Influence of sire line, gender and energy concentration of the diet on growth performance and carcass and meat quality of pigs slaughtered at 115 kg body weight

In total, 468 pigs (25.6 ± 2.9 kg body weight, BW) were used to investigate the effects of terminal sire line (PIC L62 vs. Pietrain) and net energy (NE) concentration of the diet (2,365, 2,415, 2,475 and 2,525 kcal/kg) on growth performance and carcass and meat quality of gilts and boars slaughtered at 115 kg BW. Each of the 16 treatments was replicated 3 times and the experimental unit was a pen with 10 pigs. For the entire experimental period, crossbreds from PIC L62 sire line had higher (P < 0.001) feed and energy intake and average daily gain (P < 0.001) than crossbreds from Pietrain sire line. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and energy conversion ratio (ECR) was not affected by sire line. Fat at m. gluteus medius was greater (22.7 vs. 20.1 mm; P < 0.001) for PIC L62 crossbreds than for Pietrain crossbreds. However, shoulder yield tended (P = 0.08) to be higher for Pietrain than for PIC L62 crossbreds. Also, carcasses from Pietrain crossbreds were leaner (P < 0.001) and had less intramuscular fat (P < 0.05) than carcasses from PIC L62 crossbreds. Boars had higher average daily gain (P < 0.001), better FCR and ECR (P < 0.001) and shoulder yield (P < 0.001) than gilts. However, carcass yield (P < 0.001), backfat (P < 0.05) and fat at m. gluteus medius (P < 0.01) were lower for boars than for gilts. Meat from boars tended (P = 0.08) to have less intramuscular fat and had less (P < 0.01) protein but more moisture (P < 0.001) than meat from gilts. Feed intake was reduced (P < 0.001) and FCR was improved (P < 0.001) as the level of NE of the diet increased. However, carcass and meat quality traits were not affected by NE concentration of the diet. It is concluded that PIC L62 have better grow performance and fatter carcasses than Pietrain. Gilts present higher carcass yield than boars. Therefore, gilts from PIC L62 crossbreds are a good choice when carcasses are destined to the dry-cured industry. Increasing the NE concentration of the diet from 2,365 to 2,525 kcal/kg improved feed efficiency but did not affect ADG or carcass and meat quality traits. Consequently, an increase in NE concentration of the diet might not be justified under most economic circumstances.