:656.

Smith J.W., II, K.Q. Owen, J.L. Nelssen, R.D. Goodband, M.D. Tokach, K.G. Friesen, T.L. Lohrmann, S.A. Blum. 1994. The effects of dietary carnitine, betaine, and chromium nicotinate supplementation on growth and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 72 (Suppl 1): 274 (Abstr).

Smith J.W., II, K.Q. Owen, J.L Nelssen, R.D. Goodband, M.D. Tokach, S.A. Blum. 1997. The effects of carcass modifiers on growth and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. (Submitted for publication).

Weeden T.L., J.L. Nelssen, J.A. Hansen, G.E. Fitzner, R.D. Goodband. 1991. The effect of L-carnitine on starter pig performance and carcass composition. J. Anim. Sci. 69(Suppl 1): 105 (Abstr).

Weeden T.L., J.L. Nelssen, R.H. Hines, D.F. Li, J.A. Swanson. 1990. The effect of L-carnitine on the utilization of soybean oil fed to early weaned pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 68(Suppl 1): 374 (Abstr).