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Two experiments were conducted to determine changes in body composition and various physiologic variables in feeder pigs under simulated marketing conditions. In the first experiment, pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups for 48 hours: (1) no water and feed; (2) water ad libitum, no feed; (3) no water, feed ad libitum; or (4) water and feed ad libitum. During a 48-hour recovery period, all pigs were allowed feed and water ad libitum. Plasma triiodothyronine decreased (P < 0.01) within the first 24 hours in groups-1 and -2 pigs, but increased (P < 0.01) within the first 6 hours of the recovery period. The circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol was disrupted in groups-1 and -3 pigs and during recovery in group-1 pigs. Packed cell volume increased (P < 0.05) in groups-1 and -3 pigs and returned to initial values within the first 24 hours of the recovery period. In the second experiment, body composition was estimated by the 40K technique for fat-free body mass, percentage of nitrogen, and percentage of fat. Body composition was determined before and after pigs were allotted to 1 of 2 groups for 48 hours: group-1 pigs were given feed and water ad libitum and group-2 pigs were not given feed and water. Group-1 pigs gained 2.2 kg of body weight (P < 0.01), 0.6% fat (P < 0.01), 0.7 kg of fat-free body mass, and 0.02% nitrogen (P > 0.01). Group-2 pigs lost 2.3 kg of body weight (P < 0.01), 0.6% fat (P < 0.01), 2.0 kg of fat-free body mass (P < 0.01), and 0% nitrogen.

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