Administration of porcine somatotropin by sustained-release implant: growth and endocrine responses in genetically lean and obese barrows and gilts

Previous studies have documented the effectiveness of porcine somatotropin (pST) administered by daily injection in promoting lean tissue growth in lean and obese pigs and the influence of sex and genotype. The present study examined the accretive responses in pigs of different lines and sexes to a slow release formulation of pST (pST-SR). Implants that deliver 2.0 mg of pST/d were implanted in genetically lean and obese barrows and gilts at 65 +/- .7 kg BW (mean +/- SE). Pigs received no, one, or two implants (i.e., doses of 0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg of pST/d). Pigs (four per line X sex X dose) were housed individually and continuously supplied with fresh water and a 19% CP diet containing 1.08% lysine. Pigs were slaughtered on d 0 (four per line X sex) and at the end of the trial (approximately 42 d after implantation) for estimation of initial composition and calculation of accretion rates. Blood samples were collected at d 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42 to measure endocrine and metabolite responses to pST-SR. Sustained-release PST elevated (P < .05) circulating pST throughout the trial with peak concentrations at d 7. On d 7, serum pST concentrations in the pigs given 2.0 mg of pST-SR per day were 16-fold greater than those in control pigs, and in pigs given 4.0 mg of pST-SR per day pST concentrations were 33-fold greater than in controls. Elevated serum pST resulted in increased (P < .05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, insulin, and glucose and in reduced (P < .05) concentrations of urea nitrogen and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)2. Gain was not influenced by pST-SR dose; however, feed consumption was reduced (P < .05) and efficiency of gain was increased (P < .05). Accretion of all body components except cold carcass weight, cecum, and untrimmed Boston butt and ham were changed (P < .05) with PST-SR administration. Heart and stomach were the only components of the carcass and offal whose accretion was not affected by line or sex. Increases in accretion of carcass components < 75%) induced by sustained-release pST were considerably less than those measured in the organs (liver, 157%; lungs, 748%). The pST-SR treatment resulted in elevated serum concentrations of pST and its mediators and improved efficiency and composition of gain. Thus, pST-SR seems to be an effective method of pST administration; however, the response is influenced by genotype and sex of the treated pig.